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.