Goodreads

Release date: June 20, 2023

Publisher: Dutton

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

At seventeen, Lenora Hope
Hung her sister with a rope

Now reduced to a schoolyard chant, the Hope family murders shocked the Maine coast one bloody night in 1929. While most people assume seventeen-year-old Lenora was responsible, the police were never able to prove it. Other than her denial after the killings, she has never spoken publicly about that night, nor has she set foot outside Hope’s End, the cliffside mansion where the massacre occurred.

Stabbed her father with a knife
Took her mother’s happy life

It’s now 1983, and home-health aide Kit McDeere arrives at a decaying Hope’s End to care for Lenora after her previous nurse fled in the middle of the night. In her seventies and confined to a wheelchair, Lenora was rendered mute by a series of strokes and can only communicate with Kit by tapping out sentences on an old typewriter. One night, Lenora uses it to make a tantalizing offer—I want to tell you everything.

“It wasn’t me,” Lenora said
But she’s the only one not dead

As Kit helps Lenora write about the events leading to the Hope family massacre, it becomes clear there’s more to the tale than people know. But when new details about her predecessor’s departure come to light, Kit starts to suspect Lenora might not be telling the complete truth—and that the seemingly harmless woman in her care could be far more dangerous than she first thought.

Review:

Nothing says summer like a new Riley Sager thriller for so I was excited to kick off my own summer reading with his latest. This one was pretty wild with some solid twists but things did feel a little unnecessarily complicated and convenient at times. Not a huge deal for me, I was super entertained but something to keep in mind if suspending disbelief is an issue for you. The setting of this one was so good, a creepy and crumbling old mansion set on a precarious cliff side?! Say less. For some reason when I started this I didn’t recall that it was set in the early eighties but when I realized it I was even more excited. Something about a creepy and sinister house in the past just worked for me. If you like solving long buried mysteries, fantastic settings and plenty of delicious twists this was fun!

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 6, 2023

Publisher: Dell

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

When a single dad meets the former rock star crush of his youth, everything they thought they knew about happiness and love is thrown into chaos in this hopeful, heartwarming romantic comedy

Billy Perkins is happy. No, for real. It’s kind of his thing, actually. And why wouldn’t he be? He loves his job as an independent music teacher and his apartment in Baltimore above a record shop called Charm City Rocks. Most of all, he loves his brainy teenage son, Caleb. Although not the world’s most traditional parent, Billy has plenty to teach his son about art and manhood before Caleb goes off to college.

Margot Hammer, on the other hand, is far from happy. The former drummer of the once-famous rock band Burnt Flowers, she’s now a rock and roll recluse living alone in New York City. When a new music documentary suddenly puts Margot back in the spotlight, she begins to realize how much she misses her old band and the music that gave her life meaning.

Billy has always had a crush on Margot. But she’s a legitimate rock star—or at least, she was—so he never thought he’d actually meet her. Until Caleb, worried that his easygoing dad might actually be lonely, cooks up a scheme to get Margot to perform at Charm City Rocks.

It’s the longest of long shots, but Margot’s label has made it clear that any publicity is an opportunity she can’t afford to miss. When their paths collide, Billy realizes that he maybe wasn’t as happy as he thought—and Margot learns that sometimes the sweetest music is a duet.

Review:

I’m a fan of the author and was curious to read a book that seemed like a slight departure from his usual straight up fiction style. I’ve seen this labeled as a romance in a few places and while I kind of see it, I wouldn’t solely call it a romance. I think it’s more of a general fiction with a romantic subplot but it’s about much more than just a burgeoning romance between Billy and Margot. It’s about family and what that can look like in modern times, it’s about second chances, not only in love but in life in general and it’s also about just a typical family and a snapshot of their lives. The romantic elements here also have a feel of maturity and that’s probably because Billy and Margot are in their forties but I appreciated their growth as well as their relatable humor. This was really sweet, charming and a total love letter to Baltimore, a city I’m unfamiliar with but really enjoyed reading about.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 27, 2023

Publisher: MIRA

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Finding the truth seems impossible when her own dark past has her seeing lies everywhere she looks…

From the outside, criminal psychiatrist Dr. Madeline Pine’s life appears picture-perfect—she has a beautiful family, a successful mental health practice, and a growing reputation as an expert in female violence. But when she’s called to help investigate a mysterious death at a boarding school for troubled teenage girls, Madeline hesitates. She’s been through tragic cases before, and the one she was entangled in last year nearly destroyed her…

Yet she can’t turn away when she hears about Charley Ridley. After Charley was found barefoot and in pajamas at the bottom of an icy ravine on campus, the police ruled her death a tragic accident. But the private investigator hired by her mother has his doubts. If it were Madeline’s daughter who died, she’d want to know why.

Arriving at the secluded campus in upstate New York, Madeline’s met by an unhelpful skeleton staff and the four other students staying on campus during winter break. Each seems to hold a piece of the puzzle. And everyone has secrets—Madeline included. But who would kill to protect them?

This stunning suspense debut is told with a narrative that intertwines with the transcript of an anonymous interview, beginning a twisting path where nothing—and no one—is what it seems. It’s sure to appeal to readers of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley—fans of locked room mysteries and jaw-dropping twists.

Review:

Ok this one snuck up on me and the ending kinda flipped my entire rating on its head. It was kind of an odd reading experience for me. I was initially into it, things started off pretty good and the setting was strong. The whole isolated boarding school on 300 acres thing was a pretty creepy vibe and then it flipped back and forth between Madeline’s viewpoint and a year prior with a transcript between two anonymous people. As I really settled into the story I did get a little frustrated though, there were lots of things about Madeleine that irritated me, it was the whole damaged female character who doesn’t know if she can trust herself because she takes meds schtick that I’m getting real tired of. But I pushed on despite this and the slow burn because I just had a feeling it may pay off. It mostly did I guess? The ending was pretty shocking and definitely not what I was expecting, it verges on banana’s territory but it surprised me, so I’ll take it. If you have patience with this one I kind of feel like the ending makes it worth it.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 6, 2023

Publisher: Putnam

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

The ultimate summer nostalgia read, about an engaged woman who comes face to face with her first love who she hasn’t seen in fourteen years, but who she spent every summer with from age five to seventeen when he broke her heart, calling into question everything she thought she knew about their love story, and herself.

Beach Rules:
Do take long walks on the sand.
Do put an umbrella in every cocktail.
Do NOT run into your first love.

Sam’s life is on track. She has the perfect doctor fianc�, Jack (his strict routines are a good thing, really), a great job in Manhattan (unless they fire her), and is about to tour a wedding venue near her family’s Long Island beach house. Everything should go to plan, yet the minute she arrives, Sam senses something is off. Wyatt is here. Her Wyatt. But there’s no reason for a thirty-year-old engaged woman to feel panicked around the guy who broke her heart when she was seventeen. Right?

Yet being back at this beach, hearing notes from Wyatt’s guitar float across the night air from next door as if no time has passed–Sam’s memories come flooding back: the feel of Wyatt’s skin on hers, their nights in the treehouse, and the truth behind their split. Sam remembers who she used to be, and as Wyatt reenters her life their connection is as undeniable as it always was. She will have to make a choice.

Review:

I absolutely adored the authors last book, Nora Goes Off Script so to say this was a highly anticipated read for me is putting it mildly. This was a mix between a second chance romance but also friends to lovers as Wyatt and Sam started dating as teens and were friends first. Sam is about to marry someone else and I don’t usually enjoy a love triangle but it was well done here so it didn’t even bother me a little bit. There was some serious nostalgia here as the author captured the magic of first love so perfectly and combine that will all the summery vibes and I was swooning. Overall this was such a well rounded romance with amazing characters you will connect with, a fun setting and a love story that will give you all of the feels.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 13, 2023

Publisher: Avon

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

What makes life sweet?

When Harper Shaw’s life falls apart, she knows it’s time for a change. She removes everything that doesn’t spark joy—from her soul-sucking job to eating kale to making lists—and sets off for the last place she was happy, Lake Tahoe (who wouldn’t feel good there, right?) to fulfill her dream of opening her own bakery. With her Sugar Pine Bakery in between a tavern, owned by sexy, grumpy Bodie Campbell, and a bookstore, run by her new BFF, she feels a peace she’s never experienced since…well, forever.. Then she meets Ivy, a teenage runaway, who barrels into her heart. She sees a lot of herself in Ivy and takes her under her wing, but the teenager has secrets… When those secrets explode, it changes Harper’s new world, and she’ll learn, it’s never too late to start over, it’s never too late to figure out your life, and best of all, it’s never too late to let yourself believe in love.

Review:

Reading a Jill Shalvis book is like a warm hug for me. It’s soft and cuddly and never fails to make me feel squishy inside, seriously such a delight. She writes the most adorable and hilarious romances but there’s always something a little bit extra too making her books such multidimensional reads.

This is the fourth book in the Sunrise Cove series but you don’t have to read them in order. Each book follows a completely new set of characters but they’re all in the same town. When I saw this one followed Harper as she opens a bakery I was so excited, it doesn’t get cuter than that. Bodie was exactly the type of swoony worthy hero I expect from the author, he’s a closed off and quiet guy but he has his reasons and those reasons really tugged on my heartstrings. Ivy broke my heart and made me want to mother her so hard and her dynamic with both Harper and Bodie was almost as fun for me to read about as their burgeoning romance. Loved this one so much, JS just keeps getting better and better!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the author for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: May 30, 2023

Publisher: Putnam

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

A Big Chill for our times, celebrating decades-long friendships and promises—especially to ourselves—by the bestselling and beloved author of The Guncle.

It’s been a minute—or five years—since Jordan Vargas last saw his college friends, and twenty-eight years since their graduation when their adult lives officially began. Now Jordan, Jordy, Naomi, Craig, and Marielle find themselves at the brink of a new decade, with all the responsibilities of adulthood, yet no closer to having their lives figured out. Though not for a lack of trying. Over the years they’ve reunited in Big Sur to honor a decades-old pact to throw each other living “funerals,” celebrations to remind themselves that life is worth living—that their lives mean something, to one another if not to themselves.

But this reunion is different. They’re not gathered as they were to bolster Marielle as her marriage crumbled, to lift Naomi after her parents died, or to intervene when Craig pleaded guilty to art fraud. This time, Jordan is sitting on a secret that will upend their pact.

A deeply honest tribute to the growing pains of selfhood and the people who keep us going, coupled with Steven Rowley’s signature humor and heart, The Celebrants is a moving tale about the false invincibility of youth and the beautiful ways in which friendship helps us celebrate our lives, even amid the deepest challenges of living.

Review:

I was drawn to this one because of the unique premise and the whole concept of living funerals, what a wonderful idea. Initially the idea of that can sound a little bleak, but the thought of making sure loved ones know exactly how you feel and what kind of impact they have had on your life is so special and touching. I love the authors brand of humor and wit and there was some wisdom here that really spoke to me. While there is a lot of emotional trauma here the balance between the heavier stuff and lighter moments was great for me and I found it to be heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Fans of The Guncle will be pleased.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: May 30, 2023

Publisher: Berkley Romance

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Turns out you’re never too old for a summer camp romance. Or a change of heart. When a divorced woman attends a sleepaway camp for adults only, she reconnects with a man from her past–only to catch feelings for his sister instead.

Garland Moore used to believe in magic, the power of optimism, and signs from the universe. Then her husband surprised her with divorce papers over Valentine’s Day dinner. Now Garland isn’t sure what to believe anymore, except that she’s clearly never meant to love again. When new friends invite her to spend a week at their reopened sleepaway camp, she and her sister decide it’s an opportunity to enjoy the kind of summer getaway they never had as kids. If Garland still believed in signs, this would sure seem like one. Summer camp is a chance to let go of her past and start fresh.

Nestled into the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, Camp Carl Cove provides the exact escape Garland always dreamed of, until she runs into Mason–the man she had a premonition about after one brief meeting years ago. No matter how she tries to run, the universe appears determined to bring love back into Garland’s life. She even ends up rooming with Mason’s sister Stevie, a vibrant former park ranger who is as charming as she is competitive. The more time Garland spends with Stevie, the more the signs confuse her. The stars are aligning in a way Garland never could have predicted.

Amid camp tournaments and moonlit dances, Garland continues to be pulled toward the beautiful blonde outdoorswoman who makes her laugh and swoon. Summer camp doesn’t last forever, but if Garland can learn to trust her heart, the love she finds there just might.

Review:

This was a really sweet and tender romance with characters I really enjoyed and setting that really can’t be beat for summer reading. As much as it’s a romance at its core it’s also about Garland discovering things about her sexuality and dealing with the things that happen after her awakening. I thought her personal journey was really well done and I wanted a HEA for her so bad but I can’t get behind insta love and it was super fast here. That trope just isn’t for me, but if you don’t mind that aspect this was a really soft and cute sapphic romance.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 13, 2023

Publisher: Blackstone

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

She saved his life. Now he‘ll never let her go.

Detective Elise Sutton is drawn to cold cases. Each crime is a puzzle to solve, pulled from the past. Elise looks for cracks in the surface and has become an expert on how murderers slip up and give themselves away. She has dedicated her life to creating a sense of order, at work with her ex-marine partner; at home with her husband and two young daughters; and within, battling her own demons. Elise has everything under control, until one afternoon, when she walks into a department store and is forced to make a terrible choice: to save one life, she will have to take another.

Elise is hailed as a hero, but she doesn’t feel like one. Steeped in guilt, and on a leave of absence from work, she’s numb, even to her husband and daughters, until she connects with Wade Austin, the tall man whose life she saved. But Elise soon realizes that he isn’t who he says he is. In fact, Wade Austin isn’t even his real name. The tall man is a ghost, one who will set off a terrifying game of cat and mouse, threatening Elise and the people she loves most.

Review:

The tagline here really drew me in, the thought of saving someone’s life and then they become obsessed with you sounded so thrilling and exciting to me. Unfortunately I didn’t find this one to be thrilling or exciting in the end though. Elsie is a police officer and I normally love procedurals but this one read as very dry and repetitive for me. There were shades of How to Get Away With Murder that kept me reading but ultimately things fell flat in the end. I have really loved the authors other books so will definitely be reading her in the future but this was a miss for me.

Overall rating: 3/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: May 23, 2023

Publisher: Berkley Romance

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

A starry-eyed romantic, a cynical writer, and (the ashes of) an elderly woman take the road trip of a lifetime that just might upend everything they believe about true love.

Millicent Watts-Cohen is on a mission. When she promised her elderly best friend that she’d reunite her with the woman she fell in love with nearly eighty years ago, she never imagined that would mean traveling from D.C. to Key West with three tablespoons of Mrs. Nash’s remains in her backpack. But Millie’s determined to give her friend a symbolic happily-ever-after, before it’s (really) too late—and hopefully reassure herself of love’s lasting power in the process.

She just didn’t expect to have a living travel companion.

After a computer glitch grounds flights, Millie is forced to catch a ride with Hollis Hollenbeck, an also-stranded acquaintance from her ex’s MFA program. Hollis certainly does not believe in happily-ever-afters—symbolic or otherwise—and makes it quite clear that he can’t fathom Millie’s plan ending well for anyone.

But as they contend with peculiar bed-and-breakfasts, unusual small-town festivals, and deer with a death wish, Millie begins to suspect that her reluctant travel partner might enjoy her company more than he lets on. Because for someone who supposedly doesn’t share her views on romance, Hollis sure is becoming invested in the success of their journey. And the closer they get to their destination, the more Millie has to admit that maybe this trip isn’t just about Mrs. Nash’s love story after all—maybe it’s also about her own.

Review:

This was such a sweet and delightful read! The first line of the synopsis immediately caught my attention, it doesn’t get much quirkier than a road trip that includes the ashes of an elderly woman. I loved the sunshine and grump thing between Millie and Hollis so much but Millie really stole the show for me. She’s such a ball of sunshine, a true romantic at heart and her sense of humor and eccentric behavior was so much fun. It made me laugh but I also loved the author’s portrayal of grief and how not everything here was wrapped up in a shiny package. Overall an uplifting and heartwarming read.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 6, 2023

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

A kid walks into your bookstore and… Guess what? He’s your son. The one you put up for adoption eighteen years ago. The one you never told anyone about. Surprise!

And a huge surprise it is.

It’s a huge surprise to his adoptive mother, Monica, who thought she had a close relationship with Matthew, her nearly adult son. But apparently, he felt the need to secretly arrange a vacation to Cape Cod for the summer so he could meet his birth mother…without a word to either her or his dad.

It’s also a surprise— to say the least—to Harlow, the woman who secretly placed her baby for adoption so many years ago. She’s spent the years since then building a quiet life. She runs a bookstore with her grandfather, hangs out with her four younger siblings and is more or less happily single, though she can’t help gravitating toward Grady Byrne, her old friend from high school. He’s moved back to town, three-year-old daughter in tow, no wife in the picture. But she’s always figured her life had to be child-free, so that complicates things.

When Matthew walks into Harlow’s store, she faints. Monica panics. And all their assumptions—about what being a parent really means—explode. This summer will be full of more surprises as both their families are redefined…and as both women learn that for them, there’s no limit to a mother’s love.

Review:

Every single time I finish one of the authors books I think, what am I supposed to read now? She gives me a serious book hangover but it’s worth it because her books are always some of my very favorites and I so look forward to her releases every year. This time around she tackled adoption and all it’s many facets and I think she did an amazing job at looking at the situation from every angle. You hear from three woman in alternating chapters. Harlow, who placed her son for adoption when she was just a kid herself, Monica who adopted Harlow’s son and Cynthia who has her own secret connection to adoption. So you really get the perspective of people dealing with adoption from all angles and it was such a wonderful representation. The theme of family is obviously so strong here and how that can look in many forms and it was touching, poignant and heartwarming. I’m not an emotional person for the most part but this did make me tear up a few times but it also made me laugh so much and was ultimately such an uplifting and delightful read. This is a must read for sure and will be one of my favorite reads this year no question.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.