A Killer Motive

Canadian author Hannah Mary McKinnon is back with A Killer Motive, a story about a True Crime podcaster who has been searching for her missing brother for years. 

Six years ago, Stella Dixon's brother Max went missing from a party, a party she helped him sneak out of the house for. The loss of her brother and her guilt at her involvement in his disappearance continues to plague Stella who now has a successful True Crime podcast called A Killer Motive. When Max's best friend suddenly goes missing, Stella finds herself taunted by a mysterious and sinister person who pulls her into a dark and dangerous game of cat and mouse. 

I admit that I had to suspend disbelief over some of Stella's choices, but they provided great opportunities to propel this well-paced story that is filled with red herrings galore, building tension, short chapters and an ending that I didn't see coming.

Disclaimer: Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary digital copy of this book which was given in exchange for my honest review. 

My Rating: 4 stars

Author: Hannah Mary McKinnon

Genre: Suspense, Canadian

Type and Source: ebook ARC from publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: MIRA

First Published: Sept 9, 2025

Read: Aug 17-24, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: You never know who’s listening.

To Stella Dixon, sneaking her teenage brother out of their parents’ house for a beach party was harmless fun—until Max disappeared without a trace.

Six years later, Stella’s family is still broken, and she can’t let go of her guilt. The only thing that keeps her going is helping other families find closure through A Killer Motive, her true crime podcast.

In a bid to find new sponsors and keep making episodes, Stella goes on a local radio show. But when she says on air that if she had just one clue, she’d find Max and bring whoever hurt him to justice, someone takes it as a challenge.

A mysterious invitation to play a game arrives, with the promise that if Stella wins, she’ll get information about what happened to Max. Stella thinks it’s a sick joke…until Max’s best friend vanishes. And she’s given new tell nobody or people will die.

Desperate and unable to trust anyone, Stella agrees. But beating a twisted, invisible enemy seems impossible when they make all the rules…

Wish You Were Her

I picked up this book because of its neurodivergent representation and because its blurb said it's 'Book Lovers meets Notting Hill with a slice of You've Got Mail'. Sounds delightful!! It had strong neurodivergent rep, a splash of Hollywood and gave homage to the popular book/movies, but despite all that, it didn't work for me.

I liked the small-town, bookish setting and initially the rivals-to-lovers trope, but the story becomes a bit of a slog halfway through when miscommunication takes the front seat, we get a cast of mainly unlikeable characters and some silly explanations for certain character's behaviours (I'm looking at you, Allegra's dad!) 

I would like to state that I am not autistic, so I don't claim to know what it is like to be autistic. But from my neurotypical POV, I can't help but feel like autism was portrayed in a negative light and it bothered me. It felt like the autistic characters' personalities (mainly their negative behaviours) are explained away with their diagnosis. It felt uncomfortable and 'othering' to those characters. 

The premise was cute, and I assume the author, who has autism, was going for a heartwarming read with a neurodiverse focus but unfortunately, I found the execution of the story very weak. I am in the vast minority with my opinions on this book so if you're looking for a small-town, YA read, then you may want to give this one a try.

Disclaimer: Thanks to St Martin's Press for the complimentary digital copy of this book that was provided in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 2.5 stars

Author: Elle McNicholls

Genre: Romance

Type and Source: ebook from publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: St Martin's Press

First Published: August 26, 2025

Read: August 19-21, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: Book Lovers meets Notting Hill with a slice of You've Got Mail in Wish You Were Her, the brand new rivals-to-lovers romance from bestselling, award-winning Elle McNicoll.

18-year-old Allegra Brooks has skyrocketed to fame after starring in a hit television show, and she's the overnight success that everyone's talking about. They just don't know she's autistic. Now, all she wants is a normal teenage summer.

Her destination for escape is the remote Lake Pristine and its annual Book Festival, organized by the dedicated but unfriendly senior bookseller, Jonah Thorne.

In small towns like Lake Pristine, misunderstandings abound, and before long the two are drawn into high-profile hostility that's a far cry from the drama-free holiday Allegra was craving. Thank goodness for her saving the increasingly personal emails she's been sharing with a charming and anonymous bookseller who is definitely not Jonah Thorne . . .

An unforgettable romcom about finding the one person who makes you feel yourself when the whole world is watching.

Summer Romance

This was my first book by Anabel Monaghan and it was light, summery and simple but it didn't check all the boxes for what I expect in a romance.

It started off with a cute (if wet) meet cute and I thought "I'm gonna love this book!" as I hunkered down on my flight. And sure, the story touches on emotional topics: grief, new relationships after a break-up, self-discovery and juggling all that life throws at newly divorced moms, but it didn't explore any of these issues with nearly enough depth. There's no tension, no drama! It felt repetitive and awkward - especially with so much time spent listening to Ali talk to her dead mom.

The main characters were ... fine at best with the stand-out being Phyllis, Ali's elderly neighbour who was a very tertiary character. (Petty moment: Ali's son Cliffy's name made me cringe every time I saw it on the page).

I appreciated that this book centres around a middle-aged woman finding herself, but the third act break-up wasn't needed, the story was boringly predictable and while it had a decent premise, it lacked depth and won't be a story or couple that will stick with me long.  

I'm in the vast minority on this one. There are a lot of rave reviews, but I just don't get it.

My Rating: 2.5 stars

Author: Anabel Monaghan

Genre: Romance

Type and Source: ebook, personal copy

Publisher: G.P Putnam's Sons

First Published: June 4, 2024

Read: Aug 16-19, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: Benefits of a summer romance: It’s always fun, always brief, and no one gets their heart broken.

Ali Morris is a professional organizer whose own life is a mess. Her mom died two years ago, then her husband left, and she hasn’t worn pants with a zipper in longer than she cares to remember.

No one is more surprised than Ali when the first time she takes off her wedding ring and puts on pants with hardware—overalls count, right?—she meets someone. Or rather, her dog claims a man for her...by peeing on him. Ethan smiles at Ali like her pants are just right—like he likes what he sees. He looks at her like she’s a younger, braver version of herself. The last thing newly single mom Ali needs is to make her life messier, but there’s no harm in a little summer romance. Is there?

Great Big Beautiful Life

I appreciate it when authors veer out of their literary comfort zones and try something new. Emily Henry is known for making wonderful contemporary fiction/romance books, but with Great Big Beautiful Life she takes a stab at romance with a strong historical fiction focus. And it worked ... kind of.

Alice Scott (sunshine) and Hayden Anderson (grumpy) are two writers who are competing in a month-long challenge to see who Margaret Ives will choose to write her memoir. Octogenarian Margaret has lived quite the life. She is an heiress, socialite and former tabloid fodder who disappeared from the public eye for decades. She has a story to tell and will choose which writer will pen her life story.

I loved the small-town setting and Alice and Hayden's touch of enemies to lovers. They were a likeable couple but neither of them had enough oomph to stand out from the many other literary couples who inhabit my bookish memory. I wanted more time for the romance to grow and more tension to build.

I also wanted to get to know Margaret better. We're told she's a kickass woman who has lived a fascinating life, but we don't get time to see it. Instead, we must wade through her parents' and grandparents' stories and a whole slew of characters which got confusing. 

The story has a bit of mystery as Margaret takes the writers (and the reader) back in time, but this is where things got dicey for me. It gives off very strong The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo vibe ... a little too on the nose for me (and not as good, to be honest). Evelyn Hugo is one of my all-time favourite books, so I don't take the comparison lightly. Don't get me wrong, GBBL was a good read ... it just didn't capture my heart like Evelyn Hugo.

One thing that surprised me (and other readers) is that the romance takes a backseat to the historical fiction aspect. There are some good reveals, but readers will have to keep track of how characters are related and be patient because it's a long wait to find out the truth.

My Rating: 3.75 stars

Author: Emily Henry

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

Type and Source: Hardcover, personal copy

Publisher: Berkley

First Published: April 22, 2025

Read: Aug 3-7, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping new novel from Emily Henry.

Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: To write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years--or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century.

When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game.

One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over.

Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication

Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition.

But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.

And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad…depending on who’s telling it.

Cold Heart Creek

This seventh addition of the Detective Josie Quinn series pulls Josie and her team into a double homicide at an isolated campsite that makes them question whether there was a third person who escaped. This leads the team down a rabbit hole that includes a reclusive commune with a cultish vibe and suspicious air.

I enjoy this series that balances police procedural with a main character in Josie who has more than her share of emotional trauma, but this installment didn't hit as hard as some of the others. There was less tension and no real nail-biter moments, and I wish there was more involvement from the secondary cast who usually surround Josie. Perhaps it was because I read this book in bits and pieces during my vacation in Iceland, but I found I struggled to remember who was who. 

While this wasn't my favourite book in the series, it does provide some closure for Josie, and I look forward to reading the next books which eagerly await me on my kindle.

Note: I strongly recommend you read this series in order

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Lisa Regan

Genre: Suspense

Series: Detective Josie Quinn 7

Type and Source: ebook, personal copy

Publisher: Bookouture

First Published: Dec 2, 2019

Read: Aug 7-15, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: As the sun rises, the last glow of the campfire is just visible through the mist and the trees. The young couple are laid out on their backs beside the small blue tent, their hands clasped between them, their eyes open, their hearts cold…

When a park ranger stumbles across the bodies of newlyweds Valerie and Tyler Yates by a creek in the small town of Denton, Detective Josie Quinn is first on the scene. Still reeling from the news that her abusive mother is dying, Josie suspects this is more than just accidental poisoning, and she’s right: someone jammed a crudely carved pendant necklace down Valerie’s throat before she died.

Combing the area, Josie’s team discover a third sleeping bag indicating there could have been an extra guest around the fire that night. A lucky escape? A missing victim? Or a suspect on the run? Finding this person is the key to the entire investigation…

The trail leads Josie to the gates of a farmhouse hidden deep within the forest – a special place where people go to escape, and to hide. There is a young girl there with frightened eyes and bandaged wrists who knows more than she is saying, but the next day she’s found dead, choked with a matching necklace…

With her mother’s life hanging by a thread, Josie has an impossible decision to make as she races to find the meaning of the pendant and catch this twisted killer before another innocent life is taken – but is she already too late?

An addictive and gripping crime thriller from an Amazon, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Readers who love Robert Dugoni, Angela Marsons and Rachel Caine will be sleeping with the lights on after this rollercoaster of a read.

The Page Turner

I haven't read a lot of Viola Shipman's books, but this book caught my eye with its sweet story that's set in the world of publishing that centres around the deep bond between Emma and her beloved grandmother Gigi.

I loved the bookish vibe and its focus on book publishing, especially the issues female authors can face (and can we retire the term 'women's fiction' PLEASE!!). There are complicated family dynamics thrown in and a slew of pop culture references (perhaps too many?). It's a charming story but it gets bogged down with dialogue and its weak plot doesn't find its footing until the last third of the book.  

As for the characters, I loved Gigi who, despite being dead, was one of my favourite characters (the other being Viv, the alcohol lovin', take no crap book agent). The rest of the characters are a one-dimensional bunch - complete with a 'bad guy' character who wouldn't have surprised me if he had been given a handlebar moustache to twirl as he planned his nefarious schemes. 

There's an almost satisfying ending, but you must wade through immature family battles, obvious secrets that Emma struggles to figure out and over-the-top characters who distract from the important issues and the sweet relationship between grandmother and granddaughter. 

It sounds like I didn't like this book, but it was good, it just wasn't a 'page turner' for me and I think it will appeal to readers who want an easy-going, light read. What bumped up my rating was reading the author's note that highlights his love for his grandmother whose name Wade Rouse uses as his pen name. 

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Author: Viola Shipman

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, LGBTQ+ (author)

Type and Source: Trade Paperback from library

Publisher: Graydon House

First Published: April 8, 2025

Read: July 19-24, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: A young romance writer makes a discovery that throws her elitist family into chaos.

Emma Page grew up the black sheep in a bookish household, raised to believe fine literature is the only worthy type of fiction. Her parents, self-proclaimed “serious” authors who run their own vanity press, The Mighty Pages, mingle in highbrow social circles that look down on anything too popular or mainstream, while her sister, Jess, is a powerful social-media influencer whose stylish reviews can make or break a novel.

Hiding her own romance manuscript from her disapproving parents, Emma finds inspiration at the family cottage among the “fluff” they despise: the juicy summer romances that belonged to her late grandmother. But a chance discovery unearthed from her Gigi’s belongings reveals a secret that has the power to ruin her parents’ business and destroy their reputation in the industry—a secret that has already fallen into the hands of an unscrupulous publishing insider with a grudge to settle. Now Emma must decide: As much as she’s dreamed of the day her parents are forced to confront their own egos, can she really just sit back and watch The Mighty Pages be exposed and their legacy destroyed?

My Next Breath: A Memoir

This is an amazing story of resilience, family and healing as actor Jeremy Renner recounts the horrific accident he barely survived in January 2023 when he was run over by a large snow removal machine at his mountain home.

I only know of Renner from his role as Hawkeye in the Marvel Universe but remember this incident that nearly killed the actor. I listened to this memoir and appreciated that the actor himself narrated his own story. 

The beginning had me hooked as he describes before and during the crash that should have killed him. The emotion was clear in Renner's voice as he relayed the incident and how it affected him, his family and neighbours who raced to save the Hollywood actor. Snippets of the desperate 911 call are included and increase the emotional factor.

But Renner's hubris and unexpected philosophical rants take centre stage around the halfway mark and that's where my interest waned. It is amazing that he survived such a devastating accident BUT I hated how he played the 'manly man' card stating that he got through the horrific pain and recovery mainly by his own sheer willpower (while ignoring medical advice). He admits to being the 'world's worst patient' and he may be correct because he didn't seem to appreciate the medical staff who helped him. His treatment of them took Renner down a notch in my opinion of him. And let's be honest, in America's health care system, his social status and bank account afforded him a lot of extras to begin with.

His love and devotion for his family (especially his young daughter) is apparent and it is wonderful to see. But the book soon becomes very repetitive with too much philosophical introspection, too little humility and a tad offensive in parts and honestly, could have been whittled down substantially. This is a story about resilience, family bonds ... and a star's big ego.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Jeremy Renner

Genre: Memoir

Type and Source: eAudio from public library

Narrator: Jeremy Renner

Run Time: 6 hours, 35 min

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

First Published: April 29, 2025

Read: July 28-31, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: Two-time Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner was the second-most-googled person in 2023—and not for his impressive filmography. His searing portrayals on film ranged from an Iraq-based army bomb technician in The Hurt Locker and a Boston bank robber in The Town to a crooked Camden mayor in American Hustle before he became heir to the Jason Bourne franchise (The Bourne Legacy). Amongst other iconic roles, he also captured hearts as fan-favorite comic book marksman Hawkeye in seven Marvel films.

Yet, his otherworldly success on-screen faded to the periphery when a fourteen-thousand-pound snowplow crushed him on New Year’s Day 2023. Somehow able to keep breathing for more than half an hour, he was subsequently rushed to the ICU, after which he would face multiple surgeries and months of painful rehabilitation.

In this debut memoir, Jeremy describes in blistering detail his accident and the aftermath. This retelling is not merely a gruesome account of what happened to him; it’s a call to action and a forged companionship between listener and author as Jeremy recounts his recovery journey and reflects on the impact of his suffering. Ultimately, Jeremy’s memoir is a testament to the human spirit and its capacity to endure, evolve, and find purpose in the face of unimaginable adversity. His writing captures the essence of profound transformation, exploring the delicate interplay between vulnerability and strength, despair and hope, redemption and renewal.

The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective

This was a thoroughly enjoyable cozy murder mystery that features a loveable gaggle of oddball neighbours who live in small cottage community in Santa Barbara, California. The cottages are owned by Mrs. B - the matriarch who reigns over her little enclave with a big heart and a hearty dose of nosiness. She rents her cottages to an odd assortment of tenants and when a dead body is found nearby, the tenants work together to solve the murder.

This book is the whole cozy mystery enchilada. It blends humour, heart and community with a cast of characters who tell share their own stories and have secrets they'd rather keep hidden. 

I loved the short chapters, the cottage collective setting and how the story was told using multiple POVs, giving readers a chance to get to know the tenants well and see their relationships grow. 

This is a murder mystery but it's also a sweet story about community, found family, and the importance of finding a safe place where you belong and can be loved for being 100% yourself. Filled with funny bits, poignant moments and a solid mystery, if you love cozy murder mysteries and a quirky, memorable cast you'll want to pick up this book.

A great pick for fans of Only Murders in the Building.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Minotaur Books for the complimentary digital advanced copy of this book which was given in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 4 stars

Author: Jo Nichols

Genre: Mystery

Type and Source: ebook from publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Minotaur Books

First Published: August 19, 2025

Read: July 29-31, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: The perfect summer read, full of charm and heart, written in the vein of The Thursday Murder Club or Only Murders in the Building but with a southern California twist.

Mrs. B, the landlady of The Marigold Cottages is a stubborn idealist who only rents to people she cares Sophie, an anxious young playwright with a dark past; Hamilton, an agoraphobe who likes to overshare; Ocean, a queer sculptor raising two kids alone; the perfectionist Lily-Ann; and Nicholas, a finance bro who’s hiding secrets.

The tenants live contentedly in their doll-house bungalows in Santa Barbara, just minutes from the beach, until their peace is shattered when Anthony, a quiet, hulking, but potentially violent ex-con moves in. Three weeks later, a dead body is discovered on the streets of the peaceful neighborhood. Anthony is arrested, and the tenants heave sighs of relief. Until Mrs. B, convinced that he's innocent, marches down to the police station and confesses to the crime herself. The tenants band together and form “The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective” to save their beloved landlady. As clues are unearthed and secrets are revealed, the community of misfits only grows more tight-knit...until a second body is found. Full of eccentricity, humor, community, The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective will keep you hooked until the last page.

What She Left Behind

What She Left Behind is a slow burn, small-town mystery with a touch of psychological thriller. 

The story centres around Charlotte Boyd, an unemployed young woman who relies heavily on her parents for emotional and financial support. They enlist Charlotte to oversee the renovations of their small-town summer house while they're away. During renovations Charlotte unearths the diary of teenage Lark, the young woman who committed suicide at the house 15 years ago.

Told using the dual POVs of Charlotte and teenage Lark's diary entries, readers get pulled into a mystery complete with small-town atmosphere, lies and secrets, someone will do anything to keep hidden. 

I'm not one for slow burns but this book kept things moving and I enjoyed how secrets were revealed to the reader, keeping me engaged and guessing. Fans of slow burn tension will enjoy how Sommerville successfully balances a compelling, atmospheric mystery with a sensitive exploration of trauma.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Rising Action Publishing Co for the complimentary digital and trade paperback advanced copies which were given to me in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 4 stars

Author: Brianne Sommerville

Genre: Suspense, Canadian

Type and Source: ebook and trade paperback from publisher

Publisher: Rising Action

First Published: August 12, 2025

Read: July 25-30, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: In a home where the past lives on, can the truth ever really be buried?

Recently fired and adrift, Charlotte Boyd agrees to oversee renovations on her parents’ small-town summer home that holds a tragic past. After discovering an enthralling diary hidden amidst junk the previous owners left behind, Charlotte connects with the author—a troubled teen named Lark Peters who died by suicide at the house sixteen years ago.

When an unsettling incident forces Charlotte to seek refuge at the local pub, regulars, including the police, warn her of Lark’s older brother, Darryl, who has become a recluse since Lark’s death, and may know more than he’s letting on. But Charlotte sees a side of Darryl others don’t, being an outsider herself.

In a search to uncover the truth, Charlotte must question those closest to Lark and reconcile her own past trauma. Because if Lark was actually murdered, then whoever is responsible might be lurking in Charlotte’s own backyard.

Woman on the Verge

Woman on the Verge is a roller coaster of a ride through the complicated feelings about motherhood and marriage. The story centres around three women - Nicole, Katrina and Rose - and through them, we witness their struggles with being a mom, societal expectations, gender inequities in family life, mental health, caring for aging parents and grief. 

Well-narrated by a large cast and told from alternating POVs, readers may relate to many of the experiences. I didn't always like the characters or their choices, but through their unique voices and experiences, Hooper dives deeply into modern motherhood - the unattainable perfection of motherhood, maternal ambivalence and the many feelings and experiences in between.

This was a very interesting and poignant story ... but not always a comfortable read/listen as the author unapologetically shines a much-needed light on the good and sometimes stressful parts of motherhood. 

Disclaimer: Thanks to Brilliance Audio for the complimentary eAudio that was loaned to me via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Author: Kim Hooper

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Type and Source: eAudio from publisher via NetGalley

Narrators: Dana Green, Abigail Reno, 

Jordan Claire McCraw, Amanda Stribling

Run Time: 11 hours, 4 min

Publisher: Brilliance Publishing

First Published: July 1, 2025

Read: July 18-28, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: A sexy, propulsive meditation on modern motherhood, tracking the lives of three women as they struggle to define themselves in the face of new obligations and heightened expectations.

Some women, with their perfect children and pricey athleisure, make motherhood look easy. But not Nicole. She never wanted to be a stay-at-home parent—losing her job left her no choice. Now, between her toddlers’ demands, husband’s distance, and father’s deteriorating health, she’s pulled in every direction except her own.

Something has to give.

Katrina’s in the same dissatisfied boat. After flirting with a handsome stranger at a bar, she’s ready to choose pleasure over responsibility. But when her impulse goes surprisingly awry, she must reconcile her reawakened desires with the realities of home.

Housewife Rose battles the constraints of motherhood in the ’80s. Venting her growing restlessness into a diary of secret ambitions, she wonders whether it’s all worth it. Is an unhappy mother really better than a selfish one?

In a shocking twist, the women find their lives intertwined. But as they face their longings head-on, it’s unclear whether they’re destined for a breakthrough…or breakdown.