From long-awaited sequels to fresh debuts and end-of-summer escapes, August is bringing the heat and I’m not just talking about the weather. Though it is crazy hot in South Texas. Whether you’re craving twisty thrillers, swoony romances, or unforgettable historical fiction, this month has something for every kind of reader. I’ve rounded up the new…
Tag: Books
How to Survive a Horror Story
In this quirky, blood-soaked horror novel, a group of classic horror movie archetypes find themselves trapped in (you guessed it) a horror story. But instead of running scared, they’re trying to outsmart the tropes that usually get people killed. The story bounces between characters, each with their own flashbacks and mini arcs, as they piece…
Forget Me Not
Claire, a woman still grappling with her sister’s unsolved murder, as she’s drawn back into the mystery when another girl goes missing—with eerie similarities to her sister’s case. Through journal entries and flashbacks, the story slowly unravels layers of grief, trauma, and suspicion. It’s part introspective literary fiction, part psychological thriller. I liked the premise…
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…
The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie
This is a beautifully tender story about Lolly, a woman navigating grief, self-discovery, and unexpected love, all wrapped up in gentle magical realism. The magic elements provide glimpses into her past and add layers of emotion as she faces hard choices and seeks a new path forward. I read this a few years ago and…
A Stolen Child
In A Stolen Child, detective Maggie D’arcy returns to Ireland and joins the Gardaí, diving into a chilling case involving a murdered nanny and a missing toddler from a wealthy family. As Maggie follows the tangled threads of privilege, secrecy, and trauma, the case leads her through layers of deception and a community full of…
Lula Dean’s Library of Banned Books
I adored this book. From start to finish, it was a bold, brilliant, emotional ride. Packed with quirky characters, razor-sharp social commentary, and so many perfectly quotable lines I had to restrain myself from posting the whole thing to Instagram. The story is set in a small Southern town where Lula Dean, a wealthy and…
Dead Dead Girls
I really wanted to love this one. The concept had so much potential. A murder mystery set in 1920s Harlem with flapper vibes and a young Black woman at the center of it all? Yes, please. But unfortunately, the execution just didn’t work for me. The opening started strong: we meet a girl who survives…
The Women of Wild Hill
Both Lula Library and The Change made my Top Reads lists for 2023 and 2024, so when I found myself in a bit of a reading rut, I turned to Kirsten Miller again to pull me out and The Women of Wild Hill did not disappoint. I loved about 95% of this book. It takes…
Pride & Puppies
Pride and Puppies is the fourth book in Lizzie Shane’s charming Pine Hollow series, but it works beautifully as a standalone. It follows the story of Charlotte, a self-proclaimed romantic who decides to take a break from dating by committing to the “Puppy Pact”. No men, just her new adorable rescue pup and some much-needed…