Beg, Borrow, or Steal
by Sarah Adams
Publication Date: January 7, 2025
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Kirstyn's Review:
Beg, Borrow, or Steal is the third installment in the When in Rome series, and it did not disappoint. It is a fun enemies-to-lovers story with Jack Bennett, who's basically a walking heartthrob, and Emily Walker who can't stand him—at first. Their banter is so sharp, and the sparks? Oh, they're flying! It's definitely the kind of book you'd devour on a beach day—light, romantic, and totally binge-worthy!
Earl Crush
by Alexandra Vasti
Publication Date: January 21, 2025
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Jacqueline's Review:
Following a serious Duke and a free-spirited Heiress teaming up to track down a missing spy, this is a very sweet opposites-attract and forced proximity romance. I enjoyed this light, quick read with a mix of complicated family dynamics and action-packed scenes interwoven with the romance. The main characters had great chemistry, and I would definitely check out future books by this author.
Wake Up and Open Your Eyes
by Clay McLeod Chapman
Publication Date: January 7, 2025
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Emily's Review:
A man visits his parents, worried after they leave his voicemails unanswered. What he finds are no longer the mom and dad he knew, but rabid zombies lost in a trance parroting what they've heard on Fax News. A phenomenon we discover is happening all across the country. The premise intrigued me but the gore and message were off the mark and heavy handed for me.
Deep End
by Ali Hazelwood
Publication Date: February 4, 2025
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Jacqueline's Review:
I'm already a big fan of Ali Hazelwood, and was looking forward to this release; I'm happy to report that it was just as good as I expected. This is Hazelwood's first sports romance, but it still features her normal STEM themes with both characters balancing competitive sports with undergraduate research and applying for med school. With dual points of view, the dialogue and witty banter in this book really shine.
Wings of Starlight
by Allison Saft
Publication Date: February 4, 2025
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Kelcey's Review:
You know how the things you loved as a child give you core memories that, in adulthood, remind you of a time when life felt magical and carefree? That’s the kind of nostalgia this book stirred up in me and I couldn't put it down. As a lifelong Disney Fairies fan, I was so excited to see a new YA novel that tells the back story we've all wanted for so long - the tragic star-crossed romance between Queen Clarion and Lord Milori. It took me back to the days of watching the Tinkerbell movies on repeat and checking out the books from my school library. It was so nice to be back in the magical world of Pixie Hollow and given so much new information and history at the same time.
Hungerstone
by Kat Dunn
Publication Date: February 6, 2025
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Jacqueline's Review:
This is a feminist retelling of the classic vampire novella Carmilla. The dreary atmosphere and the haunting gothic castle were my favorite aspects of this book. With themes of insatiable hunger and toxic relationships, I would recommend this to any vampire lover.
The River Has Roots
by Amal El-Mohtar
Publication Date: March 4, 2025
Rating: 5 out 5 stars
Emily's Review:
Loved the writing and world within this novella. A
bit dreamy, a bit surreal, and a lot of heart. The story of a sisterly
love that transcends the boundaries between the concrete and the shapeless.
Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys fairytales and a little family drama.
Our Infinite Fates
by Laura Steven
Publication Date: March 4, 2025
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Kirstyn's Review:
Our Infinite Fates captivated me with its intriguing premise of protagonists bound by love across multiple lifetimes, making it nearly impossible to put down. The story weaves through their various incarnations, but I found the chapters exploring these lives too brief, often ending abruptly without enough depth to fully immerse me in their worlds. While the narrative repeatedly emphasizes the protagonists’ enduring love, it falls short of showing the emotional connection in a convincing way, which grew frustrating over time. Despite its compelling concept and satisfying conclusion, I craved more substance to truly feel their timeless bond.
The Haunting of Room 904
by Erika T. Wurth
Publication Date: March 18, 2025
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Emily's Review:
An Indigenous paranormal investigator takes cases in Colorado helping those with cursed items or angry ghosts in their apartments. That is until a client wants her to look into the room where her sister lost her life. The premise for this novel and its diverse cast of characters are the biggest draw for this one. While the flow of the story and character dialogue felt choppy at times, it was overall a fun read.
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter
by Stephen Graham Jones
Publication Date: March 18, 2025
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Jacqueline's Review:
Another highly anticipated release for me; I've enjoyed all that I've read from Stephen Graham Jones so far. This historical horror novel, starting in 1912, follows the diary entries of a Lutheran priest as he crosses paths with a Blackfoot man who had been turned into a vampire many, many, years ago. This book excelled in its atmosphere and tension-building; you could feel the darkness with sinister things hiding in the shadows.
Emily's Review:
Mostly taking place in 1912, a Lutheran pastor is made to listen to the confession of a mysterious Indigenous man who stays behind after the weekly sermons. An atmospheric and gritty revenge story amid the cultural tensions (and violence) of the American west. The vampiric lore is unique and makes it a must read within vampire classics.
Chloe: A Novel of Secrets and Lies
by Connie Briscoe
Publication Date: March 18, 2025
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Emily's Review:
A short retelling of Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca in modern times. I had high hopes for this one as a big fan of Du Maurier's classic but it was missing atmosphere and mystery.