Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale

 

There was a lot to like about this, but the ending was not one of those things.

Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas

I liked this enough to continue with the series.

Sisters of the Southern Cross by Jean Grainger

 

So there's a sense in which I realize that Grainger's characters are way too binary, with no character development. But there's another sense in which I really love her books.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Poster Girl by Veronica Roth

 

meh

Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie

 

Really well done - - and that ending . . . 

The Radleys by Matt Haig

 

This was amazing. 

All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby

 

I stayed up until 4am because I had to finish this. I was just completely gobsmacked by it. Stellar writing style, plot, characters, social/historical engagement. (Be warned: it is a bit rough, although nowhere near as graphic as it could be given the topic.) I am eagerly tracking down his other books. 

Highly recommended.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland

 

This was really fun.

Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser

 

This was quite clever. There was one twist that was really well done.

How to Stop Time by Matt Haig

 

meh

Not a Sound by Heather Gudenkauf

 

Not perfect, but quite good.

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang

 

This was amazing and funny and cringy and I just love a good horrible main character.

A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan

 

meh

The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry

 

A lovely novel ruined by an absurd plot twist.

The Eden Test by Adam Sternbergh

 

The problem with reading (well, listening) as much as I do is that there are only so many plots in the world, and so it's easy for novels to become redundant. This book, at least, was not that. But. I will authors didn't feel the need to add that second twist at the end that strains my ability to suspend disbelief.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Raw Dog: The Naked Truth about Hot Dogs by Jamie Loftus

 

This is one of the funniest books I have every read. I especially appreciated the serious side quests into real issues as well as the utterly bizarre back stories.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Long Time No See by Susan Isaacs

 

I always like Susan Isaacs.

Happy Place by Emily Henry

 

Disappointing.

Bad, Bad Seymour Brown by Susan Isaacs

 

I really like Susan Isaacs. This was fun.

Growing Wild in the Shade by Jean Grainger

 

Odd plot, but I like this series because I like Mags.