As The Plot Thickens

I went into Love at 350° by Lisa Peers expecting something light and sweet—and that’s pretty much exactly what I got, in the best way. This is one of those cozy, feel-good romances that leans hard into the baking theme (which I loved). There’s a lot of warmth in this story—literally and emotionally—and it makes for a really comforting read. If you like books that feel like curling up with a dessert and a cup of coffee, this definitely hits that vibe. The main character is eas

I finally got around to reading Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice, and honestly… It’s not what I expected—in a good way. This isn’t your typical vampire story. There’s very little action and a lot of thinking. It’s moody, slow, and kind of heavy, but in a way that pulls you in instead of pushing you away. The whole book feels like one long, haunted confession, and you really feel its weight. Louis, the main character, is probably one of the most introspective (and hone

Mother of the River by Emily McPherson has this really quiet, eerie pull to it that kind of sneaks up on you. It’s not fast-paced or flashy, but it doesn’t need to be—the atmosphere does a lot of the heavy lifting. The story leans into nature, memory, and a sense of something just slightly off, and I liked how it never fully spells everything out. There’s this undercurrent of tension running through it, like something is always just beneath the surface (very fitting for a bo

This time, Reacher ends up stranded in a small, freezing town in South Dakota after a bus crash, and of course, trouble finds him almost immediately. What starts as a pretty simple setup—protecting a witness—quickly turns into something way bigger, with drug dealers, secrets buried in the town, and a clock that’s constantly ticking down. The pacing in this one is really strong. The story unfolds hour by hour, adding a steady sense of pressure, and the brutal winter setting ma

This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum is one of those books that kind of sneaks up on you. It starts off as a mystery, but it ends up being much more emotional than you expect. The story follows Benny and Joy, best friends who run a podcast about survival stories. But when Joy suddenly goes missing, everything shifts, and Benny is left trying to figure out what really happened. The story unfolds across different timelines, podcast bits, and excerpts from Joy’s writ

Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox is one of those messy, drama-filled thrillers where you know from the start that no one is being completely honest—and that’s half the fun. It follows a group of people who all seem pretty put-together on the surface, but once you start digging, the secrets are everywhere. The story slowly unravels what everyone’s hiding, and it keeps you side-eyeing pretty much every character. Trust is basically nonexistent here. I really liked the vibe of this

This is one of those books that kind of sneaks up on you. The Gathering follows Veronica as she looks back on her family—especially after her brother’s death—and tries to make sense of everything that’s been buried for years. And honestly, “buried” is the right word… this book is heavy in a quiet, emotional way. It’s not plot-driven at all. It’s more like being inside someone’s thoughts while they piece together memories, trauma, and all the messy parts of growing up in a bi

Second Chance Books has that cozy, small-town, bookshop vibe that’s hard not to fall into. It follows Nell, who’s trying to step up for her sister after life kind of falls apart for them, and she ends up working at a secondhand bookstore that slowly becomes more than just a job. And of course—there’s Thomas. Her childhood crush. The chemistry between them is soft and slow and a little messy, but in a very real way. Nothing feels rushed, which I actually appreciated. What rea

If you like your thrillers dark, twisted, and a little bit messed up (in the best way), Lovely Bad Things is definitely one to pick up. This one leans hard into psychological suspense with a strong romantic edge—but don’t go in expecting something light or swoony. The relationship at the center is intense, complicated, and honestly a little disturbing at times. Trisha Wolfe really knows how to blur the line between attraction and danger, and she does it so well here. The ma

Camera Shy is one of those books that pulls you in pretty quickly, especially if you like a mix of romance, spice, and a little emotional growth mixed in. The story follows Avery, who’s dealing with a rough breakup and a lot of insecurity about herself, when she ends up in Vegas for the summer. She meets Finn, her photographer neighbor, and what starts as kind of an arrangement to help her feel more confident slowly turns into something much deeper. What really stood out to

Where Yellow Flowers Bloom by Kim Cantin is one of those books that stays with you long after you finish it. It’s a memoir, but it reads almost like a deeply personal journey through grief, healing, and survival. Cantin shares her experience of losing her son in the tragic Montecito mudslides, and it’s honestly heartbreaking. You can feel the weight of that loss on every page—but at the same time, there’s this quiet thread of resilience running through the whole story. What

Tears for Tess by Pepper Winters is one of those reads that just… hits hard. It’s dark, emotional, and not always easy to get through—but in a way that keeps you completely hooked. The story follows Tess, who gets thrown into a terrifying situation that completely strips away her sense of control, and you feel every bit of that fear and confusion right along with her. It’s intense, sometimes brutal, and definitely not a light read. What really stood out to me was how raw eve

Fae’s Ascent is one of those books that’s just easy to fall into—lots of magic, a bit of chaos, and a main character who’s still figuring everything out as she goes. The story picks back up with Clover trying to come to terms with who she is and what she can do. She’s got all this power (and pressure) tied to her fae and merrow side, and on top of that, there’s tension building between different fae courts. Basically… nothing is simple for her 😅 What I liked is that the wor

This one kind of surprised me—in a good way. One Puzzling Afternoon isn’t your typical fast, twisty mystery. It’s quieter, a little slower, but it really sticks with you. The story follows Edie, an older woman whose memory is starting to slip. One day, she’s convinced she’s seen her childhood friend Lucy… except Lucy disappeared years ago. That moment kicks everything off, and suddenly Edie is trying to piece together what really happened—while also fighting against her own

This book is just…comforting in the best way. The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie has that cozy, slightly magical feel that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and something warm to drink. The story follows Lolly, who’s kind of stuck in life—grieving, unsure of her direction, and carrying a lot of “what ifs.” Then comes the magical twist: a lemon drop pie that gives her the chance to see what her life might’ve looked like if she’d made different choices. From there, the story t

Little Death by Nicole Blanchard is a quick, intense little read that definitely leans into the dark side of romance. The story follows a relationship that’s complicated, messy, and a little dangerous, and the tension between the characters is pretty much there from the very beginning. Because it’s a novella, the pacing moves fast, but it still manages to pack in a lot of emotion and chemistry. The tone is moody and a bit edgy, which fits the story well. If you enjoy darker

St. Patrick’s Day Murder is a pretty fun cozy mystery if you like small-town settings and holiday themes. The story takes place in Tinker’s Cove as the town is getting ready for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations—parades, decorations, and all the festive chaos that comes with it. Of course, things take a turn when a murder shakes up the town, and Lucy Stone ends up right in the middle of trying to figure out what really happened. One of the best parts of the book is the small-to

The Gate to Women’s Country is one of those books that sticks with you long after you finish it. It’s set in a future society where men and women live largely separate lives. Women run the towns—called Women’s Country—while most men live outside the gates as warriors. The system is strict, and the rules are clear: boys must eventually choose whether they stay with the women or leave to live as men among the soldiers. The story follows Stavia, a young woman growing up inside

Peach Blossom Spring is a really moving story about family, survival, and the ways the past stays with us. The book follows a mother and son who are forced to flee their home in China during the Japanese invasion in the 1930s, and it traces how that experience shapes their lives for years afterward. At the heart of the story are Meilin and her young son, Renshu. As they move from place to place trying to stay safe during the war, Meilin carries with her a scroll filled with

Knox is a great pick if you like a mix of action, romance, and a little emotional depth. The story follows Knox Marshall, a former Navy SEAL who’s tough, loyal, and accustomed to dangerous situations. But when he’s tasked with protecting someone who stirs up parts of his past, things start getting complicated. There’s plenty of suspense and action throughout the book—chases, tense moments, and a few twists that keep things interesting. At the same time, the story focuses on