Goodreads

Release date: July 9, 2024

Publisher: Poisoned Pen

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Regan Peters knows her husband John wants to give her and their children a good life. The long hours he puts in as a financial advisor prove his dedication, and despite how mysterious he is about his past, that’s been enough for her to get through the hard days. Until the FBI shows up at their door looking for John, and Regan learns that her husband has been running a Ponzi scheme, is mixed up with dangerous criminals, and has been living under an assumed identity all these years. Everything she thought she knew about her husband has been a lie.

That includes the outrageous birthday present John gifted her the day before he disappeared—a lake house, bought with cash, and put in her name only. With her life falling apart, Regan must make a split-second decision: does she tell the FBI about the house? Or does she buy some time to forge her own path to saving herself? But one compromise inevitably leads to another, and one dangerous secret builds on the next.

When her lies of omission to the FBI agents begin to raise questions, Regan becomes inextricably embroiled in John’s crimes, the true extent of which are just beginning to be revealed. Now that her comfortable life is clearly over, Regan is learning she is capable of far more than she ever imagined. She will do anything to protect herself, her children, and their future. Anything.

Review:

Give me a domestic suspense where a spouse has hidden things from their partner and I’m always interested but I’m even more invested if the author can put their own unique spin on things and I think the author managed to do that here. This is character driven, and as much as there is a solid plot it really is more about Regan and John and it dives deep into who they truly are at their core. I really relayed to Regan as a mother who will do anything for their kids. People say this all the time as a type of throwaway comment but she really proved it here. There were some really solid reveals and one in particular was unexpected for me but I don’t want to say much more to keep things a surprise. Overall I have no major complaints, this was an engaging mystery.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: July 23, 2024

Publisher: Putnam

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Leo Balanoff is a diagnosed pathological liar with unthinkable skeletons in his family’s closet. He’s also a crusading attorney who seeks justice at all costs. When a ruthless drug dealer is found dead and Leo’s fingerprints show up on the murder weapon, no one believes a word he says. But he might be the FBI’s only shot at taking down the dealer’s brutal syndicate.

Risk his life going undercover for the feds or head straight to prison for murder? Leo accepts the FBI’s offer—but it comes with a price, including a collision course with his ex, Andi Piotrowski, a former cop and “the one who got away.” Forced to walk a tightrope between an ambitious FBI agent and a cruel, calculating crime boss, Leo’s trapped in a corner. But he has more secrets than anyone realizes, and a few more cards left to play …

Review:

Based on the title you obviously know this will be full of secrets and lies but I was actually surprised by how many twists and turns this had. There were so many reveals I lost count, it was a constant and steady stream of subtle turns and sometimes downright shocking twists. It definitely kept me engaged and ready, I truly never knew exactly what would happen next. This is complex and intricately plotted, I would describe it as a smart thriller where not every single thing is spelled out for you but the author lays a trail and allows you to put the pieces together yourself. While it’s heavily plot driven there was also really good character development and depth making it such a multifaceted read. Fans of Harlan Coben will like this one, definitely similar vibes for me.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: July 23, 2024

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Camille Prescott has it all. A doting husband, two children, a charming home in a seaside enclave, and a beautiful, fixed smile that exudes normalcy. But behind her polished mask lurks a much different Camille―one with a padlocked vault of secrets. Raised by a vindictive and psychotic woman, Camille has gone to great lengths to bury her past and for good reason: if her mother ever finds her, she will kill her.

But nothing can prepare Camille for the day her six-year-old daughter, Georgie, starts showing signs of unsettlingly familiar behavior, including an imaginary new friend who casts a disturbing influence on everything the little girl says and does. Worse than that, Georgie’s imaginary friend knows things about Camille’s childhood, things Camille has never told a soul. Is it a coincidence or is Georgie’s imaginary friend not so fictional after all?

As the family’s stability cracks, so does Camille’s facade, because the past isn’t just coming for her and everyone she loves―it’s already here.

Review:

This has such a good premise, the idea of a child knowing things they shouldn’t know just creeps me out and the author portrayed it in a way that was unsettling and addictive. Camille had such a horrific childhood, the bits and pieces that are shared about her past are chilling and haunting, I so felt for her. She’s resilient and has worked very hard to move on from her past and watching her beautifully crafted life unravel was so sad. But it also made me wonder if she was just being paranoid or overprotective, I mean who could blame her if she was? It made for a fun guessing game and I really didn’t predict at all how things would turn out. I don’t want to say much more about the plot but if you like dark and fast paced thrillers this was excellent and I cannot wait for the next book!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: July 16, 2024

Publisher: MIRA

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Becoming the star is easier when the rest of your band is dead…

All drummer Vienna Taylor ever wanted was to make music. If that came with fame, she’d take it—as long as her best friend, guitarist Madison Pierce, was sharing the spotlight and singing lead. And with their new all-female pop rock band gaining traction, soon everyone would hear their songs…

Except, on the way to an event, the Bittersweet’s van careened off an icy mountain road during a blizzard—leaving one member dead and another severely injured.

In order to survive the frigid night, the rest took shelter in a nearby abandoned cabin. But Vienna’s dreams devolved into a terrifying nightmare as, one by one, her fellow band members met a gruesome end…and Madison simply vanished in the night.

What really happened to the Bittersweet? Did Vienna’s closest friend finally decide to take center stage on her own terms?

She doesn’t want to believe it.

But guilty people run. 

Review:

I’ve read all of the authors books and I think this is my new fave! There was something addictive right from the start, I was instantly drawn into the story and read this in record time. There are quite a few characters at the beginning and I thought I would be confused but I settled in quickly and had no issues. The suspense started right at the beginning and really never waned for me, things just kept happening and there were some really great twists that threw me for a loop too. One in particular really shook things up and made me race to finish the entire thing to see wtf would happen next. Loved this one and definitely recommend it!

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Release date: July 16, 2024

Publisher: Blackstone

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Thirty-six-year-old stay-at-home soccer mom Kate Burke is happily married to Matt Parsons, although their marriage looks very different behind closed doors. Kate is no longer interested in having sex with her husband. So, while they still love each other madly, they make an arrangement: Matt can have one-night stands with other women on work trips, but when he returns home, he has to tell Kate about them—every juicy detail.

Because Kate has a secret life writing erotic romance novels, and Matt’s adulterous affairs are her bread and butter.

The family equilibrium is upset, however, when Annie Meyers, an eccentric young widow, moves to town with her daughter. At first Kate is smitten with this wild, witty woman, who gives her a much-needed break from the other picture-perfect suburban moms, although she’s not sure how much of her secret life she’s willing to share with her new friend. But it turns out Annie has secrets too—big ones that could destroy all their lives.

Review:

If you read the synopsis of this one you already know this is outrageous because that premise is insane 😂 so when I started this I knew it would be slightly ridiculous but I had no idea just how unhinged it would get. The author really went there in terms of outrageousness and I was here for it. This was fast paced, I could not put it down so there was an addictive quality to the authors writing. I really had no idea what the characters would do next but I was dying to know. There’s a bit of a book within a book as there are excerpts from Kate’s steamy erotica story interspersed within the chapters so that was fun. You also hear from Annie, the new neighbor in alternating chapters and she was quite the character. If you like domestic novels with unhinged behavior, a side of steam and some pretty surprising twists this was a blast. The publisher says it’s for fans of The Arrangement series and I can definitely see that!

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: July 16, 2024

Publisher: Bantam

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Alex Walker has always looked up to her perfect older sister. Maddie has succeeded in all the ways Alex has not: she escaped their hometown and seems to have put the memories of their unstable childhood behind her. But despite the different paths their lives have taken, the two sisters made a pact to spend one week together every summer. It was a promise they’d never broken. . . Until now. 

When Maddie suddenly cancels her annual trip home, Alex begins to worry. But when she stops returning her calls altogether, Alex is certain something is wrong. Relying on the only clues Maddie left behind, Alex follows her sister’s footsteps to the Hamptons, where she meets the Blackwell family—the last people to have seen Maddie alive before she vanished into thin air. The Blackwells seem to have it all: wealth, beauty, and a beach-side mansion on a private stretch of Hamptons real estate. It’s a world unlike any Alex has ever known, but she quickly discovers that looks can be deceiving, and a life of luxury always comes at a cost.

Review:

When I first read the synopsis of this one it sounded like a perfect summer thriller and it totally was! The Hamptons setting, the glitz and glam of the Blackwell family and the missing sister? Yep that all screams summer to me. I enjoyed the back and forth between Maddie in the past and Alex in the present as she basically retraces her sister’s footsteps in order to find her. It was fast paced as Alex realizes nothing is as it seems with anything about the life Alex was living in the Hamptons and there were quite a few twists that took me by surprise. The suspense aspect was solid, I was right there with Alex wanting to know what happened to Maddie and the big reveal made sense with no unnecessary twists just for the sake of them. Overall a solid mystery that kept me on my toes.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: July 30, 2024

Publisher: Knopf

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

When Cleo, a student at NYU, arrives late for dinner at her childhood home in Brooklyn, she finds food burning in the oven and no sign of her mother, Kat. Then Cleo discovers her mom’s bloody shoe under the sofa. Something terrible has happened.

But what? The polar opposite of Cleo, whose “out of control” emotions and “unsafe” behavior have created a seemingly unbridgeable rift between mother and daughter, Kat is the essence of Park Slope perfection: a happily married, successful corporate lawyer. Or so Cleo thinks.

Kat has been lying. She’s not just a lawyer; she’s her firm’s fixer. She’s damn good at it, too. Growing up in a dangerous group home taught her how to think fast, stay calm under pressure, and recognize a real threat when she sees one. And in the days leading up her disappearance, Kat has become aware of multiple threats: demands for money from her unfaithful soon-to-be ex-husband; evidence that Cleo has slipped back into a relationship that’s far riskier than she understands; and menacing anonymous messages from her past—all of which she’s kept hidden from Cleo . . .

Like Mother, Like Daughter is a thrilling novel of emotional suspense that questions the damaging fictions we cling to and the hard truths we avoid. Above all, it’s a love story between a mother and a daughter, each determined to save the other before it’s too late.

Review:

This was a really solid thriller, exactly the kind of story I’ve come to expect from the author. She’s a really great writer, I love her style and combine that with a compelling and intricate plot and a complex mother/daughter relationship and I was hooked. This is a character driven story following Cleo and her mom, Kat who are somewhat estranged when Kat goes missing. You hear from Cleo in the present day and Kat in the weeks leading up to her disappearance until everything merges together in a fairly satisfying conclusion. There is definitely a lot of emotional upheaval here due to their strained relationship and I thought the author did a fantastic job at examining their issues. My only small gripe was there were a couple of loose threads in the end that I wish were more resolved but overall a solid read for me.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: July 9, 2024

Publisher: Ballantine

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

Four freshmen arrive at college from completely different worlds: Lainey, a California party girl with a flair for drama; Tyson, a brilliant scholar and law school hopeful from D.C.; Summer, a recruited athlete and perfectionist from the Midwest; and Hannah, a mild-mannered southerner who is content to quietly round out the circle of big personalities. Soon after moving into their shared dorm, they strike up a conversation in a study lounge, and the seeds of friendship are planted.

As their college years fly by, their bond intensifies and the four become inseparable. But as graduation nears, their lives are forever changed after a desperate act leads to tragic consequences. Stunned and heartbroken, a pact is made to be there for each other in their time of need, no matter how separated they are by circumstances or distance.

Ten years later, Hannah is anticipating what should be one of the happiest moments of her life when everything is suddenly turned upside down. Calling on her closest friends, it soon becomes clear that they are facing their own crossroads. True to their promise, they agree to take a time out from lives headed in wrong directions and embark on a journey of self-discovery, forgiveness, and acceptance.

In this tender portrayal of grief, love, and hope, Emily Giffin asks: When things fall apart, who will be at our sides to help pick up the pieces?

Review:

I’m a huge fan of the author and this is probably my least favorite of all of her books but it’s still a 4 star for me, so take that as you will. It’s pretty depressing at times as it deals with some heavy subject matter so don’t let the pretty cover and lighthearted title fool you. The author did handled topics like suicide and addiction with care though but it was a bit of an odd balance between summer travels and emotional upheaval. I did like the travel aspect and the reasoning behind the whole thing. I also appreciated the connection between this group of friends and you hear from all of them in alternating POVs so I felt like I got a solid understanding of them by the end. If you want a read with some real depth and tragedy instead of a standard summer read, try this. It’s a great exploration of friendship and found family if you can handle some serious issues.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: July 16, 2024

Publisher: Park Row

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

Author Shelby Archer found inspiration for her first novel while living on the picturesque shores of Provincetown on Cape Cod. When she comes to the town to celebrate her new bestseller, she is expecting a warm homecoming. But instead she is confronted with the cold shoulders of friends and neighbors who feel exposed and betrayed.

Heartbroken, Shelby tries to move on and focus on her next novel. But then an unexpected call comes: her dear friend who owns the beloved Land’s End bookshop needs help for the summer. Shelby reluctantly returns to the Cape to manage the store.

Back at the beach, Shelby sets her focus on the tiny seaside shop, getting lost in the shelves of steamy romance novels and dusty classics and trying to right the wrongs of her past. With every page turned and every customer served, Shelby comes closer to gaining back the trust of those she hurt. But as her manuscript deadline nears, she is again forced to choose between her own success and a second chance at love and belonging.

Review:

When I think about a book to read on the beach this is exactly the type of book I’m picturing. It’s breezy and light, a beautiful summer setting and had characters that are dealing with some personal dramas that will keep me intrigued. It follows three women who are best friends and they’re all dealing with some sort of issue. Some are personal and some are within their little friend group but all were compelling for me. Shelby is an author and I always really enjoy reading books about writing and Colleen’s family owns a local bookstore so that aspect was fun as well. Hunter works in the literary field so the title is more than fitting and everything about the plot is a book lovers dream. Besides the friendship dynamics between the ladies there are some small romance subplots so a little something for everyone here. If you’re looking for a fast paced and enjoyable read to devour by the pool or on the beach this one would be a great choice.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: July 23, 2024

Publisher: Mulhulland

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Three women.

When she was twelve, Leyna Clarke watched her older sister, Grace, walk away from their Sierra Nevada foothills home with her boyfriend, Adam Duran. Neither was ever seen again. Sixteen years later, a stranger who looks like Grace shows up at the restaurant where Leyna works—and vanishes soon after. When it comes out that Leyna was one of the last people to have talked with the young woman, Leyna’s childhood crush Dominic, who is also Adam’s brother, pleads with her to do the last thing she wants to come home.

Three secrets.

But Leyna isn’t the only one who hasn’t been able to leave that fateful night behind. Her mother, Meredith, still lives in the family’s old home—even if she claims to believe the police’s theory that Grace and Adam were willing runaways. Down the street, Adam and Dominic’s mother Olivia has also stayed, determined to be there when her son finally returns. . . and to prove that Meredith and Leyna have been hiding something all these years. But the past isn’t the only threat to the two families, or the missing girl. As a wildfire sparks, tempers flare and intentions turn deadly. Because someone in the neighborhood knows what really happened that night—and just how good the forest is at keeping its secrets.

Who will you trust?

Review:

This one was a bit of a departure for the author, at least in terms of pacing. Her other books have been fast paced with lots of action to keep you turning the pages and this one was very slow with the action not happening until the very end. There were quite a few characters to keep track of at first and it did take some time for me to settle in with them, I think it’s because Olivia and Meredith were so similar in their unlikability that I had a hard time knowing who was who as the book switched back and forth a lot. Leyna was much more likable for me so her chapters were my favorite and then there were short chapters from the fire that was beginning to rage in their neighborhood that were ok. I took almost a week to get through this and that’s pretty unheard of for me but I am glad I finished because I was super curious about what happened to Grace and Adam. Overall just an ok read for me, I definitely needed more action and faster pacing.

Overall rating: 3/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.