The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

Available Now

Interested in a book similar to The London Séance Society? Look no further than one of Sarah Penner’s other books that I love! This was previously posted in March of 2021.

In a secret apothecary shop, Nella spends her days providing simple cures for her neighbors as a cover for her more secret services. The women in the area know who to come to for help with abusive and oppressive husbands, and Nella saves those services only for women. When a young woman seeks help for her mistress, Nella’s apothecary services are put in danger. 

In the present day, Caroline finds herself in London celebrating her tenth wedding anniversary alone. On a whim, she joins a mudlarking group combing the banks of the Thames and discovers a unique apothecary bottle. As her historian instincts kick in, Sarah finds herself lost in the research of the bottle’s origins, she discovers the truth behind the bottle and the truth about herself. 

Lushly told through alternating timelines, The Lost Apothecary is a beautiful blend of history, mystery, and the dark secrets of women and medicine. Caroline’s journey of self discovery blended beautifully with the dark tale of Nella’s apothecary. The Lost Apothecary also highlights the value of female friendships. Nella rescues Eliza from the gaze of her employer through an apprenticeship at the apothecary and Caroline strikes up a friendship with the Librarian who helps her research the bottle’s origins and reignite her spark for history and academia. Through those friendships, the women find the strength they need to make life-altering decisions for themselves. 

Combining the history of London with the history of Nella’s apothecary, Penner provides a gripping story of women’s survival. Whether it be an abusive marriage, a brutish employer, or a cheating and manipulative spouse, all three women survive and learn to grow within their own new realities.  

I really enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves history, a good mystery, and tales of found family and deep friendship.  Nella’s story was really interesting and while I know she was helping commit murder, it was very easy to find sympathy for all involved. Except the men. They really should have been nicer. Caroline’s story running parallel to Nella’s did feel a little too on the nose at times, but overall, her marriage difficulties were easy to relate too. Nothing had ever really gone Caroline’s way and all of her major life decisions were to help her family or husband. Her husband was a major jerk and I was so proud of her every time she stood up for herself and did something she wanted to do. Overall, this was a very interesting blend of genres and I really liked it. Also, isn’t that most gorgeous cover? I love the color choices and since I have a new office to decorate, this cover is starting to spark some inspiration.

If you want to add this book to your collection, you can find ordering information here:

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title, all opinions and mistakes are my own. 

This post may contain links, including Amazon Associate Links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

The London Séance Society: A Novel by Sarah Penner

Available now

CW: a comprehensive list can be found on The StoryGraph

From the Publisher:

1873. At an abandoned château on the outskirts of Paris, a dark séance is about to take place, led by acclaimed spiritualist Vaudeline D’Allaire. Known worldwide for her talent in conjuring the spirits of murder victims to ascertain the identities of the people who killed them, she is highly sought after by widows and investigators alike.

Lenna Wickes has come to Paris to find answers about her sister’s death, but to do so, she must embrace the unknown and overcome her own logic-driven bias against the occult. When Vaudeline is beckoned to England to solve a high-profile murder, Lenna accompanies her as an understudy. With shared determination, the women find companionship that perhaps borders on something more. And as they team up with the powerful men of London’s exclusive Séance Society to solve the mystery, they begin to suspect that they are not merely out to solve a crime, but perhaps entangled in one themselves…

Reader Friends, this book is absolutely captivating! It’s lushly written with interesting and engaging characters and the setting is well developed and richly described. Penner does a great job of keeping you guessing with both the mystery behind Evie’s death and an even broader mystery that encompasses nearly everyone in the story. It truly has a little bit of everything: a mystery, a love story, betrayal, the supernatural, and some good ol’ female rage. It’s a book that I wanted to make time to read and I still find myself, weeks later, thinking about the characters.

Once again, this is a Book of the Month pick that I held on to for way too long; although I’ve come to consider these my “Break in Case of Emergency” books. This was from Mach of 2023 and since I enjoyed The Lost Apothecary so much, I knew it was going to be a good one.

If you’d like to add this gorgeous book to your shelf, you can click on the cover above for more ordering information. If you’re interested in Book of the Month, that I use my own real money on, you can use my referral link to get a great deal for yourself, and a free book for me. As always, check your local library for these gems and recommend the title if they don’t carry it.

This post may contain links, including Amazon Associate Links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

The Last Heir to Blackwood Library by Hester Fox

Available now

Here’s a list of CW from The StoryGraph.

From the Publisher:

With the stroke of a pen, twenty-three-year-old Ivy Radcliffe becomes Lady Hayworth, owner of a sprawling estate on the Yorkshire moors. Ivy has never heard of Blackwood Abbey, or of the ancient bloodline from which she’s descended. With nothing to keep her in London since losing her brother in the Great War, she warily makes her way to her new home.

The abbey is foreboding, the servants reserved and suspicious. But there is a treasure waiting behind locked doors: a magnificent library. Despite cryptic warnings from the staff, Ivy feels irresistibly drawn to its dusty shelves, where familiar works mingle with strange, esoteric texts. And she senses something else in the library too, a presence that seems to have a will of its own.  

Rumors swirl in the village about the abbey’s previous owners, about ghosts and curses, and an enigmatic manuscript at the center of it all. And as events grow more sinister, it will be up to Ivy to uncover the library’s mysteries in order to reclaim her own story—before it vanishes forever.

Reader Friends, this book contains a secret family, a secret library, a secret society, and a magical secret! It’s just secrets on secrets on secrets! I’m a sucker for a gothic romance and one that contains a hidden library with magical powers? Instantly hooked. I listened to this one on audio and the things I did to make sure I could keep listening…my floors were so clean and my house has never been so free of dust.

Fox does an excellent job of crafting one of the most sympathetic and enraging characters I’ve read. Ivy, young, alone, and living in poverty, is like a fish out of water in her new home. She wants nothing more than to spend her days in the hidden library cataloging and reading every book she can reach, but her household staff do everything in their powers to keep her away from her precious books. Unsure of how to truly conduct herself, Ivy is torn between asserting her place of power in the home and her easy-going, non-confrontational nature. At every point that I wanted to shake Ivy for acting so naive and trusting, the author not so gently reminds the reader of the era in which Ivy lives and her lack of agency as a young, single woman. Nearly every character felt like they had their hands tied in some way when it came to protecting Ivy, which was both infuriating and begrudgingly made sense with the story.

I really enjoyed how much Ivy was completely enthralled by her new home and it’s secrets. A former abbey, Ivy’s new home is incredibly large and she is constantly getting lost in newly discovered halls and rooms and there are even hidden passageways! She is hopelessly in love with her Library and immediately wants to share her new-found literary wealth with the rest of the village. It’s pretty hard to get too mad at a character who finds herself newly titled and her first thought is to start a Bookmobile!

For such a charming and magical story, this book is actually quite dark and disturbing. There is some serious gaslighting that goes on and Ivy is placed in some seriously dangerous situations by people who are supposed to care for her so definitely take care when reading this one.

If you want to add this enchanting tale to your library, you can click on the cover above or here for ordering information. I borrowed the audiobook version from my local Library using the Libby app so don’t forget to check if your Library already bought it for you.

This post may contain links, including Amazon Associate Links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Weyward by Emilia Hart

Available now

CW: Here’s a list provided by The StoryGraph. Please check before reading.

From the Publisher:

I am a Weyward, and wild inside.

2019: Under cover of darkness, Kate flees London for ramshackle Weyward Cottage, inherited from a great-aunt she barely remembers. With its tumbling ivy and overgrown garden, the cottage is worlds away from the abusive partner who tormented Kate. But she suspects that her great-aunt had a secret. One that lurks in the bones of the cottage, hidden ever since the witch-hunts of the 17th century.
1619: Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer who was stampeded to death by his herd. When Altha was a girl, her mother taught her their magic, a kind not rooted in spell casting but in a deep knowledge of the natural world. But unusual women have always been deemed dangerous, and as the evidence of witchcraft is laid out against Altha, she knows it will take all her powers to maintain her freedom.
1942: As World War II rages, Violet is trapped in her family's grand, crumbling estate. Straitjacketed by societal convention, she longs for the robust education her brother receives––and for her mother, long deceased, who was rumored to have gone mad before her death. The only traces Violet has of her are a locket bearing the initial W and the word weyward scratched into the baseboard of her bedroom.
Weaving together the stories of three extraordinary women across five centuries, Emilia Hart's Weyward is an astonishing debut, and an enthralling novel of female resilience.

This book is absolutely captivating! Beautifully written with lush descriptions, this book broke my heart over and over again-but in a good way, promise. If you enjoy books that combine female rage with a healthy dose of female empowerment, this book should be on your TBR. Hart effortlessly wove together the lives of three incredible women into a compelling and enthralling story of love, revenge, and resilience. The incredible descriptions of Weyward Cottage and it’s gardens were absolutely enchanting and I loved how books were an integral part of Kate’s story. Her love of them, her aunt Violet’s gorgeous collection of science based books and books by women authors, and how a bookstore became so important to her own story. You can tell the author has a deep love and appreciation for books and that love shone on the page.

Weyward, with it’s gorgeous cover and lush writing, is actually a pretty dark and haunting story of tragedy and trauma. But underneath that darkness is a great deal of hope and love. This book has an extraordinary ending that stayed with me for weeks after reading. It’s a powerful and enthralling story and once again, I can’t believe this another debut author! I don’t know what Emilia Hart has planned next, but I can’t wait to read it.

This book was my March 2023 Book of the Month pick and yep, I waited way too long to read it. If you’re interested in BOTM, you can use my referral link to get your first book for $5. Full disclosure: I get a free book when you use my link. I spend my own real money on BOTM and have really enjoyed the wide selection of books and authors and the ease of skipping a month if you’re not into any of the titles.

If you would like to add this enchanting novel to your shelf, you can click on the cover above for ordering information. This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Affiliate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Sign Here by Claudia Lux

Available now

CW: Click here for a comprehensive list available on The StoryGraph

This book is another “Why Did I Wait So Long To Read” Book of the Month pick. You would think that a book set on the fifth floor of Hell would be an immediate read for me and you would be correct. But like many people, I sometimes like to save a book that I know is perfect because it’s my favorite way to get out of a reading slump. And yes, this book did just that.

Peyote Trip works in the Deals Department on the fifth floor of Hell. Surrounded by pens that don’t work, annoying coworkers, endless paperwork, and Jagermeister as the only alcohol available, it’s actually a pretty good job. Peyote is set to land his first Complete Set, a major accomplishment in his line of work. While we follow Peyote on his quest to complete this goal, we are introduced to the Harrison family, the family that will give Peyote his first Complete Set. Silas and Lily Harrison are high school sweethearts who are raising their two children, Mickey and Sean. When the Harrison’s go on their annual summer vacation at the family’s vacation home, they bring along Mickey’s new best friend Ruth.

No one was prepared for Ruth.

Like so many young, wealthy families, things aren’t always picture perfect. Secrets and lies, both on Earth and in Hell, threaten to tear everyone apart and upend their lives.

I absolutely adore this book! I love quirky books with interesting settings and characters who are…pretty awful. And these characters are pretty darn awful. Considering Peyote is working in Hell, we can only assume he made some questionable choices in life. I’m not judging, apparently someone else did that for us…but he actually seems like a nice guy. I thought it was quite interesting how kind and helpful he was to Calamity even though he was residing in the literally the worst place ever. I really enjoyed all of the quirks of Hell and the wonky things that went on there. Pens never work, radios only play your most hated genres of music, and the only drink sold in bars is Jagermeister and Peyote just rolled with it all. Meanwhile on Earth, the Harrison family is harboring all sorts of awful secrets. Told from multiple POVs, this fast paced story really kept me guessing and there were a few twists I did not see coming.
I found this book to be darkly humorous, imaginative and wildly entertaining. This was an incredible debut and I can’t wait to see what this author comes up with next.

If you’d like to add this amazing novel to your shelf, you can click on the cover above for ordering information. This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

The Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen

Available now

This book is utterly enchanting! This was my most recent pick from Book of the Month and it was perfect to read during the winter holidays-but don’t wait until next Christmas to read it! Grab it now if you’re looking for a snow filled world full of magic, mystery, and danger.

Twin sisters Natasha and Clara were cursed by their godfather on the day of their christening. Clara, declared Light and Natasha, Dark. Clara grows up the golden child, full of life, charm, and beauty. Natasha, shadowed by her sister, grows up plain, studious, and ignored. Together, the girls grow up wealthy thanks to the deep pockets of their godfather Drosselmeyer who funds their parents ostentatious lifestyle and social climbing.

On the night of their 17th birthday, their godfather Drosselmeyer comes to the annual gaudy and drunken family Christmas Eve party with gifts for his goddaughters. For Natasha, a garish and terrifying clown doll the size of a man, capable of moving on its own. For Clara, a small nutcracker that appeared both incredibly cheap and magical. More shockingly, Drosselmeyer was there to announce the engagement of Clara to Conrad, a young man from a prominent family and Natasha’s not-so-secret secret lover. Later that night, furious, heart broken and bereft, Natasha finds herself swept away to a magical land alongside her sister. But the two don’t remain together for long. When Clara is taken away by the now lifelike nutcracker in a horse drawn carriage, Natasha finds herself alone in a magical candy-filled world seemingly made from Clara’s dreams.

What follows is a dark and deadly adventure through the lands of the Sugar Plum Fairy. An adventure that leads Natasha on a twisted mission of revenge and retaliation.

This book is incredibly dark. Please don’t go into this Nutcracker retelling expecting anything light or fluffy. Even the scenes through the magical candy filled lands are very disturbing. I can’t even look at a gingerbread man the same way. It’s full of dangerous magic, violence, deception, greed, and borderline child abuse. The characters are not likeable, not even remotely likeable. But the world building is very well done and finely detailed and I found the story incredibly compelling. And that cover! Stunning. If you’re in the mood for some serious sibling rivalry, absolutely atrocious family members, wicked wealthy people, and dark magical lands, this is definitely a good pick for you!

I bought my book through Book of the Month and if you use my referral link, you get your first book for $5 and I get a free one! Or, pick this up from your local Library or bookstore. You can also find ordering information by clicking on the book cover above.

This post may contain links, including Amazon Associate Links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson

Available now

I had the pleasure of reading this hauntingly beautiful novel months ago, and have since thought about it at least once a week. It begins so innocently. A young woman, Rosemary Dutton, desperate to seek out everyday magic and a more exciting life, ventures to the local farmer’s market in search of something special. What she discovers, is another young woman named Ash, who sells the most delicious cupcakes that Ro has ever tasted.

Ro, a master of words, is struck speechless by Ash and is instantly captivated. Immediately, she wants to be Ash-and have her all to herself. As the two begin a flirtation over beeswax candles and cupcakes, obsession quickly takes over, leading to a dark and twisted revelation.

I cannot emphasize how gorgeous and precise the word choice in this novel truly is. I knew going in that it held the promise of a dark tale, but I couldn’t understand how such a beautifully written novel could become dark and terrifying. But, Dawson is one of the most gifted authors I have ever read and in just a few pages, she can take characters from incredibly interesting to incredibly horrifying. There are entire scenes that are burned into my brain, made all the more frightening by the pretty, lyrical words used to describe them. Bloom is a masterpiece. I cannot recommend it highly enough and I’m equal parts thrilled and terrified to see what Dawson comes up with next.

If you’d like to have nightmares for weeks, like me, you can click on the cover above or here for ordering information.

This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you to Edelweiss and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig

Available September, 26, 2023

He did it again! Chuck Wendig has gifted us all with another terrifying, enthralling, and completely irresistible novel. This time, instead of causing an irrational fear of groups of people walking down a street, Wendig has instilled in me an irrational fear of apples and their glorious homes, apple orchards. I currently have six apple trees on my property, just one tree shy of the notorious Ruby Slipper apple tree from Paxson Family Orchards, and after reading this book, I can’t look at them the same way. I just can’t.

From the Publisher:

It’s autumn in the town of Harrow, but something besides the season is changing there.

Because in that town there is an orchard, and in that orchard, seven most unusual trees. And from those trees grows a new sort of apple: strange, beautiful, with skin so red it’s nearly black.

Take a bite of one of these apples, and you will desire only to devour another. And another. You will become stronger. More vital. More yourself, you will believe. But then your appetite for the apples and their peculiar gifts will keep growing—and become darker.

This is what happens when the townsfolk discover the secret of the orchard. Soon it seems that everyone is consumed by an obsession with the magic of the apples . . . and what’s the harm, if it is making them all happier, more confident, more powerful?

Even if something else is buried in the orchard besides the seeds of these extraordinary trees: a bloody history whose roots reach back to the very origins of the town.

But now the leaves are falling. The days grow darker. It’s harvest time, and the town will soon reap what it has sown.

This book has everything. It has small town drama, teen angst, a mysterious magical element, creepy woods, diverse characters, and all set over a frighteningly realistic timeline. In our story, we follow Calla Paxson, high school senior who is willing to do anything to get her and her boyfriend Marco out of her small town. Her father, Dan Paxson, carries a grudge against all the townspeople who helped steal his father’s farm and push him towards an untimely death. Emily and her wife Meg have moved from the big city to start over in the small town of Doyle’s Tavern only to let the Unspoken Thing fester between them. Joanie Moreau grew up the tough chick from the wrong side of town, only to come back to a wealthy and confident businesswoman. Lastly, John Compass, military veteran turned apple hunter, who is on a mission to find his former best friend.

And what ties all of these characters together? The Ruby Slipper Apple. An apple so dark red it’s almost black. An apple that makes you feel like you can conquer anything. An apple with power. The paranormal elements are brilliantly interwoven with the real world, small town drama that our poor characters are caught up in. I found myself completely invested in their survival and was so stressed out, in a very good way, I read this in just two days. I HAD TO KNOW how this book ended.

I thoroughly enjoyed how the history of the apple was woven into the story. It added a richness to the setting and a real depth to the characters without feeling like you were in a history lesson.

Black River Orchard is a compelling and terrifying novel full of dark humor and enthralling horror. I can’t wait to see what Wendig brings us next!

If you would like to add this amazing novel to your shelf, you can click on the cover above or here for ordering information.

This post may contain affiliate links, such as Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

Deephaven by Ethan M. Aldridge

Available now

Ages 8-12, 288 pages

I was first introduced to Aldridge’s work with his graphic novel Estranged. The Kid selected that one during one of our many bookstore runs and I fell instantly in love with his art style. When I saw the news about Deephaven, I immeadiately went to all the usual ARC request sites and placed my request. Yes, I was sent an advanced digital copy and yes, life got in the way and I’m late getting the review out.

From the Publisher:

When Guinevere "Nev’" Tallow receives an acceptance letter to Deephaven Academy, an exclusive and secluded school, they know it’s the fresh start that they’ve been looking for.

But things are strange from the moment they arrive—the house itself seems to breathe, students whisper secrets in dark corridors, and the entire east wing of the academy is locked away for reasons no one wants to explain. And Nev knows something strange and ragged stalks the shadowy corridors, something that sobs quietly and scratches at the walls, waiting to be released.

With the help of another first-year student, Nev takes it upon themself to unravel the mysteries hidden in Deephaven's halls. But will they risk their fresh start to bring the academy’s secret to light?

Deephaven is a beautifully written coming of age story set in a magical boarding school. If you have a young fantasy reader in your life, this book is a perfect addition to their bookshelf. It's the perfect balance of compelling story, quiet character development, and a gentle spookiness perfect for young readers. There are several parts that involve some fantasy violence and scariness, but it’s all age appropriate and written with care for the readers.

You can feel the love and care Aldridge has put into his characters and their story. Nev is struggling with a complicated home life and knows that Deephaven could be their way to a happier life. But with a fresh start comes other complications that many readers will readily identify with: finding new friends, the stress of a new environment, and wanting to fit in. Anyone who has been the new kid knows how scary that can be.

I loved this book and if you want to add it your shelf, you can click on the cover above, or here, for ordering information.

Thanks to Edelweiss and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own. This post may also contain associate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg

Narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb, Graham Halstead, and Nicholas Boulton

Available now

CW: murder, child abuse. It is kept pretty brief and matter of fact, with the majority of the story being quite light, but there are a handful of violent scenes.

I don’t remember adding this to my KU library but Past Me has excellent taste! This book was the perfect field mowing companion and I immeadiately downloaded the second book in the series as soon as I finished it. It’s so sweet, a little silly, and incredibly compelling. If you’re looking for a light, magical, cozy fantasy read with a dash of romance, this book is perfect.

From the Publisher:

Rhode Island, 1846. Estranged from his family, writer Merritt Fernsby is surprised when he inherits a remote estate in the Narragansett Bay. Though the property has been uninhabited for more than a century, Merritt is ready to call it home—until he realizes he has no choice. With its doors slamming shut and locking behind him, Whimbrel House is not about to let Merritt leave. Ever.

Hulda Larkin of the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms has been trained in taming such structures in order to preserve their historical and magical significance. She understands the dangers of bespelled homes given to tantrums. She advises that it’s in Merritt’s best interest to make Whimbrel House their ally. To do that, she’ll need to move in, too.

Prepared as she is with augury, a set of magic tools, and a new staff trained in the uncanny, Hulda’s work still proves unexpectedly difficult. She and Merritt grow closer as the investigation progresses, but the house’s secrets run deeper than they anticipated. And the sentient walls aren’t their only concern—something outside is coming for the enchantments of Whimbrel House, and it could be more dangerous than what rattles within.

It’s so good! This one is hard not to spoil, so apologies for the brief and excited squealing. Keeper of Enchanted Rooms is incredibly fun. It begins with dual narratives. One is from a wealthy wizard who has a tragic childhood and the other is Merritt Fernsby, bachelor writer who inherits Whimbrel House. The magic found within Whimbrel House is quite whimsical in the beginning, balancing out the darkness of the story of our tortured wizard. There is a light romantic element that is full of pining and Great Concern for Propriety but isn’t the main focus of the story, more of a delightful bonus. There is delightful banter amongst all the characters, as well as some found family elements. The magic system, widely known to all in the world, is simple and easy to follow and provides some great comedic moments. Hulda holds an important and respected position within the BIKER, the magical agency that oversees enchanted homes. I love a heroine with an interesting job and Hulda definitely has an interesting job! She’s incredibly competent and I don’t remember her dealing with any type of patriarchal b.s. It could be there, but I don’t remember. Quite refreshing, to be honest.

I found the Keeper of Enchanted Rooms to be delightful and engrossing story with a fantastic mystery. I listened to the audio version and the performances were absolutely fantastic. If you would like to add this magical mystery to your shelf, you can click on the cover above, or here, for ordering information.

This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano

Available now

CW: child death, grief

Picture this: You’re overcome with grief over the death of your child. You find a name mysteriously written on the floor of your child’s room. When you discover the name is actually that of a real island, you travel there and find something really, really strange. Time has stopped. People dress like it’s 1994. The cars are all pre-1994, there’s very little tech, cell phones aren’t allowed, the O.J. car chases is everywhere, and people seem very, very odd.

And then you go missing.

That’s Dead Eleven.

This is a weird, twisty tale with so many twists and turns that I really don’t want to spoil anything. This will be a quick, and hopefully, spoiler-free review!

It’s a strange, quirky novel that explores the complexities of grief, family dynamics, and how teenagers will always mess up a decades long cover-up. The characters were well written and interesting, even if a few felt like horror novel stereotypes. While a dark power taking over a small island isn’t exactly breaking new ground, I really liked the originality of how the residents tried to battle it and keep it contained. The mystery of Clifford Island was strong enough to keep my interested in the story and while the plot moved along pretty quickly, there were a few sections that felt repetitive and the ending seemed a bit rushed. Overall though, I really enjoyed it and found it to be a solid debut novel.

If you’d like to add this dark and compelling novel to your shelf, you can click on the cover above or here for ordering information.

This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

The St. Ambrose School for Girls by Jessica Ward

Available now

CW: mental illness, suicidal ideation, gaslighting, murder, child abuse, sexual abuse, self harm, homophobia, bullying. Read with care.

Reader Friends, my favorite author has released a new book that doesn’t include my all-time, hands down, favorite group of fictional people in Caldwell! It left me a little wary but a whole lot of intrigued.

And she left me emotionally wrecked. This book is going to twist you up in so many ways and take you right on back to the emotional roller coaster that is high school. This book tackles some extremely heavy topics like suicide and mental illness and Ward lays out her writing process in her Author’s Note and I felt the care and love she has for her characters. Definitely check the content warnings on this one and I realize how wild it is to love a book that is this dark and heavy.

Oh, and Jessica Ward is J.R. Ward, aka The Warden, author of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

From the Publisher:

When Sarah Taylor arrives at the exclusive St. Ambrose School, she’s carrying more baggage than just what fits in her suitcase. She knows she’s not like the other girls—if the shabby, all-black, non-designer clothes don’t give that away, the bottle of lithium hidden in her desk drawer sure does.

St. Ambrose’s queen bee, Greta Stanhope, picks Sarah as a target from day one and the most popular, powerful, horrible girl at school is relentless in making sure Sarah knows what the pecking order is. Thankfully, Sarah makes an ally out of her roommate Ellen “Strots” Strotsberry, a cigarette-huffing, devil-may-care athlete who takes no bullshit. Also down the hall is Nick Hollis, the devastatingly handsome RA, and the object of more than one St. Ambrose student’s fantasies. Between Strots and Nick, Sarah hopes she can make it through the semester, dealing with not only her schoolwork and a recent bipolar diagnosis, but Greta’s increasingly malicious pranks.

Sarah is determined not to give Greta the satisfaction of breaking her. But when scandal unfolds, and someone ends up dead, her world threatens to unravel in ways she could never have imagined. The St. Ambrose School for Girls is a dangerous, delicious, twisty coming-of-age tale that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

This book contains so many of my favorite tropes: boarding school, scandal, mean girls getting what they deserve (not that anyone really deserves murder,) dark secrets, and strong female friendships. All of the characters felt real and fully developed, especially Sarah. You could feel how desperately she wanted away from her home, but also how much she knew she didn’t fit in with the rich girls at the elite St. Ambrose. She was so aware of her mental illness and how tightly she had to keep it in control to guard her secret from everyone. When all of that stress, exacerbated by the horrible bullying from Greta and her girlfriends, leads to Sarah making some very dark and misguided decisions, my heart broke. You could feel how lonely and isolated she felt, even when she was constantly surrounded by her teachers, roommate, and advisors.

This is one of those novels where every character has a dark secret to hide. It seemed like every secret was darker and more disturbing than the last. (Like I said, it’s real doozy of a book!) All of those layers of secrets really added to the impact of the plot twist and made the ending one of the most explosive I’ve read. I absolutely loved it and flew through it in just one sitting.

If you want to add this dark and explosive thriller to your shelf, you can click on the cover above, or here, for ordering information.

This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions and mistakes are my own. Like those commas. I never get those right.

What Never Happened by Rachel Howzell Hall

Available now

This book is amazing!

From the Publisher:

Colette “Coco” Weber has relocated to her Catalina Island home, where, twenty years before, she was the sole survivor of a deadly home invasion. All Coco wants is to see her aunt Gwen, get as far away from her ex as possible, and get back to her craft—writing obituaries. Thankfully, her college best friend, Maddy, owns the local paper and has a job sure to keep Coco busy, considering the number of elderly folks who are dying on the island.

But as Coco learns more about these deaths, she quickly realizes that the circumstances surrounding them are remarkably similar…and not natural. Then Coco receives a sinister threat in the mail: her own obituary.

As Coco begins to draw connections between a serial killer’s crimes and her own family tragedy, she fears that the secrets on Catalina Island might be too deep to survive. Because whoever is watching her is hell-bent on finally putting her past to rest.

I thoroughly enjoyed this twisty, gothic thriller set on the exclusive and idyllic Catalina Island. There is a lot going on in this novel - lots of characters, lots of side plotlines, lots of back story - and it all weaves together seamlessly to create a dark and sinister story of racism, gentrification, entitlement, and greed.

This book made me realize that nearly every gothic thriller I have ever read was historical. There is something about the contemporary setting that makes it feel far more scary and terrifying. The writing is so descriptive that you feel like you are sitting alongside Coco, questioning your own sanity and jumping at every noise in your own home. I never would have thought that a golf cart could feel ominous or an important tool in a person’s survival…but that' is how good the writing is.

What Never Happened is a compelling, haunting, thriller that will stick with you long after you turn the last page.

If you’re interested in adding this amazing book to your collection, you can click on the cover image above, or here, for ordering information.

Thank you the author and Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle

Available now

CW: homophobia, conversion therapy, religious trauma, emotional abuse, gaslighting, violence

Buckle up friends! Chuck has gifted us with a wild, horrifying nightmare inducing novel!

From the Publisher:

Welcome to Neverton, Montana: home to a God-fearing community with a heart of gold.

Nestled high up in the mountains is Camp Damascus, the self-proclaimed “most effective” gay conversion camp in the country. Here, a life free from sin awaits. But the secret behind that success is anything but holy.

And they’ll scare you straight to hell.

I really, really loved this book. I’ve read many a fun and quirky Chuck Tingle novella and if you have as well, please know that this is nothing like those zany erotic novellas. Camp Damascus is a terrifying and frank look at the ways the people closest to us can end up being the most dangerous to us. It’s fast paced, engrossing, and has complex characters.

At 20, Rose still lives at home with her extremely religious and god-fearing parents. Her religious beliefs guide her every thought, every decision, and every interaction with others. As she enters her final summer of high school, Rose begins to see terrifying images of a woman watching her from the woods. After the death of a dear friend, her memories become unreliable and Rose struggles to understand her parents’ motives and reactions to her grief and stress. It’s as Rose tries to find answers to the strange apparition haunting her that she discovers that there is a darker side to her church, her town, and her family.

If you would like to add this horror novel to your shelf, you can click on the cover or here for ordering information.

Thank you to Edelweiss and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

Available now

Reader Friends, sometimes I pull a bonehead move so bonehead it surprises even me. This delightfully horrifying book came out in March, which I read in January, and I didn’t tell you about it! Seriously?

From the Publisher:

"Mom seems off."

Her brother's words echo in Sam Montgomery's ear as she turns onto the quiet North Carolina street where their mother lives alone.

She brushes the thought away as she climbs the front steps. Sam's excited for this rare extended visit, and looking forward to nights with just the two of them, drinking boxed wine, watching murder mystery shows, and guessing who the killer is long before the characters figure it out.

But stepping inside, she quickly realizes home isn’t what it used to be. Gone is the warm, cluttered charm her mom is known for; now the walls are painted a sterile white. Her mom jumps at the smallest noises and looks over her shoulder even when she’s the only person in the room. And when Sam steps out back to clear her head, she finds a jar of teeth hidden beneath the magazine-worthy rose bushes, and vultures are circling the garden from above.

To find out what’s got her mom so frightened in her own home, Sam will go digging for the truth. But some secrets are better left buried.

As always, T. Kingfisher knocks it out of the park. Kingfisher has this way of making a book incredibly funny and incredibly scary all at the same time. The characters are remarkably relatable which makes the book even scarier. Sam is just an ordinary person who is going to visit her mom. It’s so ordinary! But what’s not ordinary is the way her mother has redecorated the house, ridding it of the eclectic clutter and replacing it with boring white walls and unsettling family portraits of unlikeable relatives. And the jar of teeth. The jar of teeth is definitely not ordinary.

The longer Sam stays with her mother, the more the house feels wrong and the more Sam becomes convinced that something is trying to harm them. And she’s not wrong. But it’s so easy to brush many of the experiences off, which is the scariest part to me! Kingfisher’s skill at making the mundane horrifying is a sight to behold.

It’s such a fun reading experience to have a book be both incredibly dark and unsettling, as well as genuinely funny and relatable. I found the story to be incredibly compelling and fast paced. The mystery was well plotted and all of the characters were fantastic.

If you would like to add this dark and twisted tale to your shelf, you can click on the cover above or here for ordering information.

As always, this post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

Pride Reads: Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune

There are numerous lists (yay!) of amazing books to read during Pride Month, and all year long! Here is one of my favorites!

Available now

I finished this book last night and I’m still devastated. Be sure to keep the tissues handy during this one! If you loved The House on the Cerulean Sea, you are going to love Under the Whispering Door. Not only does Klune have a way with long, whimsical titles, but he has crafted another heartfelt and emotional story about being a human and finding love.

Wallace Price has lived his life consumed by his career. Demanding perfection from his employees and spending each day working until the point of exhaustion has been his M.O. until, one day, he finds himself dead. Standing over his body, bewildered about his situation, and then suddenly, at his own funeral. What should be a well-attended, proper, and expensive affair, turns out to only be attended by his ex-wife and his partners from the law firm. There were no kind words, no tears, and to Wallace’s astonishment, a remarkable amount of sports talk. But there is one person at his funeral that Wallace has never met. And even more startling, she can see Wallace. Mei, Wallace’s reaper, has come to guide him to his next place and Wallace isn’t having it.

Finally relenting, Wallace and Mei make their way to a tea shop run by Mei and Hugo. But of course, this is no ordinary tea shop. It’s a way station for those newly departed before they make their way to other side. Residing in the tea shop with Mei and Hugo are Hugo’s faithful pup Apollo and Hugo’s grandfather, the deceased Nelson. Slowly, day by day, Wallace learns from this remarkable team the ins and outs of ghost life, and begins to realize how little he actually lived.

This is an emotional, tender, funny, and remarkable story of life and love and I was immediately caught up in Wallace’s story and his journey to the afterlife. Wallace experiences all the stages of grief over his own death and does so in a way that felt incredibly real and relatable. His journey to discovering how to be a friend and to become part of a family never felt forced, it was a gentle progression that we saw every step of the way. Klune has given us beautiful characters with full lives and distinct personalities. Every character is crucial to the story and grows within the book. Klune has created an interesting take on the Reaper mythos and I really loved how The Manager, no spoilers!, was imagined. The characters were so well thought out and imagined that it made the story really compelling and I was unable to put it down.
No lie, I finished this while eating dinner with my guys and sobbed over my mac ‘n cheese. The Kid was quite worried.

I cannot express how much I love this book. It’s compelling, beautiful, heartfelt, and just really, really lovely. If you would like to add this story to your collection, you can find ordering information here:

Thank you to Netgalley and TOR Books for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

This post also contains affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases.

Pride Reads: Fantasy Quickie: Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk

There are numerous lists (yay!) of amazing books to read during Pride Month, and all year long! Here is one of my favorites!

Available now

CW: homophobia, magical violence, aversion therapy

Even Though I Knew the End is a magically charged noir thriller that doesn’t hold any punches. Helen, a private investigator and warlock who sold her soul to save her brother’s life, is quietly putting her affairs in order so Edith, her longtime love, will be able to live out her dream of moving to California. When someone offers her one last job-a job that could get Helen her soul back, she can’t refuse.

Discovering the identity of the White City Vampire, a prolific and magical serial killer, places Helen and everyone she loves in danger. Helen and Edith race against time to save their lives, their souls, and their love.

Coming it at just 133 pages in the print version, Polk does a masterful job at creating an interesting and intricate alternate 1930’s Chicago. There’s romance, pain, magic, mystery, and a stark look at the hate and discrimination the queer community faced then, and now. It’s a brilliant story that I hope becomes the start of a new magical mystery series.

Grab our tissues, you’re going to need them.

If you’d like to add this magical sapphic mystery to your shelf, you can click on the cover or here for ordering information.

As always, this post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.