Goodreads

Release date: January 6, 2026

Publisher: St. Martins

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

St. Medard’s Bay, Alabama is famous for three things: the deadly hurricanes that regularly sweep into town, the Rosalie Inn, a century-old hotel that’s survived every one of those storms, and Lo Bailey, the local girl infamously accused of the murder of her lover, political scion Landon Fitzroy, during Hurricane Marie in 1984.

When Geneva Corliss, the current owner of the Rosalie Inn, hears a writer is coming to town to research the crime that put St. Medard’s Bay on the map, she’s less interested in solving a whodunnit than in how a successful true crime book might help the struggling inn’s bottom line. But to her surprise, August Fletcher doesn’t come to St. Medard’s Bay alone. With him is none other than Lo Bailey herself. Lo says she’s returned to her hometown to clear her name once and for all, but the closer Geneva gets to both Lo and August, the more she wonders if Lo is actually back to settle old scores.

As the summer heats up and another monster storm begins twisting its way towards St. Medard’s Bay, Geneva learns that some people can be just as destructive—and as deadly—as any hurricane, and that the truth of what happened to Landon Fitzroy may not be the only secret Lo is keeping…

Review:

Rachel Hawkins’ The Storm is a breezy, twisty read that grips you from the first page. Told in dual timelines, it alternates between present day following Geneva, the current owner of her family’s hurricane battered inn, and the past, following the lives of Lo, Ellen, and Frieda. Hawkins keeps the narrative moving at a brisk pace, and the interwoven timelines create a sense of immediacy and suspense, making it hard to put down. The Rosalie Inn, weathered by decades of hurricanes, serves as the perfect atmospheric backdrop for a story full of long buried secrets and simmering tension.

Geneva’s encounter with Lo, now returning to town with a reporter to work on her memoirs, sets up a dynamic and sometimes soap opera esque tension. Hawkins embraces dramatic twists and over the top reveals, which may feel excessive to some but are also part of the book’s guilty pleasure appeal. Between the storms that batter St. Medard’s Bay and the personal storms raging among the characters, there’s a delicious mix of intrigue, romance, and small town gossip that propels the story forward.

Despite the high stakes drama, The Storm is an easy, fast read. Hawkins balances the suspense with humor and character driven moments that make you care about Geneva, Lo, and the women of the past timeline. It’s the kind of novel you can curl up with for an afternoon, and it delivers both the tension of a thriller and the charm of a character driven saga. Fans of atmospheric settings, secrets, and fast moving dual timelines will find plenty to enjoy here.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: December 16, 2025

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

With her brother’s grumpy best friend—and her longtime nemesis—as Beth’s flight instructor, her pilot lessons could be a plane disaster or their first-class ticket to forever.

Mayday. Mayday. Engine failure.

When flying with George Bunsen, the last thing Beth Lundberg wants is to be horny in the cockpit. But when her first ride-along dives toward disaster, the perpetually stoic George is forced to execute a skillful emergency landing, and Beth is horrified to find herself with an adrenaline-fueled crush on the pilot. She’s even more shocked when her brother’s best friend offers her discounted flight lessons—possibly out of guilt for almost killing them.

And despite George’s annoying habit of departing any room the moment Beth enters, she really wants to accept. No matter that it’s an egregiously expensive hobby, or that her waitressing wages go right toward her mother’s medical bills, or that she’s already in debt up to her eyebrows. Flying is Beth’s dream, and she could use her private license to earn real money.

The more time they spend navigating the sky, the more the turbulence between George and Beth dissipates. But Beth has seen the burning wreckage that comes from mixing business with pleasure—plus, she’s been keeping a secret that, once revealed, will send all her relationships into a tailspin. Can she really take a risk on romance when her pilot career isn’t even off the ground?

Review:

Love in Plane Sight opens with one of the most gripping first scenes I’ve read in ages: Beth is mid ride along with George, her brother’s stoic best friend, when an emergency landing forces them down onto a highway. It’s an adrenaline spiking moment that immediately exposes the very thing Beth has been trying to ignore—her crush on the man who has always seemed to avoid her. The tension is palpable, not just in the emergency itself, but in what it cracks open between them: years of familiarity, yearning, and an undercurrent of something neither of them has wanted to face.

What makes the story shine is how layered both characters are. Beth is a deeply empathetic heroine who has spent most of her life pushing her own dreams aside to care for her family. Her desire to become a pilot has lived quietly in her heart for years, and finally watching her move from hesitation to self belief is incredibly satisfying. She’s tender, capable, and more complex than she gives herself credit for, and her journey into putting herself first feels both earned and emotional.

George is the perfect complement to her, he’s grumpy, stoic, and guarded in a way that clearly hides a lot of depth. His distance doesn’t read as disinterest; it reads as someone who has spent a lifetime containing everything he feels. Seeing his walls shift, bit by bit, as he allows himself to want something—and someone—he’s convinced he can’t have is one of the best parts of the book. The dynamic between them carries this delicious slow burn tension rooted in history, familiarity, and mutual respect.

Together, Beth and George create a romance that feels tender, mature, and full of emotional texture. The aviation backdrop adds uniqueness without overpowering the heart of the story, and the blend of quiet pining, personal growth, and gentle longing makes Love in Plane Sight a heartfelt, deeply satisfying read from start to finish.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: January 20, 2026

Publisher: Atria

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

Perfect for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six and In Five Years—a beautiful, powerful, and transportive new novel about a music executive desperately trying to bring a rock band back from the brink, from bestselling author Ashley Winstead.

This is a love story, but not the one you’re expecting.

When record executive Theo meets the Future Saints, they’re bombing at a dive bar in their hometown. Since the tragic death of their manager, the band has been in a downward spiral and Theo has been dispatched to coax a new—and successful—album out of them, or else let them go.

Immediately, Theo is struck by Hannah, the group’s impetuous lead singer, who’s gone off script by debuting a whole new sound, replacing their California pop with gut-wrenching rock. When this new music goes viral, striking an unexpected chord with fans, Theo puts his career on the line to give the Saints one last shot at success with a new tour, new record, and new start.

But Hannah’s grief has larger consequences for the group, and her increasingly destructive antics become a distraction as she and her sister Ginny—her lifelong partner in crime—undermine Theo at every turn. Hannah isn’t ready to move on or prepared for the fame she’s been chasing, and the weight of her problems jeopardize the band, her growing closeness with Theo, and, worst of all, her relationship with her sister—all while the world watches closely. The Future Saints’s big break is here—if only they can survive it.

A novel about sisterhood, friendship, and the ghosts that haunt us, The Future Saints is “a mesmerizing look at grief, love, and the music industry that’s so raw and emotional, you’ll want to play it on repeat.” (Laura Hankin, author of One-Star Romance).

Review:

If you’re drawn to novels that explore the highs and lows of the music world,  The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead should be at the top of your list. Think Daisy Jones & The Six vibes—music, fame, and the intricate web of relationships behind the scenes. The story follows messy, complex characters navigating grief, loss, and the emotional cost of chasing dreams. Winstead does a fantastic job capturing both the glamour and the grit, making the characters’ struggles feel authentic and deeply engaging.

At its heart, the novel is character driven, particularly the slow burn romance between Theo and Hannah. Their connection develops naturally amid the pressures of fame, past trauma, and the music industry’s demands. Friendships also receive careful attention, giving the story emotional depth beyond romance and ambition.

The audiobook adds another layer of immersion, with phenomenal production quality and a full cast of narrators including Brittany Pressley, Vikas Adam, and others. The use of music throughout enhances the listening experience, making performances, heartbreak, and intimate moments resonate even more. Future Saints is a moving, well crafted story of love, friendship, ambition, and the emotional highs and lows of chasing your dreams.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: December 2, 2025

Publisher: Poisoned Pen

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Natalie’s best friend leaves the dance club with a handsome stranger and is found unconscious at a bus stop the next morning. What happened that night? Only Natalie’s friend knows—except she’s in the hospital, in a coma…
When Natalie sees a handsome man on the cover of a financial magazine, she recognizes the “Man of the Year”—the stranger her friend left the club with.
He is a millionaire. He is famous. He is untouchable. And—Natalie suspects—dangerous. Desperate for answers, she takes a job as a housekeeper at his mansion.
Her plan is simple. Get close to him, watch his every move, gather evidence, and make him pay.

Except something’s not right about the mansion. Strange rules, hostile treatment from the staff, and an eerie feeling that she’s being watched and followed home. And what exactly happened to the previous housekeeper who went missing?
Natalie thought she was setting a trap. But the day she discovers the shocking truth about the “Man of the Year,” she realizes she might have walked straight into his…

Review:

All Eyes on Him is one of those compulsively readable, popcorn thrillers that grabs you from the first chapter and refuses to let go. Iliana Xander leans hard into the binge factor with snappy, short chapters, a propulsive pace, and a plot that thrives on those “just one more…” moments. The setup is instantly gripping: Natalie’s best friend leaves a club with a mystery man, ends up in a coma, and Natalie becomes convinced the “Man of the Year” (a wealthy, polished, powerful figure) is responsible. From there, the story shifts into full cat and mouse mode as Natalie takes a job inside his mansion, stepping directly into enemy territory.

Natalie herself is a frustrating character at times, and honestly? It feels intentional. Xander leans into her flaws to make the tension sharper and the stakes more chaotic, especially as the mansion’s strange rules, hostile staff, and unsettling secrets start to close in around her. The eerie atmosphere, the missing housekeeper, and the sense that someone is always watching create a tense, claustrophobic tone that escalates beautifully. While the book plays in the realm of heightened reality, it delivers exactly what binge readers crave: entertainment, pace, and a whole lot of juicy twists. 

Suspension of disbelief is absolutely required here, but once you’re willing to go along for the ride, it’s wildly fun. Xander layers in multiple POVs that keep the narrative fresh, shifting your suspicions and rewarding you with both big twists and those smaller, delicious surprises that make thrillers so entertaining. Fans of Freida McFadden and Kiersten Modglin will feel right at home — the vibes are punchy, dramatic, twisty, and very “popcorn thriller” in the best way.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: November 3, 2025

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Synopsis:

In Rudolph, New York, it’s Christmastime all year long. But this December, while the snow-lined streets seem merry and bright, a murder is about to ruin everyone’s holiday cheer…

As the owner of Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, Merry Wilkinson knows how to decorate homes for the holidays. That’s why she thinks her float in the semi-annual Santa Claus parade is a shoo-in for best in show. But when the tractor pulling Merry’s float is sabotaged, she has to face facts: there’s a Scrooge in Christmas Town.

Merry isn’t ready to point fingers, especially with a journalist in town writing a puff piece about Rudolph’s Christmas spirit. But when she stumbles upon the reporter’s body on a late night dog walk—and police suspect he was poisoned by a gingerbread cookie crafted by her best friend, Vicky—Merry will have to put down the jingle bells and figure out who’s really been grinching about town, before Vicky ends up on Santa’s naughty list…

Review:

If you love cozy mysteries that feel like curling up under a blanket with cocoa and twinkle lights, Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen by Vicki Delany is the perfect pick. Set in the year round Christmas town of Rudolph, New York, the story follows Merry Wilkinson, the owner of Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, a charming holiday shop in the heart of town. As the residents prepare for their big holiday parade and the arrival of eager tourists, the festivities take a dark turn when a visiting journalist turns up dead. Suddenly, the most wonderful time of the year becomes a tangled web of secrets, small town gossip, and suspicion.

Delany nails the cozy mystery formula—there’s a clever plot with plenty of red herrings, a cast of quirky and endearing townsfolk, and a vivid setting that oozes charm and festive cheer. Merry’s connection to the town (her father is the former mayor and now plays Santa Claus!) gives her a natural role as both sleuth and insider. The humor sprinkled throughout keeps things light even as the mystery deepens, making this the kind of book that feels like watching a Hallmark movie with a dash of murder. It’s a strong start to a series that promises more warmth, laughter, and holiday hijinks in Rudolph.

Overall rating: 4/5

Release date: December 9, 2025

Publisher: Harlequin Audio

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Narrator: Carly Robins

Synopsis:

An emotionally gripping page-turner about heartbreak, old secrets, and second chances—with an unexpected Cyrano twist. For fans of Lucy Score and Mia Sheridan.

When mathematician Aubrey MacLean’s career implodes, she has no choice but to return to her rural Indiana hometown, at least temporarily. But small towns have long memories, and so does she, especially when it comes to Nick Thacker, the boy who broke her heart.

Nick’s life is long shifts at the steel mill, plus a side business writing love letters for other people. It’s enough to numb his regrets—until his first love returns, stirring up a past he thought he’d buried.

Aubrey is focused on rebuilding her career, until she falls for a new man whose love letters feel achingly familiar. But as their connection deepens, so does her sense that she’s been here before. The similarities must be a coincidence, right? Because if not, Aubrey may have to choose between the life she’s built and the love she left behind…

Review:

Love Letters to Other People hit me right in the emotions, and the audio narration by Carly Robins made it feel even more intimate. She’s been one of my OG audiobook favorites since I first got into listening, so there’s a comfort and familiarity to her voice that instantly pulls me in. Her delivery captures the heartbreak, longing, and tentative hope between Aubrey and Nick in a way that feels raw and deeply human. From the very first chapter, I could feel the weight of their shared history and the ache of everything left unsaid.

Aubrey and Nick’s story unfolds across two timelines—past and present—which adds a beautiful emotional layering. You experience their high school romance as it blossoms and then fractures, and at the same time, you follow the adults they’ve become, still shaped by the choices they made 17 years earlier. That dual perspective makes their second chance arc feel earned, messy, and meaningful. The writing is romantic and heartfelt, and the inclusion of actual love letters added such a tender, nostalgic touch. Their journey to a hard won HEA is full of slow burn tension, emotional upheaval, and growth, and I loved every moment of watching them figure out who they are now, and who they want to be for each other.

If you love emotional second chance romances with secrets, history, and a whole lot of heart, this one absolutely delivers. It’s beautifully written and even more beautifully narrated, and listening to Carly Robins bring these characters to life made the experience feel personal and unforgettable.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Release date: November 20, 2025

Publisher: Amazon Originals

Genre: Romance

Synopsis:

Snow Place Like Home

After a devastating breakup, a sunny veterinarian goes home to the mountains to lick her wounds—and savor a holiday snack—in this heartfelt story from Laura Pavlov, author of the Blushing series.

At her brother’s wedding, Goldie Jacobs brushes shoulders with Ace Bonetti, his childhood best friend turned Hollywood hotshot. Ace has been crushing on Goldie ever since high school, and seeing her again reminds him exactly why. They spend one toe-curling night together, then part ways, expecting nothing more. But when those moments under the mistletoe felt so right, how can they ever let each other go?

Laura Pavlov’s Snow Place Like Home is part of Home Sweet Holidays, a cookie-sweet collection of holiday romances sure to bring color to your cheeks. Read or listen to each story in a single heart-fluttering sitting. And to fully immerse yourself in the charm of the season, don’t miss a special message from each of our holiday heroes!

Goodreads

Merry and Bright

What starts as a Hail Mary fake romance scheme turns into the real deal in this delightful story of holiday deception from Ali Rosen, author of Alternate Endingsand Recipe for Second Chances.

Miriam Brody is dreading Hanukkah with her overbearing family in Charleston. Ditto for dreamy pro football player Cal Durand and Christmas. After sharing a few flirty drinks on the flight there, the strangers conspire to tackle the holidays together, posing as a couple. But as shenanigans unfold, Miriam realizes her feelings are anything but fake. Uh-oh. Are they headed for a holiday miracle—or a holiday disaster?

Ali Rosen’s Merry and Bright is part of Home Sweet Holidays, a cookie-sweet collection of holiday romances sure to bring color to your cheeks. Read or listen to each story in a single heart-fluttering sitting. And to fully immerse yourself in the charm of the season, don’t miss a special message from each of our holiday heroes!

Goodreads

Review:

The Home Sweet Holiday Collection is a delightful bite sized holiday treat, perfect for cozying up with a cup of cocoa. Of the four stories, two really stood out for me, delivering charm, festive vibes, and swoon worthy romance.

Snow Place Like Home by Laura Pavlov follows Goldie, a veterinarian, as she returns home for her brother’s Christmas Day wedding, and Ace, her brother’s best friend and a movie star, who has secretly harbored feelings for her for years. The story is fast, sweet, and full of the author’s signature wit, capturing that perfect mix of holiday cheer, romantic tension, and heartfelt confessions. The wedding set during Christmas adds an extra layer of festive fun, and watching these longtime crushes finally admit their feelings was incredibly satisfying.

Merry and Bright by Ali Rosen was my first by this author, but it certainly won’t be my last. The story follows Miriam and Cal, who meet on a flight home for the holidays—she’s celebrating Hanukkah, he Christmas—and immediately click. Both dreading the family festivities, they agree to a fake dating arrangement that feels effortless and believable. The chemistry between them is instant, sweet, and festive, making this story a standout for its humor, warmth, and that perfect holiday sparkle.

Overall, these two stories made the collection worth diving into, each offering a unique slice of holiday romance that’s fun, heartwarming, and utterly bingeable in one sitting.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: November 4, 2025

Publisher: Atria

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

College professors Sadie Sheridan and Felix Graham are on sabbatical at Hemlock House, located on a remote mountain homestead established years ago by Felix’s family. When Felix leaves on a work trip but doesn’t return, effectively stranding Sadie on the mountain, her world collapses.

Alone at Hemlock House, frantic Sadie struggles to make sense of what her missing astronomer husband left behind. Forced to confront two mysterious trespassers just as a powerful storm bears down, Sadie and the strangers have no choice but to ride it out together. As conditions worsen and shocking secrets are revealed, Sadie must face whether or not she ever knew the man she married and is she fighting only for her own survival now—or still for the man who promised her the stars?

Where He Left Me is another compelling, emotional thriller from an author who “writes with a poet’s eye for language and a storyteller’s gift for suspense” (William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author).

Review:

Nicole Baart delivers another deeply emotional and quietly haunting story in Where He Left Me. The novel follows Sadie, who retreats with her husband, Felix, to his family’s vacation home Hemlock House, a sprawling estate with an unsettling presence. When Felix leaves for a business trip and doesn’t return on time, Sadie finds herself alone in the house as a storm closes in. Her solitude is soon broken by the arrival of two strangers trespassing on the property, and what unfolds from there is a taut, layered exploration of grief, betrayal, and the secrets we keep.

Told through alternating timelines that trace Sadie and Felix’s relationship from its earliest moments to the tense present, Baart crafts a slow burn suspense that feels both intimate and cinematic. The shifting narrative builds a steady undercurrent of dread, while her lyrical writing grounds the story in emotional realism. As the storm outside grows more violent, the true turbulence lies within Hemlock House—and within Sadie herself—as the truth begins to surface in unexpected and unsettling ways.

Where He Left Me is atmospheric, beautifully written, and psychologically rich. Baart’s signature blend of emotional depth and understated suspense shines here, making this one of those quiet thrillers that lingers long after the final page. If you enjoy character driven mysteries that balance tension with introspection, this is a must read.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: November 4, 2025

Publisher: Park Row

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Is it a boy or a girl? They would die to know…

Madeline and Wes Drake have invited two hundred of their closest friends and family to their sprawling horse ranch for the most anticipated event of the year: a “pistols and pearls” gender reveal party so sensational it is sure to make headlines. But the party descends into chaos when the celebratory explosive misfires, leaving one woman dead and a trail of secrets.

As the aftershocks of the bloody party ripple across the small town, Agent Jamie Saldano is brought on the scene to investigate. Battling his own demons from the past, Saldano unearths a web of deceit spun around the Drakes. The appearance of some unexpected houseguests only deepens the mystery. And as tensions mount, it becomes clear that the explosion wasn’t just an unlucky accident. But who was the target, and why? As the shadow of a killer looms, the happy parents-to-be must unravel the truth before it’s too late.

Review:

The Perfect Hosts by Heather Gudenkauf is a tense, fast paced thriller that opens with a gender reveal party gone horribly wrong and it only gets more shocking from there. Set among the elite horse ranchers of Nightjar, Gudenkauf peels back the layers of small town wealth and privilege to reveal the festering secrets beneath. Told through multiple points of view—including Madeleine, the glamorous expectant mother; Mellie, a pregnant waitress caught up in the chaos; Lucy, Madeleine’s resentful sister; and Jamie, an ATF agent with his own ties to the town, the story unfolds in brisk, addictive chapters that make it nearly impossible to put down.

Every character in this book is deeply flawed, self interested, or hiding something, which only heightens the tension as their paths collide. Gudenkauf excels at crafting morally gray characters you can’t look away from, no matter how messy their choices get. The twists come fast, and just when you think you’ve figured out where it’s headed, the story takes another dark turn.

With its mix of family drama, high stakes secrets, and explosive revelations, The Perfect Hosts is the definition of a bingeable thriller. It’s sharp, dramatic, and dripping with deceit, perfect for readers who love domestic suspense with a bite and aren’t afraid to dive into a world where everyone has something to lose.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.