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.