Recent Reads

Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan (2024)

Rae is dying from terminal cancer when one day she is approached with a mysterious offer - a chance to live by first entering the fantasy world of her favorite book series and retrieving a flower.  With nothing to lose, Rae takes a chance and wakes up as a character in the story, with the world around her feeling all too real.  She's been cast as one of the villains, and she'll have to be truly devious to keep herself from being killed.  I really enjoyed this book!  It took me a little bit to really get into it - the writing is very dense, to create this fantasy world - but the concept is amazing!  A chance to meet some of your favorite characters and experience their world?  Awesome!  As Rae makes it further into the storyline, things are not quite as she expected, and even her own actions will have serious consequences.  I admired Rae's ability to maneuver this world while still being herself, and the cast of characters around her are both terrifying and extraordinary.  I'm excited to see where Brennan takes the story next!  4 stars

Dating After the End of the World by Jeneva Rose (2025)

After spending her childhood unhappily helping her doomsday-prepping dad, Casey left as soon as she could and hasn't looked back.  That is, until a zombie apocalypse surges through the nation and she's forced to return to her childhood home.  There, she finds her father had continued his prepper ways and is now thriving, somewhat, while offering refuge to several other people, including Casey's childhood nemesis, Blake.  This book had a little bit of everything, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!  There's some science fiction, with the zombies, and of course plenty of gore comes along with that.  There's action and drama, as the survivors fight to keep their home safe.  Casey and her father are able to work on their damaged relationship, and I definitely shed some tears there!  And Casey and Blake finally find some common ground and, in working together, love blossoms.  After an explosive ending, I'm hoping for a sequel!  4.5 stars

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Month in Review: September 2025

 

September was a pretty chill month for us.  After our vacation, it was back to work and back to school - Henry started preschool at daycare, so that has been a fun adjustment!  We decided not to do any structured activities like music classes this fall, so our weekends have been a mix of outings, walks, and playground visits.  We visited a couple Jersey shore lighthouses one Saturday (I've lived in NJ all my life and have only been to like one lighthouse, so Henry's new obsession meant we all got to see something new!).  My sister, niece, and I took a beeswax candlemaking class at a local farm one day, and then the week after we took Henry back to the same farm so he could meet all the animals - goats, geese, and peacocks!  We also did a local Walk to Fight Alzheimer's - it was at a park we often go to anyway, so it was perfect! - and took Henry to a Touch-a-Truck community event at the mall.

The Books

Wait for It // The Witch's Apprentice and Other Stories // Under the Stars // Long Live Evil

Dating After the End of the World // Never Lie // Here One Moment // The Astronaut Wives Club

Reputation

The Posts and Reviews

Recent Reads

Michele's Monday Picks #77

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Circle of Days

Blog Tour + Review: The Witch's Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta R. Garg

Michele's Monday Picks #78

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Soul Searching

Recent Reads

Guest Blogger: My Favorite Audiobooks #4

Top Ten Tuesday: My Fall TBR

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Good Spirits

Recent Reads

Indie Bookstore Spotlight: Eight Cousins Books

How are you doing?

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Boleyn Traitor

Can't-Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

Boleyn Traitor

Philippa Gregory

Expected publication date: October 14, 2025

#1 New York Times bestselling author and “queen of royal fiction” (USA Today) Philippa Gregory returns with a dazzling historical novel of ambition, betrayal, and survival in the court of Henry VIII.

Jane Boleyn watches from the shadows of the Tudor court, where secrets are currency, every choice is dangerous, and even the faintest whisper can seal the fate of queens.

For Jane, survival demands playing every role required of her: a loving wife who conceals her doubts, a devoted sister to Anne Boleyn at the height of her power, and an obedient spy who carefully wields her words. But in a court ruled by ambition and a tyrant’s sword, Jane must rely on her sharp wit and skillful maneuvering to outthink those around her, knowing that one wrong move could cost her everything.

Philippa Gregory masterfully shines a spotlight on the untold story of Jane Boleyn, peeling back the myths to reveal a complex portrait of a woman who dared to survive at any cost. Perfect for fans of thrilling historical drama and readers captivated by the intrigue of the Tudor period, Boleyn Traitor is a must-read. - from Goodreads

Indie Bookstore Spotlight: Eight Cousins Books

We recently traveled to Cape Cod for a big family vacation, so you know I had to be on the lookout for indie bookstores while we were there!  In downtown Falmouth, we came across Eight Cousins Books!

Eight Cousins Books actually has two storefronts, just a few doors down from one another.  I first went to the location that carries books for adults (and also some puzzles and gifts).  It's not a huge space, but they manage to pack a lot in!  I snagged a holiday romance for later this year!  My sister and I went back for a second visit, and she really loved the selection.

After that, I went to their second location, which caters to children!  I loved it, a whole store just for children's books, games, and toys!  Eight Cousins Kids is quite a bit larger than the other location, and Henry had a great time checking everything out, as you can see in the last picture!

If you find yourself in Falmouth, I definitely recommend checking out these two indie bookstores!

Recent Reads

Wait for It by Jenn McKinlay (2021)

Annabelle is looking for a fresh start when she moves to Arizona to work for her friend's design company.  Her landlord Nick is recovering from a stroke, fearful about leaving his home, but when he and Annabelle finally meet, sparks fly.  Could they help each other find happiness?  I really enjoyed this book!  I have to say, it wasn't even really about the romance for me; it was about the journeys that Annabelle and Nick each take in overcoming their own issues (but of course, the way they help each other and come together didn't hurt, either!).  I liked watching Annabelle tackle her workplace issues and also make some realizations about her romantic history.  Nick's medical issues and past family traumas made his storyline a bit heaver but equally compelling.  4 stars

Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams (2025)

Audrey and her mother have returned to Winthrop Island to get Meredith sober.  While there, Audrey reconnects with her father and they discover a chest full of paintings, uncovering many secrets in the process.  In a second timeline, a young woman gives her account of surviving a shipwreck near Winthrop Island two centuries earlier.  I love dual timeline stories and seeing the way the stories eventually come together, often in surprising ways.  This was no exception!  I was anxious to see how Williams would tie the present-day and past timelines; Providence (the woman who survived the storm) was especially compelling to me.  I felt like the present-day story had all the hallmarks of a Beatriz Williams book, with family and secrets and love, but also felt a bit... grittier?  There was a lot of cursing and it did detract from the story a bit for me, but I enjoyed getting to know Audrey and Meredith and seeing them work on their relationships.  I also love the way Williams writes romance - it's not so obvious and in your face, it's in the glances and subtle wording and small moments.  4.5 stars

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Good Spirits

Can't-Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

Good Spirits

B.K. Borison   

Expected publication date: October 21, 2025

The New York Times bestselling author of First-Time Caller, B.K. Borison is back with a whimsical new holiday romance—this time with a magical twist—that will have everyone falling in love with the Ghost of Christmas Past.

He’s the Ghost of Christmas Past. She’s not exactly Scrooge.

Ghost of Christmas Past Nolan Callahan intends to spend this holiday haunting like every other—get in, get out, return to his otherwise aimless existence as a ghost awaiting the afterlife. But when he’s faced with Harriet York, the sweetest assignment he’s ever had, he suddenly finds himself wishing for a future.

Harriet York has no idea why she’s being haunted. She’s a good person—or, at least, she tries to be. A people pleaser to her core, she always does what’s expected of her. But as she and Nolan begin to examine her past, they discover there are threads that bind them together— and realize there might be more to moving on than expected.

With the deadline of Christmas Eve fast approaching, will they find the key to their futures in each other’s pasts? Or will they stay firmly in the present, indulging in their unexpected, spirited connection? - from Goodreads

Top Ten Tuesday: My Fall TBR

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl.  This week's topic is our fall TBR!  I have a mix of books from my unread shelf and my library, as well as some nonfiction reads to prepare for November!  What will you be reading this fall?

Have you read any of these?  Where should I start?

Guest Blogger: My Favorite Audiobooks #4

 Michele is back today to recommend some more audiobooks!

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Up until a few years ago, I had never even considered audiobooks as a way to increase my reading – but then my husband started working for a major audiobook publisher and I got hooked!  Now I listen to them all the time – getting ready in the morning, in the car, exercising, at my daughter’s swim lessons, you name it.  Audiobooks are fantastic for when you can’t physically hold a book and I have listened to some really fantastic performances.  Here are some of my recent faves:

What Happened to the McCrays?

     

A very beautiful story of a couple coming back together after a family tragedy.

The Anatomy of Magic

 

I love this series about a magical family and their flower farm – think Encanto, but for grown ups! 

The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits

 

This one was narrated by Dakota Fanning, who was wonderful, and follows two sisters in their rise and fall from fame.

Don't Forget to Write

 

Historical fiction that takes place at the Jersey shore!  Very witty and full of heart.

Wild Dark Shore

 

I happened across this novel and it really took me by surprise – from Goodreads: “Wild Dark Shore is about the impossible choices we make to protect the people we love, even as the world around us disappears.”

Do you listen to audiobooks?  Do you have any favorites?

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Recent Reads

 Ladykiller by Katherine Wood (2024)

When her best friend Gia doesn't show up to a planned trip, Abby travels to Greece to look for the heiress and newlywed.  She finds a manuscript written by Gia detailing her new marriage and some guests that had been staying at the house, but it also contains some disturbing secrets - could this explain Gia's disappearance?  I have mixed feelings about this one - I loved the setting, I felt like I could feel the hot sun, sandy beaches, and cool water.  I liked that Abby was still looking out for Gia even though they'd had some problems in their friendship.  I didn't understand why Gia's manuscript was given so much priority - it would have more sense if it had been called a diary?  The story was a bit predictable, although it was more open-ended than I was expecting.  It did feel a bit unsettling realizing that we may never really know what happened or what to believe!  3.5 stars

Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson (2024)

Key travels to Scotland to meet her estranged family after her father's death.  There, she meets Lachlan, who has some major secrets of his own.  Even though he thinks he should stay away from Key, Lachlan can't help trusting in her and hoping she can help lift his curse.  I loved that this was a paranormal romance that strayed from the typical vampires or werewolves.  Here, we delve into the mystery of the Loch Ness monster, and Ferguson crafts a backstory that feels plausible for this world.  I enjoyed the intense feelings between Key and Lachlan, even if they were a bit childish in the beginning.  My issues are that, yes, this is a paranormal book, but why did Key have to have magic powers, especially ones that only seemed to manifest for the first time when she was in Scotland?  I understand the history, but it just felt so... convenient? But not necessary?  Like, we had a real-life Loch Ness monster, isn't that enough?  Also, Lachlan was predisposed to dislike Key, but no one thought to use a little creative thinking when it came to the curse?  I don't know, the solution seemed pretty obvious to me.  Maybe I missed something.  As always with Ferguson, you can expect lots of spicy scenes, which I'm not complaining about, but also, I was a little weirded out when Lachlan is worried about hurting Key and her response is basically, I don't care!!!  Like, maybe we can care a little bit.  3 stars

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Soul Searching

Can't-Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

Soul Searching

Lyla Sage

Expected publication date: September 30, 2025

Home is where the heart is—and this one is haunted.

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Rebel Blue Ranch series returns with a brand-new story, featuring a small-town upholsterer in need of a fresh start, a photographer whose life has come to a screeching halt . . . and the supernatural forces that bring them together.

Collins Cartwright does not want to go home. Sweetwater Peak, Wyoming, was supposed to be in her rearview mirror, but when she finds out a developer is trying to buy her parents’ antique shop out from under them, she doesn’t have a choice—at least, that’s what she tells her family. They don’t need to know she’s lost her job and is out of money. Or that the ghosts that have always been her companions have recently gone silent.

But just because she’s returned home doesn’t mean she has to stay with her parents or crash on her twin sister’s couch. Lucky for her, the new-to-town upholsterer has a room for rent above his store. Unluckily, it is absolutely crawling with more ghosts who are freezing her out. And Collins hates being ignored.

Brady Cooper is absolutely and totally fine. Seriously, there’s no secret reason why he decided to uproot his life and suddenly move to Sweetwater Peak. He just needed a change of pace. At least, that’s what he tells himself. And everyone else.

When he agrees to let the elusive Collins Cartwright stay in his spare room, he doesn’t know that she’s absolutely bonkers—constantly talking to herself and having conversations with no one—or that she looked like that. But as they begin to get closer, the lines between them start to blur, leaving both of them—and the ghosts that have been pushing them together—wondering whether or not their temporary arrangement could be something more permanent. - from Goodreads

Michele's Monday Picks #78

Angela is so generous to let me pop in with my series, Michele’s Monday Picks!  I’m not a blogger or bookstagrammer, but I love getting excited about new releases with the rest of you.  Here I’ll be sharing new books I’m really looking forward to!

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The Crimson Throne

By Sara Raasch and Beth Revis

Expected Publication: October 7, 2025

From Goodreads:

Outlander meets Holly Black in this enemies-to-lovers romantasy set in the dazzling and dangerous Scottish court where a fae guardian of the realm falls in love with a charming Elizabethan spy who could also be the key to her world's undoing. From the New York Times bestselling authors of the Witch and Hunter duology, Sara Raasch and Beth Revis, comes the start to an incredible duology.

Samson Calthorpe's father is a court favorite—but that alone won't take him far without money and so many people depending on him. So when the opportunity arises to become a royal spy, he has to take it, using every bit of the skills and resolve he's picked up on the streets of London to prove his worth in Queen Elizabeth's court.

Alyth Graham has kept her eyes on Queen Mary's husband, Lord Darnley, for years—her eyes and her magic. She may be a member of the Scottish court, but she's no lady. A bastard child of a fae prince and a human mother, Alyth is among the most powerful protectors in guardians sworn to support the barrier keeping the Red Caps, a bloodthirtsy clan of fairies, away from the Fae Land portals.

As Alyth and Samson circle each other in the volatile and glamorous Scottish court, both seek to uncover threats to their own countries. They have only one unifying their shared hatred and suspicion of Lord Darnley. Using secret codes, hidden messages, and a little bit of magic, Alyth and Samson unravel a plot centuries in the making. Lord Darnley is only a pawn, and in this game, the queen takes all.

I loved this duo’s last collaboration so I was super excited to hear they were writing more books together! Do you think you’ll be picking this one up?

Blog Tour + Review: The Witch's Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta R. Garg

Today I'm partnering with WOW! Women on Writing to celebrate the release of The Witch's Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta R. Garg!  I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Book Summary

Have you ever wondered why Jack and Jill needed that pail of water in the first place? Or how Sleeping Beauty managed to prick her finger despite a royal order to destroy every spindle in the kingdom?

Fairy tales and nursery rhymes have given us some of the most iconic characters and images in storytelling; think Cinderella’s glass slipper or Jack’s oversized beanstalk. But what about the in-between moments? The ones that never made it to the page?

In this enchanting micro-collection of short stories, award-winning author Ekta R. Garg explores the untold scenes between the lines of some of our most loved tales. Find out what the Wicked Witch of the East was doing in the road before Dorothy’s house fell on her. Learn where Goldilocks came from. Meet the conmen who convinced the emperor he had new clothes and more.

Rediscover the wit, heart, and magic of the classics, and see them as you’ve never seen them before in The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories.

Purchase a copy of The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories on Amazon. You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.

In this micro-collection of stories, Ekta Garg has been inspired by some very famous fairy tales and other stories - The Wizard of Oz, Jack & Jill, Goldilocks, you name it! Instead of straightforward retellings, Garg takes those small overlooked or off-the-page details and creatively expands upon them, adding imagined context to these classic stories. For example, why were Jack and Jill going up the hill to fetch a pail of water in the nursery rhyme? Who was Goldilocks before she entered the bears' house? It was so fun to explore and think about these stories in a new way, and I especially enjoyed the way Garg wove some fairy tales together in unexpected but clever ways.

4 stars

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Circle of Days

Can't-Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

Circle of Days

Ken Follett

Expected publication date: September 23, 2025

From a bestselling author of epic fiction comes the deeply human story of one of the world’s greatest mysteries: the building of Stonehenge.

A FLINT MINER WITH A GIFT
Seft, a talented flint miner, walks the Great Plain in the high summer heat, to witness the rituals that signal the start of a new year. He is there to trade his stone at the Midsummer Fair, and to find Neen, the girl he loves. Her family lives in prosperity and offer Seft an escape from his brutish father and brothers within their herder community.

A PRIESTESS WHO BELIEVES THE IMPOSSIBLE
Joia, Neen’s sister, is a priestess with a vision and an unmatched ability to lead. As a child, she watches the Midsummer ceremony, enthralled, and dreams of a miraculous new monument, raised from the biggest stones in the world. But trouble is brewing among the hills and woodlands of the Great Plain.

A MONUMENT THAT WILL DEFINE A CIVILIZATION
Joia’s vision of a great stone circle, assembled by the divided tribes of the Plain, will inspire Seft and become their life’s work. But as drought ravages the earth, mistrust grows between the herders, farmers and woodlanders—and an act of savage violence leads to open warfare . . .

Truly ambitious in scope, Circle of Days invites you to join master storyteller Ken Follett in exploring one of the greatest mysteries of our age: Stonehenge. - from Goodreads

Michele's Monday Picks #77

Angela is so generous to let me pop in with my series, Michele’s Monday Picks!  I’m not a blogger or bookstagrammer, but I love getting excited about new releases with the rest of you.  Here I’ll be sharing new books I’m really looking forward to!

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The Taylors

By Jen Calonita

Expected Publication: October 7, 2025

From Goodreads:

Four girls . . . all named Taylor. Read New York Times bestseller Jen Calonita's origin story of an unforgettable friendship! And don't miss the sister Love Stories (The Taylors Version #1) by Elizabeth Eulberg.

Taylor (aka Teffy to her family) is terrified to start middle school.

She wishes she could fade into the background, unnoticed. But on the first day of school, she finds herself in the spotlight when it's revealed that her homeroom class has four girls all named Taylor! There's a couple of things they can agree Taylor Swift is the greatest singer-songwriter of all time...and they are definitely going to need nicknames.

Soon, Teffy's outside her comfort zone, going out for cheerleading and starting a friendship bracelet making business. And when the Eras tour comes to town, the four friends will do whatever it takes to get tickets.

But then, a surprise betrayal changes everything. Teffy's learning to speak up for herself, but it's hard. Can she say what's on her mind and keep her new friends for good?

Love Stories (The Taylors Version)

By Elizabeth Eulberg

Expected Publication: October 7, 2025

From Goodreads:

Four girls, all named Taylor, make for one unforgettable friendship! New York Times bestseller Elizabeth Eulberg follows four stories of first love, friendship, and heartbreak. Don't miss the sister novel, Jen Calonita's The Taylors!

Not all friendships are forever and always . . .

Teffy, Tay, Taylor, and TS have been best friends since middle school. As they enter their high school freshmen era, relationships bring on the drama.

Teffy is crushing on the boy next door who belongs to someone else. Tay finds herself down bad for a tortured poet. Things get treacherous as an older boy starts flirting with Taylor. And TS is definitely focused only on soccer and doesn't fancy her new teammate, a cute London girl . . . right?

Suddenly, it feels like everything has changed. Pulled in different directions between navigating high school and new relationships, will their friendship be long lived or is it so long, Taylors?

Two for one today! This is such a great concept, where Jen Calonita introduces us to this friend group in her middle grade novel and Elizabeth Eulberg picks up their stories a few years later in her YA!  Do you think you’ll be picking these up?

Recent Reads

 The Tenant by Freida McFadden (2025)

After getting fired from his job, Blake and his fiancée Krista are forced to take in a tenant to make ends meet.  Whitney seems nice at first, but then weird things start happening, and Blake beings to wonder if something more sinister is going on.  This was a quick and captivating audiobook - the first part is from Blake's POV, and it's interesting to see him become more unhinged as the story goes on.  He's convinced Whitney is out to get him, but Krista doesn't believe him.  I will admit, McFadden definitely surprised me with the twist, but the reader has to majorly suspend disbelief, because, to me, the odds of this working out the way it did were basically zero.  Points for creativity, but even in the world of thrillers, this was out there.  3.5 stars

Love Story by Lindsey Kelk (2024)

Sophie has a big secret - she's a bestselling romance novelist.  She published her book under a different name to prevent backlash from her school community and family.  But when Joe finds out her secret, and the two are forced to spend the weekend together at her dad's birthday party, could this be the end of her anonymous publishing days?  This book was a mixed bag for me - it started off interesting, floundered a bit in the middle, but then came back strong at the end.  Sophie and Joe find themselves both attracted to and repulsed by each other when they first meet, and they fight these feelings over the course of a weekend in the country.  I thought Joe was a well-rounded character - at times smarmy and cocky, he could also be extremely vulnerable and I loved watching him try to prove himself to Sophie.  Sophie's family adds some fun (but also at times obnoxious) flair to the story, but overall, this is about Joe and Sophie, and Sophie finding the courage to be herself.  4 stars

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Month in Review: August 2025

 

Hey, everyone!  I'm back from my blog break with a recap of August.  Henry had his last music class of the summer. We went to a pool party at my sister's house.  We celebrated Tom's birthday and Henry had a playdate with our nephew at an indoor trampoline park.  Henry's daycare went on a field trip to Planet Playskool, an indoor activity space inspired by Hasbro toys.  The highlight of our month, though, was our big family trip to Cape Cod! My dad and stepmom, 4 of my 5 siblings, and all their families traveled to Falmouth, MA, and stayed in a big inn-turned-private rental house, right across the street from the beach (which was perfect for the early risers).  We played in the sand and water, went mini-golfing, visited a children's museum, checked out a bunch of lighthouses, and took the ferry to Martha's Vineyard.  It was tiring but a lot of fun spending so much time with everyone and exploring a new place!

The Books

Love Story // Ladykiller // Under the Black Flag // Under Loch and Key

Without a Hitch // Lucky Break // Do You Remember? // The Enemy

The Match

The Posts and Reviews

Michele's Monday Picks #75

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Too Old For This

Recent Reads

Little Free Library Sightings: The DE/PA Edition

Blog Tour + Review: Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell

Michele's Monday Picks #76

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Pitcher Perfect

How are you doing?

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.