In this review of Sex Positive by Brooklyn Rose, I share why this bold college romance earns 4 out of 5 stars. Blending witty banter with conversations about sexual health, consent, reproductive freedom, and self-advocacy, Sex Positive offers a timely coming-of-age story for older teen and adult readers who enjoy contemporary romance with strong social themes.
In this review of Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard, I share why this fast-paced nonfiction account of Abraham Lincoln’s final days earns 5 out of 5 stars. Blending presidential history, Civil War drama, John Wilkes Booth’s assassination plot, and the manhunt that followed, Killing Lincoln makes one of America’s most familiar historical events feel fresh and immediate. Readers who enjoy narrative nonfiction, American history, or books by Brian Kilmeade and David McCullough will find this gripping, accessible, and highly readable.
In this review of Abraham Verghese’s Abscond, I explore how this brief but powerful short story captures grief, family expectations, cultural tradition, and the quiet turning point between childhood and growing up.
In Pop!, Angel Luis Colón delivers a darkly funny summer thriller about Poppy, an overworked assistant juggling two frustrating jobs, two incompetent bosses, and a growing sense that she may be capable of far more than anyone expects. Part workplace satire, part crime drama, and part offbeat thriller, Pop! blends sharp humor, black-market danger, and over-the-top twists for readers who enjoy strange, fast-paced crime fiction with a biting edge.
In God’s Country, William Kent Krueger delivers a gripping, atmospheric mystery in the 21st Cork O’Connor novel. Set in the Boundary Waters, this suspenseful installment forces Cork to confront a terrifying vision of his own death while facing questions of family, courage, mortality, and moral choice. Perfect for fans of crime fiction, mystery, suspense, and richly drawn characters, God’s Country is a powerful 5-star read for longtime Cork O’Connor fans and new readers alike.
In Brighter Than Before, Courtney Walsh delivers a warm, funny summer rom-com filled with witty banter, a memorable meet-cute, and heartfelt second chances. Claire’s fresh start in Chicago brings humor, awkward moments, emotional healing, and a lovable community of characters readers will want to root for. Perfect for fans of contemporary romance, book club reads, and feel-good fiction, this 5-star romance is a charming reminder that new beginnings can lead to something brighter than before.
Kelsey Cox’s Pretty Dead Things is a suspenseful, atmospheric thriller set in small-town Texas, where beauty pageant traditions, long-buried secrets, and generational trauma collide. Following multiple generations of women navigating friendship, betrayal, family wounds, and the social pressures of pageant life, this emotionally grounded mystery builds from a slow start into a gripping, unforgettable read. Cox handles difficult topics like bullying, substance abuse, mental illness, physical violence, and allusions to sexual assault with compassion and care. With a vivid winter-storm setting, realistic characters, and a mystery that keeps readers guessing until the final pages, Pretty Dead Things is a strong follow-up to Party of Liars and a must-read for fans of atmospheric mysteries and small-town suspense.
June was such a strong reading month—9 books, all 4 stars or higher, with action fiction clearly leading the way. My two 5-star standouts were Hidden in Plain View, a fascinating look at quilt symbolism and history, and Backtrack by Marc Cameron, a gripping thriller with excellent character development. The list also includes 4 pre-release titles, full reviews, preorder links, and one more review still to come. If you love thrillers, upcoming releases, and standout monthly recaps, this one is worth a look. Which title would you pick up first? #bookish #RWL2026 #ThrillerReads
Book review of Both Can Be True by Jessica Guerrieri, a thoughtful mystery about addiction, family trauma, mental health, sisterhood, and the complicated search for healing after a disappearance shakes a small community.
Marc Cameron’s Backtrack delivers a tense, fast-moving return to U.S. Marshal Arliss Cutter’s world. Blending a present-day manhunt with a historical fugitive chase, the novel deepens Cutter family history while offering the realistic law enforcement detail, rugged Alaskan atmosphere, and high-stakes suspense Cameron fans expect. I give it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for readers who enjoy action-packed mysteries, police procedurals, and authors such as Michael Connelly, Brad Thor, and John Sandford. Content includes on-page violence, death, gun violence, physical assault, and violence against women.
