Month: July 2025

Title: We Would Never

Author: Tova Mirvis

Genre: literary fiction/mystery

Thank you, NetGalley, for this book.

We find out at the beginning of the book that Hailey’s ex-husband has been murdered, and people think she had something to do with it. Rewind several months, and we see her marriage fall apart. Hailey’s mother is overbearing, to say the least, and basically demands that Hailey move home to Florida from New York, where her ex and their daughter live.

Hailey’s brother, Nate, tries to help. Her brother, Adam, is estranged from the family. And their father just tries to keep moving forward with life. I thought it was interesting that this was based on a true story. And even though most of the characters were wholly unlikable, I wanted to see which of them was behind the murder, Hailey? Her crazy mother? Her protective brother? Or none of the above? Good book that kept me reading.

Title: Motherthing

Author: Ainslie Hogarth

Genre: Horror

Thank you, NetGalley, for this book.

Ralph and Abby have a great marriage, but live with Ralph’s mother, Laura, because she needs help. When Laura dies, Ralph thinks her ghost is still around and falls into depression. Abby tries to keep moving forward, but begins to fall apart in a different way.

Abby continues working at a long-term care facility and forms a relationship with Mrs. Bondy (or should I say, forms a bond?), but that doesn’t go well, either. I like a good, weird book, but this one just never came together for me. Abby spends a lot of time reading this cookbook from the 1930s and decides she needs to cook something great for her husband to heal him. And …well… that takes a turn. I liked this book, but it was just okay.

Title: Breathe In, Bleed Out

Author: Brian McAuley

Genre: Horror

Thank you, NetGalley, for this book.

I’m familiar with Brian McAuley from attending StokerCon and hearing him on Books in the Freezer, but this was the first I’ve read of his, and wow, was it awesome!

Five friends head to Joshua Tree for a spiritual retreat, led by Guru Pax and his assistant, Kimi. Hannah is recovering from the loss of her fiancé, while Tess is trying to find who she is deep down. Miles, the sensitive musician, has always had a thing for Hannah, and the couple Derek and Luna make an effort to reconnect. However, the desert has other plans.

As Hannah ventures out on her own, seeking peace, her friends are battling for their lives. The body count rises with some fun, creative kills, and Hannah has to solve the mystery of just who is doing the killing. A person? Or has she just been hallucinating this entire time?

I read this book in just a couple of days. I loved the unique deaths that McAuley came up with for several characters, some of which I was glad to see gone because they were so obnoxious…. others, I was bummed they were offed, but understood that you do have to kill your darlings at times. Definitely recommend this one.

Title: Your Lonely Nights Are Over

Author: Adam Sass

Genre: YA horror

Thank you, NetGalley, for this book.

I love a good Young Adult horror book, and mixed with a serial killer? Yes, please! However, this one just was not that well-written. The language and dialogue were very cringy. Maybe reading it right after the brilliant language of Red, White, and Royal Blue wasn’t a great idea.

The plot was a lot of fun, though. Besties Cole and Dearie are members of the Queer Club at school when suddenly, a serial killer known as The Sandman seems to return and targets their club. The two friends, along with the other QC members, are simultaneously trying to protect themselves, but also find out who the killer is.

There’s a lot of back-and-forth boyfriend swapping (not judging, just stating) and trying to figure out who was “into” whom was a bit trying. The POV switches from Cole to Dearie each chapter, which was a lot of fun to get both of their perspectives. I wanted to really love this book, but the writing was just more irritating than I could handle.