Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I’ve enjoyed Taylor Jenkins Reid’s other books, but Carrie Soto is Back definitely takes the top place.

Synopsis

This story follows Carrie Soto as she leaves retirement to reclaim her place as the greatest tennis player of all time.

Review of Carrie Soto is Back

It’s told in alternating timelines, switching from when Carrie was beginning her tennis career to her in the present time training for upcoming matches.

I have zero knowledge of tennis, but TJR had me on the edge of my seat. She can write a tennis match that is as captivating as any battle scene or dance sequence I’ve ever read. My interest never waned in the story, either. I found it compelling right from the first page. And if like me, you’ve no prior knowledge of the sport, the author does a great job explaining the basics.

It was interesting to see Carrie as a young and fit player outperforming more seasoned players and then the inverse as she’s getting back into the swing of things.

If you’ve enjoyed TJR’s past novels, I’d highly recommend this one as well. She has a knack for writing about subjects that don’t hold much interest to me (Hollywood, rockstars, etc.) but has very memorable characters.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Expected Publication: 30 August 2022

Thank you to Doubleday Canada for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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For past reviews, click here.

Didn’t Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta by James Hannaham

Didn’t Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta is an odyssey of one trans woman’s life as she transitions from being incarcerated to being released.

Synopsis

Carlotta doesn’t have high hopes for her next meeting with the parole board. Much to her surprise, the board grants her release with conditions. Having been incarcerated for over twenty years, NYC looks a lot different than it did previously.

Over the Fourth of July weekend, Carlotta wishes to reconcile with her son; gain her family’s acceptance; try to avoid breaking any of her conditions for parole.

Review of Didn’t Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta

This is an utterly original story with an unforgettable main character. The writing style is quite unique and allows the reader to enter Carlotta’s mind. It frequently switches from third to first-person without warning, sometimes in the same sentence.

While the story goes from one chaotic scene to the next, it also reveals the harsh realities of the justice system and how difficult it can be to escape its reach. Carlotta is an immensely positive and joyful person but has dealt with a lot of trauma while incarcerated, which she reflects on throughout the novel.

So, I highly recommend this novel. And now I’ll check out the author’s backlist.

CW: SA.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Expected Publication: 30 August 2022

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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For past reviews, click here.

Bad Fruit by Ella King

Bad Fruit by Ella King has a couple of bad apples and one girl just trying to survive them.

Synopsis

It’s the summer holidays, and Lily is waiting for the fall when she’ll commence her first year of university at Oxford. Until then, she has to continue single-handedly managing her mother’s erratic moods since her father and siblings are incapable of doing so. From preparing her mother’s favourite Singaporean meals and spoiled juice to altering her appearance to look more like her, Lily will do just about anything to avoid her mother’s wrath.

As the summer progresses, Lily begins having disturbing flashbacks in addition to dealing with her mother’s increasingly unstable behaviour.

Review of Bad Fruit

This novel examines weighty topics such as inter-generational trauma and abusive cycles.

Despite the heavy subject matter, the novel, at least initially, is prevented from feeling truly gloomy by Lily’s narration and her support network. However, at its peak, I felt that the author came just shy of emotionally manipulating the reader. Any more abuse and it would have felt gratuitous.

That said, this domestic drama is impressive. It’s been a few weeks since I finished reading this, and I still find myself going back and thinking about it. It’s a short and quick read with a strong female character. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for future books by the author.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Expected Publication: 23 August 2022

Thank you to Astra House for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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For past reviews, click here.

The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead

The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead is an intensely dark and sinister thriller that I could not put down.

Synopsis

Since the traumatic events of her college days, Shay Evans has built a quiet suburban life with her husband in Texas. Her one guilty pleasure is listening to a true crime podcast called Transgressions. One night, Shay learns via the podcast that Laurel, her best friend from college, has passed away on campus under suspicious circumstances.

Shay and the host of the true-crime podcast team up and try to find the truth behind her death. But the more they investigate, the more bewildering and terrifying the situation becomes, and they see what’s beneath the polished surface of upper-crust society.

Review of The Last Housewife

This compelling thriller follows Shay’s POV with podcast transcripts mixed in.

From the title, I thought this would be something like a neighbourhood drama or the typical unreliable housewife who self-medicates. But then I remembered this is an Ashley Winstead book, and she doesn’t do typical. Sure, this book may start in the suburbs, but the overall scope of it is huge. It even gets a bit cinematic. I’d love for this to get adapted to the big or small screen.

The ending was literal perfection. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it worked for me.

As I mentioned, this book dives into some dark topics, which may be triggering for some readers. There’s a whole list of content warnings at the beginning of the book.

The author’s debut In My Dreams I Hold a Knife was one of my top thrillers of last year. I think it’s safe to say that The Last Housewife is my favourite thriller this year thus far. AW has fast become an auto-read author for me, whether that’s romance or thriller, I will eat it up.

If you enjoy dramatic twists and don’t mind suspending disbelief once in a while, then you’ll likely love this as much as I did.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Expected Publication: 16 August 2022

I received an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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For past reviews, click here.

After the Party by Georgina Lees

After the Party by Georgina Lees is a gripping psychological thriller brimming with atmosphere.

Synopsis

Lizzie has been infatuated with her colleague Dean since he started working at the same company as her. Sometimes, Lizzie thinks he must feel the same about her.

However, Lizzie’s bubble bursts at a work party when Dean confesses he is in love with Rebecca, another colleague. It comes as a shock a few days later when the police show up at Lizzie’s door, informing her that Rebecca has disappeared.

The rest of this psychological thriller follows Lizzie as she tries to help with the investigation.

Review of After the Party

This novel really delves into Lizzie’s mind and the tumult of emotions she goes through. Lizzie is not immediately likeable, she initially gives off stalker vibes, but she does grow on you.

This is the second thriller I’ve read by Georgina Lees, and I would say it ranks second too. I was in the minority of readers who enjoyed The Girl Upstairs. Lees excels at the psychological aspect of her thrillers. Plot-wise, nothing much happens, but the author really makes the reader feel everything the main character does: dread, anxiety, gloominess.

I will say that the party does not actually take place until a good chunk of the way through the book. The ending was a huge letdown, but I can appreciate what the author was trying to do. This was a solid four-star read until that disappointing ending.

Still, I can’t wait to see what Georgina Lees comes up with next. I’ll definitely give it a read.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Expected Publication: 12 August 2022

Thank you to One More Chapter for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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For past reviews, click here.

The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell

The Family Remains is the sequel I didn’t know I needed.

Brief Synopsis

It picks up where The Family Upstairs ended.

Detective Samuel Owusu finds a bag of bones floating in the Thames River. Forensic testing reveals that the bones are connected to a decades-old cold case that left three dead in a mansion in Chelsea.

The narrative follows new and old characters as they reconnect with each other and as they discover shocking new connections.

Review of The Family Remains

This is slated as a standalone sequel, but if I hadn’t read The Family Upstairs before this, I’m not sure I would have been as invested in the plot or its characters.

The Family Remains

It’s been a few years since I read the first book, so I skimmed it to help refresh my memory. But, it turns out that was unnecessary because the author seamlessly summarizes it in the first few chapters.

The chapters themselves are short, making this a very bingeable read. It follows multiple POVs and timelines.

There were a few twists, some predictable, some surprising. I loved reading Rachel’s chapters; she really rounded out the story.

I definitely recommend giving this a read if you’ve read The Family Upstairs. You might get a better feel for the characters that way.

CW: SA, suicide.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Expected Publication: 09 August 2022

Thank you to Atria Books for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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For past reviews, click here.

Stay Awake by Megan Goldin

Stay Awake by Megan Goldin indeed had me reading past my bedtime.

Synopsis

Liv Reese wakes confused and disoriented in the back of a cab en route to her shared brownstone apartment. When she reaches her apartment, nothing goes as expected. A pair of strangers answer her door, claiming to have lived there for years, and who subsequently push Liv out onto the street.

Liv’s last memory is answering her office phone on a sunny afternoon. Now, there’s a noticeable chill in the air, strange messages scribbled on Liv’s arms telling her to stay awake, and an ominous bloody knife she’s found in her pocket, which she suspects may be linked to a murder she saw on the news.

While the police investigate the murder case, Liv desperately tries to piece together her memory of the last two years and learn more about this murder.

Review of Stay Awake by Megan Goldin

This tense psychological thriller has alternating timelines and multiple POVs.

This thriller was a compelling and equally frustrating read for me. I needed to find out how everything would turn out for Liv, but I also could not stop clenching my teeth at the sheer repetitiveness of it all. The same information kept getting regurgitated, almost verbatim, page after page. It makes sense that Liv would be stuck on square one, considering her amnesia, but it did not make for the best reading experience. There were also a few loose ends that never got resolved.

Overall, I did find the story entirely gripping. I could not put it down. I can see why Megan Goldin’s books are so popular, and I will definitely be checking out her backlist soon.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Expected Publication: 09 August 2022

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For regular reading updates, check out my Goodreads profile.

For past reviews, click here.

The Book of Gothel by Mary McMyne

The Book of Gothel is a wonderfully cozy story of the witch who stole Rapunzel and kept her in the tower.

Synopsis

Haelewise, daughter of Hedda, a well-respected midwife, has always lived under her mother’s protective wing. When Haelewise’s mother suddenly dies, her father abandons her, and the village shuns her Haelewise sets out to find the mysterious tower named Gothel. The tower is purported to offer protection for women and girls who seek it. Throughout her journeys, Haelewise will be at odds with the Church, her mother’s pagan beliefs, and a powerful noble family.

The Book of Gothel

Review of The Book of Gothel

Reading this Rapunzel backstory was like being wrapped in a warm hug. It’s very much a coming-of-age, character-driven story where the reader follows Haelewise as she grows into herself. It touches on topics like the patriarchy, pagan practices, and feminism.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed this, I felt that some parts dragged a bit, and I could have done without the romance. I much preferred the sections that focused on Haelewise’s and Matthaus’ friendship as they were growing up.

The writing style feels like YA in the beginning, but then it slowly matures as the story deepens.

I highly recommend adding this book to your fairytale retelling tbr.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Now Available.

Thank you to Orbit for the physical and digital copies for review purposes.

For regular reading updates, check out my Goodreads profile.

For past reviews, click here.

Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier

Things We Do in the Dark is a slow-burn, but overall gripping thriller.

Synopsis

It opens with Paris Peralta, dazed and confused, in the back of a police car, trying to recall the events of the night before. The police found her in the bathroom covered in blood, holding a straight razor with her famous husband dead in the tub behind her.

Though alarming, a murder charge is not the only concern on Paris’ mind. Paris married Jimmy with the understanding that they would live a quiet life. Now with her face splashed across the media, Paris fears her past may catch up with her.

Review of Things We Do in the Dark

This gripping thriller has dual perspectives and alternates between the past and present timeline.

I think most thriller readers will guess the first big reveal. For the most part, I enjoyed the journey of figuring everything out, but the plot did start to drag in Part Two. It spends a lot of time building up to the big reveal, but it was kind of unnecessary since the twist was fairly obvious by the end of Part One. The sections that focused on Paris held my attention; the other POV, not so much.

I did enjoy the conclusion. It ended on the perfect note. It didn’t feel rushed or like it was trying to do too much.

Note: There is a lot of abuse and graphic content that may be triggering for some.

This was my first time reading Jennifer Hillier. I’m not sure why I haven’t read her books until now, but I’ll definitely try more in the future.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Expected Publication: 19 July 2022

Thank you to Minotaur Books for providing me with an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For regular reading updates, check out my Goodreads profile.

For past reviews, click here.

Dark Earth by Rebecca Stott

Dark Earth by Rebecca Stott is a beautifully written historical fiction novel with a dash of mythology and folklore.

Synopsis

Isla and Blue live with their father, the Great Smith, on a small island in exile. The area was once a Roman settlement known as Londinium. Hundreds of years later, it lays as abandoned ruins called the Ghost City.

Five years ago, Lord Osric exiled the Great Smith after accusations that he was using dark magic to craft his firetongue swords. Now, the Great Smith makes the swords solely for the Lord and, in exchange, receives supplies and protection.

The girls have adjusted to their life in exile. Blue loves the outdoors and has a pet crow to keep her company. Meanwhile, Isla’s father trained her in secret to assist him in making the firetongue swords.

When their father suddenly dies, Isla and Blue scramble to devise a plan to keep themselves safe in a world that doesn’t care about unprotected young women.

Review of Dark Earth by Rebecca Stott

This lyrically written novel weaves together history with myth and folklore. The author uses an archeological artifact dating from A.D. 450 – 550 as an element of this story.

There’s a certain distance in the writing style that made me feel slightly removed from the story. Although, the beautiful writing and high stakes kept me glued to the pages.

I’m more familiar with the Roman Empire than I am with post-Roman rule, so it was interesting reading about this time.

So, I recommend this book if you enjoy character-driven historical fiction with a light touch of fantasy. I’ll definitely read future books by the author.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Expected Publication: 19 July 2022

Thank you to Random House for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For regular reading updates, check out my Goodreads profile.

For past reviews, click here.