Mrs. B, the formidable and big-hearted landlady of The Marigold Cottages in Santa Barbara, only rents to people she truly cares about: Sophie, an anxious young playwright; Hamilton, a chatty agoraphobe; Ocean, a queer sculptor raising two kids alone; the meticulous Lily-Ann; and Nicholas, a finance bro hiding secrets. Life in their charming, beachside bungalows…
Category: California
Say You’ll Remember Me
Abby Jimenez delivers another emotionally resonant love story with heart, humor, and depth. Following Samantha and Xavier, two people carrying heavy burdens from the past while trying to navigate an unexpected but powerful connection. As life’s challenges including illness, family dynamics, and career ambitions, collide with their growing relationship, they must decide what love truly…
The Nature of Fragile Things
Set against the backdrop of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, The Nature of Fragile Things follows Sophie, a young Irish immigrant who answers a mail-order bride ad in hopes of building a better life. But when she arrives in California, she quickly discovers her new husband is hiding dark secrets. As the earth begins to…
Dial A for Aunties
I’ve read the entire Aunties series by Jesse Q. Sutanto, and I can confidently say that the first book, Dial A for Aunties, is by far my favorite. This story is a perfect blend of chaos, comedy, and charm that kept me laughing from start to finish. Meddy Chan is just trying to be a…
We Begin at the End
Holy Stetson, is this book……well something. We Begin at the End is a beautifully crafted novel that blends family drama with a gripping mystery. It tells the story of Duchess Day Radley, a fierce 13-year-old who calls herself an outlaw, and her little brother, Robin. They’re caught in the fallout of their mother’s troubled past,…
The Ghostwriter
Ghostwriter Olivia Dumont has spent her entire career avoiding the shadow of her infamous father, Vincent Taylor—a legendary horror author known for his chilling novels and his even darker past, being the prime suspect in the brutal murders of his own siblings. But when financial desperation forces Olivia to accept a job ghostwriting her father’s…
When the Wolf Comes Home
When the Wolf Comes Home follows Jess, a woman returning to her childhood home to confront the dark past that haunts her family. As she uncovers secrets about the supernatural forces at play, she finds herself caught in a battle that forces her to face her deepest fears. The story blends horror with a unique…
Parents Weekend
I love a good Alex Finlay thriller and am always excited to jump into his page turners. It’s Parents Weekend at a small private college in Northern California. Five families wildly different families are gather for dinner, expecting their children to join—but the students never show up. Initially dismissed as typical college behavior, concern turns…
Jane and Dan at the End of the World
Celebrating their 19th anniversary Jane & Dan are at a crossroads in their marriage. When a hostage situation takes place during their dinner at an exclusive restaurant, Jane & Dan will need to not only face their own issues but also the kidnappers. Jane and Dan at the End of the World was just a…
Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping [on a Dead Man]
Oh how I love a good bossy and chaotic older character, especially in cozy mysteries. I love their banter and their ‘take no prisoners’ attitude. After loving Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers in 2023, I was stoked to get an advanced copy of Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man). With the…