Tag: Book Reviews

This Week: July 5th

This week’s newsletter celebrates exciting new releases, including Kelsey Cox’s Pretty Dead Things and Isabella Valeri’s The Prodigal Daughter, while exploring our Summer Reading Challenge focus on realistic fiction and favorite authors. Discover book recommendations, reading inspiration, a curated summer playlist, and fun tools from our newly reopened Etsy shop—including printable trackers, reading journals, and Summer Reading Bingo—to make your reading life even more enjoyable this season.

Brighter Than Before

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.

This Week: June 28th

This week’s newsletter celebrates the start of a new month with a focus on realistic fiction — the perfect genre for summer reading. From heartfelt, relationship-driven stories like Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan to exciting new releases like The Sisters and the Sword, we’re highlighting immersive books filled with emotional depth, coastal settings, and unforgettable characters. If you love beach reads that balance escapism with real-life connections, this week’s picks are full of warmth, nostalgia, and compelling storytelling.

Pretty Dead Things

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 Top Books

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

This Week: June 21st

Copilot said: Dive into a vibrant mix of reading inspiration and seasonal storytelling, from World Cup–inspired cultural moments to swashbuckling adventures and fresh summer releases. This week’s newsletter explores the bold, fast-paced charm of swashbuckler fiction, highlights a classic Zorro tale full of romance and rebellion, and spotlights a new release about redefining happiness beyond the thrill of a deal. We also reflect on Juneteenth through powerful modern literature that deepens understanding of history, memory, and resilience. Whether you’re looking for transportive adventures, meaningful reflections, or fun, engaging reads, these curated picks celebrate stories that entertain, inspire, and connect us.

This Week: June 14th

This week’s reading highlights explore the powerful stories of the Underground Railroad, where courage, secrecy, and the pursuit of freedom intersect in unforgettable ways. From the hidden meanings behind quilt patterns and their possible role in guiding enslaved people to safety, to deeply moving reflections on literacy, community, and remembrance, these selections illuminate resilience and hope in the face of unimaginable odds. We also feature a captivating new book release blending romance and magical realism—perfect for readers who love heartfelt stories with a touch of mystery. Whether you’re drawn to historical fiction, meaningful book recommendations, or uplifting ways to give back through literacy, this week’s picks offer something to inspire every reader.

Backtrack

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.

This Week: June 7th

This week’s newsletter dives into the pulse-pounding world of action-adventure—stories driven by chases, quests, danger, and unstoppable momentum. From the gripping origin of the Prey series to fresh releases that explore both high-stakes tension and imaginative escape, we’re highlighting books that keep you turning pages late into the night. Alongside these picks, we’re celebrating how libraries can spark a summer full of discovery and creativity. Whether you’re craving a relentless pursuit, an impossible mission, or a thrilling escape, this week is all about finding stories that move—and pull you right along with them.