The Door to December by Dean Koontz #bookreview #audiobook

Overview

A call in the middle of the night summoned psychiatrist Laura McCaffrey out into the rain-swept streets of Los Angeles. The police had found her husband-beaten to death. But what of her daughter, Melanie, whom he had kidnapped six years earlier? At the brutal murder scene, the police lead Laura into her husband’s makeshift lab—and open the door to a rising tide of terror that has trapped Melanie in its midst…

Review

Well! I have not read a Dean Koontz book in years! So, needless to say, I forgot how intense and weird his books are. But y’all! This book brought it all back! I need to read more!

Law enforcement has just found Laura’s husband dead. She is terrified for her daughter, Melanie. Her husband kidnapped her 6 years ago. And after finding a makeshift lab, Laura is struggling with what her daughter may have gone through in his care.

As I said before, no one does weird quite like Dean Koontz. And of course the reader cannot quite figure out what is going on. Yes, I did figure out some of it…but not all! And talk about intricate and intense! Yes, there are a few mind games going on!

And in true Dean Koontz fashion…the snarkiness is spot on and the narrator, Troy Duran, nailed this. Moniqua Plante, is the voice of Laura and Melanie. As most of you know, I have issues when a narrator gets a child’s voice wrong. Moniqua Plante did an excellent job with Melanie!

Need a mind control tale that will have you hoping for the best…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Best Offer Wins by Marisa Akashi no #bookreview #audiobook @macmillanaudio

Overview

A Good Morning America Book Club Pick * A Good Housekeeping Book Club Pick * An ELLE Best Mystery/Thriller of 2025 * A BookRiot Best Mystery/Thriller of 2025

“It starts out feeling pretty light and fun, but I promise you, you have no idea where this story is going.” -Taylor Jenkins Reid, recommended for her Must-Read Book of 2025 in TIME Magazine

An insanely competitive housing market. A desperate buyer on the edge. In Marisa Kashino’s darkly humorous debut novel, Best Offer Wins, the white picket fence becomes the ultimate symbol of success—and obsession. How far would you go for the house of your dreams? 

Eighteen months and 11 lost bidding wars into house-hunting in the overheated Washington, DC suburbs, 37-year-old publicist Margo Miyake gets a tip about the perfect house, in the perfect neighborhood, slated to come up for sale in one month. Desperate to escape the cramped apartment she shares with her husband Ian — and in turn, get their marriage, plan to have a baby, and whole life back on track — Margo becomes obsessed with buying the house before it’s publicly listed and the masses descend (with unbeatable, all-cash offers in hand).

A little stalking? Harmless. A bit of trespassing? Necessary. As Margo infiltrates the homeowners’ lives, her tactics grow increasingly unhinged—but just when she thinks she’s won them over, she hits a snag in her plan. Undeterred, Margo will prove again and again that there’s no boundary she won’t cross to seize the dream life she’s been chasing. The most unsettling part? You’ll root for her, even as you gasp in disbelief.

Dark, biting, and laugh-out-loud funny, Best Offer Wins is a propulsive debut and a razor-sharp exploration of class, ambition, and the modern housing crisis.

Review

Eighteen months and 11 lost bidding wars into house-hunting in the overheated Washington, DC suburbs, 37-year-old publicist Margo Miyake gets a tip about the perfect house, in the perfect neighborhood, slated to come up for sale in one month. Desperate to escape the cramped apartment she shares with her husband Ian — and in turn, get their marriage, plan to have a baby, and whole life back on track — Margo becomes obsessed with buying the house before it’s publicly listed and the masses descend (with unbeatable, all-cash offers in hand).

I really did not expect to like this book as well as I did. I usually do not like anything to do with finance. But that is not necessarily what this is about. This is about the lengths someone will take to get what they want.

And just to let you know…I HATED MARGO. The author did a great job with her though. Usually if I am not a fan of the main character, I will DNF the book. But, this is very intense and it kept me reading. I really wanted to know how far Margot would go…and trust me…she will go far!

And I have to say, the narrator, Cia Court, did a great job with Margo! She just made this more real!

Need a dark story about ambition…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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The Meet-Poop by Noelle Salazar #bookreview #romcom

Overview

Shit happens…

Supermodel Lior Flynn is at the top of her game: gorgeous, confident, and successful. But as her thirtieth birthday looms, she finds herself growing tired of the constant media scrutiny and even more tired of men who only view her as arm candy. Yearning to travel the world’s beautiful places rather than just pose in them, she’s ready for a change and ready to make a real connection—if she can find the courage to take the first step.

Bestselling novelist Graham Forrester is still reeling from the collapse of his marriage to a flashy socialite turned influencer, and officially done with high-drama women. Trapped post-divorce in a house that no longer feels like home and tending to his beloved old dog Brontë who doesn’t have long to live, he knows he’s stuck in a desperate rut but has no idea how to get out.

When Lior’s designer sneaker hits a steaming pile of you-know-what from the sweet golden retriever at the end of Graham’s leash, it’s no meet-cute – in fact, it’s a meet-poop. And every encounter after is somehow messier than the first, until a chance moment when both let their guards down and sparks fly. But can Lior trust Graham not to put her in a book and bolster his own fame? And can Graham trust that the drama of Lior’s life won’t derail his own?

Review

When Lior’s designer sneaker hits a steaming pile of you-know-what from the sweet golden retriever at the end of Graham’s leash, it’s no meet-cute – in fact, it’s a meet-poop. And every encounter after is somehow messier than the first, until a chance moment when both let their guards down and sparks fly. But can Lior trust Graham not to put her in a book and bolster his own fame? And can Graham trust that the drama of Lior’s life won’t derail his own?

This is such a cute, adorable read. These characters have such great chemistry and you cannot help but fall in love!

I enjoyed how their story played out. Yes, it is predictable, as all romances are. But Loir and Graham’s attraction, the secondary characters (I loved Graham’s sister and Loir’s best friend) and of course sweet Brontë will keep you smiling as you fly through this book.

I love when an author gets it right. And this one nailed a dog lover reading her book. Just know…you are prepared!

Need an adorable rom com to get you through the holiday season….THIS IS IT! This book publishes on December 2! Add it to your list!

I received this novel for a honest review.

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The Death Letter by J. Stephen Beam #bookreview

Overview

Jesse Thomas, a humble, unassuming war hero from a tiny northeast Mississippi town, has dealt with a lot in his short life, including the tragic loss of his parents in a car crash. But what troubles him most is the disappearance of his wife, Mary, over a year ago. Cleared as a suspect by investigators, Jesse is perplexed that no one talks about her anymore. It’s as if she never existed.

Only one clue was left behind: the remains of Mary’s dog. Although dismissed by law enforcement, Jesse thinks it’s significant to the case. Other than sympathy, it’s difficult to get much else from enigmatic sheriff Frankie Weatherford, Jesse’s legal guardian and the father of Brax, Jesse’s best friend growing up. Mr. Frankie, who’s like a second father, wouldn’t have anything to hide … would he?

The more Jesse pokes around, the more hostility he encounters, especially from a pair of seedy childhood acquaintances who radiate envy and hatred toward him. Do they know what happened to Mary? Does Brax, a once-promising athlete whose life is in ruins, know more than he’s telling? Can Johnny Coats, a hard-to-read friend of the sheriff, be trusted? And how far will Jesse go to protect Ellie, his soulmate since middle school?

Review

Well this first chapter will grab you and keep you reading. And be aware, you might need a tissue to get through it!

Jesse Thomas, a humble, unassuming war hero from a tiny northeast Mississippi town, has dealt with a lot in his short life, including the tragic loss of his parents in a car crash. But what troubles him most is the disappearance of his wife, Mary, over a year ago. Cleared as a suspect by investigators, Jesse is perplexed that no one talks about her anymore. It’s as if she never existed.

Being a southern girl, I loved this setting and all the southern references. And these characters, they are straight from my home town! Trust me when I say, this is a southern tale full of charm, emotion and love.

Now, it is a bit slow in spots and the author spends quite a bit of time on things that don’t really matter to the story. But, it is a tale that draws you in and keeps you there.

Need an emotional, southern tale…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review.

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Winter Wishes For The East End Girls by Jean Fullerton #bookreview #historicalfiction

Overview

East London, 1942: With the war still raging, can the East End Girls help bring comfort and joy to their friends and neighbours this Christmas?

Christmas is coming, and Alice Starling is trying hard to get into the festive spirit. Two years ago, she lost her beloved husband at Dunkirk, and it feels like a piece of her heart will always be missing.

With almost nightly raids on London, all Alice can think about is her important work defending the city with the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force until, on a rare night out with her friends Nell, George and Maeve, she encounters US Army Lieutenant Brogan Rafferty. Sparks fly at their first meeting, and when Alice walks away, she isn’t sure whether the brown-eyed soldier was infuriatingly handsome or just plain infuriating…

But when Brogan volunteers to help to drum up rations and decorations for the Christmas party for local families that Alice and her friends are organising, she begins to warm to the smooth-talking American. There’s a kindness in his smile as he plays with the children who have lost everything in the Blitz that has her wondering if there might be more to this man than meets the eye…

Their relationship deepens as they spend more time together, and Alice begins to hope with all her heart for a future with Brogan. But as sirens wail over the city on Christmas Eve, they are separated in the rush for the air raid shelters. When the dust clears, will they find their way back to each other and their happy ending?

Review

Alice and Brogan’s relationship deepens as they spend more time together, and Alice begins to hope with all her heart for a future with Brogan. But as sirens wail over the city on Christmas Eve, they are separated in the rush for the air raid shelters. When the dust clears, will they find their way back to each other and their happy ending?

This is a sweet read. Maybe I have read way too many of those lately. But this one was just slow. I wanted more drama and less what the girls are wearing 😜.

This story does have a great setting and it is good for a breather between heavy reads. Plus, it might make you smile a time or two.

I really hate to say this but I despised this narrator. This is narrated by Eilidh Beaton. Lord have mercy, she was overly dramatic and just got on my nerves. And I have a lot of patience where an audiobook is concerned but she just did not suit me.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Sisters in Death by Eli Frankel #bookreview #audiobook #nonfiction @tantoraudio

Overview

In January 1947, the body of Elizabeth Short, completely drained of blood, was discovered in an undeveloped lot in Los Angeles. Its gruesome mutilations led to a firestorm of publicity, city-wide panic, and an unprecedented number of investigative paths led by the LAPD—all dead ends. The Black Dahlia murder remained an unsolved mystery for over seventy years.

Six years earlier and sixteen hundred miles away, another woman’s life ended in a similarly horrific manner. Leila Welsh was an ambitious, educated, popular, and socially connected beauty. Though raised modestly on a prairie farm, she was heiress to her Kansas City family’s status and wealth. On a winter morning in 1941, Leila’s butchered body was found in her bedroom bearing the marks of unspeakable trauma. One victim faded into obscurity. The other became notorious. Both had in common a killer whose sadistic mind was a labyrinth of dark secrets.

Eli Frankel reveals a key fact about the Black Dahlia crime scene that leads inexorably to the stunning identification of a criminal who was at the same time amateurish and fiendish, skilled and lucky, sophisticated and brutish. Drawing on documents, law enforcement files, interviews, the victims’ own letters, trial transcripts, military records, and more, this true-crime saga puts together the missing pieces of a legendary puzzle.

Review

Eli Frankel reveals a key fact about the Black Dahlia crime scene that leads inexorably to the stunning identification of a criminal who was at the same time amateurish and fiendish, skilled and lucky, sophisticated and brutish. Drawing on documents, law enforcement files, interviews, the victims’ own letters, trial transcripts, military records, and more, this true-crime saga puts together the missing pieces of a legendary puzzle.

It has been a while since I have read a true crime book! I am glad it was this one!

This is very well researched. Now, since the murders were never solved there are quite a few suppositions. Do I think the murders were solved in this book? Yes! Yes I do.

Talk about wicked! These murders were a bit ghastly and these details are very important. It is what ties these two murders together. So just be prepared!

I love that the author narrated this himself. It always makes a book better!

Need a true crime book…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this from the publisher for a honest review.

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The Seven Rings by Nora Roberts #audiobookreview @macmillanaudio

Overview

The #1 New York Times-bestselling author Nora Roberts concludes her compelling Lost Bride trilogy as two women—one dead, one alive—prepare for a terrifying final showdown…

Long ago, Arthur Poole built a grand house overlooking the turbulent ocean, in a Maine village that bore his name. Today, Sonya MacTavish lives in that house—a manor that has been cursed for generations. Within its walls, she has witnessed the deaths of seven brides and the thefts of seven wedding rings. And now, to break the curse and banish a malevolent spirit once and for all, a difficult task must be completed.

After Sonya, her boyfriend, Trey, and their friends are forced to hear, see—and feel—the suffering of the house’s many ghosts as their torment is reenacted by the evil presence, their bond only strengthens and their anger is renewed. Refusing to let her spirit be broken, Sonya searches each room for clues to her ancestors’ hidden story, putting the picture together, unearthing small treasures, and uncovering the moments of joy that existed among the sorrows. She’s determined to bring light to this haunted place—to fill it with people, with life and hope, once again.

But the enemy in the black dress continues to hover, to come at her in frightening forms. They may be illusions—but illusions can be powerful enough to wound and kill. She feeds on fear, and lies are her weapon. This dark-hearted witch wants to be mistress of Poole Manor, at any cost. And Sonya will need to fight a battle across two realms to finally take possession of the house on the clifftop—and of her own future…

Review

After Sonya, her boyfriend, Trey, and their friends are forced to hear, see—and feel—the suffering of the house’s many ghosts as their torment is reenacted by the evil presence, their bond only strengthens. Refusing to let her spirit be broken, Sonya searches each room for clues to her ancestors’ hidden story. She’s determined to bring light to this haunted place—to fill it with people, with life and hope, once again.

There is so much happening in this story. Let me tell you…my emotions were all over the place. One minute I would be gasping for air because of the witch and then the next I would be smiling at the antics of the young ghost, Jack.

I enjoyed the creativity of each ghost. They all have a unique way of letting their presence be known. But, don’t rule out the darkness!

This is third book of the Lost Bride Trilogy. My favorite is still the first one. However, I do not believe this could have a better ending! I loved the way this played out and I was rooting for Sonya to nail this witch and get on with her life…you need to read this to find out!

I have listened to all three books and this trilogy would not have been the same without the voices of Brittany Pressley!

Need a good witchy, ghost tale that will have you wanting more…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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The Burning Library by Gilly Macmillan #bookreview @wmmorrowbooks

Overview

From the internationally bestselling author of The Nanny and What She Knew comes a thrilling dark academic tale of murder, obsession and ruthless ambition, set in remote St Andrews, Scotland.

A deadly rivalry.

A chilling secret.

One woman who can decipher the truth.

On a frigid, windswept day in Scotland’s Western Isles, Eleanor Bruton’s body is discovered on the shore. To her family Eleanor was an ordinary middle-aged woman. She did flower arrangements and plumped kneeler cushions at church. Little did they know she was harboring a dark and all-consuming secret. A scrap of fraying embroidery that seems worthless at first glance.

For over a century, two rival organizations of women have gone to deadly lengths to secure the valuable artifact in the hopes of finding the original medieval manuscript from which it was torn. The Order of St. Katherine: devoted to the belief that women must pull strings in the shadows to exercise control. And the Fellowship of the Larks, determined to amass as many overt positions of power for women as possible…so long as their methods of doing so never come to light.

When Dr. Anya Brown garners international attention for her translation of the cryptic Folio 9, she is handpicked by Diana Cornish, a professor and high-ranking member of the Fellowship, to join the exclusive Institute of Manuscript Studies in St. Andrews. Unbeknownst to Anya she’s been recruited at great personal danger to translate ancient texts that the Fellowship believes critical to their mission. 

Meanwhile at Scotland Yard, Detective Constable Clio Spicer begins a private investigation into the death of Eleanor Bruton.

As all the women grow further entangled in this ancient web, circumstances spin wildly out of control and their lives may be in grave danger.

Perfect for fans of Alex Michaelides and Ruth Ware, The Burning Library is the story of a centuries-old secret set to divide and consume those who seek to unearth it.

Review

On a frigid, windswept day in Scotland’s Western Isles, Eleanor Bruton’s body is discovered on the shore. To her family Eleanor was an ordinary middle-aged woman. She did flower arrangements and plumped kneeler cushions at church. Little did they know she was harboring a dark and all-consuming secret. A scrap of fraying embroidery that seems worthless at first glance.

There are quite a few things I really enjoyed about this story. I LOVED the setting of St Andrews. We were there a few years ago and I knew the landmarks the author talked about (this always makes a book seem more real!) I also loved the characters and the history thrown into the mix. The hunt for the embroidery and all the manuscripts had me researching. This really kept me guessing on which way this story was going to turn!

That being said, I was not a big fan of the two rival organizations of women. This just did not seem to fit. I think there needed to be more historical development around these two factions. This might have made this part of the plot a bit more plausible.

But y’all, this story is full of drama and intensity! And let me tell you, this ending will just keep you reading faster and faster to find out what is about to happen.

Need a good, creepy tale with a great setting…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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The Color Of Mourning by Kim Dempster #bookreview

Overview

Just as Margaret Atwoods’s Handmaid’s Tale prophesied a repressive dystopian future, Kim Dempster’s The Color of Mourning takes us on an intensely emotional journey into the very real world of today where women are confronted by fanatic religious fundamentalists in an existential fight for freedom.

Set in the war torn city of Raqqa during the Syrian civil war, Mourning is a story about love, loss, and the extraordinary strength women have when they are desperately fighting for their autonomy. Nooda, an intrepid journalist who is chronicling the harsh realities of the war, and her daughter Layal, a young woman who dreams of a better future, are repeatedly forced into excruciating situations as their family is torn apart.

Filled with raw emotion and vivid detail, Dempster’s Mourning is an unforgettable novel that pays tribute to the resilience of women and their enduring fight for justice.

Review

Set in the war torn city of Raqqa during the Syrian civil war. Nooda, an intrepid journalist who is chronicling the harsh realities of the war, and her daughter Layal, a young woman who dreams of a better future, are repeatedly forced into excruciating situations as their family is torn apart.

This book was more than I expected. It is about strong women in a world that represses them at every turn! These women are stripped of their basic rights. Not only are they at the mercy of religious zealots, they are surrounded by a civil war that tears their family apart!

What a unique read that will make your heart break in so many ways!

Need an emotional tale…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Murder Made Her Wicked by Elizabeth Hobbs #bookreview @crookedlanebks

Overview

Bicycle-riding, aspiring archaeologist Marigold Manners is back and ready for adventure in Elizabeth Hobbs’s next mesmerizing historical mystery.

“A humdinger…whose characters bring to mind those of both Emily Brontë and L. M. Montgomery” (Kirkus), this second installment is perfect for fans of Deanna Rayborn.

1894, Boston. Penniless Boston heiress and accomplished modern woman Marigold Manners has put her past to good use, selling the story of the Great Misery Island Murders to earn enough money to resume the life she was always meant to have and return to her studies at Wellesley College. But her carefully laid plans for academic excellence are thrown into disarray when she stumbles across the body of a young woman in the campus lake. 

When the peace of the bucolic campus is shattered by the murder, the cloistered world of a women’s college that Marigold finds so comforting proves it is not immune to the malice and wickedness of the world. The closed community becomes a hothouse where disparagement blooms into insult and small slights that have festered for years blossom into academic rivalries that could spill over into something far more sinister. Marigold must use every ounce of her logic and enlist her eccentric, colorful cast of fellow students and found family to identify the girl and find the murderer—before they kill again.

Review

I loved the setting of 1894 Boston!

1894, Boston. Penniless Boston heiress and accomplished modern woman Marigold Manners has put her past to good use, selling the story of the Great Misery Island Murders to earn enough money to resume her life and return to her studies at Wellesley College. But her carefully laid plans for academic excellence are thrown into disarray when she stumbles across the body of a young woman in the campus lake. 

Marigold is a great character. I love how she notices different things than the average person. Of course, this is one of the reasons she is the best amateur sleuth! Plus, she fights for justice in more ways than one! She is also not made for this time period. She definitely clashes with the constraints of the 1894 woman where ever she can. I adored her!

This is a well written historical mystery novel that will keep you guessing. With all the twists and turns and betrayals…perfect read for a night by the fire!

Need a good whodunit with a great setting…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel for a honest review.

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