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Book Reviews

Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales

In a literary landscape saturated with royal romances, Sophie Gonzales delivers something genuinely fresh with Nobody in Particular, a nuanced exploration of forbidden love that transcends its familiar premise through authentic character development and unflinching examination of institutional homophobia. This latest offering from the acclaimed author of Only Mostly Devastated and Perfect on Paper demonstrates […]

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Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor

Hazel Gaynor’s “Before Dorothy” dares to venture into sacred literary territory, reimagining the untold story of the woman who would become Aunt Em in L. Frank Baum’s beloved “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Rather than simply borrowing from a classic, Gaynor crafts a deeply personal narrative that transforms the stern, gray figure from the original […]

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The Wren in the Holly Library by K.A. Linde

K.A. Linde’s latest venture into the paranormal romance realm arrives like a winter storm—fierce, beautiful, and utterly transformative. The Wren in the Holly Library opens The Oak and Holly Cycle with a premise so audacious it borders on literary alchemy: What happens when Celtic mythology crashes into post-apocalyptic New York, and love blooms in the […]

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The Slip by Lucas Schaefer

Lucas Schaefer’s debut novel “The Slip” arrives with the force of an unexpected haymaker, delivering a narrative that’s as intricate as it is audacious. Set against the sweltering backdrop of 1998 Austin, this ambitious work weaves together multiple storylines centered around a missing teenager, a boxing gym, and the fluid nature of identity in America. […]

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Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove

Barbara Truelove’s debut novel Of Monsters and Mainframes is a remarkable achievement that defies easy categorization. Part space opera, part horror thriller, part found family narrative, and thoroughly queer in its sensibilities, this book represents something genuinely fresh in the crowded landscape of science fiction. What begins as a seemingly straightforward tale of a spaceship […]

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Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell

John Wiswell’s Wearing the Lion stands as a remarkable achievement in contemporary mythological fiction, transforming the brutal heroics of Heracles into a deeply moving meditation on trauma, healing, and the radical power of compassion. Following his Nebula Award-winning debut Someone You Can Build a Nest In, Wiswell continues to demonstrate his singular ability to humanize […]

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Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell by Gillian French

Gillian French’s transition from young adult fiction to adult crime thriller proves masterfully executed in Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell, a psychologically complex examination of grief, obsession, and the devastating cost of seeking truth. French crafts a narrative that burrows under your skin like Shaw’s relentless pursuit of answers, creating an atmosphere thick with rural […]

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The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel

In the pantheon of World War II historical fiction, few authors have proven as consistently adept at weaving together the threads of past and present as Kristin Harmel. With The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau, the New York Times bestselling author delivers what may be her most emotionally resonant and intricately plotted novel yet—a stunning […]

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Someone Knows by Vi Keeland

Vi Keeland, primarily known for her contemporary romance novels like “The Baller,” “Jilted,” “Indiscretion,” and “Bossman,” takes a bold leap into psychological thriller territory with “Someone Knows.” This departure from her usual romantic fare demonstrates remarkable versatility, though it comes with both triumphs and growing pains that reflect an author stretching beyond her comfort zone. […]

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Don’t Open Your Eyes by Liv Constantine

When life feels perfect, that’s precisely when everything threatens to unravel. Liv Constantine’s latest psychological thriller, Don’t Open Your Eyes, masterfully explores this terrifying truth through Annabelle Reynolds, a woman whose seemingly ideal existence becomes a waking nightmare when her dreams begin predicting a devastating future. The Premise: When Dreams Become Reality Constantine crafts a […]