A sister missing for 20 years, a stalker & a Maine setting all had me excited for this one. It did hold my interest, but fell a bit flat for me. Shaw‘s younger sister headed out to a party while grounded & was never seen again. This tragedy defined the family‘s life as it threatens to destroy the family Shaw‘s made. Her bad choices & demeanor lose sympathy. But the slow pace, stiff dialogue & excessively long sentences (70 words!) made this drag.

Standardized tests lead to 6 #SVJH students selected to academically compete for a weekend in Sacramento. Liz wins for English (nerdy Ronald for math, surprise winner Salvador for science, Bethel for Spanish, and newcomers Richard for history & Bernadette for geography). What seems like an opportunity for romance for Liz and Sal, doesn‘t go as planned & sparks fly in an unexpected direction instead. Nice to see Todd keeps his Best Kiss crown!

I must admit, I really couldn‘t put this down— the premise of an English professor receiving chapters detailing her own biggest secret certainly hooked me in from the very start! Unfortunately, Elizabeth makes terrible choices throughout which makes her unsympathetic. Plot-wise, the twists revealed certainly come as a surprise but they feel unjustified & manipulative just to shock. For that, this would be fun to discuss but it left me unsatisfied.

Armstrong‘s one of my favorite writers & I love how versatile (& hard-working—multiple books out per year is appreciated!) & talented she is! Listening to this #romcom was a ton of fun! Divorced after a year, Gemma‘s life is finally great—her first novel is published & she agrees to go on a morning show, she‘s horrified that the former classmate recognized the inspiration for her hero—another former classmate & now hockey star. Has Mason changed?

Bethel‘s frustrated that everyone around her is coupled up! She doesn‘t want a boyfriend— though she can‘t help but admire a fellow runner‘s, Jameel‘s, form. When she starts getting notes & poems in her locker, she at first blows up at Jessica for stirring things up. For once, Jessica‘s innocent but she helps Bethel train for a race against Jameel— if Jameel wins, they‘ll go to the beach bash together. Meanwhile Salvador‘s parents come to town.

Though this vampire story unfolds a bit slowly, the latter half flew by & I read late into the night (fitting for a vampire story). I enjoyed the varied settings but didn‘t really connect with any of the three narrators. I liked Schwab‘s spin on vampire lore, but I have to admit that at times this really felt like an all female re-imagining of INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE which was a bit disappointing. The ending, while appropriate, was a let down.

I absolutely loved this one— my first experience with the author! Lucy‘s looking for an escape from Dallas in the wake of a school scandal with her oldest son. In Berlin, Greta discovers her husband spontaneously (& uncharacteristically) changed his sabbatical location from NYC to TX, so rather tipsily agrees to a house swap with Lucy. This family drama had me laughing throughout—hooked from the very first page! It‘s so much fun! Great characters!

I absolutely loved this one— my first experience with the author! Lucy‘s looking for an escape from Dallas in the wake of a school scandal with her oldest son. In Berlin, Greta discovers her husband spontaneously (& uncharacteristically) changed his sabbatical location from NYC to TX, so rather tipsily agrees to a house swap with Lucy. This family drama had me laughing throughout—hooked from the very first page! It‘s so much fun! Great characters!

Another one focusing on my least favorite of the new characters— Lacey Frells. When her stepmother announces she‘s pregnant again, Lacey spirals into her typical bad behavior— shoplifting, smoking & sniping at her best friend, Kristin. Kristin is excited about her new relationship & Jessica‘s equally excited to go on a date with Damon. Unfortunately, his dentist appointment means they can‘t really talk, but she‘s still happy—even when babysitting!

I‘m a bit behind on the #HitchBookToScreen but I‘m glad to have listened to this one! I enjoyed the eerie atmosphere building & found this book written in 1938 to still feel current and rather timeless in a way. The audio performance is excellent, too! As the second Mrs. de Winter navigates her change in station from orphaned lady‘s companion to lady of the manor, the shadow of the titular Rebecca is felt everywhere. A discussion starter for sure!

Opening with a grisly murder scene, this whodunnit captures the entire small town of Fleetcombe, bringing a variety of characters to life as secrets come to life in the wake of the death. I appreciated the historic ties & the way the plot keeps you guessing, but the ultimate revelations relied more on telling than showing & the motive felt rather thin. Steadily paced — if a bit on the slower side— I just didn‘t love this one as much as I expected!

When Jessica‘s Homecoming poster is misconstrued as a plea to literally kill dolphins, she ends up instead of serving detention, but the head of planning the dance itself! Unfortunately, the committee she appoints—track friend Bethel, popular Kristin, Brian, locker buddy Ronald & her crush, Damon—can‘t get along! Jessica‘s ready to quit when Elizabeth accepts a quick Spectator interview as Jess. She winds up switching with her to get the job done!

Sten‘s latest thriller, across two timelines, is a gripping read! In 2012, the Nacka Four went missing from their annual trip to party on a remote island. Now, a decade later, Tessa really only agrees to go to the titular party for an old friend because she suspects that Isle Blind is where the women‘s last moments took place. Desperate to turn her career around as a true crime podcaster, Tessa may get annoying but the plot‘s full of surprises!

This marks a variation from Henry‘s rom-coms; I absolutely couldn‘t put it down! I stayed up late to basically finish it in one sitting! Journalist Alice Scott tracks down Margaret Ives who vanished from the public eye 2 decades earlier. She thinks she has snagged the dream job of writing her biography… but instead it turns into an audition up against a Pulitzer Prize winning biographer, Hayden Anderson. With historical drama & lively characters!

Back to Jessica & her group of friends, Jessica‘s still crushing on Damon—but her nerdy locker buddy Ronald Rheece is crushing on her! Determined to avoid him, she can‘t help but actually have fun when the Rheeces & Wakefields force them to have a sleepover. Meanwhile class president elections put Jessica in a hard place between track buddy Bethel & popular Kristin when they vie for the role. Jessica accidentally spills a secret but fixes it!

This would be a fun one to talk about so I can see why it‘s a #BOTM add-on! It opens on TV actress Lana Lord‘s 30th & though she has everything she ever dreamed of back when she was Florida‘s Meg Bryan, she starts to think about the what-if her life—& her best friend Aimee‘s— might look like had she gone to the Irish liberal arts college she dreamed of. She impulsively gets on a flight…when she arrives, the town already knows her as Meg, not Lana!

Happy Publication Day!! While this isn‘t my favorite of Cosby‘s novels, I think this latest is the most epic & cinematic feeling, even if it mostly takes place over just a few weeks. With his father in the hospital, financial advisor Roman returns to Jefferson Run, VA. He‘s prepared to help siblings Neveah & Dante in literally any way as violence, secrets & lies crash through the entire novel. A compelling, well-performed & well-written listen!

The Anna/Salvador/Elizabeth love triangle again is at the forefront— especially since after Salvador kisses Anna, she assumes they are dating. But things get awkward fast after a disastrous movie date & now Anna‘s mother has moved to hovering from ignoring her while grieving. Liz is hurt but doesn‘t want Anna to be more upset. But when the secret of her missing Salvador too comes out, Anna‘s devastated until a cemetery epiphany sets her straight!

The most recent book in the #RaisaSusantoSeries focuses back on Raisa and her sisters. Raisa receives a hand delivered note that promises that, as the title suggests, by the time she reads it, her oldest sister will be dead. She and Kilkenny dive into investigating her sister‘s last days while her other sister seeks answers of her own. I‘m not really sure where the series can go from here as far as personal connections to cases go!

This second book in the #RaisaSusantoSeries picks up only a few months after the first book ends. At the trial, a revelation cleverly masterminded from behind bars, emerges— and this time the past focus revolves around forensic psychologist Callum Kilkenny. His wife, Shay, was murdered a decade ago— attributed to the serial killer case he worked on. But the Alphabet Man may not have actually been the killer, as Raisa & Callum investigate together!

I enjoyed this start to the #RaisaSusantoSeries— definitely a fun #KindleUnlimited find! Plus, I love when I can binge listen to a series (this one has 3 out now!). Raisa, a linguistics expert for the FBI, is brought into what looks like a copycat killing of a murder suicide that happened 25 years before in Everly, WA. From a linguistics standpoint, that case is oft discussed & this research really adds to it as the new murders brings up the past.

Finally, two books after Elizabeth & Salvador‘s kiss, we return more fully to this budding love triangle! Anna feels left out alone as the anniversary of her older brother‘s death approaches. After another kiss (& friendly Brian finding out), they know they have to tell Anna. But Liz chickens out in the face of Anna‘s grief— and Salvador winds up kissing Anna as well! When Anna calls to obliviously have girl talk about it with Liz, she‘s furious!

Capturing the 1990s & the early days of the Internet, this makes for a riveting read! Jane & her father live off the grid in an isolated cabin in Montana. But now 17, Jane feels lonelier than ever— especially when her dad leaves her alone to go on his mysterious errands. When her father brings home a computer & a book on HTML, it changes their lives forever. Disturbing answers emerge & hard truths as Jane learns about herself & the wider world.

What a debut! The unusual structure (three sliding door lifetimes based on a name— in 7 year increments) works so well to make this such a pageturner! I loved seeing the overlaps of this innovative structure play out— and this could have easily been a one-sitting read if life hadn‘t intervened! Definitely a discussion-starter and a memorable read! I may have some thoughts about the ending, but would hate to spoil it! Begs to be discussed!

Too-cool-for-school Lacey Frells is the focus here. When her high school boyfriend, Gel, dumps her for another girl, she‘s determined to get him back by making him jealous. And when she overhears about Jessica‘s crush on Damon Ross, it‘s like two birds with one stone as she sets her sights on the private but handsome 8th grader. When Jessica “accidentally” follows him home, she learns why he never hangs out— he rushes to his trailer to babysit.

Whew— I couldn‘t put this one down!! The premise hooked me from the very start! Olivia, a ghostwriter out of work for a year after calling out a misogynistic fellow ghostwriter, can‘t refuse the offer her estranged father makes for her to act as his ghostwriter after his Lewy body dementia diagnosis. But the famous horror writer doesn‘t want her to finish his last novel, but instead to tell the story of the 1975 murders of his siblings! Gripping!

Hoping for a fresh start, Emily & Freddie move from the city to the English moors. But Larkin Lodge isn‘t a welcoming house… it‘s not long before they‘re bickering over the thermostat, open windows & odd smells. The house isn‘t the only one with past secrets weighing heavily on the present. An original twist on a traditional haunted house story, I found every reason to keep listening! Great performance & I loved the raven interludes! Really fun!

Still grounded post-party, the Wakefield twins play only minor roles here. The real focus is on Kristin and Brian. In the party chaos, Kristin gets covered in punch. Brian‘s older brother & his friend Mike take her home— but her look inspires Mike to invite her to a wrestling team initiation dinner as one of the “dog girls” who will be served Alpo! Divided loyalties plague Brian, who tries to do the right thing— but Kristin rescues herself first!

Though Barclay‘s been a favorite of mine for years, I have fallen behind on keeping up with him in the last few years— but this latest one makes me want to ditch my planned reading & just read more from him! Told in two timelines, this harkens to some classic King spooky stories. In Lucknow, VT luck seems to only be running bad. Surely the real cause of missing persons, items, household accidents & deaths can‘t all be tied to Mr. Choo-Choo‘s shop?

This was my book club‘s May pick (though we did discuss it 6/1!). Over the years, not too many #nonfiction books have won the vote, but this delve into Mithradates‘ life was certainly an interesting one! After seeing the physical copy, I wish I had read it instead— while an interesting listen, the audio version doesn‘t include the images or the extensive endnotes. Also, the author‘s obvious admiration for her subject was a bit eye-roll inducing!

Jessica‘s starting to feel more like herself & what better way to celebrate than a parents-free party? What starts as a sleepover for SVMS & SVJH girls, quickly spirals out of control into a boy/girl bash including SVH kids too! It‘s not long before the punch is spiked, cigarettes are put out on the couch & eventually, Jessica ends the party herself (after the cops come, of course!). Todd Wilkins & Aaron Dallas make cameos & it ends in grounding!

This fun fantasy with dragons is just what I wanted!Aemyra has spent all of her 26 years hiding her powerful fire magic & secretly learning what it is to be the queen her people need. With her father & twin brother at her side, she‘s ready to wrest control from the mad king & their family of fanatics for an oppressive religion with heavy-handed parallels to real religion. With steamier romance & a jaw dropping ending, I can‘t wait for the sequel!

#WondrousWednesday @Eggs @JenlovesJT47

Thanks for the tag!
1- I‘m not sure that I would switch from Torie, but my go-to fake names have always been Veronica and Tiffany! 🤣
2- Taqwa, Tasha, Midnight, Squeaks, Brody & Owen
3- Talia, Alix, Anne, Jessica, Elizabeth, Lila, Brody, Quint, Hooper, Gurgi, Nicci, Bad, Bruce, Parker, the Collector, Blythe, Samantha, Felicity and JB Fletcher

Want to play, @HeyT ?

Oh man, I love a good #CreatureFeature but, unfortunately, this isn‘t it… Written in 1982, this hasn‘t aged very well… Despite the title, the “monster” plays a remarkably small role here. The body count is high, but the real villains are the oil executives & their security detail who murderously want the oil buried beneath Loch Ness before all else! I just wanted more monster & less eye-rolling induced telling rather than showing! Disappointing!

Jessica‘s still struggling with finding her own friends at #SVJH… but when Lacey suggests she join cross-country with her, she readily agrees. Cool girl Lacey only wants Jessica to cover for her for missing practices & meets to spend time with her high school boyfriend, Gel. Jessica agrees, but finds her competitive spirit & friendship in teammate Bethel McCoy. Meanwhile, the love triangle brewing amongst Liz‘s friends continues to bubble!

Set in a small Louisianan bayou town, Loyal May returns to her hometown to care for her mother— and she hopes to reconnect with her best friend, the wild orphan Cutter Labasques. But it‘s clear that a reconciliation won‘t be possible & Loyal instead puts her investigative skills to use trying to uncover the dark truths the town hides. Bailey‘s writing brings the lush landscape beautifully to life— as well as even minor characters. Well-written!

Jaws is my favorite movie so I couldn‘t wait to read/listen to this one as soon as I heard about it! The author, Robert Shaw‘s nephew, writes an engaging, family history with the intimacy of being invited to a Shaw family dinner. There‘s evident love, humor & all without crossing a line of revealing anything that feels too private. It‘s well-written & I hope brings more attention to Shaw‘s writing! The audio performance is really great, too! Love!

Jessica‘s still struggling to make friends & popular Lacey Frells‘ misunderstanding that Steven is Jessica‘s boyfriend instead of brother briefly seems to lead to her popularity… until the truth comes crashing down around her & earning her the nickname Jessica Lamefield! Meanwhile, Liz continues to flourish with her new friends… but signs of a love triangle are brewing. Jessica tries to bank on Liz‘s popularity which leads her to new crush, Damon.

This YA book‘s exactly the kind of sharky story that I have been in the mood for! Part thriller, part fantasy— with adventure, treasure & romance, this is hard to put down! Five FL Key teens celebrate their high school graduation with a trip to a remote island off the Western Australian coast. But the discovery of a cave brings back the issues from their last treasure find— along with brand new complications! Unbelievable but ultimately fun!

I‘m not sure why I can‘t pass up a novel featuring cults, but it‘s a sub-genre that always draws me in! Plus, I just love an audiobook set in Australia! With a great audio performance, I found myself listening to this one at every chance! With layers of twists, some are more successful than others. I saw a few coming, but the final one definitely had me gasping out loud enough to give my dog a little scare of his own! Excited for more from Pomare!

This kicks off the only #SweetValley series that is totally new to me! Told with multiple POVs in first person, it reminds me of the SVHSY books. Somehow, only the Wakefield twins are re-zoned to attend SVJH. Unsurprisingly, it takes Liz no time to find a new set of friends in Anna Wang and Salvador del Valle. But Jessica‘s stuck with nerdy Ronald Rheece for a locker buddy & isn‘t making in-roads with the popular girls— even old friends ditch her!

I‘ve enjoyed Golden‘s books for years, but I only recently discovered he also writes shark thrillers under the name Chris Jameson, so that knowledge combined with the cover had me hoping for some sharky action in this unique setting of a submerged mangrove forest sprouting out of a shipwrecked behemoth. Instead, this one is witchier with some creepy moments & a plot centered around saving an infant. The romance elements fall flat but fun action!

This debut fantasy is such a delight to listen to!! I really couldn‘t stop! Bianca‘s parents have taught her to put her duty above all else— leading her to accept a betrothal from a neighboring prince to stave off war. But a cool reception & a lack of manners from her intended, Aric, has her stomach in knots from more than her secret chronic illness. A disastrous wedding night puts them on the run in a perfect blend of humor, romance & intrigue!

While Elizabeth‘s in Costa Rica, she leaves a purple journal for Jessica to use for the last summer of the Unicorns. Lila‘s been extra insufferable since she snagged a high school boyfriend, Wiley Upjohn. But Kimberly‘s surfer aunt invites them all to spend a month at her Hawaiian condo! Unfortunately, Kimberly‘s annoying younger cousin brings out the worst in the girls— but Jessica surprisingly steps up with kindness & even saves Marissa‘s life!

Happy Publication Day! I‘ve been a fan of Center‘s for over a decade & I think this newest one is amongst her best! Documentary filmmaker Katie finds herself in Key West to keep her corporate job by filming a promotional video for the Coast Guard but also to interview a heroic, semi-famous rescuer of a dog. Sparks fly immediately & with a scene-stealing large dog & colorful aunt, I laughed, cried & absolutely couldn‘t put this one down!

I‘m really excited to discuss this month‘s #bookclub choice! The premise here just begs for discussion! Overnight, everyone on earth (22 or older) receives a mysterious box and inside of it, a length of string which denotes the length of the recipient‘s life. On a 22 birthday moving forward, a box is magically delivered. Following an interconnected cast of NYC characters, this deals with the aftermath both close to home & for the larger country.

It‘s the summer before 8th grade & Elizabeth‘s alone off to Costa Rica to build a community center for the Houses for Humans charity. She finds a new crush in the funny & teasing JP, who inspires her to take a few lessons out of Jessica‘s playbook by organizing a rainforest rave, tubing & shopping adventures while using building shortcuts she found online! Liz also finds a ruthlessly ambitious nemesis in Tanya. A fun summer with a new side of Liz!

I started this fourth installment of #ARipThroughTimeSeries while on the plane to Edinburgh! Though little of this one actually takes place in the city (our cast heads north for the titular Highlands wedding introducing some new characters & naturally, a new murder to solve!), I still really enjoyed this #VacationRead! Armstrong is really stretching out the central romance with the will-they/won‘t-they & I already can‘t wait for book number 5!

I loved Grant‘s INTO THE DROWNING DEEP, so I was excited to listen to her latest. Drawing you in with an excellent audio performance, mysterious outer space seeds grow across the earth—& their flowers harbor a dangerous secret. Decades later, Anastasia learns the truth about who & what she really is with her friends by her side. Dark & gory, these plantforms mean business! Too bad my book clubs are never up for #scifi! This‘d be fun to discuss!

Finlay‘s thrillers are a guaranteed fun time & this latest is no exception! Taking place over the titular weekend at Santa Clara University, four families are stood up by their freshman children. It may seem like kids being kids, but soon it‘s clear 5 students are missing. Newly relocated, Special Agent Keller is back & takes the lead (not sure why these aren‘t a series!). Secrets emerge & if I hadn‘t been packing, it would be a one-sitting read!