Series Sunday: The First Time I Saw Him

(Hannah Hall #2) 

Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Read an installment of a series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

My Series Sunday pick is The First Time I Saw Him, the second book in the Hannah Hall series by Laura Dave. Before I delve into this new book review, please read my previous pithy review of The Last Thing He Told Me then watch season one on Apple TV+. It features Jennifer Garner and is oh-so-good! Binge and catch up before season two begins on February 20, 2026.

Okay, back to our regularly scheduled review. The First Time I Saw Him picks up five years, 10 months and 24 days later. Hannah Hall and her stepdaughter, Bailey, have settled into a new life in Southern California. Just when Hannah feels well-adjusted and safe, she gets a sign that her and Bailey are in danger. Owen risks everything to deliver a warning forcing Hannah and Bailey to uproot their lives yet again and go on the run. As the thriller unfolds, there is a chance that their family can be reunited.

"Because that's the thing about faith. Even if the world decides it looks crazy, it shows up for you in the moment you need it most." ~ 32%

I love it when a sequel is perfectly executed! The First Time I Saw Him was even better than the first book. The suspense, mystery and fast pace kept me reading nonstop. More background info on the characters was revealed creating several layers to the story. Laura Dave's writing is so descriptive, I thought I was on the run right along with Hannah and Bailey holding my breath. By the time I reached the ending, I was spent...in a good way!

My only gripe is the repetitive sentences. At only 37% in, there were six sentences repeated word-for-word. By 46%, I had to take my editor hat off; otherwise, I would not have enjoyed the story. At that point, my nose stayed in the book turning pages frantically, skipping over the repetitiveness. The story was so edge-of-the-seat that I didn't realize only 30% was left in the book when I came up for air. And by 82%...WHOA! 

Let me stop my review here to avoid spoilers. The First Time I Saw Him is obviously recommended; it will be one of my top reads of books published in 2026. Reserve your copy now!

Happy Early Pub Day, Laura Dave! The First Time I Saw Him will be available Tuesday, January 6.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: The First Time I Saw Him

Author: Laura Dave

Published: January 2026

Pages: 271

Edition: Galley

Genre: Thriller

Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 ♡

Series Sunday: Crime Rangoon

(Noodle Shop Mystery #12) 

Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Read an installment of a series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

My Series Sunday pick is Crime Rangoon, the 12th book in the Noodle Shop mystery series by Vivien Chien. One of my favorite sleuths, Lana Lee, is back to investigate a stranger-than-fiction murder with the help of her detective boyfriend. Lana Lee is excited for the appearance of her favorite author at a book signing in Asia Village.

"And if it wasn't someone from her writers community, the murderer is probably a reader." ~ 67%

Lana Lee has the honor of being the author's "handler" for the event. Unfortunately, the author is found dead in the mystery aisle of the bookstore, clutching a copy of her own new book. Coincidentally, the details of the murder matches the book's plot! Detective boyfriend, Adam, and Lana team up for the first time on purpose to solve the mystery. But first, they must work through the novel to outwit the murderer.

Books within a book can be tricky. It takes a skilled author to tell a story within a story, carry two plots without confusing the reader and solve a double mystery. Vivien Chien pulls it off in Crime Rangoon but something was off. Perhaps the mystery was too easy to figure out. Or maybe because my least liked character, Kimmy, had a bigger role in the story so it annoyed me. There is humor and light romance but it didn't save the book for me.

That doesn't mean Crime Rangoon is not for you, if already a fan of this series. Newbies, I do not recommend this as your first Vivien Chien novel. Anyhoot—here's a holiday task for you, Bookhearts. Order your favorite Asian dish with a side of crab or cream cheese rangoons, then settle in for a cozy mystery read. Crime Rangoon will take your mind off the bustle of the holidays while enjoying a takeout meal.

Happy Early Pub Day, Vivien Chien! Crime Rangoon will be available Tuesday, December 30.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Crime Rangoon

Author: Vivien Chien

Published: December 2025

Pages: 320

Edition: Galley

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Rating: 🖤 🖤

First Lines Friday

First Lines Friday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Grab your current read(s).
• Share the first line(s).
• Include the title and author.

"The dress was made for sinning. Black. Strapless. Sheer."

~ Brimstone by Callie Hart

The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe

"America's most famous actress with a man who could be America's next president? Why not? She married America's greatest living sportsman, and then America's greatest living writer." ~ 69%

June 1, 2026, would be Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday. In life, she was a superstar. In death, she is a mystery. New true crime thriller by bestselling author James Patterson with Imogen Edwards-Jones focuses on her eventful rollercoaster life. 

The title of this true crime thriller is misleading. It begins way before Marilyn Monroe's last days. In fact, it begins when she was a little girl named Norma Jean, through her teen years, multiple marriages, rise in Hollywood then finally to the months leading to her death. Longtime Bookhearts know how I am a stickler for titles. It has to fit and make sense. This did not! 

I appreciate the authors starting with background but it should have been limited to the first couple chapters. Because of the title, I expected a detailed account of the literal days before her unexpected death. What led to it? Who did she argue with and what about? What was her state of mind? Who was around? Who did she last talk to, clutching the phone as she took her last breath? Who found her body and why did it take so long to call authorities? Was it an intentional or accidental overdose? While some of the questions were answered, I finished the book with even more questions. I doubt this was the authors' intention.

"It's not really me who's late...It's the others who are in such a hurry." ~ 34%

The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe is an extra long biographical article. A compilation of information I could have easily read and researched online. I recommend to readers interested in learning surface level information about the iconic Marilyn Monroe with no expectations of a deep dive. 

Happy Pub Day, James Patterson and Imogen Edwards-Jones! The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe
Author: James Patterson and Imogen Edwards-Jones
Published: December 2025
Pages: 416
Edition: Galley
Genre: True Crime Thriller
Rating: 🖤 🖤 

Series Sunday: Eleanor & Grey

(Chances #1) 

Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Read an installment of a series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

My Series Sunday pick is Eleanor & Grey, the first book in the Chances series by Brittainy C. Cherry. I am not a romance girlie but the cover caught my attention. The colors, gold foil and simple title was a good first impression. So here I am. This new edition of Eleanor & Grey includes a never-before-published bonus chapter and designed edges. Judge this book by its cover!

"I think people underestimate how important just showing up is." ~ 18%

Greyson was Eleanor's first crush and closest friend until tragedy struck and tore them apart. Fast forward years later, Eleanor accepts a nanny job only to discover that Greyson is her new boss. But he's not the same teenage boy she once knew. He is a man filled with grief, little patience and a cold heart. As Eleanor spends more time with Greyson and his two daughters, she chips away at the wall he's built.

"It was just three words. Three words changed my mood. Three words that cracked my heart. Three words that I never wanted to hear." ~ 3%

A good second chance romance includes conflict and healing. The pain Greyson tries so hard to bury is forced to the surface while Eleanor is considering walking away from the situation to protect her own heart. The story is so beautifully told in a hopeful way. It gave me all the feels, the heart flips and skips. This one is for the romantics!

Happy Early Pub Day, Brittainy C. Cherry! Eleanor & Grey will be available Tuesday, January 20.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Eleanor & Grey

Author: Brittainy C. Cherry

Published: January 2026

Pages: 400

Edition: Galley

Genre: Romance

Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Series Sunday: Return of the Spider

(Alex Cross #34) 

Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Read an installment of a series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

My Series Sunday pick is Return of the Spider, the 34th book in the Alex Cross series by James Patterson.

What a treat to take Alex Cross back to the original days of him catching a spider. In this 34th installment of the Detective Alex Cross series, we are taken back in time. Cross was a rookie. Sampson was learning the job. And the infamous Gary Soneji entered the scene. Return of the Spider is the companion to Along Came the Spider, the debut novel that introduced our beloved Detective Cross.

"What was the psychology behind that?" ~ pg. 279

Eighteen years later, police discover that Gary Soneji kept a murder book, detailing his evil transformation from substitute teacher to serial killer. Included are clues that imply missteps Cross may have taken in his earlier rookie days of a homicide detective. The story moves to eighteen years ago, with Soneji live and in the flesh committing murders while Sampson and Cross are trying to solve the murders as they hurriedly come in.

The real treat are the alternating chapters featuring Alex's first wife, Maria, and their early home life. Reading about her secret spaghetti sauce, her pregnant with an active baby sure to be an athlete and their young love. I always wanted to read more about Maria and Patterson delivers it here! What a great addition to the series filled with suspense, mystery, action and heartfelt scenes. And the ending is like the series has just begun...

Happy Early Pub Day, James Patterson! Return of the Spider will be available tomorrow, November 17.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Return of the Spider
Author: James Patterson
Published: November 2025
Pages: 329
Edition: Galley
Genre: Mystery

Challenge: Keeping Up with Patterson
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Series Sunday: Nash Falls

(Walter Nash #1) 

Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Read an installment of a series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

My Series Sunday pick is Nash Falls, the first book in the new Walter Nash series by David Baldacci. Walter Nash is an intelligent businessman with a model family. He has a wife, daughter and high-level position at Sybaritic Investments. He lives a normal routine life until it's turned upside down after his estranged father's funeral. 

Nash is unexpectedly approached by the FBI to be an inside man. They want to bring down a criminal enterprise that is laundering large sums of money through his employer, Sybaritic. Nash has no choice but to cooperate, becoming the exact opposite of who he's always been. A man not even he recognizes in the mirror.

"In life everything is subject to change, sir, is it not?" ~ 7%

I am used to Baldacci hooking me from the first couple chapters. He creates main characters that are uniquely different, full of inner conflict and slowly developed. So I expected the slow burn in Nash Falls. I wanted to take my time getting to know Walter Nash but soon realized I didn't care about him or the secondary characters like his cheating wife, big Black godfather figure and scamming entitled boss. I found myself rolling my eyes way too many times. 

I know Baldacci writes better than this. I know he is capable of developing a brand new series that is hard to put down. I know he doesn't usually stereotype characters or drone on and on with mundane details that have no bearing on the mystery or character development. I know he usually doesn't write something so ridiculously unbelievable that it's hard not to laugh out loud while reading. And when I wasn't rolling my eyes or laughing, I was dozing from the super slow pace.

"She fell asleep before her head hit the pillow." ~ 12%

So what did I just read?! Because Nash Falls is not the norm. What a disappointing first book of a new series! I will not be continuing the Walter Nash series but keeping an eye out for other standalone Baldacci books while catching up on his Amos Decker series instead. However, for those still interested, the second book is due in April 2026 so you have time to read Nash Falls and judge for yourself before Hope Rises releases.

Happy Early Pub Day, David Baldacci! Nash Falls will be available Tuesday, November 11.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Nash Falls
Author: David Baldacci
Published: November 2025
Pages: 416
Edition: Galley
Genre: Crime Thriller
Rating: 🖤 🖤

The Widow

"What do you wear to your arrest? It was one of those questions that one never thinks about, not even hardened criminals." ~ 50%

Simon Latch is a small-time lawyer billing just enough hours to pay his bills. Until he meets Eleanor Barnett, an elderly widow, requesting a new will. Her late husband left her a fortune that no one knows about. Once Simon hooks the richest client of his career, he goes above, beyond and between the lines of ethics to keep her wealth secret and assets in his hands. When she dies under suspicious circumstances, Simon finds himself on trial for murder with a motive that is hard to ignore.

I don't even know what to say in this review. Grisham is known for his legal fiction. The courtroom drama. The realistic cases and verdicts. The suspense. But this?! Ain't it. The Widow features a scumbag greedy main character with not one good redeeming quality. The plot was made into something bigger than it should've been. The writing didn't even seem like Grisham's signature style. The foray into whodunit land was a flop by my standards.

If you are a Grisham fan with FOMO, then read The Widow. I could be in the minority with my final thoughts so judge for yourself. 

Happy Pub Day, John Grisham! The Widow is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: The Widow
Author: John Grisham
Published: October 2025
Pages: 407
Edition: Galley
Genre: Legal Thriller
Rating: 🖤 🖤

Series Sunday: Calling All Blessings

(Blessings #12) 

Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Read an installment of a series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

My Series Sunday pick is Calling All Blessings, the 12th book in the Blessings series by Beverly Jenkins. The matriarch of Henry Adams, Tamar July, has a recurring dream of her humiliating wedding day, sixty years ago. Why does she keep having this dream and what does it mean today? She is forced to confront the past. Meanwhile, another resident is having trouble too. Devon has been a trip since he showed up in Henry Adams as an 8-year-old preacher. Now he is a teenage James Brown wannabe, wig and all! Tamar takes Devon on a spirit quest to help them both find peace within themselves.

"Forgiveness is a choice, as is kindness." ~ 55%

Oh, the growth of Devon July! He was one of those characters I rolled my eyes at while reading his scenes. I surprisingly enjoyed that this 12th installment focused on his journey and found myself empathizing with him. What a redemption arc! It was a bonus that this book equally focused on Tamar, as she is an honorary Great Aunt in my head. And as usual, there is a lesson to be found within the pages of a Blessings novel. Calling All Blessings teaches forgiveness of others and yourself. Whew—this is literally a WORD!

Ms. Bev never misses. Blessings is one of my favorite series that I look forward to reading every year. It is heartwarming, wholesome and celebrates Black culture. Every single character has an individual story yet it is not confusing or hard to follow. But Calling All Blessings hit a little different. It has a finale vibe as if the series is ending. Every storyline is wrapped up in a neat bow and gives the satisfying feeling of being complete. Well done but selfishly, I am not ready to let this town or its people go!

I recommend Calling All Blessings to anyone looking to read a feel good family story. You will nod in agreement, chuckle at inside jokes, suck your teeth at certain insufferable characters then welcome them into a group hug in your head. Go ahead, brew some sweet tea and read this new release!

Happy Early Pub Day, Beverly Jenkins! Calling All Blessings will be available Tuesday, October 28.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Calling All Blessings

Author: Beverly Jenkins

Published: October 2025

Pages: 288

Edition: Galley

Genre: Family Fiction

Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Make My Funk the P-Funk

"SUPERGROOVALISTICPROSIFUNKSTICATION!" ~ 50%

If you sang the title of this post and continued with "I wants to get funked up," then this book review is for you. I grew up on P-Funk. Their concert was the most outrageous stage performance I have ever witnessed. I jam to George Clinton and 'nem to this very day. Their sound is so distinct that it is impossible to sit still when the bass hits my soul. Their discography spans 70+ years making Parliament-Funkadelic the longest-running music band in history. The year 1975, twenty years into George Clinton's musical journey with the group, became a pivotal year. 

"It's all designed to take us to the sky." ~ 13%

Make My Funk the P-Funk by Daniel Bedrosian, the longest-tenured keyboardist for Parliament-Funkadelic, details the rise from Chocolate City to Let's Take It to the Stage to Mothership Connection. It gives a historical view of things happening in the world during the release of these three (3) classic albums in an 8-month timeframe. With detailed overviews of each album, lyric breakdowns, analysis of the group's dynamic and interviews with living members, this book is a deep dive into P-Funk through their 1975 album releases.

This book is for the hardcore P-Funk fans. The music lovers with funk running through their veins. The women who wore diaper dresses. If you cleaned the whole house on Saturday morning to these songs then went to a house party that night. Music buffs looking for more in-depth information about P-Funk's trademark sound. Those who saw the group's style transition from suits to psychedelic outfits. Aspiring producers wanting a success guide. Those who lived through Watergate, the fall of Saigon, riots and know they STILL funky in the White House. *mic drop*

"It is no wonder most people had no idea that these two different-sounding bands on different record labels with totally different album art were actually one and the same." ~ 30%

Bedrosian took great care in writing MMFTPF including info that has been the subject of controversy or rumors over the past several decades, brief biographies of key members, origin of lyrics, stats and a thorough listing of samples and interpolations. He really pulled back the curtain and gave credit where it is due. The time and effort spent researching is obvious. I learned so much about the P-Funk era. It enhanced my reading experience by streaming the featured songs as I read along. Bookhearts, need I say more? Read it and be funkatized!

Happy Early Pub Day, Daniel Bedrosian! Make My Funk the P-Funk will be available on October 16.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Make My Funk the P-Funk
Author: Daniel Bedrosian
Published: October 2025
Pages: 187
Edition: Galley
Genre: Music Biographical
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Christmas Fling

"If you didn't have anyone, you couldn't lose anyone. It was that simple." ~ pg. 163

Finally a main character in a romance that is super likable! Laura is a successful neurosurgeon-in-training. She is funny, responsible and drinks tea with milk. Forced to go on holiday, she plans to sit home alone with a bottle of wine flat-sitting for a stranger. But a surprise visit when picking up the keys turns into agreeing to spend Christmas in snowy Scotland as a fake bitchy girlfriend.

The no-strings-attached Christmas with Callum becomes a Christmas fling of catching feelings. A cozy sleeper train, charming pubs, sexy men in kilts, castle views, natural chemistry and good banter fill their holiday. How long can they keep up the charade before real feelings get involved?

I haven't had the pleasure of reading a Lindsey Kelk book in ages! I was a fan of her "I Heart" series and looked to her stories when I wanted a light lovely story. Christmas Fling delivers all the cozy cute feels! It will make you chuckle, blush and root for romance. Even the side characters are entertaining and blend seamlessly into the story. Highly recommend for a holiday read!

Happy Pub Day, Lindsey Kelk! Christmas Fling is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Christmas Fling
Author: Lindsey Kelk
Published: October 2024
Pages: 282
Edition: Galley
Genre: Holiday Romance
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Series Sunday: The Proving Ground

(Lincoln Lawyer #8) 

Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Read an installment of a series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

My Series Sunday pick is The Proving Ground, the eighth book in the Lincoln Lawyer series by Michael Connelly. In this new legal thriller, Mickey Haller files a civil lawsuit against an artificial intelligence company whose chatbot told a teenage boy it was okay for him to kill his ex-girlfriend. The case explores the unregulated and uncharted waters of AI.

"I mean, I don't know what that's about, but I'm beginning to wonder where I stand." ~ 33%

I barely started and finished this book. Let me explain. I was lost with the technology jargon within the first chapter. As I read further, I got more confused and closed the eBook a few more times. It wasn't until around 22% in that I was motivated to read further because something happened I'd been wishing for in the series. Then I gained more momentum halfway through when the trial began. Still it was a struggle until the end.

I appreciate Connelly keeping up with the times by incorporating artificial intelligence technology, losses from the California fires and ASMR. But it comes across as if there was a checklist of current-day topics that Connelly had to include. It all seems forced so The Proving Ground does not flow like a usual Lincoln Lawyer novel. 

"The point is, I had done some good work since I left the courtrooms and hallways of the Criminal Courts Building and crossed the street to civil." ~ 49%

Not to mention a change in the main character. And I do not mean organic character growth. The Mickey Haller I know would not even represent the victim's family. The Mickey Haller I know is an asshole and ever since his "resurrection walk," his change to defense is jarring. He is an attorney that once had a Lincoln as his business address. That is all I kept thinking while reading the court scenes and dialogue. I understand it but I miss the old Mickey personality and cases.

This book was not for me but I am looking forward to the return of the television series. That is where I will get my Lincoln Lawyer fix. However, Bookhearts, I encourage you to try reading The Proving Ground for yourself. Don't take my word for it because I am clearly in the minority. Most people are raving about how good this new release is. 

Happy Early Pub Day, Michael Connelly! The Proving Ground will be available Tuesday, October 21.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: The Proving Ground

Author: Michael Connelly

Published: October 2025

Pages: 400

Edition: Galley

Genre: Legal Thriller

Rating: 🖤 🖤 

Black History Is Your History

"There should be more about Black people in this textbook. It's a desert out here! Where are my people?" ~ 7%

Black history enthusiast Taylor Cassidy wtote a book based on the TikTok series Fast Black History. Her videos are engaging, fun and informative. She is educating our community in quick reels that are easy to digest and addicting to watch. Now she brings this same format to literary form.

Black History Is Your History features the stories of twelve (12) Black American historical figures. Some are familiar and others are lesser-known but just as impactful. In addition to the figures' narratives, Taylor shares stories from her own past and the lessons learned from them. Each chapter includes this section titled Taystory! Benjamin Banneker (And How to Never Shrink Yourself), Ledger Smith (And How to Find Confidence in Nerve-Racking Moments) and Maya Angelou (And Why Your Energy is Never Too Much) are just a few examples.

"In your life, you can take defeats and see them as fresh opportunities to walk victoriously toward the destiny you're meant to thrive in." ~ 81%

Thanks to my attending Bates Academy, a public application school for high-performing gifted and talented students, I knew the history of most of the people featured in this book. We would play an annual competition called Bates Battle where we studied Black History facts, battled teams and earned "Bates Bucks." It was the highlight of the school year. And here I am, 30+ years later still able to recall who's who in my history. Everyone is not so lucky to have such a program so I appreciate Taylor Cassidy bringing awareness to our history and reaching over two million followers. Amazing!

"Are you starting to understand why positive representation is important?" ~ 63%

Black History Is Your History is recommended for readers of all ages. Younger readers will be able to connect with the author and hopefully draw upon their own experiences. Older readers can refresh their knowledge, learn about someone new and reflect. You know the clichés: when you know better, you do better; you have to know where you're from to know where you're going. Black History Is Your History is a good resource to help you. Add to your personal library!

Happy Early Pub Day, Taylor Cassidy! Black History Is Your History will be available Tuesday, October 14.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Black History Is Your History
Author: Taylor Cassidy
Published: October 2025
Pages: 208
Edition: Galley
Genre: Historical Nonfiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Boom Town

"I do this thing sometimes where my curiosity will get the best of me, and I'll either ask the wrong question or one question too many." ~ 67%

Gone Girl meets P-Valley? Sign me up for the ARC!

In Nic Stone's adult thriller debut, a woman is determined to find two missing exotic dancers from Atlanta's most notorious gentleman's club. When new daytime dancer "Charm" misses a shift, vet dancer Lyriq suspects more than a no call, no show. Her former headline partner, Lucky, disappeared under similar circumstances. This doesn't seem like a coincidence. Lyriq's search to find them leads to and through Atlanta's underworld, blurring the lines of safety.

I give Nic Stone kudos for venturing into a different genre. It takes focus and faith to try something new, hoping fans will follow. However, Boom Town may not be for everyone. It is a good premise but missing elements of a page-turning thriller. It was way too easy to put away at bedtime. I did not connect with any of the characters. The suspense didn't faze me. The story is a bit wordy; perhaps the writing style is purposefully verbose for the intended adult audience but it only made the story drag. As a Nic Stone repeat reader, I am disappointed.

Be warned this is for grown readers and much different from her previous books. This is not a light subject. Societal issues relevant to today are a main focus making this an ideal pick for book clubs. It will certainly spark conversation and bring awareness. Author's goal accomplished? Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if read in a group setting or with a buddy. I appreciate Nic Stone's effort but Boom Town fell flat this fall.

Happy Early Pub Day, Nic Stone! Boom Town will be available Tuesday, October 14.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Boom Town
Author: Nic Stone
Published: October 2025
Pages: 272
Edition: Galley
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 🖤 🖤

Series Sunday: The Bluest Night

(Trevor Finnegan #3) 

Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Read an installment of a series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

My Series Sunday pick is The Bluest Night, the third book in the Trevor Finnegan series by Aaron Philip Clark. Former LAPD Detective turned Private Investigator Trevor Finnegan just learned he has an adult half-brother that has gone missing. From working in law enforcement, Trevor knows that missing Black people are on the bottom of the priority list. When his brother's girlfriend is found dead, Trevor springs into action. And like any other mystery main character, he comes dangerously close to being dead himself. 

"Well, I'm tired of pretending. I'm tired of smiling and acting as if everything that's happening around me is OK. It's not OK, dammit." ~ 83%

Well, Bookhearts, I don't know whether to recommend this book or not. The first two books in the Trevor Finnegan series were so good. The characters were well developed. The police procedural style drew me in. The story was suspenseful and flowed. But I struggled through The Bluest Night; it was not as interesting. Aaron Philip Clark is a great storyteller but this third installment of the series was a miss. However, it is important to support authors of color so think about giving it a try. It could just be me. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Happy Early Pub Day, Aaron Philip Clark! The Bluest Night will be available Tuesday, October 7.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: The Bluest Night

Author: Aaron Philip Clark

Published: October 2025

Pages: 256

Edition: Galley

Genre: Police Procedural Mystery

Rating: 🖤 🖤 

On Virgoat Holiday ♍️ 💙 🥳

First Lines Friday

First Lines Friday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Grab your current read(s).
• Share the first line(s).
• Include the title and author.

"The transformation occurred at approximately 2:23 AM, Pacific Standard Time. As far as I could tell, anyone who was indoors when it happened died instantly."

~ Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman