The Secret Thread by Eve Chase

August 14, 2026

The Secret Thread by Eve Chase

Seeking answers about her family, a young woman takes a job as assistant to a very famous designer to write the catalog for an auction of the designer's collectibles.

This was a good story, well written and interesting, except for one thing that didn't make sense. I found it impossible to believe that in the 21st century, a very famous, very wealthy person would hire an assistant off the street and not do a background check. Her other assistant is constantly online and on his phone and HE doesn't do a background check. It would have made more sense if the "big reveal" was the designer saying yes, she knew all along who the young woman was and was waiting for her to tell her who she was and why she was there. Every place I worked at from the 1990s on routinely did background checks before hiring anyone.

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

Burn the Kingdom Down by Addie Thorley

August 13, 2026

Burn the Kingdom Down by Addie Thorley

As part of the peace treaty between their countries, Princess Rowenna of Tashir is sent to Vanzador as a bride for their crown prince. But a year later, Rowenna is dead, her body sent home in a sealed coffin. Her younger sister Indira is sent as a replacement for Rowenna. Indira is positive that Rowenna was murdered and is determined to find out who killed her and why.

This is a YA romantasy and mystery rolled into one. It had a strong start with good world building and character explanations. But I got bored with the FMC Indira pretty quickly. Instead of using some subtlety, she runs around accusing everyone of her sister's murder. Great way to tip off everyone about what you're up to! I found myself skimming about halfway through. I even caught on to the twist early in the story. Not terrible but slow and longer than it needed to be. It's a debut novel and reads like one. Lots of YA type drama.

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

We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune

August 11, 2026

We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune

Don and Rodney have been together for 40 years, living in Maine. Now both retired, they have traveled all over the United States in their rusty old RV. Don and Rodney have one last quest to fulfill, but a black hole is gradually swallowing the galaxy. They realize that they may have left it too late, and they may be out of time.

Whether he is writing about dogs or robots or children with unusual abilities or the end of the world, TJ Klune is always able to yank at your heartstrings. The story in in this short novel follows a gay couple who have been through the ups and downs of a long life together, and realize that they are almost out of time to fulfill one last promise. Reminded me of The Measure by Nikki Erlick, in that it looks at the different responses that people have to a catastrophic event. The world may be ending but you're left with the feeling that it may just be okay. Not my favorite Klune novel but definitely worth reading.

A black hole, a region of space where gravity is so dense it sucks in everything and doesn't even allow light to escape

Crocodilopolis by John Manuel Arias

August 9, 2026

Crocodilopolis by John Manuel Arias

Seth Oreamundo has hated his younger brother since he was born, first for taking his mother's ove and later for taking his career and home. Ten years after being exiled from his homeland, Seth devises what he considers to be just revenge for all that he has lost.

I wasn't sure I wanted to read this, but once I started, it sucked me in and I finished it in just a few days. This is one messed up family. Themes include revenge, toxic masculinity, corruption, mythology, brotherhood, rage, identity, and a family secret that is the root of all the evil in the family. The crocodiles in the river are the perfect metaphor for the Oreamundo family.

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

American crocodile - can grow up to 20 feet long - hideous

Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst

August 7, 2026

Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst

Marin is a supply runner, picking up and delivering order to the outlying islands of the Crescent Islands empire. On her most recent trip to the capital, the city is filled with unrest as rebel forces attempt to overthrow the government. With the help of her sea serpent friend Perri, Marin helps her friend Dax escape the violence in exchange for his help on her boat. And pretending to be her boyfriend.

The third book in the Spellshop magical series. The stories are intertwined with side characters from one story appearing as the main characters in another - Marin, Perri and Dax appeared in the second book in the series, as well as other characters from the first two books. Thoroughly enjoyable romantasy/cozy fantasy fiction, perfect for reading on a warm summer afternoon. The fourth book is The Magical Cheese Emporium - cheeses made from unicorn milk!

 

Ice Vegas by Larry Niven and Stephen Barnes

August 3, 2026

Ice Vegas by Larry Niven and Stephen Barnes

A retired assassin comes out of retirement to stop a megalomaniac's quest for world domination.

DNF at 40%. Based on the synopsis, I was expecting a different book, more about an underground entertainment Mecca somewhere below Greenland and a detective trying to solve a final case. But this was mostly an internal monologue by a spy/assassin, pondering how she got where she is. The themes like world domination and the threats posed by technology seem like classic sci fi themes from the last half of the 20th century. Also, including an octopus in the story seemed like a rip-off of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Disappointing.

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

The Boleyn Secret by Alison Weir

July 30, 2026

The Boleyn Secret by Alison Weir

Twelve year old Katherine Carey is a companion and playmate to her toddler cousin Princess Elizabeth, daughter of Henry VIII and his second queen Anne Boleyn. To Kate's horror, she is summoned to the Tower of London to attend her aunt Anne at her trial and execution. Kate is convinced that her aunt was innocent and that Henry committed an atrocity. Later, Kate is called to court to serve as a maid-of-honor to Henry's fourth queen, Anne of Cleves. Throughout her life, Kate maintains her relationship with Elizabeth through Henry's reign, the turmoil following his death, and Elizabeth's eventual ascension to the throne.

Another well-researched book in the author's series on the women of the Tudor court, this one focusing on Katherine Carey, daughter of Mary Boleyn and niece of Anne Boleyn. Many contemporaries as well as historians believed that Katherine was the daughter of Henry VIII, as Mary was carrying on an affair with Henry in the years before Katherine's birth - some note a resemblance to both Elizabeth I and Henry VIII but many of the portraits from the 16th century have a similarity. Based on the known portrait of her, Katherine was actually better looking than either of them. While Katherine is the main character, Elizabeth I is also a main player, as much of the story is about her relationship with her cousin Katherine. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys fiction about the Tudor court.

Portrait of Katherine Carey