The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen

 

Expected Publication Date: August 4, 2026

The Women in White is told in a dual timeline format and has various points of views. Be prepared to be engrossed in this book full of well developed characters.

This book follows four women in 1964. Each have a special ability and Dr. Trimble a psychology researcher at Marquis College has put them together. He uses their psychic or esp abilities to conduct a parapsychology experiment. 

Riley Bell becomes the caretaker to Betty. Betty was one of the four. Betty lives a very secluded and isolated life. Her home is frozen in time. No modern convenience's exist in her home and she has never heard of the internet! 

Riley and Betty build a friendship and Riley learns that Betty wants to reconnect with her friends. Riley jumps at the chance to make this possible but what she discovers is chilling. 

This is a book you don't want to miss! It's Pekanen's best book to date and she writes good books.

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

The Shippers | By Katherine Center

 

Audio Book

Expected Publication Date: May 19, 2026

The Shippers is such a fun book. The narration brings the story to life and exceeded my expectations for this book. They bring the characters to life and make the chemistry sizzle! 

JoJo Burton is unlucky in love. She plans to fix this while on a cruise for her sisters destination wedding. She had this notion in her head her problems are rooted in her first kiss. If she can kiss him again it will give her closure. 

She teams up with her childhood bestie Cooper to make this happen but his disappearance four years ago keeps creeping up and thus creating issues. As they spend more time together the quickly fall into old habits and some new ones - especially when they start to fake date. 

Cooper is a lovable character and Center writes a story that keeps you turning the pages and laughing. The romance is sweet and if you need some happiness in your life listen to this audiobook or pick up a copy of this book to read.

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

Dark Angel (Casteel #2) Audiobook | by V.C. Andrews

 

Dark Angel is the second book in the Casteel series. Heaven is now living with her biological grandmother. She is living in Boston a life of luxury far from the poverty she grew up in. 

Heaven quickly learns that the life her mother was brought up in is strange and full of secrets. Her grandmother is distant and odd. Her step grandfather imposes rules on her. 

Heaven has to navigate this confusing new world but secrets and tragedy's will test her.

This is the 2nd book in the Casteel series and though I have read this a few times as an adult I still think about what a odd child I was that I loved devouring V.C. Andrews books. 

This is a great sequel and the audiobook makes the read more emotional and bring the character's feelings to life.

If you like V.C. Andrews read this series. 

Her One Regret Donna Freitas

Lucy Mendoza has vanished. Her baby was left behind in the grocery store parking lot. Her phone is under her car. Her disappearance has made national news.

Her best friend, Michelle knows Lucy's secret and if she lets it be known it could change the direction of the investigation. 

Lucy's secret is - she regrets becoming a mother and fantasizes about her own kidnapping. Michelle knows in her heart that Lucy did not go missing on her own accord but what IF Michelle is wrong?

Her One Regret is about the challenges of motherhood, the stigma of postpartum depressing on how women are expected to lose themselves in motherhood. It's also about friendships and romantic relationships. 

Her One Regret is interesting, entertaining and if you are looking for a good mystery/thriller pick this book up. 

The Danger of Small Things by Caryl Lewis

Expected Publication Date: March 24, 2026

They dismissed the warnings and honeybees are extinct. 

Young girls are forced to pollinate crops by hand using brushes. 

They are forced to marry and bear children. 

They live in government facilities and are given just enough food, limited water and are under constant watch. 

Famines are a part of life. There is little to no joy. Books were burned, education become a thing of the past. There is no art and families have been torn apart. 

Jess's life before she was brought to the facility was different from the other girls. She knows how to read, she's seen art and she knows how to draw. She tells stories that give hope and hope sparks a revolution. 

It's been a while since a good dystopian novel came my way.

 The Danger of Small Things finally gave me my "fix".

The world Lewis has created will pull you in and make you wonder if you have what it takes or will you take a backseat? Lewis explores a lot of different themes and delivers strong messages.

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

You with the Sad Eyes: A Memoir Book by Christina Applegate

 

Christina Applegate's memoir gives you insight into the person Christina is. Not the actor who plays roles but who she is. 

She takes you through her childhood up to current day. Her childhood was fraught with confusion, pain and circumstances that caused her to grow up way too fast.

I feel that Christina has been a rather private person. I knew very little about her other than her work as an actor. I know that she had a mastectomy and that she has been diagnosed with MS but I didn't know the other harrowing parts of her life. 

This is a raw and unforgettable look into her life. Prepare yourself as her candidness will bring you down and can be triggering for some. 

If you are a fan or would like to know more about her this book is worth your time. 

First and Forever Book by Lynn Painter

 

Expected Publication Date:  May 26 2026

I love Lynn Painter. I have been pretty depressed lately and this book gave me much needed moments of laughter and some tears.

This book is cute and fun. 

It has fake dating and romance. It also has some really dark moments that that hit too close to home. Expect too feel some sadness. 

The plot is predictable but I loved seeing it come to fruition. Dialogue flows off the pages and you are left wanting more after you finish this book. 

Duffy and her family are massive football fans! They got to all the games and have fun, fun fun but when Duffy takes down the mascot she becomes a person non grata. She is dubbed football Karen and goes viral. In an attempt to repair her public image she goes on a local new show to tell her side of the story. To her shock there is a surprise guest. The one and only Connor - the star of the Coyotes football team. 

They have onset chemistry. At the urging of Connor, his PR team takes Duffy out on a date (she is hesitant). Much to their surprise they click and have a good time. A relationship builds but Connor's secret could blow it all up. 

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

Once and Again by Rebecca Serle

Expected Publication Date: March 10, 2026

The Novak women have a once in a lifetime gift. They are each born with it. They can turn back time. This gift sounds ideal but it can be a burden. When do you use it? How do you know if you wasted the gift. It could have been used for something bigger, something more important for something else. What if...What if ...

Lauren knows her mother used her gift to save her father's life. It's caused her mom to live in constant fear and be over protective of her father. Her grandmother is care free and won't share what she used her gift for. Lauren's gift sits waiting for the day she needs it.

Lauren's husband has an opportunity to take a career changing job in New York. He takes it. Lauren heads back to her hometown and they rent there home out to earn some much needed cash. 

Broad Beach Road in home and Lauren plans to spend time with her dad, mom and grandmother. Surfing and the beach will keep her company but the unexpected happens. Her childhood friend, boyfriend and boy next door who she hasn't seen or heard from in years returns home. Stone was her first love and broke her heart. She quickly finds herself spending time with him. This awakens old feeling causing Lauren to wonder how her life would have been with Stone. 

Once and Again it told in present and past time.  It is full of complex relationships. I wanted Serle to explore the relationships between Lauren, her mother and grandmother more. I feel that there is much more to that story. 

Be prepared to revisit your past memories along with Lauren. You might find yourself angry with Lauren (I did). The ending didn't pan out the way I would have liked but I appreciate what Serle did with it. 

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

JFK Jr. An Intimate Oral Biography | By RoseMarie Terenzio and Liz McNeil

 

This biography on JFK Jr is told via personal stories from a variety of people in his life. We hear from friends, family and acquaintances.

The books spans from his childhood to his death. We get to read about the good, the bad and the in between. There is a bit of new information in this book but remember that memories fade over time and sometimes we rewrite them so I wouldn't take everything at it's word.  This doesn't meant I didn't enjoy the stories because I did and it's worth the read.

This is a heavy book at over 400 pages but the way it's done in snippets make the read super easy. There are a few "friends' that make you question their true intentions. 

The Housemaid Is Watching (The Housemaid #3)| By Freida McFadden

Millie and Enzo are married with kids. They are moving into a house in a beautiful neighborhood and thrilled to finally have a home of their own. Millie is a social worker and Enzo has his own landscaping company. 

Millie, Enzo and their two children have dinner with their neighbor Mrs. Lowell but their is something off with their maid. She makes Millie uncomfortable. The maid isn't the only strange person in the neighborhood. There is a woman who lives across the street  that knows everything going on. Mille tries to befriend her but finds it's not exactly an easy task. 

Millie starts to question if buying the house is a mistake. She's been warned about the neighbors by other neighbors, Enzo is acting strange and something just feels off ---- then a crime happens that can unravel all of their lives. 

This book will keep you on your toes. It's a slow burn that turns into an explosion. 

Forever, Interrupted | By Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

It was a rainy new years day when Elsie and Ben meet my chance at a pizza place. Their connection and chemistry is instant. Ben gets Elsie's number and calls her the next day. The quickly fall in love and by May they are married. Nine days after they have been married, Ben leaves their apartment to go pick up cereal. Ben never comes home. He is hit and killed. 

At the hospital Elsie meets Ben's mother Susan. Susan didn't know about Elise much less than her son was married to her causing issues. Both women are consumed by their grief but perhaps if they come together they can help each other heal.

Forever, Interrupted is told in current day and flashback scenes. The flashbacks to Ben give an emotional punch. Prepare yourself for some heart-wrenching moments while reading this book. This book makes you want to hold your loved ones tighter. The characters feel real and this story is beautiful yet so so sad.