Category: Emma’s Anticipated Treasures

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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The Lamplighters Bookshop by Sophie Austin

Published March 13th, 2025 by Harper Fiction
Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, Historical Romance, Gaslamp Fantasy

*I listened to this book on Bookbeat. Click here for 60 days free listening with my affiliate code*

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Netgalley Historical Fiction Book of the Year 2025!!

Every book tells a story. Every heart hides a secret.

‘What’s not to love?! Nineteenth century York, bookshops and brilliant characters!‘ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In the shadowy aisles of the Lamplighter’s Bookshop, secrets lie as thick as the dust…

When Evelyn Seaton answers an advertisement for an assistant at a forgotten bookshop in York, she is not the only one with something to hide.

There she meets the enigmatic and prickly William Morton, an aspiring writer keeping secrets of his own. But when the walls that Evelyn has built around herself start to crumble, there is only one person she can turn to.

As the layers are brushed away, can Evelyn and William find the courage to write the next chapter of their story?

BUY hERE

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MY REVIEW:

Atmospheric, delightful, romantic and compelling, The Lamplighter’s Bookshop is a truly gorgeous debut. And that ending! My heart has still not recovered. I can see why this was voted as historical fiction book of the year on Netgalley last year.

The story follows Evelyn Seaton, who is at home with her mother, Cecilia, when the police arrive one evening and tell them that they must leave their home. Her father has gambled away everything they have and they are there to seize it all. So they go to York to stay with the only family member they have, Cecelia’s Aunt Clara. With nothing to their name, Evelyn decides she must go against her mother’s wishes and get a job, answering an advertisement for an assistant at a forgotten bookshop. It is in this shadowy bookshop that she meets William Morton, a mysterious and prickly aspiring writer who, like Evelyn, is keeping secrets to protect himself. The pair try to deny their attraction, but when Evelyn’s life begins to fall apart all over again, William is the only one she can turn to. Can they find the courage to give into their true feelings?

Sophie Austin reveals herself as a writer to watch with this magnificent debut. Her storytelling and imagery is so evocative, bringing the world and characters she’s created to life so vividly that it felt like I was walking the cobbled streets of nineteenth century York, wandering the shadowy aisles of the bookshop, and living every moment alongside the characters, who are ebullient and memorable. A story about love, secrets and betrayal, Ms. Austin keeps her reader guessing what secrets most of the characters are hiding. I was on tenterhooks trying to guess what they were hiding and wondered what would happen when they were finally truthful with each other and their secrets were revealed. 

Evelyn is a fantastic protagonist. Not only is she likeable and easy to root for, she’s feisty, intelligent, resourceful, determined and fiercely independent. I was rooting for her from the start as she tried to navigate this scary new reality she’d been thrust into whilst also trying to deal with the heartache of her father’s betrayal. Evelyn also comes up against societal expectations from her mother and others that get in her way, but she finds ways to overcome them at every step, intent on making life better for herself and her mother.  Another character I really enjoyed was Aunt Clara. She was snarky, sharp and witty, lighting up the pages in every scene while also offering sage advice to Evelyn and Cecilia. 

As this is a romance, I obviously need to talk about our potential lovebirds. I’m a sucker for an enemies to lovers trope, which was masterfully executed by Ms. Austin. There’s an immediate spark between Evelyn and William but they try to deny it and spend their time disagreeing instead. I loved this quarrelsome pair and their verbal sparring. Their will they/won’t they aspect of their relationship created tension and gave me something to root for. Plus, I knew the pay off would be amazing if they did finally give into their feelings. Something I also liked was what a great character William was in himself. He’s enigmatic, complicated and flawed, and I was as desperate to work him out as Evelyn, keeping me rooted to my chair and turning the pages.

A heartwarming and wonderful debut, I can’t wait to see what’s next from Ms. Austin.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you Harper Collins for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Originally from London, Sophie Austin is a historical fiction novelist who now lives in Sweden. Her debut novel, THE LAMPLIGHTER’S BOOKSHOP (coming March 2025) is a turn of the century tale of rivalry, redemption, and love set under the darkening skies of York in 1899. Sophie loves spending time in Victorian England, both in her writing and in her reading, and you can step back in time with her via her website or her Instagram page. When Sophie isn’t writing historical fiction she works as a Senior Creative Writer for a blocky video game writing articles, scripts and more about mining, crafting and surviving

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: Witch Trial by Harriet Tyce

Published February 26th, 2026 by Wildfire
Thriller, Legal Thriller, Supernatural Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

TWO TEENAGE GIRLS. ONE MURDERED CLASSMATE.
AND A MODERN-DAY WITCH TRIAL THAT WILL DIVIDE THE NATION . . .

‘Mind-bending and brilliant’ LISA JEWELL
‘Deliciously twisted. . . Genius’ CLAIRE DOUGLAS
‘An utter masterpiece’ SOPHIE HANNAH
‘Impeccable plotting’ FINANCIAL TIMES
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When 18-year-old Christian Shaw is found dead in an Edinburgh park, the city reels – and the shock only deepens when police charge her best friends, Eliza Lawson and Isobel Smyth, with her murder.

As their trial begins and headlines scream for justice, rumours of bullying spiral into something darker: whispers of rituals, obsession, and a teenage pact gone wrong.

But then the girls take the stand – revealing a chilling defence no one saw coming – and the jury must question everything: the motives, the evidence, even their own judgement.

Who’s telling the truth? Who can be trusted?
And what really happened to Christian Shaw?

Let the Witch Trial begin . . .

BUY HERE

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MY REIVEW:

Schoolgirls Eliza Lawson and Isobel Smyth are accused of murdering their friend Christian Shaw. This book follows their trial. But it isn’t told through the eyes of the accused, their lawyers or even the victim’s loved ones. This story is primarily told by a juror, heart surgeon Matthew Phillips, who sees the trial as the perfect chance to escape from his troubled life. But he becomes increasingly obsessed with the case and begins to unravel, making us question if we can really believe what he’s telling us. Add in the connections to witchcraft and the historic witch trials, and you’ve got an addictive and heart-pounding thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

From its dark and intriguing prologue to one of the best endings I’ve ever read, Witch Trial had me completely hooked. With her exquisite prose, clever plotting and stunning revelations, Harriet Tyce held me in her thrall. I love it when a book takes you in a different direction than you were expecting, and Harriet did that time and again with this story. I enjoyed the glimpse into what it is like to be a juror in a trial and some of my favourite parts of the book were the scenes between the jurors when they are alone together or trying to navigate the legalities of being a juror when they go against their personal instincts or needs. I also liked that we were never given any information that they didn’t know, putting us in Matthew’s shoes and making us question everything the way he did. 

I love a thriller that keeps you guessing so I loved how although we know the identity of the accused killers they remain elusive and we only have the same evidence as the jurors to decide if they are guilty, raising the suspense and keeping me on tenterhooks. I also loved the supernatural element that is intricately woven into the story. Eliza and Isobel are accused of practicing witchcraft and there are references and parallels with the historic witch trials that took place in Edinburgh, the city the book is set in. These elements helped to create the dark atmosphere and sense of danger that permeated the story. It also made us question not only the sanity of the accused, but also of Matthew, as he’s drawn deeper into the occult as the case goes on.  But the part that elevated this book from great to sensational was that surprise triple twist ending that Harriet pulls off with such finesse. It is truly one of my favourite endings of all time and changed how I perceived the entire story. Well played, Ms. Tyce.

An outstanding thriller that will have your heart racing and mind whirling, add this to your TBR now! 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thank you Wildfire for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Harriet Tyce was born and grew up in Edinburgh. She graduated in English from Oxford University in 1994, and after gaining legal qualifications worked as a criminal barrister for nearly ten years. After leaving the law she started writing, gaining a distinction in an MA in Creative Writing (Crime Fiction) from the University of East Anglia in 2017.

Harriet has written four novels, Blood Orange, The Lies You Told, It Ends At Midnight and A Lesson in Cruelty. She lives in north London with her husband, children, and two dogs.

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Catherine by Essie Fox

Published February 12th, 2026 by Orenda Books
Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Gothic Romance, Dark Romance

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The greatest tragic love story ever told – but this time, Catherine tells it herself. In Catherine, Essie Fox breathes new life into Wuthering Heights, transforming a gothic masterpiece into a haunting confession of obsession, madness and love that even death cannot end.

With a nature as wild as the moors she loves to roam, Catherine Earnshaw grows up alongside Heathcliff, a foundling her father rescued from the streets of Liverpool. Their fierce, untamed bond deepens as they grow – until Mr Earnshaw’s death leaves Hindley, Catherine’s brutal brother, in control and Heathcliff reduced to servitude.

Desperate to protect him, Catherine turns to Edgar Linton, the handsome heir to Thrushcross Grange. She believes his wealth might free Heathcliff from cruelty – but her choice is fatally misunderstood, and their lives spiral into a storm of passion, jealousy and revenge.

Now, eighteen years later, Catherine rises from her grave to tell her story – and seek redemption.

Essie Fox’s Catherine reimagines Wuthering Heights with beauty and intensity – a haunting, atmospheric retelling that brings new life to a timeless classic and lays bare the dark heart of an immortal love.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

We’ve all heard of Wuthering Heights, especially at the moment with the new movie adaptation being released. And we all think we know Catherine and Heathcliffe’s story. But we’ve never actually heard from either of the tragic lovers. This book changes all that, telling their story from the perspective of heroine Catherine Earnshaw for the first time. 

Evocative, compelling and immersive, Essie Fox had me in her thrall from start to finish. In anticipation of reading this book I had recently read Wuthering Heights for the first time. And I wasn’t a fan. But I absolutely loved this retelling and inhaled it in just two sittings. Exquisitely written and evocatively told, Essie’s imagery and prose brings the characters and moors to life in vivid detail, making me feel like I’d been transported to Haworth and was walking the windswept moors myself.

In her author’s note at the end of the book, Essie talks about wondering what Catherine would tell us that Nellie couldn’t. And for me that is where this book excels over the original story. In the original, I couldn’t stand Cathy and Heathcliffe, and it was impossible for me to care about their story. But Essie made me care about them by giving us a glimpse into Cathy’s true feelings, including about her own behaviour. Adult Heathcliffe is still an awful character that I despised, but seeing young Heathcliffe from Cathy’s perspective made me understand how they fell in love. Even so, I still don’t see this as a love story. For me it is a character study and an exploration of grief, trauma and mental health. 

A magnificent retelling that swept me away completely, I highly recommend this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part in the blog tour and to Orenda for sending me a proof copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Essie Fox was born and raised in Herefordshire. After studying English Literature at Sheffield University, she moved to London and began a career in publishing – from there becoming self-employed in commercial art design. Always an avid reader, she now writes historical novels.

Essie’s debut, The Somnambulist, was shortlisted for the National Book Awards, and featured on Channel 4’s TV Book Club. Other novels have been selected as The Times as Historical Books of the Month. The Fascination was an instant Sunday Times best seller. And now, Dangerous, a Regency gothic crime thriller featuring Lord Byron in Venice, has again been selected as a Times Book of the Month.

Essie has appeared at many literary events, has lectured at the V&A, the Westminster Library, and National Gallery in London. She also hosts a podcast: Talking the Gothic.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

Audiobook Review: In Bloom by Liz Allan

Published March 12th, 2026 by Sceptre
Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age Story

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

An Observer Best Debut Novelist 2026

The Bastards aren’t afraid of anything.

It’s the mid-nineties, and in the small, shitty coastal town of Vincent, four girls – each hailing from single-mother, multi-sibling families, form a band: The Bastards. Friends since they were children, they consider themselves ‘forgettable girls’ – distracted, disillusioned, and desperate to escape the fates of their mothers.

Winning the Battle of the Bands is their ticket out – they might not have talent, but they can play three chords and scream until their vocal folds burst out of their throats – and nobody wants it more than them.

But when lead singer Lily Lucid quits, and accuses their idolized music teacher of sexual assault, the three remaining girls are left with nothing. They’ll do anything to keep their dream alive, even if it means sacrificing school, Lily and their mothers. But how far out of control can they spin before there’s no turning back?

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

1994. Vincent, Australia is a small, shitty coastal town that is the capital of teen pregnancies and absent fathers. Four girls from single-mother families looking for a way to be noticed and get out, decide to form a band. And if they can win the Battle of the Bands then they will get their dream. But when their lead singer, Lily, quits the band and accuses their music teacher of sexual assault, everything falls apart. The three remaining girls have nothing left but a desperate dream they are trying to keep alive. But just how far are they prepared to go to do that?

Gritty, grungy, absorbing and immersive, this was a phenomenal debut. Liz Allan has been named one of the Observer’s Best Debut Novelist of 2026 and it’s easy to see why after reading this. Heartbreaking, haunting and raw, it is exquisitely written, richly observed and perfectly paced, the short chapters kept me turning the pages and I devoured the book in one sitting. An electric and emotional coming-of-age story,  it also explores a number of issues including friendship, family, class struggles and sexual assault. It is as mysterious as it is heartfelt, the tension keeping me on the edge of the seat as I overflowed with rage or devastation. I felt every emotion alongside these girls and felt wrecked when it was all over.

I was about the same age as these girls in 1994 and I loved the nostalgia of this story. Liz Allan perfectly captures the feeling of the era and made me feel like I’d stepped back in time to the 90s. I loved all of the small details that made it feel authentic, especially the music references. They were wonderfully written, real and easy to root for, taking me back to the uncertainty of my teenage years. The story moves between the present (1994) and flashbacks to when they were still a foursome and their friendship with Lily was intact, the truth about why Lily left their band slowly unfolding piece by piece.

An outstanding debut from an author who is one to watch, this is a must-read.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thanks to Sceptre and Negtalley for my copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr Liz Allan is an Australian writer and teacher living and working in the United Kingdom. Her debut novel, IN BLOOM, will be published in the USA in January 2026 and in the UK March 2026.

Liz has a PhD in Creative Writing and a Masters in Teaching from The University of Adelaide. She will be the Elisabeth Maynard Writer in Residence at Frensham School, NSW Australia, April-June 2026.

Her short story, Solastalgia, won the Newcastle Short Story Award 2025 and her short story, Our Voices, Fierce won the Rachel Funari Prize for fiction in 2018. Her stories have been shortlisted and longlisted for numerous other awards. 

Liz is represented by Angelique Tran Van Sang at Felicity Bryan Associates in the UK, and Alison Lewis at Francis Goldin Literary Agency in the US.

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer

Published November 6th, 2025 by Faber & Faber
Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Myths, Young Adult Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The ghost of Bluebeard. A handsome count. A con artist in over her head.

Mallory Fontaine is a fraud. She’s descended from witches, and pretends to be one, although her only magic is the ability to see ghosts. She can barely make a living – but Count Armand Saphir will pay a fortune if she can rid him of his murderous ancestor’s ghost.

Now death has returned to the House Saphir, and Mallory is almost certain the killer is mortal. To have any hope of Armand’s payment, she’ll need to solve the murder, banish the ghost and keep passing as a witch.

Still, that’s easy compared to her biggest challenge: trusting her heart. Especially when her heart’s desire could be the murderer himself.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Mallory Fontaine is a fraud. Though she descends from witches, she doesn’t have powers, although she pretends she does. The only thing she can do is see ghosts. And that isn’t going to help her make a living. Until Count Armand Saphir learns of her ability and offers to pay her a fortune if she can rid his house of the ghost of his murderous ancestor, Count Bastien Saphir. But as Mallory tries to rid House Saphir of Bastien’s ghost, death returns. And Mallory is almost certain the killer is mortal. Now, in order to receive the money she was promised, Mallory must solve the murder as well as banishing the ghost and keeping up the pretence that she is a witch. And there is another complication: Mallory is falling for Armand.

Gothic, dark, suspenseful and forbidding, The House Saphir is an alluring cocktail of ghosts, witches, folklore, love and murder. Marissa Meyer is a name I’ve heard, but I was intrigued by the idea of a romantasy that is merged with traditional French folklore. And who could resist those gorgeous spredges? Evocatively written, meticulously researched, cleverly choreographed and filled with dark humour, Meyer held me in her thrall from start to finish. Before I read this book I only vaguely knew of Bluebeard, a nobleman who murdered his wives. Meyer brought his story to life in vivid technicolour, making this malevolent character feel utterly real and terrifying even though he is a spectre. His ominous presence looms over every page, as even the Ghost Wives are terrified of encountering him again.

Sassy, sarcastic, likeable and easy to root for, Mallory is a great protagonist, even if she isn’t always truthful. Charming, wealthy and mysterious, Armand is a compelling character and love interest. I was suspicious of his motives from the start but could see how Mallory began to fall for his allure. But would this turn out to be a mistake? I couldn’t decide and was on tenterhooks as I waited to discover the truth. But by far my favourite characters were the mischievous Ghost Wives – the Count’s victims who now also haunt House Saphir. They were so fun to read while also inspiring real fear at the thought of coming into contact with their murderer once more.

An entertaining retelling that will have you hooked, I highly recommend this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to Libro.fm for providing me with a complimentary audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marissa Meyer is the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles, Heartless, The Renegades Trilogy, and Instant Karma, as well as the graphic novel duology Wires and Nerve. She holds a BA in Creative Writing from Pacific Lutheran University and a MA in Publishing from Pace University. In addition to writing, Marissa hosts The Happy Writer podcast. She lives near Tacoma, Washington, with her husband and twin daughters.

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Wonderful by Louise Beech

Published June 1st, 2026 by Pick Lock Publishing
Contemporary Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A Hollywood idol. The Virgin Mary. An everyday girl from Hull.

Three women, three eras, surprising things in common…

On 4th August 1962, the night she should have died, Marilyn Monroe – the biggest star in the world – receives a visitor who changes the course of her destiny. The Virgin Mary appears in her kitchen with a curious message. Inspired, Marilyn abandons her home, her life, her fame, and disappears into the night…

Fifty-four years later, in a Hull kitchen, Flora Baker finds Mary, bathed in light. She has a similar message for the working class woman who is on the poverty line and dreaming of a better life. Flora begins to make changes that impact not only her life but the lives of those around her…

Do Marilyn and Flora have more in common than just Mary’s visit? Are they somehow linked across time? And is Mary’s message for all the women of the world?

Wonderful is about the way women are portrayed in both history and the world of celebrity, about women not being quiet, and about women united by the shared stories that shape them.

pre-order

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MY REVIEW:

“Wonderful means full of wonder. It does not mean astonishing but to be full of astonishment.”

We all know the name Marilyn Monroe. The tragic blonde bombshell who died on August 4th 1962. But what if she didn’t die that night? What if instead she receives a  visit from The Virgin Mary and her message inspires her to disappear into the night and abandon her entire life. That is how Louise Beech’s new book begins. We then jump forward fifty four years, to a kitchen in Hull, where Flora Baker also receives a visit from The Virgin Mary and receives a similar message, causing her to make big changes in her life. The story then moves between Marilyn and Flora, following as they try to find new meaning in their lives and carry out the actions inspired by their visits from The Virgin Mary. But could there be another connection between the two women?

Wonderful. Simply, wonderful. 

I know when I read a book by Louise Beech it’s going to be great. But other than her amazing writing, I didn’t know what else to expect from this book. From the moment I first read the synopsis I was intrigued, and I know how much Louise adores Ms. Monroe, so I knew the story would honour her memory, but  I wasn’t prepared to also fall in love with this icon. The Marilyn on these pages isn’t the ditzy blonde bombshell persona we’re familiar with. She’s humble, kind, flawed, raw and real. The sort of person you can imagine becoming friends with. And I loved her. 

“Why was facing the world with feminine grace revered? Wouldn’t it be better if they screamed, broke down, swore?”

The story is exquisitely written, perfectly paced and meticulously researched, Louise’s love and knowledge about Marilyn  evident on every page. It is also intricately interwoven, the two storylines cleverly and skillfully woven together in unexpected ways. And then there’s the characters. Richly drawn, likeable and real, I cared about these women and desperately wished that this could have been Marilyn’s real fate. 

A powerful and moving story full of heart and hope, I highly recommend pre-ordering this book, which is out June 1st, on what would have been Marilyn’s 100th birthday. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to Louise Beech for sending me a proof copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Louise Beech is the author of nine novels and a memoir, Eighteen Seconds (2023). Her debut, How to be Brave, was a Guardian Readers’ Pick; The Lion Tamer Who Lost shortlisted for the Romantic Novel Awards 2019 and longlisted for the Polari Prize that same year; Call Me Star Girl was Best magazine’s Book of the Year; This Is How We Are Human was a Clare Mackintosh Book Club pick; and audiobook Daffodils shortlisted for the Audies23. Her dystopian thriller, End of Story, is written as Louise Swanson. Swanson’s next was released in spring 2024. The novel she’s always wanted to write, Wonderful, is released June 1st 2026/

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026

BOOK REVIEW: The Barbecue at Number 9 by Jennie Godfrey

Published February 12th, 2026 by Hutchinson Heinmann
Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Drama, Suspense, Literary Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

FROM THE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE LIST OF SUSPICIOUS THINGS . . .
It’s the summer of 1985 and the residents of Delmont Close are preparing a neighbourhood barbecue to watch the biggest music event in history: Live Aid. A day like no other that will end having reached millions and changing the lives of all who attend.

House-proud Lydia Gordon, whose idols are Princess Di and Delia Smith, is determined to put on a show that will impress everyone – with her posh garden and state-of-the-art television, and her sweet husband and two children, Hanna and David.

But as the guests flood into number nine, so do all of the secrets that have been kept in the close.

Rita, a new neighbour from Australia, is hoping for a fresh start but harbours a shocking event in her past; Steve, a young Falklands veteran, battles his own demons; and Mr Wilson is surely too good-looking to ever be trusted.

But as the hours count down to the last performance of the night, it’s Lydia who faces the heart-breaking truth that her immaculate home and flawless family might not be so perfect after all.

And if each of their neighbours is guilty of hiding something, so are the Gordons at number nine …

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Atmospheric, nostalgic, suspenseful and heartwarming, Jennie Godfrey had me in her thrall from the first page of this mesmerising story. This was such a ride. A story that offers us a glimpse into the complicated, layered and messy lives of the residents of one street, told over the course of one historic day.

We are transported back to the summer of 1985; a time when everyone was gearing up for the biggest event in music history: Live Aid. On Delmont Close, Lydia Gordon, the house-proud mother at number 9, decides this is the perfect opportunity to throw a barbecue for the neighbours. But what this Lady Di loving perfectionist doesn’t foresee, is that as the guests arrive they bring with them the secrets, lies and traumas they each have hidden. And then there’s the person that seems to be watching them. It’s the recipe for the perfect storm. And as the clock ticks down to the event’s finale, Lydia must confront the awful truth that her family aren’t as picture-perfect as she believed.

Jennie’s debut was one of my favourite books of 2024 so I had high hopes for this book. I wasn’t disappointed. Setting this story to a backdrop of Live Aid was a stroke of genius and I loved how Jennie used the concert as a countdown to the finale. As a child of the 80s I was here for all of the 80s nostalgia. It was a fun walk down memory lane merged with a mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. I was hooked and devoured the book in just two sittings.

Skillfully written, expertly choreographed and perfectly paced, she has delivered another flawless tale. Jennie’s strength lies in how she takes the ordinary and mundane and makes it extraordinary. She writes people and situations we can all relate to and weaves in timely, important topics, making us feel every emotion alongside them while keeping us on the edge of our seats with anticipation. I liked these people and cared about them. I felt like they could be my friends or neighbours, making me feel even more invested in the story and what happened to them.

So, step back in time with this gripping and irresistible read.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you Hutchinson Heinmann for sending me a proof copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennie Godfrey was raised in West Yorkshire in a mill-working family and her debut novel, The List of Suspicious Things, was inspired by her childhood there in the 1970s. In 2020, Jennie gave up her corporate career to build a life around books. She is now a writer and part-time bookseller who lives, and writes, in the Somerset countryside.

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026

BOOK REVIEW: Dead in the Water by John Marrs

Published January 20th, 2026 by Thomas & Mercer
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

From the multi-million copy bestselling author comes a chilling tale about life flashing before your eyes―including terrifying scenes you don’t remember.

When Damon survives a near-drowning, his life flashes before his eyes. Every memory is crystal clear―except one. A dead boy. A face he can’t place. A moment he doesn’t remember living. At first he tells himself it’s a trick of the mind. But everything else he saw was real. So why not this?

With his waking life stalked by the disturbing scene, confusion quickly turns to obsession. Desperate for answers, Damon digs into his fractured past, and becomes convinced that the only way to remember…is to die again. And again. And again. When he meets a perfect stranger who’s all too willing to help, the stage is set for his dice with death.

But if this is what it takes to uncover the truth, maybe some memories are better left buried…

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

John Marrs has been one of my favourite thriller authors ever since I read The One in 2018. I’ve read almost all of his books and each one is a riveting rollercoaster ride that keeps me on the edge of my seat. His latest offering, Dead in the Water, continues his perfect run, showcasing why he’s a thriller author I’ll always recommend.

When Damon survives almost drowning his life flashes before his eyes. One of the things he sees is a dead boy he doesn’t recognise but for some reason he thinks he killed him. He tells himself it was just a trick of the mind. But as he struggles to move past his near-death experience, he is haunted by what he saw. He doesn’t know if what he’s seeing is real or a fabrication of his imagination, and he worries he’s going mad. 

Damon begins to delve into his fractured past, sure that it is the only way to find out the truth. But the only way he can get there is to die again. So he enlists the help of a stranger who is willing to help. But is the stranger telling the truth about their motives? As he dies again and again, long-buried memories begin to resurface. But as more of those memories haunt him, Damon begins to wonder if some things are better left buried after all…

I love dark, twisty, nerve-shredding thrillers that you can’t put down. And John Marrs delivers again with this bingeable book. Starting out with a trademark chilling prologue that sets the scene for what is to come, John had me in his thrall from start to finish and I devoured it in under a day. The writing is razor sharp, the plot expertly choreographed and intricately woven, the twists surprising, and the characters richly drawn and fun to read. Damon is a likeable protagonist who is easy to root for, but there’s a sense of unreliability because of his hidden memories that adds to the suspense. I loved seeing the return of one of my favourite characters from one of John’s previous books. Don’t worry, I don’t give spoilers. But I will say that readers of his backlist are in for a real treat.

Thriller lovers, order this one now because it’s going to be one of your 2026 highlights. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you to John Marrs and Netgalley for sending me a copy of the audiobook, and to Tandem for my physical copy in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

John Marrs is an author and former journalist based in London and Northamptonshire. After spending his career interviewing celebrities from the worlds of television, film and music for numerous national newspapers and magazines, he is now a full-time author. His books include No1 bestseller and Netflix series The One, The Passengers, award winning What Lies Between Us and The Good Samaritan.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026 Squadpod Squadpod Book Club Squadpod Featured Books

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK REVIEW: My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney

Published January 27th, 2026 by Pan Macmillan
Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Suspense

My Husband’s Wife was one of our SquadPod Featured Books in February.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Sunday Times bestselling author of Beautiful Ugly is back with a psychological masterpiece that will leave you questioning everything you know about love, identity and revenge.

Eden Fox, an artist on the brink of her big break, sets off for a run before her first exhibition. When she returns to the home she recently moved into – Spyglass, an enchanting old house in the pretty seaside village of Hope Falls – nothing is as it should be. Her key doesn’t fit. A woman, eerily similar to her, answers the door. And her husband insists that this stranger is his wife.

One house. One husband. Two women. Someone is lying.

Six months earlier, a reclusive Londoner named Birdy, reeling from a life-changing diagnosis, inherits Spyglass. This unexpected gift from a long-lost grandmother brings her to Hope Falls. But then Birdy stumbles upon a shadowy London clinic that claims to be able to predict a person’s date of death, including her own. Secrets start to unravel and, as the line between truth and lies blurs, Birdy feels compelled to right some old wrongs.

My Husband’s Wife weaves a tangled web of deception, obsession and mystery that will keep you guessing until the last page. Prepare yourself for the ultimate mind-bending marriage thriller and step inside Spyglass – if you dare – to experience a story where nothing is as it seems.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Alice Feeney has done it again! Heartsoppingly tense, unsettling, cryptic and immersive, My Husband’s Wife is an outstanding thriller and possibly her best book yet. 

It follows Eden Fox, who has recently moved to Spyglass, an enhancing old house in Hope Falls, Cornwall, with her husband, Harrison Woolf. They are hoping their move will be the fresh start they both need and it seems like life is starting to look up. But when she returns after her usual evening run nothing is as it should be. Her key doesn’t work and a woman who is eerily similar to her answers the door saying she lives there. Harrison insists the stranger is his wife and claims to have never seen Eden before. Eden desperately tries to prove her identity, sparking a chain of events that uncover long-buried secrets, deception and betrayal.

I always know when I pick up one of Alice’s books that I’m in for a treat. A thriller powerhouse, I know I’ll get an exquisitely written, twisty, layered and pacy thriller that will keep me on the edge of my seat. This was all that and more. It’s like Spaghetti Junction – the different storylines and threads interweave in unexpected ways, and it’s brimming with suspense, twists and turns. The narrative is told from multiple perspectives and moves seamlessly between timelines as Alice drops clues like breadcrumbs for us to follow. But nothing is what it seems in this book and everyone is possibly an unreliable narrator – keeping me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. And that final line! I can’t get it out of my head.

One of the things that Alice always does well is writing charismatic, flawed and relatable characters who are fun to read whether we like them or not. The abundance of unreliable narrators means there are no clear heroes or villains, ramping up the tension and making me second guess everything they said and did. My favourite character was Birdy, a reclusive woman from London who returns to Hope Falls following life-changing diagnosis and unexpected inheritance. Birdy was the comedic relief in the book and although we know there are things she’s hiding, I did feel like I could trust her more than a lot of the other characters.

A must read for anyone who loves clever and riveting thrillers.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thanks to Pan Macmillan and Bookbreak for sending me a proof copy of the book and to Libro.fm for providing me with a complimentary audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alice Feeney is a New York Times million-copy bestselling author of novels including His & Hers, Sometimes I Lie, Rock Paper Scissors and Daisy Darker. Her books have been translated into over thirty-five languages, and have been optioned for major screen adaptations, with His & Hers currently in production for Netflix, produced by Jessica Chastain, and starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal.

Alice was a BBC journalist for fifteen years. Her seventh novel, Beautiful Ugly, will be published around the world in January 2025.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026 Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books Squadpod Recommends

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK REVIEW: Blank Canvas by Grace Murray

Published January 15th, 2026 by Fig Tree
Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age Story

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Introducing an outstanding new voice in literary fiction: a sensual, sharp, and utterly compelling campus novel about grief, reinvention, and the ripple effects of telling lies

If I ever woke up with an ungodly dread ― that I could change it all now, turn around, and confess ― I ignored it. I had never been good, and there was no point in trying now.

On a small liberal arts campus in upstate New York, Charlotte begins her final year with a lie. Her father died over the summer, she says. Heart attack. Very sudden.

Charlotte had never been close with her classmates but as she repeats her tale, their expressions soften into kindness. And so she learns there are things worth lying for: attention, affection, and, as she embarks on a relationship with fellow student Katarina, even love. All she needs to do is keep control of the threads that hold her lie – and her life – together.

But six thousand miles away, alone in the grey two-up-two-down Staffordshire terrace she grew up in, her father is very much alive, watching television and drinking beer. Charlotte has always kept difficult truths at arm’s length, but his resolve to visit his distant daughter might just be the one thing she can’t control.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Charlotte is in her final year at a small liberal arts school in upstate New York. And she begins it by telling a lie: that her father died suddenly over the summer. 

Charlotte has never really fit in with her classmates and she doesn’t feel things the way others do. Lying is second nature to her.  She sees herself as predestined to lie while others are predestined to be good, so what’s the point in trying. But then she embarks on a relationship with fellow student Katarina. Suddenly she’s starting to understand the emotions that have eluded her and she wants to be good. But how can she admit she lied about her father’s death?

Sensual, emotional, witty, assured and original, Blank Canvas is a small book that makes a big impact. An extraordinary debut, Grace Murray showcases herself as an outstanding literary talent to watch. Exquisitely written, multi-layered and acutely observed, this book oozes malaise, heartache and dysfunction. It will consume you, Murray holding you in her thrall from the first page to the last. 

Protagonist Charlotte is a fractured, flawed and xx character. Her inner monologue hypnotises you as Murray slowly lays bare her grief, trauma and dysfunction. It is impossible to turn away, even as you see the car crash heading her way. Her relationship with Katarina is full of the intensity and transformation of first love while also being complicated by her lies. It’s beautiful, raw and real, humanising Charlotte when she starts out as someone pretty hard to relate to. This is also where we begin to see Charlotte really crave some kind of bond, something she has never wanted before, highlighting the human need for connection in even the most solitary of souls.

A magnificent debut that will leave you breathless, this is a must-read. I can’t wait for whatever Murray writes next.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thanks to Fig Tree for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Grace Murray was born in 2003 and grew up in Norwich. She has recently graduated from Edinburgh University, where she read English Literature and found time to write between her studies and two part-time jobs. Her short fiction has been published in The London Magazine.

In writing Blank Canvas, Grace set out to explore themes of Catholic guilt and queer identity, clashing moral codes and lies, and the opportunity for reinvention presented by moving between countries and settings.

Blank Canvas was written over the course of a year as part of WriteNow, Penguin Random House’s flagship mentorship scheme for emerging talent. Grace Murray won one of nine places on the scheme on the exceptional strength of her writing, selected from a pool of over 1,300 applicants.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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