Book Review: Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Title: Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

Author: Jesse Q. Sutanto

Series/Standalone: Vera Wong Series (Book #1)

Genre: Mystery, Adult Fiction, Cozy Mystery

Pages: 339

Publisher: Berkley

Year Published: 2023

Format: Audiobook

"Vera Wong is a lonely little old lady-ah, lady of a certain age-who lives above her forgotten tea shop in the middle of San Francisco's Chinatown. Despite living alone, Vera is not needy, oh no. She likes nothing more than sipping on a good cup of Wulong and doing some healthy detective work on the Internet about what her college-aged son is up to.

Then one morning, Vera trudges downstairs to find a curious thing- a dead man in the middle of her tea shop. In his outstretched hand, a flash drive. Vera doesn't know what comes over her, but after calling the cops like any good citizen would, she sort of... swipes the flash drive from the body and tucks it safely into the pocket of her apron. Why? Because Vera is sure she would do a better job than the police possibly could, because nobody sniffs out a wrongdoing quite like a suspicious Chinese mother with time on her hands.

Vera knows the killer will be back for the flash drive: all she has to do is watch the increasing number of customers at her shop and figure out which one among them is the killer. 

What Vera does not expect is to form friendships with her customers and start to care for each and every one of them. As a protective mother hen, will she end up having to give one of her newfound chicks to the police?"

My Rating: 5/5

This was unlike other cozy mysteries that I've read. Mostly because it centred around a main character I hadn't read from before. Her narrative throughout the mystery kept me intrigued and laughing throughout. I loved the way we got to see so many sides of her character the woman, the mother, the community leader and more. I can't wait to read more. 

Sidny

Book Review: The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook by Matt Dinniman

Title: The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook

Author: Matt Dinniman

Series/Standalone: Dungeon Crawler Carl (Book #3)

Genre: Science Fiction, Adult, Dystopian, LitRPG

Pages: 532

Publisher: Indie Published

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"Welcome to the Gun Show!

The top 10 list is populated. The sponsorship program is open. The difficulty is ramping up. The first three floors were nothing compared to what Carl and Donut now face.

The Iron Tangle. An impossibly complicated subway system built out of the world's subterranean railway systems, all combined and then tied together into a knot. Up is down. Down is up. Close is far. The cars are filled with monsters, the railway stations are less than safe, and the exit is always just a few stops away.

But there is hope. For the first time, the crawlers are all working together. The loot is better than ever. And the secret to unraveling it all may be hidden in the pages of a seemingly useless book.

Welcome, crawlers. Welcome to the fourth floor of the dungeon."

My Rating: 4.25/5

I enjoyed the character development in this third instalment. The plot twists and the change of pace were interesting. I was grateful that the author started this book with the warning that it was confusing and not to worry about it that everything would come together in the end. That being said, it was still a lot of exposition and explanation. It did burn me out a bit, and we (my husband and I, since we're buddy reading) will be taking a little break. I hope to pick up the next one before the end of the year.

Sidny

Book Review: She's Not Sorry by Mary Kubica

Title: She's Not Sorry

Author: Mary Kubica

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Adult Fiction

Pages: 330

Publisher: Park Row

Year Published: 2024

Format: Audiobook

"Meghan Michaels is trying to find the balance between being a single mum to a teenage daughter and working as a full-time nurse. While on duty at the hospital one day, a patient named Caitlin arrives in a coma, having plunged from a bridge onto train tracks below.

But when a witness comes forward with shocking details about the fall, it calls everything they know into question. Was Caitlin pushed and if so, by whom and why?

Meghan has always tried to stay emotionally detached from her patients, but this time she mistakenly lets herself get too close, until she's deeply entangled in Caitlin's and her family's lives. Only when it's too late, does she realise that she and her daughter could be the next victims."

My Rating: 2.75/5

I liked a lot of parts about this book; there were multiple mysteries and ideas at play throughout a lot of the book. Unfortunately, because I've read a lot from this author, I saw a lot of them coming. What I didn't expect was for the ending to almost be a cliffhanger. I also think the nurse conversations, while important, were almost too repetitive (I agree with what was said, but it felt like every other line was a stance). I will continue to read from the author; this just wasn't my favourite. 

Sidny

Book Review: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Title: The Haunting of Hill House   

Author: Shirley Jackson

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Horror, Classic, Adult Fiction

Pages: 182

Publisher: Penguin Classics

Year Published: 1959

Format: Audiobook 

"'Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its hills, holding darkness within...'

Four seekers have arrived at the rambling old pile known as Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of psychic phenomena; Theodora, his lovely and lighthearted assistant; Luke, the adventurous future inheritor of the estate; and Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman with a dark past. As they begin to cope with chilling, even horrifying occurrences beyond their control or understanding, they cannot possibly know what lies ahead. For Hill House is gathering its powers- and soon it will choose one of them to make its own."

My Rating: 1.75/5

I don't often read classics, and when I do, I'm reminded why. This book was unsettling but not horrifying, not in the same vein that I expected. The characters were annoying, and I had a hard time empathisizing with them. I would be curious to see if the show kind of adds to the story. I think the archetypes are interesting; the atmosphere was chilling, but other than that, I didn't enjoy my time reading this book. 

Sidny

Book Review: Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman

Title: Carl's Doomsday Scenario

Author: Matt Dinniman

Series/Standalone: Dungeon Crawler Carl (Book #2)

Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Litrpg

Pages: 400

Publisher: Indie Published

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"'The training levels have concluded. Now the games may truly begin.'

The rating and views are off the charts. The fans just can't get enough. The dungeon gets more dangerous each day. But in a grinder designed to chew up and spit out crawlers by the millions, Carl and Princess Donut need to work harder than ever just to survive.

They call it the Over City. A sprawling, once-thriving metropolis devastated by a mysterious calamity. But these streets are far from abandoned. An undead circus trawls the ruins. Murdered prostitutes rain from the sky. An ancient spell is finally ready to reveal its dark purpose.

Carl still has no pants.

They call it Dungeon Crawler World. For Carl and Donut, it's anything but a game."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This book really grew my interest in the world. From the first book, I was a little hesitant to go in, but this book laid out a lot of good points, world-building, and character development. I love the humour in the books even when the content is gruesome. Matt Dinniman does a wonderful job of building a world where anything can happen, but not making it too absurd. The random bits of extra madness splashed throughout keep the story interesting and us wondering what will happen with Carl next.

Sidny 

Book Review: Lore Olympus: Volume 10 by Rachel Smythe

Title: Lore Olympus: Volume 10

Author: Rachel Smythe

Series/Standalone: Lore Olympus (Volume 10)

Genre: Graphic Novels, Romance, Fantasy 

Pages: 448

Publisher: Inklore

Year Published: 2026

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"'The Mortal Realm- it's dying'

After years of yearning, the big day has finally arrived: Hades and Persephone are getting married! It's the ceremony of the century, and practically all the gods are invited to celebrate the happy couple. The wedding, full of love and joy, provides a much-needed respite for the pantheon... but the newlyweds have no time for a honeymoon.

The king and queen of the Underworld begin unprecedented dives into the dream world to find the god that Kronos took hostage- and, hopefully, to get answers on defeating the furious titan once and for all. During their explorations, they begin to suspect that Persephone's powers of spring may have been altered. Their theory is proven correct with deadly consequences: When Persephone returns to the Mortal Realm, Apollo uses the chaos as cover for an attempt to kill Zeus. He claims his dying father's throne and decrees that the only way to save the Mortal Realm is if Persephone- and her power- belong to him. The others reject his outrageous demand, proposing instead that whoever can fix the failing seasons will be named interim ruler of Olympus. Hope now rests with the struggling goddess to find a way to stop the treacherous Apollo and save humankind- or else be separated from Hades forever."

My Rating: 5/5

I still love this series. I like that this one felt so impactful to the series. The twists and turns were entertaining, but not out of left field. I also enjoyed seeing how the characters spoke about their pasts in a way that matched their myths while still maintaining the contemporary setting.

Sidny

Book Review: Creed: Submission by Odessa Harlow

Title: Creed: Submission

Author: Odessa Harlow

Series/Standalone: Confessions of Creed (Book #1)

Genre: Dark, Romance, Mafia Romance

Pages: 321

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2025

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"We were children when they took us, but worth billions as adults, sold as death incarnate. Any contract with Creed meant someone was bound to burn alive. Hope was the cruellest thing I ever carried. It told me if I was quiet enough, obedient enough, lovely enough, I could be more than a product of their f%cked system. But over time, we'd all been bought, sold, traded and passed around so much that most of us stopped trying to be anything other than what they made us. 

And we became their most valuable investments when we learned how to kill. 

Creed. Contract killers to the syndicate and terrorists to the world. Me. Rafe. Kane. Thorne. Trafficked assets trapped in the same nightmare, trying not to become it. 

The funny thing about survival is that it doesn't always look the way you'd expect. Sometimes it looks like the deaf sharpshooter who teaches you that silence doesn't have to be lonely. Other times, it looks like the big brother and fighter who keeps standing long after he should've fallen, or his hacker kid brother who still believes people like me- morally corrupted, angry women- are worth saving.

Yes, Creed killed them. All those headlines on the news are probably us. But our story? It wasn't really about that; it was about finding a family in the last place on earth we should've found one.

Surviving together became our double-edged sword. It kept us human. It taught us how to love each other despite the darkness we were trapped inside. But loving someone gives people leverage. It gives them something to threaten. Something to take. 

And we were trapped in a system that only knew how to take.

Once you've spent your whole life being owned, controlled and discarded, you'll do just about anything to protect the first people who ever made you feel loved. Even if it turns you into the very thing the world fears....

Do you know how long it takes a person to die once their body's engulfed in flames? 

Four minutes.

I know what it smells like, sounds like, feels like- and I'll still do it. Again and again. Especially to protect Creed. 

Bodies, I've found, have a way of cataloguing hurt, even when we beg them to forget, and mine is so bruised, so broken and stitched, blood leaking from every crevice of my soul, that I simply must confess this to you-

All that Creed did- we did. 

But we're victims too. Whether you show us mercy, officer, is up to you."

My Rating: 2.5/5

I thought this was just ok. I think the storyline is interesting, but the gruesome nature was a bit repetitive for my taste. The horrors were obviously important for context, but I wished that we saw at least a little bit of the happy moments more in depth to help with some of the drag in the story. That being said, the plot twist got my attention, and I plan to continue the series at some point.

Sidny

Book Review: So Many Stars : An Oral History of Trans, Nonbinary, Genderqueer and Two-Spirited People of Color by Caro De Robertis

Title: So Many Stars

Author: Caro De Robertis

Serie/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Nonfiction, LGBTQ+, History, Adult

Pages: 304

Publisher: Algonquin Books

Year Published: 2025

Format: Audiobook

"So Many Stars knit together the voices of trans, nonbinary, genderqueer, and two-spirit elders of color as they share authentic, intimate accounts of how they created space for themselves and their communities in the world. This singular project collects the testimonies of twenty elders, each a glimmering thread in a luminous tapestry, preserving their words for future generations- who can more fully exist in the world today because of these very trailblazers.

De Robertis creates a collective coming-of-age story based on hundreds of hours of interviews, offering rare snapshots of ordinary kids growing up, navigating family issues and finding community, coming out and changing how they identify over the years, building movements and weathering the AIDS crisis, and sharing wisdom for future generations. Often narrating experiences that took place before they had the array of language that exists today to self-identify beyond the gender binary, this generation lived through remarkabloe changews in American culture, shaped American culture and yet rarely takes center stage in the history books. Their stories feel particularly urgent in the current political moment, but also remind readers that their experiences are not new, and that young trans and nonbinary people today belong to a long lineage.

The anecdotes in these pages are riveting, joyful, heartbreaking, full of personality and wisdom and artfully woven together into one immersive narrative. In De Robertis's words, So Many Stars shares 'behind-the-scenes tales of what it meant- and still means- to create an authentic life, against the odds.'"

My Rating: 4.75/5

Once again, this book proves why we need to read about experiences like and unlike our own. Learning the history of different people helps us to understand how we got to where we are today, while still reminding us what there is to lose and why the continual fight for equality is important. I think the grouping of stories is so incredibly valuable, the different touch points vastly important. The only reason I didn't give this book 5/5 was that this book wasn't narrated by the elders, or there weren't voice snippets from the elders. I think that might have helped me better distinguish individuals in the audiobook.

Sidny

Book Review: Finding Me by Viola Davis

Title: Finding Me    

Author: Viola Davis    

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Memoir, Nonfiction, Adult

Pages: 304

Publisher: HarperOne

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"In my book, you will meet a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life-changing decision to stop running forever.

This is my story, from a crumbling apartment in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to the stage in New York City and beyond. This is the path I took to finding my purpose but also my voice in a world that didn't always see me.

As I wrote Finding Me, my eyes were open to the truth of how our stories are often not given close examination. We are forced to reinvent them to fit into a crazy, competitive, judgemental world. So I wrote this for anyone running through life untethered, desperate and clawing their way through murky memories, trying to get to some form of self-love. For anyone who needs reminding that a life worth living can only be born from radical honesty and the courage to shed facades and be... you.

Finding Me is a deep reflection, a promise and a love letter of sorts to self. My hope is that my story will inspire you to light up your own life with creative expression and rediscover who you were before the world put a label on you."

My Rating: 5/5

I am excited that this year I am being more open to nonfiction reads. Hearing each other's verbal stories is so valuable, and the idea of verbal storytelling is sitting with me more and more. I knew of Viola Davis, but hearing her story was entrancing. Her past and her path to her current life are filled with hurt, racism, and reflection. It made me reflect on how piece of who we are get us to where we are. Even the parts that hurt. That being said, therapy (as Viola Davis mentions frequently in this memoir) helps us confront parts of our past and who we are to help us live with it all.

Sidny

Book Review: We Were Never Here by Sophia Hannan

Title: We Were Never Here

Author: Sophia Hannan

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Horror, LGBT, Young Adult

Pages: 352

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Year Published: 2026

Format: Audiobook

"The remaining members of a ghost hunting show return to the haunted manor that may have killed their friend in this atmospheric, contemporary gothic debut perfect for fans of She is a Haunting and Delicious Monsters.

In July, Georgia Perry and Jules Park- secret girlfriends, covert art thieves, and cohost of a popular Youtube ghost hunting show- step into a haunted house to steal a priceless painting. A few short hours later, there's a knife in Jules chest and Georgia is is waking up in a pool of blood with no painting and no memory of how she got there. 

Now it's October, and Georgia is underwater. She hasn't been to class in weeks, and she's avoiding her old crew- and only friends- like the plague. But when the three remaining thieves get a call from the man who paid a hefty sum to keep them out of jail, demanding that they return to finish the job, Georgia has no choice but to return to her old life.

As estranged friends scramble to steal the painting with no cover story and no leader, they quickly realize that something is very, very wrong, and it's not just the suffocating memory of Jules or the prying eyes of their viewers. Between the strange shadows that begin to trail them and the nightmares plaguing Georgia's sleep, only one thing is certain: something followed them home from De Lys manor and it will do anything to keep them from going back."

My Rating: 1.5/5

This was one where I realized that I'm getting too old for YA, which is not the book's fault. My issue was that if you are a major criminal, you are not hiring these idiots to steal art for you. I should really read the blurbs on the YA books I pick up because when picking this up I had no idea this would involve art hiests. And without it I might have enjoyed it, but with it, I was distracted. Also, the horror didn't feel as terrifying as I would have liked. It seemed like everyone was just lacking communication skills. I don't think I would read anything else from the author at this time but hey, if this seems like your cup of tea, give it a whirl.

Sidny

Book Review: Powerless by Lauren Roberts

Title: Powerless

Author: Lauren Roberts

Series/Standalone: The Powerless Trilogy (Book #1)

Genre: Romantasy, Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 526

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Year Published: 2023

Format: Audiobook

"She is the very thing he's spent his whole life hunting.

He's the very thing she's spent her whole life pretending to be.

Only the extraordinary belong in the kingdom of Ilya- the exceptional, the empowered, the Elites.

The powers these Elites have possessed for decades were graciously gifted to them by the Plague, though not all were fortunate enough to both survive the sickness and reap the reward. Those born Ordinary are just that- ordinary. And when the king decreed that all Ordinaries be banished in order to preserve his Elite society, lacking an ability suddenly became a crime- making Paedyn Gray a felon by fate and a thief by necessity. 

Surviving in the slums as an Ordinary is no simple task, and Paedyn knows this better than most. Having been trained by her father to be overly observant since she was a child, Paedyn poses as a Psychic in the crowded city, blending in with the Elites as best she can in order to stay alive and out of trouble. Easier said than done.

When Paedyn unsuspectingly saves one of Ilyas princes, she finds herself thrown into the Purging Trials. The brutal competition exists to showcase the Elites' powers- the very thing Paedyn lacks. If the Trials and the opponents within them don't kill her, the prince she's fighting feelings for certainly will if he discovers what she is- completely Ordinary."

My Rating: 4.75/5

If we were rating things purely on enjoyment, I would have rated this a five, but there were a few things that threw it off for me. I did listen to the adapted audiobook that included the sound effects (also the first time I listened to one of these). I loved it; the character actors were great, and the content was fun and entertaining. There was a lot of repetition of the character's motivation, to the point that I was annoyed. It felt like sometimes the author didn't believe we were smart enough to remember the characters' feelings and motivations. I will be continuing the series because it is the perfect trope-filled romantasy for this time of year.

Sidny

Book Review: My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey

Title: My Killer Vacation

Author: Tessa Bailey

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Adult Fiction, Mystery

Pages: 295

Publisher: Indie Published

Year Published: 2022

Format: Paperback (Own It)

"A brash bounty hunter and an energetic elementary school teacher is the murder-solving team no one asked for, but they're stuck together, come hell or high tide, until a killer is found in this spicy rom-com with a brand new bonus novella from Tessa Bailey, #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Summer. It was supposed to be a relaxing vacation in sweet, sunny Cape Cod- just Taylor Bassey and her beloved brother- but discovering a corpse in their rental house has really thrown a wrench into their tanning schedule. Now a rude, crude bounty hunter has arrived on the back of his motorcycle to catch the killer and refuses to believe Taylor can be helpful, despite the countless hours she's spent listening to true crime podcasts. Not to mention her fulfilling teaching career of wrangling second graders. Myles Summer is only there to do a job, not babysit an amateur sleuth. Although... it is becoming less and less of a hardship to have Taylor around. Sure, she's stubborn, distracting and can't stay out of harm's way. She's also brave and beautiful and reminds him of home. In other words, the insatiable hunger and protectiveness she's awakening is a threat to his peace of mind. Before Myles sinks any deeper into this dangerous attraction, he needs to solve the murder and get back on the road. Only now there are two threats- and the biggest one is to his heart."

My Rating: 4/5

I finished this read quite a while ago. I liked that the author wasn't just focused on the romance in this book; the mystery played an equal role in the book. In some ways, it reminded me of parts of Finlay Donovan series (the cozy romance aspects). The spicy scenes were well written, and the characters were fun. My only complaint was how long it took the spice to get rolling.

Sidny

Book Review: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah

Title: Born a Crime

Author: Trevor Noah

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Nonfiction, Adult, Memoir

Pages: 289

Publisher: Doubleday Canada

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"The memoir of one man's coming-of-age, set during the twilight of apartheid and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed.

Trevor Noah's unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show began with a criminal act: his birth. Trevor was born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Living proof of his parents' indiscretion, Trevor was kept mostly indoors for the earliest years of his life, bound by the extreme and often absurd measures his mother took to hide him from a government that could, at any moment, steal him away. Finally liberated by the end of South Africa's tyrannical white rule, Trevor and his mother set forth on a grand adventure, living openly and freely and embracing the opportunities won by a centuries-long struggle.

Born a Crime is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist. It is also the story of that young man's relationship with his fearless, rebellious and fervently religious mother- his teammate, a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence and abuse that would ultimately threaten her own life."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This book was an incredible listen. Once again, the audiobook is narrated by the author, which helps me to better hear the tone they are telling their story with. Learning more about the racism and colonisation of South Africa, as a North American, we know that what we learn in school is often, if not always, white-centred and centred around events we were involved in (ex., the World Wars included Canadians, so we learn about that) but we didn't learn about apartheid. I liked how Trevor used his comedic talents to talk about deep issues and histories while still using dark humour to keep it in his style.

Sidny

Book Review: The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

Title: The Couple Next Door

Author: Shari Lapena

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Adult Fiction

Pages: 308

Publisher: Penguin Books

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"You never know what's happening on the other side of the wall.

Your neighbor told you that she didn't want your six-month-old daughter at the dinner party. Nothing personal, she just couldn't stand her crying.

Your husband said it would be fine. After all, you only live next door. You'll have the baby monitor and you'll take it in turns to go back every half hour.

Your daughter was sleeping when you checked on her last. But now, as you race up the stairs in your deathly quiet house, your worst fears are realized. She's gone.

You've never had to call the police before. But now they're in your home, and who knows what they'll find there.

What would you be capable of, when pushed past your limit?"

My Rating: 3.5/5

In the moment, reading this book, I loved it. I remember being wowed by the twists and turns. It has been 16 days since I read it and... I don't remember most of it other than snippets. This is the reason for the rating, if it was right after reading it might have been a 4 but because of the lack of memorability it went down for me. What I will say about the author is I love the final twists in the two books I've read of hers! I will be reading more of her work, probably on audiobook, because the narrators for this and the other book I read by her were perfect. If you've read any of her work, what is your favourite of her works?

Sidny

Book Review: The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

Title: The Death of Vivek Oji

Author: Akwaeke Emezi

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Adult Fiction, LGBT, Contemporary

Pages: 248

Publisher: Riverhead Books

Year Published: 2020

Format: Hardcover (Owned it)

"Raised by a distant father and an understanding but overprotective mother, Vivek suffers disorienting blackouts, moments of disconnection between self and surroundings. As adolescence gives way to adulthood, Vivek finds solace in friendships with the warm, boisterous daughter of the Nigerwives, foreign-born women married to Nigerian men.

But Vivek's closest bond is with Osita, the worldly, high-spirited cousin whose teasing confidence masks a guarded private life. As their relationship deepens- and Osita struggles to understand Vivek's escalating crisis- the mystery gives way to a heart-stopping act of violence in a moment of exhilarating freedom.

Propulsively readable, teeming with unforgettable characters, The Death of Vivek Oji is a novel of family and friendship that challenges expectations- a dramatic story of loss and transcendence that will move every reader."

My Rating: 1.5/5

I liked some aspects of this book. But I think that this isn't mentioned in any of the descriptions of this novel. THERE IS INCEST! Maybe this is something that other people can over look for the LGBT content, but I couldn't look past it. The story would have been better for me if it was like a family friend, not an actual family member. If you loved this book, props to you, it just wasn't for me.

Sidny

Book Review: This is Me: A Reckoning by Hayden Panettiere

Title: This Is Me: A Reckoning

Author: Hayden Panettiere

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Memoir, Nonfiction, Adult

Pages: 320

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Year Published: 2026

Format: Audiobook

"Heroes and Nashville star Hayden Panettiere reclaims her story in a remarkably candid memoir.

Hayden Panettiere's career in entertainment began before she could talk. From her first gig as a Michelin baby to roles in cult classics like Remember the Titans and Raising Helen, as well as popular soap operas Guiding Light and One Life to Live, Hayden built an impressive resume by the time she entered middle school. Throughout the early 2000s, she starred in millennial favorites like Racing Stripes, Heroes, and Scream 4 & VI and earned two Golden Globe nominations for her starring role of Juliette Barnes in Nashville. The squeaky-clean face of Neutrogena, she was Hollywood's girl next door and subjected to all the fame, attention and expectations that came with it. In an era of relentless paparazzi with an appetite for celebrity breakdowns, naysayers were certain this young starlet would crash and burn. Not one to disappoint, she did. 

In this irreverent, intimate and inspiring memoir, Hayden holds nothing back. What started as a fun job for a child took a decidedly darker turn as she came of age. She exposes the pressure and exploitation young stars face before they're old enough to know themselves, and how easy it is for them to lose control of her own narrative and, ultimately, their lives. Hayden was a target of brutal tabloid headlines picking apart her body, and she performed storylines onscreen that mirrored her real-life trauma. She suffered post-partum depression, addiction and recovery, domestic abuse, and the loss of her beloved little brother. Despite everything, Hayden managed to take these experiences, which she called "lifequakers" and emerge from them stronger, no longer afraid to use her voice or show her true self. She's played the part of a misfit hero, a superstar, a survivor, a cheerleader, and an all-American fresh face. In This is Me, Hayden stars in her most heart-wrenching and unforgettable role herself. This is her story on her terms."

My Rating: 3.5/5

It's kinda hard to rate a nonfiction memoir/biography as is. I find it that much harder when the author has passed away. Hayden Panettiere was incredibly young when she passed. Her life as a child actor shaped who she became, but she was brave enough to tell her story, to share each part that made her who she was. The good, the bad and the ugly. I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by the author, which always brings the biography to the next level. It reminds me that oral history is a tradition. 

Sidny

Book Review: Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

Title: Grown

Author: Tiffany D. Jackson

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Contemporary

Pages: 384

Publisher: Quill Tree Books

Year Published: 2020

Format: Paperback (Own It)

"Author Tiffany D. Jackson delivers another ripped-from-the-headlines mystery that exposes horrific secrets hiding behind the limelight and embraces the power of a young woman's voice. When legendary R&B artist Korey Fields spots Enchanted Jones at an audition, her dreams of being a famous singer take flight. Until Enchanted wakes up with blood on her hands and zero memory of the previous night. Who killed Korey Fields? Before there was a dead body, Enchanted's dreams had turned into a nightmare. Because behind Korey's charm and star power was a controlling dark side. Now he's dead, the police are at the door, and all signs point to Enchanted."

My Rating: 5/5

Once again, Tiffany D. Jackson comes in with a home run of a book. I have loved every book I've read by her. It's the realness that you can see shining through the mystery/thrilling elements. It's the reality of the characters' lives; it's the twists and turns, etc. It's the storytelling. The ability to show the faults in our society and our current state in a way that gives hope for the future. It's the twists, the turns, and the shock that I'm always left sitting with as I binge-read the last 50 pages. I can't wait to read the next book by this author. 

Sidny

Book Review: Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

Title: Every Summer After

Author: Carley Fortune

Series/Standalone: Barry's Bay (Book #1)

Genre: Adult Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Small Town

Pages: 320

Publisher: Berkley

Year Published: 2022

Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)

"They say you can never go home again, and for Persephone Fraser, ever since she made the biggest mistake of her life a decade ago, that has felt too true. Instead of glittering summers on the lakeshore of her childhood, she spends them in a stylish apartment in the city, going out with friends, and keeping everyone a safe distance from her heart.

Until she receives the call that sends her racing back to Barry's Bay and into the orbit of Sam Florek- the man she never thought she'd have to live without.

For six summers, through hazy afternoons on the water and warm summer nights working in his family's restaurant and curling up together with books- medical textbooks for him and work-in-progress horror short stories for her- Percy and Sam had been inseparable. Eventually that friendship turned into something breathtakingly more, before it fell spectacularly apart.

When Percy returns to the lake for Sam's mother's funeral, their connection is as undeniable as it had always been. But until Percy can confront the decisions she made and the years she's spent punishing herself for them, they'll never know whether their love might be bigger than the biggest mistakes of their past.

Told over the course of six years and one weekend, Every Summer After is a big, sweeping nostalgic look at love and the people and choices that mark us forever."

My Rating: 4/5

Another famous Canadian author. I hadn't read anything else by this author, but when her book was one of the Goodreads challenges, I thought, what a good time to read another popular Canadian romance author. This story follows Percy as she grows alongside Sam summer after summer, while flashing to our current timeline following tragedy. 

Throughout this read, I was impressed by Carley's ability to bring to life Canadian lake life, as well as small town dynamics. I also enjoy a good friends-to-lovers story. The alternating chapters only added to my love of the story. That being said, SAM was aggravating near the end of the book! I found his character was becoming whiny-man-baby. If you've read it you'll understand what portion of the book I'm talking about. The final plot twists were entertaining and interesting, but I wonder where else this author will take her future love stories, and I'm hoping we aren't having a repeated trope moment.  

Sidny

Book Review: Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey

Title: Dream Girl Drama

Author: Tessa Bailey

Series/Standalone: Big Shots Series (Book #3)

Genre: Sports Romance, Adult Fiction, Contemporary

Pages: 320

Publisher: Avon

Year Published: 2025

Format: Audiobook

"When professional hockey player Sig Gauthier's car breaks down and his phone dies, he treks into a posh private country club to call a tow truck, where he encounters the alluring Chloe Clifford, the manic pixie dream girl who captivates him immediately with her sense of adventure and penchant for stealing champagne.

Sparks fly during a moonlight kiss and the enamored pair can't wait to see each other again, but when Sig finally arrives to meet his dad's new girlfriend over dinner, Chloe is confusingly also there. Turns out the girlfriend is Chloe's mother. Oh, and they're engaged.

Sig's dream girl is his future stepsister.

Though the pair is now wary of being involved romantically, Chloe, a sheltered harp prodigy, yearns to escape her controlling mother. Sig promises to teach her the ins and outs of independence in Boston- but not inside his bedroom. They both know there can never be more than friendship between a famous hockey player and his high-society, soon-to-be stepsister. But keeping their relationship platonic grows harder amid the developing family drama, especially knowing they were meant for so much more..."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I really enjoyed this book! This story follows Sig and Chloe, who meet, have a magical experience together and very quickly realise that they have more in common than their interest in each other. I loved the taboo aspect of this book, but also the yearning. The spice, as always, was really good, other than one aspect that Tessa Bailey has started to add to most of her spice scenes, which isn't for me. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. 

Sidny

Book Review: The Women by Kristin Hannah

Title: The Women

Author: Kristin Hannah

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Historical Fiction, Adult Fiction

Pages: 471

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Year Published: 2024

Format: Hardcover (Own It)

"Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances "Frankie" McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path. 

As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets- and becomes one of- the lucky, the brave, the broken and the lost.

But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protestors, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.

The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm's way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era. "

My Rating: 4/5

As with any time I read Kristin Hannah, I am prepared for an emotional rollercoaster. Her way of writing historical fiction really reminds the reader that while we know the history, what was it really like for the people who lived it. Good, bad and ugly. This novel follows Frances, who goes to Vietnam after being inspired to be a hero, the first female hero from her family (as far as we know). As someone from a deeply patriotic family, she encounters other views, devastation and other factors of war that she might not have considered before heading in-country. Love, friendship and more play out both in-country and back home while we watch her return to a country that doesn't have the same love for veterans that it did in WW II or WW I. 

I don't think when I began reading this book that I understood that over half of the book takes place in America (both before and after Frankie's deployment). While important, I think that more detail of her time in-country may have helped me better understand the personal changes that Frankie experiences and give an even more stark contrast between the world she leaves and the world she reenters.  That being said it was a very informative book. I hadn't read much about the Vietnam War, as I am Canadian, and it isn't a subject touched on often here. 

Sidny