All That Glitters (Landry, #3) by V.C. Andrews

 

Ruby is back in the Bayou and living in a shack with her young daughter. Paul Tate, her first love is back in the picture and trying to get Ruby to marry him. Ruby isn't in love with Paul but he uses his wealth and promises to get Ruby to become his wife.The Tate family is unhappy with the marriage due to family secrets and Gladys's strong dislike of Ruby. 

Giselle arrives on the arms of none other than Beau Andreas (Ruby's love) to cause havoc. Ruby tries to make the best of the situation and then Giselle is bitten by a venomous snake. Giselle slips into a coma and a whole new level of complications arise. 

I forgot how soap opera these books can be. I think that's why I enjoy reading them! I love the random, crazy things that happen and how the characters go on life journey's that often seem unreal. They make wild choices that make you want to scream!

Pearl in the Mist (Landry, #2) by V.C. Andrews

 

Ruby has gone from living in her beloved Bayou to the living in the Dumas's mansion in New Orleans to living at Greenwood. Greenwood is an exclusive boarding school for girls. Ruby wants to make the best of her situation but Gisselle is going to do everything in her power to make life as miserable as possible. 

Another tragic event touches the Dumas f
amily making Ruby's life all that much more difficult. Ruby's naivety turns her world upside down. Will she ever learn?

Pearls in the Mist continues with the formulaic system we see from V.C. Andrews but I think that is part of the fun when it comes to reading the series. 

Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games) | by Suzanne Collins

 

In preparation for the movies I reread the book. I stand by my previous review. I love this book and can't get enough of Haymitch and The Hunger Games World. 

As many fans of this series know this book is about Haymitch's Hunger Games and that ramifications of them. 

It's the fiftieth annual Hunger Games and twice as many tributes are being sent to the arena. Two from each district. Haymitch is just living his life in district 12 and loving his girl but his fight in the Hunger Games will change everything he knows. It will change it in unimaginable ways that will explain so much to readers and break their hearts.

I just hope the movie lives up to the book! I recommend doing a reread before the movie. 

The Stars Are Fire | by Anita Shreve

It is the summer of 1947. Grace lives on the coast of Maine. She is 5 months pregnant and has two young children. Her best friend, Rosie lives next door to her and also has two children. The summer has been dry and hot perfect conditions for for the wildfires that are raging along the coast. Grace and Rosie's husbands are out fighting the fire when it reaches them.  

They are left to fend for themselves and have to use their wit in order to survive and keep their children safe.  They watch as their homes burn to the ground with only the ocean to keep them alive. Grace barley survives, her husband is unaccounted for and now she needs to find shelter and a way to provide for her and her children.  

Grace finds bravery within herself and slowly manages to find unimaginable freedoms then everything she has built starts to fall apart when the unexpected happens. 

The Great Fires of 1947 (also known as October Fury) is a real even that occurred. It took place between October 13 and October 27. Over 220,000 acres were burned and nearly 1,000 homes were destroyed.  Shreve's writing pulled me back to the fires that took place in San Diego in 2003. I could smell the smoke in the air, visualize the thickness of the air and feel the heat. I could see the blazing orange/red of the sun and picture the apocalyptic setting. 

Good writing has a way of bringing back memories and creating new feelings. I haven't experienced any of the traumatic events that took place for Grace but I could imagine them because the writing pulled me into the characters emotions. This might be Shreve's best book to date despite the melancholic feelings left behind. 

The Midnight Train (The Midnight World, #2) | by Matt Haig

 

Wilbur is on the midnight train. This isn't any ordinary train it's a train into the past. Wilbur and his guide Agnes will revisit important moments in his life. Moments that shaped him into who he is, moments that broke him, moments that healed him and memories he held close to the heart.

Wilbur's most meaningful life moments are with his love, Maggie. Seeing those moments makes Wilbur ache to change his past but it could cost him as it breaks the rules. 

This book feels like a modern take on A Christmas Carol, in which the main character reflects on their life and learns life lessons along the way. This left me emotionally wrecked. It's beautifully written and will leave readers earning for the past and looking into their future. 

Someone in the Attic | by Andrea Mara

Someone in the Attic opens in true horror fashion. A woman home alone in a tub, a creak from above, a stranger in their doorway and then death. 

The dead woman's name is Anya and her childhood friends might be next. Julia, Eleanor and Anya have been keeping a secret amongst them and that secret might hold the clue to who killed Anya. 

A tiktok video appears of a masked man dropping from Julia's attic door and walking around her home. The police are called but find the attic empty. Julie's young son starts to see things, her daugher finds more tiktok videos. Things go from creepy to downright scary fast. 

Julia starts to question everyone and everything in this psychological thriller. Expect a fast paced ready that will keeping you on the edge of your seat. 

Vanguard (Razorland, #4) by Ann Aguirre

The Razorland Saga continues with Vanguard. The focus is on Tegan. She goes on an epic journey as a ship's doctor. She befriends many on the way but her most meaningful relationship is with Szarok the Uroch who is trying to save his people by finding them a safe place to live in peace. 

Their relationship is beautiful and forbidden.  The build is slow and characters undergo major changes. While this isn't my favorite book of the series it highlights one of my favorite characters and is a lovely conclusion to a great series. 

The Poison Daughter | by Sheila Masterson

 

One kiss from Harlow Carrenwell results in death. She uses this to her advantage to seek out vigilance against men who hurt women. Her first husband is dead and she is betrothed to her next victim but he holds a secret that can change her life forever.

Harlow is the daughter to a founding magical family - a family that uses their powers to take out who they see fit including her new betrothed family. Henry's family has their own magic  and agenda but who he is as person makes Harlow weak in the knees. She's falling for the enemy but secrets surface that have her questioning everything. 

This book is spicy AF. I wasn't expecting just how spicy it would get. The magic not something I usually care for is phenomenal and had me turning pages to see what would transpire. The drained ones while dangerous and deadly are intriguing and could have their own book. 

This is a world that is beautifully crafted and needs further exploration. Prepare yourself to feel uncomfortable due to heavy themes that could trigger some readers (not me). Expect secrets to unravel that will make you gasp. I went into this book blind at the suggestion of a friend and I am glad I did otherwise I might not have picked it up what has been one of this years favorite reads. 

The Lowe Job by Grace Alexander

Lili Lowe gets caught in a compromising position in the back of a car with a local politician. A married politician. A major scandal upturns her life and that of her siblings and mother. Her mom, Lydia isn't one to sit things out and used this scandal to their advantage by exploiting it and turning it into a reality series. Her sisters become household names and their drama flows off the pages - one might just say that some of their stories are much more interesting than Lili's. 

The Lowe Job starts off strong but then it made a strong dive downwards. I was expecting something else and for that I blame myself for not finding this to be a less than stellar read. I nearly DNF'd it several times but pushed forward because it was a BOTM book. It's about 200 pages too long and has way too many characters which lead to poor character development. Overall it is well written but not executed in an entertaining way. 

Hollow Bones |By Jodi Picoult

Expected Publication Date: September 26. 2026

Molly Fitzgerald was only two months old when her mom had an appointment at the World Trade Center. Her mom never came home. Molly was raised by her father and than later her stepmom. It was a loving home but the events of 9/11 changed in her life in more ways that one. 

One of the ways is that Molly made it her life mission to save as many lives as possible during times of disasters such as epidemics, plane crashes, storms, etc, eventually becoming the head of the Road Island Department of Emergency Preparedness. Her husband, Jesse is a polygraph expert and is no stranger to disasters.  

Postpartum psychosis a much currently debated topic plays an important role in this book. 

This is all you need to know at this point. Anything else will spoil the book for you. Picoult is an author's who's books I always go into reading blind. The story is told in multiple points of views and in different timelines. Picoult weaves an emotional story with ease making it feel impossible to put this book down. Expect some dark themes and twist and turns. 

** I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review 

Ruby (Landry, #1) by V.C. Andrews

I am a sucker for older VC Andrews Books. It's been ages since I have reread the Landry series. It has the same soap opera feel and drama that pulls readers into the story line.

Ruby Landry is a teen girl who lives with her Grandmere Catherine in the bayou. Grandmere is a cajun spirtual healer and has passed those belief's on to Ruby. They have a close and loving relationship as Ruby's mother died when she was born. Her life has been simple, loving and filled with poverty but her innocence in more ways that one is about to be taken from her. 

Ruby starts a sweet relationship with her classmate Paul Tate but his parents forbid the relationship. When she finds out why she has to make a difficult decision to stick by his parents wishes. Her Grandpere Jack is a drunk and cruelty knows no bounds. 

A series of tragic events force Ruby to fleep to New Orleans to find her biological father but the reunion is anything but happy. Her twin and stepmother resent her existence making her life at times unbearable and teaching Ruby that money does not equal happiness or class. 

My Sweet Audrina (Audrina #1) | By V.C Andrews

Audrina Adare is the second Audrina. Her older sister was the first Audrina. The sister who died and who was perfect. Audrina wants nothing more than to be like her namesake because being like her means her father would love her the way he loved the first Audrina. 

Audrina lives with rules after rules. She is isolated and home schooled.  Her cousin Vera lives in the same home as her but she makes Audrina's life miserable. Vera has much more freedom but her anger and jealousy make her life and that of others in the house less than desirable. 

Audrina's mother and Aunt are characters that add to the mystery of this book but the true secret holder is her father. 

I have read this book several times and each time it manages to get crazier! If you like gothic and macabre books this one is for you. 

Brain Damage | By Freida McFadden

 

Dr. Charly McKenna life changed the night a bullet tore through her skull. She went from having a thriving dermatology practice to learning how to walk and talk again. Her memory is in shambles and she is stuck in a rehabilitation clinic. Memories start to slowly resurface and it leaves her questioning everything she knows. 

This is a FAST paced book. I listened to it and I was hooked! It's dark, funny and entertaining. 

Horde (Razorland Series #3) | By Ann Aguirre

Horde is the conclusion to the Razorland Series. The horde is coming, the monsters are stronger and smarter than ever. Salvation is in dire status and may fall. Deuce, Tegan, Fade and Stalker set out to fight against the horde and find others to fight with them. 

The freaks, monsters or mutes  have gone through a major evolutionary change making unpredictable and scarier. The fights are going to be bloody and brutal. Sixteen year old Deuce has the life of everyone on her shoulders. 

Major growth in many characters and non stop action. Aguirre has built an amazing world and I am going to miss this characters. Expect a satisfying conclusion to this series. 

This Is Me: A Reckoning Book by Hayden Panettiere

 

Hayden Panettier passed away on August 16, 2026. A few days later I decided to listen to her audiobook.  Hayden narrates giving it a deeper more personal intimate feel. Her death was tragic and her memoir gives a look into what she endured (the good and bad) and possibly explained why she died at such a young age. 

Hayden has been acting since before she could walk or talk. Being a child actor had it ups and downs and before she was in middle school she had a rather impressive acting resume. She grew up in the spotlight and as she aged the tabloids exploited her like they do many stars. Post-partum depression, addiction, abuse and a fractured relationship with her momager are discussed in her intimate and inspiring memoir. 

Web of Dreams (Casteel, #5) by V.C. Andrews

 

Web of Dreams is the prequel in the Casteel series. It's the story of Leigh, who is Heaven's mother. Leigh is a very young girl who is living a seemingly perfect life until her parents divorce and her mother remarries an extremely wealthy man. 

Leigh is forced to moved into Farthinggale Manor and soon things make a turn for the worst. Leigh flees and meets Luke Casteel. They quickly fall in love and move to the Willies. Readers of this series know how this book ends. 

This prequel should be read last. It gives insight into what Leigh endured and how Luke spiraled and became the man we met in Heaven. This book will make you uncomfortable and make your skin crawl. it will make you angry and your dislike for characters will increase tenfold.

Outpost (Razorland, #2) by Ann Aguirre

 

Outpost is book 2 in the Razorland series. 

Deuce, Fade, Stalkerand Tegan  are living in Salvation. They are adjusting to a new way of living and new rules. Deuce is struggling in particular because in her previous life she was considered an adult but in Salvation she is a child. She is a fighter by trade and heart an doesn't fit in with the other girls. 

The freaks/muties are getting smarter. Deuce signs up to participate in summer patrols in which she witnesses the changes in the freaks. The townsfolk don't seem to be concerned about the changes or take it seriously.  Deuce finds this worrisome but she is just a "girl".

A big reveal and a cliffhanger will have you running to read the next installment. Expect intensity, character building and a love triangle. 

I LOVE this series and am questioning why I don't remember 80% because I am enthralled. 

Hidden Pictures | By Jason Rekulak

 Mallory Quinn is a recovering addict. She is trying to put her life together and fresh out of rehab. She is working for the Maxwell family. She is a live in babysitter for their young son Teddy. Teddy is only five years old. He is quite shy and is always drawing. His drawings soon go from cute childlike artwork to lifelike sketches of a sinister nature. 

Mallory discovers that she house she is staying in is part of an unsolved crime involving a young woman named Annie Barrett. This information along with the noises she hers in her home and Teddy's photos makes her think that Annie is trying to communicate with her via Teddy. 

Hidden Pictures includes the drawings young Teddy makes and some of them are down right spooky especially when you are reading this book late at night! The story is set in dark forest which adds to the tension and fright. Rekulak delivers a unique story and the unexpected plot twist delivers for those who enjoy a good thriller. 

Molka by Monika Kim

 

Spy camera's in Korea are a problem. They invade the privacy of others and cause issues for the victims when their photos/videos are released. Spy cameras can be found everywhere from public bathrooms to private hotel rooms. Women are the main target. Kim, dives into how technology to turn private moments into the worst type of violation. Her writing makes you question your own privacy in areas you don't have control over.

Our main character, Dahye is in a elicit romantic relationship with Hyukjoon. He is the heir to a fortune. She has fallen for him and he showers her with gifts. He makes her feel special unlike her family in which she remains in the shadow of her dead sister. Then one day Dahye and Hyukjoon fall victims to a hidden camera. He is outed publicly. She isn't but Hyukjoon pulls away leaving Dayhe confused and depressed. 

Unfortunately and unbeknownst to Dahye she is also a victim of a hidden camera are work and the perpetrator is obsessed with her. 

This was a difficult book to read it since it is rooted in real life events. I felt that my own privacy was being invaded. It made me angry and the paranormal aspects added a perfect amount of horror that I have come to expect from many Korean authors. 

It took a bit for me to get the characters names down but once I did my reading experience improved significantly. Don't let the unfamiliar sway you away from this good read. 

Enclave (Razorland, #1) by Ann Aguirre

 

I first read Enclave in 2011 and have been wanting to revisit it for some time now. When I came across an audio book version of it from my library I jumped at the chance to check it out. It felt like a entirely different book. It went from a good book to a great one! It's funny how I used to poo poo audiobooks but now I have found a love for them. 

Enclave follows fifteen year old Deuce who lives underground in an enclave. The enclave she lives in has set roles for its citizens and life expectancy is 20 years top. Life is hard and there is a constant threat of them being overtaken by freaks. Deuce's role is that of a huntress and she is paired with a hunter named Fade who did not grow up in the enclave. She is less than thrilled (and so is he) but as they clear the tunnels together they find respect for one another. They notice more concerning events taking place within the tunnels and when they report it their concerns are dismissed.  

An unexpected event takes place that results in Deuce and Fade being exiled. Deuce is forced to go upside in an effort to survive. Sunlight, buildings and life outside of the enclave is shocking and something she has to adapt to quickly. Fade has to use old memories to help them navigate and survive but dangerous gangs.

I forgot how engrossing and entertaining this book was. It pulls you in from the first sentence and that energy carries you though to the end. The characters are well developed and the way the world has fallen apart yet people fight to survive is heart warming.

 Deuce is quite possibly my favorite character this year. If you haven't read this book (series) yet pick it up and give it a go.