My most recent reads are perfect vacation picks if you are looking for solid stories. With compelling characters and fun plots, I highly enjoyed these. Read on for the reviews!

As always, thank you to NetGalley for providing me with these ARCs.

june roundup

Here One Moment (NetGalley)

Author: Liane Moriarty
Publication Date: 9/10/2024

A group of strangers on a plane find their lives forever changed (and sometimes connected) in Liane Moriarty’s latest.

When the woman, who will later be called the "Lady of Death" (real name: Cherry), begins predicting the age and cause of death for each passenger, she receives mixed reactions. Some fellow travelers are amused, some are puzzled, and some are frightened. After a few predictions come true after the flight, it sets off a chain reaction of events.

Throughout the book, Cherry’s narration intersperses with the details of the other characters and their lives. Moriarty does a lovely job tying them all together, and you can’t help but feel invested in the characters and their journeys. It also forces the reader to think about whether we have control over our destiny.

As there are several characters and backstories in the book, it is long, and some of Cherry’s background could be edited down. However, readers of Moriarty will recognize her signature style in the narration, and it helps add depth to the characters. This is, at its core, a book about love, loss, and how we try and control our uncontrollable lives. The result is a tale that is both funny and heartbreaking, sometimes simultaneously.

Caveat: My rule (generally) is to keep myself out of my reading and reviews, so I was taken aback by the impact this book had on me. Perhaps it is because I am postpartum and have always struggled with anxiety, but the characters resonated with me. This was especially the case with Paula, an anxious mother struggling with OCD. I am certain my view is biased because I had an emotional response to the book, and I feel compelled to add the caveat.

This would be a great selection for a book group.

Dead Money (NetGalley)

Author: Jakob Kerr
Publication Date: 1/28/2025

One tech genius is murdered, and another is missing in this riveting debut mystery from author Jakob Kerr.

When MacKenzie Clyde, a lawyer turned Silicon Valley fixer, is tasked with finding out who killed billionaire Trevor Cannon, she knows she is over her head. Soon, as she works with FBI agent Danner, she learns she is also in danger. While they search for Trevor’s killer (and his missing colleague Stan), MacKenzie unravels the truth and knows she is closely linked to what is happening.

This is a fast-paced and suspenseful thriller with well-thought-out twists and turns. The parts that seem more predictable even have elements of surprise within. MacKenzie is a strong narrator; there is a coldness to her, but it works with the story, and the flashbacks to her past are essential to rounding her out as a character. Her motivations behind everything she does become clear throughout.

Author Kerr once worked in the tech industry, and he perfectly captures the ego and drive that can exist in that environment. From self-important founders to ruthless VCs, this depicts the dark side of tech. With intricately woven details and an intriguing protagonist, it is a solid debut mystery with the potential for more to follow. It would be great to have more of MacKenzie and Danner in the future.

The Art of Pretend (NetGalley)

Author: Lauren Kuhl
Publication Date: 7/09/2024

In Lauren Kuhl’s debut novel The Art of Pretend, protagonist Ren is a bit of a lost soul. Her apartment is less desirable, her job is thankless, and her love life is unrequited; this is not the life she envisioned when she graduated from NYU.

Ren wants more out of life, but it is hard to find the motivation, and it does not help she has been stuck being her best friend Etta’s shadow since college. When Etta leaves for Barcelona, Ren finds herself lost and lonely and latches on to the next best thing: Etta’s brother Archer. As their relationship deepens, Ren finds herself unsure of what she wants, and at risk of losing everything.

This is a bit reminiscent of early Bret Easton Ellis (but without (most of) the sex and drugs), with the brooding tone of overprivileged intellectuals who lack self-awareness. As a result, the reader feels invested in characters who are either not the most likable (Etta) or too aloof (Archer). This is likely the result of Ren being the sole narrator; it would have been more compelling and added more depth had Etta and Archer’s points of view also been shared.

While the plot moves slowly, it is well-written and a solid debut. Kuhl captures the environment well, and fans of Saltburn and Gossip Girl will appreciate the atmosphere she creates. It will be interesting to see what Kuhl does next.

The Reunion Party (NetGalley)

Author: Penny Batchelor
Publication Date: 6/25/2024

The Reunion Party, Penny Batchelor’s latest, features five friends reuniting 25 years after the death of their ringleader, Tania. Gathered at a remote boutique hotel where cell phones are forbidden, the group soon finds they are not alone, and this remembrance is about to take a dark turn.

Books where a group of former friends find themselves stuck in a remote setting with someone out to get them is always a fun trope, even if it is a common one. The setting of this book works well, and having alternating narration for the chapters helps move the plot along quickly. As the book progresses, it is easy to unravel how each person plays the role of an unreliable narrator. We learn everyone is hiding something, and questions remain about what happened to Tania.

While the book has entertaining elements, the plot takes some odd twists, and the characters could use more depth. After all, it isn't easy to believe Tania was a charismatic figure when she reads as flat, and Jeannie is a little too normal to fit the role of obsessed friend.

Ultimately, this is a decent read for anyone wanting a quick and light thriller, but the unbelievable twists and turns coupled with bland characters make it fall short of being a nail-biter.

Last Night at Villa Lucia (NetGalley)

Author: Simon McLeave
Publication Date: 7/26/2024

In Simon McCleave’s latest offering, a wealthy family’s relaxing vacation at a beautiful villa takes a dark turn when one guest is found dead in the pool.

This is an entertaining read and true to the genre. The Tuscan villa setting helps this feel like a perfect beach read for summer; there is a level of escapism this atmosphere allows.

Regarding characters, they are a mixed bag. The narration is from multiple perspectives, which always helps create a layered story, and they are both sympathetic and frustrating.

The relationship between Cerys and Lowrie is the most compelling. Cerys, the owner of the villa, is a divorced alcoholic who poorly and unsuccessfully attempts to hide her drinking from her put-upon daughter. The anger stemming from Lowrie towards her mother is palpable and helps drive the plot.

The mystery itself is on the predictable side, but the addition of the caretakers helps to add a little more depth and intrigue.

There are several rough topics addressed in the story, including alcoholism, domestic abuse, and sexual assault.   
This will be a good vacation pick for fans of the genre or author.  

Snow Drowned (NetGalley)

Author: Jennifer D. Lyle
Publication Date: 11/05/2024

In Jennifer D. Lyle’s book, Snow Drowned, there is something sinister about snow.

Atmospheric and dark, the book opens with teen Gracie Hutchinson frustrated she is being forced to stay behind on Fall Island with her father while her mother and sister go to the mainland. With a hundred-year snowstorm, there is bound to be chaos, especially given snow always seems to coincide with disappearances on Fall Island.

Gracie’s apprehensions are realized when she and her classmate, the elusive Joseph Westcott, stumble upon a dead body in the cemetery just before the storm hits. Now Gracie finds herself in the middle of the mystery on the island, with the storm wreaking havoc on everything around her.

Lyle does a great job creating ambiance in this book. The reader can feel the chill of the storm and the urgency of Gracie’s search. Adding in the Wescott house (as well as a cult) only adds to the ominous tone of the book. The plot includes some solid twists and turns with a few solid surprises. The first 75% of the book reads quickly as a result.

The last part of the book becomes a bit muddled because it goes on for too long and introduces a supernatural element that feels jarring compared to the rest of the story. Lyle does a fantastic job of creating mystery, but the ending feels too cinematic. The chaotic final scenes were unnecessary for such an intriguing story.

Overall, this is a fun read and a definite one to consider when packing for vacation.

The Last Room on the Left (NetGalley)

Author: Leah Konen
Publication Date: 1/14/2025

An isolated boutique motel, no Wi-Fi or power, and a massive snowstorm help set the stage in The Last Room on the Left, the new thriller from Leah Konen.

Kerry is a bit of a mess. Her marriage is falling apart, she is suffering from writer’s block on her highly anticipated (and very overdue) novel, and her drinking is out of control. Feeling she needs a bit of a reset; she accepts a job as a month-long caretaker for a revamped motel in the middle of nowhere. An isolated motel and a winter storm on its way – what could possibly go wrong?

Things take a dark turn for Kerry immediately when she finds one of the rooms full of drugs and alcohol. Add in the dead body in the snow, and you have the start of an intriguing story.

Told in alternating viewpoints from Kerry and her estranged best friend Siobhan, this book has all the elements you could want. There are mysterious townspeople, secrets just waiting to come out, and Kerry is such a mess one can’t help but be torn between rolling your eyes at her or rooting for her.

Konen does a great job keeping the reader engaged, including a little twist at the end that is nicely planted. This book will be perfect for fans of Riley Sager, as it feels reminiscent of his work. The Last Room on the Left is the perfect beach read.  

Until next time - cheers and happy reading! Follow me on Instagram for more updates.