Audiobook Reviews: The Damage Man by Gregg Hurwitz and Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy by Martha Wells

 

The Damage Man (Orphan X #11.5) by Gregg Hurwitz

Publication Date: September 1st 2026 by Macmillan Audio

Pages: 87

Audio Book Length: 2hrs 2min

Narrator: Scott Brick

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

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

My Thoughts:

The Orphan X series is one of my all-time favorites! I pounce on every installment, novella and short story. So, I was thrilled to get an audio copy of The Damage Man!

 

Ethan Smoak was taken from foster care as and trained an elite assassin for a covert government program, but left when his conscience demanded it. Now he operates as The Nowhere Man, helping the helpless. His training and smarts make him a formidable foe. Just when you think there’s no way out he somehow prevails!

 

In this short story Evan stumbles across a man being threatened by a loan shark’s debt collector. He steps in to help and finds out the debt is owed by the man’s estranged son. Evan tracks the threat to the boss and does what Evan does, but seeing the strained relationship between the father and son drudges up feelings over his own abandonment. He’s not ready to confront his past and yet circumstances force his hand.

 

Thankfully, Evan has amassed a found family: Joey, Tommy, Mia and more, and it’s everything I want for Evan! He deserves all the loyalty and love! Joey is there for support just when he needs it.

 

From the first book I’ve been “reading” by audio. Scott Brick is a fantastic narrator, bringing Evan to life. He IS Evan Smoak to me even now. His female voices and accents are excellent, and his comedic timing is spot on! 

4 Stars

Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy (Murderbot Diaries #2.5) by Martha Wells

Publication Date: September 1st 2026 by Macmillan Audio

Pages: 34

Audio Book Length: 53min

Narrator: Kevin R. Free

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★½

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

My Thoughts:

Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy is a short story centering on Perihelion “Perry” (or ART according to Murderbot) and its crew after he meets up with Murderbot. Iris, his sort of human sister and the crew notice some changes in Perry but he’s a little coy about his new friendship. This is a cute short story. 

The Murderbot Diaries is unique and fun and I’ve loved all the stories and short stories! I recommend reading from the beginning. The traditional audio with Kevin R. Free narrating is amazing. He captures Murderbot’s personality and dry humor so well! There are sound effects here as well, which was a nice addition.

 

3.5 Stars

Audiobook Review: Don't Look Close by Jaima Fixsen

 

Don't Look Close by Jaima Fixsen

Publication Date: August 18th 2026 by Recorded Books

Pages: 352

Audio Book Length: 11hrs 26min

Narrator: Libby McKnight

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

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

My Thoughts:

Peter Simmons is finally being released from hospital after contracting polio and enduring a long rehabilitation. Unsure of what the future holds, he's looking forward to a fresh start in the quaint mining town where his sister Edie lives and works as a nurse. However, instead of picking him up, Edie calls to say she’s been taken in for questioning after her ex-husband was found murdered.

 

Peter’s a likeable kind of underdog hero. Dealing with mobility issues and adjusting to a new life, he finds himself trying to solve a murder and clear his sister's name. As a newcomer to town, he has to tread carefully while questioning Edie's friends and workmates. The police seem convinced they already have their culprit. Peter's photography skills prove surprisingly useful, helping both with the investigation and providing alibis as the body count continues to rise.

 

I liked both Peter and Edie, although I did think some of their decisions were a little haphazard at times. Edie is a strong character, especially for the era, having the courage to leave an emotionally abusive husband. Her nursing background also comes in handy throughout the story. Peter feels somewhat adrift at the beginning, but the situation he's thrown into gives him a renewed sense of purpose and something to work toward.

 

I really enjoyed Don't Look Close, a murder mystery set in the 1950s. It has the feel of a classic whodunit, with no shortage of suspects that kept me guessing. While this case is solved, the ending makes me wonder if there are more mysteries ahead for Peter.

 

I listened to an audio version and thought Libby McKnight did a good job bringing the characters to life. 

4 Stars

Book Description:

From USA Today bestselling author Jaima Fixsen comes a gripping crime novel perfect for fans of William Kent Kruger, following one man who would do anything for his sister, even if it means catching a serial killer …

If you look closely, you just may catch a killer.

When Peter Simmons calls his sister Edie from the polio rehabilitation ward, he expects to hear that she's on her way to get him. Instead, he learns her ex-husband has been murdered—and whispers around town have turned her into a prime suspect.

Determined to set things right, Peter checks himself out of the hospital and heads to Clairbeck, the rugged mining community Edie calls home. He can't walk or drive unassisted, but armed with his camera and a stubborn streak, he's intent on proving her innocence.

Clairbeck, however, is far from welcoming. Old grudges between miners and the establishment simmer, and even Edie's clinic isn't the safe haven it appears to be. As Peter observes—and then investigates—he starts to wonder … Is someone watching, waiting, and eliminating anyone who steps out of line?

In a town shrouded in secrets, Peter's eye for truth might be the only thing that stops a killer, unless he draws the killer's eye first …

Review: The One Who Walked Away by Karen Rose

 

The One Who Walked Away (Mendocino #1) by Karen Rose

Publication Date: August 11th 2026 by Berkley

Pages: 528

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

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

My Thoughts:

Elle Randolph traded her career as a family law attorney in Florida for life as a bounty hunter after a terrible accident ended in tragedy. She left Florida and went to work as a bounty hunter with one of her close friends. Looking for a fugitive leads her to the small, picturesque town of Mendocino, California. When the innkeeper of the hotel they’re staying at is murdered it seems there’s more to the job than they first thought.

 

Detective Ronan Clarke isn’t thrilled to have two bounty hunters muddling his murder investigation, but he gradually forms a reluctant friendship with Elle, and an attraction begins to grow between them. Unlike her partner, Elle seems to have a strong moral compass and is more willing to share important information. Still, as the body count rises, it becomes clear that Elle may know more than she’s letting on.

 

The case grew increasingly intense as the killer became more desperate. At first, I wasn’t sure what their motives were, which kept me guessing throughout the story. I found myself worried not only for Elle but for anyone who crossed paths with her, especially as several clues seemed to point toward her being the murderer.

 

I loved the setting of Mendocino, a town I’ve visited many times. It was easy to picture the charming community and its breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean along the Northern California coast.

 

I was also happy with how the romance was handled. It fit naturally into the story without overshadowing the mystery, and given the dangerous circumstances, anything more prominent wouldn’t have felt believable.

 

I really enjoyed The One Who Walked Away, the first book in Karen Rose’s new series. I’m a big fan of her romantic suspense novels and always look forward to her latest releases. I was very satisfied with how everything came together and am hoping there are many more mysteries to come in this series!

4 Stars

Book Description:

A bounty hunter must outrun her past before it catches up to her in this pulse-pounding new standalone thriller

Bounty hunter Elle Randolph takes on every case she can, in an effort to outrun herself. Three years ago, she was the only one who walked away from a car crash that killed her husband and two others. Although she was cleared of any wrongdoing, she is fueled by guilt and dedicated to solving other people’s problems. But her running is over when she’s identified as a person of interest in a murder investigation.

Detective Ronan Clarke, a single dad for fifteen years, has been laser-focused on raising his daughter and serving the people of Mendocino County, California. He’s got everything under control—until a bounty hunter enters his jurisdiction, keeping secrets and bringing murder to his quiet town. The hunter is definitely involved in his current case, but exactly how is his question. Could she be his killer? As he unravels her secrets, he becomes increasingly troubled by what he finds. While Elle is forced to reexamine every painful memory of the life she left behind, Ronan grows more and more sure of her innocence. But can he trust himself to uncover the truth amid their growing attraction?

Review: Brimstone Hollow by Archer Sullivan

 

Brimstone Hollow (Annie Gore #2) by Archer Sullivan

Publication Date: August 11th 2026 by Minotaur Books & Macmillan Audio

Pages: 304

Audio Book Length: 9hrs 43min

Narrator: Emily Pike Stewart

Source: Publishers

Rating: ★★★★

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

My Thoughts:

When snake-handling preacher Ezra King is found dead from snake bites and then buried less than twenty-four hours later, his estranged daughter Katie becomes suspicious. She hires Annie to investigate. On the surface, it looks like a tragic accident involving dangerous animals, but Annie agrees to take a closer look. Being local and familiar with small-town Appalachian culture, she’s able to ask questions and gain trust in ways an outsider never could.

 

Ezra left behind a troubled past, found religion, and used his charismatic personality to become the preacher at Mount Zion. His tent revivals featured snakes. Yikes!

 

As Annie starts digging for answers, word quickly spreads around town. What seemed like a straightforward case soon turns suspicious, especially after Annie narrowly survives an attempt on her life.

 

Brimstone Hollow is the second book in the Annie Gore series. While this could be read as a standalone, each mystery is wrapped up, I’d still recommend starting with the first book to better understand Annie’s background and how she became a PI.

 

I enjoyed watching Annie quickly gain acceptance in Mount Zion by treating the locals with genuine respect. Several residents proved helpful, and the descriptions of food at the little hole-in-the-wall diner Annie discovered had my mouth watering. The story had plenty of twists, action, and layers. I appreciated Annie’s determination to get to the truth. I’m already looking forward to her next case!

 

I alternated between the audiobook and eBook and recommend either format. Emily Pike Stewart, who also narrated the previous installment, did another wonderful job. Her subtle Southern accent suited the story perfectly, and I enjoyed that she sang portions of the hymns featured in the book. Her performance definitely enhanced my enjoyment.

4 Stars

Book Description:

Following her powerful debut in The Witch’s Orchard, private investigator Annie Gore returns in Brimstone Hollow, bringing readers back to the mountains that author Archer Sullivan, a ninth generation Appalachian, knows so well.

There isn’t much that happens in the Appalachian Mountains that Private Investigator Annie Gore hasn’t seen. Before she joined the Air Force, she was born and raised in those rolling hills, and lately Annie's cases have called her away from her Louisville office and closer to the small towns of her youth than she ever anticipated. But when her newest client asks if she’s ever been to a snake-handling church, Annie knows she’s about to enter unknown territory.

Katie May has been estranged from her father―one of Appalachia’s last infamous snake handling preachers―for twenty years. But when Katie finds out he’s been fatally bitten, and a funeral was held within twenty-four hours, she questions whether someone deliberately rushed the process. Despite Annie’s doubts, she takes the case. After all, when she looks at Katie, she sees a version of herself: a girl who needs to understand her father in order to understand herself.

As she navigates the hidden hollers and dangerous secrets of this insular Eastern Kentucky town, Annie works fast, hoping to find the truth in record time for her client―and before too many memories from her own childhood surface. But it soon becomes apparent that someone wants Annie’s investigation to stop―by any means necessary.

Audiobook Review: The Missing Couple by Debra Webb

 

The Missing Couple by Debra Webb

Publication Date: July 28th 2026 by Harlequin Audio

Pages: 220

Audio Book Length: 6hrs 9min

Narrator: Megan Tusing

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

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

My Thoughts:

Charly discovers that a newlywed couple hasn’t checked out of one of her cabins in her rustic retreat in the Alabama woods. It’s odd because they’ve left everything, even their cell phones.

 

Billie Jager, an investigator for the Colby Agency and the brother of Briana, the missing woman, comes immediately when Charly reveals the details of their disappearance. Charly and Billie work together as Charly has connections with her small town and Billie has the expertise to narrow down the suspect list. There’s a spark of attraction between them, but that goes on the back burner given the urgency of the situation.

 

The motive behind the abduction of Briana and Martin quickly becomes apparent and it seems the crime connects with past disappearances and there’s a few in town that keep popping up as they look into the circumstances of the missing persons. There was no shortage of suspects.

 

I listened to this audio straight through. I was on the edge worried for the missing couple and hoping they’d be found unharmed. I liked how well Charly and Billie worked together and the methodical way they searched for the truth. The ending was an exciting one filled with reveals and danger!

 

I listened to the audio version and I thought Megan Tusing did a wonderful job bringing these characters to life. She performed both male and female characters seamlessly with appropriate emotions enhancing my enjoyment of this exciting mystery!

4 Stars

Book Description:

In a small town...they uncover shocking secrets.


Charly Nix could lose everything when her rustic Alabama retreat is rocked by a missing persons scandal. When Colby agent Billie Jagger arrives to help Charly search for the newlywed couple who have disappeared, the stakes intensify when he reveals that it’s his beloved sister who’s missing. And he’ll stop at nothing to find her. But as he and Charly investigate, their solo MOs develop into a partnership with feelings neither expected. Most alarming, the couple’s disappearance may be related to decades of other unsolved crimes in the quiet small town. Can they rescue Briana and Martin — before they’re gone for good?

Review: The Age of Enchantment by Anna James

 

The Age of Enchantment (Chronicles of Whetherwhy #1) by Anna James

Publication Date: April 29th 2025 by Flamingo Books

Pages: 304

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

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

My Thoughts:

The Age of Enchantment was a delightful middle-grade fantasy filled with adventure, magic, and whimsy. I enjoyed every minute of it!

 

On their thirteenth birthday, twins Juniper and Rafferty Quinn are summoned to determine their guild affiliation and enchantment inspection. Usually, this is when they find out their season affiliation: spring, summer, autumn or winter, but some, called Enchanters, have extra magical powers and can wield all the seasons. Enchanters go to Thistledown Academy for special magical training.

 

Both Juniper and Rafferty are almost certain that Juniper is an Enchanter and worry about their inevitable separation.

 

Juniper and a couple of other students en route to the academy are attacked by a mysterious group intent on stealing some of their power. It’s an encounter that leaves Juniper shaken up. The academy's faculty are determined to uncover who is responsible and whether other Enchanters are at risk.

 

Meanwhile, unwilling to be far from his sister, Rafferty secures an apprenticeship as a bookbinder near the academy. Before long, he finds himself entangled in a mystery of his own, one that intersects with Juniper's.

 

One of my favorite aspects of the book was the storytelling format. The story is narrated by a grandfather to his grandchildren, who hang on every word as they eagerly follow Juniper and Rafferty's adventures. Their excitement and questions perfectly mirrored my own!

 

This adventure wraps up but there’s another to come in The Season of Flames. I can't wait to see what happens next!

4 Stars

Book Description:

First in a brand-new fantasy series from acclaimed author Anna James, filled with seasonal magic and exciting adventure

In Whetherwhy, everyone has magic inside them – grown from the changing seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. But a rare few are people born with magic in their bones, who can wield all four seasons of magic.

When Juniper discovers she is an Enchanter, she must leave behind everything she knows to begin studying at the Thistledown Academy of Enchantment. Unwilling to be left behind, her twin brother, Rafferty, decides to follow her to the capital city of Stormgrove and takes up an apprenticeship at a nearby bookbinder.

As Juniper makes new friends and learns how to wield enchantment, Rafferty becomes involved with a mysterious secret society that meet after dark. Monsters are creeping out of the shadows and dangers lurk in unexpected places. Amid night markets and magic lessons, they both realise there is more to enchantment – and life in Whetherwhy – than they could ever have imagined.

Audiobook Review: The Delivery by Gregg Hurwitz

 

The Delivery by Gregg Hurwitz

Publication Date: July 28th 2026 by Audible Studios

Pages: 225

Audio Book Length: 4hrs 48min

Narrator: Scott Brick

Source: Part of Audible/Kindle Unlimited Membership

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

We hear about AI everywhere now and I can’t help but think of the Terminator movies whenever it’s being discussed. The Delivery isn’t quite like that but the story poses a chilling situation that I don’t think is too far fetched!

 

Rebecca and Mark are overwhelmed by life. Mark has a demanding job and overbearing boss. And while they love their neurodivergent daughter, Maddy, her everyday needs are constant and draining.

 

There’s an a-hole neighbor adding to Rebecca’s stress and mean-girls at school for Maddy. I really felt for all three of them!

 

When they’re offered help in the form of an AI bot, “Mr. Man” they’re hesitant, but in the end the offer of help is too great to resist.

 

At first, it’s a dream, but soon Mr. Man’s interpretation of “help” becomes troubling. Part of me (the dark part) wasn’t completely horrified by his “solutions”.

 

I’m a huge fan of Gregg Hurwitz’s Orphan X series, so when I saw this standalone novella I had to grab it and I was not disappointed!

 

Scott Brick also narrates the Orphan X series, and his performance is perfection! So, it came as no surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed his narration here as well.

4 Stars

Book Description:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Orphan X series comes a tense novella, a psychological thriller about an AI companion that will do anything to serve—with terrifying consequences.

Rebecca and Mark Higgins are doing their best to hold their family together. She’s healing from the pain of a miscarriage, he’s drowning in pressure at work, and their neurodivergent daughter, Maddy, needs all the care she can get. So when a cutting-edge tech company offers the perfect solution, they jump at the chance. And they welcome “Mr. Man”—a humanoid AI companion—into their home.

Designed to anticipate their needs, he’s like a miracle at first. The house runs like clockwork. Meals appear on the table. And Maddy thrives under his patient attention. But when inexplicable tragedies start to strike the neighborhood, Rebecca glimpses a darker pattern at play.

Each incident is an answer to an unspoken fear, each kindness shadowed by violence. Mr. Man isn’t just following instructions—he’s anticipating what they want. Even the things they never dared to say. And if he’s executing their darkest desires, it’s their responsibility to stop him…at any cost.

Audiobook Review: The Lion's Tusk by Robert Jackson Bennett

 

The Lion's Tusk (Shadow of the Leviathan) by Robert Jackson Bennett

Publication Date: July 28th 2026 by Brilliance Publishing

Pages: 38

Audio Book Length: 1hrs 14min

Narrator: Hannah Curtis

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

As a fan of the Shadow of the Leviathan series, I was excited to listen to this short mystery featuring Ana Dolabra as the storyteller rather than the usual narrator, her assistant Din. Ana is clever and has unraveled the most puzzling mysteries from the thinnest threads of evidence. I loved getting a story from her point of view for a change.

 

While Ana and Din are enduring a long carriage ride, Ana decides to pass the time by telling Din about a century-old mystery she solved after reading the investigator’s reports. The case is both strange and gruesome, centering on newlyweds who were murdered on their wedding night.

 

The Lion’s Tusk is a short listen, just one hour and fourteen minutes, but it completely held my attention from beginning to end. Hannah Curtis was a new-to-me narrator, and I thought she was wonderful as Ana. Ana has always been a larger-than-life character to me, and Ms. Curtis captured that perfectly. Her rich, low voice and pleasing accent made the listening experience even more enjoyable.

 

The audio and e-copy available on Kindle Unlimited.

4 Stars

Book Description: 

An eccentric detective turns to the fantastical to solve a cold case in a short story by the Hugo Award–winning author of The Tainted Cup.

On a long carriage journey with her assistant Din, brilliant investigator Ana Dolabra ponders a solution to an impossible crime that has remained unsolved for centuries. A lavish wedding for two noble scions of the Empire descended into chaos when the newlyweds were found murdered in their marriage bed. But Ana—an expert in ancient myths, awakened beasts, and magic—knows that nothing is impossible, only unimaginable.

Robert Jackson Bennett’s The Lion’s Tusk is part of the Magic & Mystery collection, puzzle-box mysteries from top fantasy authors. They can be read or listened to in one enchanting sitting.

Review: The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer & Tamara Moss

 

The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer & Tamara Moss

Publication Date: April 7th 2026 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Pages: 403

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

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

My Thoughts:

Season four of The Escape Game, a reality escape room game show, didn’t end well. Sisters, Alicia and Sierra were pitted against each other on rival teams, each working to solve escape rooms for a cash prize. The finale was like a scene from a horror movie when Alicia is found murdered. It’s rumored Sierra killed her.

 

Surprisingly the show is going on with season five. There are new contestants: Adi, a cryptographer, not excited to be on the show but if he wins, it will help him escape the clutches of his mother, a horrid, attention seeking woman. Carter is brilliant at math and solving puzzles, famous on social media under her avatar, but she’s painfully shy in person. Beck designs his own escape rooms and has a history with the show’s backer. To everyone’s surprise, Sierra returns and is the most controversial contestant. A lot of people think she killed her sister in a fit of sibling rivalry, but she doesn’t let that derail her mission. Together they form Team Helsing.

 

Sierra’s motives are unclear at the beginning, especially when she leans into her goth-girl-with-a-grudge persona, but it didn’t take me long to root for her. I enjoyed seeing these misfits merge and slowly build trust. Together they confront danger from unknown fronts as they try to keep ahead in the game.

 

The Escape Game was an edgy and fun YA mystery that hooked me from the start!  I had my suspicions which were confirmed in one way, but there was a big surprise I didn’t see coming. Things got a little crazy in the end! This mystery wraps up, but there’s another book coming. I look forward to joining Team Helsing in their next adventure!

4 Stars

Book Description:

It’s all fun and games until someone ends up dead.

Six months ago, season four of The Escape Game ended in horror when contestant Alicia Angelos was found murdered on set.

Now season five is underway, and new contestants are ready to put their skills to the test solving the show's trickiest escape rooms. There's Adi, the cryptographer; Carter, the math whiz; Beck, the wannabe game master, and . . . Sierra Angelos, the girl who got away with her sister’s murder. Or so everyone believes.

But Sierra’s not just here to win. She’s here for justice.

When the contestants begin uncovering clues that hint at the identity of Alicia’s true killer, it becomes clear that the stakes aren’t high in this competition, they’re deadly. If these teens want to win—and survive—the game, they must solve the biggest mystery of who killed Alicia Angelos?

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marissa Meyer and rising star Tamara Moss comes a twisty thrill-ride, filled with sabotage, betrayal, and puzzles to die for.

Review: If Books Could Kill by Kate Eberle

 

If Books Could Kill by Kate Eberle

Publication Date: July 21st 2026 by Penguin Books

Pages: 368

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

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

My Thoughts:

Anna Matthews is Roxie’s favorite romance author, so when she offhandedly makes a wish to be the heroine in Anna’s next book and her wish is granted it’s like a dream come true. Unfortunately, for Roxie, Anna’s decided to break from her usual romance genre and venture into crime thrillers. Roxie thinks she’s on a date with a dreamy book boyfriend when suddenly book BF tries to kill her.

 

Roxie doesn’t know the first thing about crime novels but as she’s making a run for safety she’s thrown into the path of Grant, an English professor and crime novel junkie. Together they navigate the crazy imaginings of Anna all the while trying to figure a way out of the plot and danger.

 

If Books Could Kill was a unique premise and so much fun! I’d say it was a whacky mash-up of romance, thriller and comedy, action-packed from page one! Roxie and Grant made a great team, albeit a reluctant one at first. Their romance was a slow-burn one nudged by fake dating and marriage situations that were both hilarious and heartwarming. I wasn’t sure how it’d all work out but loved their journey to HEA!

4 Stars

Book Description:

A NOVEL LOVE STORY meets LOVE IN THE TIME OF SERIAL KILLERS in this rom-com following Roxie Mitchell, an adventure-loving romance reader who finds herself trapped in a meet-cute turned murderous

When Roxie makes a tongue-in-cheek wish to live out the plot of her favorite author’s next novel, she has romance in mind—namely, the sweet, safe, swoon-worthy storylines Anna Matthews is known for. It should be a dream come true when her wish is granted and she finds herself swept into a first date with a handsome stranger who seems designed to take her breath away.

Except for one little hiccup: That handsome stranger tries to take her breath away. Literally. With a knife. The thing is, Roxie may be the new Anna Matthews protagonist—but this time, Anna is writing a crime thriller.

Thrown into a perilous genre she’s never read, Roxie is desperate for help. So when her escape takes her straight into the path of Grant Hoffman, an anxious English professor with a convenient love of crime novels, she decides that kidnapping a grown man is a small price to pay for her own survival. Together, Roxie and Grant navigate a madcap story where the lines between fiction and reality blur. They’ll find out if they have what it takes to make it to The End—or maybe even Happily Ever After.

Review: Chase Me If You Can by Heather Frances

 

Chase Me If You Can by Heather Frances

Publication Date: June 23rd 2026 by Berkley

Pages: 367

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★

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

My Thoughts:

Sloane takes six weeks away from her wedding photography business to pursue what she truly loves: chasing tornadoes and storms, capturing their beauty with her camera. Winning the Nature Shots cover contest could help launch her as a landscape photographer, but the magazine hasn’t chosen a female winner in years, and her male competition is “Wild Wes” Talbot, a popular and talented photographer who’s made his mark by taking risks and his big, playful persona. He’s a shameless flirt with her, but she’s not impressed.  With a self-absorbed mother, Sloane has always been the responsible one so Wes’s brash personality doesn’t sit well with her.

 

Unfortunately, when Wes has an accident, Sloane finds herself stuck with him for the rest of storm-chasing season. As they spend more time together, though, she begins to see a different side of him. While searching for the perfect winning shot, the thrill of chasing storms brings them closer together.

 

I wouldn’t call this an enemies-to-lovers romance, because the adversarial part was coming from Sloane not from Wes, but that quickly melted away when she was forced into spending so much time with him and got to see his actual character.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed Chase Me If You Can! The idea of spending six weeks traveling from state to state chasing storms sounds like an exciting adventure. Sloane and Wes were both well-developed, likeable characters, and I was fully invested in their journey and rooting for their HEA.

4 Stars

Book Description:

Two storm chasers find a love that could blow them away in this electric debut romance.

Wedding photographer Sloane Michaels might spend most of her year running after brides, but she lives for the six weeks each spring she chases tornadoes instead. When the prestigious magazine Nature Shots announces a cover contest, Sloane knows that winning could be the chance she needs to break up with taffeta for good and establish herself in landscape photography.

The last thing she needs is a distraction in the form of reckless “Wild Wes” Talbot. A legend among storm chasers, he’s been Sloane’s close, personal frenemy for the last decade and is the man to beat for the cover contest.

Sloane isn’t surprised when Wes gets in an accident that jeopardizes his season. But with an active weather pattern emerging, she doubles down on her need to beat Wes fair and square, and begrudgingly invites him to join her for the remainder of the season.

As they race through hail, high winds, and stormy skies, Sloane realizes that Wes might be more than the rich, flirty, Texas wildcard she thought she knew — and that the feelings blooming between them are more charged and dangerous than the storms they’re chasing.

Review: Unpredictable Magic by Faith Hunter

 

Unpredictable Magic (Everhart Investigations #1) by Faith Hunter

Publication Date: July 14th 2026 by Ace

Pages: 556

Source: Publisher  

Rating: ★★★★

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

My Thoughts:

Angie and her brother, Evan, are witches with ties to Queen Jane Yellowrock, but they’re striking out on their own by launching Everhart Investigations, a detective agency specializing in paranormal crimes. When a woman hires them to look for her friend, a woman who went missing at a party hosted by the Queen, it’s immediately obvious that she’s leaving out important details. They discover the missing woman has ties to Angie’s ex-husband, a vampire and nasty piece of work, with his own diabolical agenda.

 

Unpredictable Magic was an engrossing, but complex first installment in a new urban fantasy series. As the opening book in a spin-off series, and my first experience with the connected Jane Yellowrock novels, it did take me a bit to navigate this magical world and its many players. Alongside witches Angie and Evan, who are still learning the full extent of their powers, the story features vampires, demons, and plenty of political maneuvering.

 

Despite the learning curve, I thoroughly enjoyed this introduction to the Everhart Investigations series. The world-building is unique, and the mystery kept me invested. With nonstop action and lots of danger along the way, I was hooked from start to finish.

4 Stars

Book Description:

Witches Angelina and Evan Everhart-Trueblood take a case that spirals out of control until the whole city is at risk in this exciting new novel from New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter.

Angelina Everhart-Trueblood and her brother Evan run Everhart Investigations Inc., a PI firm in Chattanooga that solves paranormal crimes committed by supernatural beings. When their new client wants help finding her friend who supposedly disappeared during a reception at Angie’s aunt Jane’s winter residence, things get . . . complicated.

The client is not who she appears to be, and demons strike the city for the first time since the Demon War. On top of that, evidence is pointing toward the involvement of an overly ambitious vampire—who just happens to be Angie’s ex-husband.

As Angie and Evan team up with the CPD, they will have to dig deep into their magical reserves—and rely on some friends in high places—to rid Chattanooga of the danger creeping into their city.

Author Bio: Faith Hunter is the New York Times bestselling author of the Jane Yellowrock series, the Soulwood series, the Rogue Mage series, and the Junkyard series.

 

Review: The Summer Share by Jenn McKinlay

 

The Summer Share by Jenn McKinlay

Publication Date: May 26th 2026 by Berkley

Pages: 368

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★

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

My Thoughts:

Hannah, a van-life travel blogger, and Simon are shocked to learn they’ve each inherited half of the same beach cottage courtesy of their grandfathers,. Hannah wants to keep the cottage, since it’s been a while since she’s put down roots and Simon wants to sell for financial reasons.

 

They butt heads over that, but part of the will stipulates they live there for two months before making any decisions. Cohabitating gives them a chance to see the other’s side and a chance to get to know each other. Of course, (this is a romance!) sparks of attraction fly between them.

 

The Summer Share is the perfect summer read! The small town of Cape Split in the Outer Banks of North Carolina sounded so charming and beautiful!  Exactly the kind of place I’d want to spend a summer! The quirky, friendly community welcome Hannah and Simon right away and give them glimpses into their grandfather’s lives. I loved the gentle slow‑burn romance and the way both characters find peace, acceptance, and love.

4 Stars

Book Description:

When two misfits discover they’ve inherited the same beach house, sparks fly in the most unexpected ways, in this hilarious and heartfelt rom-com from the New York Times bestselling author of Summer Reading.

Free-spirited travel influencer Hannah Spencer has spent five years touring the country in her vintage van. An unexpected inheritance from her Pops brings Hannah to Cape Split, North Carolina, where she learns she’s the new owner of a worse-for-wear seaside beach house. Or, rather, fifty percent of one. Turns out Simon O’Malley inherited the other half from his Gramps.

As Simon and Hannah spend the summer tag-teaming repairs on the crumbling cottage, they discover the house was once home to a timeless love story. Soon, they begin to wonder if the house’s romantic past may be a good omen for their future together. But there’s one problem—Simon is set on selling the property at the end of the summer.

Hannah thought one summer at the Split would be enough, except it isn’t like any place she’s ever been, and Simon isn’t like any man she’s ever known—and she’s thinking about putting down some roots. She just needs Simon to see their budding relationship and this newfound community the same way or their first summer share might also be their last.