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Murray: Dissection of a Murder
4.5 Stars This is a 4.5⭐️ for me! Hands down this is one of the best legal thrillers I’ve read in a long time. I didn’t want to put it down; I devoured every word & love the journey so much. There’s so much scandal, mystery, legal drama, romance, past haunting & constant need to know what’s next. The twists are nonstop & just when it feels like everything is settled, there are more. I can’t believe this is Jo Murray’s first book. The writing & plot are so good. I will be anxi
marylaurensizemore
5 days ago1 min read


Dane: His First Wife
3 Stars Crazy is contagious. 😂 This book is crazy upon crazy upon crazy. Is it far-fetched? Absolutely. But somehow, that’s part of the fun! With a completely unreliable narrator, unexpected twists, and some genuinely funny moments, this was a fast-paced, entertaining psychological thriller. It’s definitely not one to take too seriously, but it made for a great palate cleanser and a very quick read. The audiobook was especially enjoyable; the narrators and production were fa
marylaurensizemore
5 days ago1 min read


Hart: Weyward
4 Stars Eloquent, exquisite writing meets magical realism in this beautiful story of three generations of women, told across different timelines. I was completely captivated by the way this story explores motherhood, family secrets, survival, and the strength of women. Each generation carries her own struggles, but there is something incredibly empowering about watching these women find their strength, survive difficult circumstances, and ultimately learn to thrive. The histo
marylaurensizemore
5 days ago1 min read


Wehunt: Nightjars
4 Stars Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillion Audio for this fantastic ARC. A special thank you to NetGalley & Macmillion audio for this fantastic ARC! I love a book that completely surprises me! When the story begins with a mysterious photograph and Luke trying to uncover the truth about his father’s past, I thought I was settling in for a fairly straightforward mystery/thriller about the son of a serial killer. I was very, very wrong. This story is SO much more. What starts
marylaurensizemore
5 days ago2 min read


Bilyeau: The Heiress of Northanger Abbey
4 Stars This is the perfect blend of historical fiction and Gothic literature. From the very beginning, I was completely captivated by the gloomy, foreboding atmosphere. The writing is so beautifully done that it pulls you in & immerses you in the time period—the setting, the travel, the uncertainty, the limited visibility, & that constant feeling that something isn’t quite right. It truly feels like stepping into a Gothic story set in the 1800s, & I absolutely loved that. Th
marylaurensizemore
5 days ago2 min read


Moriarty: Big Little Truths
4 Stars This was a delight & great visit back to the characters I fell in love with during Big Little Lies. It took me a while to warmup to the story. It didn’t grab me right away, but as before, I became fully invested in all the character’s stories. I found it to be a realistic portrayal of women’s lives & their growth & life challenges. I especially found I liked Perry’s mom at the end- her pain & frustration were real but her realization of her relationship with Celeste &
marylaurensizemore
5 days ago1 min read


Levi: Theo of Golden
4 Stars Beautiful. Truly a meditation on the beauty of life, the importance of relationships, investing in people, and recognizing the complexity of being human. Theo is such a lovable character. His past is heartbreaking, yet he creates such a beautiful world for himself and the people around him. I especially loved the variety of friendships he forms with people from different generations and walks of life. I also really enjoyed the focus on the fine arts and how art can co
marylaurensizemore
5 days ago2 min read


Monaghan: Nora Goes Off Script
4 stars This was such a fun & easy read. As someone who doesn’t love romance, but has read a lot of romance, this kept me hooked. It’s a great page turner, fast-paced, a whole host of fun characters & most importantly- Nora is a great main character. She’s real & behaves like any woman would. The book is also funny. I laughed out loud several times. I couldn’t think of a way this book could end with me satisfied, but there’s a great twist that sets everything on the right pat
marylaurensizemore
5 days ago1 min read


Aarons: I'm Wearing Tunics Now: On Growing Older, Better, and a Hell of a Lot Louder
4 stars This book was recommended to me by a friend, and I’m so glad she did! It was hilarious, relatable, and at times, felt like Aarons had somehow stolen thoughts straight out of my brain. I loved the way she rambles through the journey of being a woman and getting older, exploring what that looks like from so many different angles. There were so many moments when I found myself laughing out loud, nodding along, and thinking, “YES. Exactly!” I listened to the audiobook, an
marylaurensizemore
5 days ago1 min read


Resau: The River Muse
3 Stars A sweet, poignant love story with beautiful writing, likable characters, and a journey I genuinely enjoyed. The first 60% of the book was especially strong, offering a thoughtful and believable portrayal of the fears, uncertainty, and emotional turmoil someone might experience while trying to escape an emotionally abusive relationship. I also loved the French setting and the beautiful mystery surrounding the river—it added such an atmospheric and almost magical qualit
marylaurensizemore
5 days ago1 min read


HRP: Mother Daughter Sister Stranger
4 stars Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. 4 stars!!! Hank Phillippi Ryan has a way of writing a thriller that grabs you immediately and refuses to let go. Mother, Daughter, Sister, Stranger was fast-paced, captivating, and incredibly difficult to put down. I found myself completely pulled into the story, desperately trying to connect all the pieces alongside the characters. At one point, I realized the characters had b
marylaurensizemore
5 days ago3 min read


Mandelbaum: Homewrecker
4 stars I read this as an advanced reader copy. It will be released June 1, 2027. First, thank you to NetGalley & Spiegel & Grau for the ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved this insanely wild, strange, emotional story. It had everything: questionable behavior, tension, romance, sadness, profound loss, and a woman desperately trying to figure out what comes next. I never expected to finish this book in tears, feeling completely shattered, but
marylaurensizemore
5 days ago2 min read


Jackson: The Shampoo Effect
3 Stars The Shampoo Effect was such a fun, drama-filled read. I really enjoyed Fran and RJ’s relationship, especially Fran’s unapologetic hatred of sports, and their unconventional mushroom-and-gummy routine for managing life with kids genuinely made me laugh. I really related to the sport frustration. One of the book’s strengths is how it weaves together the complicated, messy lives of its individual characters. It captures so many different challenges people face, from rela
marylaurensizemore
5 days ago1 min read


O'Neill: The Irish Goodbye
4 Stars I really enjoyed this book! I’m a sucker for stories where a family comes together under one roof and all of their individual drama, history, life choices, and current struggles inevitably collide. And this family had a lot to unpack. Beautifully written, The Irish Goodbye tackles so many difficult and complicated topics: suicide, lost teenage love, complicated sibling relationships, aging parents, an unplanned pregnancy, same-sex relationships, teenage parenting, and
marylaurensizemore
5 days ago1 min read


Fortune: Our Perfect Storm
3 Stars I really love Carley Fortunes writing, and I had high hopes for this book, but me end feelings was "Meh". Here’s the thing: I don’t love a friends-to-lovers scenario, especially when it’s the we’ve known each other our entire lives, lived together, and somehow need to be jilted and thrown into a faux honeymoon to realize our feelings kind. 😂 That said, I really tried to invest in the story, and overall, it was fun and definitely a page-turner. My biggest issue was th
marylaurensizemore
5 days ago1 min read


Lapena: Getting Away With Murder
3 Stars I enjoyed this story! It was suspenseful, and I was genuinely curious to see where the plot could go since the book opens with the murder. I wasn’t sure how Lapena would build the story from there, but she did a great job creating the stress and tension that comes with trying to get away with murder. I also loved the guessing game of trying to figure out who the culprit was. Lapena does a great job weaving together multiple characters, storylines, and points of view,
marylaurensizemore
5 days ago1 min read


Beach Thriller by Jamie Day
3 Stars. Thanks to Macmillan Audio & NetGalley for my complimentary listening copy. All opinions are my own. This was an incredibly entertaining audiobook from start to finish. The narrators delivered strong, engaging performances that elevated the story & made it difficult to stop listening. The plot moves at a brisk pace, taking readers on a suspenseful, twist-filled journey packed with surprises. Just when I thought I had things figured out, another revelation shifted my p
marylaurensizemore
Aug 121 min read


Letters From The Last Apothecary
3 Stars! To begin, thank you NetGalley & Hay House LLC for this ARC. Letters From the Last Apothecary is an enchanting historical fantasy that blends a little bit of everything—magic, medicine, mystery, romance, and, of course, plenty of drama. The story is beautifully crafted, with a rich atmosphere and compelling characters. I especially enjoyed Josie’s perspective; her spirited determination and resilience made her easy to root for. The slow-burn romance was thoughtfully d
marylaurensizemore
Aug 122 min read


Started the Emma M. Lion Journey
3 Stars! A thoroughly enjoyable read, with Emma emerging as a witty, intelligent, and engaging protagonist. As the opening installment in a larger series, this volume serves primarily as a foundation, and while the plot develops gradually, the anticipation of the broader story arc adds to its appeal. The narrative gains significant momentum around the halfway mark, after which it becomes difficult to put down. The writing is strong, and the brief journal-style entries create
marylaurensizemore
Aug 121 min read


Review: The Gilded Girl
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5. (4.5 stars) Historical Fiction at Its Finest. This book is really a 4.5 rating. Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the advanced reader copy of this book. The Gilded Girl is historical fiction perfection. This story completely swept me away, delivering twists I never saw coming, unforgettable characters, and an emotional journey that had me crying, cheering, and swooning all at once. The dual timelines are beautifully woven together, with strong connec
marylaurensizemore
Aug 122 min read
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