Someone in the Attic by Andrea Mara (★★★★☆)
Print • Owned (Book of the Month) • Thriller • 2024
Short synopsis: When Julia sees a viral video of a masked figure emerging from an attic, she’s horrified to recognize her own home—inside a gated community meant to keep her safe.
I worried this book might be too creepy for me (I mean, the title alone!), but it was more psychological thriller-creepy than horror-creepy. I thought this book was well-written, and all the twists felt believable. I was so invested in uncovering the intruder’s identity and their unsettling obsession with filming inside Julia’s home. I liked all of the secondary characters in this novel and the way they added depth to the story. Overall, it was a satisfying domestic thriller—probably not a favorite of the year, and I’ll likely forget the details in a month, but it gave me the escapism I needed, and sometimes that’s enough. (Recommendation source: Meredith of Currently Reading.)
Back After This by Linda Holmes (★★★★★)
E-Book • Libby • Contemporary Romance • 2025
Short synopsis: Cecily, a podcast producer, agrees to host a new series about modern dating—but will the show jeopardize her chance at finding real love?
Gosh, I just adored this romance! It was so much fun and hit me right in the feels. I loved the behind-the-scenes look at a podcast company and how shows are produced. The budding romance between Cecily and someone completely outside her dating experiment was so unexpectedly charming. Like many romances about modern dating that sensationalize dating and make it feel almost like a caricature, the setup wasn’t entirely believable. But you know what? I didn’t really care! From the start, you know Cecily won’t end up with one of the bozos her dating coach lines up for her; she’s destined to fall for the man who doesn’t seem like Mr. Right at first but turns out to be exactly that. It was a delightful romance, and I had a grin on my face the entire time I was reading it. (Recommendation source: Engie/Lisa)
Dead Money by Jakob Kerr (★★★★☆)
Print • Library • Thriller • 2025
Short synopsis: When the CEO of Silicon Valley’s hottest startup is murdered, unofficial “problem solver” Mackenzie Clyde must untangle a high-stakes web of suspects to protect her boss’s billions.
This book hit me at exactly the right time. It was fresh, different, and impossible to put down. I loved the insider’s view of Silicon Valley, start-up culture, and venture capitalism, and the writing kept me hooked from start to finish. It had just the right amount of twists and turns without feeling too absurd, and while I started to suspect where things were heading the halfway point, it didn’t temper my enjoyment of the novel. Rather, I felt like a genius for figuring it out! And it was fun to see how everything unfolded. This is the kind of book that would make for a perfect TV miniseries, and it’s one I would highly recommend! (Recommendation source: Sarah of Sarah’s Book Shelves Live.)
What are you reading?
Ooh, I’ve heard of Dead Money and it sounds good! And, I think I must be the only person who doesn’t like Linda Holmes. I didn’t like Evvie Drake Starts Over, so I definitely won’t read this one.
I just finished Heartwood, about the woman who goes missing on the Appalachia Trail- it was good!
I have heard really good things about Heartwood! It’s on my TBR.
Oh, “it gave me the escapism I needed, and sometimes that’s enough” really hits me! That’s exactly the kind of reading I’m doing right now. Plowing through entertaining-enough books like they’re potato chips. Anything to distract from reality these days.
Exactly! Sometimes I don’t need my reading to give me anything other than an escape. <3
I’m putting both those thrillers on my TBR! Which is insanely long.
I just finished Good Dirt and loved it. And I’m reading my son Swiss Family Robinson. I’m taking a bit of a break from reading much next week as I’ll be on full-Mom duty (John’s away and I’m taking my kids +2 of their friends for a week at the lake).
I am in awe of your bravery to take 4 kids to the lake for a WEEK. I hope it all goes well!
I am so glad Back After This worked for you! And I am going to try “Dead Money.” I had kind of sworn off thrillers but that one sounds unique with its focus on Silicon Valley.
I’m currently reading “The Names.” Phil took the boys to his mom’s yesterday so I had the house to myself which allowed me to read for hours! So I am 75% of the way through. It’s a very compelling read but has ALL THE TRIGGER WARNINGS for domestic violence. I will be curious to read the author’s note at the end of see if she has personal experience w/ domestic violence. It is so chilling and upsetting to read, but it’s so well done. But oof, it’s not something I will broadly recommend. BUT I want to know someone who has read this so I can talk about it with them!!
Yay for alone time in your house! That must be SO NICE. I think The Names may not be for me, even though I bought it from BOTM. Gah! I just think it might be too heavy.
OMG Stephany, I am reading Dream Count and I love it so much. I thought the author sounded familiar and then realized her debut was Purple Hibiscus, which I read twenty plus years ago and loved. I still have my copy so I’m going to do a reread after I finish this gorgeous book!
Arghhh. the first one sounds so so creepy. I don’t think I could read it.