Books

This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum

Coco

Benny Abbott and Joy Moore host one of the most beloved podcasts in the world, each week describing survival stories and finding humor in near-death experiences. The problem is, their next survival story may be their own. When Benny arrives at Joy’s to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house. Benny will stop at nothing to find her, even as the police zero in on him as a prime suspect.

2.5/5 stars – I am a bit conflicted on this one. I enjoyed the mystery and most of the set-up, but it was so slow! I didn’t particularly like the flashbacks, though I did like the method being primarily from Joy’s memoir. I mainly pushed through to get to the answer of Joy and her husband’s disappearance. It was… fine.

Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood

Coco

What is wrong meets what feels right in this romance set in Italy by the New York Times bestselling author of Deep End. During a destination wedding in Sicily, 23-year-old Maya pursues a summer fling with her brother’s 38-year-old friend Conor, despite their problematic age gap.

2.5/5 stars – I wanted something light and fun that I could breeze through on a trip, and this definitely fit the bill! It was an entertaining read, even if it got a little frustrating at times. Pretty spicy, as with most Ali Hazelwood books, and also very easy to read.

It probably could have stayed a novella, as originally intended by the author, since the “will they or won’t they” aspect dragged on a bit. I also wasn’t the biggest fan of all the jumps back to the past, although they were definitely necessary to better understand Maya and Conor’s dynamic. Overall, it was a fun, bingeable romance that was exactly what I was in the mood for.

The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett

Coco

A darkly comic and warm-hearted novel about an old man on a cross-country mission to reunite with his high school crush—bringing together his adult daughter, two orphaned kids, and a cat who can predict death—from the beloved author of Rabbit Cake and Unlikely Animals

5 stars – This may end up being my favorite read of 2026. It took me over 6 months to finally pick up my copy, but once I started, I couldn’t stop thinking about it and had to recount the story to my husband as it progressed because I had to share it with SOMEONE.

I grew to love this little dysfunctional family and everyone they met along the way. They all made mistakes and questionable choices, but their hearts were in the right place, and that’s what made them so easy to root for. Even with all the craziness, the story felt so real. The addition of Pancakes was the cherry on top – a bit of a magical-ish aspect without going too deep.

The grief was handled pretty well. I was constantly switching between laughing and crying. It’s present throughout the story without ever feeling overwhelming, though I can definitely see why it might hit a little too close to home for some.

By the end, it felt like I was saying goodbye to people I’d genuinely come to care about. This is one of those stories that will stay with me for a long time and I’m begging someone to make it into a movie or mini-series. I need to see PJ & co. on my TV!

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Coco

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

3.5/5 stars – I tried reading ACOTAR last year, both the book and audiobook, but ended up DNFing it shortly before Feyre was sent back home by Tamlin. I didn’t think I would give it another shot but I felt inspired after enjoying the House of Earth and Blood Graphic Audio. That ended up being the solution and I finished the story in a few days. In hindsight I realize the part I quit reading the first time was RIGHT before it got good.

I ended up enjoying it overall, but some of the character motivations were kind of ridiculous. Amarantha had the potential to be a great villain, but instead she’s bested by a 19 year old human because she’s obsessed with Tamlin? It just felt a little silly. I get why Rhysand did what he did, playing the game and hoping the odds sway in his favor.

Curious to see where the next book takes the story.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

Coco

Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindergarten teacher than somebody who could kill you with a wine bottle opener. Or a ballpoint pen. Or a dinner napkin. But the truth is, she’s an Executive Protection Agent (aka “bodyguard”), and she just got hired to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from his middle-aged, corgi-breeding stalker.

4/5 stars – I picked up The Bodyguard because of the casting for the upcoming Netflix movie, and I have to admit that added to my enjoyment. I could totally picture Leighton Meester and Jared Padalecki as Hannah and Jack the entire time. This was such an easy, entertaining read that I ended up finishing it in one sitting. The premise is fun, the banter is genuinely funny, and the humor was easily my favorite part. I loved the goofy situations they found themselves in, and if anything, I wish the book had leaned into that even more.

The story isn’t particularly surprising and can be pretty predictable, but that didn’t take away from the experience. The pacing jumped forward at times without showing us what happened between the characters, but I still believed the progression of Hannah and Jack’s relationship. I also appreciated how they worked through their past traumas together, which gave their blossoming romance a bit more emotional depth. The ending didn’t work quite for me & dropped me from a 5 to a 4. Everything that happened at Thanksgiving with Jack’s ex felt over-the-top, and giving Wilber a highlight in the epilogue was annoying.

Overall, I had a great time reading The Bodyguard, and I’m excited to see what the movie keeps and changes.

Release Me by K.A. Tucker (The Wolf Hotel Mermaid Beach #1)

Coco

Release Me is the first book in the highly addictive Wolf Hotel Mermaid Beach series, a spin-off of the Wolf Hotel series. In “Release Me,” a facilities director at Wolf Hotel Mermaid Beach pursues a forbidden romance with a woman determined to ruin the hotel.

2.5/5 stars – The first part is overly gratuitous, no real story and honestly felt like a waste of time. I liked Ryan but it was a little jarring how the book time hops 2 years in the future. The characters in this book make some questionable decisions that I can’t relate to. Not to mention the HR nightmare.

The second part is obviously the real story – following along as Ronan (with Connor in tow) travels to a new city and adapts to his new flashy Director role at the latest Wolf Hotel chain. I enjoyed learning about Sloane’s family and business, how passionate she is for her heritage, and the conflict she has with the hotel building directly next to her beach home that has been in her family for the generations.

I haven’t read the second book yet, but it feels like this didn’t need to be two separate books. Skip the first part, for sure.

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas (Crescent City #1)

Coco

Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life-working hard all day and partying all night-until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She’ll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths.

3.5/5 stars – I was immediately hooked by Danika and Bryce’s story; excited to learn more about their friendship and see how their plans unfolded. Boy was I wrong about the direction of this book. I wish we could have spent a bit more time here honestly, before everything changed.

The concept of the book is very interesting and I loved the modern/urban fantasy setting. I went back and forth on the rating for this one – the beginning and end of the book was pretty solid. The middle was incredibly boring at times and it felt like nothing happened. 800 pages is crazy in hindsight.

I listened to the Graphic Audio version and really enjoyed it – especially near the end with the big fight scenes. Very cinematic. TBD if I will read House of Sky and Breath, but I think I will at least to see more of this world.

***SPOILERS BELOW***

I hated how the villain did the villain thing and explained their whole plan to Bryce. After all of that detective work, THIS is how it ends?

I was absolutely gutted when Bryce makes the drop with Danika’s help. This part was absolute chef’s kiss. And even Sabine quoting “Through love, all is possible” had me sobbing.

Starside by Alex Aster

Coco

Hundreds of years ago, a brutal war split a land in two. Starside is the realm of magic and immortals—the descendants of the gods, living in a power-rich paradise. Stormside is where mortals fight for scraps of that magic. Every fifty years, the gates between them open, and fifty challengers are allowed to journey across Starside on a deadly quest to access a pool of magic that can heal, grant wealth, or extend life. Everyone has their reasons for entering, but Aris has only one: vengeance.

3.5/5 stars – Had a fun time listening to this audiobook, though definitely see the parallels to other fantasy books and this isn’t entirely a unique story (at this point is it that surprising given how many books are released each year?). I’m glad I chose the audiobook, though, because I feel like it made the story easier to digest and the narrators were perfect.

I’ve only ever read Alex Aster’s book Summer in the City and I do feel like her writing has improved here. With both books, the writing is more YA if you remove the more graphic bits from the spicy scenes. Some of the dialogue is still straight cringey.

The major complaint with any enemies to lovers plot is that there never is the “enemy” part but I felt like this one was handled decently and the progression of their relationship made sense to me. I loved how the book ended and really sets up for an exciting next book in the series. I’ll probably give it a listen.

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

Coco

Rival physicists collide in a vortex of academic feuds and fake dating shenanigans in this delightfully STEMinist romcom from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis and Love on the Brain.

3.5/5 stars – I was a fan of The Love Hypothesis after I read it last year, and I thought Love, Theoretically was just as charming and engaging. While the book had its flaws and I generally agree with some of the criticism (although I’m not sure I would have registered the constant mentions of Jack being such a big man if it weren’t for all the reviews lol) – I had so much fun reading the book and immersing myself in the world & the characters.

I could relate to Elsie’s attempts to chameleon herself and be a people pleaser. I did kind of feel like Jack came on a little strong about this but it was what she needed.

***SPOILER BELOW***

I genuinely cried when Elsie found out she didn’t get the job – kudos that scene was very well written. Enjoyed the resolution and that the epiloge wasn’t super cheesy.


I will say, I appreciated the Diabetes inclusion but after reading reviews from people with T1D, it was disappointing the author didn’t research more to ensure the character’s experience was more realistic. I dropped a half star for this reason.

Taste by Melanie Harlow

Coco

The last person on earth I want to be stranded with is Gianni Lupo. But thanks to the blizzard of the century, I’m trapped in a roadside motel room with that cocky bastard for two straight days. I’ve known Gianni Lupo all my life, and he’s never brought me anything but bad luck and trouble…

2/4 stars – Received from a mystery blind date with a book from Flutter Bookstore – signed copy, too! There were some cute moments, but very unmemorable and loses its charm by the middle. I skimmed through to the end, there were some aww moments… a lot of annoying moments. I laughed out loud when he said he didn’t know what an ultrasound was. Epilogue was sweet. Easy skip overall.

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas (Throne of Glass #4)

Coco

Celaena Sardothien has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight. Everyone Aelin loves has been taken from her. Everything she holds dear is in danger. But she has the heart of a queen-and that heart beats for vengeance.

4/5 stars – It honestly took me close to a month to get through the first 60% of the book but once I made it through I finished the book in a short weekend. I absolutely loved how this book tied up some of the previous plots and character’s stories. And that there was still a bit of twist/surprises along the way.

I enjoyed the Manon / Elide / Kaltain connection and redemption arcs. I was happy to see Chaol character depth return and no longer be so insufferable (hoping that continues).

Lysandra is a total BEAST – such a surprise compared to her intro in Assassin’s Blade. The Arobynn storyline felt a little messy but a good resolution for all. Also how many fake rings/necklaces/etc is Aelin going to get made in the next book?

Rowan had some cringey moments with Aelin but I’m still into it. All of the various friendships and them showing up for eachother LOVE love love. Lastly, I was kinda devastated we didn’t get to see Mort in this book!

Excited to start Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn tandem read, since I’ve decided to give that method a shot, but might take me 3 months to finish at this rate.

The Compound by Aisling Rawle

Coco

Lily wakes up on a remote desert compound, alongside nineteen other reality show contestants. To win, she must outlast her housemates to stay in the Compound the longest. When the unseen producers raise the stakes, forcing contestants into upsetting, even dangerous situations, the line between playing the game and surviving it begins to blur. If Lily makes it to the end, she’ll receive prizes beyond her wildest dreams—but what will she have to do to win?

2.5/5 stars – initially a fun concept. I love/hate shows like Love Island, and I also enjoy dystopian / social experiment stories. I figured the story would start out simply and then slowly escalate as civility is lost. I guess you could say that happened, but the actual drama felt very lukewarm.