Book Review

Looking for your next read? Here you’ll find my honest, thoughtful reviews of the books I’ve been reading, from cover design and writing style to characters, themes, what worked, what didn’t, and everything in between. But I’m also interested in what happens beyond the pages: who a book might be right for, who might want to skip it, and what choosing it can tell us about the kind of reading life we actually want. Whether you’re looking for your next great read or trying to decide if a particular book belongs on your TBR, pull up a chair and have a look around.

I Wanted a Dark Psychological Thriller. Famous Left Me Underwhelmed.
I Wanted a Dark Psychological Thriller. Famous Left Me Underwhelmed.

I’ve discovered that sometimes the biggest disappointment isn’t a bad book. It’s a book that promises exactly the kind of reading experience you’re craving… and never quite gets there.

In my newest review, I’m unpacking Famous by Blake Crouch, from the eye-catching cover that convinced me to buy it to the psychological thriller that left me wanting much more. If you’ve ever picked up a book because everything about it looked perfect, this one might feel familiar.

Read the full review and decide whether Famous belongs on your TBR.

Remarkably Bright Creatures Book Review: Is This Overhyped Bestseller Worth Reading?
Remarkably Bright Creatures Book Review: Is This Overhyped Bestseller Worth Reading?

Everyone seemed to love Remarkably Bright Creatures. It was a bestseller, a book club pick, and eventually a Netflix adaptation. So when I finally picked it up, I expected to understand exactly why readers had fallen for it.

Instead, I finished with a slightly more complicated reaction.

I liked it. I appreciated it. I even found myself thinking about its themes long after I finished reading.

But I didn’t quite love it the way I expected to.

In my latest review, I’m talking about what worked for me, what didn’t, and why sometimes the most interesting reading experiences happen when your opinion doesn’t quite match the hype.

Problematic Summer Romance Review: When Does an Age Gap Romance Become Problematic?
Problematic Summer Romance Review: When Does an Age Gap Romance Become Problematic?

What happens when a romance comes with a built-in question mark?

In *Problematic Summer Romance*, Ali Hazelwood gives us a 23-year-old woman, a 38-year-old man, a brother’s best friend, a destination wedding in Sicily, and enough yearning to keep the Ionian coast warm. I went into this one ready for a fun summer escape, and I got exactly that, along with a few thoughts about age gaps, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves about who we’re allowed to become.

Plus: smart-silly banter, adorable animal friends, and a third-act breakup that isn’t actually a third-act breakup. Brilliant.

Read my review to find out whether this “problematic” romance lived up to its title

The Last Murder at the End of the World: An Underrated Sci-Fi Mystery Worth Reading
The Last Murder at the End of the World: An Underrated Sci-Fi Mystery Worth Reading

I picked up The Last Murder at the End of the World because the cover caught my eye, the premise intrigued me, and I already knew I liked Stuart Turton’s strange, twisty storytelling. What I didn’t expect was a layered science fiction mystery that would leave me thinking about humanity, purpose, community, and the value of every life.

And honestly? I think this book is way underhyped.

I’ve shared my full review, including why I think you should read it, who might want to skip it, the cover details that convinced me to buy it, and the very specific reading challenge that sent me in the wrong direction.

The Science Fiction Love Story That Rewards Slow Readers | This Is How You Lose the Time War Review
The Science Fiction Love Story That Rewards Slow Readers | This Is How You Lose the Time War Review

The shortest book I’ve wanted to read twice.
Some books are entertaining.
Some books linger.
*This Is How You Lose the Time War* somehow manages both in under 200 pages. My newest review explores why this poetic time travel romance challenged me, surprised me, and left me wanting to start again from page one.
If you’ve ever wondered whether a difficult book can also be deeply rewarding, this one’s for you.
👉 Read the full review.

Daggermouth Review: A Brutal, Slow-Burn Fantasy Romance That Refuses to Let Go
Daggermouth Review: A Brutal, Slow-Burn Fantasy Romance That Refuses to Let Go

Some books earn five stars.

Some books earn permanent shelf space.

*Daggermouth* surprised me by doing both.

In my newest review, I’m looking beyond the plot to explore why its unforgettable cover perfectly prepares readers for what’s inside, how its slow-burn romance actually works, and why this dark dystopian fantasy left me immediately wanting book two.

If you’ve been wondering whether the hype is deserved, I have thoughts.

Beloved Book Review: Why Toni Morrison’s Classic Demands More Than Just Your Time
Beloved Book Review: Why Toni Morrison’s Classic Demands More Than Just Your Time

Readers sometimes ask whether a classic really deserves its reputation.

After finishing *Beloved*, my answer is yes… with one important caveat.

This isn’t simply a book you read. It’s a book you carry. In my newest review, I’m sharing what landed for me, what didn’t, and why choosing *when* to read this novel may matter just as much as choosing to read it at all.

Chain-Gang All-Stars Book Review: The Most Devastating Novel I’ve Read This Year
Chain-Gang All-Stars Book Review: The Most Devastating Novel I’ve Read This Year

I picked up *Chain-Gang All-Stars* to fulfill a reading challenge prompt and ended up discovering one of the most powerful novels I’ve read in years.

It’s brutal. It’s brilliant. And thanks to its use of footnotes, the line between dystopian fiction and reality becomes increasingly difficult to ignore.

In my latest review, I’m sharing why this story worked so well, what made the footnotes unforgettable, and why this is a book I’ll be carrying with me for a long time.

Read the full review →