Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood (★★★★☆)
E-Book • Libby • Contemporary Romance • 2025
Short synopsis: A decade after their explosive on-screen chemistry—and off-screen hatred—turned a small film into a cult classic, two rival actors are forced to reunite for the sequel and revive their fake romance for the cameras, only to discover their long-buried feelings might not be entirely fictional.
I really liked this romance! At first, the back-and-forth timeline (it switched between the present day and when the characters first met) was a little frustrating because I was much more engaged with the past storyline. But as we spent more time with the present-day chapters, I found myself falling more and more in love with Cynthie and Jack. I especially enjoyed seeing how they had matured and how their relationship evolved over time. I also appreciated what Laura Wood had to say about fame, the experience of being a woman in Hollywood, and the importance of female friendship. Overall, it was a sweet romance. Maybe a little forgettable (I don’t think this will make my favorites list at the end of the year), but sometimes, you just need a light-hearted, enjoyable story, and that’s exactly what this was.
Unmissing by Minka Kent (★★★☆☆)
Print • Owned (Amazon) • Thriller • 2022
Short synopsis: After her husband’s first wife returns alive ten years after being presumed dead, Merritt’s attempts to help her rebuild unravel into a chilling web of lies, secrets, and dangerous truths.
This was a solid but ultimately forgettable thriller. While the story had plenty of twists and turns that genuinely surprised me, the writing itself wasn’t particularly strong, I found the dialogue to be somewhat stilted, and some parts of the plot didn’t feel believable. I also struggled to connect with the characters, as their motivations and personalities sometimes felt inconsistent. I wanted the author to dig a little deeper into her characters and make me care a little more for them. Just… meh.
Lake Effect by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney (★★★★★)
Audiobook • Libby • Contemporary Fiction • 2026
Short synopsis: In 1977 Rochester, a bored housewife’s affair with a neighbor ignites a scandal that shatters her family. Decades later, Clara, the oldest daughter, must confront the lingering fallout when she returns home and faces a life-altering choice.
Sweeney has definitely leveled up with this book. It was excellent and the kind of audiobook I didn’t want to stop listening to. I also appreciated that this novel didn’t have the typical alternating-chapters trope; instead, the story unfolds in three distinct sections set in 1977, 1994, and 1998. The first and third parts were the most engaging for me, while the middle section—though crucial to the story—had a bit of a “mushy middle” feel. Still, the novel is beautifully written, with complex characters I couldn’t help but root for, even when they were making terrible decisions. Sweeney brings so much tenderness to every thread of the story: the affair and the weight it carries for Clara’s mother, Clara’s response to it, and the way everything ultimately comes together. The ending was beautiful and actually made me tear up, even though I was finishing the audiobook on a walk. Overall, it’s an impressive novel from Sweeney and one that’s quickly climbing my favorites list.
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