Audiobook Review: The Anniversary by Alex Finlay

 

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay

Publication Date: May12th 2026 by Macmillan Audio

Pages: 336

Audio Book Length: 7hrs 38min

Narrators: Brittany Pressley & Ari Fliakos

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Jules and Quincy are unlikely friends. Jules was part of the popular crowd and Quincy, a quiet loner from the wrong side of the tracks, however they have a connection. Tragically, their lives are changed forever on the May 1^st of their senior year.

 

Quincy tries to break up a fight, and it goes badly. He ends up in juvenile detention, and while he’s locked away, his mother is murdered. On his release, without options, he joins the army.

 

Jules is abducted by the May Day Killer, but she ends up being “one of the lucky ones” and is let go.

 

The story is told through both Jules and Quincy’s POV on the May 1^st of each year over a decade. Jules struggles with the aftermath of surviving the attack but eventually gets on track and starts looking for the killer. Quincy is haunted by his mother’s murder and sets about trying to solve it.

 

I was moved by Jules and Quincy’s friendship in the beginning. Their lives separated that fateful May 1^st, but along the way, they ran into each other, and I wondered if and how their stories would connect.

 

I absolutely loved The Anniversary, it’s my favorite Alex Finlay yet! While most of the story wasn’t a tense thriller, I was completely hooked from the first chapter! The mysteries come to a head at the end and then I was very worried! I suspected some of it but was surprised by other parts.

 

I listened to the audiobook, with Brittany Pressley narrating Jules’ chapters and Ari Fliakos voicing Quincy’s. Both performances were fantastic, expressive, immersive, and perfectly matched to their characters. The audio elevated the entire experience. A definite recommend!

5 Stars

Book Description:

Every Year He Comes For Them.

On one fateful night in 1992, the lives of two seventeen-year-olds are changed and intertwined forever. Quinn Riley, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, is arrested after he innocently tries to break up a fight but ends up nearly killing someone. Jules Delaney, high school royalty, survives an attack by the elusive and terrifying May Day Killer—a serial predator who strikes every May 1st in midwestern small towns.

A year later, Jules is struggling with trauma and guilt, tormented by one question: Why was I spared? Quinn is newly released from juvenile detention and returns home to fresh the unsolved murder of his mother.

Over the next decade, their lives are revisited on a single day each year—May 1st. As secrets unravel and the paths of Quinn and Jules collide, two mysteries edge closer to the truth. All the while, the May Day Killer is still out there—and the clock is racing toward another May 1st.

The Anniversary is an utterly compelling story of the hunt for a serial killer. But it’s also a heartfelt—and heartrending—novel about fate, innocence lost, and two souls who find that sometimes being broken is the only way for the light to get in.

Audiobook Review: The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny & Mellissa Fung

 

The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny & Mellissa Fung

Publication Date: May 12th 2026 by Macmillan Audio

Pages: 400

Audio Book Length: 13hrs 16min

Narrators: Eunice Wong

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Alice Li, a food-blogger, is excited to be back in Washington DC to meet up with her friend and fellow food-blogger, Liam. She’s not so thrilled to meet up with her mother, Vivien Li, a Chinese dissident famous for escaping after Tiananmen Square, since they don’t have the best relationship. However, they’re forced to work together when the world is turned into chaos when during brunch security and fire alarms go off and they find out it’s a worldwide event.

 

Alice is even more shocked to be summoned to the White House along with her mother and questioned over her friendship with Liam. Apparently, intelligence has discovered China is responsible for this global attack and to Alice’s surprise, Vivien is a regular advisor to the President on Chinese affairs.

 

When it becomes obvious the attack won’t be the last. Alice and Vivien must band together and stop a terrorist group before they can execute whatever they have planned next.

 

One wouldn’t think a food-blogger and her mother would be key to stopping this nefarious force, but I enjoyed Alice and Viviene’s journey. As they try to get to the truth secrets from Vivien’s past are slowly revealed.  Alice’s view of her mother and their relationship shifts. Vivien gets to see another, more capable, side to her daughter, as well.

 

The Last Mandarin was an engaging thriller with two unlikely heroines. And while I had to suspend my disbelief at some parts of the plot, I was entertained from the start and eager to find out how it would all turn out!

 

I’ve listened to and enjoyed Eunice Wong’s narration in the past and thought she did a wonderful job here performing all characters, bringing them to life as they experienced a whole range of emotions. Her accents and pronunciation of Mandarin made the story feel authentic. Listening to the audio version definitely enhanced my enjoyment!

3.5 Stars

Book Description:

A standalone thriller co-written by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Gamache series and an award-winning journalist.

In a fast-paced, all-too-real thriller co-written by #1 New York Times bestselling author Louise Penny and award-winning journalist Mellissa Fung, global politics become personal for two unlikely heroines. Alice Li, a first-generation Chinese-American, is an erstwhile food blogger who has lived in the shadow of her mother, Vivien Li. A Chinese dissident who escaped China after Tiananmen Square, Vivien is now a globally recognized human rights activist and passionate advocate for a free and democratic China.

When security and fire alarms go off simultaneously all around the world, setting off a panic, the signal is traced back to China. As world leaders scramble to respond, Vivien and Alice are called to the White House in hopes Madame Li can decode the Chinese intentions.

While it makes some sense that the President would turn to Vivien, since she regularly advises world leaders on the actions of today’s Chinese government, what isn’t clear is why they’d want to talk to Alice.

After looking at the evidence, Vivien says that the only thing worse than the Chinese government being behind it, is if they are not. It would mean, she explains, that some clandestine element within China is calling the shots. That the President of China has lost control. And an unstable China cannot be good for anyone.

Or perhaps that’s exactly what the shrewd old politician wants everyone to think.

Caught up in the chaos, Vivien and Alice are uniquely placed to stop the next, cataclysmic attack. But there are forces deep within both the American and Chinese governments intent on stopping mother and daughter. The estranged pair, who excels at misunderstanding each other, must figure out how to work together.

The increasingly frantic search for answers takes the women from the Oval Office to an office building in Akron, Ohio, from the noodle shops of Hong Kong to the necropolis of the first emperor. Along the way they must decode an old legend, and an old language invented by women, for women.

The Last Mandarin is an electrifying study of absolute power and voracious greed, political terror and personal conviction. But it is also, as to be expected from the minds of Louise Penny, beloved author of the Gamache novels, and Mellissa Fung, an acclaimed international journalist, an intimate examination of choice, of sacrifice, of memory and myths, both cultural and personal. It is the story of a mother and daughter, as well as a compelling international thriller about the precarious balance of power across the world, and within a family. And what happens when both break down.

Audiobook Review: I, Spy by L.M. Kemp

 

I, Spy by L.M. Kemp

Publication Date: May 5th 2026 by Macmillan Audio

Pages: 272

Audio Book Length: 7hrs 54min

Narrators: Ell Potter

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Kendal has been in the spy game for as long as she can remember thanks to her mother’s not‑so‑conventional parenting. But after a mission goes sideways, she disappears into the wind. Now she’s a single mom to a precocious four‑year‑old, Rosie, living a quiet life built entirely around keeping her daughter safe. That peace shatters when dangerous men come looking for her, forcing Kendal to reach out to her former boss, Rico at Bon Temps, for help. He offers her and Rosie a safe house… with one catch: he wants her back on the job. Just a small assignment, he claims. Low risk. Simply mentor a rookie operative embedded in a tech company.

 

The moment I heard the setup, the old adage “if it’s too good to be true…” started flashing in my mind. Rico’s offer felt suspicious from the start. It quickly becomes apparent that her placement was more than just for training when a prominent member of the tech company has ties to the school Rosie’s attending. Kendal has to infiltrate the world of school politics, befriending moms and digging for intel, all while trying to figure out who’s watching whom.

 

I really liked and rooted for Kendal and was completely hooked as her past is slowly revealed. What happened to make her go dark and get out of the spy game? Was it tied to the assignment she’s currently on? Could she trust Rico? Could she trust Joel, the cinnamon‑roll Canadian newbie she’s supposed to be training?  Fini, her tech‑savvy best friend, was an absolute delight. I reserved judgement on pretty much every other character.

 

The ending definitely hints at more to come, and I’m already eager for the next installment.

 

I listened to the audiobook, and Ell Potter’s performance was fantastic. She handles a wide range of ages, genders, and accents with ease. Her British voices were distinct and believable, and Joel’s nerdy Canadian accent fit him perfectly. 

4 Stars

Book Description:

Ex-spy Kendal was one of the best, but now she’s wearing the toughest disguise of her career: Mom.

Kendal Carter is out in the cold and she wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s been four years since her daughter Rosie was born and Kendal has kept her miles away from The Game. But when their hiding place is discovered and danger comes too close, Ken is forced to turn to old contacts. Her longtime friend and ex-handler Rico doesn’t miss his chance to pull his best player back in. Whisking them to London, Rico offers them a luxury safe house in an area with good schools. How can she resist?

But there’s a catch, of course. Rico wants Kendal to come back to work for his espionage agency Bon Temps. He’s offering a cushy assignment with no apparent downside, running a rookie asset in one of London’s biggest, murkiest tech firms. It should be easy enough for someone with her experience, and luckily, mother is the perfect cover.

However, it doesn’t take long for Kendal to realize that Rico’s got an agenda of his own. The tech firm has hands in Rosie’s school, and the world of PTAs and playdates comes with its own web of allegiances and betrayals. Kendal soon finds herself in way too deep . . .

I, Spy is a propulsive debut thriller about the disguise that all parents wear, and the former lives that come back to haunt us.

Review: The Antiquarian's Object of Desire by India Holton

 

The Antiquarian's Object of Desire (Love's Academic #3) by India Holton

Publication Date: April 21st 2026 by Berkley

Pages: 368

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Amelia Tarrant and Caleb Sterling, experts on magical antiques, have been close friends since they were children, but when an innocent embrace is misinterpreted, their reputations, and their positions suddenly hang in the balance. To avoid scandal, they decide to fake a feud, a plan that spirals wildly out of control. After one too many magical mishaps (including some literal explosions), Professor Otterstock ships them off to Cumbria to catalog Sir Nigel Harroway’s sprawling collection of enchanted antiques, many of which may be more dangerous than advertised.

 

I really felt for Amelia. Watching her navigate a world where her intelligence is dismissed simply because she’s a woman was infuriating. Throckmorton, Dummersby, and Professor Otterstock were absolute bullies, and their constant digs at her had me seething on her behalf. I kept hoping she’d finally let loose on them, and while she mostly held her tongue, her subtle acts of retaliation were satisfying. The romance, a sweet friends‑to‑lovers arc, was a swoony one.

 

The Antiquarian’s Object of Desire leans more toward romantic comedy than tightly plotted fantasy, and the story does wander a bit before pulling everything together at the end. Still, it’s an entertaining romp, slapsticky, clever, and full of quick humor. Even when the plot zigzags, the charm never really lets up.

3.5 Stars

Book Description:

When two history professors and best friends are forced to fake hate to protect their reputations, chaos ensues, in the next rollicking historical-fantasy rom-com from beloved author India Holton.

Magical-antique experts Amelia Tarrant and Caleb Sterling have been best friends forever, although lately each has begun secretly wishing for more than friendship. But when rumors about their relationship spread, they're forced to fake being enemies to protect their reputations and keep their jobs.

The resulting arguments spark havoc across Oxford University, and when they cause an explosion while fighting over a magical antique, it’s the final straw for their exasperated faculty head. He dispatches them to a job in Cumbria where even they can’t get into trouble.…

Which proves just how wrong one man can be. In a stormbound old manor house, Amelia and Caleb face magical mayhem and rampaging ghosts that make the previous havoc look mild in comparison. Most troublesome of all, though, is the secret of how they feel about each other. When it comes to tackling deadly antiques, hiding the truth in their hearts could destroy them for real.

Sunday Post #337

 

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week. I'm also linking up to The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance @Readerbuzz.

Happy Sunday!

Nothing exciting to report just lots of gardening and several trips to the garden center. I bought another rose bush, another two wisteria plants and a bird bath for the front yard. I forgot to get a picture of it for here and now it's dark outside. It's warmed up here and the roses have really started blooming. I'm constantly battling white mildew on a few of my rose bushes that seem prone to it. My lemon tree had a bunch of ants. I got an organic pest control spray and it seems to be doing its job. Besides spraying for mildew, insects or deer repellent, because yes, the deer have been rounding frequently, I feel like I'm spraying all the time. That and weeding, and weeding and weeding! 

I bought gifts for a baby shower I'm attending next Saturday. Thankfully, I was able to buy everything online and have it shipped. One less trip. 

Watched the movie Mercy with Chris Pratt. It was sci-fi and futuristic, but details with the investigation seemed implausible. Even so, it was entertaining.

Hope everyone has a happy Mother's Day.

Roses from the garden

Wildflowers on the property

Starla on the patio furniture cushions we took inside during a rainstorm. She had a nice nap on them, haha!

Read:

The Antiquarian's Object of Desire by India Holton-3.5 Stars

Archangel's Eternity by Nalini Singh-4.5 Stars

Five-Star Summer by Sarah Morgan-4 Stars

Received:

The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh

The Summer Share by Jenn McKinlay

A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity by Rachel Linden

Thank you to Viking Penguin/Pamela Dorman Books and Berkley! 

How was your week?

Review: Archangel's Eternity by Nalini Singh

 

Archangel's Eternity (Guild Hunter #18) by Nalini Singh

Publication Date: May 5th 2026 by Berkley

Pages: 448

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Archangel’s Eternity was a beautiful, heartfelt finale to a series I’ve loved for years. From the moment Elena the Guild Hunter met Archangel Raphael, their sparks, clashes, and undeniable chemistry set the tone for an epic romance, and this last book honors every step of their journey.

 

Across the series they’ve battled monsters, faced devastating losses, and navigated the treacherous politics of the Cadre. Here, though, they step into the most meaningful chapter of their lives. The external drama is lighter, a few archangel conflicts and the fragile mental state of another, but the emotional depth is rich. Much of the story centers on Elena and Raphael embracing change, surrounded by the people who’ve become their family.

 

I especially loved how Elena’s memories of those she’s lost remain fresh. Her grief and love coexist, and she finds a way to let those memories shine in this new beginning.

 

I was genuinely sad to see this series end, but Nalini Singh closes it with such grace and warmth that I finished the final page with a full heart and a huge smile.

4.5 Stars

Book Description:

Elena and Raphael return for the hauntingly poignant conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s genre-defining Guild Hunter series.

A thousand years.

It’s been a millennium since Elena’s fateful first meeting with Archangel Raphael. She has survived war and loss, experienced beauty and cruelty. But no matter what, she has always held on to her mortal heart, as she and Raphael have held on to each other. Passionate and vibrant, they’ve built a life that has stood the test of time, growing ever stronger with each turn of the sun.

But change is coming—of a magnitude they could have never imagined—and it will forever alter the trajectory of their existence.

Even as they grapple with the cataclysmic shift in their personal lives, the Cadre of Ten, which has maintained a hard-won peace for centuries, begins to simmer with dangerous fault lines. The specter of madness looms in one archangel, the promise of war burns between two others, and in darkness far from mortal and immortal eyes stirs an ancient, slumbering power.

Suddenly, the future is terrifyingly uncertain . . . at the very moment that Elena and her archangel need to protect a treasure infinitely more precious than eternity.

 

Review: Five-Star Summer by Sarah Morgan

 

Five-Star Summer by Sarah Morgan

Publication Date: May 5th 2026 by MIRA & Harlequin Audio

Pages: 368

Audio Book Length: 10hrs 21mins

Narrator: Henrietta Meire

Source: Publishers

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Evie Hamilton steps in as acting general manager of The Alexandra in Cornwall after the previous manager suffers a heart attack. She basically grew up in the hotel, with her father as concierge, so she’s known the staff since childhood. That history makes it hard for her to enforce change, but without it, the struggling hotel may not survive.

 

Abby Jones, meanwhile, has worked her way through every role in her mother’s hotel group, yet her colleagues still assume she’s only advanced because she’s the boss’s daughter. When her mother sends her undercover to the Cornwall property to find out why the hotel is underperforming, Abby jumps at the chance. Going incognito means the staff will speak freely, but it also means hiding who she is.

 

Evie and Abby click almost instantly. Evie is relieved to finally have support from head office, and Abby is surprised by how quickly she feels welcomed and understood. Still, the secret she’s keeping makes her uneasy.

 

The story unfolds through the perspectives of Evie, Abby, and Abby’s mother, Alexandra, each woman dealing with issues. I loved watching Evie and Abby’s friendship grow as they leaned on each other. Evie needed guidance on managing a staff who still saw her as the concierge’s daughter, and Abby’s fresh approach helped her find her footing. Abby, who’s never had close friends, finds Evie’s warmth and acceptance unexpectedly healing. Alexandra, too, has her own history with the Cornwall hotel and her own reasons for sending Abby there.

 

Each woman also gets their own romance. A nice addition rounding out the story, but it wasn’t the focus.

 

Sarah Morgan excels at writing relatable characters facing realistic problems, making me feel and root for every one of them! Everything comes together in a cozy, uplifting way with low drama and plenty of heart.

 

I alternately read and listened to an audio version and can recommend either. Henrietta Meire’s performance was wonderful! She seamlessly alternated between characters, giving each one a distinct voice and personality.

4 Stars

Book Description:

A joyful, sun‑soaked story of friendship, love, and new beginnings, from USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan—perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan, Jill Shalvis, and seaside escapes.

Running a five-star Cornish hotel should have been Evie Hamilton’s dream job. But restoring it to its former glory is going to take a miracle. All Evie has is grit, and a hoard of unruly staff who love to speculate about her love life. She needs back-up, and fast.

Enter Abby Jones. Parachuted in by the hotel’s umbrella company for the summer, Abby thinks Evie could be the best friend she never had. But Abby has her own agenda for being in Cornwall. If her real motives are uncovered, their friendship is going to melt away faster than an ice cream in the summer sun.

Yet Abby’s arrival starts a chain reaction. With the help of a charming chef and a gruff pub owner, they begin to embrace their true selves and the bonds that unite them. But it’s not just the hotel’s five-star reputation that needs rebuilding – Evie and Abby will also have to brave tearing down their lives in order to reshape their futures…