Currently Reading 2025

[Christine]

I finished my 23rd book

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

I finished Legends & Lattes and Nobody’s Fool today. Both really good books.

my Legends & Lattes review

my Nobody's Fool review

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

I'm going to start Parents Weekend and something else, but I'm not sure what just yet.

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

A read that has left me absolutely in awe! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for The Mademoiselle Alliance: A Novel by Natasha Lester https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Christine]

[Christine]

I finished my 24th book

[PamG]

Here is my 4 star review of The Unlucky Ones by Hannah Morrissey:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Crime Novel
Police Procedural
Dark, gritty, suspenseful, and disturbing at times.
Good characterization
Dual points of view

[Yazminz]

Sunrise on the reaping 🙌🏻

[Dhruti]

I am currently reading The Duke and I and I know its been long I watched the Netflix Series but still why Daphne sound different in book. I am loving Daphne book version.

[PamG]

Here is my 4.09 rounded to 4 stars review of The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Mystery / Crime Novel
Former spies, acting police chief
2nd book in The Martini Club crime series
Great atmosphere and characterization
Told from several points of view
Historical aspect comes into play later in the book and adds another level of complexity and interest
Entertaining and suspenseful

[Tammy]

Currently enjoying The Deep End byJulie Mulhern

[Christine]

[Christine]

[Tammy]

Book 2 of A country club murder series Guaranteed to Bleed byJulie Mulhern

[Rosalyn]

The "amateur sleuth podcast/book" trope has become more prevalent in books lately, what with rise of the true crime phenomenon, but what makes this book stand out is the added layer of emotional and personal stakes the main character Jane has in the investigation, and by extension, the author, Ashley Winstead. The death of Jane's father and the resulting emotional spiral that follows plays a big factor in her decision making throughout the story. Similarly, the death of Winstead's father was partly the impetus for her writing this book and choosing this topic (which I'll get into later in this review, I have THOUGHTS).

the GOOD: What starts as a distraction from Jane's grief morphs into...

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...





Julia Bartz is making a niche for herself of writing psychosexual thrillers with unhinged main female characters and sapphic undertones, and I am here for it! Bartz's background as a psychologist showed out in full force, with much explanation of technical terms and ethics in psychotherapy. What sets this apart from her previous book, The Writing Retreat, is the more pronounced transformation and catharsis our main character Thea experiences after the ordeal, which elevates the story from being just a "I survived a dangerous situation" to "this made me confront my toxic traits, unresolved trauma, and whole personality".

I dock a star because...

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...





The chapters are super snappy and all end on cliffhangers, which made the pacing quick and fun. However, I guessed the culprit pretty early into the book, and the red herrings weren't really red herrings as they'd be discredited right away. I did like that this book focused more on the parents and their different personalities, I preferred....

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...





For such wild events and people being featured, I became more and more disinterested and impatient as I read on; this story dragged on way too long. The whole book was spent waiting for the main characters to discover what the reader already knew. If there are no crazy plot twists like Jewell's last book, None of This Is True - a 5 star book! - then please at least maintain some mystery.

Some of the decisions or characterizations just would not....

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...





This book is blockbuster fun; you have an origami-loving serial killer, a Hollywood hotshot on trial, the various colorful personalities of the jury, and last but not least, the quick and sharp lawyer Eddie Flynn to lead the helm. Like Cavanagh's other book, Witness 8, half of the book is told from the perspective of the villain. You'd think much mystery or suspense would be lost, but....

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...



If I see Candice Millard on a book cover, I pick it up, that simple. As always, Millard propels the story forward with drama and action, while including much needed and appreciated historical and social context of that time. She makes astute analyses about Churchill's personality, his belief in his personal destiny, and how both determine his actions. I chuckled more than a few times while reading actually; Churchill is such an amusing man. I don't mean that condescendingly, it's just that he's so pompous but at the same time, not malicious at all. He says such grandiose things about himself with zero shame LOL. The thing is, he has the intellect, bravery, and daring to back up his claims, so people were and still are simultaneously exasperated and begrudgingly impressed by him.

Fun adventure featuring a daring and resilient young Churchill, but I don't know about....

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...



Pensive, insightful vignettes of Parisian life from all socioeconomic, age, and gender perspectives. Donoghue moves between the 1st, 2nd and 3rd class cabooses, which are essentially their own worlds, as we peer into the minds of affluent diplomats, starving artists, optimistic students and cynical anarchists. Although none of the characters directly talk of the cultural development or events or movements of the time, Parisian Belle Epoque is referenced in every sentence. Medical discoveries, technological advancement, cafe culture, Impressionism, the conflict that is found from the blending of social classes, are all discussed through the intimacy of everyday conversations, where through the course of this short novel, strangers become not quite friends, but recipients of each other's confessions; the idea that since you'll likely never meet again, you are more truthful to the other than you'd be otherwise.

There is no plot; it's rather....

full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Christine]

[Christine]

[PamG]

Here is my 4.25 rounded to 4 stars review of Gothictown by Emily Carpenter:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Southern gothic horror / mystery
Chilling prologue
Flawed, disturbing, and eccentric characters, alarming events, a somewhat isolated location, and a bit of the paranormal
There’s a focus on both its history and the current situation of the town.
Dark, disturbing, compelling, and thought-provoking

[Christine]

I finished my 25th book

[Amber Braaten]

Hello Everyone! New here. I am not so good at the book reviews, but love reading new and exciting things. I am currently reading The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdulla. So far it looks like a great 11th book of my 2025. So far I have been through a reread of one of my favorites the Crave series, and also the Fourth Wing series and a few others.

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

I was spellbound by The Evening Shades by Lee Martin ⭐⭐⭐⭐.4 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Christine]

I finished my 26th book

[Tammy]

Currently reading Dangerous Talents byFrankie Robertson

[PamG]

Here is my 4.02 rounded to 4 stars review of Written in Stone: A Scottish Bookshop Mystery by Paige Shelton:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Cozy Mystery
Book 10 in the Scottish Bookshop series
Set in Edinburgh, Scotland
Engaging, Fast read
Historical tie-in with the Picts

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

A quick, easy and entertaining read - American Housewife by AA🦘Anita Abriel ⭐⭐⭐.7 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Christine]

I finished my 27th book

[Christine]

[〰️Beth〰️]

[PamG]

Here is my 4.41 rounded to 4 stars review of Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping On a Dead Man by Jesse Q. Sutanto:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Cozy mystery
2nd book in the Very Wong series
Entertaining, engaging, heartwarming, and funny, but with a dark and serious undertone
Found family

[Christine]

[PamG]

Here is my 3.47 rounded to 3 stars review of Pride or Die: A Novel by CL Montblanc:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

YA Mystery
LBGTQ+
Engaging debut young adult mystery
Teen angst / Bullying / Treatment of others / Irresponsible Adults
Solid mystery
Some plot twists
Social commentary
Some humor
Several serious topics explored

[PamG]

Here is my 4.38 rounded to 4 stars review of From Challenge to Champion: 12 Inspiring Sports Stories for New Readers by Skyler Trepel:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Children's NonFiction - Sports Biographies
Inspiring athletes who have overcome challenges in personal and professional lives

[PamG]

Here is my 3.69 rounded to 4 stars review of Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Horror, Mystery, Humor, and Compassion
2nd book in the Bless Your Heart series
Intriguing prologue
Dark, Clever, and Unsettling
Excellent characterization
Some disturbing details

[Christine]

I finished my 28th book and I finished my 29th book

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

I finished The River We Remember. It was a slow build, but I thought it was very well-written. Really good story.

I am now starting Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister. This will be my first book by this author.

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

I finished Parents’ Weekend and thought it was a fun read.

- my Parents’ Weekend review

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

I just started The Man Made of Smoke.

[Tammy]

Started reading the 2nd book of the Vinlanders Saga Forbidden Talents byFrankie Robertson

[PamG]

Here is my 4.09 rounded to 4 stars review of Dead Post Society by Diane Kelly:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Cozy mystery
Great characters, wonderful atmosphere
Diane Kelly is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors
Engaging, clever, and entertaining with great atmosphere

[Christine]

I finished my 30th book

[PamG]

Here is my 4.45 rounded to 4 stars review of Hidden in Smoke by Lee Goldberg:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Crime Thriller / Police Procedural / Arson Investigation
3rd book in the Sharp and Walker series
Also features Detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone
Twisty plot, fast-paced, compelling, suspenseful

[Sanchita]

Here is my recommendation of Folk Tales of Bengal by Rev. Lal Behari Dey. Below is my review on it:

https://youtu.be/7s9wh1YmHJA

[Christine]

I finished my 31st book

[PamG]

Here is my 4.36 rounded to 4 stars review of Shadow of the Solstice: A Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Novel by Anne Hillerman:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Mystery
Book 10 in the Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito series
Overall, this is a suspenseful, heart-wrenching, and compelling novel.
Great characterization / atmosphere / world-building

[Christine]

[PamG]

Here is my 4.27 rounded to 4 stars review of Season of Death: A Barker & Llewelyn Novel by Will Thomas:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Historical Mystery
London, England in November of 1895
16th book in the Barker and Llewelyn series
Features two private enquiry agents
Sprinkled with humor
Great characterization and atmosphere

[PamG]

Here is my 4.13 rounded to 4 stars review of Would You Rather? Animals Edition: Answer Wild and Wacky Questions to Win a Roaring Good Game by Lindsey Daly:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Children's book
Set up as a game
Good for long road trips
Creative
I would have liked some fun facts to add a learning experience to the game.

[Christine]

I finished my 32nd book

[PamG]

Here is my 4.25 rounded to 4 stars review of The Cornish Castle Murder by Fiona Leitch:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Mystery - Sleuthing along with a police investigation
8th book in the Nosey Parker Mystery Series
Great characterization, entertaining, solid mystery to unravel with humor sprinkles throughout the novel

[PamG]

Here is my 4.45 rounded to 4 stars review of Cold Burn by A.J. Landau:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A. J. Landau is a pseudonym for authors Jon Land and Jeff Ayers.
Mystery
Action packed thriller
Book 2 in the National Park Thriller Series
Gritty, intense, and chiller
Great characterization and plenty of action