It's the first book review of 2025 and it's a good one! It's also one that is long overdue because it's been sitting on my shelf for a year. Fiona Davis is one of my favorite authors but whenever I get a book I'm excited about, I never read it right away. It's like I'm saving it for the right time.

Well, after Christmas was the perfect time. I wanted something that was wintery and holiday adjacent but not a romance or thriller. Enter a historical fiction novel about the Radio City Rockettes in the 1950s, The Spectacular. 

Fiona Davis writes the most beautiful books about New York City landmarks and their history, mixes in mystery, romance and brilliant, brave women are at the center of them. 

I've read every single one of Fiona Davis' books and this is definitely one of my favorites. Her new one, The Stolen Queen, came out last week and I need to order it, just as soon as my low-buy month is over or I have the extra money & need a little treat. 

 It's no secret that Stacy Willingham is one of my favorite authors ever, and she's only published two (and now three) books. She has a way with words, a way of explaining stories while holding major plot points and twist close her chest and throwing you off the scent completely.

Her past two thrillers, A Flicker in the Dark and All The Dangerous Things were two of the best books I've ever read, and A Flicker in the Dark is one of my favorite books of all time. I knew that her third Only If You're Lucky was going to knock it out of the park.

Only If You're Lucky will be released on January 16th but I had an ARC from NetGalley so it was one of the last books I read of 2023. It took me only a few days to read, and I finished most of it in one sitting because once that big reveal comes out, you're not going to want to put it down. 

If I had to rank them, I would say this is my 2nd favorite behind A Flicker in the Dark... it was rich with angst, twists, murder, and secrets. 

If you love psychological thrillers, you are going to adore Only If You're Lucky.

For some odd reason I was hesitant to read this book, probably because I wasn't in the mood for a romance. Whenever I do read romance, I'm sucked in and then disappointed because life doesn't end with everything wrapped in a bow... and it's just a reminder that I'm not in a relationship nor do I have the energy to deal with one right now.

So sometimes, romances make me depressed which is why I turn to thrillers. I never claimed to be normal...

However, Sophie Cousens never disappoints me; she writes beautiful stories that yes, at it's core is a romance but it's so much more. There is a hidden message, a life lesson, and a story about something more than romance. 

The Good Part is no different - it's a beautiful book that talks about the importance of living your life, and savoring every moment, the good & the bad, because it makes you who you are, it makes your life. This was a book that makes you think, makes you feel and might make you cry. 

*I received an ARC from NetGalley - The Good Part will be released on November 7th! 

I have hundreds of books in my physical and digital libraries and my TBR list is miles long, but that won't stop me from being excited over upcoming books. 2023 is a huge year for book lovers, there are so many incredible novels, memoirs and self help books coming out and I cannot wait to read them all. 

I've never done a post like this before, but I've done similar things in my email newsletter so I'm excited to share it with you all. Truthfully, most of these books are on the list because of the authors, because I will read anything these people write so I'm automatically excited. 

I'll call out the books that I'm excited about because of the *plot* and not just the author! Let's get into it...

 There hasn't been a Riley Sager book yet that I didn't like and this was not the exception. I was waiting with bated breath for the release of "The House Across the Lake" and since I got denied for an ARC from Netgalley, I had to wait until June 21st to read it. 

Well, I ate it up in a few days and while the book has been met with controversial, mixed opinions, I enjoyed it... even if it was a little out there. The thing that people didn't like about this book was that they felt it was too similar to another book and that it kind of jumped the shark a bit in terms of a twisty ending.

I was fine with both aspects so let's get right into the review.

 As I've said many times over the past few weeks, I've been in a huge reading slump. I have been trouble getting into the books I'm reading or have been overwhelmed by the choices in my personal library. I have so many ARCs from NetGalley, hardcovers from Book of the Month, eBooks that I continually buy on my Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook... it's just too much.

I think I need to look at more recommendations and to go along with the reading tides of my fellow book lovers. That's what really led me to crack open this new novel. 

Stay Awake by Megan Goldin was published on August 6th and I had an ARC just sitting on my Kindle. When I started seeing people talk about this book I knew I had to read it immediately. I was able to finish it within a week or so and it is hands down an incredible read, with a very unique and confusing plot. 

It's part psychological, part detective, part mystery and all round thrilling and exciting. 

 Taylor Jenkins Reid has quickly taken the world by storm and everyone is obsessed with her writing, including me. I cannot get enough of TJR and I think she is a mastermind; I put her in the same category as Taylor Swift because of the way she intertwines her characters and stories into one another. 

When I read Malibu Rising last year it quickly became one of my favorites of the year and that still stands. It's definitely in my top favorite books ever so when I saw that TJR was releasing her next novel, Carrie Soto is Back, this summer I was over the moon.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Carrie Soto is Back and devoured the book within a few days. It was a slow start and there's a learning curve when it comes to understanding the world of tennis, which is what the book is about. Thankfully, I've read a few books where tennis is the main focus (strange flex but I digress) so I understand the sport more than I used to. But once you get used to the sport and past the slow part, you will be golden.

If you love TJR and have enjoyed her other books, you are going to love Carrie Soto is Back. 

When we got word that Katharine McGee was writing a third American Royals book I was ecstatic. I wanted more of this story and felt like there was so much more to be told. There were a lot of ways McGee could've taken the Washington family story and I was really crossing my fingers for a continuation. 

Well, we got it in the book "Rivals" which comes out next week on May 31st. I was able to get an ARC from Netgalley and read it a few months ago. Rivals pick up where "Majesty" left off so I do recommend reading the first two books before diving into this -- it's essential to understanding the story. 

I was excited to get back into this alternate universe and while I have a few skewed opinions, I did like the book and we better be getting a fourth because Rivals leaves off on a huge cliffhanger.

 This book review is coming at a good time since Jessica Goodman's latest novel, "The Counselors" will be out in a few weeks. This was the first novel I've read by Goodman and it did not disappoint. I've been wanting to read "They Wish They Were Us" for a long time and finally got around to it a little over a month ago, and it was everything and more.

It was a really nice mix of YA (I do think it is classified as YA but felt more mature), Gossip Girl and true crime. It felt very reminiscent of "The Good Girl's Guide to Murder" which is similar to another book I recently read and will review soon.

I enjoyed this book so much that I immediately purchased Goodman's 2nd novel, "They'll Never Catch Us"  but I am still holding out hope for a sequel to this novel. 

Let's get into the review...

I have been feeling some type of way lately. I feel lost, confused, self-conscious, and filled with so much doubt. I don't know what I want out of life, what I'm working toward, or how to come into my own. Life feels really confusing and overwhelming right now and I need some guidance.

Because of that, I've been nose deep in every self-help, empowering book I could find and this was one of them. "Girl on Fire" is included in Kindle Unlimited and is by an author that I've followed on and off for years. Cara Alwill Leyba wrote "Girl Code" back in the day and the book was everywhere. She became an inspirational, women empowerment icon and has written several other books based on that messaging. 

"Girl on Fire" is her latest, published in 2019 and it is a short, empowering book full of exactly the words you want to hear. I devoured the book within a few days and highlighted so many paragraphs and nuggets of wisdom that I wanted to come back to in the future. 

I read "Local Woman Missing" at the beginning of the year when I was just getting sick with Covid. It kept my mind occupied and busy while I had the worst sore throat of my life and it was one of the best distractions I could've asked for.

This book had been on my radar for quite some time and I'd been meaning to get around to reading it but the stars aligned and it had my full attention for a few days. This was one of those traditional thrillers that grab your attention from the first page and kept me guessing until the last minute.

 As I've mentioned in the past, Lauren Layne is one of my favorite authors. I love her Central Park Pact series but her latest novel, "To Sir With Love" was less than thrilling. It wasn't my favorite... which is why I was really excited for her newest novel, "Made in Manhattan."

This book comes out on January 18th and I was able to read it early thanks to NetGalley. It's based on My Fair Lady but in reverse; a woman trying to make a man more presentable to society since he comes from the 'wrong side of the tracks.' 

I read this book within days because I couldn't wait to know what happened. It was a little predictable but it still kept me on my toes because, at one point, I wasn't sure what was going to happen.

Let's get into it! 

I used to love a book series but as I read more and more, I prefer stand-alone books. However, every so often I come across a series that garners my interest and keeps me entertained beyond words. I become committed to the characters, intertwined in the storyline, and enthralled by each and every plot. 

That being said, I never really go for thriller novels, only because there are always so many books in the series, I never catch a series just as it's starting out. However, that changed when I discovered Stacey Green's series surrounding detective, Nikki Hunt. 

I've already written a review about the first book, "The Girls in the Snow" and recently read the second installment, "One Perfect Grave". The third installment called "Lost Angels" is already published and waiting for me on my Barnes & Noble Nook but today, let's focus on book two.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that I loved this novel, just as much as I loved the first! 

Publisher's Summary

My Thoughts

I knew it was inevitable but I wasn't really looking forward to reading anything fiction that included the pandemic. It felt too soon and not something that I was interested in reliving...while it's still going on. I didn't think authors would be so quick to document the ongoing tradegy but I was proven wrong. 

56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard was released in August and I received it in my July Book of the Month subscription  but didn't crack it open until a few weeks ago. I think I was preparing myself for reading about the pandemic but I was really surprised at how well I responded to it.

This is a psychological thriller, set in Dublin during the beginning of the pandemic, and it was really something else. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! 

As the influencer industry has continued to rise in recent years I knew it was going to start coming up in the pop culture. Movies, television, and books were going to start to reflect this new job as a plot point and I think that is very obvious in some of the books we've seen, the latest reboot "He's All That" and other TV and movies. 

One of the first books I saw embrace this plot was "Influence" by Lilia Buckingham and Sara Shepard... yes, Sara Shepard of Pretty Little Liars. She has been one of my favorite authors forever so I knew that it would be incredible.

Shepard partnered with a new, upcoming, young writer Lilia Buckingham and they wrote this book together. As you read, you can tell that there's Shepard's psychological twist woven throughout and it makes the book much more thrilling. 

Publisher's Summary

After a video she makes goes viral, everyone knows Delilah Rollins. And now that she's in LA, Delilah's standing on the edge of something incredible. Everything is going to change. She has no idea how much.

Jasmine Walters-Diaz grew up in the spotlight. A child star turned media darling, the posts of her in her classic Lulu C. rainbow skirt practically break the Internet. But if the world knew who Jasmine really was, her perfect life? Canceled.

Fiona Jacobs is so funny--the kind of girl for whom a crowd parts--no wonder she's always smiling! But on the inside? The girl's a hot mess. And when someone comes out of the shadows with a secret from her past, it's one that won't just embarrass Fiona: it will ruin her.

Who wouldn't want to be Scarlet Leigh? Just look at her Instagram. Scarlet isn't just styled to perfection: she is perfection. Scarlet has a gorgeous, famous boyfriend named Jack and there's a whole fanbase about their ship. To everyone watching online, their lives seem perfect . . . but are they really? The sun is hot in California . . . and someone's going to get burned.

My Thoughts

I have always been fascinated by millennials. I mean, I am a millennial but for my entire life, I've heard criticisms of my generation. We're lazy, entitled, anxious, depressed, etc. We are a generation that has inherited a lot of turmoil and has been surrounded by it our entire lives. We are the first generation to not be as well of as our parents. 

We watched thousands of people die on national television when we were kids, can't remember a time before the Iraq war, grew up with the mentality that we can do anything, were always busy, and then inherited the worst recession since the Great Depression. 

How are millennials NOT going to be burnt out, anxious and depressed?

That notion, that millennials are the burnout generation is fascinating and as an entitled, self-centered millennial, I love to get inside the psyche of my peers 

When I saw that this book, "Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation" was being released, I was really excited. It was exactly what I was looking for and the answer to all of my questions. The book was inspired by an article written of the same name, by the same author, in January 2019. 

I remember when the article was released, it took social media by storm. It was eye-opening and jaw-dropping so it wasn't a surprise that Petersen got a book deal out of it.  

The book was published in September 2020 and I immediately bought it. I read and finished it at the beginning of this year so I'm not sure why I haven't written a book review until now. 

I don't know where I discovered this book but I am so happy I did. There was something about the cover, the Romeo & Juliet type of love affair that came across in the description, that drew me in completely.

"A Pho Love Story" by Loan Le is a beautiful story about love, life, family, and culture... it made me so happy in so many ways. I simply adored the story! 

Earlier this year I read "The Family Plot" by Megan Collins, a thriller novel that is set for release next week and I was obsessed. It's probably the best book I've read this year and somewhere along the way, I realized I had her other book "Behind the Red Door" on my Kindle from Netgalley. It was released last August and I'm so mad it took me so long to read it.

I flew through this novel within a day... I could not put it down for anything. It was unlike anything I've ever read before and I'm pretty sure it solidified Megan Collins as one of my favorite authors. 

 Shari Lapena is one of my favorite crime authors. She writes what Crime By The Book calls popcorn thrillers- they're quick to read, really intense and you can easily finish them in one sitting which is exactly what I did with An Unwanted Guest. I purchased this on a whim when it was on sale at Barnes & Noble and inhaled the book in a few hours. It was a classic thriller novel where there's twists, turns, murder, romance... it was just so epically wonderful.

Publisher's Summary

A weekend retreat at a cozy mountain lodge is supposed to be the perfect getaway . . . but when the storm hits, no one is getting away

It's winter in the Catskills and Mitchell's Inn, nestled deep in the woods, is the perfect setting for a relaxing--maybe even romantic--weekend away. It boasts spacious old rooms with huge woodburning fireplaces, a well-stocked wine cellar, and opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or just curling up with a good murder mystery.

So when the weather takes a turn for the worse, and a blizzard cuts off the electricity--and all contact with the outside world--the guests settle in and try to make the best of it.

Soon, though, one of the guests turns up dead--it looks like an accident. But when a second guest dies, they start to panic.

Within the snowed-in paradise, something--or someone--is picking off the guests one by one. And there's nothing they can do but hunker down and hope they can survive the storm--and one another.

My Thoughts

I've read one other Taylor Jenkins Reid book, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and really enjoyed it. However, I've heard so many wonderful things about her other books which is why I was so excited to be able to read her latest, "Malibu Rising" before it was published.

"Malibu Rising" was released yesterday, June 1st, but I read it a number of months ago and have been waiting for the day everyone else could experience what I did.

I read "Malibu Rising" in a few hours; once I started I could not get enough. It was super addicting and so well written and just a beautiful, yet heartbreaking story. It is definitely going to be in my top favorite books of 2021.