Happy pub day!! This week’s releases are absolutely stunning. We’ve got trauma-fueled thrillers, obsession-worthy leading ladies, swoony chaos, and a couple that had me side-eyeing my headphones like… are we okay?? 👀

Let’s get into it.

🎧 Audios I Binged

🖤 Victim or Villain
Read or skip: Read (especially if you love emotional thrillers with messy morality)
Rating: 4.25 stars

Gwen Kane??? I’m obsessed.

She’s smart, funny, deeply traumatized, and trying so hard to build a quiet life after surviving something horrific. And then… everything unravels. Fast.

This is one of those stories where you’re constantly asking: what would I do in her position? And the answer is never simple.

The emotional weight here really lands. You feel Gwen’s fear, her rage, her desperation to protect the one place that finally felt safe. And the romance?? Complicated in a way that actually works for the story.

Also I need to talk about the audio:
Stephanie Nemeth-Parker + Teddy Hamilton?? Immediate yes. They brought so much depth to these characters.

Final thought: A morally messy, emotionally intense thriller that keeps you locked in.

🧪 Morbid Curiosities
Read or skip: Maybe skip (or go in with tempered expectations)
Rating: 3 stars

Okay this one HURT because the premise??? Elite science institute + secret experiments + dark academia vibes in a modern setting??? I was so in.

And to be fair, there are things this does well. The science elements feel grounded, the atmosphere is tense, and the narration by Isuri Wijesundara is genuinely strong.

But the execution didn’t fully land for me. The pacing felt uneven, and I never fully connected to what was happening vs. what I wanted to be happening.

There are moments of intrigue (mutations, hidden experiments, unreliable memory 👀), but it never fully clicks into that “I can’t stop listening” mode.

Final thought: Cool concept, solid narration, but didn’t hit as hard as I needed it to.

👑 Leading Ladies I’m Obsessed With

💔 Aphrodite in Pieces
Read or skip: DEFINITELY READ
Rating: 5 stars

I will not shut up about this book. I simply won’t.

This completely redefines Aphrodite. Not just as the goddess of love, but as a woman shaped by how others see her, use her, and judge her.

It’s raw, layered, and honestly kind of devastating in the best way. The themes around internalized misogyny and how women are pitted against each other?? Yeah… it hits.

Final thought: A powerful, unforgettable reimagining that will make you rethink everything.

⚔️ Burn the Sea
Read or skip: Read
Rating: 4.5 stars

A warrior queen. Court politics. Sea monsters. Colonization tension. Say less.

Abbakka is THAT girl. Strong, strategic, and constantly forced to prove herself in a world that underestimates her. Watching her navigate power, duty, and survival was everything I wanted.

Also quick reminder: I’m going live with the author on IG 5/1 and I’m so excited for this one.

Final thought: Fierce, atmospheric, and rooted in power + resistance.

💘 Romances That Made Me Giddy

✨ The Antiquarian’s Object of Desire
Read or skip: Read
Rating: 4 stars

India Holton truly does not miss when it comes to witty chaos.

Friends-to-lovers but make it magical academia, forced proximity, and absolute banter overload. Watching Amelia and Caleb dance around their feelings while literal chaos unfolds around them?? Incredible.

Also the humor?? Top tier.

Final thought: Smart, charming, and just ridiculously fun to read.

💗 The Blind Date Agreement
Read or skip: Maybe skip if YA drama isn’t your thing
Rating: 3.75 stars

This one is messy in a very YA way.

The blind date setups were hilarious, and I did enjoy the banter, but whew… the drama. I loved to hate a certain character (you’ll know), which honestly kept me invested.

If you like high school chaos, complicated feelings, and friendship vs. romance tension, this might work for you.

Final thought: Entertaining, chaotic, and very much YA vibes.

😱 Books That Made My Heart Race

🩸 The Caretaker
Read or skip: READ (if you like being unsettled)
Rating: 5 stars

WTF did I just read.

This is one of those books that just… creeps under your skin and stays there. The premise is simple (caretaking job from Craigslist), but the execution?? Absolutely unhinged in the best way.

The tension builds so well, and by the end I was fully spiraling.

Final thought: Disturbing, addictive, and genuinely scary.

🎢 The Drop
Read or skip: Read
Rating: 4 stars

Being stuck 650 feet in the air on a roller coaster??? Immediate no.

This is such a fun, high-stakes thriller with a very contained setting and a group of characters with history (aka secrets 👀).

It’s fast-paced, anxiety-inducing, and plays really well with the “past coming back to haunt you” trope.

Final thought: Stressful in the best way. I could not look away.

🚫 The One I DNF’d

🥀 Witch Queen Rising

This one had so much potential.

The worldbuilding? Strong. The premise? Exactly my vibe. Witches, power struggles, paranormal politics?? Yes please.

But the pacing… I couldn’t do it.

At 54% in, I needed more to be happening. It felt very repetitive (meetings, calls, inner monologue), and the urgency of the stakes just wasn’t matching what was on the page.

I also struggled with the writing style; some of the descriptions pulled me out of the story instead of immersing me in it.

Final thought: A great concept that didn’t quite deliver for me, but I would consider trying book two if the pacing improves.

And that’s this week’s stack !

Some hits, some almosts, and a couple that had me questioning my life choices, but honestly?? That’s the fun of pub day.

If you’ve read any of these (or have one you’re excited for), tell me:
❓ which one is going straight to your TBR?

Okay, so this week??
No misses… just vibes across the entire emotional spectrum.

Like I went from poetic, haunting horror that rewired my brain… to chaotic wedding drama… to being psychologically stressed over a Craigslist job posting.

Let’s start with Japanese Gothic because I genuinely have not stopped thinking about it.

This is easily in my top 3 books of the year, and I don’t say that lightly.

I actually reread parts of it a week later, which I almost never do, just to sit with the writing again. The prose is that good. It’s the kind of writing where you read a sentence, pause, and then go back because you need to feel it twice.

Dual timelines (1877 and 2026), and I was fully locked into both. Sen’s storyline brings this disciplined, brutal samurai world, while Lee’s is… unraveling in a way that keeps you constantly questioning what’s real.

And the horror?? It sneaks up on you. Quiet, controlled, almost beautiful… until it absolutely isn’t.

This is horror, yes, but also mythology, time loops, generational trauma, identity… all layered into something that just lingers.

I already know this is one I’ll be thinking about for years.

Save the Date was this close to a 5-star romcom for me.

Three POVs. Wedding weekend. So much chaos.

And somehow I cared about all of them??

Olivia’s storyline hit the hardest for me; that pressure of being the one who holds everything together while watching someone else live a little more freely. It felt very real.

Marigold and Hugo though?? Immediate favorites. He is a walking green flag and I will not be elaborating.

Natalie… made choices. That’s all I’ll say.

It’s messy, dramatic, a little stressful, but completely bingeable.

The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton ended up being very much a “one timeline carried” situation.

The historical storyline?? Incredible. I learned so much, especially about how Barton was manipulated and then ultimately took the fall for it. It’s frustrating in a way that makes you want to keep reading.

The modern timeline took longer to hook me, and even by the end, it felt a little less fully developed.

But if you love real history + religious and political intrigue, this is worth picking up.

Deathly Fates surprised me in the best way.

YA fantasy with a priestess guiding spirits and an undead prince?? Immediately yes.

The romance is slow burn and minimal spice, but honestly that’s not the point. The emotional depth, the folklore, the themes of grief and identity… that’s what carries it.

Also the structure?? It almost feels episodic with these little side quests, and I loved how immersive that made the world feel.

And I have to mention the audiobook because it genuinely elevated everything.

The Caretaker… respectfully, no.

A woman answers a Craigslist ad to be a caretaker and I was immediately stressed.

But what makes this work is how grounded it feels. I wasn’t yelling at the main character; I understood her decisions, which somehow made it worse.

It constantly rides that line between supernatural, psychological, and “is this actually happening,” and I never fully knew what to believe.

Also… it goes to some heavy places emotionally, especially around mental health, in a way that lingers.

This one sticks with you.

The Antiquarian’s Object of Desire is exactly why I will read anything India Holton writes.

Her humor just works for me. Witty, chaotic, slightly unhinged.

We’ve got STEM women in historical settings, academic rivalries, ghosts, magic, and constant interruptions that keep the pacing so fun.

Amelia and Caleb?? Friends to lovers with that “are we enemies or just emotionally repressed” energy. The yearning is strong here.

It’s whimsical, clever, and still manages to weave in deeper themes without losing that lightness.

The Drop is basically my worst nightmare turned into a book.

Stranded at the top of a roller coaster 650 feet in the air?? Absolutely not.

But what really makes this one work is the characters, and listen… these are not good people.

Messy friendships, buried secrets, resentment that’s been building for years… and as the timelines shift, you start to understand why everything feels so tense.

It becomes less about survival and more about whether they even trust each other enough to try.

Which, honestly? Debatable.

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So yeah… a very “every genre showed up and chose chaos” kind of week.

But also one of those weeks where you finish a book and immediately know it’s going to stay with you for a long time.

And Japanese Gothic?? Yeah… that one’s not leaving my brain anytime soon.

Happy pub day!! This week’s new releases were honestly such a mix: some easy binges, some emotional hits, and a couple that… yeah, we’re not talking about those on IG for a reason 👀

Let’s get into it.

🎧 Audios I Binged

🖤 Deathly Fates
Read or skip: Read (especially for YA fantasy lovers)
Rating: 4.5 stars

This one surprised me in the best way.

A corpse-driving priestess, a not-so-dead prince, and a journey fueled by grief, duty, and survival? I was locked in. The writing feels thoughtful and intentional, and the themes (grief, family responsibility, what it means to be human) actually land.

Let’s talk romance expectations: this is a slow, slow burn. Very age-appropriate YA. It’s cute, but honestly? The story didn’t need it. The plot and character growth are strong enough on their own.

Final thought: A beautifully layered YA fantasy that sticks with you emotionally more than romantically.

🌪️ West of Wicked
Read or skip: Read
Rating: 4 stars

Wizard of Oz… but darker, a little spicier, and way more chaotic.

I’m usually skeptical of retellings, but this worked for me. Adult Dorothy trying to figure her life out? Loved. Tin Man as a villain? Even better.

The full cast audio absolutely elevated this; it felt immersive and cinematic. And that ending?? RUDE. I need the sequel immediately.

Final thought: A fun, darker reimagining with strong audio narration and a cliffhanger that will have you scrambling for book two.

💘 Romance That Made Me Swoon

💍 Save the Date
Read or skip: READ
Rating: 5 stars

Three POVs. Three messy love stories. And somehow… I cared about every single one.

This is peak chaotic wedding weekend energy with emotional depth underneath. Secret love, fake dating, complicated family dynamics...it’s all here, and it works.

Final thought: Smart, funny, and genuinely heartfelt. A rare multi-POV win.

💊 Love and Other Side Effects
Read or skip: Read
Rating: 4 stars

Deidra Duncan just gets it.

This feels like a romcom-leaning episode of Grey’s Anatomy: chaotic hospital energy, emotional stakes, and banter that actually made me laugh out loud.

Friends-to-lovers done right, with workplace tension and a hurricane thrown in for good measure. Asher? Loved. Jocelyn… frustrated me at times, but not enough to take away from the overall story.

Final thought: Emotional, funny, and just messy enough to feel real.

📚 Books I Read and Loved

✨ The Most Important Part
Read or skip: READ. Immediately.
Rating: 5 stars

I genuinely don’t know how to talk about this book without sounding biased, but here we are.

This is one of those stories where the characters feel real. The dialogue, the emotions, the decisions: it all feels authentic in a way that pulls you in completely.

But the standout? Grief.

It’s handled with so much nuance and honesty, especially through a teenage lens, and it hit in a way that felt deeply personal. Watching Bea begin to heal… yeah. That stayed with me.

Final thought: A powerful, emotional read that does something really special.

📜 The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton
Read or skip: Read
Rating: 4 stars

Dual timelines, Tudor history, and a modern-day academic mystery? Say less.

This blends historical fiction with a slow-building mystery, and both timelines are equally compelling. Elizabeth’s story is intense and tragic, while Alison’s adds that creeping tension as things start to unravel.

Final thought: A well-crafted, atmospheric read that balances history and mystery beautifully.

😱 Horror That Freaked Me Out

🩸 Japanese Gothic
Read or skip: Read (if you can handle it)
Rating: 5 stars

Not for everyone. Absolutely for me.

This is horror rooted in family, trauma, and psychological unraveling, layered with Japanese mythology, samurai history, and dual timelines that slowly collide.

It feels like madness in the best way. A fever dream with purpose.

Final thought: Complex, brutal, and completely immersive. Another win.

🐾 Morsel
Read or skip: Read
Rating: 4 stars

A short, creepy Appalachian gothic that somehow balances campy and unsettling perfectly.

I don’t usually love novellas, but this hit that sweet spot. The grief, the symbolism, the setting...and the dog 😭

Final thought: A quick but impactful horror read that lingers longer than expected.

📚 Non-Fiction I Actually Read

⚔️ Those Who Are About to Die
Read or skip: Read (if you like history)
Rating: N/A (I don't rate non-fiction)

Structured as 24 hours in the life of a gladiator, which makes it feel immersive instead of textbook-y.

Super well-researched but still accessible, with just enough humor to keep it engaging.

Final thought: Informative without being dry; perfect if you love Roman history.

🚫 DNFs (Not on IG for a Reason)

😬 While You Were Seething
DNF at 61%

So many tropes I should have loved… but the execution just didn’t land. The pacing felt off, the emotional beats didn’t hit, and the MMC leaned more cruel than compelling.

Final thought: Fun concept, messy delivery.

🏁 Fast and Fastidious
DNF at 48%

This one had potential, but it felt like all setup and no payoff. Detached narration, minimal chemistry, and somehow… no romance in a romance??

Final thought: Interesting idea, but not for me.

✨ Overall Thoughts

This week really came down to balance.

Some books absolutely nailed emotional depth and character work. Some had incredible concepts but uneven execution. And a few reminded me that not every trope combo is a guaranteed win.

But The Most Important Part and Japanese Gothic? Those are the ones I’m still thinking about.

If you’ve picked up any of these (or have one on your radar), tell me everything. What worked? What didn’t? I’m always curious 👀

Okay so this week was very much a “I almost loved you” reading week.

Like… multiple books that were this close to being five stars and then just didn’t quite stick it.

Let’s start with The Ending Writes Itself because I cannot stop thinking about it and not in a clean, satisfying way. The premise? Elite. Six authors, private island, finish a dead author’s manuscript in 72 hours. I was immediately in. It gave me You Are Fatally Invited vibes (which was a five star for me), and I loved how it handled writers. The egos, the insecurity, the way they all viewed success differently… so well done.

But the ending?? Why did we rush it like that. This is literally a book about endings and that’s what we did?? I just… I wanted more time. More weight. It could’ve been so good.

Morsel though??

This one wasted zero time.

Four hour audiobook. Rural Ohio. Something in the woods. Immediately no. Immediately stress. It’s giving Blair Witch Project meets The Ritual and it does not ease you in at all. It’s graphic, it’s gory, and it just keeps escalating.

What I liked is that it actually had something to say too, like the whole generational poverty / capitalism angle was very much there without feeling forced. But yeah… this one is not for the squeamish.

The Concrete Alibi was exactly what I expected, in a good way.

Very procedural, very straightforward legal thriller. If you’re going in expecting humor or personality like Eddie Flynn, it’s not that. But if you want a case you can follow and short chapters that make you keep saying “one more,” this works. I listened on audio and it flew.

Tusks, Tails, and Teacakes was my emotional support read this week.

I read it in one sitting and I swear I spent the entire time craving baked goods. It’s cozy fantasy in the truest sense: low stakes, light magic, found family, shy awkward romance (just kissing!!)

Nothing stressful happens. No one is saving the world. People are just… baking, rebuilding a tavern, and caring about each other. And honestly? That’s exactly what I needed. Also it’s on Kindle Unlimited which feels dangerous for me personally.

Smoke and Scar…I fear I’m locked into this series now.

Shadow mommy. Cinnamon roll knight. Deadly trials. Found family. Like it just works. The magic is easy to follow, the stakes feel real, and I actually care about these characters. Also the reverse age gap?? I was smiling.

West of Wicked is one of those books where I was like “oh this is doing something interesting.”

Dorothy with no memory, Tin Man as an assassin, witches fighting for power… I loved the direction of this. The world felt darker, a little twisted, and I was into it.

My only warning: the spice goes from zero to one thousand with zero transition. Like we just… arrive there. So just know that going in.

And then Love & Other Side Effects, I had high expectations because I loved Love Sick and this one delivered.

Asher as a main character?? Perfect choice. He’s funny but clearly using humor as a shield, and watching that slowly crack was so good. Jocelyn is emotionally closed off in a way that made the tension even better.

You get best friends to more, he falls first, workplace chaos, and such good banter. Like the banter is what makes this series for me. It feels natural, not forced, and I was actually laughing.

So yeah… a very “almost five stars, but I’m still thinking about you” kind of week.

And honestly? Those are sometimes the most interesting ones.

Happy pub day! This week's new releases were a mix of hits, almost-hits, and one that genuinely stuck with me in a way I didn’t expect.

Let’s get into it.

🖋️ The Ending Writes Itself

Read or skip: Read, but the ending might make you mad

Rating: 4 stars

“Secrets don’t stay secret for long in publishing.”

This setup? Absolutely catnip for book lovers.

A group of authors invited to a private salon hosted by a famous writer… on an isolated Scottish island? Say less. I was in immediately. It gave me similar vibes to You Are Fatally Invited, and honestly, I didn’t mind the overlap because I love that kind of closed-circle, literary suspense.

The beginning is a bit slow, but I actually enjoyed that. Watching writers from different genres interact (the egos, the insecurities, the subtle competitiveness) was one of the strongest parts of the book. It felt very insider baseball in the best way.

But the reveal?
A little underwhelming.

And the ending… rushed. Like we sprinted to the finish line without fully earning it.

There’s a line in the book:

“Writers rarely deal in accidents. Readers don’t like them.”

And ironically, that’s kind of how the ending felt, like it didn’t fully stick the landing.

Final thought: Loved the concept and character dynamics, but I wanted a sharper, more deliberate ending.

🐺 Wolvers

Read or skip: READ!

Rating: 5 stars

This one? This one stayed with me.

An environmental thriller that somehow made me deeply emotional about a pack of wolves, which I did not have on my 2026 bingo card.

What makes this book stand out is the decision to give us the POV of the wolf pack itself. It’s such an unexpected, brilliant choice because it builds this quiet, powerful connection between reader and animal. You’re not just observing; you’re inside their world.

It immediately brought me back to my trip to Yellowstone, watching wolf packs, learning how rare and misunderstood they are. This book captures that tension perfectly: the beauty of the wolves and the very real concerns of the people living alongside them.

There’s no clear villain here. Just conflict, survival, and perspective.

Final thought: A deeply affecting, immersive read that balances heart and tension. This is the kind of book that leaves a mark.

🗡️ The Bloody and the Damned

Read or skip: Read, but be ready to be confused at the end

Rating: 4 stars

I talked about this one yesterday, but I need to expand on the ending because… it changed everything for me.

This had all the makings of a five-star read:

• brutal, morally gray MC

• oppressive, desert dystopian setting

• religious power structures + archangels

• high stakes from page one

The world-building? Incredible. The atmosphere? Heavy, immersive, and consistent.

But the ending…

Confusing. Rushed. And honestly, a little disorienting.

It felt like the story suddenly accelerated without giving key moments the space they needed to land. This easily could have been a duology (or at least a longer final act) to fully flesh out what was happening.

And that’s what makes it frustrating. Because the potential here was so high.

Final thought: A gripping, standout dystopian fantasy with an ending that didn’t quite match the strength of everything before it.

⚖️ The Concrete Alibi (audio)

Read or skip: Read if you like legal thrillers

Rating: 3.75 stars

*availble on Kindle Unlimited

First things first: the audio narration? Phenomenal.

This is a very straightforward, no-frills legal thriller. If you’re expecting the wit or humor of something like the Eddie Flynn series, this isn’t that. It leans much more grounded and procedural.

There’s a heavy focus on construction and technical details, which actually adds a layer of realism I appreciated. And I loved that our main lawyer is completely green; this is his first big case, and you feel that pressure throughout.

The characters are well-developed, the stakes are clear, and the pacing keeps things moving without unnecessary fluff.

Final thought: A solid, well-executed legal thriller, especially strong on audio.

🍋 La Dolce Veto

Read or skip: Read

Rating: 4 stars

This was such a fun, escapist romance, the kind immediately sink into.

The banter? So cute. The romance itself felt light, easy, and genuinely charming without losing emotional depth. It does have a couple of open-door scenes, but they never overshadow the story, they just add to the chemistry.

The setting really made this one for me. The rural Italian countryside felt lush, warm, and transportive in a way that made this the perfect spring/summer read. And yes… I wanted pasta the entire time.

I also loved the FMC. A woman navigating politics in a male-dominated space could have felt heavy-handed, but this struck such a good balance; it made its point without ever feeling like it was trying too hard. It just worked.

And the side characters? So well done. I especially appreciated that Izzy had a strong female friendship with another woman in politics. That added so much depth and realism to her world.

Final thought: A charming, atmospheric romance with just enough substance to ground the escapism.

✨ Overall Thoughts

This week really came down to execution.

• Strong concepts across the board

• Multiple books with incredible setups

• But a couple that didn’t quite stick the landing

And then there’s Wolvers, quietly sitting in a category of its own, reminding me that sometimes the most unexpected stories are the ones that hit the hardest.

If you’ve read any of these (or have one on your radar) tell me everything. I’m always curious what worked (or didn’t) for you 👀