
Best of All Worlds by Kenneth Oppel is a gripping young adult speculative fiction novel that dives deep into survival, family tension, and eerie mystery. The story begins with Xavier Oaks, a teenager who reluctantly agrees to spend time at a remote cabin with his dad and his dad’s pregnant new wife, Nia. He would rather be home with his mom and brother, but it’s supposed to be just a short trip. Then everything changes.
One morning, Xavier wakes up and realizes the house is no longer where it used to be. It’s like the entire cabin has been relocated to an unfamiliar place. Suddenly, this isn’t just an uncomfortable family getaway. It’s a life-or-death situation. Two families must now figure out how to survive with limited resources, learning how to live off the land and navigate the psychological weight of isolation and uncertainty.
What makes this story especially compelling is the emotional realism. Zay’s quiet grief over being separated from his mom and brother feels raw and honest, particularly in the way he keeps texting his brother, knowing the messages won’t be received. The tension between the two families, the Oaks and the Jacksons, keeps building as the story unfolds. Riley’s increasing paranoia and Nia’s refusal to compromise create intense friction, and watching how these personalities clash under pressure is both exhausting and fascinating.
As the stakes rise, so do the questions. Why these families? Why this place? The story invites you to fall into a spiral of conspiracy theories, each one more intriguing than the last. The mystery grips you tightly, and the emotional stakes keep you invested in every page.
Best of All Worlds is not just a survival story. It’s a powerful look at what happens when people are pushed to their limits, how relationships evolve under pressure, and how trust can be both a weapon and a lifeline. Kenneth Oppel has crafted a suspenseful, thought-provoking read that lingers long after you finish.
- Year 2025

Black Salt Queen by Samantha Bansil is a precolonial fantasy set in the island nation of Maynara, where power, family, and secrets collide. Queen Hara Duja Gatdula, gifted with earth-moving magic, faces the challenge of fading strength and an uncertain future for her throne. Her daughter, Princess Laya, commands the skies with boldness, while Imeria Kulaw, the head of a rival family, schemes to crown her own son. Each woman carries hidden pains and forbidden loves, willing to risk everything to secure their place.
The story is rich with vivid imagery and emotional depth. It slowly pulls you into a world of political intrigue and complicated relationships, building toward a middle climax that leaves you questioning what fate awaits these characters. The final part races through mystical battles and high-stakes confrontations, though some moments feel a bit rushed, as if more time could have made the conclusion even more powerful.
At its heart, this book is about more than magic and politics. It’s about mothers and daughters, duty and desire, and the fierce determination to hold everything together when it feels like it’s falling apart. The writing flows like a whispered secret, layered with cultural richness and centered on women who do whatever it takes to survive and protect what matters most.
This is a story that feels both fresh and deeply familiar, an immersive, emotional journey that leaves you eager for what’s next.
- Year 2025

Blonde Dust by Tatiana de Rosnay is a tender and reflective novel about an unexpected friendship that quietly changes the course of a young woman’s life. Set in 1960s Reno, the story follows Pauline, a maid at the historic Mapes Hotel, who is sent to clean the mysterious Suite 614. What she doesn’t expect is to meet the woman staying there, the world-famous actress Marilyn Monroe.
Their encounter is brief but meaningful, unfolding in a gentle, almost dreamlike style that reads more like memory than conversation. The book isn’t heavy on dialogue, which gives it a slow, flowing rhythm that feels intimate and warm. Through their connection, Pauline begins to see herself differently. The story explores how a single moment of kindness and encouragement can give someone the courage to let go of what holds them back and finally move toward their dreams.
There’s also a strong sense of place in this novel. Readers who enjoy western settings and stories about horses will find a lot to appreciate, especially the insights into wild mustangs that add a deeper layer to Pauline’s journey. While parts of the book may feel slower if you aren’t drawn to old Hollywood nostalgia, the emotional heart of the story lies in the bond between two very different women who see and support each other in a way that feels real and rare.
Blonde Dust releases on June 3rd and is a lovely choice for anyone who enjoys quiet, character-driven stories with historical charm and emotional depth.
- Year 2025

Blood Like Mine by Stuart Neville is a chilling, high-stakes blend of horror, thriller, and emotional suspense that digs into the fierce love of a mother and the dark forces threatening her. At the heart of the story is Rebecca Carter, a single mother desperately trying to protect her daughter, Moonflower, from a harrowing secret that has forced them to live off-grid and constantly on the move.
When their van crashes on a snow-covered mountain road, Rebecca finds herself trapped, low on food, out of money, and wary of anyone who might offer help. Her fear isn’t paranoia; it’s survival. Meanwhile, an FBI agent is on the trail of a gruesome killer who leaves behind drained corpses and severed spines. That hunt brings him dangerously close to Rebecca and Moonflower, setting up a collision course neither party is prepared for.
Stuart Neville masterfully weaves tension and atmosphere, making the cold, isolated landscape feel like its own character. Rebecca’s fierce maternal instinct, her resilience, and the mounting dread around her situation make her a compelling and deeply human protagonist. The horror elements are sharp but grounded, enhancing the emotional intensity rather than overwhelming it.
Blood Like Mine is for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with a horror edge, fans of FBI procedurals who aren’t afraid of a little blood and a lot of heart. It’s a story of survival, sacrifice, and the terrifying lengths we go to for the ones we love.
- Year 2025

Celestial Banquet by Roselle Lim is a vibrant young adult fantasy that blends heart-pounding competition with deep themes of family, love, and the meaning of home, all centered around the magic of food. The story follows Cai, a passionate and hot-headed young chef who finds herself in a once-in-a-generation contest known as the Celestial Banquet. Hosted by ancient and unpredictable gods, the competition invites the best chefs from across the continent to prepare extraordinary meals in hopes of winning the legendary Peaches of Immortality. The catch is brutal: those who fail may not live to cook another day.
Cai’s journey is not just about out-cooking the competition. It’s also about proving herself, fighting for the life she wants, and navigating unexpected feelings for two very different men along the way. Every challenge she faces pushes her further into a world where food is power, and every plate she presents carries the weight of her hopes, memories, and dreams.
Roselle Lim writes with warmth, humor, and a sensory richness that makes every dish leap off the page. The book is bursting with flavor, from the tense moments in the kitchen to the tender reflections on family and belonging. The competition may be deadly, but the heart of the story is deeply human.
Celestial Banquet is perfect for readers who love fierce heroines, emotional storytelling, and imaginative worlds where food carries more meaning than magic alone. It’s a joyful, delicious read that leaves you hungry for more.
- Year 2025

Cosmic Love at the Multiverse Hair Salon by Annie Mare is a heartfelt, whimsical ride through parallel realities, unexpected connections, and emotional healing. At the center of the story is Tressa Fay, a celebrity hairstylist reeling from heartbreak. What begins as a misdirected text from a stranger quickly spirals into something far more mysterious and moving.
When Tressa receives a message meant for someone else, she finds herself in a spontaneous text exchange with Meryl, a woman who’s just been stood up. Sparks fly over messages, and they agree to meet in person. But when Tressa arrives at the restaurant, things take a strange turn. Meryl is nowhere to be found. Instead, Tressa is met by Meryl’s sister and best friend, who reveal that Meryl has been missing for over a month.
What unfolds is a mind-bending journey through the multiverse, wrapped in a story that’s equal parts romantic, funny, and deeply emotional. While the mechanics of parallel universes may leave your head spinning, the book’s emotional core is grounded in something beautifully real grief, connection, and the strange ways we find each other.
Tressa’s bond with her father, the vibrant cast of side characters, and the smart, snappy banter make the world feel warm and alive, even as it shifts across timelines. There’s spice, charm, and a touch of cosmic chaos, all tied together by the quiet ache of loss and the hope of healing.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
- Spicy LGBTQ+ romances
- Cozy, whimsical sci-fi with emotional depth
- Stories like The Unmaking of June Farrow and The Seven Year Slip
- Multiverse adventures and time travel twists
- Character-driven storytelling with heart
Out June 3, 2025, Cosmic Love at the Multiverse Hair Salon is a delightfully strange and tender story that sneaks up on you with its emotional resonance. If you’re craving something quirky and genre-blurring that still packs a serious emotional punch, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.
- Year 2025

Dear Future Me by Deborah O’Connor is a hauntingly clever mystery that starts with a simple idea: a high school class writing letters to their future selves. But when those letters are mailed out twenty years later, what should’ve been a nostalgic moment takes a dark turn when Miranda, one of the former students, dies by suicide the very day her letter arrives. Her best friend, Audrey, is convinced it wasn’t a coincidence.
This novel is far more than a whodunit. It’s layered, emotional, and full of quiet tension that keeps you flipping pages. Deborah O’Connor masterfully builds a web of secrets and emotional reckonings as the past comes crashing into the present. The pacing is tight, the twists are satisfying, and there’s a real human heart beneath all the mystery.
It’s one of those stories you find yourself thinking about even when you’re not reading. A detail here, a reveal there, it all clicks together in ways that feel both surprising and earned. If you love mysteries with emotional depth and a bit of psychological suspense, this one’s for you.
Highly recommended. Five stars.
- Year 2025

Talia Kemper swears she didn’t kill her husband. But with time ticking down on death row, the world no longer believes her—despite her alibi. Part of the gripping “Alibis” collection, Death Row by Freida McFadden is a fast-paced psychological thriller that unravels in just a few hours, yet leaves you questioning everything.
As Talia reflects on her marriage and the events that led to her conviction, disturbing truths surface, leading to a final twist that will leave your jaw on the floor.
Perfect for fans of dark suspense, short fiction, and moral ambiguity. Available on Amazon—free with Prime.
- Year 2025

Don’t Forget Me, Little Bessie by James Lee Burke is a hauntingly powerful novel set in the early 1900s, weaving through the landscapes of Texas and New York. In this atmospheric blend of historical fiction and the supernatural, Burke explores the enduring battle between good and evil, the weight of justice and wealth, and the complex moral terrain that still echoes into our present.
At the heart of the story is Bessie, a 14-year-old girl whose strength and determination shine despite the harsh realities she faces. Her voice, both vulnerable and resolute, lingers long after the final page. The book is deeply emotional and, at times, heavy, but it also carries a sense of hope that balances its darker moments.
James Lee Burke’s prose is raw and beautiful, filled with moments that feel both lyrical and painfully honest. The supporting characters are vividly drawn, adding depth and emotional complexity to the world Bessie inhabits. Although this is the fifth installment in Burke’s Holland family series, it stands firmly on its own.
This is not a light read. It tackles difficult themes and doesn’t shy away from violence or trauma, so it’s worth checking for trigger warnings. But for those who step into its pages, Don’t Forget Me, Little Bessie offers a rich, unforgettable reading experience that lingers in the soul.
- Year 2025

Everything We Never Knew by Julianne Hough is a luminous, emotionally charged novel about self-discovery, buried trauma, and the mysterious power that can awaken when we finally stop running from ourselves.
The story follows Lexi Cole, a top-selling real estate agent who’s built a life of comfort and control—until a surreal moment at an awards banquet changes everything. While accepting her prize, she suddenly tastes saltwater, hears a woman’s desperate screams, and sees a man cloaked in a strange darkness. Moments later, the man is dead, and Lexi finds herself unable to ignore what she felt.
What begins as a bizarre, unexplainable incident spirals into something much deeper. Lexi starts experiencing intense emotions that don’t belong to her and even glimpses into people’s pasts. She’s terrified to admit what’s happening—because doing so would mean confronting the painful past she’s spent years suppressing. But the more she leans into this new, uncanny sensitivity, the more she realizes she can help others heal. That is, if she has the courage to face the truth about herself.
With a lightly speculative twist and a strong emotional core, this novel isn’t just about psychic ability—it’s about inner strength, the cost of denial, and the lengths we go to protect the people we love. As Lexi navigates grief, love, and awakening, readers are invited into a story that’s both otherworldly and deeply human.
- Year 2025

Everything’s Coming Up Rosie is a heartwarming romantic comedy about finding purpose in the most unexpected places. When down-on-her-luck actress Rosie misses one rent payment too many, she accepts a mystery theater job and finds herself not on Broadway, but directing Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at a quirky Wisconsin retirement community.
What follows is a hilarious, heartfelt journey involving outspoken seniors, a charming physical therapist, and Rosie’s own rediscovery of creativity and confidence. Narrated by the brilliant Jorjeana Marie, this story is full of laughs, second chances, and just the right amount of sparkle.
🎧 Available in audio and eBook • Release date: June 10 • Narrated by Jorjeana Marie
🔗 Perfect for fans of cozy comedies, small-town charm, and feel-good fiction with a theatrical twist.
- Year 2025

Flashlight by Hyun Choi is a haunting and multi-layered novel that begins with a mystery: ten-year-old Louisa, a biracial girl, is found washed up on the beach, while her father has vanished without a trace. What follows is not a whodunit, but a deeply introspective, character-driven journey that travels across time and voice, unraveling the emotional aftermath of a single tragedy.
Told through multiple perspectives, Flashlight slowly reveals the far-reaching impact of this event—not just on Louisa and those closest to her, but also through the lens of Korean individuals born in Japan, whose lives are shaped by displacement, colonization, and inherited grief. The novel explores what it means to belong, how identity is formed in the wake of imperialism, and whether returning to one’s so-called homeland ever brings true clarity.
Choi writes with stunning emotional depth, layering personal histories with the collective trauma of war and migration. The result is a story that reads more like a meditation than a plot-driven narrative. Her characters are raw and often conflicted, their pain spilling out in quiet moments rather than dramatic revelations. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Choi’s intention isn’t to solve a mystery, but to carefully examine the people left behind in its wake.
While the book demands patience—its long paragraphs and rich details require full attention—it rewards the reader with a slow-burning emotional intensity that culminates powerfully in the final chapters. Though some may feel the novel could have been shorter, the payoff is deeply moving.
For readers drawn to quiet, thoughtful explorations of family, memory, and cultural identity, Flashlight offers a beautifully written, emotionally resonant experience. It’s a story that lingers—just like the beam of a flashlight catching something long hidden in the dark.
- Year 2025