The Surf House

 

Author: Lucy Clarke

Narrator: Sarah Slimani

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Year: 2025

Happy Friday book pals! Any plans for the weekend? I’m heading to the beach this weekend. A beach book I finished recently was The Surf House. This one has been all over bookstagram. Here’s the summary from the publisher: 

High on the cliffs of Morocco, far from the city lights and the souks, stands The Surf House: a sanctuary for travelers chasing sunshine and waves. But the idyll hides a dark mystery. And when Bea washes in, seeking refuge after a dangerous encounter in Marrakesh, she soon gets caught in the current. A woman her age—who stayed in the same area, walked the same beaches, met the same guests—disappeared one year earlier, vanishing without trace. Somewhere inside The Surf House lies the truth—but there’ll be a price for uncovering it. 

I had high hopes for this book. It’s gotten great reviews. It has a great exotic setting in Morocco. It’s very atmospheric with sun drenched days in an idyllic location. I loved that. I liked the main character Bea. There were attractive and brooding surfer dudes. There were red herrings and twists. There was a lot to like about this book. But it was just too much of a slow burner. And I saw just about every twist coming from a mile a way. 

Sarah Slimani did a great job with the narration. There were quite a few characters. Sarah’s accents and differing tone of voice for each ensured I never lost track of who was who. I definitely appreciated that. Over all, I thought the book was good, but it didn’t live up to the hype for me. 

#crimefiction #thrillerbooks #mysterybooks #morocco #surfing

About the Author

Lucy Clarke is the author of nine destination thrillers. They include Waterstones Thriller of the Month, The Castaways, Richard and Judy Book Club pick, One of the Girls, and international bestseller, The Hike. Lucy's novels have sold over a million copies in the UK alone and are published in more than 25 territories worldwide.

Lucy's thriller, No Escape has been released as a major international show for Paramount+. The Castaways has also been adapted into a five-part thriller for Paramount+ and stars BAFTA award-winner Sheridan Smith. Three further novels by Lucy are currently in development for TV/film. 

When Lucy isn't away on research trips (the real reason she loves being an author!), she can be found writing from a beach hut on the south coast of England. She lives with her husband and their two children.

The Other Side of Now

 

Author: Paige Harbison

Narrator: Paige Harbison

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Year: 2025

Happy Wednesday friends! The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison is my latest bookstagram made me read it and I see why it’s so popular. It’s so freakin’ good! It’s a mix of contemporary fiction, romance, and magical realism that creates an emotional story. Seriously, I was driving on the highway and ugly crying while listening to this book. It’s about an actress on a successful television show who takes an impulsive trip to Ireland. She gets a chance of seeing another version of her life where she’s not an actress, has an on again/off again relationship with a hot pub owner, and where her best friend is still alive. Here’s the full summary from the publisher: 

With a leading role on a hit TV show and a relationship with Hollywood’s latest heartthrob, Meg Bryan appears to have everything she ever wanted. But underneath, her happiness is as fake as her stage name, Lana Lord. Following a tiny nervous breakdown at her thirtieth birthday party, she books an impromptu trip to Ireland. Specifically, to the village where she and her best friend Aimee always dreamt of moving.

When Meg arrives, the people in town don’t just recognize her, they seem to know her. She quickly—reluctantly—realizes she has somehow slipped into an alternate reality. One where she did move to Ireland as a teenager, one where she never got famous, and—most shocking of all—one where Aimee is alive and well.

She just wants nothing to do with Meg.

Despite her bewilderment, Meg is clear-eyed about one thing: this is a once-in-two-lifetimes chance to reconnect with her friend and repair what she broke . . . or else risk losing Aimee all over again.

Everything about this book is top notch. I loved the idea of experiencing an alternate life. Who doesn’t wonder what if….at some point in their life. The characters are wonderful. And I loved the setting. Kudos to the author for also doing a fantastic job with the audiobook narration. I’m sometimes leery of an author narrating their own book, but Paige is pitch perfect. 

Seriously, if you haven’t read this one yet, you should correct that immediately. Just make sure you have some tissues on hand when you read it. 

Are you a crier? What’s the last book that brought tears to your eyes? 

#theothersideofnow #paigeharbison #macmillianaudio #contemporaryfiction 

About the Author

Paige Harbison is the author of three YA novels, the first of which was published in 2011 when she was just nineteen years old. More recently, she's worked on several celebrity projects as a ghostwriter. The Other Side of Now is her adult debut. A woman of many talents, she's also a visual artist, records music with her brother (band name: Thalo), hosts and produces the podcast Nameless Best Friends, and has a solid social media presence, amassing millions of views on her one-minute-movies. She lives in L.A. with her partner, Richie, and their dog Tarot.

Beneath the Sicilian Stars

 

Author: Lindsay Marie Morris

Publisher: Storm Books

Year: 2025

Thank you Lindsay Marie Morris,  Storm Books and Novel Tours for including me on this book tour for Under the Sicilian Stars! The book is available now. 

The book flows an Italian family divided by WWII. One branch of the family is in America. The other branch  is in Italy. Both families encounter devastating consequences of the war. Here’s the summary from the publisher: 

1941, Pittsburg, California. Sixteen-year-old Annalisa Aiello huddles around the radio with her family when a special announcement shatters her world: Pearl Harbor has been bombed – where her brother is stationed on the USS Arizona. After the United States declares war, Annalisa watches in horror as her father, a Sicilian fisherman, is arrested as an "enemy alien". Grappling with grief and harsh wartime restrictions, Annalisa is forced to undertake an unexpected journey across the country to find her father and uncover the sacrifices of the past.

Meanwhile, in war-torn Sicily, her cousin Alberto navigates bombing raids as ancient fishing traditions crumble around him. But the forces tearing this family apart began decades earlier with a desperate choice made on a Sicilian shore – a secret pact sealed beneath the stars that promised a brighter future across the sea.

As Annalisa searches for her father and Alberto seeks his place in a changing world, they both discover that even in the darkest times, hope for a better future can endure.

This story pulled me right in and I flew through it! There’s family drama, the hardship and devastation of the war, determination, and love. This is an atmospheric and well researched historical fiction novel. It definitely tugged at my heartstrings. The story unfolds through alternating chapters set in the U.S. and Italy and has a steady pace. 

Definitely pick this one up if you’re looking for an emotional journey of resilience, family, and love. 

Do you like historical fiction? Do you have a particular time period you like to read about? 

#beneaththesicilianstars #lindsaymariemorris #stormbooks #noveltours #booktour #historicalfiction #wwiifiction #familydrama 

About the Author

Lindsay Marie Morris is a novelist and journalist. Based in Los Angeles, she brings a dynamic storytelling voice to every project, whether she's crafting historical fiction set in Italy or reporting on health, wellness, travel, and small business for modern readers. A graduate of Marquette University with a B.A. in Communications, Lindsay began her editorial career in magazine publishing, serving as travel editor at Shape magazine before expanding into digital media, editorial project management, and non-profit marketing and communications. Her work has appeared in Forks Over Knives, The Chicago Tribune, and other publications. 

The White Crow

 

Thank you Simon & Schuster Audio for the gifted audiobook! Happy #thrillerthursday book pals! 

I love a good police procedural. I was happy when Michael Robotham’s The White Crow published earlier this month. It’s the second book in the Philomena McCarthy series. Philomena is a young and ambitious officer in London. But she comes from a family of notorious gangsters. Her career often bumps up against the family business.

In this book, Philomena finds a little girl wandering the streets alone very early in the morning. The girl is soon connected to the robbery of a jewelry store and the murder of her mother.

The police investigation leads back to Philomena‘s father and her uncles. But the pieces of the puzzle don’t add up. Meanwhile, Philomena‘s father and uncles are dealing with an interloper who is disrupting the family business and threatening to take everything. Here’s the full summary from the publisher: 

Philomena McCarthy has defied the odds to become a young officer with the Metropolitan Police despite her father and her uncles being notorious London gangsters.

On patrol one night, Philomena finds a barefoot child, covered in blood, who says she can’t wake her mother. Meanwhile, three miles away, a London jeweler has a bomb strapped to his chest in his ransacked store and millions are missing.

These two events collide and threaten Philomena’s career, her new marriage, and her life. In too deep, and falling further, Phil must decide who she can trust—her family or her colleagues—and on what side of the thin blue line she wants to live.

This is a fast paced and intricately plotted story that’s told from multiple points of view. It’s filled with tension and suspense as Philomena races to put all the pieces together. Even though this is the second book in a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. Katy Sobey does an excellent job with the narration, conveying lots of tension and emotion. I’m definitely recommending this one. This is a great police procedural featuring a strong female main character. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Do you like to binge read a series all at once or read as it’s published? 

#thewhitecrow #michaelrobotham #simonaudio #policeprocedural #thrillerbooks 

About the Author

Michael Robotham is a former investigative journalist whose bestselling psychological thrillers have been translated into twenty-five languages. He has twice won a Ned Kelly Award for Australia’s best crime novel, for Lost in 2005 and Shatter in 2008. His recent novels include When She Was Good, winner of the UK’s Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for best thriller; The Secrets She Keeps; Good Girl, Bad Girl; When You Are Mine; Lying Beside You; Storm Child; and The White Crow. After living and writing all over the world, Robotham settled his family in Sydney, Australia.

Welcome to Murder Week

 

Author: Karen Dukess

Narrator: Carlotta Brentan

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Year: 2025

Happy Wednesday book friends! Are you a fan of found family trope? Check out Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess. Thank you Simon & Schuster Audio for the gifted copy! 

Cath, grieving the sudden death of her mostly absentee mother, discovers her mother planned and paid for a trip to a small English village. Cath can’t believe her mother wanted to take her on a week long murder mystery adventure the village is putting on to boost tourism. Cath goes on the trip and ends up discovering more than just whodunnit. Here’s the full summary from the publisher: 

When thirty-four-year-old Cath loses her mostly absentee mother, she is ambivalent. With days of quiet, unassuming routine in Buffalo, New York, Cath consciously avoids the impulsive, thrill-seeking lifestyle that her mother once led. But when she’s forced to go through her mother’s things one afternoon, Cath is perplexed to find tickets for an upcoming “murder week” in England’s Peak District: a whole town has come together to stage a fake murder mystery to attract tourism to their quaint hamlet. Baffled but helplessly intrigued by her mother’s secret purchase, Cath decides to go on the trip herself—and begins a journey she never could have anticipated.

Teaming up with her two cottage-mates, both ardent mystery lovers—Wyatt Green, forty, who works unhappily in his husband’s birding store, and Amity Clark, fifty, a divorced romance writer struggling with her novels—Cath sets about solving the “crime” and begins to unravel shocking truths about her mother along the way. Amidst a fling—or something more—with the handsome local maker of artisanal gin, Cath and her irresistibly charming fellow sleuths will find this week of fake murder may help them face up to a very real crossroads in their own lives.

This is the charming and delightful story. It’s a murder mystery without an actual murder. Cath teams up with Wyatt snd Amity to try to solve the pretend murder. They roam the village looking for clues and interviewing “suspects.” Honestly, the whole thing sounded extremely fun. But Cath and her new friends also dive into the mystery of Cath’s mother and why she booked the trip. The village’s mystery has nothing on the mystery of Cath’s mother. It’s an emotional journey for Cath as they uncover surprising truths. Cath also surprises herself with her attraction to the handsome local pub owner. 

This book has a something for everyone. A cleaver fake murder mystery, family secrets, romance, jocular humor provided by Wyatt and Amity, and emotion. This one tugs at the heartstrings as Cath opens herself up to new friends and love while coming to terms with the mystery of her mother. Narrator Carlotta Brentan does a fantastic job voicing the many different characters and bringing the story to life. 

I really don’t know why this book hasn’t gotten the attention from bookstagram that it deserves. Do yourself a favor and pick up this lovely, witty, and heartfelt book asap. 

What’s an underrated book you think deserves more booksta love? 

About the Author

Karen Dukess is the author of The Last Book Partyand Welcome to Murder Week. Karen has been a newspaper reporter in Florida, a magazine publisher in Russia, and a speechwriter on gender equality for the United Nations. She has a degree in Russian studies from Brown University and a master’s in journalism from Columbia University. She lives outside of New York City and in Truro on Cape Cod, where she interviews some of today’s most acclaimed writers as host of the Castle Hill Author Talks for the Truro Center for the Arts.

Fiend

 

Author: Alma Katsu

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Publication date: September 16, 2025

Happy Tuesday bookish friends!Thank you GP Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for the e-arc! 

What do you get when you cross the Roy family from the show Succession with the supernatural? You get author Alma Katsu upcoming book Fiend. It comes out September 16. 

Zef Berisha is the patriarch of a massively successful import export company. The family and their company have been in business for generations and are staggering wealthy. They’ve always been lucky too. Their business rivals always suffer- from illness, natural disasters, or some kind of unexplainable calamity. Zef says their family is blessed and family legend says they have a protector. Oldest son Darden is preparing to be the keeper of the family’s secrets and to take over one day. Middle child Maris thinks she’s better suited to run the company instead of just marrying well. And youngest sibling Nora is basically ignored. When Maris goes against her brother to ingratiate herself with Zef, the family begins to experience unexpected tragedies. 

This a fast paced and entertaining light horror novel that combines family and boardroom drama and backstabbing with the supernatural. The characters are pretty cliched - a cold and distant father, a complacent mother, a son chaffing against family expectations, a daughter who wants daddy’s love and power, and another daughter who’d rather party than do business. The characters and the plot are all pretty surface level. There’s not a lot of depth here. This is definitely a bubblegum book. I could see all the twists and turns coming, but it was still a fun read. Hard core horror fans might find it disappointing, but if you want something filled with family drama with a smidge of supernatural this one fits the bill. 

Do you read horror? If you give me a recommendation. Or what are you reading this week? 

About the Author

Alma Katsu is the award-winning author of eight novels, most recently Red London, The Fervor, and Red Widow. Prior to the publication of her first novel, she had a thirty-five-year career as a senior intelligence analyst for several U.S. agencies, including the CIA and NSA, as well as RAND, the global policy think tank. Katsu is a graduate of the masters writing program at the Johns Hopkins University and received her bachelors degree from Brandeis University. She lives outside of Washington, DC, with her husband, where she is a consultant to government and private industry on future trends and analytic methods.

Someone Knows

 

Author: Vi Keeland

Narrators: Leslie Howard and Aiden Snow

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Year: 2025

Happy Monday book peeps! Thank you Simon & Schuster Audio for the gifted audiobook! If you’re looking for a dark and twisty psychological thriller, look no further than Someone Knows by Vi Keeland. 

A NYC English professor returns to her small hometown when she discovers one of her students knows her darkest secret. 

This one is dark, full of suspense, and a little spicy. 🌶️ Elizabeth is suspicious of everyone in town as she tries to figure out who is sending her chapters of a book that details how she killed her high school English teacher twenty earlier to save her best friend Jocelyn. Can she find Jocelyn and figure out who else knows what happened all those years ago? Elizabeth must also untangle her feelings for Noah,a man she’s immediately attracted to, and who’s the son of the man she killed. 

This book kept me on my toes and on the edge of my seat. It’s been awhile since a psychological thriller has kept me this engaged in the story. Keeland keeps the plot moving at fast pace. There’s plenty of secrets to uncover and the list of suspects grows as Elizabeth realizes her closely guarded secret isn’t as safe as she thought it was. Keeland deftly pulls off quite an ending for this addictive and unsettling thriller. Narrator Leslie Howard does a fantastic job. Her performance portrays Elizabeth as tough and vulnerable as she confronts many issues in her past. Pick this one up asap! 

What’s the most recent book you just couldn’t put down? 

About the Author

Vi Keeland is a #1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestselling author. With millions of books sold, her titles are currently translated in twenty-six languages and have appeared on bestseller lists in the US, Germany, Brazil, Bulgaria, Israel, and Hungary. Three of her short stories have been turned into films by Passionflix, and two of her books are currently optioned for movies. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six.