Goodreads | Amazon

Release date: September 30, 2025

Publisher: Dell

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

In this sweeping, second-chance romance, a twist of fate forces two former roommates to move back into their beloved New York City brownstone and face the events that led to their estrangement—and confront their unresolved feelings for each other.

Subject 74 Perry Street

So begins the email that turns June Wood’s entire world on its head. Five years ago, she lived on Perry Street with her former best friend Adam Harper. But why is the management company reaching out to her about it now? 

Still smarting from the news of her hit TV show being canceled, June has nothing else to lose. She boards a plane from Los Angeles to New York City to find out more about the mysterious email and the promised opportunity it alludes to. It turns out that, thanks to an unbelievable legal loophole, if she and Adam can live together in the stunning West Village brownstone for a month, it’s theirs. Any true New Yorker knows you don’t pass up prime city real estate, and that fall in the city is magical—so what’s there to think about?

And yet, though most things have changed in the time since they last spoke, one thing hasn’ June and Adam have unfinished business. They didn’t exactly end on good terms when they each went off to chase their dreams. Now, confronted with the consequences of their choices, they must navigate the minefield of their past the best way they know together.

Every day they move closer to owning Perry Street reveals misunderstandings, long-term resentments, and long-buried feelings . . . which are suddenly feeling very, very not so buried. But they’ve already lost their friendship once before, devastating them both. Can they risk losing it again for something a little different this time?

Review:

Joss Richard’s It’s Different This Time is an impressive and heartfelt debut that swept me away. At its core, this is a second chance, friends to lovers romance layered with emotional depth, heart, and a touch of melancholy. The premise is irresistible: June and Adam, once roommates in a beloved New York brownstone, are reunited years later after the building’s owner leaves it to them and they end up living there together for a month while the details are sorted out. Richard masterfully weaves the present with flashbacks of their past, unraveling what went wrong between them while setting the stage for a tender and hopeful reunion.

The fall NYC backdrop gives this story an irresistible charm. The brownstone itself becomes a character—warm, vibrant, and infused with nostalgia—while the autumn atmosphere wraps the entire book in cozy yet bittersweet vibes. Richard also explores deeper themes of grief, complicated family relationships, and the sacrifices that come with chasing big dreams. Adam, an aspiring chef, is not only swoony but a supportive, grounding presence for June, an actress striving to carve out her own path. Their dynamic felt real, layered, and deeply satisfying to watch unfold.

Beyond the romance, the supporting cast shines, adding richness and warmth that elevate the narrative. It’s rare for a debut to strike the perfect balance of heart, chemistry, and atmosphere, but Richard does exactly that. It’s Different This Time is equal parts tender, nostalgic, and romantic, a love story you’ll want to savor like your favorite fall comfort read.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads | Amazon

Release date: October 17, 2025

Publisher: Bookouture

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

“What have you done, Juliet?”

The neighbours look on in shock as two stretchers are wheeled past gated homes on a quiet suburban street. Handcuffs are clipped on a young woman with fear in her face.

The Cordells were the perfect family. But now, in a beautiful home where happy photos line the walls and flowers adorn the dinner table, it looks like a daughter has killed her loving parents.

Everyone tuts and shakes their heads, saying there was always something strange about Juliet.

And one person watching from the sidelines has triumph in their eyes. Someone who knew this would happen all along.

As what really went on in the Cordell’s once-peaceful home starts to unravel, one thing becomes 

This perfect family had a big secret. And not everything is as it seems…

An absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller that will have you shocked at the twists and turns! Anyone who loves Lisa Jewell, Claire Douglas or Freida McFadden will be addicted.

Review:

Nicole Trope opens What Have You Done with a chilling prologue that immediately hooked me. It set the tone for a story steeped in secrets, and from there the narrative cleverly flashes back in time, slowly building up the tension until the threads begin to knot together. The pacing had that sweet spot of a psychological thriller—deliberate enough to let the dread simmer, but quick enough that I never felt bogged down. I found myself flipping pages with a growing sense of unease, always wondering what revelation might lurk around the next corner.

At the center of it all is Juliet, a character who kept me second guessing from start to finish. Was she a victim trapped in circumstances beyond her control, or was she pulling the strings all along? That ambiguity is where the book shines, it forced me to constantly reevaluate what I thought I knew, making for an addictive, unsettling read. Themes of trust, manipulation, and dysfunctional family dynamics ripple throughout the story, reminding me how thin the line between loyalty and betrayal can really be.

Were some of the twists easy to spot? Absolutely. But Trope balances the predictable with the unexpected, and even the ones I guessed didn’t dampen the impact because the ride there was just so compelling. This is domestic suspense at its darkest: disturbing in places, filled with tangled lies, and guaranteed to keep you on edge. What Have You Done doesn’t just tell a story, it plays with your perception, leaving you uneasy, intrigued, and fully invested until the very last page.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: September 23, 2025

Publisher: Atria

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

From the bestselling author of BookTok sensation Chasing Love comes a cozy and steamy enemies-to-lovers romance following a café owner and her best friend’s billionaire brother as they’re forced to work together to plan the best wedding imaginable.

Eva Woods is perfectly content with her quiet life in the picturesque town of Cinnamon Springs, where she owns a café infamous for its mouthwatering donuts. There’s even a cute new doctor in town that has caught the eyes of everyone, Eva included. But when her best friend, Maddy, asks Eva to join forces with her brother for the sake of her upcoming wedding, Eva’s quaint life is upended. Cold and rigid, Aston is the man who broke Eva’s heart back in high school. He’s also one of the country’s hottest billionaires.

With both Aston and Eva trying to outdo each other and stake claim as Maddy’s right hand man, the competition heats up. As their annoyance grows, so does their attraction, eventually culminating in a steamy night together in Aston’s New York penthouse. When Eva realizes her feelings may be a little harder to ignore than she had originally thought, she slips back to Cinnamon Springs and leaves Aston wondering what happened.

When the wedding day finally arrives and brings more than just flowers and cake, Eva and Aston are forced to finally reckon with their undeniable chemistry—and attempt to save a marriage.

Review:

How to Break My Heart by Kat T. Masen is pitched as an enemies to lovers second chance romance, but unfortunately, the story didn’t quite deliver on that promise for me. The book centers around Eva and Aston, whose supposed animosity stems from a single high school kiss and Aston’s role in “breaking her heart.” The problem is, that moment never felt substantial enough to justify the tension that’s meant to fuel the entire romance. Without a strong emotional or dramatic conflict between them, the enemies to lovers trope fell flat. At best, there was mild dislike, but even that didn’t hold much weight.

Because of that missing spark, I struggled to feel invested in either Eva or Aston’s journey. Their chemistry leaned heavily on the physical—this book definitely has plenty of steam—but emotional connection was lacking. The spice sometimes felt over the top, especially when other elements of the plot felt thin. I found myself wanting more depth, more push and pull, and more reason to root for these two to find their way back to one another.

On the positive side, the small town backdrop of Cinnamon Springs was charming and cozy, a setting I genuinely enjoyed spending time in. It had that warm, inviting feel of a close knit community, which softened some of my frustrations with the romance. Still, while the atmosphere was lovely, the central relationship never quite hooked me. Overall, How to Break My Heart had potential, but for me, it missed the mark in execution.

Overall rating: 3/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads Amazon

Release date: October 7, 2025

Publisher: Saturday Books

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Is it time to renew love or start a new chapter?

Ingrid Dahl, a cheerful twenty-nine-year-old librarian in the cozy mountain town of Ridgetop, North Carolina, has been happily dating her college boyfriend, Cory, for eleven years without ever discussing marriage. But when Ingrid’s sister announces her engagement to a woman she’s only been dating for two years, Ingrid and Cory feel pressured to consider their future. Neither has ever been with anybody else, so they make an unconventional decision. They’ll take a one-month break to date other people, then they’ll reunite and move toward marriage. Ingrid even has someone in mind: her charmingly grumpy coworker, Macon Nowakowski, on whom she’s secretly crushed for years. But plans go awry, and when the month ends, Ingrid and Cory realize they’re not ready to resume their relationship― and Ingrid’s harmless crush on Macon has turned into something much more complicated.

Overdue is a beautiful, slow-burn romance full of lust and longing about new beginnings and finding your way.

Review:

Overdue by Stephanie Perkins is a tender, reflective slow burn romance that feels tailor made for book lovers. Set against the charming backdrop of a library, it follows coworkers Ingrid and Mason as they quietly build a foundation of friendship that eventually blossoms into something deeper. If you enjoy grump/sunshine dynamics, age gap, lots of pining or the delicious tension of friends to lovers, this one will hit the mark.

What really stood out to me is how much the story leans into Ingrid’s personal growth. After she and her longtime boyfriend decide to take a month apart to date others, Ingrid embarks on a journey of self discovery that spans a full year. Along the way, she faces relatable challenges like navigating career uncertainty, helping Macon care for aging parents, and questioning traditional life milestones like marriage and children. These struggles make her feel incredibly authentic, and they add a layer of depth that makes this more than “just” a romance.

In many ways, the heart of Overdue is about learning that life doesn’t have to follow a cookie cutter plan. Watching Ingrid find her footing, heal, and come into her own makes the eventual romance with Mason that much more rewarding. It almost reads as general fiction with a romantic thread woven through, but it’s a story I thoroughly enjoyed and one that will resonate with readers who love thoughtful, character driven journeys.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: September 16, 2025

Publisher: Ballantine

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

In this twisty tale of domestic suspense, four neighbors become the prime suspects in a murder investigation that reveals the sinister underside of their picture-perfect community.

Hawthorne Lane is the perfect place to live. Its tree-lined street and stately homes are the envy of the town. Every Halloween the residents of Hawthorne Lane come together to host their famous Fall Festival. But this year, someone won’t survive the night.

As a murder investigation ensues, it quickly becomes clear there’s more going on behind closed doors on Hawthorne Lane than meets the eye. And four women, each with secrets worth killing for, find themselves at the center of it all.

There’s Georgina, the perfectionist and reigning Queen Bee, who pays a high price for her elevated status. There’s Audrey, the bold and beautiful neighbor with the high-flying corporate career, but whose marriage is on the rocks. There’s Libby, the working mother who is struggling to come to terms with her recent divorce while parenting her teenage son. And finally, Hannah—the newcomer with a mysterious past that’s returning with a vengeance.

As the clock ticks down to Halloween, their lives will cross in the most unexpected ways. And soon only one question remains: Who will pay the ultimate price for the lies they all tried so hard to bury?

Review:

If you’re hunting for one of the best fall thrillers for your spooky season TBR, look no further than The Wives of Hawthorne Lane by Stephanie DeCarolis. This domestic suspense novel follows four neighbors whose seemingly picture perfect lives unravel when a shocking murder rocks their street. But here’s the twist: the victim’s identity isn’t revealed until the very end, keeping readers turning pages late into the night.

While the first few chapters introduce a lot of moving pieces, once you get to know the cast, the suspense and secrets pull you in quickly. Between the atmospheric fall setting, the layers of neighborhood drama, and the sharp twists, this thriller feels tailor made for spooky season reading lists.

With a chilling mood, unpredictable reveals, and a satisfying ending, The Wives of Hawthorne Lane is a standout among domestic thrillers with neighborhood secrets. Fans of twisty dramas like Big Little Lies will devour it. Just note a trigger warning for abuse. Add this one to your autumn reading recommendations—it’s a page turner that proves why suburban secrets make the best thrillers.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: August 26, 2025

Publisher: Tantor Media

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Synopsis:

Welcome to Candy Cane Hollow, where every day feels like Christmas!
Holly Wood (yes, that’s her real name) is driving home for Christmas and not feeling too happy about the empty house waiting for her. 

When her car skids into a snow bank, she’s rescued by a sweet old lady who promises her name is Mrs Claus. 

Holly is taken to Candy Cane Hollow to recover, and finds herself in a genuine winter wonderland. 

As Christmas Day approaches, the grouchy medical receptionist appears to have been poisoned by a mince pie.

And to Holly’s surprise, Mrs Claus is the prime suspect. 

With Mrs Claus under suspicion, Holly vows to return the woman’s generosity by clearing her name.

Maybe it will impress Mrs Claus’ dimpled dish of a son, too?

Review:

If you’re looking for a cozy, festive escape, Christmas Corpse by Mona Marple is a delightful pick. Narrated by Charlie Albers, the audio version is a treat and the British accent makes the cheeky holiday puns and playful dialogue even more enjoyable. The story moves quickly, perfect for a short binge listen, and doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Set in the whimsically named Candy Cane Hallow, the book follows Holly Wood as she navigates a town full of quirky residents and funny mishaps. The author leans fully into the holiday spirit, with plenty of pun filled charm and light hearted antics. It’s a little cheesy at times, but that’s exactly what makes it feel warm, carefree, and ideal for a festive mood.

This first entry in what promises to be a fun cozy series is uncomplicated and feel good, perfect for anyone looking for a quick, escapist holiday read. Overall, it’s charming, easy, and full of festive vibes—definitely something to add to your holiday TBR if you want something light and merry. 

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: September 9, 2025

Publisher: MIRA

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

You never know who’s listening.

To Stella Dixon, sneaking her teenage brother out of their parents’ house for a beach party was harmless fun—until Max disappeared without a trace.

Six years later, Stella’s family is still broken, and she can’t let go of her guilt. The only thing that keeps her going is helping other families find closure through A Killer Motive,her true crime podcast.

In a bid to find new sponsors and keep making episodes, Stella goes on a local radio show. But when she says on air that if she had just one clue, she’d find Max and bring whoever hurt him to justice, someone takes it as a challenge.

A mysterious invitation to play a game arrives, with the promise that if Stella wins, she’ll get information about what happened to Max. Stella thinks it’s a sick joke…until Max’s best friend vanishes. And she’s given new instructions: tell nobody or people will die.

Desperate and unable to trust anyone, Stella agrees. But beating a twisted, invisible enemy seems impossible when they make all the rules…

Review:

A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon is a gripping cat and mouse thriller that will keep you hooked from start to finish. The story follows Stella, a true crime podcast host whose life has been defined by the disappearance of her brother six years ago. Blaming herself for his vanishing, she has channeled her grief into her podcast, exploring unsolved cases—but nothing prepares her for the chilling turn her own life takes when an unknown figure claims to have information about her brother.

The novel builds slowly at first, immersing you in Stella’s world and her emotional weight, but once the second half kicks in, the pace accelerates, and the tension becomes almost unbearable. McKinnon’s plotting is masterful, with reveals both big and small that keep you guessing. The suspense is perfectly balanced with Stella’s personal grief, making her journey feel both thrilling and heartbreakingly human.

I found myself biting my nails and racing through the pages, desperate to see what would happen next. A Killer Motive is addictive, compelling, and perfect for fans of true crime, psychological thrillers, and edge of your seat suspense. Highly recommended if you love a story that combines emotional depth with relentless tension.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: August 26, 2025

Publisher: Minotaur

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

A pulse-pounding new Southern thriller from the author of the runaway bestseller A Flicker in the Dark.

Twenty-two years ago, Claire Campbell’s older sister, Natalie, disappeared shortly after her eighteenth birthday. Days later, her blood was found in a car, a man was arrested, and the case was swiftly closed. In the decades since, Claire has attempted to forget her traumatic past by moving to the city and climbing the ranks as an investigative journalist… until an unexpected call from her father forces her to come back home and face it all anew.

With the entire summer now looming ahead—a summer spent with nothing to do in her childhood home, with her estranged mother—Claire decides on a whim to accept a seasonal job at Galloway Farm, a muscadine vineyard in coastal South Carolina less than an hour away from where she grew up. At first glance, Galloway is an idyllic escape for Claire. A scenic retreat full of slow-paced nostalgia, as well as a place where her sister seemed truly happy in that last summer before she vanished, it feels like the perfect plan to pass the time. However, as soon as Claire starts to settle in, she stumbles across an old diary written by one of the vineyard’s owners, and what at first seems like a story of young rebellion and love turns into something much more sinister as it begins to describe details of various unsolved crimes. As the days stretch on, Claire finds herself becoming more and more secluded as she starts to obsess over the diary’s contents… as well as the lingering feeling that her own sister’s disappearance may be somehow tied to it all.

Galloway was supposed to be a place to help her move forward, but instead, Claire quickly finds herself immersed in her own dark and dangerous past.

Review:

Forget Me Not is an atmospheric slow burn thriller steeped in Southern charm, with just enough bite to keep you on your toes. Think “bless your heart,” but with a razor sharp edge. Claire’s life has long been overshadowed by the disappearance of her sister, Natalie, twenty two years ago. When eerie parallels emerge in the present day, the old wound is ripped wide open. The slower pace may not be for everyone, but it’s deliberate—building a quiet, steady sense of dread that seeps into every page.

Willingham layers the story with a compelling cold case, simmering tension, and rich Southern detail. The discovery of an old diary adds a voyeuristic edge, pulling the reader into the past as it intertwines with the present. While some of the bigger twists were easy to see coming, it was the smaller, sharper surprises that made this an especially engaging read.

If you’re drawn to atmospheric mysteries that balance character depth with suspense, Forget Me Not delivers. It’s worth picking up if you enjoy slow burn Southern thrillers with an undercurrent of menace, family secrets, and a touch of true crime intrigue.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads Amazon

Release date: August 12, 2025

Publisher: Bookouture

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

The boy keeps walking, his curl-covered head down and his arms folded protectively across his body. The arcade is full of happy families but he is all alone. It’s the last time he is ever seen… Can Detective Kim Stone bring him home again?

Twelve-year-old Lewis Stephens walks out of a seafront arcade and disappears. A week later, eleven-year-old Noah Reid vanishes from the pier stretching out over the beach. There are no leads and no clues.

Detective Kim Stone doesn’t play well with others. But she has been sent halfway across the country to Blackpool, to join the hunt for the two children – and to find out if the dark whispers about corruption in the local force are justified. Her boss insists it must be he knows she won’t stop searching for the truth no matter who gets in her way. Kim just wants to find these lost children before it’s too late.

On arrival, she knows instantly something isn’t right. Why is everyone so convinced Lewis ran away? Why don’t his family seem to care that he’s missing? With time running out, she and her team work tirelessly to prove the abductions are linked – a job made harder when a list of cases is left for them in secret. The list proves one of their fellow cops is rotten to the core… but who?

And when another boy turns up dead back home, his body bruised and broken, Kim learns that the criminals she’s facing are more ruthless than she could have ever imagined. She and her team must solve the case before more children are taken. But the closer they get, the greater the danger – and they cannot trust a single soul…

A completely gripping page-turning crime thriller from no.1 multi-million-copy bestseller Angela Marsons. Perfect for fans of Val McDermid, Karin Slaughter and Robert Dugoni.

Review:

Angela Marsons has done it again with Little Children, the 22nd installment in her phenomenal DI Kim Stone series. While jumping in at book twenty two might sound daunting, rest assured it’s possible—and even rewarding—to do so. That said, this is truly a series worth starting from the beginning if you love compelling police procedurals, page turning thrillers, and character driven storytelling. Marsons has a gift for keeping this long running series fresh, unique, and emotionally resonant. Her books never feel like filler; each new installment adds depth and richness to an already exceptional body of work. For readers who love sinking deep into a cast of characters until they feel like family, this series delivers every single time.

In Little Children, Kim and her team are temporarily sent outside their usual jurisdiction to assist in the heartbreaking investigation of two missing boys. At the same time, they’re covertly digging into anonymous corruption allegations, adding a layer of tension and secrecy to the case. As if that weren’t enough, Kim is also being pulled back into another investigation closer to home, stacking the pressure in a way that makes the pacing absolutely relentless. Yet despite the layered plot, the writing never feels rushed or chaotic. Marsons maintains total control, balancing urgency with emotional depth and ensuring every subplot feels essential. The missing persons case leads the team, and the reader, down some dark and emotionally devastating paths, but the author’s sensitive and thoughtful approach to difficult subject matter ensures nothing feels gratuitous.

One of the most compelling aspects of this book is how it pushes familiar characters into new dynamics. Because the team is working with unfamiliar officers, we see them shifting their behavior slightly, adapting to the unfamiliar environment and navigating interpersonal politics in new ways. I found myself especially captivated by Bryant in this installment, his actions and decisions revealed sides of him we haven’t seen before, and it was genuinely fascinating to watch unfold. The plot is gripping, the emotional stakes are high, and the writing is sharp and assured. Little Children is exactly what I’m always hoping to find when I pick up a thriller: fast paced, emotionally resonant, and expertly executed. Truly, no notes.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Author bio:

Angela Marsons is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of the D.I. Kim Stone series. Her books have sold more than six million copies, and have been translated into over thirty languages.

She lives in Worcestershire with her wife, two cheeky Golden Retrievers, and a Bernedoodle.

Goodreads

Release date: August 12, 2025

Publisher: Bantam

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Four friends became three. Only murder will set things right. 

An emotional “what would you do?” thriller debut about revenge, the bonds of friendship, the reverberations of a small-town crime, the limits of justice.

Peter Miles has to die. And Dylan Darcy, Priyanka Shah, and Isabel Guerrero—a bartender, a nurse, and a student—have to be the ones to kill him. As they see it, this local cop deserves death for murdering their best friend and getting away with it. All they need to do to pull off the perfect crime is stick to their carefully prepared plan.

So that’s exactly what they do. Murder, it turns out, is surprisingly easy when you’re fueled by revenge. What comes after is the hard part.

As the dry Texas heat gives way to cooler weather, their blazing rage is replaced by a chill fear. Because there’s a fallout that comes from settling the score against someone like Peter, and it could cost them more than they’ve bargained for. When the lead investigator on the case starts sniffing around for a cop-killer, the three friends are not feeling as confident as they did on that fateful night. And when they start receiving death threats, it weakens their resolve even further . . . but it’s too little too late.

What they don’t realize is that this detective has her own reasons for wanting to get to the bottom of Peter’s murder. Reasons that don’t involve them at all. The investigation ramps up, and so does the pressure, leaving Dylan, Priya, and Isabel to wonder if ending his life may end up costing them theirs. 

As the guilt of what they’ve done settles in their bones, they realize there’s no going back. Someone is going to have to take the fall.

Review:

This hooked me right away with a strong  premise, three women banding together to avenge their friend’s death by taking down the man responsible. Add in a mid 90s setting (with another timeline in the late 90s) and a secret narrator twist, and I was intrigued from the start. It definitely gave me John Tucker Must Die vibes, only darker and with a revenge driven, suspenseful edge. 

The story’s multiple POVs helped keep things dynamic, but the pacing did feel a little uneven. Some stretches flew by with tension and reveals, while others lingered longer than needed. Still, the different perspectives added layers to the mystery, especially once the narrator’s identity was revealed. The blend of friendship drama, vengeance, and shifting alliances kept me turning the pages, even when the momentum dipped a bit.

Overall, I’d give this one a 3.75. It’s twisty, nostalgic, and offers a few genuine surprises. If you enjoy revenge plots with a strong female ensemble and a throwback feel, it’s worth picking up. Just be ready for a few pacing hiccups along the way, but you might forgive them for the sake of the satisfying reveals and the 90s vibe.

Overall rating: 3.75/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.