Goodreads

Release date: July 6, 2021

Publisher: Flatiron

Genre: Thriller

Synopsis:

A Black father. A white father. Two murdered sons. A quest for vengeance.

Ike Randolph has been out of jail for fifteen years, with not so much as a speeding ticket in all that time. But a Black man with cops at the door knows to be afraid.

The last thing he expects to hear is that his son Isiah has been murdered, along with Isiah’s white husband, Derek. Ike had never fully accepted his son but is devastated by his loss.

Derek’s father Buddy Lee was almost as ashamed of Derek for being gay as Derek was ashamed his father was a criminal. Buddy Lee still has contacts in the underworld, though, and he wants to know who killed his boy.

Ike and Buddy Lee, two ex-cons with little else in common other than a criminal past and a love for their dead sons, band together in their desperate desire for revenge. In their quest to do better for their sons in death than they did in life, hardened men Ike and Buddy Lee will confront their own prejudices about their sons and each other, as they rain down vengeance upon those who hurt their boys.

Provocative and fast-paced, S. A. Cosby’s Razorblade Tears is a story of bloody retribution, heartfelt change – and maybe even redemption.

Review:

Last summer you may remember me raving about this authors book, Blacktop Wasteland because I couldn’t shut up about it. It was such an incredible story and definitely still a favorite to this day. While this was another highly original story it had many of the same elements that I loved in BW which really solidified this authors place on my auto buy list, he’s outstanding.

I think where this author shines the most is that he is able to combine an action packed series of events with an emotionally charged motivation and that combo will always reel me right in. Ike and Buddy Lee’s sons have already been murdered when the book begins so the whole thing is about the two men teaming up to get revenge. The cops have no leads so it’s up to them and since both men failed their sons while they were alive, the only option left is to get them vengeance in death. This was powerful as you have not only two grieving fathers but two grieving fathers who don’t really have many nice memories to look back on with their sons. Both men were homophobic and totally unaccepting of Derek and Isiah’s marriage and seeing their raw struggle was such a powerful thing. It’s hard to say what’s better here, the depth of the characters or the high octane, action packed plot because both were just amazing. This one is a must read and definitely a favorite of the year for me so it’s highly recommended!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Release date: July 6, 2021

Publisher: Lake Union

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

Forced to choose between abortion or adoption, Olivia Carson’s younger sister, Lily, runs away from home. Sixteen and pregnant, she never returns. But she writes. Once a year, Lily mails a picture of her son, Josh, to Olivia until his thirteenth year. Then it’s Josh himself who arrives at Olivia’s house, alone, terrified, and in possession of a notarized declaration from Lily. It begins, “In the event I go missing…”

Josh has difficulty talking. He can’t read or write, but he’s a prolific artist, exhibiting skill beyond his age. His drawings are as detailed as they are horrific. Olivia soon realizes Josh’s artwork tells a story. There’s more to his arrival and to Lily’s untimely disappearance than it seems. Using the drawings as a road map, Olivia traces Josh’s path back to his mom. Each drawing sheds light on Lily’s past and reveals a darkness that forces Olivia to question everything she thought she knew about her family

Review:

The start of a new trilogy from Kerry Lonsdale is cause for celebration for me, I loved her previous series and I’ve loved her standalones as well. This was such a strong start to a series, I cannot wait for the next two books!

One of the best things about this authors books is that they’re a blend of so many genres so there’s literally something for everyone. There’s a mystery surrounding both her nephews appearance and her sister’s disappearance, a romance between Liv and Blaze, and an emotional plot as family secrets are revealed. I loved seeing Liv connect with her nephew and build a familial bond over their concern over Lily and found Josh to be such a sweet kid. I found this to be such a page turner and I was invested almost immediately, definitely recommended as an engrossing summer read.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: July 6, 2021

Publisher: Harper

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Addison’s about to get married, but she’s not looking forward to the big day. It’s not her fiancé; he’s a wonderful man. It’s because Addison doesn’t know who she really is. A few years ago, a kind driver found her bleeding next to a New Jersey highway and rescued her. While her physical wounds healed, Addison’s memory never returned. She doesn’t know her real name. Or how she ended up injured on the side of a road. Or why she can’t shake the notion that she may have done something very, very bad . . .

In a posh home in the Boston suburbs, Julian tries to figure out what happened to his loving, caring wife, Cassandra, who disappeared without a trace two years ago. She would never have left him and their seven-year-old daughter Valentina of her own free will—or would she?

As these two lives intersect, The Stranger in the Mirror hooks readers with riveting drama, told with Liv Constantine’s hallmark blend of glamour, tense psychological thrills, and jaw-dropping twists.

Review:

At first glance, and even for the first quarter of the book honestly, this seemed like a formulaic thriller with a path that would be very easy to follow. Things seemed so straightforward and predictable really, but there’s something about the authors writing style that never fails to grip me. Amnesia storylines have been done time and time again, but this put a new spin on things that I certainly haven’t ever seen before so it actually made it feel like a fresh read.

I think the most important thing to know about this one before you start it is that you cannot take it too seriously. It’s outlandish and ridiculous but it’s deliciously fun as well. You have to suspend all disbelief and just take it for what it is, a fun, entertaining and wild thriller that’s twisty and totally consuming. I flew through this in record time and found myself thinking about it when I did have to put it aside so there’s definitely an addictive quality to it. It was also disturbing and slightly creepy at moments, and despite a few predictable things, there were a couple unpredictable parts for me as well, so overall a fun summer thriller.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: July 5, 2021

Publisher: Bookouture

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

When my husband found this perfect little cabin in the woods for our honeymoon, I couldn’t wait to get away. Just us in the middle of the forest, waking up every day in the trees, ending each night in the hot tub under the stars. But now I’m not sure that I know my husband at all…

I just wish we’d gone to the police when someone left a note on the doormat saying: She’s dead, you’re next. Ryan said I was overreacting, but I don’t understand why he won’t go to the cops now things are getting worse. Can I trust my husband?

I’ve known about the terrible thing that Ryan did for years and it’s been tearing me apart. Last night I told him I would always keep his secret. But is the man I married hiding something else from me?

Now someone has cut the phone lines and we’re trapped here. Ryan swears he has no idea what’s going on and just wants to keep us safe. I’m here alone in the middle of the dark forest with the man I thought I could trust. My heart is racing and there’s no one I can call…

My husband promised till death do us part. Am I about to find out what that means?

Review:

Have you read a book by this author before? I discovered her last year and have been making my way through her books ever since. Whenever I feel kinda slumpy or when I need a guaranteed fast paced and exciting thriller I know I can grab one of her books because that’s exactly the type she consistently writes. All of that to say, if you haven’t read her before she has an extensive backlist and she comes out with new books several times a year, I swear she’s a writing machine, but I’ve totally enjoyed every book of hers I’ve read thus far!

I love an atmospheric thriller and this one delivers, the isolated cabin in the woods was eerie and then add in the creepy things that keep happening to Grace and Ryan and you have a chilling read. This was a fast read, both because it’s under 300 pages with short and snappy chapters, but also because things unfold so quickly you can’t bear to put it down. As always I didn’t see the twists coming ahead of time and I was definitely surprised by the direction this took, lots of secrets and lies and plenty of darkness as well, overall everything I want in an entertaining thriller.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 1, 2021

Publisher: Thomas and Mercer

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Foster sisters Krystal and Nichole have always been there for each other, so when Nichole is committed to a psychiatric hospital after trying to kill her husband, Krystal drops everything to defend her.

Scarred by a hard upbringing, Nichole and Krystal managed to construct comfortable lives for themselves. Krystal became a respected lawyer, and Nichole was happily married to an architect—until Nichole starts raving that her husband isn’t her husband, believing that he’s an imposter.

Driven by fierce loyalty, Krystal starts asking questions, but she’s not sure she can bear the answers. Her investigation leads to the sisters’ dark shared past…to a horrible tragedy and a well-guarded lie that cemented their sisterly bond.

But that lie can’t kill the truth—the battered, gasping, clawing truth that’s coming for them both. Now Krystal and Nichole must both fight for the lives they’ve built before they’re consumed by the one they left behind.

Review:

I’m such a fan of this author, she writes really smart psychological thrillers and as a psychologist herself she provides such a fascinating insight into her books. She has a knack for getting deep inside her characters minds and psyches that really allows for a very interesting reading experience. If you like psychological thrillers with an emphasis on the psychological aspect you have to check out her books.

This flips from the present day and Krystal’s viewpoint to the past in Nichole’s POV. Both timelines were great and super interesting for me, both women had an incredibly rough childhood and seeing how their bond in the past informed their present day relationship was fascinating for me. As the book nears the finish line I was totally caught up in this dark story of loyalty and how tragic events can bond people in an unbreakable way. Definitely recommended as a fast paced and engaging read.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: May 25, 2021

Publisher: MIRA

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Forget the truth.

Remember the lies.

He wakes up on a deserted beach in Maryland with a gash on his head and wearing only swim trunks. He can’t remember who he is. Everything–his identity, his life, his loved ones–has been replaced by a dizzying fog of uncertainty. But returning to his Maine hometown in search of the truth uncovers more questions than answers.

Lily Reid thinks she knows her boyfriend, Jack. Until he goes missing one night, and her frantic search reveals that he’s been lying to her since they met, desperate to escape a dark past he’d purposely left behind.

Maya Scott has been trying to find her estranged stepbrother, Asher, since he disappeared without a trace. Having him back, missing memory and all, feels like a miracle. But with a mutual history full of devastating secrets, how far will Maya go to ensure she alone takes them to the grave?

Shared fates intertwine in a twisty, explosive novel of suspense, where unearthing the past might just mean being buried beneath it.

Review:

Amnesia storylines are not usually my favorite thing in a thriller but there was something about the description of this one that urged me to give it a chance. Initially when I started this I was intrigued by the three viewpoints and the mystery surrounding all of them. By about a quarter of the way through I started to get a little bit bored and I even debated on setting it aside, but again, something kept telling me to give it a little more time. I’m glad I did because things got better in the end.

One of the reasons I almost gave up on this was I predicted many of the things that happened along the way. I think many thriller readers will be able to do the same, BUT the ending was so strong for me that I think it was worth it. I was almost lulled into a false sense of security having seen things coming ahead if time so when the last couple of chapters arrived with some true surprises, I was very pleased. If you don’t mind having some patience this could work for you, I am happy I finished and applaud the author for a satisfying and dark conclusion.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: May 25, 2021

Publisher: Putnam

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for weeklong visits, or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays. But in terms of caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is honestly a bit out of his league.

So when tragedy strikes and Maisie and Grant lose their mother and Patrick’s brother has a health crisis of his own, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian. Despite having a set of “Guncle Rules” ready to go, Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his great love, a somewhat-stalled career, and a lifestyle not-so-suited to a six- and a nine-year-old. Quickly realizing that parenting—even if temporary—isn’t solved with treats and jokes, Patrick’s eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility, and the realization that, sometimes, even being larger than life means you’re unfailingly human.

With the humor and heart we’ve come to expect from bestselling author Steven Rowley, The Guncle is a moving tribute to the power of love, patience, and family in even the most trying of times.

Review:

Ok why have I never read a Steven Rowley book before?! This was such a funny, tender read with the most endearing characters, I just freaking adored it.

Despite the premise being sad with Maisie and Grant losing their mother and then immediately after her death their father checks himself into rehab, this was mostly lighthearted. Patrick has the exact type of sarcastic humor that I adore and seeing him put his niece and nephews needs above his own was hilarious, poignant and heartwarming. It was also insightful as it examined grief and loss as well as navigating life as a gay man. I can’t really say enough good things about this one, it was everything for me. Definitely recommended by me, especially if you enjoy character driven comedies with a cast that you won’t forget.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 1, 2021

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

For cynical twenty-three-year-old August, moving to New York City is supposed to prove her right: that things like magic and cinematic love stories don’t exist, and the only smart way to go through life is alone. She can’t imagine how waiting tables at a 24-hour pancake diner and moving in with too many weird roommates could possibly change that. And there’s certainly no chance of her subway commute being anything more than a daily trudge through boredom and electrical failures.

But then, there’s this gorgeous girl on the train.

Jane. Dazzling, charming, mysterious, impossible Jane. Jane with her rough edges and swoopy hair and soft smile, showing up in a leather jacket to save August’s day when she needed it most. August’s subway crush becomes the best part of her day, but pretty soon, she discovers there’s one big problem: Jane doesn’t just look like an old school punk rocker. She’s literally displaced in time from the 1970s, and August is going to have to use everything she tried to leave in her own past to help her. Maybe it’s time to start believing in some things, after all.

Review:

What a delightfully quirky and charming read this one was! If you’re like me and fell in love with the authors debut, Red White and Royal Blue and have been anxiously awaiting her sophomore novel you’ll be pleased I think. However I do want to warn you that this one reads differently than that one, and not in a bad way, it’s just much more odd and out there than her first. But it’s still charming, funny and full of diverse characters that will steal your heart, it’s just weird.

As much as I enjoyed both August and Jane as characters and loved watching them fall in love the secondary characters totally and completely stole the show for me here. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I did find myself more interested in their lives at times than on what was going on between A and J which seemed a little off to me. Just an observation, I was still invested in the main romance but I think the whole time travel thing may have distanced me slightly. I did think the author did a good job of not going too far in the sciencey direction and my brain only hurt a few times trying to figure out time loops or whatever but I think romances grounded in reality are more my jam. This gripey review may make it seem like I didn’t enjoy this one, but I did I think I just had super high hopes and expectations and found it to be a teeny tiny bit lacking at some points. Still recommended but go into it knowing what to expect is my best advice.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: May 18, 2021

Publisher: Harper Audio

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

Kathleen is eighty years old. After she has a run-in with an intruder, her daughter wants her to move into a residential home. But she’s not having any of it. What she craves—what she needs—is adventure.

Liza is drowning in the daily stress of family life. The last thing she needs is her mother jetting off on a wild holiday, making Liza long for a solo summer of her own.

Martha is having a quarter-life crisis. Unemployed, unloved and uninspired, she just can’t get her life together. But she knows something has to change.

When Martha sees Kathleen’s advertisement for a driver and companion to share an epic road trip across America with, she decides this job might be the answer to her prayers. She’s not the world’s best driver, but anything has to be better than living with her parents. And traveling with a stranger? No problem. Anyway, how much trouble can one eighty-year-old woman be?

As these women embark on the journey of a lifetime, they all discover it’s never too late to start over…

Review:

There is just something special for me about listening to an audiobook that is narrated by someone with an accent and I could’ve listened to Georgina Sutton’s voice all damn day. It was soothing and melodic and coupled with the beautiful story SM wrote it was an absolutely delightful listen for me.

I’m such a fan of stories about unlikely friendships and the relationship between Kathleen and Martha was just the type of odd pairing that I enjoy. At first glance these two have nothing in common but maybe they can learn a thing or two from each other? Kathleen’s zest for life and feisty personality is the opposite of Martha’s hesitation and shyness but these two balanced each other out perfectly, I just adored them both separately and together. Their adventurous road trip swept me away and made me feel like I was cruising down Route 66 alongside them and the settings were well described and full of life. Liza was an added bonus to two wonderful characters and I so enjoyed her journey to find what makes herself happy instead of being constantly consumed by what her family needs, I think most mothers can relate to that, I know I sure did. This was heartfelt, funny and warm and overall just a lovely and sweet read.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: May 11, 2021

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

It’s a club like no other. Only the most important women receive an invitation. But one daring young reporter is about to infiltrate this female-run secret society, whose beguiling members are caught up in a dark and treacherous business.

For years, rumors have swirled about an exclusive, women-only social club where the elite tastemakers of NYC meet. People in the know whisper all sorts of claims: Membership dues cost $1,000 a month. Last time Rihanna was in town, she stopped by and got her aura read. The women even handpicked the city’s first female mayor. But no one knows for sure.

That is, until journalist Jillian Beckley decides she’s going to break into the club. With her career in freefall, Jillian needs a juicy scoop, and she has a personal interest in bringing these women down. But the deeper she gets into this new world–where billionaire “girlbosses” mingle with the astrology-obsessed–the more Jillian learns that bad things happen to those who dare to question the club’s motives or giggle at its outlandish rituals.

The select group of women who populate the club may be far more powerful than she ever imagined.

And far more dangerous too.

Review:

Ok this one was unexpected! From the description I knew it was gonna be juicy, but I had no idea just how bat shit crazy it would actually be. I don’t want to give anything away, but things took a really surprising turn at one point and went in a wild direction that I mostly liked?! 🤨

I was thinking this would have mostly thriller vibes, even if I expected them to be on the lighter side with most of the action coming in towards the end. I was mostly right, but there was some fake dating, which I really didn’t even expect any romance so I was pleasantly surprised, but just know that’s a very minor part of the story. This really focused on women and the way the interact with one another and it was a fascinating look at powerful, boss bitch females. It was super unique too, I can’t even think of another book to compare it to actually. Try this if you’re in the mood for something fresh and weird, because things get really weird!

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.