Goodreads

Release date: July 8, 2025

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Nola Strate, a late night call-in radio host in Portland, Oregon, listens to stories of hauntings and cryptic sightings for a living. But one foggy, wet evening, when a caller describes an eerie scene that triggers memories of Nola’s escape from a serial killer years before, she becomes fearfully aware that he’s back to finish what he started.

Nola Strate is being watched, again.

After an encounter with a notorious serial killer in the Pacific Northwest as a child, Nola has grown up and tried her best to forget her traumatizing night with The Hiding Man. She installed security cameras outside her Oregon home, never spoke of her experience, and now hosts Night Watch, a popular radio call-in show her semi‑famous father used to run. When coincidences lead Nola to believe that she is being stalked, and a caller on Night Watch has a live incident with an intruder in the caller’s home—the description of whom is chillingly familiar—Nola is convinced that The Hiding Man has resurfaced and is coming for her.

With a mysterious next‑door neighbor lurking in the shadows, more people getting hurt, the police not taking her concerns seriously, and evidence pointing towards her own father, Nola decides to become, like her listeners, a Night Watcher herself, and uncover the monster behind The Hiding Man’s mask.

Review:

If you’re looking for a listen that will leave you checking your locks Night Watcher might be your next obsession. This was a chilling, emotionally charged thriller that had me completely hooked. From the very first chapter, there’s a creeping sense of dread that never lets up, and I found myself holding my breath more than once.

The story centers on Nola, a woman haunted by a terrifying event from her childhood. She’s tired of living in fear, and her inner strength really shines through as the story progresses. What made her especially compelling was how real she felt, flawed, anxious, but determined. I was rooting for her the whole way.

The audio version absolutely heightened the experience. Helen Laser’s narration was phenomenal as always and she nailed Nola’s vulnerability and quiet strength, and her delivery added a visceral layer to the fear simmering beneath the surface. It felt like I was living inside the story, which only made the tension that much harder to shake.

Woolsoncroft’s background as a true crime podcaster clearly shows, she understands the anatomy of fear and builds suspense in a way that feels unnervingly plausible. Fast paced, addictively eerie, and deeply unsettling, I flew through this in a single day, because once I hit play, I couldn’t stop.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 24, 2025

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Thirty-five year old Edie Pepper, a rosé loving, reality TV obsessed copywriter from Chicago, dreams of plucking her soulmate from the depths of Hinge (or Tinder or Bumble). Following yet another dumpster fire of a date, Edie is consoling herself with boxed wine and E! Newswhen Ryan Seacrest drops a bomb: Edie’s high school sweetheart has been cast as the lead in America’s most beloved reality dating show, The Key, and wow, does he look different. Charlie Bennett, Edie’s chubby cheeked, cosplay loving high school boyfriend has had a serious glow up, and is now a world traveling, extreme sports hunk.  

Desperate to reclaim her One True Love, Edie DMs the show’s conniving producers, who are more than happy to shove Edie headfirst into the competition. But Charlie isn’t quite who she remembers, and he’s as desperate to hide his past as Edie is to reveal it. Further complicating matters is Peter Kennedy, The Key‘s cranky showrunner, who, despite his best efforts, finds himself drawn to Edie’s everywoman charm. 

Navigating increasingly absurd dates, Edie starts to rethink everything she thought she knew about love. Is the biggest risk she’s ever taken about to culminate in disaster? Or is Edie about to secure the Happily Ever After she’s always wanted?  

Find out this season on The Key.

Review:

The setup is pure entertainment, but what sets this rom com apart is its sly commentary on dating culture, media manipulation, and the pressure women feel to “perform” for love. It’s a sharp, funny, and delightfully messy behind the scenes peek at the world of reality dating shows, and it’s an absolute treat on audio thanks to the incredible narration by Patti Murin.

The authors writing is sharp and full of wit and exactly my style. The humor is spot on and strikes a great balance between laugh out loud funny and emotionally grounded. Edie is such a relatable protagonist, she’s funny, self aware, and just trying to make sense of what she wants in a world that rewards spectacle over sincerity.

And then there’s the audio narration. Patti Murin is one of my all time favorite narrators, and she proves once again why she’s in a league of her own. Her animated, engaging delivery breathes even more life into Edie and the entire cast of characters. She captures the humor, heart, and occasional heartbreak so perfectly that you can’t help but hang on every word. This book was made for her voice.

If you’re a fan of The Bachelor, Love Island, or anything with a bit of romantic chaos and insider drama, Fan Favorite should be at the top of your TBR, especially on audio.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 24, 2025

Publisher: Atria

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

rom #1 New York Times bestseller Lisa Jewell, an author “at the very top of her game” (Lucy Foley)—three women are connected by one man in this kaleidoscopic thriller.

“Who are you? Who are you really?”

Nick Radcliffe is a man of substance and good taste. He has a smile that could melt the coldest heart and a knack for putting others at ease. He’s just what Nina Swann needed in her life after her husband’s unexpected death. But to Nina’s adult daughter, Ash, Nick seems too slick, too polished, too good to be true. Without telling her mother, Ash begins digging into Nick’s past. What she finds is more than unsettling…

“Because there are things that don’t make sense, and I’ve been so patient, so very patient…”

Martha is a florist living in a neighboring town with her infant daughter and her devoted husband Alistair. But lately, Alistair has been traveling more and more frequently for work, disappearing for days at a time. When Martha questions him about his frequent absences, he always has a legitimate explanation, but Martha can’t share the feeling that something isn’t right.

“You know that’s mad, don’t you? I’m your husband. We know everything there is to know about each other.”

Nina, Martha, and Ash are on a collision course with a shocking truth that is far darker than anyone could have imagined. And all three are about to wish they had heeded the same warning: Don’t let him in. But the past won’t stay buried forever.

Review:

From the jump, there’s a sense of unease that lingers over every chapter. You’re dropped into multiple perspectives, each one intriguing in its own right, and at first you might find yourself wondering how it’s all going to come together. But trust Jewell, she’s playing the long game. Slowly, methodically, she weaves the threads until the full picture starts to emerge. It’s incredibly satisfying to watch the layers unfold.

And let’s talk characters. There’s one in particular (no spoilers!) who you will absolutely love to hate(or maybe you’ll skip the “love” part and go straight to pure loathing) He’s the kind of vile, magnetic presence that keeps you glued to the page, just to see what he’ll do next.

While this one leans more into obsession and psychological control than some of her previous novels, fans of The Family Upstairs or Watching You will definitely feel at home here. The plot is complex without being confusing, and the payoff is worth the ride. It’s not the kind of book you casually read with half your attention, there are details, connections, and moving pieces that deserve to be followed closely.

Overall, Don’t Let Him In is tense, darkly entertaining, and just twisted enough to keep you flipping pages late into the night. If you enjoy thrillers that don’t hand you easy answers and aren’t afraid to dive into the messiness of human behavior, this one should be high on your list.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 24, 2025

Publisher: Putnam

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

The USA Today bestselling author of The Worst Best Man is back with a fun and flirty rom-com about a pact between friends that goes awry when one of them unexpectedly announces they’re getting married.

On the eve of their college graduation, best friends Javier Báez and Marisol Campos swore never to date someone the other doesn’t approve of. Now, ten years later, Javi has a problem. Mari, the woman he’s secretly pined for since sophomore year, is planning to marry—and Javi didn’t even get the chance to vet the Pedro Pascal knockoff.

Mari, a successful entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles, is no longer seeking Javi’s dating advice or waiting for him to declare his love for her. Instead, she’s made a different pact—with herself. And to succeed, she’ll need to build a future with someone else.

With his life and theater career finally on track, Javi’s ready to confess his feelings. Except Mari’s changed the script and moved on without him. Which means he has eight weeks to convince her this marriage is a flop. And if Javi has to ruffle some feathers to help Mari avert a disaster, well, he’s up for the challenge. After all, isn’t that what best friends are for?

Review:

This was a heartfelt, witty, and layered friends-to-lovers romance that nails the tricky balance between swoony slow burn and emotional depth. Told in a dual timeline, the story alternates between Mari’s present day wedding planning (to another man) and flashbacks to her college years when she first met Javi. This structure really works here, it lets readers witness the long standing bond between them while also slowly unpacking what went wrong and why they still can’t seem to let go.

Mari and Javi are both incredibly likable characters, with personalities that leap off the page. Their dynamic is effortless and real, with banter and vulnerability in equal measure, I def just wanted them to figure it out and be together already! 

The supporting characters are also a highlight. From quirky friends to well meaning family members, the cast adds both levity and depth without ever overshadowing the main couple.

While it’s not a fast paced romance, the slow burn absolutely pays off. The chemistry simmers, the emotional tension builds beautifully, and the payoff is satisfying and earned. If you’re a fan of friends to lovers stories with history, heartache, and second chances, this one will hit the spot.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 17, 2025

Publisher: Bantam

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

In this twisted psychological thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of the Reese’s Book Club Pick The Last Mrs. Parrish, a woman is tormented by nightmarish visions of her future—and then they start to come true.

Annabelle has everything she’s ever wanted. A devoted husband, two wonderful daughters, and a career she loves. She couldn’t be happier. So why is she suddenly plagued by disturbing dreams of a future where she hates her husband and her daughters’ lives are at risk? At first, she chalks the dreams up to an overactive imagination. But when details from her dreams, details she couldn’t possibly have predicted, begin to materialize, she realizes these aren’t just dreams but rather premonitions of a terrifying future. They all point to a singular choice, an unknown moment that holds Annabelle’s life in the balance.

Then Annabelle has a dream that her daughter, Scarlett, is in immediate danger. Someone wants Scarlett dead and Annabelle has no idea who or why. Suddenly, every choice she makes is fraught with peril, with no inkling of which move could bring this terrifying vision to life. As her present life starts to collide with the future in her dreams, she wrestles with how much control she really has over her destiny and whether or not she can change what is meant to be.

Review:

What happens when you see everything coming, but can’t stop watching anyway? 

This is a twisty psychological thriller told through multiple POVs and timelines, and while it didn’t totally blow me away, it still delivered a fast-paced, bingeable read.

The book thrives on its structure: the shifting perspectives, including one from a mysterious unknown figure, helped create tension and kept the pages turning. I also appreciated how the timeline jumps built suspense, slowly revealing layers of backstory while propelling the present-day narrative forward. It’s the kind of story you can fly through in a weekend without even realizing how much time has passed.

Where it faltered for me was in the execution of its twists. While plentiful, many of the reveals felt overly dramatic and more at home in a daytime soap than a grounded thriller. And unfortunately, most of the “shocks” were fairly easy to predict, so if you’re looking to be blindsided, this might not be it. That said, there’s still something undeniably fun about a thriller that leans into the melodrama.

You do need to suspend disbelief to fully enjoy it, but if you’re in the mood for a popcorn thriller this one fits the bill. Just don’t expect it to break any new ground.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 17, 2015

Publisher: William Morrow

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

What if there were a cure for the broken-hearted?

Welcome to the Poppy Fields, where there’s hope for even the most battered hearts to heal.

Here, in a remote stretch of the California desert, lies an experimental and controversial treatment center that allows those suffering from the heartache of loss to sleep through their pain…and keep on sleeping. After patients awaken from this prolonged state of slumber, they will finally be healed. But only if they’re willing to accept the potential shadowy side effects.

On a journey to this mystical destination are four very different strangers and one little dog: Ava, a book illustrator; Ray, a fireman; Sasha, an occupational therapist; Sky, a free spirit; and a friendly pup named PJ. As they attempt to make their way from the Midwest all the way to the Poppy Fields—where they hope to find Ellis, its brilliant, enigmatic founder—each of their past secrets and mysterious motivations threaten to derail their voyage.

A high-concept speculative novel about heartache, hope, and human resilience, The Poppy Fields explores the path of grief and healing, a journey at once profoundly universal and unique to every person, posing the questions: How do we heal in the wake of great loss? And how far are we willing to go in order to be healed?

Review:

This is a stunning, thought provoking exploration of grief, healing, and the emotional cost of forgetting. The concept is instantly compelling: in this world, grief can be “slept off” in a place called the poppy fields, a dreamlike landscape where mourners go to rest and, ideally, heal. But there’s a catch. Some people wake up having lost not just their pain, but their emotional connection to the person they’ve lost. The question the book quietly, but powerfully asks is; what is the price of peace, and is it worth it?

This would make an incredible book club pick. Every character feels vivid and distinct, with layered backstories and rich emotional arcs that invite conversation. Erlick handles heavy themes (grief, love, memory, and identity) with remarkable care, and there are some beautifully crafted twists that add depth without ever feeling manipulative.

While the story revolves around loss, it’s not a bleak book, it’s deeply human, and ultimately hopeful. It speaks to the universality of mourning and asks what it really means to move on. If you’ve ever struggled with grief, or simply want a novel that will move and challenge you, this one was fantastic. 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 10, 2025

Publisher: William Morrow

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Kind Worth Killing and Eight Perfect Murders comes an inventive, utterly propulsive murder-mystery in reverse, tracing a marriage back in time to uncover the dark secret at its heart.

Thom and Wendy Graves have been married for over twenty-five years. They live in a beautiful Victorian on the north shore of Massachusetts. Wendy is a published poet and Thom teaches English literature at a nearby university. Their son, Jason, is all grown up. All is well…except that Wendy wants to murder her husband.

What happens next has everything to do with what happened before. The story of Wendy and Thom’s marriage is told in reverse, moving backward through time to witness key moments from the couple’s lives—their fiftieth birthday party, buying their home, Jason’s birth, the mysterious death of a work colleague—all painting a portrait of a marriage defined by a single terrible act they plotted together many years ago.

Eventually we learn the details of what Thom and Wendy did in their early twenties, a secret that has kept them bound together through the length of their marriage. But its power over them is fraying, and each of them begins to wonder if they would be better off making sure their spouse carries their secrets to the grave.

Review:

When I first heard this book was being described as a “marriage gone wrong” story told in reverse, I was immediately intrigued. I always appreciate when an author takes a risk and tries something different, especially in the thriller genre, where fresh structure and pacing can breathe new life into familiar tropes. Unfortunately, this particular narrative structure didn’t work for me.

The reverse chronology had potential, and I was initially invested, thinking each chapter would layer in key clues about how Thom and Wendy’s marriage unraveled. And while there were moments that gave glimpses into the deterioration of their relationship, these were too few and far between. Much of the novel felt repetitive and slow, with chapters that didn’t build enough tension or momentum to sustain my interest.

Adding to that, both Thom and Wendy were difficult characters to connect with. Their lack of likability made it even harder to care about the early days of their romance or understand the emotional weight behind their eventual downfall. When characters are unlikable and the pacing is off, it’s hard to stay engaged.

I had high hopes that the final chapter would deliver a twist or payoff that would tie everything together and give the story the impact it needed. Sadly, the ending felt underwhelming and didn’t bring the clarity or punch I was looking for. In the end I was just disappointed.

Overall rating: 2/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 17, 2025

Publisher: Ballantine

Genre: Non fiction

Synopsis:

Low-rise jeans, butterfly clips, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, and Paris Hilton’s nights out. The early 2000s were a time of major moments in fashion, media, celebrity culture, and especially music. The aughts saw female artists, specifically pop stars, make up more than half of the highest-grossing musicians of the decade—the only time in the history of recorded music. Artists such as Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and Beyoncé were leading the charge—their success not only reflecting a new investment in female-led music, but also major cultural changes.

In Hit Girls, Nora Princiotti examines how these artists built the modern music industry by redefining its relationship to genre, technology, and celebrity. She unpacks when Brit wore pigtails and opened the bubblegum floodgates for Christina Aguilera and Jessica Simpson to run through them, leading to the emergence of Avril, P!nk, and Paramore as a (no-less-poppy) punk antidote to the first wave of pop. Innovations in technology lead to the rise of EDM, as artists like Rihanna experimented with sound while artists like Ke$ha and Katy Perry embraced the “party anthem.” Along the way, Princiotti explores how celebrity evolved alongside the shift in media from tabloids to MySpace to Instagram and how Taylor ultimately created one of the largest, most dedicated fandoms the world has ever seen.

With passion, energy, and a slew of fun facts, Hit Girls shows how this decade of pop became a major cultural signifier continues to have a lasting impact today.

Review:

From Beyoncé and Britney Spears to Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, and more, Princiotti breaks down the major players and their impact with humor, heart, and a deep appreciation for the genre. While the book doesn’t necessarily unearth new information or shocking revelations, it’s not really trying to. Hit Girls thrives in its nostalgic glow, inviting readers to revisit the music, the moments, and the memories with fresh eyes.

I enjoyed the authors writing style, it feels like catching up with a pop savvy best friend; casual, funny, and full of enthusiasm. It’s as if you’re sitting on the couch together, reminiscing about middle school dances, CD booklets, and the MTV Video Music Awards. The tone is light, fun, and totally bingeable, perfect for anyone who wants a joyful, slightly sparkly break from heavier reads.

Hit Girls might not offer groundbreaking insight, but it doesn’t need to. It’s a celebration, not a thesis, and for fans of 2000s pop, it hits all the right notes.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Release date: June 17, 2025

Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

An English professor’s deadly past comes back to haunt her in this chilling and sexy thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Vi Keeland.

As a college English professor, Elizabeth looks forward to the start of each new semester teaching her creative writing seminar. At least until she reads chapter one of The Reckoning, a tale about a high school senior who has an affair with her teacher. To anyone else it would be the beginning of a great page-turner, but to Elizabeth it is the beginning of the end.

She knows this story. It’s all familiar because she lived it. The girl in the story was her best friend Jocelyn, and Elizabeth knows exactly how the story will end—with the professor dead. Because she was the one who killed him.

Someone knows what Elizabeth did twenty years ago and her secret is about to be exposed, but who is the mystery student submitting the chapters? In an effort to find out, Elizabeth returns to her Louisiana hometown where it soon becomes clear that no matter how many years have gone by, she can’t escape her past.

Review:

Vi Keeland is best known for her contemporary romances, but in her latest, she takes a darker turn and absolutely nails it. This was a fast paced, cleverly plotted thriller that had me hooked from the very first chapter. It’s smart, gripping, and laced with just enough spice to raise your pulse between the twists. The final chapter? Absolutely jaw dropping.

Though there’s some spice woven in (mild for romance fans, potentially spicy for thriller readers), it’s never the focus. Instead, the emotional intensity and unsettling themes, particularly around abuse and grooming, take center stage. The author handles these darker elements with care, using them to deepen the story rather than shock.

If you’re in the mood for a thriller that blends emotional weight with page turning suspense, Someone Knows is a standout. Smart, addictive, and unexpectedly powerful, I’m a huge fan of the authors thriller journey! 

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 10, 2025

Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

The “absolutely hilarious” (Real Simple) Amy Poeppel delights once again with a charming new novel about a house swap gone wonderfully awry.

Perfect strangers Lucy and Greta have agreed to a house swap—and boy, are they going to regret it.

Lucy’s hometown of Dallas has gone from home sweet home to vicious snake pit in the blink of an eye after her son makes a mistake he can’t undo. And Greta’s beloved flat in Berlin is suddenly up for grabs when her husband Otto takes a dream job in Texas without even telling her. In their rush to leave town, Lucy and Greta make a deal, pack their bags, and—thanks to martinis, desperation, and some very rusty German—have absolutely no idea what they’re getting themselves into.

Trading Southern charm and barbecue for European sophistication and schnitzel, the two women get a lot more than a change of scenery as they move into each other’s houses, neighborhoods, and lives. Greta and Lucy’s husbands are no help: Otto is winning over his colleagues, swimming laps in the backyard pool, and rooting for the Rangers, while Lucy’s husband is doing a six-month stretch out west, either in a NASA biosphere or in jail, depending on who you ask. Meanwhile, Greta’s daughter Emmi and Lucy’s son Jack get tossed into each other’s orbits, where they both discover secrets they can’t ignore.

When Greta’s biggest career achievement—the buzzworthy purchase of a Vermeer at auction—is thrown into question and Lucy’s past with a hot Viking named Bjørn invades her present, the two women need each other in ways they never could have imagined. Through jet lag, culture shock, suspiciously nice neighbors, and scandals that refuse to be left behind, Lucy and Greta will have to decide if they can ever go home again.

Review:

Amy Poeppel has such a knack for writing smart, funny, and heartfelt novels, and Far and Away is no exception. I love her style, her humor always hits the mark for me, and this one had me laughing out loud while also tugging at my heart.

The premise of a house swap with a total stranger is both terrifying and fascinating, and the author uses it to set the stage for some hilarious, chaotic, and totally original moments. The story is packed with family drama, long buried secrets, and unexpected twists, but it never feels heavy. Instead, it’s the fun kind of chaos; messy, unpredictable, and full of heart.

If you love character driven stories with a strong emotional core, sharp humor, and a lot of heart, definitely add this one to your list. It’s the perfect blend of drama and comedy, I was genuinely sad to say goodbye to these characters. 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.