The Survivors

 

“The Survivors” by Jane Harper
Published by Flatiron Books
 
When I saw Netflix made it into a show, this book moved to the top of my TBR.  I didn’t find it to be a fabulous read, but it is definitely a good one.  And I think it will make for a good show, although I’m curious to see if they’ll change the ending at all.  There are a couple mysteries in one town, 15 years apart, with potential guilt insinuated on a few characters for each one.  It’s not fast passed, but it will hold your interest to keep turning the pages until the end, when everything is revealed. 
 
Finished 6/21/25 – 3/5 stars
 
#thesurvivors #janeharper #flatironbooks #botm #netflix #2025reads

Remarkably Bright Creatures

 

“Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt
Published by ecco (HarperCollins)
 
I put off reading this because I wasn’t sure how I’d do with an animal as a main character.  I should have known it wouldn’t bother me since I loved Racing in the Rain and that has a dog as a main character.  Sure enough, I loved this one too.  The intertwined storylines were all good, the character development was great, and it made me wish I lived in a little town like Sowell Bay where everyone looks out for one another (and knows all your business).  It even made me tear up in a couple spots.  I highly recommend this heartwarming book.
 
Finished 6/20/25 – 4/5 stars
 
#remarkablybrightcreatures #shelbyvanpelt #ecco #harpercollins #2025reads

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau

“The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau” by Kristin Harmel
Published by Gallery Books
 
Another wonderful historical fiction from Kristin Harmel.  The other two I’ve read were 5 star reads but this one fell a little short of that for me.  It was still a great story and wonderfully written, but I didn’t like the ending.  I can’t tell you why because I don’t include spoilers in my reviews, but I would have preferred less of a “wrap up”.  I was also really hoping for a “this was based on X’s life” in the author’s note because I really wanted Colette to be a real person.  And maybe she did exist and just stayed anonymous.  That’s what I’m going to tell myself because sometimes we need true Robin Hoods in this world.
 
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the complimentary copy of this book.  As always, the opinions expressed within this review are completely my own.
 
Finished 6/13/25 – 4/5 stars
#thestolenlifeofcolettemarceau #kristinharmel #gallerybooks #netgalley #2025reads #genxreads
 

The Girl with the Louding Voice

 

“The Girl with the Louding Voice” by Abi Dare

Published by Dutton Books

 

I can only recommend the audio of this book.  The physical book is written in extremely broken English and my brain couldn’t easily translate while reading.  The audio was much easier to understand and follow. 

 

In this book, the main character is an innocent and naïve girl in Nigeria with such drive and determination to better herself.  All she wants is to go to school, become a teacher, and have a voice, but life continues to throw hurdles in her way.  Her story is both sad and inspirational.

 

Finished 6/10/25 – 3/5 stars

 

#thegirlwiththeloudingvoice #abidare #duttonbooks #botm #2025reads #genxreads

The Animators

 
“The Animators” by Kayla Rae Whitaker
Published by Random House
 
There were parts of this story I did enjoy but the majority of it wasn’t for me.  The relationship between the two main characters was so unhealthy.  There were many situations that I didn’t find very believable and/or would just make me angry.  Plus, I was expecting strong female characters, overcoming challenges.  These women weren’t just troubled, they were weak.  I’m actually disappointed that a female author wrote it.  I can’t recommend this one.
 
Finished 6/8/25 – 2.5/5 stars
 
#theanimators #kaylaraewhitaker #randomhouse #botm #2025reads #genxreads

Everything I Never Told You

 
“Everything I Never Told You” by Celeste Ng
Published by Penguin Books
 
This is a very heavy and depressing book, yet I really enjoyed it.  It’s a family drama with lots of dysfunction.  When the oldest daughter goes missing and then is found dead in the nearby lake, the family falls apart.  But truly, they had fallen apart years before.  Not one character is happy, although you will become attached to them all.  There are no feel-good moments, but you’ll keep turning the pages, hoping to find one.  It may be sad, but I still recommend it as long as you are in the right headspace for it.
 
Finished 6/5/25 - 4/5 stars
 
#everythinginevertoldyou #celesteng #penguinbooks #2025reads #genxreads

The Night Swim

 
“The Night Swim” by Megan Goldin
Published by St. Martin’s Press
 
I really enjoyed this one – it’s 2 mysteries in one.  The main story is that of a podcaster who travels to a small beach town to cover a rape trial.  On her way there, she stops at a rest stop where someone has left a note on her car, asking her to look into the death of her sister that happened in that same beach town 25 years prior.  So, while covering the rape trial for her podcast, she is also digging into the town’s past.  There are some aspects/concepts of the book that I had a hard time believing but overall, I thought it was really good. 
 
Fair warning – there aren’t any trigger warnings listed in the book, but I can’t imagine a rape or assault victim reading it because there are some intense scenes.
 
Finished 6/3/25 – 3.5/5 stars
 
#thenightswim #megangoldin #stmartinspress #botm #2025reads #genxreads

My Next Breath

 
“My Next Breath” by Jeremy Renner
Published by Flatiron Books
 
I tend to not review the audio books I listen to but when it’s a 5-star read, I make an exception.  Listening to Jeremy tell you his story and hearing the 911 call with his moaning in the background is intense.  The first half of the book is about the accident and its immediate aftermath, and I can’t tell you how many times I cried.  His will to live was nothing less than extraordinary.  The second half is about his recovery.  His determination is so inspiring.  Hawkeye may not have any superpowers, but Jeremy Renner sure does.
 
Finished 6/1/25 – 5/5 stars
 
#mynextbreath #jeremyrenner #flatironbooks #hawkeye #5starreads #2025reads #genxreads #booktok