“Books may well be the only true magic.” –
The Best Dog in the World: Essays on Love edited by Alice Hoffman
nonfiction / essays / animals / dogs.
Anyone who has ever been fortunate enough to share their life with a dog knows the experience is both profound and transformative. Here, in this charming collection of essays, fourteen celebrated authors share unforgettable tales of the dogs who left their pawprints on their hearts.
With contributions from Isabel Allende, Chris Bohjalian, Bonnie Garmus, Roxane Gay, Emily Henry, Ann Leary, Tova Mirvis, Jodi Picoult, Elizabeth Strout, Amy Tan, Adriana Trigiani, Nick Trout, Paul Yoon, and Laura Zigman, The Best Dog in the World captures the full range of the canine-human connection, from the joy of welcoming a new puppy to the heartache of saying goodbye to a beloved friend.
A love letter to the loyal companions who enrich our lives and teach us about empathy, joy, and unconditional love, this anthology is the perfect gift for dog lovers everywhere, offering a blend of laughter, tears, and inspiration that will resonate with anyone who has been fur-ever touched by the love of a dog.
“A moving tribute to the dogs in our lives, and the good fortune of their companionship.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Who wouldn’t love to read these authors on getting a puppy, saying goodbye, and loving everyone’s best friend?” – Emily Firetog, Literary Hub
“…delightful… this collection of heartwarming tales—or tails—is a feel good read for animal lovers…” – SheReads
The Complex by Karan Mahajan ★
fiction / historical fiction.
In a sprawling complex in Delhi, the sons and daughters of SP Chopra, one of India’s political architects, live together vying for influence in a family shaped by the great man’s legacy. By the late 1970s, his descendants are scrambling to define their own futures in a still-young nation on the brink of transformation.
Sachin Chopra leaves for America, with his bride Gita following not long after, as the newlyweds are eager to forge their own lives beyond the pressures of the family compound. Yet Delhi remains an inescapable force, one that keeps pulling them back, even as Gita is menaced by Sachin’s predatory uncle, Laxman. A man of restless ambition, Laxman ascends through the ranks of a rising Hindu nationalist movement, caught between his political aspirations and his personal transgressions. Meanwhile, Vibha, his sister, tries to keep the peace and the reputation of the family intact even as she wrestles with her own exile.
As India erupts in violence and long-buried secrets come to light, the embattled Chopras must reckon with the cost of power, the weight of tradition, and the shifting nature of love and allegiance. Equal parts brilliant family saga and piercing political drama, The Complex is a virtuosic novel of revenge and redemption, ambition and undoing, loyalty and love, by one of the most lauded voices in contemporary fiction.
“A masterly novel, seemingly influenced by Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, by a talented and self-assured writer.” – Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
“…exquisite… With astonishing economy, clarity and suggestiveness, Mahajan creates a memorable family and depicts a conflicted India lurching into the present. This piercing novel is a book to read and read again.” – Alden Mudge, BookPage, STARRED REVIEW
“Mahajan has created something savor-worthy… Mahajan writes with grace and precision, is able to depict both horrors and joys, violence and tenderness in equal measure: the arrival of The Complex is sure to be a literary event.” – Julia Hass, Literary Hub
“Even those unfamiliar with Indian political history will be swept up by the well-drawn characters and gripping drama. The author proves himself a consummate storyteller.” – Publishers Weekly
The Dangerous Shore: How a Motley Crew of Scientists, Mobsters, Double Agents, Retirees, Volunteer Pilots (and a Boy Scout) Stopped the Invasion of America by Sara Vladic
nonfiction / history.
History books have told us, in the decades following World War II, that Pearl Harbor was the only major attack on the United States’ home front. But this is not the whole truth. In The Dangerous Shore, leading researcher and bestselling author Sara Vladic unveils a much different story, one hidden away in dusty archives and behind press embargoes: Throughout the Second World War, German U-boats presented a very real threat to America’s eastern coastline, destroying ships, landing spies, and planning assaults on cities. With the country’s attention focused on the European and Pacific fronts, the U.S. would have been left undefended, if not for a ragtag bunch of characters who rose to the occasion.
Comprised of misfits, rejects, and outlaws, this motley crew came from unexpected places. Among their ranks was the stalwart Gill Robb Wilson, leader of a barnstorming corps of volunteer civilian pilots; the brilliant Dayton engineer, Joe Desch; and the nearsighted yet “clairvoyant” Kenneth Knowles, commander of the Phantom Fleet, entrusted with ULTRA intelligence.
Meanwhile, the cooperation of Grace Buchanan-Dineen, a self-styled countess and German spy turned double agent, helped the FBI net even more spies. Notorious but all-American mobsters Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, and Socks Lanza struck deals with Naval Intelligence and kept watch over critical ports. Together their efforts turned the tide of war at home and saved thousands of American lives.
A thrilling and eye-opening read, The Dangerous Shore leads you through American history like never before. The story is an ode to the bravery, loyalty, and patriotism of our most unsung—and unlikely—heroes.
“An entertaining read about a little-known chapter of World War II.” – Kirkus Reviews
“The Dangerous Shore is a substantial and revealing examination of the myriad dangers and challenges in a less-known theater of WWII.” – James Pekoll, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
A Day of Judgment by Charles Todd
fiction / mystery / historical fiction.
July, 1921: England is suffering a heatwave and the coast of Northumberland, just across the border from Scotland, is filled with holiday-makers bird watching and enjoying the beaches. Pilgrims also come to visit the home of Saints Cuthbert and Aiden—the founders of Christianity in England—located on the “Holy Island” of Lindisfarne, accessible by a causeway at low tide. When the murdered body of a local man washes ashore just south of Lindisfarne, the government and the Church of England are concerned about protecting both the reputation of the Church and the sacred sites that are a destination for hundreds of pilgrims at this time of year.
With his ability to move in the highest social and political circles, Rutledge is sent by Scotland Yard to solve this crime and dispel any association with the Church. Upon arrival, Rutledge finds himself pulled between two coastal fishing villages, scarred by home front battles and coastal bombardment from the German Navy, where animosity towards Germany still runs high even years after the war. This, combined with a constabulary in the process of being consolidated to form a countywide police force, with local militias still wielding a great deal of power, means Rutledge must tread with care. Facing a puzzling case and a cast of locals that don’t take kindly to outsiders, the newly promoted Rutledge meets one of the most challenging cases of his career. To solve it, he’ll also have to confront his own demons left over from his time in the war.
“…brilliant… Todd expertly balances a moving depiction of Rutledge’s torment with a masterful whodunit plot. The author is in fine form.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“This is a nuanced and ingenious historical mystery that readers will no doubt devour.” – Dwyer Murphy, CrimeReads
“This is the 25th book in the popular Ian Rutledge series (the first, A Test of Wills, was published in 1994), and it’s nice to see that the series is showing no signs of exhaustion. The writing is as crisp as it ever was, Rutledge continues to be an absolutely fascinating lead character, and the mystery itself is intricate and satisfying. A splendid addition to the series.” – David Pitt, Booklist
The Fox and the Devil by Kiersten White
fiction / fantasy / horror / romance.
Anneke has a complicated relationship with her father, Abraham Van Helsing—doctor, scientist, and madman devoted to the study of vampires—until the night she comes home to find him murdered, with a surreally beautiful woman looming over his body. A woman who leaves no trace behind, other than the dreams and nightmares that now plague Anneke every night.
Spurred by her desire for vengeance and armed with the latest forensic and investigatory techniques, Anneke puts together a team of detectives to catch this mysterious serial killer. Because her father isn’t the only inexplicable dead body. There’s a trail of victims across Europe, and Anneke is certain they’re all connected.
But during the years spent relentlessly hunting the killer, Anneke keeps crucial evidence to herself: infuriatingly coy letters, addressed only to her, occasionally soaked in blood, and always signed Diavola.
The closer Anneke gets to her devil, though, the less sense the world makes. Maybe her father wasn’t a madman after all. Diavola might be something much worse than a serial killer… and much harder to destroy. Yet as Anneke unearths more of Diavola’s tragic past, she suspects there’s still a heart somewhere in that undead body.
A heart that beats for Anneke alone.
“…decadently dark… gripping… Horror and romance lovers alike will find much to enjoy…” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“White writes another fantastic twist on vampire/revenant mythology with this book that offers a sapphic romance and tidily pulls the next generation of Van Helsings into the story. Grim and gruesome, this novel isn’t for the faint of heart, but it is an excellent read.” – Jennifer Mills, Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
“This fun, frightening mystery features a sapphic obsessive romance for fans of V. E. Schwab’s The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue as well for fans of historical fantasy that takes place at the turn of the century culminating in the 1900 World’s Fair.” – Leah von Essen, Booklist
It Girl by Allison Pataki
fiction / historical fiction.
At the dawn of the twentieth century, New York’s streets teem with change: electricity, automobiles, the brash young President Teddy Roosevelt–and the It Girls. As artists’ muses and working models, these independent young women soar to stardom not because of their pedigrees or inherited wealth, but because of their talent, charisma, and irresistible beauty. Pop culture is born, and in a world alight with Mr. Edison’s new bulbs, no one shines brighter than America’s sweetheart, Evelyn Talbot.
But the journey to stardom is not simple or straight. While working as a shopgirl, the young Evelyn is recruited as a studio model and soon catches the eye of the preeminent artists of the age. When Broadway comes calling, Evelyn solidifies her status as the first self-made American female celebrity: the iconic Gibson Girl, the most sought-after figure and face of her time. Enter a parade of powerful and power-hungry men, from world-famous architect Stanley Pierce, the visionary behind Manhattan’s mansions and iconic landmarks, to Hal Thorne, the shockingly wealthy railroad heir and premier “playboy” of high society. Each man promises comfort, glamour, security–even love. But fame and fortune are cruel teachers, and Evelyn learns that the only person she can rely on is herself.
When Evelyn finds herself at the center of a murder of passion declared “the Crime of the Century,” she is blamed for the acts of the men in her life. In the media frenzy that spirals around her, Evelyn realizes that to survive, she will have to write her own ending. But can this artists’ muse turned showgirl pull off the greatest act of her life?
It Girl is a breathtaking ride inspired by a singular artist and icon who captured the collective imagination of American society. Allison Pataki has crafted yet another unforgettable leading lady, a heroine who must find the power to change not only the world around her but her own destiny.
“Unforgettable characters and a page-turning story come to life in Allison Pataki’s latest historical fiction novel…” – Woman’s World
“Scintillating with pinpoint period details and told from Evelyn’s perspective, Pataki’s eventful, suspenseful, turn-of-the-twentieth-century novel is an entrancing progression of shocks and adaptations, suffering and liberation.” – Donna Seaman, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“…Pataki [keeps] the reader intrigued by Evelyn’s slow awakening to reality and the enduring value of female friendship in a male-dominated world. Fans of Downton Abbey and The Gilded Age will enjoy another dip into that world of moneyed elegance…” – Kristen McDermott, Historical Novel Society
Hell’s Heart by Alexis Hall
fiction / science fiction / horror / fantasy.
They are monsters, legends, gods.
They are our prey.
Earth is dead. Which leaves us stuck living in atmospheric domes on planets that will kill us if we blink wrong, or run out of fuel. And by “fuel” I mean “the cerebrospinal fluid of gargantuan, quasi-psychic space monsters”.
I joined the hunt hoping to get paid and maybe laid, but mostly paid. Instead, I followed a captain chasing abominations in the skies of Jupiter.
We battled the Möbius Beast itself, there in the red eye of the world.
Spoiler: we lost.
“[A] fever dream of destruction, spiralling down to its inevitable end, but beautiful on the way… Hell’s Heart is a gorgeously written science-fictional picaresque… I’ll be thinking about it for a while. I recommend it: It feels real, and honest, and messily ambitious.” – Liz Bourke, Locus
“[An] expansive, sexy, and vibrant retelling of Moby-Dick set in the atmosphere of Jupiter… The narrative alternates between propulsive action, uncanny world-building, and the narrator’s own soul-searching, but always maintains a constant seeking ferocity at its core… This catastrophic prophecy of humanity’s spacefaring future marries with scenes of feverish beauty for an imaginative and unforgettable adventure.” – Jaclyn Fulwood, Shelf Awareness
“All the elements are here for a fantastic space adventure that any fan of sf or even Earth-bound adventure novels will love. It does not really matter if one has read or even knows anything about Moby-Dick—although it is fun to see what Hall does with the story. The real draw of this swashbuckling space adventure is the delightful characters.” – Emily Whitmore, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man: A Memoir by Tom Junod ★
nonfiction / memoir.
Big Lou Junod dominated every room he entered. He worshipped the sun and the sea, his own bronzed body, Frank Sinatra, and beautiful women. He was a successful traveling handbag salesman who carried himself like a celebrity. He’d return from the road with stories of going to nightclubs where the stars—Ava Gardner, maybe Liz Taylor—“couldn’t keep their eyes of… your father.” He had countless affairs and didn’t do much to hide them.
Lou could be cruel to Fran, his wife of fifty-nine years, but he loved his youngest son. Tom was a skin-and-bones, nervous boy, devoted to his mother, but Lou sought to turn him into a version of himself. He showered him with advice about how to dress (“A turtleneck is the most flattering thing a man can wear”), how to be an alpha male, and especially, how to attract and bed women. His parting speech when Tom went to college was: “Do yourself a favor and date a Jewish girl. They’re all nymphos.” When Tom started seeing his future wife, Janet, Lou’s efforts to entice Tom into his version of manhood accelerated on nights in New York, L.A., and Paris.
Tom wrestled with Lou’s imposing presence all his life. When one of Lou’s mistresses stood up at his funeral and announced, “Can we all… just agree… that this… was a man,” Tom set off to learn the facts of his father’s life, and why he was the way he was. The stunning secrets he uncovered—about his father, his father’s lovers, and deceptions going back generations—staggered Tom, but in the process allowed him, at last, to become his own man, by his own lights.
In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man is an intensely emotional detective story powered by a series of cascading revelations. The book is a triumph of bravura writing; it is a tale of a son reckoning with the consequences of his father’s life, and in the end, the story of the son’s redemption.
“An enthralling family memoir and an unromantic commentary on manhood.” – Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
“…one of the great literary tributes to a complex paterfamilias in recent memory… As a reading experience, In the Days of My Youth is a little like watching Goodfellas.” – Michael O’Donnell, Wall Street Journal
“…excruciatingly candid… a gripping study of a larger-than-life personality that doubles as a sensitive self-portrait. It’s a winner.” – Publishers Weekly
“With an astonishing subject and rare skill, Junod takes a question we all have to its outermost limit: Who are our parents, really? Junod writes that he ‘became a writer in order to write this book,’ and that is felt in his steady hand, elegant prose, and dogged, dizzying hunt for every kernel of truth.” – Annie Bostrom, Booklist
Judge Stone by Viola Davis & James Patterson
fiction / suspense / mystery.
The most respected citizen in Union Springs, Alabama (population 3,314), is Judge Mary Stone. She holds two responsibilities sacred: running her family farm and presiding over her courtroom. It’s there she draws the most controversial case in the history of the South.
Criminally, it’s open-and-shut.
Ethically, there is no middle ground. Essentially, it’s a choice between life and death.
No judge can satisfy everyone. It would be dangerous to try. But Judge Stone is willing to fight to bring justice to the people and place she loves.
“Talk about a power combo!… With Davis’s razor-sharp emotional insight and Patterson’s mastery of rocket-fuel pacing, this is the dream team to deliver an up-all-night read that will keep the group chat buzzing.” – Charley Burlock, Oprah Daily
“Tense, readable, and relevant.” – Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
“[Judge Stone] demands attention from its opening pages and never lets go… The action rolls along at breakneck speed and features archetypal characters (witty and wise, kind and true, rotten-to-the-core, entitled smarty-pants just begging to be brought down a peg or two). Family secrets emerge, demons are exposed, and as expected from two master storytellers, it’s all wonderfully satisfying and tied together by some very effective plot twists.” – Kathleen McBroom, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
Judy Blume: A Life by Mark Oppenheimer
nonfiction / biography / literature.
To know the name Judy Blume is to know and love literature. Her influential novels turned classics—including Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret; Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing; Deenie; and Summer Sisters—touched the lives of tens of millions of readers. For more than fifty-five years her work has done something revolutionary: it rewired the world’s expectations of what literature for young people can be—frank, candid, earthy, and unafraid to show the messier sides of humanity. But little is known about the real woman behind the iconic persona, and the unlikely journey of her literary ascension, until now.
In Judy Blume, journalist, historian, and longtime Blume aficionado Mark Oppenheimer pens a beautiful, multidimensional portrait of the acclaimed author through extensive interviews with Blume herself, invaluable access to her papers and correspondence, and thoughtful analysis of Blume’s beloved novels, including early, unpublished works that shed light on the pathbreaking writer she would become. Oppenheimer goes deep, exploring Blume’s middle-class 1950s upbringing, complicated childhood, varied relationships and marriages, unabashed sexual experiences, bouts of heartache and loss, and enduring legacy as a champion of free speech and contemporary literature. Oppenheimer peels back the curtain to reveal the woman behind the literary empire in all her complex, multifaceted glory—a true gift for anyone who grew up reading and loving these extraordinary books.
“…impressive… Fans will be delighted.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“There’s nothing better than a biography written by someone who not only loves their subject but who has studied it as deeply as possible… What more is there to say about why this book is so exciting for fans of children’s and adolescent (and adult!) literature?” – Kelly Jensen, Book Riot
“Even at more than 400 pages, this thoughtful, detailed, and nuanced biography of legendary writer Judy Blume may prompt yearnings that it were even longer… It seems almost inevitable that all evidence points to Blume being the cool, honest, and empathetic ally readers would expect from the creator of characters as memorable as Margaret, Peter, and Fudge. Oppenheimer’s first biography is engaging, revealing, satisfying, and a fitting tribute.” – Kathleen McBroom, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!: My Memoir by Liza Minnelli as told to Michael Feinstein
nonfiction / memoir.
Kids, Wait Till You Hear This! is the autobiography of EGOT icon Liza Minnelli. This fascinating, untold story reveals the intimate truth of the only child born to Hollywood legends Vincente Minnelli and Judy Garland. For the first time, here is Liza up close: Raw, strong, sexy, hilarious and heartbreaking.
Liza decided at the age of 16 that “sympathy is my mother’s business. I give people joy.” That veil of joy, however, masks a lifelong struggle with Substance Use Disorder (“SUD,” which Liza inherited from her mother’s branch of her family), boundless love to give and an equal need to receive it, broken marriages, multiple miscarriages, and hospitalizations—the highs and lows of unparalleled artistic success and lifelong friendships, as well as chronic anxiety and the threat of financial ruin.
Despite every challenge, Liza’s is a life wrapped in laughter and her tremendous capacity to give and receive love. Today at nearly 80, she opens her heart, mind and memories, sharing secrets we never knew. Liza’s book celebrates supreme artistry and, more importantly, her human rights activism.
“It’s time to tell the truth,” Liza says, “and help people heal, as I have, one day at a time.”
“It’s the sort of old Hollywood tome that you thought had fallen out of fashion: revealing and gossipy, full of drama, struggle, addiction, grief and that sort of offbeat perspective you only get from the mega famous. Like a classic Minnelli turn, it sparkles energetically while being authentically raw… I’ve never read anything like it.” – Shaun Curran, The i Paper
“…fans should lap it up. It heaves with anecdotes and revelations, delivered with Liza’s signature oddball shtick, of a full life lived in the spotlight, and the star’s struggles behind the scenes.” – Cameron Woodhead, Sydney Morning Herald
Once and Again by Rebecca Serle ★
fiction / romance / fantasy.
The women of the Novak family were each born with a gift: they can, just once, turn back time.
Lauren has known since she was fifteen that her mother Marcella saved Lauren’s father from a deadly car accident. Dave is alive and happy, and out on the Malibu waves. But ever since, Marcella, her power spent, has lived in fear of what she won’t be able to reverse. Her own mother, Sylvia, is her polar opposite: a free-spirited iconoclast with a glamorous past she only hints at. Lauren has spent her life between these two role models—and waiting for her own catastrophe to strike.
Then one summer, Lauren’s husband takes a job in New York and she moves back to Broad Beach Road, back into her childhood home on the shores of Malibu. Lauren looks forward to surfing with her dad again and perhaps repairing an unspoken fracture in her relationship with her mother. What she doesn’t expect is for the boy next to door to return home as well: Stone, Lauren’s first love, who broke her heart nearly a decade before.
As Lauren falls into familiar patterns, with her family and, more dangerously, Stone, she finds herself thinking about all the choices, large and small, that have brought her to this moment. And wondering, finally, if one of them should be undone.
“Deeply and surprisingly moving.” – Kirkus Reviews
“A wholesome, ethereal, feel-good fantasy mix about family and the possibilities of turning back time; this novel will have broad appeal.” – Kaylee Hughes, Library Journal
“…Serle’s ability to ask questions about the truths behind our relationships and decisions is unparalleled. Think Taylor Jenkins Reid’s One True Loves with a dose of Josie Silver’s One Day in December and a shot of Emily Giffin.” – Tracy Babiasz, Booklist
“Rebecca Serle returns with another heartwarming story, seamlessly blending emotional depth with her signature touch of magical realism… a luminous exploration of love, loss and the impossible art of second chances… This is not time travel as we know it; it is something quieter, more intimate and profoundly human.” – Shellie Zeigler, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
Safe Passage: The Untold Story of Diplomatic Intrigue, Betrayal, and the Exchange of American and Japanese Civilians by Sea During World War II by Evelyn Iritani
nonfiction / history.
In the fall of 1943, during some of the Pacific theater’s bloodiest battles, the United States and Japan pulled off a diplomatic coup― the exchange of civilians caught on the wrong side of the battlefield after Pearl Harbor. Nearly fifteen hundred Allied civilians trapped in Asia, mostly Americans, sailed through dangerous waters to an Indian port city where they were traded for an equivalent number of Japanese immigrants and their families sent from the Americas. The fate of the more than ten thousand Americans left behind rested on the success of this endeavor.
In Safe Passage, the award-winning journalist Evelyn Iritani reveals the herculean efforts of the American diplomat James Keeley to engineer these wartime exchanges despite great resistance from within and outside his government; the shipboard conflicts among passengers, including missionaries, revelers, and sharp-tongued journalists; and the moral compromises involved in securing their safe passage. Faced with too few bodies to trade and desperate to free Americans from perilous conditions, the United States uprooted and repatriated Japanese citizens of Latin America, sometimes against their will, while Japanese imprisoned in camps, many of them American citizens, were forced to choose between expulsion to a war zone or an uncertain future behind barbed wire. The result is a revelatory account of the hurdles to pursuing humanitarian action in wartime.
“A little-discussed 1943 exchange of Japanese and American civilians gets a gripping and immersive treatment from Pulitzer winner Iritani… heart-wrenching… [a] quietly devastating account that spotlights how man’s inhumanity to man flourishes in wartime.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“[This] meticulously researched book is a poignant reminder that even in moments of international strife, there are people in and outside of government who will work hard to protect human life… It’s the long arc of history that ultimately makes Safe Passage a hopeful book, and a powerful antiwar plea in a year desperately in need of one. ” – Eric Olson, Seattle Met
“The book reads at times like a spy novel against a backdrop of wartime horror and uncertainty… Her words and this book, an important addition to the canon of Japanese American history, could not have been more timely.” – David Takami, International Examiner
Served Him Right by Lisa Unger
fiction / suspense / mystery.
Ana Blacksmith has gathered her closest friends and sister Vera for a brunch to celebrate her recent breakup from her boyfriend Paul. But when shocking news about Paul arrives, all eyes are on Ana, the angry ex with a bad reputation. Suspicions only intensify when Ana’s best friend falls deathly ill after the brunch.
But Ana is not the only one who had a score to settle with Paul. As the investigation unfolds, rumors of a secret network that uses ancient methods to obtain justice begin to emerge. Vengeance is sweet, but it can also be deadly. Ana and Vera are determined to find the truth before Ana takes the fall and their own long-buried history comes to light.
“Sisterhood is powerful in surprising ways in this twisty, satisfying thriller.” – Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
“The combination of revenge, generational trauma, and girl power makes this a fun and twisted tale. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Shari Lapena—and angry women everywhere.” – Stephanie Howes, Booklist
“…fast-moving and engaging… Served Him Right delivers a compelling plot filled with suspense, unexpected turns, and a strong emotional core. It’s a bold, dramatic story that keeps you guessing while offering a fresh twist on the psychological thriller genre.” – Stephanie, Crime Spree Magazine
South of Somewhere by T.I. Lowe
fiction / romance / christian.
When Juniper Wilder’s grief spiraled into addiction, leading first to an arrest for drunk driving, then jail and court-ordered rehab, she lost the most important thing in her life: her baby girl. Now, sober and on probation, Junie is determined to prove she can be the mother Fern deserves. But she’s burned a lot of bridges, ones that can’t be easily rebuilt.
Not every road is closed to her, however. Exiled to her late grandmother’s South Carolina beach house, Junie starts over, ready to pay off her debts and prove to her brother that he can safely return custody of Fern. She works hard and finds surprising grace in an eclectic recovery community. There’s an unexpected friendship, too―and maybe more―with her neighbor, Henry, a quirky college professor who helps her believe in second chances.
Still, it’s hard for Junie to imagine ever forgiving herself, let alone receiving forgiveness from those she’s hurt… particularly when her past rears its ugly head and threatens to undo every bit of progress she’s made.
“South of Somewhere is much more than a good story. It’s an excavation of what makes us human—the good and the bad—and the redemption that can save us.” – Ann Byle, The Banner
“Addiction, loss, and recovery animate this affecting contemporary… Lowe’s character work is nuanced, and she excels at depicting the unglamorous, day-to-day grind of recovery. It adds up to a resonant testament to the power of community to help one make a fresh start.” – Publishers Weekly
“T.I. Lowe never fails to deliver stories that will bring all the emotions… and this one was certainly no exception… This truly was such a beautiful story of redemption and second chances, taking of difficult topics with grace… and delivering a sweet romance in the midst of it too.” – A Modern Day Fairy Tale
This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum
fiction / suspense / mystery / romance.
Benny Abbott and Joy Moore host one of the most beloved podcasts in the world. Each week, they delight listeners with a different “against all odds” survival story, gleefully finding the weird, life-affirming humor in near-death experiences. Since their first episode on Joy’s experience with severe narcolepsy, they’ve been the best friends everyone wants to befriend―and thanks to the meticulous management of Joy’s husband, Xander, they’ve built a lucrative empire.
The problem is, their next survival story may be their own. When Benny arrives at Joy and Xander’s one morning to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house. The one clue shedding light on the couple’s disappearance is the incomplete, previously unseen first draft of Joy’s memoir. Benny is desperate to find them, even when the police soon zero in on him as their prime suspect.
Millions of devoted listeners think they know the “real” Benny and Joy. But as the hours tick by, and the odds seem increasingly stacked against Joy and Xander being found alive, not even the most devoted fans could guess the terrible secrets their favorite famous BFFs have hidden from the world―and from each other.
“Debut author Tiffany Crum expertly unpicks a tangled web of misplaced loyalty, unrequited love and the price of success in her riveting thriller.” – BookPage, STARRED REVIEW
“[A] dynamite debut… By turns hilarious, harrowing, heartbreaking, and profound, Crum’s mystery ticks every box. It’s a triumph.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“Crum’s gripping debut teases out the elements of intrigue just like a true-crime podcast while also crafting a root-for love story grounded in soul-deep friendship. Equal parts heartfelt and tension-laced, this is a book that will appeal to fans of domestic suspense and avid podcast listeners.” – Mala Bhattacharjee, Booklist
Whidbey by T Kira Madden ★
fiction / mystery / suspense.
Birdie Chang didn’t know anything about Whidbey Island when she chose it, only that it was about as far away as she could get from her own life. She’s a woman on the run, desperate for an escape from the headlines back home and the look of concern in her girlfriend’s eyes—and from Calvin Boyer, the man who abused her as a child and who’s now resurfaced. On her way, she has an unnerving encounter with a stranger on the ferry who offers her a proposition, a sinister solution and plan for revenge.
But Birdie isn’t the only girl Calvin harmed back then. There’s also Linzie King, a former reality TV star who recently wrote all about it in her bestselling memoir. Though the two women have never met, their stories intertwine. Once Birdie arrives on Whidbey, she finally cracks the book’s spine, only to find too much she recognizes in its pages. Soon after, on the other side of the country, Calvin’s loving mother, Mary-Beth, receives a shocking phone call from the police: her only son has been murdered.
Calvin’s death sets into motion a series of events that sends each woman on a desperate search for answers. A complex whodunit told from alternating points of view, Whidbey is searingly perceptive and astonishingly original. Exploring the long reach of violence and our flawed systems of incarceration and rehabilitation, this is a tense and provocative debut that’s sure to incite crucial questions about the pursuit of justice and who has real power over a story: the one who lives it, or the one who tells it?
“…searing… A must-read of not just spring, but this entire year.” – Town & Country
“Neither a revenge story nor a moralizing one, this is an absorbing, energized novel of real-feeling characters attempting to live through incomprehensible violence and existential fury.” – Annie Bostrom, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“Whidbey is just as closely observed and skillfully narrated as Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls, but it’s particularly notable for its empathy toward the characters whose intersecting paths it tracks. Madden is uniquely interested in complicating our idea of who ‘deserves’ justice or forgiveness, and the dark, desolate and stunningly compelling story she knits together in Whidbey is one I won’t soon forget.” – Emma Specter, Vogue
“Fueled by biting observations and empathetic characterizations, Madden’s novel reveals how the nuances of sexual trauma are often dismissed in favor of commodified narratives that flatten both victims and abusers, perpetuating a system that fails to protect survivors. This is unforgettable.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
The Wings That Bind by Briar Boleyn
fiction / fantasy / romance.
In the wake of last winter’s tragedies, through loss and heartbreak, we somehow made it to a new year. But our fight is far from over.
A second dragon has awoken—her heart tainted, and her power commandeered by two ruthless highbloods who will stop at nothing to uncover the dangerous, bloody secrets at the borders of Sangratha. Their cruelty knows no bounds.
Florence, my dearest friend, teetered on the brink of death. A dragon saved her, but now she’s tied to him in a way I can scarcely understand. What will this new bond do to the woman I’ve come to love as a sister?
And then there’s Blake. Once my relentless tormentor, then the keeper of my heart… he betrayed me again, nearly condemning Nyxaris to a cursed, stone-cold fate. But something has shifted in him. His gray eyes hide a secret he’s desperate to protect. I saved Blake’s life, despite everything. Yet with every heartbeat, I have to question where we go from here.
With Bloodwing Academy in turmoil and a new headmaster no one saw coming, only one thing is certain: This is going to be one hell of a year.
“…delivers on the expectations set by its fiercely devoted readership… What truly elevates The Wings That Bind is Boleyn’s writing itself: direct, purposeful and emotionally precise. The result is a romantasy that presses on its characters until something gives, leaving readers breathless, conflicted and desperate for what comes next.” – Johanna Düring, The Indiependent
You Should Have Been Nicer to My Mom by Vincent Tirado
fiction / horror / mystery / suspense.
When Papi Ramon, the patriarch of the wealthy Abreu family dies, he gives the family one last message in the will: “One of you is el bacà, the demon that I made a deal with. Get rid of them or you will be damned.” Xiomara, the uncontested favorite of Papi Ramon (and therefore the least liked in the family), watches as everyone dismisses this as the joke of a senile old man and demands the lawyer obtain the previous will Papi wrote.
While the lawyer drives back to his office, a storm breaks out, forcing the entire family—Xiomara’s aunts and uncles and cousins—to remain in the house. And the words of Papi’s will hangs over their heads even heavier than the rain clouds. Over the course of the night, scandal after scandal is revealed to the public about the family. Suddenly a tense few hours of surviving her family turns into a vicious night of recrimination, violence, accusations… and murder.
Xiomara is faced with an impossible task: uproot a demon and somehow kill it or excise the ghosts that linger within her own family.
And the clock is ticking…
“For fans of haunted houses that happen to be built atop a foundation infused with nitroglycerin.” – James Gardner, Library Journal
“With time-stamped chapters and a claustrophobic, you-are-there feel, Tirado’s tense and slow-burn modern gothic explores themes of generational trauma, toxic family relationships, and greed, building to a twisty climax in which all will be revealed—think Knives Out with a supernatural spin.” – Kaitlin Conner, Booklist
“…captures [a] kind of charged family dynamic with chilling precision—and a supernatural twist… a propulsive, entertaining novel built on the tension of a classic locked room mystery, the nasty thrills of a family drama, and the forced isolation of a Gothic tale… by the end of the novel, you will most certainly agree: Everyone really should have been nicer to their moms.” – Michelle Delgado, Macabre Daily
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