The Stars Look Like Home by TJ Klune

October 23, 2026

The Stars Look Like Home by TJ Klune

As a puppy, Burke's mother told him that dogs live forever, like the stars in the sky. After a bit of a rocky start, Burke finds a wonderful human and his forever home. He meets other dogs at the dog park, where a wise older dog explains to him that what his mother told him is not true, and that dogs actually live for only a short time. When Burke and his beloved human are separated (through no fault of either of them), Burke is determined to find his way home. Because he and his human still have a lot of living to do.

The most important things you need to know: both Burke the dog and his human Jake are alive, well, and together at the end of the book, as are Oscar and his human Yusuf. I am a foster home for golden retriever rescue, and I have often wondered what the dogs who come to stay with me think of how they have been uprooted from the life they knew. Like Burke, it is never the dog's fault that they need a new home. Not going to say too much more about this - if you've read TJ Klune before, you know he is going to pull at your heartstrings. You probably aren't going to want to read this on the train or the bus on your way to work - keep some tissues nearby. Love the cover art! Burke is a very good boy who will make you think about your place in the world and what it means to be human. Be sure to hug your dog every day.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Blade of Two Faces by Blake Blessing

October 15, 2026

Blade of Two Faces by Blake Blessing

For years, Princess Ellis has been under the control of her brother the king. But when she finally escapes from him, she enters a world in total chaos where she has to try to survive while completing a series of competitions.

This was just bad overall. It seemed like it started with one story (which was traumatizing) and then shifted gears to another Hunger Game-like story after Ellis left her kingdom. I also didn't get romance - the male characters were all bullies and they sucked. Not one of them was worth the effort. But all of the characters were unlikeable. Not going to bother with the second book. Possible triggers include sexual assault, violence, violence against women, abusive men, bullying, incest. I can't imagine recommending this to anyone.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

An Ordinary Sort of Evil by Kelley Armstrong

October 13, 2026

An Ordinary Sort of Evil by Kelley Armstrong

Time traveling detective Mallory Mitchell has been living and working in Victorian era Scotland, as assistant to pioneering forensic specialist Dr. Duncan Gray. When they are summoned to the home of Edinburgh aristocrat Lady Adler, they unexpectedly find themselves in the middle of a seance, after a ghostly apparition demands that Dr. Gray find their killer.

The fifth book in the Rip Through Time series, this time focusing on the Victorian interest in spiritualism. One of the things that I really like about this series (in addition to the characters) is the attention to detail about real life in Victorian Britain, including popular interests, culture, social conventions, and accurate historical details. While the mysteries are interesting and clever, the characters are the best part. The relationship between Mallory and Duncan continues to evolve and turns a corner that we have all been waiting for. A strong entry to a very enjoyable historical mystery series. Start at the beginning and read the titles in order for the sheer pleasure of it.

A Victorian era seance

I've Got a New Complaint by Laurie Notaro

October 9, 2026

I've Got a New Complaint by Laurie Notaro

Laurie Notaro is back with another collection of essays, this time on the joys (?) of growing older. She writes about dealing with aging parents who treat you like you're still a child, even though you are all senior citizens now, having to verify her identity two or three times just to order chicken bouillon cubes online (because apparently scammers are just waiting to steal her identity so they can charge their chicken bouillon to her account), and the insanity of getting a puppy when you are in your 60s (by all means, get a dog but get an older less active dog). Like all humorous essay collections, some are good, others miss the mark. But there are several good laughs.

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

October 7, 2026

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

Elsie Fitzpatrick is 81 and lives by herself in an unfashionable Melbourne suburb. She is grouchy, sarcastic, and sometimes nosy, but mostly just wants to be left to quiet life with her lifelong friend Daphne. That changes when her next door neighbor is found dead, and all of a sudden, Elsie finds herself in the spotlight for a crime that happened long ago.

A mystery with multiple twists and layers that will such you in from the first page. Mabel/Elsie is a wonderful character: she may be 81 but she is smart, sharp, observant, and independent, the kind of senior citizen we all want to be. Her backstory is heartbreaking at times and I was furious at the people who abused young Mabel. All of the characters are well-developed, from the two true crime podcasters (who I was prepared to hate but didn't), to the seven year old who decides to adopt Mabel, to the neighbors who love Mabel in spite of herself. With a protagonist who will remind you of Ove, this is Sally Hepworth's best book yet. Highly recommended.

A Wall is Also a Road by Annalee Newitz

October 1, 2026

A Wall is Also a Road by Annalee Newitz

Gardenpath is a single cell person (an amoeba) just like all the other life forms in their planetary system. They are a graduate student in biology, and for their research project, they are hoping to discover something new on a quiet backwater planet that was long ago declared to be empty and barren. But when they arrive at the planet, they are shocked to find a thriving ecosystem and a large number of life forms, including one rather strange life form that appears to have language, culture, society, and connection.

Have you ever wondered what an alien would think of our world when they first landed here? Especially an alien who has a vastly different physical form. The main character Gardenpath is quite endearing, as is their human friend Murtis. The descriptions of Pompeii, its culture and society are fascinating and well-researched, especially what appear to Gardenpath to be some of the weirder customs and rituals. The ending is bittersweet, even though Gardenpath finds love, friendship, and meaningful work on their home planet: they know almost from the start that they will outlive the humans that they have come to love, and they experience the pain of watching their friends age each time they visit the alien planet that has become a second home. There is a lot of world-building about Gardenpath's home planet in Part 1, although if you have ever been in a competitive environment, many of the characters and situations will be familiar. Beautiful cover art. Readers who enjoy Martha Wells and Becky Chambers will enjoy Gardenpath's adventures among the Unnamed on Planet Earth.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Ruins of Pompeii

The Sea Child by Linda Wilgus

September 30, 2026

The Sea Child by Linda Wilgus

As a small child, Isabel Henley was found wandering alone on the Cornwall shore. It was unknown if she survived the sinking of a ship, was swept overboard, or jumped off a ship. The villagers believed she might be the daughter of the Bucca, a mythological sea creature. She was adopted by a wealthy couple and grew up in a life of privilege. But following the death of her parents and her husband, Isabel is forced to use her inheritance to settle her husband's debts. Left in reduced circumstances, now widowed Isabel leases a small cottage near the village where she was found as a child, planning to live a quiet life. But she finds her life turned upside down when smugglers come to her cottage with their wounded captain, which leads Isabel to have the grand adventure she has always craved while still observing the social conventions of the day.

A sweet slow-burn romantic adventure set in Cornwall. Folklore, a handsome smuggler, romance, mystery, adventure, morally ambiguous characters, and a woman learning to be independent while still falling in love - what's not to like? This will appeal to readers who enjoyed the Poldark series on PBS or the Sharpe novels by Bernard Cornwell.

Cornwall