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 👀