Book Review: "Killer Vibes" by Jack Friday

Peter is a lazy stoner who makes money as a weed dealer, mostly selling to local athletes. He’s smarter than he appears but he definitely has bad judgment, which leaves him broke and homeless. But salvation arrives when he learns that his uncle—whom he last saw 10 years ago—has left him a house in Austin.

He never really knew his uncle but he’s not one to look a gift house in the mouth. Yet he quickly discovers that his uncle not only owed $40K in property taxes, but shortly before he died, he took out a $500,000 line of credit. The money is nowhere to be found and the bank is ready to foreclose.

Everyone is pressuring him to sell the house, which is in a very popular neighborhood in Austin. But Peter doesn’t like being told what to do. And when he finds the hidden money, he realizes that his uncle was in far more trouble than it appeared, and it probably led to his death.

Peter’s refusal to sell the house angers lots of people, and things start to get more precarious for him. He connects with a private eye who was hired to protect him, and in addition to investigating his uncle’s death, the man teaches Peter about being a private investigator—something it appears he’s quite good at.

What Peter doesn’t realize is that he’s gotten himself tangled in a very sticky web, and there are lots of secrets he never knew. But can this lazy stoner outsmart money- and violence-hungry killers without hurting his buzz?

I loved this book. It was funny, action-packed, sexy, and surprisingly emotional at times. Peter is such a terrific character and I hope this is the first in a series of books featuring him. I shouldn’t be surprised how much I enjoyed this, given that Jack Friday is a pen name for John Fram, whose books are crazy good!

Book Review: "The Someday Garden" by Ashley Poston

I love magical realism in books, particularly romances. Ashley Poston is one of the authors who has helped develop my fondness for magical realism. I love the way each of her books have challenged my mind and touched my heart.

While in college at Duke University, Sophie saw a documentary about Lilymoor House & Gardens up in Maine. The beauty of the gardens, the mazes, even the legendary stories about the magic to be found intrigued her completely. She and her best friend Harriett visited during their senior year and were utterly obsessed. They made a promise to return 10 years later.

Ten years later, Sophie is a horticulturist for the New York Botanical Garden. She gets a summer job at Lilymoor, helping prepare the estate’s gardens for its bicentennial celebration. Working at Lilymoor is everything she dreamed it would be, and she quickly falls in love with its grounds, its staff, and Eula Beck, the spry and crafty old woman who owns the place.

There are definitely mysteries she can’t quite figure out, including the origin of vines that threaten to kill the hedges. But one evening she finds a door that she’s never seen before. It leads to an unfinished garden no one seems to know about. And there’s a handsome man who seems to be stuck there. But the door is never in the same place twice.

As the celebration draws closer, the estate’s quirks prove endearing and frustrating. Eula plans to retire but is quiet about what she plans to do with Lilymoor. And Sophie wants to help free the man from the garden, but not her heart.

There are a lot of separate storylines that take a while to gel and pick up momentum. I felt like the book really hit its stride in the last third or so, and there’s lots of emotion to be had. The supporting characters, including Damnit, the ornery goose, are endearing as well.

Book Review: "Life: A Love Story" by Elizabeth Berg

I would give this book 500 stars if I could! If I were to describe the kind of book that fills my heart, it would be this absolutely beautiful one.

“‘I think it means you can never really get to the bottom of knowing a person,’ Teresa says. ‘There’s so much inside each of us. But you can get a strong sense of certain fundamental qualities. You can come to a point of knowing enough.’”

Flo is 92 years old and she doesn’t have much longer to live. She plans to leave her house and all of its contents to her friend Ruthie. Flo and her late husband lived next door to Ruthie and her family when she was a child, and they doted on her like she was their own. When Ruthie became an adult, she and Flo became close friends.

Flo writes Ruthie a letter explaining the meaning of various possessions—why she keeps a rubber band in a box tied with a ribbon, where a single coffee mug came from and what it meant, etc. In the letter, she shares simple and extraordinary moments in her life and her marriage. She also gives Ruthie advice about love, loss, friendship, and generosity.

I found Flo to be an utterly unforgettable character, and I’m taking some of her advice to heart. This book was profoundly thought-provoking and immensely moving. Elizabeth Berg’s prose is gorgeous and paints indelible pictures in my mind.

“Terrence told her once about a language where there is no word for ‘hello.’ Rather, people greet each other by saying, ‘You are here.’ And the response is ‘Yes, I am.’”

Book Review: "The Best Little Motel in Texas" by Lyla Lane

This cozy mystery featuring the unlikeliest band of amateur detectives was such fun! I hope this is the start of a series.

Cordelia is completely shocked to receive a call from her old hometown of Sarsaparilla Falls, Texas. She and her mother fled the judgmental small town and rebuilt their lives in Dallas, and Cordelia hasn’t thought of the place—or of her childhood, getting her mother home from bars—in years.

It turns out her great-aunt Penelope (whom Cordelia didn’t know existed) passed away, and named her as the owner of the Chickadee Motel. Cordelia can’t imagine working at a motel, but apparently she can’t sell it unless the residents agree. So she reluctantly heads back to Sarsaparilla Falls to see what she’s been stuck with.

Much to her surprise, she finds out that the Chickadee isn’t a motel: it’s a brothel. The “residents” are Daisy, Belinda Sue, and Arline, three women who have been, umm, working with, the men in town for 40 or so years. (Mostly with their wives’ approval.) So Cordelia is the new madam.

The first thing she wants to do is get out of town and away from the motel. But when the town’s pastor dies in Daisy’s bed, and it appears he has been poisoned, Cordelia knows she needs to help her “chicks.” They begin their investigation in order to clear Daisy’s name, but they don’t realize what a tangled web they’ve stepped into.

I could only imagine what a film or television adaptation of this book would look like. Picturing the “chicks” in their outfits made me smile, and Cordelia was a fun character to watch develop. This really was a fun one!

Book Review: "One Week to Win the Chocolate Maker" by Timothy Janovsky

My favorite movie of all time is Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, so when I was offered the chance to read an ARC of a spicy M/M romance retelling of the story, I was excited and nervous. Thanks so much to Harlequin Books and NetGalley for the opportunity!

The Amorina Chocolate Factory has been in Dario Cotogna’s family for generations. Since his beloved grandfather died, Dario has been running the business, paying close attention to sustainability issues. But when his grandfather’s will is read, Dario is shocked: if he doesn’t marry before his 32nd birthday, the business will pass to his younger brother.

Dario isn’t dating anyone, but his grandfather thought of everything. A global competition is launched, and five contestants will be chosen. They’ll fly to Italy and stay for a week, to get to know Dario and the chocolate business, and then he will choose which one he wants to marry.

Charlie has never been out of his Pennsylvania hometown, let alone the country. He lives in a dilapidated house with his parents and grandparents, and he’s just found out the bank is about to foreclose. When Charlie reads about the contest, he realizes this could be his ticket to save his family and perhaps pursue his own dreams.

Charlie’s competitors are all very different: Selina, a trans supermodel; Beau, a musician always up for adventure; Ansel, a German watch expert; and Michelle, a design student. As the week progresses, Charlie and Dario’s connection deepens, but both are hiding their vulnerabilities. Will true love (and chocolate) win?

I loved that while this book was similar to the original story, it wasn’t a true retelling. (Spoiler alert: no Oompa-Loompas.) But Dario and Charlie were terrific, sympathetic characters, and their encounters were quite spicy. Timothy Janovsky never disappoints me!

The book will publish 1/27/2026.

Book Review: "Homecoming for Beginners" by Ashlyn Kane

This book hit me in all the feels!! I was looking for something to read because none of the hundreds of books in my house appealed to me, when I stumbled on this. What a wonderfully sweet, emotional, fun surprise!

Tyler couldn’t get away from his hometown—or his disapproving father—fast enough. He’s finally made a life for himself as a paramedic in Chicago when he gets the news that his father died and he has to go home.

Returning to a town where everyone still judges you for your teenage shenanigans is hard enough, but to stay in the house you hated is worse. But Ty gets another surprise when Ollie, a helicopter pilot fresh out of the military, shows up at his door. Apparently Ollie was hired to be a caregiver for Ty’s father, who had dementia, and he packed up himself and his young son, Theo, to make the move.

Ty is ready to head back to Chicago when he learns his father has struck again, this time from the grave. Either Tyler stays in the house and serves as executor of the estate or his father’s entire fortune goes to a hate group. With no other choice, Ty is stuck in town, so he asks Ollie and Theo to move in.

Ollie loves Theo, but with the boy surviving cancer and dealing with the death of his mother, he’s become pretty overprotective. But Ty helps with Theo, and it’s not long before the two men are letting their guards down and falling—hard. If Ty goes back to Chicago, though, can they make it work?

I thought this book was just so heartwarming. The characters each have issues but the way they show up for one another is amazing. I smiled, laughed, and even teared up a bit while reading—and I was there for all of it.

Book Review: "These Summer Storms" by Sarah MacLean

If all families got along perfectly and there was no drama, the fictional world would be a really dull place. Family dysfunction is one of my favorite fiction subgenres, and Sarah MacLean’s newest book delivered that—and then some.

Franklin Storm was a self-made billionaire and a technology mogul. He was also manipulative, power-hungry, and vindictive, and loved pitting his children against one another. Alice Storm, one of his daughters, learned this the hard way: she’s been estranged from her family for five years, ever since her father disowned her.

Franklin’s death comes as a shock to Alice, almost as much as her mother’s summoning her to Storm Island, the family’s New England compound off the coast of Rhode Island. She dreads confrontation with her mother and three siblings, and plans to stay until the funeral is over.

But Alice and her family discover Franklin has the last laugh once again. He’s created a challenge for his wife and children, each with tasks they must complete. Some are painful and some are physically demanding. If they all don’t complete their tasks, no one will get their inheritance. Alice’s task? She must stay on the island with her family for a week.

Being with her family again opens up old wounds and resentments, and she’d really like to just pack up and leave. But could she forgive herself if that negated everyone’s inheritance? Of course, there are secrets to be revealed, which clarify just how manipulative Franklin was. Alice doesn’t know whom to trust, not even Jack, her father’s handsome fixer.

These characters are pretty awful to one another, and at times I wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep immersing myself in their world. But MacLean’s storytelling is so compelling, so melodramatic and twisty, that I couldn’t put it down.

Book Review: "Trust Issues" by Elizabeth McCullough Keenan and Greg Wands

Being on Bookstagram I have lots of friends who love thrillers, including my friend Kim. When she really raves about a book, I listen! This is the second thriller I’ve read recently because of her, and she hasn’t steered me wrong either time!

Hazel and Kagan are sister and brother, and they simultaneously support one another and tear each other down. Even though they’re adults, neither is particularly good with money, so they often turn to their mother for help. But she’s had enough, so when she refuses to keep funding the siblings, it strains her relationship with both.

When their mother dies under mysterious circumstances, they’re understandably sad. It’s not long, however, before their grief turns to greed, and they wonder what their inheritances will be. Imagine their surprise when they learn their mother cut them both out of her will.

Hazel and Kagan were both depending on the money from their mother’s estate, so they’re none too happy to be left empty-handed. They’re convinced that their mother’s second husband is to blame—and they want to make him pay, both literally and figuratively. The siblings find an unlikely partner in this mission, which takes them up and down the East Coast.

This is definitely one of those books that keeps you guessing, where you know not everything is what it seems, but you don’t know what to believe. It’s good to go into this book relatively blind.

The authors have written three books together under the name E.G. Scott. I’ve not read any of those, but I definitely will now, because I thought this was great! I devoured this and still wanted more.

Book Review: "No Road Home" by John Fram

At times this book was off-the-rails crazy, and at other times it was tremendously moving. Having now read both of his books (including his debut, The Bright Lands), I can honestly say that John Fram is one of a kind.

After a whirlwind relationship, Toby marries Alyssa Wright, the granddaughter of a famous televangelist. But despite the fact that religion is such a huge part of her family’s life, Alyssa insists that they aren’t bigoted or backwards, like so many are.

To celebrate Alyssa’s 30th birthday, she and Toby, along with his young son, Luca, drive to Texas to spend the weekend at the Wright family compound. While Toby is dizzied by the wealth on display and the eccentricities of Alyssa’s family, he has no idea about the madness he and Luca are walking into.

It turns out that the Wrights have plans for Toby and Luca—and they don’t really have a choice in the matter. When a prominent member of the family is found dead, Toby is sure they were murdered, but the family doesn’t seem to care. Until, suddenly, their suspicions swing Toby’s way, which could have massive implications for him and his son.

A torrential storm has flooded any exit from the compound, which means they’re all trapped with a killer and lots of crazy family members. And Luca keeps talking about seeing a shadowy man in a dark suit, but no one else seems to see him. Will the storms end so they can escape, or will they be tangled up in all of the madness?

There is a lot going on here—murder, hidden memories, the fierce love between father and son, unresolved grief, secrets, even a touch of the supernatural. It may be too much for some, but I absolutely love the unbridled way Fram spins his stories. And his author’s note brings it all home. This slayed me.

Book Review: "The Paradise Problem" by Christina Lauren

Whenever a new Christina Lauren book publishes, you can bet I snap it up pretty quickly. And while I love most of their books—and definitely have a few I cherish more than others—The Paradise Problem is a new favorite.

Anna was desperate for housing at UCLA, so when a friend suggested she marry his brother so they could live in family housing, it seemed like a no brainer to her. She and her “husband” West barely saw each other, and when they graduated, they filed divorce papers and went their separate ways.

Three years later, Anna is an artist who is barely making ends meet. Much to her surprise, West (whose real name is Liam) shows up, telling her that they never really got divorced. But he has another bombshell for her: he’s an heir to Weston Foods, one of the largest grocery chains.

But while Liam is a member of that family, he has no desire to work for the company. However, there’s the matter of his $100 million trust fund—which he can only access if he’s been married for five years. So, since he and Anna are technically married, he offers to pay her to be his wife at his sister’s wedding. But the wedding is at a private island in Singapore, so she’ll be on display in front of his entire family as well as the press.

With no real income, Anna agrees to attend the wedding with her “husband.” But she quickly realizes how toxic the relationships are in the Weston family—between Liam and his father, Liam and his older brother, and his father with, well, nearly everyone else. All the money in the world is just a tool to get what he wants from his family.

Fake dating and second-chance love? Sign me up. But this book has memorable characters, seriously steamy steam, terrific banter, and emotional richness—nothing like toxic families! And of course, I wouldn’t mind an overwater bungalow on an island!!

This book will publish 5/14.

Book Review: "The Sicilian Inheritance" by Jo Piazza

If you read a ton of books set in Italy, can you be considered an honorary citizen? Asking for a friend.

Sara’s aunt Rosie was one of her favorite people. She was an absolute dynamo, fun-loving and wild, but smart as hell, accomplishing anything she set her mind to. Rosie’s death leaves Sara devastated, and at a time when her marriage and her career have both fallen apart, the loss knocks her for a loop.

She’s completely unprepared for Rosie’s dying request that she travel to Sicily, where their ancestors are from, and scatter her ashes. Rosie also left her the deed to a plot of land in Sicily, and she asks Sara to research whether it truly belongs to their family. Oh, and one more thing: Rosie wants Sara to look into the murder of her grandmother, Serafina, in the early 1920s.

When Sara arrives in Sicily, she is taken by the beauty of the island, but she quickly realizes that nothing is what it appears. She isn’t sure whom she can trust, there’s doubt about whether her family actually owns the land—and if they do, whether she can lay claim to it—and there are all sorts of conflicting stories about Rosie’s grandmother. The more she digs, the more danger she’s in.

The narrative shifts between Sara in the present and Serafina’s in the 1910s and 1920s. The story is part mystery, part historical fiction, but it’s a fascinating look at how women find power and can thrive despite the barriers they face. I did feel like one narrative had more closure than the other, though.

I’ve read a few of Jo Piazza’s books—one of her own and two she co-wrote with Christine Pride—and I really love the way she writes. I enjoyed this a great deal, and thought it was cool it was based on a story from Piazza’s family.

Book Review: "How to Solve Your Own Murder" by Kristen Perrin

This mystery had such a cozy, old-fashioned feel to it, I kept expecting Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple to show up! In all seriousness though, this was absolutely terrific, and I loved the unique angle of this book.

In 1965, Frances and her two best friends visit a fair in the English countryside. It’s a wonderful day until they get their fortunes told, because Frances’ fortune predicts she will be murdered. Even though there are doubts to the legitimacy of the fortune teller, Frances takes this very seriously, and spends nearly 60 years trying to figure out who will be her murderer.

Annie, Frances’ great niece, is summoned to her estate in the village of Castle Knoll, to meet with her and her solicitor. But as they ready for the meeting, Frances is found murdered. Annie, an aspiring mystery writer, wants to solve the murder, but given how much dirt Frances dug up on everyone through the years, there’s no end to the number of suspects.

In Frances’ will, she challenged her potential heirs—her eccentric stepson Saxon and Annie—to solve her murder; whoever does it within a week will inherit it all. If they fail, or the police solve the murder first, the estate will be sold. Armed with Frances’ diary and a list of theories, Annie is determined to find out who killed her great-aunt.

To solve this mystery, Annie must also figure out the truth behind another crime that happened nearly 60 years ago. And it very well may be that the same person could have struck again. The closer Annie gets to the truth, the more dangerous it becomes for her.

The narrative shifts between Frances’ diary entries from the 1960s and Annie’s investigation into her great-aunt’s death. There are lots of fun and eccentric characters, a dual mystery to solve, and for a while I had no idea whom to trust. I hope that Kristen Perrin might bring Annie back in another book!

Book Review: "Flight" by Lynn Steger Strong

Drama ensues when siblings and their families gather for the holidays.

Every Christmas, siblings Martin, Henry, and Kate, as well as their spouses and families, spend the holiday at their mother’s home in Florida. But their mother Helen died eight months ago, so for the first time, they’ve all converged at Henry’s house in upstate New York.

As to be expected when any family gathers, the same old arguments and resentments bubble up. This one hates that one’s husband, this one is too tense, this one’s kids are too wild. But this year, there’s the added burden of grief and the uncertainty of what they should do with their mother’s house, so the tension is ratcheted up a bit more.

If there’s a novel about family drama and/or dysfunction, I’m always there for it. Flight definitely had promise, but I didn’t find any of the characters appealing in any way, and the addition of another young woman and her child just served to bog the plot down for me.