You Know Her

You Know Her

By Meagan Jennett

Narrated by: Sophie Amoss and Xe Sands

Listening length: 11 hours, 1 minute 

Release date: April 4, 2023 

My review: 3.5 out of 5 stars 

"This book will be the talk of the genre. If you read one thriller this year, read this one." —Chelsea Cain, New York Times bestselling author of Heartsick

Killing Eve meets Sharp Objects in this lush, savage Southern Gothic about two women: a fledgling murderer and the cop hell-bent on catching her.

Two hours before he vanished, Mark Dixon stole a glass of wine. That's what bartender Sophie Braam told the cops when they questioned her about the customer whose mutilated body was just found. What she didn’t tell them is that she’s the one who killed him.

Officer Nora Martin is new to the Bellair Police Department and trying very hard to learn the ropes from Detective Murphy while ignoring all the men in the department snapping about a diversity hire. When she meets Sophie, they build an uneasy camaraderie over shared frustrations.

As winter slides into spring and bodies start piling up, Nora begins to suspect that something’s not quite right with the unnerving, enigmatic bartender. But will she be able to convince Murph, or will he keep laughing off the idea that the serial killer haunting their little town is a woman?

A crackling cat-and-mouse thriller set against the verdant backdrop of small-town Virginia, Meagan Jennett’s You Know Her probes the boundaries of female friendship and the deadly consequences when frustration ferments into rage.

While I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my review, all opinions remain my own. Thank you Netgalley and Macmillian audio for the opportunity to listen to this story.

Talk about creepy! You go between two views; one is the cop looking for a possible serial killer. But no one else in her department seems to be convinced that 1) their murders are that of a serial killer or that 2) it is a woman. But Nora is convinced and is just working her way through clues and learning the ropes of her, soon to be position, in her new dept. The other viewpoint is that of the killer, Sophie. You don't really see at first how deeply disturbed Sophie is. The deeper into the book you get, the crazier you see she is. I just kept wondering when the crazy was going to spill out of the normal facade that she kept so well in place for everyone else. It was a page turner for sure and had me wondering, when (or if) Nora or anyone in her department was ever going to put all the pieces together and be able to stop Sophie. Not sure I really got my answer...

Divine Rivals

Divine Rivals 

By: Rebecca Ross

Narrated by Alex Wingfield and Rebecca Norfolk

Listening length: 10 hours, 50 minutes 

Release date: April 4, 2023

My review: 3.5 out of 5 stars

When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, they must face the depths of hell, in a war among gods, to seal their fate forever.
After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.

To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish―into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.

Shadow and Bone meets Lore in Rebecca Ross's Divine Rivals, an epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope and heartbreak, and the unparalleled power of love.

While I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my review, all opinions remain my own. Thank you NetGalley and Macmillian audio for the opportunity to listen to this story.

First of all, if it weren't for the non-ending, this book would have gotten 4.5 or even 5 stars but because this book HAS NO ENDING I had to lower my rating. I hate it when I have to wait for another book to find out what happens. Even in a series, each book should have a full story on its own. This one left me completely questioning the fate of every single character, save one. I did love the story, loved the characters. The idea is something new to me and with the hint of magic in it, it really is a beautiful start. I just wish that it had an ending. I feel like I only read half a book. Beyond frustrating as a reader, especially when this is so newly out, I have to wait who knows how long until the next book. Hopefully that one will have the end of the story.

Stars & Smoke

Stars and Smoke 

By Marie Lu 

Narrated by Becca Q. Co

Listening length: 11 hours, 57 minutes 

Release date March 28, 2023 

My review: five stars out of five stars

The Hating Game meets Mission: Impossible in this smoldering new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu about a superstar tapped to become a secret agent and the reluctant young spy assigned to be his partner.

Meet Winter Young–rookie backup dancer turned global pop phenomenon. His star power has smashed records, selling out stadiums from LA to London. Now he’s bringing his swoonworthy assets to a whole new arena...

Infamous criminal tycoon Eli Morrison has just one weakness–his daughter, Penelope. And Penelope has just one wish for her nineteenth birthday–a private concert with Winter Young. When covert ops organization The Panacea Group approaches Winter with this once-in-a-lifetime chance to infiltrate Morrison’s inner circle, Winter must use his fame, cunning, and charisma to pull it off–only he won’t be on his own.

Posing as Winter’s bodyguard is the fiery Sydney Cossette, Panacea’s youngest spy. Sydney may be the only person alive impervious to Winter's charms, but as the mission brings them closer, she's forced to admit there's more to this A-lister than slick dance moves and a handsome face. Panacea's unlikeliest partners just might become its biggest heroes–and maybe even more–if they can survive each other first.

Although I received a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for a review, all opinions remain my own. Thank you NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for the opportunity to listen to this novel! 

When a young spy is forced to team up with a global pop superstar to take down an infamous criminal, all bets are off on if this duo can pull it off. Both of them have a vial of "death" in their pockets, "just in case" it goes wrong, they can't be caught alive after all. Will they be able to pull it off against the odds and keep a new biological weapon off the market? 

This book was so fun! Interesting characters, the story just kept you going, left me wondering what the heck was going to happen. I also LOVE that there is the opportunity for a sequel, but it wasn't left with a totally open ending. I'm ready to re-listen to this book all over again, just to see what details I might have missed. Seriously a great read!

Tummy Troubles

Tummy Troubles: Gretchen Gets a GRIP on Her Fear of Throwing Up

by Jaime Roche
Illustrated by Doruntina Beqiraj
Reading age: 4-8
Print length: 32 pages
Release date: June 6, 2023

Tummy Troubles is the story of Gretchen, who loves pizza day at school until a stomach bug causes an embarrassing scene for her in the cafeteria.

The story follows Gretchen as she navigates her way through her newly developed fear of vomiting. With the help of her school counselor and the acronym GRIP, Gretchen learns an extremely effective diaphragmatic breathing method that helps reduce the physiological symptoms associated with the fight or flight response, such as digestive distress. 

Although I received a copy of this e-book in exchange for a review, all opinions remain my own. Thank you NetGalley and Magination Press for allowing me the opportunity to read this story. 

I've got to be honest here: I have suffered with stomach pains associated with anxiety since I was in 6th grade. Not only that, I have  passed that lovely condition on to all three of my children. Needless to say, this book was basically screaming at me to read. 

Although Gretchen's anxiety is about throwing up again, the strategies that she is taught by the school counselor are ones that myself and my children can use. This is a book that I will for sure keep in mind for other kiddos that I hear about with the same problems. It would be an awesome addition to any school or public library. I know when I was in school and dealing with medical problems, my library was the first place I would look things up (you know, before there was google!) I love books like this that give kids tips and ways to handle things. 

Pride and Joy

Pride and Joy: A Story About Becoming an LGBTQIA+ Ally

By Frank Sileo, Kate Lum-Potvin
Illustrated by: Emmi Smid
Foreword by: Vanessa Williams
Reading age: 3 and up

Reading length: 48 pages 
Release date: May 18, 2023

Joy loves her big brother, Noah. He's the best brother, skateboarder and cookie baker there is! So, when Noah is teased for being gay, Joy wants to help. But how?

Joy decides to become an ally - someone who supports others through their words and actions. With her best friend, Elliott, Joy takes action, baking 'Pride and Joy' cookies to raise money for the local LGBTQIA+ center. But when the bully tries to put an end to the bake sale, Joy learns that being an ally means using your words, too.

Written by an award-winning author team, and with charming illustrations throughout, Pride and Joy introduces children to LGBTQIA+ allyship and teaches them the value of inclusion and courage. Featuring a reading guide for adults and questions for discussion, this beautiful, uplifting picture book is a must-have for every young ally.

When Joy sees her brother become victim to a bully, she decides to take action and raise money for the local LGBTQIA+ center. When that same bully tries to end the bake sale, Joy learns that being an ally doesn't mean just raising money for the cause, it means standing up for what's right, even when its scary. 

This book puts being an ally into simple terms for children to understand. It made it easier for me to understand. Plus, in the back of the book, there are several notes to grown up allies. That's not the only bonus in this book there are also discussion questions and a few more books to put on your "to read" list. 

I love this book not only for the message but for the bright illustrations. Wish I could have had one of Joy's beautiful cookies. Guess my girls and I will just have to make some of our own! 

Dad and Daddy's Big, Big Family

Dad and Daddy's Big Big Family

By Seamus Kirst
Illustrated by Karen Bunting
Release date: May 9, 2023
Length: 32 pages
Reading age: 4-8 years

Follow along as Harper learns how all these families are unique...and still part of Harper's big big family!

Harper is going to her first family reunion! She meets so many people. There's her second cousin Noah. And her cousin Lisa, who lives with her husband and step-kids. The there's Great Aunt Trudy who is raising her grandkids. And so many more! Dad and Daddy tell her they're all part of the same family, but they're all so different! And do families need to live together? Will she and Noah have to share a room?

Although I received a copy of this e-book in exchange for a review, all opinions remain my own. Thank you NetGalley and American Psychological Association, Magination Press for the opportunity to read this story. 

I love stories for children that involve other kinds of families. It is important for them to know that not all families have mom, dad and 2.5 children. In this family, there are Dad, Daddy and Harper. In this book they are going to Harper's first family reunion where she is going to meet all kinds of her extended family. I love the assumption that Harper makes that the family will all be coming to live with her. The only family she's known is her and her daddies, so it is reasonable for her to assume that the rest of the family will come to live with them too. Her daddy explains that families are like spider's webs that branch out and just keep growing. I love that picture! He also explained that what connects all families together is the love that binds us all. It is just a beautiful story about family. Perfect to share with your child and teach them about other kinds of families. 

The Waking Forest

The Waking Forest

By Alyssa Wees
Narrated by Katelyn Levering
Listening length 8 hours 22 minutes
Release date: March 29, 2023
My review 4 out of 5 stars

The waking forest has secrets. To Rhea, it appears like a mirage, dark and dense, at the very edge of her backyard. But when she reaches out to touch it, the forest vanishes. She's desperate to know more—until she finds a peculiar boy who offers to reveal its secrets...if she plays a game.

To the Witch, the forest is her home, where she sits on her throne of carved bone, waiting for dreaming children to beg her to grant their wishes. One night, a mysterious visitor arrives and asks her what she wishes for, but the Witch sends him away. And then the uninvited guest returns.

The strangers are just the beginning. Something is stirring in the forest, and when Rhea's and the Witch's paths collide, a truth more treacherous and deadly than either could ever imagine surfaces. But how much are they willing to risk to survive?

While I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for a review, all opinions remain my own. Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape media for the opportunity to read this story.

The way this book started out, I never expected it to twist the way that it did but boy am I glad. It ended up being adventurous and magical and beautiful. I love how the author weaved in the element of anxiety, that even magical creatures can have it, that it affects them and they have to learn to live with it and manage it. Might have just been a small part, but as someone who deals with it on the daily, it was big for me. I loved the characters, the family. It all felt so very real to me. Even the magical part that is so very not real, felt as if it could have been, just lurking beyond our world. I love books like this, where we can set aside our perception of reality and pretend, even for just a little while, that magic might just really exist and how would that happen. This is just one of those possibilities.