Right from the start, I was giggling at this super-cute story! The author manages to pack a lot into a picture book. The audio edition is narrated by Eunice Wong, who proves herself versatile—this is the first time I've heard her read a children's book.

I have already placed a library hold on the print edition, so I can enjoy the illustrations by Charlene Chua. I'm looking forward to reading this to my grands—the baby dragons.

This unbiased review is based on an ARC supplied by the publisher—Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners from Feiwel & Friends. Publication is expected June 3.

This series conclusion picks up where book two left off, so one really must read the trilogy in order. The events of all three books take place within just a few months. This is, by far, my favorite installment.

Thomson paints a vivid picture of the fantasy worlds, and the story is action-packed. Narrator Sophia Nomvete expertly adds to the excitement and suspense.

As always, each kid contributes some expertise or assistance to resolve the situation. Of course, sometimes the children hatch truly foolhardy plans—probably thinking they are being brave and daring, but maybe simply not really thinking. Luckily, whether by their own devices or with help from others on their team—both children and adults—they pull through. [There is plenty of peril throughout the series, including kidnapping, murder, and deaths of parents and grandparents.]

There's a great twist at around the 90% mark and another exciting revelation at around 94%.

I'm sad that this imaginative and exciting middle grade fantasy trilogy is over, and quite hopeful that Thomson will continue writing . . . for any age group.

This unbiased review is based on an ARC supplied by the publisher—Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners from Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Publication is expected June 3.

I was surprised to find that He's to Die For is a debut!

The book is funny, especially in its descriptions of Rav's personality—he's what some might call . . . fussy. Some might, more graciously, call him particular. Regardless, Rav is appealing and human. I enjoyed his inner monologue. The book is also sweet and sexy. The first kiss (and more) doesn't come until around the 35% mark, so it's neither quite instalove nor a slow burn. My favorite supporting character is absolutely Aisha Khan—Rav's cybersecurity expert (hacker). I'm not convinced that readers are fed enough information to support the conclusion. Still, I'm open to reading more of Dunn's work in the future.

Content warnings include murder, explicit sex, emotionally neglectful and manipulative parents, and substance abuse.

Sid Sagar is a new-to-me narrator. I enjoyed both his British and American English voices.

This unbiased review is based on ARCs supplied by the publishers—Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books. Publication is expected June 3.

This Canadian-born author's debut features rich, descriptive language; deep love of multiple types; unabashed joy; heartbreak; betrayal; and a bit of regret. Main character, Hannah, is an accomplished scientist, stemming from her lifelong desire to fix things. Climate crisis is a major theme of the story, which is told during one day at the end of Hannah's life, bolstered by flashbacks of 70-plus years. The supporting cast of characters includes Hannah's parents, who were academics; childhood best friend/later business partner, Luke; college-and-beyond friend, Esme; love of Hannah's life, Sophie; and various staff and residents of the Palm Meridian Retirement Resort—itself practically a character—in which Hannah lives after she retires, including a married couple: small Eileen and tall Eileen. The Florida resort residents are living their biggest lives—under horrific circumstances—right up until their very ends.

It's not surprising, given the environment of the story, that it includes dark—even morbid—humor, as well as a touch of self-deprecating humor. LGBTQ representation includes at least lesbian, bi, and trans folks.

I became so invested in the storytelling of Hannah's life that Palm Meridian made me cry. Thus, I awarded the book two little rating bumps, just during the time it took me to review my highlights and notes.

This unbiased review is based on an ARC supplied by the publisher—Avid Reader Press | Simon & Schuster. Publication is expected June 10.

The Other Side of Now is Paige Harbison's adult debut, and the first of her books I've read.

Content warnings include explicit sex (but no cringey or disrespectful language that I can remember), alcohol use, extreme dieting and body alterations to fit Hollywood standards of beauty, and death.

While the driving force of the story is Meg's discontent and restlessness in her story-opening timeline, the book isn't entirely heavy. Fun ingredients include mentions of The Phantom Tollbooth—my favorite children's book of all time, Hallmark movies, The Killers song Mr. Brightside, and the movie The Holiday. There are loyal and lovely dogs in both universes. As is often the case, I found humor to be the best part of the book—with Irish timeline friend Kiera as the star of the show, in my opinion.

The writing evokes great emotion—often wrenching or desirous. By the end of the story, Meg gains perspective and maturity. We can assume a happily-ever-after, though it's not explicitly stated.

The author narrates the audiobook edition, which is usually a deal-breaker for me. I was grateful that it didn't diminish my enjoyment.

This unbiased review is based on ARCs supplied by the publishers—St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio. Publication is expected June 3.

Friends with Benefits does a good job of balancing romance and real life—including both legitimate trials and silly, tropey angst.

In terms of the legitimate life trials, the author's opening note lists content warnings including medical gaslighting, health anxiety, illness and death of a parent, parental neglect, and the realities of living with chronic pain. These were all critical to the storyline. Crohn's disease and colorectal cancer, along with commentary on the American employer-based healthcare system, also contribute to the heavy framework of the book.

As for the romance, in my opinion, Evie needed to get there faster! I suppose that wouldn't allow all of the storylines enough time to play out. Familial and platonic love are represented in spades, which is delightful. Evie's paternal grandparents, Theo's mom (via flashbacks), Evie's younger sister (to a lesser degree), and a couple of Evie's mentors are main sources of affection and/or support outside of Evie and Theo's friendship. Evie has multiple professional female role models, which is always refreshing, especially in roles that are historically considered nontraditional for women. [I learned interesting things about some of the items Foley artists use to create believable sound effects.]

Humor peppers the book, giving us comic relief from the health and housing anxiety. Humor came from a broad range of characters, including Theo's fourth-grade students, one of whom is named Milo—bonus points!

Theo absolutely comes across as the hero of the book. He shows amazing thoughtfulness, generosity, and patience, starting from young childhood. This goes beyond his relationship with Evie, right through how much he cares about his students. We read about the field trips he tries to secure for his class, his curated classroom library, how he inspires his students through music, and how hard he works to reach students where they are/in ways they find approachable.

I liked both narrators: Gail Shalan and GM Hakim. In the relatively short amount of time since I added narrators to my personal reading spreadsheet, I've only had one other experience with Shalan . . . as part of a full cast. This was my first experience with Hakim's rich, deep voice.

This unbiased review is based on ARCs supplied by the publishers—Celadon Books (print/e-book) and Macmillan Audio. Publication is expected May 6.

Jilted is a slow-burn, occasionally funny, happily-ever-after romance starring a jilted wedding journalist—Sloane—and a wealthy former pro rugby player/commitment-phobe—Wilder.

Of the supporting characters, my favorites were Sloane’s friend/coworker photographer Elijah and Sloane's family—ex-cop father, brothers who are all firefighters or cops, and teenage niece. I might even suggest that scenes with Sloane's family sometimes eclipse the romance.

There is representation of Parkinson's disease, Diabetes, LGBTQ, and single parenting. Content warnings include infidelity (multiple), death of a teenager, death of a parent (multiple), explicit sex, crass and casual descriptions of sex, and unplanned pregnancy.

The audiobook is narrated by Aiden Snow and Andi Arndt, both of whom do an excellent job of voicing characters across age and gender.

This unbiased review is based on an ARC supplied by the publisher—Macmillan Audio. Publication is expected May 6.

Katherine Center's spring/summer book release has been a highlight of my year for the past several years. The bulk of this review is based on my first read-through of The Love Haters, in e-book form. [January 1–4] When I finished, my Notes to Self included “Can't wait to read it again with my ears.” My second reading—this time, the audio ARC, narrated by superstar Patti Murin—was every bit as satisfying. [March 24–26]

Early readers are asked not to share quotes from ARCs until they are compared to the final published version. This, of course, isn't generally possible, as the whole point is to create early buzz. Even if I could, I wouldn't know where to start—there are just too many nuggets from which to choose. As I was going through my notes, I decided that I'll order one signed and personalized hardcover and one unadorned hardcover to use as my reading/sticky flagging copy. Who am I kidding? I'll probably buy the audio as well. If you are a KC fan, too, be quick like a bunny to get yourself on the library hold list and/or to Center's website to preorder the book from one of the independent bookstores that have signed books (with bonus swag) available for preorder.

This is what I can tell you: I laughed; I learned; I cried (at least once); I sobbed (at least twice); I might have stopped breathing a few times.

As is typical of KC's recent catalog, deep relationships between a varied cast of characters are featured in the story, including Katie's cousin/best friend Beanie; Katie's jerky coworker Cole; Cole's brother Hutch; Hutch and Cole's Aunt Rue (and The Gals—her besties); and Hutch's rescue Great Dane George Bailey. The fact that Aunt Rue and The Gals reminded me of my Granny and The Girls played no small part in my immersion in the book.

The book is slow-burn hot and sexy, but not smutty—which is my personal preference. The first kiss doesn't happen until Chapter Twelve (almost halfway through). If that's not your favorite, still come for the humor, action, all types of love, and emotional nourishment.

While I have a fairly full pipeline right now, I have no doubt that a third reading is in my not-too-distant future. When life is tough, books like The Love Haters offer restorative positive energy.

This unbiased review is based on ARCs supplied by the publishers—St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio. Publication is expected May 20.

What I liked: Bennet's pros and cons in Chapter Nine, Henry, and Bennet's temp agency coworker, Sal (a grandfather to-be). [Henry and Sal might be reason enough to read the book.]

Things about which I might be ambivalent: Bennet's roommate, Sonya, and Sonya's girlfriend, Jamie, both of whom meddle.

What I really didn't like: Bennet . . . for the vast majority of the book. Starting around Chapter Twenty-Three, Bennet starts to take responsibility for planning some of the passion project activities, at which point she becomes more present, starts caring more about others (Twenty-Four), and becomes more independent (Twenty-Five).

Overall, I felt the publisher's blurb massively misstated the tone of the story. The bulk of the book was oppressively angsty and dark, and there is precious little comic relief. We do eventually get to a happy-ever-after, but the ride is unnecessarily long and painful.

This unbiased review is based on an ARC supplied by the publisher—PENGUIN GROUP Viking | Penguin Books. Publication is expected April 8.

I wish I had reread the first series installment to refresh my memory. If you haven't read Bless Your Heart already, please put down Another Fine Mess until you have! The second installment still has gore, with occasional—perhaps fewer—moments of comic relief. I only took separate, special note of two passages. Based on the ending, I'm guessing there is a third installment planned, which I will read out of continued morbid curiosity. Overall, early ratings of book two are slightly higher than reviews of the first installment. I do not share that opinion. Still, I give this installment a soft recommendation.

The audiobook is again narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker, whose talent gets a workout with a broad range of characters.

This unbiased review is based on an ARC supplied by the publisher—Macmillan Audio. Publication is expected April 15.

With one exception, I'm a big fan of Annabel Monaghan's work, so I'm always excited to read her next book. It's a Love Story is the third book of hers that I will likely reread when I'm looking for something funny and sweet to distract me from the world.

In addition to being full of humor, the story includes great love, as well as moments of vulnerability, tenderness, and intimacy. Rich, descriptive language elevates certain more serious scenes. Beyond Jane and Dan, Jane's college and current roommate, Clem, and Dan's entire family—especially parents Reenie and Cormack—are integral to the story . . . and delightful! Young children—students and niblings of Dan's—appear in several parts, adding emotion and depth. The story isn't all happiness and light—Jane is living in the trauma shadow of her childhood stardom; Dan is sometimes overpowered by the outsized personalities of the rest of his family.

I appreciate any work of fiction that treats introversion accurately and respectfully. This one joins those ranks. Don't skip the acknowledgments, which include an especially thoughtful shout-out to the author's editor and well-earned snaps to booksellers and librarians for their reader advisory magical powers.

This unbiased review is based on an ARC supplied by the publisher—Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons. Publication is expected May 27.

For the most part, the story takes place each day of the lunar cycle—chapters are titled Day One through Day Thirty, with a few assorted future days at the end.

There's a lot of wordplay, humor ranging from light chuckles to full-blown hilarity, satire, political and social commentary, pop culture, and even a few philosophical moments.

Among the notable characters are scientists; a president who doesn't read security briefings; a billionaire with pet Congresspeople; a female astronaut who wishes she had become a firefighter instead (and other astronauts); three retired men from different backgrounds who hang out together at a diner (they also interact with a server and a reporter over the course of the book); a pastor and his church community; movie script writers and executives; a group of nerdy highschoolers; feuding brothers who own competing cheese stores in the Wisconsin capitol (Fromagery and DemocraCheese), along with their wives and college-student employees; and an author. I especially liked the beginning of the Annette (Fromagery employee) and Felix (DemocraCheese employee) storyline. Don't skip the Afterword.

This was great vacation reading: I started the book on a flight and continued enjoying it poolside. This definitely isn't my favorite Scalzi work, but I was engrossed and did annotate heavily while I was reading, so I bumped up the rating a bit. Too, I find myself anxious for publication, when I'll be free to share specific parts with certain people and to discuss it generally with even more people. I will likely read it again in the near future, with my ears.

This unbiased review is based on an ARC supplied by the publisher—Tor Publishing Group | Tor Books. Publication is expected March 25.

Note: I originally reviewed the e-book edition, which I finished 31 December 2024: See original review here. The following review of the audio edition has slight additional information. I bookmarked at least a handful more nuggets during my second reading. Will I discover even more in subsequent rereading(s)? It says a lot for the quality of the writing and story that I could be so delighted in two complete readings just over a month apart. When I find a book so satisfying, I tend to purchase it (having originally read it prepublication or having borrowed it from the library) in multiple formats to enable future on-demand rereading.

This fifth installment in the Finlay Donovan series is so funny—bursting with banter and silliness! The series continues to be relationship-heavy, as well, with deepening relationships for some of the recurring characters, and new, interesting relationships between combinations of characters that one wouldn't expect.

Both of Finlay's children—school-age Delia and preschooler Zach—play bigger roles than in previous books. Other characters returning with medium or large roles are ex-husband Steven, nosy neighbor Mrs. Haggerty, hacker Cam, agent Sylvia, nanny/partner in crime Vero, hot cop boyfriend Nick, and even more—I'll keep a few cameos a secret, just for fun. There's a new animal companion with a hilarious name. I'm counting on that feature continuing.

It's hard to believe that the action in all five books takes place within just four months. As I have in the past, I strongly recommend that the series be read in order.

Just like in Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice (book 4), Cosimano ties everything up nice and neat before hitting us with a whammy at the very last minute. She is the Queen of Cliffhangers.

Finlay Donovan never fails to delight and entertain me, and this installment is the best yet! My longtime book buddies know I almost never give 5 stars. Even shocking confusion around how to make poached eggs (Chapter 10) isn't going to deter me from awarding the full score in this case. [Funny story: I don't cook to speak of (though I do bake), but poached eggs are in my repertoire. I'm happy to give lessons.]

Angela Dawe continues to be the perfect narrator for Finlay and friends. I hope she and Cosimano have a long, fruitful working relationship!

This unbiased review is based on an ARC supplied by the publisher—Macmillan Audio. Publication is expected March 4.

Adam Gustavson's illustrations are incredibly rich, detailed, and animated. The text is completely relatable to anyone who has tried to retrieve a child from a playdate . . . or remembers being said child themselves. I won't spoil your fun in discovering hilarious details in the illustrations. Multiple readings—as are sure to be demanded by the littles in one's life—offer the opportunity to absorb even more delightful details.

While Gustavson has illustrated more than 30 award-winning picture books for children, The Aliens Do NOT Want to Go Home is only the second that he has both illustrated and written. [I highly recommend the first—The Froggies Do NOT Want to Sleep—as well.]

This unbiased review is based on an ARC supplied by the publisher—Charlesbridge. Publication is expected June 3.

Because I feel confident in my book selection abilities (I have vast reading experience, I know what I like, and I know how picky I'm feeling/how open I am to trying something new-to-me at any given time) I try to restrict my pre-reading information exposure to the most basic of plot summaries—and little, if any, of others' opinions. I often make notes while I'm reading. This time, post-reading review and research of these notes yielded super-satisfying results. Here are a couple:

Note to self: Excellent narrator. Have I heard him before?

Research results: Without reviewing even half of Will Damron's considerable number of credits, I was able to confirm that I have heard him before, including reading Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, by John Berendt, and A Matter of Will, by Adam Mitzner.

Note to self: Hope there will be more.

Research results: Great news—Head Cases is a series debut! As far as I can tell, this is only McMahon's fourth novel—the first three forming a different series.

The story is reminiscent of the television versions of Dexter, Slow Horses (of which I have also read two installments), and Psych (the third for the keen powers of observation/eidetic memory only—Gardner Camden is a more serious character than Shawn Spencer).

It's pretty gory, and no one (e.g. children and women) is exempt from threats of harm. There is precious little comic relief, but one such instance actually made me snort.

I stubbornly stayed up way past my bedtime—I just couldn't stop reading. Not only will I welcome sequels, I am open to reading McMahon's first series as well.

If you like police procedurals, thrillers, smart/clever/talented outcast characters (some differently abled), or logic puzzles—and have at least a moderately high gore tolerance—I'd recommend Head Cases for you.

This unbiased review is based on ARCs supplied by the publishers—Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books (print/e-book). Publication is expected January 28.

I have rated three of Emma Lord's YA rom-coms 3.66 stars. I usually find them to be very sweet and especially fun. I didn't like The Rival nearly as much. It's not bad; it just didn't wow me like the others did.

All too quickly, I was bored by Sadie's repetitive whining. That might have been improved by writing from dual point of view with Seb.

The good: campus activism; Sadie and Seb pushing each other to perform well; Sadie finally asserting herself with her sisters (though this relates to Sadie's likely misperception of their parents' expectations).

The bad: excessive whining; Sadie being terribly dense about her mutual attraction with Seb.

The neutral: college kids finding their independence, even as they're a bit homesick [I'm not sure I ever knew anyone who was].

By far, my favorite characters were Daisy—writer/sunshine wife—and Betty—a pancake restaurateur/grumpy wife. I wish they played much bigger roles in the story, and that I could share a quote from Daisy. If you read it, please let me know when you get to Daisy and whether you are similarly amused by her.

The audiobook is narrated by Jesse Vilinsky, whom I like.

This unbiased review is based on an audio ARC supplied by the publisher—Macmillan Audio/Macmillan Young Listeners. Publication is expected January 21