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

BOOK REVIEW: West of Wicked by Nikki St. Crowe

Published April 16th, 2026 by Tor Bramble
Fantasy Fiction, Dark Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

💚 A dark, sexy, and twisted reimagining of The Wizard of Oz from USA Today bestselling author Nikki St. Crowe 💚

No one is safe on the yellow brick road.

Dorothy Gale doesn’t know where she came from. At the age of five, she was dropped on Em and Henry’s doorstep while a terrible storm rolled across the Kansas prairie. Now as an adult, Dorothy has made the most of her life on the farm. But when a cyclone tears through the night, ripping her, her dog, and the farmhouse away, Dorothy wakes to find herself far from home in the strange, cursed land of Oz.

Desperate to find her way back, Dorothy takes the advice of the Witch of the North and sets off on the yellow brick road to find a wizard . . . with a warning to avoid forest monsters, heartless mercenaries, and wicked witches. It isn’t long before Dorothy encounters the dark side of Oz, stumbling on a man beaten and bloody, tied to a pole in a cornfield. Not unlike the scarecrows on the Kansas farm.

With no memories, the mysterious stranger joins Dorothy. Rook is ridiculously handsome, endlessly charming, and somehow understands Dorothy in a way no one ever has. But when they cross paths with the infamous Tinman and his axe, Rook proves he may be hiding his own secrets.

Nothing and no one is what they seem in the cursed land of Oz . . . maybe even Dorothy herself.

Tropes:

Wizard of Oz Retelling 💚
Forbidden Love ❤️‍🔥
Rambunctious Dog 🐕
Journey of Self Discovery 👩
Hidden Identity 🫣
Witchy 🧙 ‍
Villain gets the girl 🖤
Cyclone Shenanigans 🌀
Murder 🔪
Morally Grey Characters 🩶
Hot and Equally Evil Brothers 👬

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MY REVIEW:

I am a life-long Ozian. I have loved and been obsessed with The Wizard of Oz ever since I first saw the film when I was three years old. I love the book, too, and collect anything and everything I can to do with Oz. So, when I saw that a new reimagining of the book was being released, I immediately added it to my TBR. And then when I saw the US version with those beautiful, intricate Emerald City spredges, I knew it was worth the extra cost to have it in my collection. 

We all know the basic story: a girl trapped inside a house gets caught in a cyclone and wakes up in the land of Oz, and on top of the Witch of the East. She then follows the yellowbrick road all the way to the Emerald City where she sees the Wizard of Oz and asks to be sent home. But her return journey has a price: she must kill the Wicked Witch of the West. I’ll admit, being such a fan of the original, part of me was apprehensive about actually reading a version that was bound to be very different. But I couldn’t resist. 

This retelling has a similar premise to the original. Except Dorothy is a teenager not a little girl, she has a boyfriend who she has sex with and smokes pot. The story once she’s in Oz follows a similar trajectory to the original, with minor changes that bring it up to date, make it a little more edgy or make it a little different. It did take me a little bit of time to get used to the more grown up version of Dorothy and some of the changes, but I was quickly immersed in the story and loved being in this version of Oz. But it was over far too quickly and I’m now left waiting impatiently for the second installment in the series. 

A dark, gritty and sexy reimagining that Oz and fantasy fans will enjoy, I highly recommend this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nikki St. Crowe is a USA Today Bestselling Author of several romantasy novels, including the #1 Amazon Bestselling Series, Vicious Lost Boys.

When not writing about villains getting the girl, and the girl getting the power, Nikki can be found with her husband and daughter on the shores of Lake Michigan hunting for the perfect sunset.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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

BOOK REVIEW: The Eights by Joanna Miller

Published April 3rd, 2025 by Fig Tree
Historical Fiction, Coming-of-Age Story

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Oxford, 1920. For the first time in its 1000-year history, the world’s most famous university has admitted female students. Giddy with dreams of equality, education and emancipation, four young women move into neighbouring rooms on Corridor Eight. They have come here from all walks of life, and they are thrown into an unlikely, life-affirming friendship.

Dora was never meant to go to university, but, after losing both her brother and her fiancé on the battlefield, has arrived in their place. Beatrice, politically-minded daughter of a famous suffragette, sees Oxford as a chance to make her own way – and her own friends – for the first time. Socialite Otto fills her room with extravagant luxuries but fears they won’t be enough to distract her from her memories of the war years. And quiet, clever, Marianne, the daughter of a village vicar, arrives bearing a secret she must hide from everyone – even The Eights – if she is to succeed.

But Oxford’s dreaming spires cast a dark shadow: in 1920, misogyny is still rife, influenza is still a threat, and the ghosts of the Great War are still very real indeed. And as the group navigate this tumultuous moment in time, their friendship will become more important than ever.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

St Hugh’s College, Oxford in 1920. Beatrice, Dora, Marianne and Otto are pioneers. The four women are among the first female students to study at Oxford University. It is a time of change. But change doesn’t come easy after 1,000 years of tradition, and the Eights – as they are known – face an uphill battle against misogyny and exclusion and must prove themselves worthy of their place. 

Heartfelt, warm, moving, engaging and utterly captivating, this is a delightful story of friendship, freedom, women’s rights, sisterhood and self-discovery. Joanna Miller proves herself as a debut author to watch with her superb storytelling, meticulous research and charismatic characters. The story has a strong sense of time and place, the good and the bad of 1920s England on display as she brings the past life in vivid technicolour. And while there are some heavy themes covered in the story, Ms. Miller avoids them feeling too heavy as she dovetails into light-hearted and inspiring elements that give the story an uplifting and warm-hearted vibe. 

And then there are the characters. These wonderful women – and all the other characters – are richly drawn, compelling and real. You will laugh, cry, feel angry and cringe with embarrassment at their behaviour. But you will recognise it all as painfully human. Our protagonists are plucky, strong and determined women who are making history. They are likeable, easy to root for but also flawed. I loved reading them and adored their strong friendship, which is at the heart of the story. It is  the kind of friendship every woman dreams of. The kind where they are there for each other through the good and the bad, accepting of their flaws and rooting for one another when they win. 

Thought-provoking, witty, soulful and utterly superb, this is a debut you don’t want to miss.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Joanna has always loved stories – even from an early age, when the Headteacher complained to her parents that she had read all the books in the school library. Joanna went on to study English at Exeter College, Oxford and later returned to the University to train as a teacher.

After ten years in education, she set up an award-winning poetry gift business. During this time, she wrote thousands of poems to order and her rhyming verse was filmed twice by the BBC.

Unable to resist the lure of the classroom, Joanna recently returned to Oxford University to study for a diploma in creative writing. THE EIGHTS is her debut novel and is inspired by her love of local history and historical fiction.

When Joanna is not writing, she is either walking her dog or working in the local bookshop. She lives with her husband and three children near the Grand Union Canal in Hertfordshire, UK.

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Thanks for reading this, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: They Can’t Burn Us All by Cathryn Kemp

Published August 13th, 2026 by Bantam
Historical Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Dark Fantasy, Adventure Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

From the award-winning author of A Poisoner’s Tale comes a dark, feminist retelling of the most famous witch trial in 17th-century Iceland, perfect for fans of The Witches of Vardo and The Mercies

Westfjords, Iceland. 1655

Þuríður Jónsdóttir has grown up praying to the old gods and watching her father and brother practise rune magic.

But now, a witch-hunting craze is sweeping across the land of ice and fire, fuelled by the Protestant Reformation. Unlike elsewhere in Europe, those condemned as witches here are not women, but men of learning. And when Þuríður’s father and brother are accused of witchcraft and condemned to burn at the stake, she is helpless to save them.

As Lutheran Pastor Jón Magnússon’s accusing gaze turns to Þuríður herself, the first woman to be called ‘witch’, he will find that she is no ordinary woman.

She is prepared to fight back. But at what cost?

And in an age of fear and persecution, whose side will the community take? Who will fight for justice?

Set against a backdrop of sweeping religious and social change, They Can’t Burn Us All is a feminist retelling of Iceland’s notorious Kirkjuból witch trials.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

One of the things I love about historical fiction is when a true story is retold and I learn about things I’d never heard of before. Obviously, we all know about the witch trials. But I knew little about Iceland’s witch trials and nothing about the witch trials of Kirkjuból. 

Westfjords, Iceland. 1655. Þuríður Jónsdóttir has grown up praying to the old gods and watching her father and brother make a living practising rune magic. But the King of Denmark has declared praying to the old gods and a crime and witch trials are sweeping through Iceland. Then, Lutheran Pastor Jón Magnùsson accuses her father and brother of witchcraft, puts them on trial and sentences them to burn at the stake. Powerless to save them, Þuríður is left alone. But the Pastor isn’t done with her family yet. He turns his attention to Þuríður and accuses her of being a witch, making her the first woman in Iceland to face such an accusation. But Þuríður won’t go down without a fight and the Pastor is about to discover she is no ordinary woman…

Cathryn Kemp shows that her debut was no one trick wonder by delivering another powerful and unforgettable retelling. Darkly atmospheric, haunting, heartrending and unsettling, I was under her spell from the first page to the last. Exquisitely written and meticulously researched, the story is so detailed that I could feel the icy snow, smell the stench of the jails and hear the raven’s cries. A story of female agency, female rage, prejudice, religious fever and the power of silence, there is a real sense of urgency, fire and savagery on these pages. These women’s long-forgotten voices rise from the annals of history to remind us how important women’s voices are and how vital it is that we speak up against those trying to strip us of our rights. And then there’s that stirring and spectacular finale that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about. Sheer perfection! 

The story is filled with charismatic characters that you will both love and hate. Strong, determined and headstrong, Þuríður is an unforgettable heroine. I am a big believer in silence speaking louder than words when people are committed to misunderstanding you, and Þuríður takes that to another level. She hasn’t spoken a word since her mother’s death a decade earlier and her silence only adds to her allure. She exudes defiance and her silence only riles those trying to persecute her even more. On the opposite end of the spectrum we have Lutheran Pastor Jón Magnùsson. I despised this man. A vile, unscrupulous character who uses religion as an excuse to persecute and punish those he feels have wronged him, I felt the anger burn within me every time he was on the page. I needed this villain to get his comeuppance. 

Gripping, magical and utterly spellbinding, this is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction or witchy stories. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you Bantam for senidng me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cathryn Kemp’s first novel, bestselling  A Poisoner’s Tale, won the HWA Debut Crown Award 2025 and has been published internationally in the U.S., Canada, Italy, France, Brazil and Portuguese speaking territories, Vietnam and globally.

Cathryn’s second novel, They Can’t Burn Us All, is published with Penguin Random House in August 2026.

Her personal memoir, Coming Clean (2012), won the Big Red Read Prize for Non-Fiction. Cathryn co-founded charity, The Painkiller Addiction Information Network (PAIN), which has successfully lobbied Government, including the House of Lords and the APPG for dependency on prescribed medicines. 

Cathryn is a Sunday Times and Amazon Number 1 (in four categories) bestselling ghostwriter, with a prolific career writing celebrity, inspirational, true crime, addiction and nostalgia titles.

She has written across the full spectrum of the British and international press, and has appeared on television and radio, including ITV’s This Morning, Lorraine and Panorama, BBC’s Women’s Hour and regional BBC radio stations across the UK.

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Thank you for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: The Bestseller by Jenny Knightsby

Published September 10th, 2026 by Mountain Leopard Press
Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

YOU TOLD HER YOUR DARKEST SECRETS.

NOW MILLIONS WILL READ THEM . . .

‘A gripping thriller that plumbs the dark depths of our closest relationships’ CLAIRE MCGOWAN

‘Brilliant and chilling . . . I tore through the pages’ – SARAH EASTER COLLINS

‘What a unique premise and so well executed. Tight plotting, and great characters. THE BESTSELLER is set to fly. I loved it!’ – LOUISE SWANSON

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Therapist Helena Salve knows that client confidentiality is the number one unbreakable rule of her job. But the constant stories of coercive control and threat she hears from her client Belle about her dangerous husband have been wearing her down. One night over too many glasses of wine, she tells her best friend Tala everything that Belle has told her.

The problem is, Tala is a down-on-her-luck novelist who is looking for an idea for her new thriller.

Months later, Tala is excitedly telling Helena that her publisher is saying this is going to be her biggest book ever. The story is Belle’s story. Not only is Helena’s job on the line, but if Belle’s husband is as dangerous as she says, her life is too…

Why would Tala do this to Helena? She knows what’s at stake.

Your friends are meant to protect you… aren’t they?

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Therapist Helena Salve knows client confidentiality is the most important rule in her profession. But, after a few too many glasses of wine, she finds herself telling her best friend Tala all about her new client Belle’s abusive relationship. A year later, struggling novelist Tala tells her she’s written her best thriller yet. One that her publishers are sure will send her into the stratosphere. But she’s being cagey about it and won’t say what it’s about. When she finally reads it, Helena is horrified to learn Tala has written Belle’s story. Now her job is at risk and she’s worried Belle’s dangerous husband will come after her. Why would her best friend do this to her?

A compelling, tense and twisty debut about love, friendship, coercive control, secrets and betrayal, The Bestseller is a page-turning debut. A thought-provoking read, it poses some important questions about human behaviour, morality and toxic relationships. Jenny Knight explores coercive control and toxic relationships throughout the story, writing with honesty but also compassion. She makes sure we understand why Belle might not be able to see that she’s being abused and is reluctant to leave, something I appreciate as a survivor. She also expertly showcases how kindness, charm and protection are used by abusers to explain away their control and make the victim feel loved. 

This is a book about relationships and at the heart of the story is the friendship between Helena and Tala. It’s a well-written relationship that is full of all the complexities and nuance that you’d expect from a decades-long friendship. They have a strong bond but there is something from their past they won’t ever discuss. Something that still haunts both of them decades later. Clues are dropped like breadcrumbs for us to follow, while a past timeline slowly reveals their secret and helps us to understand them and their friendship. 

I did guess most of the twists but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book as Jenny was skilled at making me second-guess my predictions. And that ending! Talk about leaving me reeling. 

A gripping debut that all thriller lovers should have on their TBR.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you Mountain Leopard Press for sening me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jenny Knightsby is a hospital doctor based in West London. The Bestseller was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize 2024 and is Knightsby’s debut novel.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: Wildflower by Becky Jenkinson

Published June 18th, 2026 by Zaffre
Fantasy Fiction, Cozy Fantasy, Romantasy

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Cursed from birth to always tell the truth, magical florist Felicity ‘Fliss’ Farrow chooses her words carefully and avoids trouble. But when she receives an anonymous request for a mysterious flower, her quest leads her directly into trouble’s path, to Willoh Vane.

Fliss knows the outcast – yet teasingly handsome – sorcerer is rumoured to have used dark magic to corrupt the northern forest five years ago. She’s witnessed the resulting feud with Prince Bastion, whom her best friend, Card, is soon to marry. Despite the divided loyalty she feels, Fliss reluctantly accepts Will’s help with gathering more rare flowers and finds herself increasingly drawn to him.

As the royal wedding approaches, Fliss fears the flowers she’s delivered are intended for a sinister purpose. But with her warnings ignored, can she and Will save the kingdom from disaster, and ultimately discover what Fliss has sought for so long – the truth behind her curse?

‘Absolutely charming! With lovable characters, a unique floral magic system, and a story that tugs on your heartstrings, Wildflower is a true delight’
TESSONJA ODETTE, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lies That Summon the Night

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

If you’re looking for a book that feels like summer, or a story that makes you feel like you’re skipping through a field of flowers on a warm summer’s day, then look no further. Wildflower is the book for you. Cosy, enchanting, romantic and heartfelt, this whimsical romantasy is an absolute delight. 

The story follows florist Felicity ‘Fliss’ Farrow, who was cursed from birth to always tell the truth. One day Fliss receives an anonymous request asking for a mysterious and rare flower that can only be located in a forbidden part of the land and home to the wicked sorcerer, Willoh Vane. Everyone knows Willoh is trouble. Fliss reluctantly accepts his help and finds herself drawn to the handsome outcast. When Fliss begins to fear that the flowers she delivered are intended for a sinister purpose, can she and Willoh save those she loves from a dark fate?

The best way to describe this book is sweet but deadly. Overall this is a cosy read that made me feel like I was wrapped in a warm hug but it has a deadly sting in its tail that strikes when you least expect it. Gorgeously written, Becky Jenkinson has filled this story with wonderful characters, original magic, imaginative world-building, witty banter, swoon-worthy romance, dark curses and malevolent conspiracies, this has everything  you want from a cosy fantasy and more. It was exactly the balm I needed after a few darker stories back to back, and I’ve not stopped thinking about it ever since I finished. 

Fliss is a wonderful heroine who is strong, feisty and likeable. I enjoyed the complications that arose from her curse and watching her come up with great ways to get around it. The curse also leaves her fearful of being used, an anxiety I think many of us can relate to even if we aren’t cursed. One of my favourite parts of this story was the relationship between Fliss and Willoh. Every interaction was sizzling with chemistry and their banter was so much fun. Handsome and charming but also cocky, Willoh isn’t your usual love interest. But we all know it’s hard to resist a bad-boy. On paper they may have been a disaster but I was rooting for them. 

Don’t miss this gorgeous debut.

Rating: 💐💐💐💐💐

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Becky Jenkinson is a writer, illustrator and teacher from Manchester, England. She graduated with a degree in Animation from Norwich University of the Arts, and in 2019, moved to Tokyo, Japan, where she currently teaches English. When she isn’t frequenting Tokyo Disneyland, she spends her free time hooked on video games, watching musicals, and requesting more photos of her cat back in England.

Wildflower is her debut novel.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: Underwater by Tara Menon

Published March 12th, 20206 by Summit Books UK
Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Nautical Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A stunning and deeply moving novel of grief, loss and female friendship, set against the backdrop of two cataclysmic natural events.

When six-year-old Marissa loses her mother, she is taken by her father to live on a small Thai island in the Andaman Sea. There, she forms a deep friendship with Arielle and together they explore the fragile wonders of its forests, reefs, and beaches. Holding their breath for minutes at a time, they learn to dive into the deep, as effortlessly synchronized as the manta rays they come to know by name. Then, on Boxing Day 2004, when the Indian Ocean tsunami makes landfall, they are swept up by the first wave and separated.

Eight years later, Marissa is living in New York. She spends her days wandering through the city and her nights seeking solace in the beds of strangers. As the city prepares for a devastating storm, Marissa reflects on her past and learns how to sustain herself in a precarious world.

Under Water is a story about friendship and grief, but also ecological change and natural disasters. It is a meditation on loss, a tribute to our dying oceans and forests, and a love letter to the disappearing coral reefs.

‘The horrors of 2004 are told with verve in this debut about a woman haunted by survivor guilt . . . there are stunning descriptions of island wildlife . . . Tara Menon tells the story with confidence and style’ Sunday Times

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

On Sunday, December 26th 2004 the Indian Ocean tsunami made landfall and killed an estimated 227. 898 people in fourteen countries. In this phenomenal debut, Tara Menon explores this tragedy through the eyes of one fictional character, Marissa, who lives on a small Thai island in the Andaman Sea but is in Thailand with her best friend, Arielle, on the day the tsunami strikes. 

This isn’t a book you simply read. It’s one you live. And you will never be the same again once you do. Atmospheric, heartbreaking, raw and utterly mesmerising, I finished this magnificent debut in just two sittings. A heart-wrenching story of family, friendship, loss and trauma, it had me on the verge of tears many times. The whole thing reads like a movie, and as we are transported back to the terrifying day when the sea roared and consumed thousands, I could see every moment like it was on the big screen in front of me and hear the orchestra kicking in with emotional music as the tears welled in my eyes. Tara Menon’s writing is beautiful, evocative, poignant and richly layered, holding me in a chokehold from the first page to the last. It is written with such skill and emotion that I could hardly breathe. Tara has a talent for storytelling and I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next. 

We follow Marissa in two timelines: 2004 and 2012, when she is living in New York seeking solace in the beds of strangers. As New York prepares for a devastating storm, Marissa reflects on the events of that tragic day, and the loss of her mother when she was just six years old. After her mother’s death, she and her father move back to the small island they are from and it is here that she meets Arielle, the girl who becomes her best friend and the two are quickly inseparable. As the story builds up to the tsunami there is an undercurrent of tension and grief is woven into every facet of the story. I really related to Marissa’s grief for Arielle, especially when she talked about carrying Arielle with her everywhere and still talking to her in private. 

A truly remarkable debut that you won’t be able to forget.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tara Menon was born in India, grew up in Singapore, spent a decade in New York, and now lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts where she is an assistant professor of English at Harvard University. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times Book Review, the Nation and the Paris Review.

Under Water is her debut novel and it has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2026.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum

Published March 12th, 2026 by Hodder & Stoughton
Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Romance Novel

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘A MYSTERY WRAPPED INSIDE A LOVE STORY. A STUNNING DEBUT’ ALICE FEENEY

‘THIS IS THE THRILLER I NEEDED TO FILL THAT GONE GIRL-SHAPED HOLE’ RUTH MANCINI

‘Absolutely addictive. This story might keep you up at night’
‘THIS AMAZING THRILLER MIGHT JUST SAVE YOUR LIFE’

Benny and Joy like to say that they’ve been saving each other since the moment they met.

Until the day Joy disappears and Benny is accused of her murder.

Best friends Benny and Joy host a beloved ‘comedy survival’ podcast, gleefully finding life-affirming humour in near-death experiences.

When Benny arrives at Joy and her husband’s home one morning to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house.

With Joy missing and the hours ticking by, not even their most devoted fans could guess the terrible secrets they have hidden from the world – and from each other.

If Benny wants to find Joy in time, and clear his own name, he’ll have to solve the highest stakes survival story yet.

BUY THE BOOK

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MY REVIEW:

We have a strong contender for my favourite book of the year. 

Best friends Benny and Joy co-host a popular comedy survival podcast, finding life-affirming humour in near death experiences. But when Benny arrives at Joy’s house one morning to record, he discovers the house empty and in disarray. Joy and Xander are missing. There are few clues and as the police search for the couple, Benny is trying to decipher them in an attempt to find Joy and clear his own name before it’s too late.

What a rollercoaster! Funny, vibrant, and heart-poundingly tense, This Story Might Save Your Life is a  love story cloaked inside a compelling mystery. Tiffany Crum has crafted a truly original debut. Beautifully written, perfectly paced, meticulously choreographed and layered with intimacy, humour and suspense, Crum had me in her thrall from start to finish. This feels like a very modern story and I loved the podcast element, especially 

how clips from actual episodes were included. I listened to the audiobook and the narrators elevated every facet of the story, which also meant I often found myself forgetting I wasn’t listening to a real podcast. I also loved  trying to piece together the clues alongside Benny but it was hard to predict and my jaw dropped with every revelation. Totally unputdownable, it kept me on the edge of my seat and up well past my bedtime. And that ending! I’d never have guessed it.

The book is filled with a cast of characters that were likeable, charismatic and real, especially Benny and Joy, whose friendship felt genuine. I loved their easy, witty banter and the way they supported each other. And then there’s the undercurrent of love and longing, which creates a will they/won’t they tension. It’s obvious from the start that they have feelings for each other, but there is always a reason not to confront it, whether that’s other relationships or fear of ruining their friendship. I was screaming at them that they were meant for each other and that none of this would have happened if they’d just been together all this time.

A magnificent and unforgettable debut, this is a must for your TBR.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tiffany Crum grew up on a dairy farm just down the road from a maximum-security prison. A longtime Californian, she now lives in Atlanta with her husband, two sons, and dogs, and spends her free time trying to keep her vegetable garden alive. Her debut novel, This Story Might Save Your Life, is a New York Times bestseller, an Amazon Best Book of March, a Book of the Month selection, and a BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick. It will be published in nineteen languages and is under option for television.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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BLOG TOUR: The Dead Husband Cookbook by Danielle Valentine

Published August 7th, 2025 by Viper Books
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Horror Ficiton, Ghost Story

Today is my stop on the blog tour for this moreish thriller. Thank you to Viper for the invitation to take part and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘A sizzling read sauced with scares galore’ – ORLANDO MURRIN
‘Forget five stars, this deserves a Michelin star’ – J.M. HEWITT
‘A deliciously dark tale with a mouth-watering mystery at its heart’ – T.M. LOGAN

She has the recipe for the perfect murder…

Maria Capello is a celebrity chef like no other. A household name with dozens of cookbooks and a weekly television show, not to mention her line of bestselling supermarket sauces. Once just the timid wife of famous chef Damien Capello, she stepped into the spotlight after his mysterious disappearance, an event she’s never spoken about publicly… until now.

Why is Maria willing to break her silence? When editor Thea Woods is invited to Maria’s remote farmhouse to work on the manuscript of her tell-all memoir, Thea spots an opportunity. She could be the one to finally learn whether the rumours are true. Did Maria kill Damien for his recipes and the legendary ‘secret ingredient’? Or is the truth even darker?

A deliciously rich thriller, perfect for readers of Bella Mackie’s How To Kill Your Family and Alexia Casale’s The Best Way to Bury Your Husband.

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MY REVIEW:

“I’ve always said recipes are like family. Even the best ones are hiding something.”

When Celebrity Chef Damien Capello disappeared suspicion immediately surrounded his wife, Maria. Rumours of murder, cannibalism and meatballs made of human meat soon followed. And, despite spending the last thirty years building up a culinary empire, she hasn’t been able to shake them since. Not even his suicide note being leaked could silence them. Now, Maria has decided it is time to finally reveal the truth of what happened the night her husband died in a new memoir. 

Thea Woods has no idea why Maria has chosen her to edit her memoir, but as a life-long fan she is thrilled, especially as it is the boost her career needs after a recent catastrophe that saw her job in jeopardy. Maria is incredibly secretive about her memoir, insisting that Thea can only read the manuscript in her house and in her presence, so Thea agrees to the strange demand and heads to their secluded farm. When she gets there things get weirder as Maria doles out the book chapter by chapter and even takes Thea’s phone and turns off the WiFi, leaving her totally isolated from the outside world.  As she begins to unravel the truth, Thea begins to wonder if the reason Damien’s body was never recovered has something to do with Maria’s mysterious secret ingredient. And, just maybe the rumours are true after all…

Darkly atmospheric, nail-bitingly suspenseful and mouthwateringly macabre, The Dead Husband Cookbook is a buffet of dark delights that consumed me. Danielle Valentine is a masterful sinister storyteller, toying with her reader and utilising an array of classic horror tropes to make her narrative drip with dread. Psychologically rich, unbearably tense, claustrophobic and darkly funny, she had me in her thrall. Valentine is also a master of misdirection. Every time I thought it was over or I knew where it was going she would deliver another twist that hit you like a bolt out of the blue. I fell for so many of her red herrings and she kept me turning the pages long after I should have turned out the light. And then there’s the recipes. Make sure you’ve eaten before you start this one as those recipes made me so hungry.

The story is told in three parts: Antipasto, Meat and Just Desserts and in a combination of traditional narration and mixed media. For part two – which is the largest chunk of the book – the story is told through a combination of Thea’s narration, a chapter from the memoir and then a recipe that comes at the end of that chapter. The memoir offers us a glimpse behind the curtain and a chance to finally discover the truth about not only Damien’s disappearance, but who this picture-perfect celebrity family really are. And that truth probably doesn’t look the way that you imagined. The story gets curiouser and curiouser, tension increasing as Valentine drops breadcrumbs of clues, drip-feeds truths and ends each chapter with a cliffhanger that keeps us turning the pages. I liked that Valentine wrote the book in this way – telling the family’s story from Thea’s point of view and through the memoir – because it added to the sense of mystery that surrounds the Capellos and puts the reader in the same position as Thea where we don’t know who or what we can trust.

Eerie, outrageous, moreish and heart-stoppingly tense, this is a must for anyone who likes their thrillers as dark as night. 

Rating: 🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Danielle Valentine is the New York Times bestselling author of Two Sides to Every Murder, How to Survive Your Murder, and Delicate Condition, which was recently adapted into the twelfth season of American Horror Story, starring Emma Roberts and Kim Kardashian. Danielle lives in a haunted house outside of New York City with her husband, daughter, and two cats.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell

Published August 30th, 2022 by Tinder Press
Historical Fiction, Biographical Ficiton

Today I’m finally sharing my review for this magnificent novel. Thank you to Tinder Press and Netgalley for sending me an eBook ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2023
A Reese’s Bookclub December Pick (2022)
An Instant Sunday Times, New York Times and Irish Times Bestseller (August 2022)
A Guardian and LitHub Book of the Year (December 2022)

‘Every bit as evocative and spellbinding as Hamnet. O’Farrell, thank God, just seems to be getting better and better’ i newspaper

‘Her narrative enchantment will wrest suspense and surprise out of a death foretold’ Financial Times

‘Ingenious, inventive, humane, wry, truthful . . . better than her last novel’ Scotsman

‘Finely written and vividly imagined’ Guardian

‘In O’Farrell’s hands, historical detail comes alive’ Spectator
Winter, 1561. Lucrezia, Duchess of Ferrara, is taken on an unexpected visit to a country villa by her husband, Alfonso. As they sit down to dinner it occurs to Lucrezia that Alfonso has a sinister purpose in bringing her here. He intends to kill her.
Lucrezia is sixteen years old, and has led a sheltered life locked away inside Florence’s grandest palazzo. Here, in this remote villa, she is entirely at the mercy of her increasingly erratic husband.

What is Lucrezia to do with this sudden knowledge? What chance does she have against Alfonso, ruler of a province, and a trained soldier? How can she ensure her survival.

The Marriage Portrait is an unforgettable reimagining of the life of a young woman whose proximity to power places her in mortal danger.

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MY REVIEW:

Italy, 1561. Lucrezia, Duchess of Ferrara, is unexpectedly taken to a remote country villa by her husband, Alfonso. As dinner is served Lucrezia begins to suspect that Alfonso has sinister intentions for bringing her here. She is sure he plans to kill her. Can this sheltered sixteen-year-old survive against her powerful, combat-trained husband?

Atmospheric, evocative, intriguing and beguiling, Maggie O’Farrell brings history to life with this mesmerising reimagining of the life of Lucrezia de’ Medici. The book opens with a historical note that Lucrezia died aged just sixteen of ‘putrid fever’, though there were rumours that her husband, Alfonso II de Este, Duke of Ferrara, had a hand in her death. The story then begins in 1561, at that meal in the remote fortress with her husband, then jumps back to her birth in 1544. It then moves between timelines, telling her story from childhood to adolescence and her ill-fated marriage to her untimely death. 

Exquisitely written and meticulously researched, this is a glorious tapestry of a novel. O’Farrell transports her reader to sixteenth-century Italy, where we are immersed in all of its opulence, art, luxury, political tension, strict social codes and expectations for women. I lost myself in its pages, savouring O’Farrell’s luscious prose. But always in the back of my mind was Lucrezia’s impending death, adding to the tension and creating a sense of dread that lingered over every page. I knew her fate, yet I couldn’t  help but hope that somehow there would be an escape, a different ending for her at the end of Ms. O’Farrell’s pen. 

Lucrezia de’ Medici is a tragic heroine, brought to life once more from the archives of history for modern readers. Lucrezia may appear to have had a charmed life since birth, with her title and upbringing in a palazzo, but there was much hardship alongside the wealth and luxury. Her conception was considered unfortunate and she was such a difficult infant that her mother removed her from the nursery and sent her to be cared for by a maid in the kitchen. There, she was placed in a laundry tub and watched over by the young daughter of the kitchen maid, her only contact with her mother being reports sent back to her mother each day. As we follow Lucrezia through her childhood sheltered in the palazzo and into adolescence, we see beyond the tragedy and it was easy to develop a fondness for this artistic, feisty and spirited girl who has always been an outsider, even in her own home. For women of Lucrezia’s era and class, their destiny was set, and she was married to Alfonso at just fifteen. But instead of a new beginning, her marriage is the beginning of the end, turning into a dark fairytale that concludes with her death less than a year later. 

Dark, alluring and suspenseful, this unforgettable novel is one that lingers long after reading. Highly recommended.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

From Maggie’s Web Page: Maggie O’Farrell, Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, is the author of HAMNET, Winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2020, and the memoir I AM, I AM, I AM, both Sunday Times no. 1 bestsellers. Her novels include AFTER YOU’D GONE, MY LOVER’S LOVER, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US, which won a Somerset Maugham Award, THE VANISHING ACT OF ESME LENNOX, THE HAND THAT FIRST HELD MINE, which won the 2010 Costa Novel Award, INSTRUCTIONS FOR A HEATWAVE and THIS MUST BE THE PLACE., and THE MARRIAGE PORTRAIT. She is also the author of two books for children, WHERE SNOW ANGELS GO and THE BOY WHO LOST HIS SPARK. She lives in Edinburgh.

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BOOK REVIEW: The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

Published February 2nd, 2021 by Pan Macmillan
Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, Domestic Fiction

Welcome to my review for this phenomenal masterpiece. Thank you to Bookbreak and Pan Macmillan for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘A powerful, stirring, wind-swept tale set in Depression-era America that makes your heart break and soar in equal measure.’ – Matt Haig, author of The Midnight Library

The Four Winds, an instant New York Times number one bestseller and Richard and Judy Book Club Pick, is a deeply moving story about the strength and resilience of women and the bond between mother and daughter, by the multi-million-copy bestselling author of The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah.

‘Powerful and compelling’ – Delia Owens, author of Where the Crawdads Sing

She will discover the best of herself in the worst of times . . .

Texas, 1934. Elsa Martinelli had finally found the life she’d yearned for. A family, a home and a livelihood on a farm on the Great Plains. But when drought threatens all she and her community hold dear, Elsa’s world is shattered to the winds.

Fearful of the future, when Elsa wakes to find her husband has fled, she is forced to make the most agonizing decision of her life. Fight for the land she loves or take her beloved children, Loreda and Ant, west to California in search of a better life. Will it be the land of milk and honey? Or will their experience challenge every ounce of strength they possess?

From the overriding love of a mother for her child, the value of female friendship and the ability to love again – against all odds – Elsa’s incredible journey is a story of survival, hope and what we do for the ones we love.

‘A story of love, family, unbreakable bonds, bravery and hope. I loved this book so much!’ – Christy Lefteri, author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo

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MY REVIEW:

Kristin Hannah has done it again. Powerful, moving, mesmerising and timeless, The Four Winds is another unforgettable masterpiece. A story of love, loss, survival, courage, heroism and hope set during the Great Depression, it follows Elsa Martinelli as she fights to survive on the Great Plains during the Dust Bowl era and then as she travels to California with her children in search of a fresh start. Will it be the land of milk and honey as she’s been promised?

This atmospheric and all-consuming tour-de-force packed a strong emotional punch and has left me with a huge book hangover. I could have lived inside this story forever and was bereft at finishing it. I’ve now read three books by Ms. Hannah and each one has been magnificent, so it seems I’m guaranteed something spectacular with every book and I’m excited for what her backlist has in store for me. 

Masterfully written, I was totally immersed in this epic saga which transported me back to the Great Depression. Hannah’s meticulous research is evident on every page, and with evocative imagery she paints vivid scenes that bring to life the dust-swept plains of Texas and the bleak reality of these people’s lives – dust storms that last weeks, the dust choking you and coating every surface, the muddy milk of cows forced to eat dust-covered grass, the gnawing hunger they felt as their crops failed, and the heartache of watching your loved ones slowly waste away. Desperation, drudgery and fear permeates every page, but there is also resilience, determination, bravery, and a fierce strength that left me in awe. Hannah explores a multitude of themes on these pages including the complexities of motherhoods, the power of community, social injustice, and the American Dream, creating a relatable, stirring and timely story that I got lost in.

Hannah has filled the pages with richly drawn, flawed and compelling characters, creating a strong connection between her characters and the reader and making us feel invested in their stories. The book’s protagonist, Elsa, is a formidable woman who battles against seemingly insurmountable odds, facing one hardship after another. We meet her as a spinster from a well-off family but when she becomes pregnant Elsa swaps her life of comfort and finery for one of toil and hardship when she’s forced to marry Italian farmer, Rafe. It’s a huge change, but she learns to love her new life. But after Rafe leaves, the Great Depression hits, and drought and winds turn the land into the Dust Bowl, things get even harder for Elsa and we see just how much strength she has, but we also see her vulnerability and fear. The other narrator, Elsa’s daughter Loreda, was my favourite character. She is a firecracker and I loved her spark, spirit and ferocity. You could tell this girl would go far and I loved watching the lessons that she and Elsa taught each other. 

Phenomenal, breathtaking and extraordinary, I can’t recommend this book highly enough and if I could give it more than five stars I would. Read it now! 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

*I listened to this on Bookbeat. You can listen for 60 days free by clicking my affiliate link here*

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

From Kristin’s Website: Kristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels including the international blockbuster, The Nightingale, which was named Goodreads Best Historical fiction novel for 2015 and won the coveted People’s Choice award for best fiction in the same year.  Additionally, it was a selection of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club in 2023. It was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, iTunes, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, and The Week.  In 2018, The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.

The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstores’ bestseller lists.  Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and the Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.  

The Nightingale is currently in production at Tri Star, with Dakota and Elle Fanning set to star.  Tri Star has also optioned The Great Alone and it is in development.  Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out.  The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke and Season Two is currently set to conclude the series on April 27, 2023.  

A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx