March felt like a transition month in the best way — a little bit of everything, but with spring slowly starting to sneak in. I found myself reaching for lighter reads, small town settings, popcorn thrillers and especially cozy mysteries (which I fully cannot get enough of right now). It’s been such a fun, comfort reading kind of season.

If you missed anything this month, here’s a quick catch up, plus what I’ve been reading, listening to, and watching lately.

ICYMI: March Highlights

March Book Recommendations

A little bit of everything — from cozy escapes to emotional reads and addictive thrillers.

→ Read the full list here

Full March Reading Recap

I had a strong month that had a slow start but then had a bunch of 5 stars in a row!

(Insert link once it’s live)

→ Read the full list here

Spring Break

I also shared a spring break recap filled with bookstore browsing, life lately moments, and a little peek into the balance of reading and real life.

→ See the post here

A Few of My Favorite March Reads

The Me I Used to Be by Kristan Higgins

A beautifully layered, character driven story about friendship, grief, and the lasting impact of the past. Told through dual timelines, this follows four former best friends as they reunite and confront the secrets that changed everything. It’s emotional, thoughtful, and incredibly moving, with just enough warmth and humor to balance the heavier themes. The kind of book that stays with you — and would make an excellent book club pick.

→ Read the full review here

Ryder by Jessica Peterson

Cowboy romance will always have me, and this delivered. Brother’s best friend, friends to lovers, small town, and a bold heroine who goes after what she wants? Say less.

This was emotional, spicy, and full of tension, and the audiobook absolutely elevated the experience — the accents, the chemistry, everything just worked. A perfect final book in the series, and I’m already fully invested in what’s coming next.

→ Read the full review here

Story Lake Series by Lucy Score

Story of My Life

A chaotic, cozy romcom that fully leans into its charm. Think small town antics, quirky residents, and a romance author heroine living out her own messy storyline. It’s funny, heartfelt, and packed with found family vibes — pure comfort reading.

Mistakes Were Made

Such a fun return to Story Lake. Opposites attract, messy in the best way, with great banter, tension, and emotional payoff. I read these back to back and had the best time and this series is officially a comfort read obsession.

Currently Reading / Listening / Watching

• Reading: Too Close to Home by Seraphina Nova Glass — fast paced, dramatic, and already pulling me in. Picture a seemingly perfect lake community unraveling after a shocking act of violence… and secrets everywhere.

• Listening: The Hayley Powell series by Lee Hollis — cozy, foodie mysteries set in a small Maine town. Think lobster bakes, small town drama, and murder mixed with humor. I’m having so much fun with these.

• Watching: Summer House on Bravo — I’ve been here since day one and this current drama?? I cannot look away. The West and Amanda situation is wild, and I’m firmly Team Ciara forever. Some of my fave accounts giving updates are facereality16 Bravohistorian and Queensofbravo if you wanna follow the mess.

What’s Next

Very much in my mood reading era right now, but you can definitely expect more seasonal content as we move into spring.

On my radar:

• a spring reads guide (coming soon)

• themed stacks and cozy mystery roundups

• more quick hit rec carousels when I find a new favorite

⸻

Thank you for being here — whether you’re reading every post or just checking in when something catches your eye. I appreciate it more than you know 💕

Goodreads

Release date: April 7, 2026

Publisher: Knopf

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

A traditional American woman, a beautiful wife and mother who sells her pioneer lifestyle of raw milk and farm-fresh eggs to her millions of social media followers, suddenly awakens cold, filthy, and terrified in the brutal reality of 1805—where she must unravel whether this living nightmare is an elaborate hoax, a twisted reality show, or something far more sinister in this sensational debut novel.

My name was Natalie Heller Mills, and I was perfect at being alive.

Natalie lives a traditional lifestyle. Her charming farmhouse is rustic, her husband a handsome cowboy, her six children each more delightful than the last. So what if there are nannies and producers behind the scenes, her kitchen hiding industrial-grade fridges and ovens, her husband the Republican equivalent of a Kennedy? What Natalie’s followers—all 8 million of them—don’t know won’t hurt them. And The Angry Women? The privileged, Ivy League, coastal elite haters who call her an antifeminist iconoclast? They’re sick with jealousy. Because Natalie isn’t simply living the good life, she’s living the ideal—and just so happens to be building an empire from it.

Until one morning she wakes up in a life that isn’t hers. Her home, her husband, her children—they’re all familiar, but something’s off. Her kitchen is warmed by a sputtering fire rather than electricity, her children are dirty and strange, and her soft-handed husband is suddenly a competent farmer. Just yesterday Natalie was curating photos of homemade jam for her Instagram, and now she’s expected to haul firewood and handwash clothes until her fingers bleed. Has she become the unwitting star of a brutal reality show? Could it really be time travel? Is she being tested by God? By Satan? When Natalie suffers a brutal injury in the woods, she realizes two things: This is not her beautiful life, and she must escape by any means possible.

A gripping, electrifying novel that is as darkly funny as it is frightening, Yesteryear is a gimlet-eyed look at tradition, fame, faith, and the grand performance of womanhood.

Review:

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke is one of those buzzy pre publication reads that immediately makes sense once you’re in it—and just as quickly explains why it’s been so polarizing. This is not a comfortable novel, nor is it trying to be. With a premise that hooks you instantly, (Natalie, a hyper curated tradwife influencer, waking up in what appears to be the brutal reality of the 1800s)the story wastes no time pulling you into a disorienting, unsettling unraveling. I was completely locked in, desperate to understand what was happening, even as the narrative grew darker and more unsettling with each page.

What makes this book so compelling (and divisive) is Natalie herself. She is not likable, not particularly self aware, and often deeply frustrating—but she is endlessly fascinating. If you need to connect with or root for your main character, this may not work for you. But if you’re drawn to sharp character studies, Natalie is a case you won’t be able to look away from. Through her, the author digs into heavy, layered themes: motherhood, marriage, religion, identity, the performance of womanhood, and the commodification of “tradition” through social media. The exploration of influencer culture—especially involving children and curated domesticity—feels especially pointed, and at times, genuinely disturbing.

At its core, Yesteryear is a biting, darkly funny, and at times outright bleak dissection of tradwife culture and modern American identity. Burke examines these cultural pockets with a razor sharp lens, exposing both the allure and the rot underneath. It’s uncomfortable, provocative, and will absolutely not land the same way for every reader, but for me, it was completely absorbing. The kind of book that leaves you unsettled, thinking, and maybe even a little horrified long after you’ve finished.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: April 7, 2026

Publisher: Avon

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

From the author of Partners in Crime, comes a sparkling new adventure rom-com where a con woman and a lawman team up on an epic cross-country road trip to save their families…and each other. 

Sejal Chaudhary inherited her mama’s calculating brain, her daddy’s quick fingers, and the boatload of trauma that comes with being the eldest daughter of criminals. Although Sejal has never claimed to be a good girl, she’s spent the last couple years laying low and going (mostly) straight. That is, until a con gone wrong sends her into the arms of a handsome stranger who’s set on dragging her back into her messy family drama.

Krish Anand never mastered the fine art of being a bad boy…he would take a book over bullets any day. But when his FBI agent brother goes missing, he has no choice but to suit up for the adventure of a lifetime. Certain that someone in Sejal’s little crime family is behind the disappearance, a desperate Krish manages to convince the beautiful thief that his brother’s badge is actually his. 

The deal is simple: help him find his brother, and Krish and the law will leave Sejal be. With an up-to-no-good ex also hot on her trail, Sejal reluctantly agrees. As they wind their way across the country on planes, buses, and automobiles, sparks ignite, and what began as a fragile temporary truce starts to look more and more like a partnership. 

Falling for the enemy? So cliche, but so good…if only they can survive long enough to chance a happily ever after.

TROPES

Enemies-to-Lovers
Forced Proximity
Forbidden Love
Adventure Rom-Com

Review:

Enemies to Lovers by Alisha Rai delivers a fresh, high energy twist on the rom com space by leaning into adventure without tipping fully into romantic suspense. This was such a fun surprise, think action packed and chaotic in the best way, but still grounded in banter, chemistry, and emotional payoff. The story follows Sejal and Krish, two layered, secretive characters whose complicated pasts make them instantly intriguing. Their forced partnership sets the stage for a fiery dynamic that slowly reveals unexpected depth, and watching that shift unfold is where the magic really happens.

What stood out most is how seamlessly the story balances tone. It has moments of real tension and danger, but never feels heavy—instead, it keeps things playful, zany, and fast moving, especially with the road trip element adding a sense of unpredictability. The slow burn romance works beautifully here, fueled by sharp banter, undeniable chemistry, and just enough spice to keep things sizzling. Sejal and Krish both have compelling reasons for their guardedness, which makes their emotional progression feel earned rather than rushed.

Also worth noting: this reads perfectly well as a standalone, even though it’s technically the second in a series. If you’re looking for something that sits in that sweet spot between rom com and light adventure—with a little chaos, a little danger, and a lot of sparks—this one absolutely delivers.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: September 15, 2026

Publisher: Lake Union

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

At a high school reunion, old secrets and heartbreaking truths come to light for four estranged friends in a poignant, humorous and bittersweet novel by a New York Times bestselling author.

Audrey, Micah, Jasmine and Beck—the lucky one, the beautiful one, the smart one, the sporty one—are called the Core Four. Full of promise, laughter and loyalty, they promise to be best friends forever. But the night after graduation, they’re in a devastating accident, and the friendship that seemed unbreakable is shattered.

Twenty-five years later, the four women agree to reunite for their high school reunion. None of them is where they hoped to be way back when, and all have scars and secrets. But for one, the diagnosis of early-onset dementia means this is the last chance to revisit their once-golden friendship.

Over the weekend, they’ll come to terms with that tragic accident, as well as the dreams and realities of their lives. Can they forgive each other and peel away those secrets? Is there anything left of that old friendship? After all these years, it’s time to see if the Core Four can come together once more.

Review:

The Me I Used to Be by Kristan Higgins is a beautifully layered, character driven story that perfectly captures why she remains such a standout voice in contemporary fiction. Blending her signature humor with deeply poignant themes, this novel explores friendship, family, grief, and the complicated ways the past continues to shape who we become. Through dual timelines that move seamlessly between past and present, Higgins crafts a narrative that feels both intimate and expansive, drawing you into the lives of four former best friends whose bond was once unbreakable.

Set against the backdrop of a twenty five year reunion, the story slowly unravels long buried secrets and unresolved heartbreak, revealing how one tragic night altered the course of their lives forever. The shifting timelines are handled with care, making the pacing feel compelling and immersive rather than disjointed. Each character is richly developed, carrying their own regrets, losses, and quiet hopes, and the emotional weight of their shared history builds steadily as the story unfolds. It’s incredibly moving—at times devastating—but balanced with moments of warmth, connection, and even levity that keep it from feeling overwhelmingly heavy.

The ending is both heartbreaking and perfect, the kind that leaves you sitting in your feelings long after you’ve turned the final page. Fans of Pack Up the Moon will find similar emotional depth here, as Higgins once again delivers a story that is as thought provoking as it is tear inducing. This is the kind of novel that begs to be discussed, making it an ideal pick for book clubs, there’s so much to unpack about friendship, forgiveness, and whether the past can ever truly be left behind. A truly beautiful, unforgettable read—even if you’ll likely be sobbing through parts of it.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: March 17, 2026

Publisher: St. Martin’s

Genre: Mystery/Thriller, Horror

Synopsis:

A relentless, horror-inducing psychological suspense for fans of The Push and Baby Teeth by New York Timesbestselling author CG Drews.

Single mother Elodie’s life has become a fairy tale. She’s met Bren, equal parts golden-retriever devoted and sinfully handsome. He’s whisked her and her autistic son, Jude, to the crumbling family house he’s renovating. She has a new husband, a new house, and a new baby on the way. Everything is perfect.

Then Jude claims he can hear voices in the walls. He says their renovations are “hurting” the house. Even Elodie can’t ignore it–something strange is going on. The question is, is it with the house, or with her son?

Then the one secret Elodie has been hiding is revealed, and no one is safe anymore.

A pulse-pounding, clever take on the haunted house novel, You Did Nothing Wrong examines the complexities of motherhood and the twisted bonds of family as it races to its shocking ending.

Review:

You Did Nothing Wrong is a chilling, genre blending thriller that merges domestic suspense with eerie haunted house horror. Elodie believes she has finally found her happy ending—married to the charming Bren, living in his sprawling family home, and starting a new life with her autistic son, Jude. But the fairytale quickly fractures when Jude insists he can hear voices in the walls of the house during renovations. As strange occurrences escalate, Elodie begins to question whether something supernatural is lurking within the house, or whether the danger lies much closer to home.

From the very beginning, the novel creates a deeply uneasy atmosphere that never fully lets up. The crumbling house feels alive in the most sinister way, and the tension builds through a mix of psychological dread, disturbing imagery, and moments that veer into chaotic horror. There are flashes of gore and some truly unsettling scenes, but what makes the book so gripping is the constant sense that something is deeply wrong—even when you can’t quite pinpoint what.

Dark, gothic, and relentlessly unsettling, this is not a light read. You Did Nothing Wrong leans fully into its pitch black tone, delivering a story that feels both haunting and unpredictable. Just when you think you might understand where the narrative is headed, it twists again, culminating in a wild and unexpected ending that recontextualizes everything that came before. It’s the kind of disturbing, atmospheric thriller that’s best saved for when you’re in the mood for something truly dark.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: March 17, 2026

Narrator: Katharine Chin and Austin Rising

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

A stroke of luck.

Hazel Yen would love to be that person who doesn’t believe in bad luck. But having lost her job, her mom, her optimism, and even her dim-sum leftovers, she’s sitting in a fortune teller’s booth, desperate for a sign—any sign—that her luck might change. Which is when fate crashes into her, disguised as Logan Wells and his utterly chaotic cat. Except after one spontaneous and mind-melting kiss, Hazel’s terrible misfortune starts taking a turn for the miraculous. Money problems vanish. A new job lands in her lap. And she’s crushing—hard—on the guy who started it all.

Only there’s a problem: Logan’s luck has taken a turn for the worse. A shared lottery ticket could be just the answer they’re seeking or a disaster waiting to happen. Has Hazel’s fortune truly changed? And if so, could winning at life mean losing at love? 

Review:

I listened to the audiobook of The Fortune Flip and it ended up being such a delightful surprise. Narrated by Katharine Chin and Austin Rising, this dual narration setup worked beautifully for Hazel and Logan’s story. Both narrators were new to me, which honestly made it even more fun because it’s always a treat to discover not just one but two narrators you want to add to your regular audiobook rotation. Their performances brought so much personality to the banter and really captured the charm and warmth of the story.

On the surface, this is a super cute rom com built around a fun premise—what happens when luck literally flips between two people after a chance meeting. But beneath the lighthearted setup there’s actually a lot of emotional depth. Hazel is navigating grief after losing her mom, complicated family dynamics, and the ripple effects of addiction within her family. I thought the author did a great job balancing those heavier topics while still keeping the overall tone hopeful and uplifting. I also really loved the exploration of Chinese culture and traditions, especially the elements around fortune telling and luck, it added such a unique layer to the story.

The romance between Hazel and Logan is refreshingly low angst and grounded. Much of the conflict comes from external circumstances; family struggles, the whole “luck swap” situation, and life complications, rather than unnecessary relationship drama. Their banter is still playful and the connection between them feels genuine and sweet, even if the romance isn’t the sole focus of the plot. As the weather starts warming up and people are getting back into audiobook walks, this would be such a perfect listen to take along on a sunny afternoon.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: March 3, 2026

Publisher: Mulholland Books

Genre: Horror, Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Two women living centuries apart are bound by the same dark secret in this haunting novel that “upends everything you think you know about ghost stories” (Jennifer McMahon, author of The Winter People).

“A delightful twist on both the haunted-house and beach-read genres.” —Carissa Orlando, author of The September House

The Devil enters through doors left open…

On the isolated Eastern Shore of Virginia, Edith is a healer, a woman of knowledge—and a woman watched. Shadows move where they shouldn’t. Whispers creep through the dark. Terrified she has opened her home to the Devil, Edith makes a desperate choice.

Claire doesn’t believe in ghosts—until she returns home to care for her dying father and finds her childhood house… listening. As one sleepless night bleeds into the next, she becomes convinced something is stirring beneath the floorboards. Something that has waited a long time to rise.

Is the house haunted? What compels this lurking darkness? As the danger mounts, Edith and Claire will discover they’ll need each other to survive. But they are separated by four hundred years. And time is running out for them both.

Review:

Turn Off the Light was exactly the kind of horror that works for me. I’m not someone who reaches for the genre often, but when I do, this is the lane I love most—spooky enough to give me chills and leave me feeling a little uneasy, but not so graphic or gory that it turns my stomach. Walters creates an atmosphere that’s genuinely creepy without relying on shock value. Think haunted house vibes, whispers in the dark, strange happenings you can’t quite explain, and that constant feeling that something is watching. It gave me goosebumps more than once, which is always a good sign.

The story moves between two timelines that kept me completely engaged. Edith’s story unfolds centuries in the past on Virginia’s isolated Eastern Shore, while Claire’s takes place in the present as she returns to her childhood home to care for her dying father. I’m not always drawn to historical timelines, but it worked beautifully here. Watching Edith and Claire’s experiences mirror and slowly connect was one of the most compelling parts of the book, and the mystery of how their stories would intersect kept me turning the pages.

Beyond the supernatural elements, there’s a strong central mystery driving the plot, along with a few twists that make the story feel fast paced and engaging. The haunting presence in the house, the unsettling visions, and the sense that time itself is part of the puzzle all build toward a tense and atmospheric reading experience. Walters blends horror, mystery, and the supernatural in a way that feels immersive rather than overwhelming, making Turn Off the Light a great pick for readers who want something creepy, twisty, and haunting without crossing into full on nightmare fuel. 👻📖

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: March 10, 2026

Publisher: Atria

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

The women of the Novak family were each born with a gift: they can, just once, turn back time.

Lauren has known since she was fifteen that her mother Marcella saved Lauren’s father from a deadly car accident. Dave is alive and happy, and out on the Malibu waves. But ever since, Marcella, her power spent, has lived in fear of what she won’t be able to reverse. Her own mother, Sylvia, is her polar opposite: a free-spirited iconoclast with a glamorous past she only hints at. Lauren has spent her life between these two role models—and waiting for her own catastrophe to strike.

Then one summer, Lauren’s husband takes a job in New York and she moves back to Broad Beach Road, back into her childhood home on the shores of Malibu. Lauren looks forward to surfing with her dad again and perhaps repairing an unspoken fracture in her relationship with her mother. What she doesn’t expect is for the boy next to door to return home as well: Stone, Lauren’s first love, who broke her heart nearly a decade before.

As Lauren falls into familiar patterns, with her family and, more dangerously, Stone, she finds herself thinking about all the choices, large and small, that have brought her to this moment. And wondering, finally, if one of them should be undone.

Review:

Once and Again is another thoughtful entry into the world of magical realism that Rebecca Serle has become known for. The premise is instantly compelling: the women in the Novak family are each born with the ability to go back and redo one moment in their lives. As with many of Serle’s stories, the magic isn’t really the point—it’s the emotional ripple effects of the choices we make and the lives we build around them. The concept makes for a reflective reading experience, prompting you to think about your own “what ifs,” regrets, and turning points along the way.

I especially loved the multigenerational dynamic between Lauren, her mother Marcella, and her grandmother Sylvia. Their different approaches to life and to the family’s unusual gift create an interesting emotional tension that carries through the story. Serle also excels at creating a strong sense of place, and the Malibu beach setting is vivid and immersive. The Broad Beach Road house, the ocean, and the laid back coastal energy give the book an atmospheric quality that makes it an ideal weekend binge or vacation read.

While the story kept me engaged and turning pages, the ending didn’t quite land for me. One aspect of the final twist felt a bit silly compared to the otherwise thoughtful tone of the book, which ultimately bumped my rating down slightly. Still, this is a fast paced and reflective novel that explores family, relationships, and the weight of our decisions in a way that feels both emotional and entertaining. Fans of Serle’s work will likely find plenty to appreciate here.

Overall rating: 3.75/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.