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Repeat Author

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

A fierce and fearless mystery that digs up more than just secrets—this one leaves a mark.

A Good Girl 's Guide to Murder

by Holly Jackson

A fierce and fearless mystery that digs up more than just secrets—this one leaves a mark.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

The Quick Look

The case is closed.
The killer confessed.
But Pip Fitz-Amobi isn’t buying it — and she’s about to prove just how dangerous the truth can be.

  • Release Date: January 5, 2021
  • Pages: 400
  • Genre: Young Adult / True-Crime Inspired Mystery
  • Themes: Justice, bias, truth-seeking, media perception, racial injustice, obsession, morality
  • Read if you like:
    • True crime podcasts
    • One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
    • Sharp heroines who don’t wait for permission
    • Twists on small-town secrets and high school drama
  • Best for: Anyone who loves a layered whodunit with strong character work, tech-savvy storytelling, and major binge potential.
  • Skip if: You’re looking for something cozy, light, or free of moral gray areas.

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The Full Review

PLOT & PACING
From the jump, this book delivers. Pip’s investigation pulls you in with podcast transcripts, interview notes, and late-night texts—making the mystery feel real-time and razor sharp. The pacing is perfect: equal parts sleuthing and unraveling, with just enough slow-burn dread to keep your stomach in knots.

CHARACTER & VOICE
Pip is the kind of protagonist you root for instantly—relentlessly curious, quietly brave, and refreshingly flawed. Her chemistry with Ravi? Chef’s kiss. And even minor characters feel alive, layered, and suspect in just the right ways.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE
Jackson mixes traditional prose with multimedia storytelling—emails, reports, texts—which gives the book momentum and an investigative vibe. The tone shifts effortlessly from dark to witty, mirroring Pip’s voice and inner turmoil.

THEMES & DEPTH
This isn’t just about solving a mystery—it’s about what justice looks like in a world that often gets it wrong. The book tackles racial bias, media narratives, and the consequences of digging too deep. It’s thoughtful without being preachy and sharp without losing its heart.

PERSONAL TAKE
This book hooked me. I felt like I was solving it with Pip, second-guessing every clue and suspect. Holly Jackson absolutely nailed the genre with this one—and it’s no surprise it became a phenomenon. I’d follow Pip into any case, even the ones she should’ve left alone…

The Final Verdict

Gripping, gut-wrenching, and packed with true-crime flair, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is the YA thriller that raised the bar — 
and buried it six feet deep.

💀💀💀💀💀 out of 5 truths they never wanted her to find.

“I'm not sure I'm the good girl I once thought I was. I've lost her along the way.”
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
by Holly Jackson

Jenni

Twined & Bound

Read My Reviews Suggest a Book
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The Lost Story

Blending fantasy, nostalgia, and emotional depth, The Lost Story is a love letter to novels like The Chronicles of Narnia that transported us all as children—and a gentle reminder that wonder never grows old. Shaffer’s follow-up to The Wishing Game is tender, wistful, and steeped in the belief that stories can save us.

The Lost Story

by Meg Shaffer

What if your childhood fairy tale… actually happened?

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer

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The Lost Story

Meg Shaffer

Fantasy, Fairy Tale

322

July 16, 2024

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The Quick Look

Blending fantasy, nostalgia, and emotional depth, The Lost Story is a love letter to novels like The Chronicles of Narnia that transported us all as children—and a gentle reminder that wonder never grows old. Shaffer’s follow-up to The Wishing Game is tender, wistful, and steeped in the belief that stories can save us.

  • Themes: Being lost, found family, belonging, books and stories as magic
  • Read if you like: The Wishing Game, The Chronicles of Narnia, portal fantasies, quiet hope.
  • Best for: Readers who still believe in fairy tales, fans of bookish magic, or anyone who’s ever used fiction to make sense of real life.
  • Skip if: You prefer fast-paced fantasy or dislike stories that straddle realism and whimsy.

The Full Review

PLOT & PACING
The novel centers on Rafe and Jeremy, childhood friends who vanished under mysterious circumstances and reemerged with a fantastical story no one believed. Years later, journalist Emilie is sent to uncover the truth. The pacing is gentle but immersive, with enough mystery to keep you turning pages and enough magic to keep your heart invested. Some may wish for more time in Shanandoah, the magical realm found in the dense forests of West Virginia, but what’s there is vivid and rich.

CHARACTER & VOICE
Rafe, Jeremy, and Emilie each bring something unique to the story. Rafe’s quiet vulnerability, Jeremy’s loyalty, and Emilie’s curiosity give the book emotional texture. The dynamic between the trio feels real, tender, and earned. The character work isn’t flashy—but it lingers, like the best kinds of friendships.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE
Shaffer’s prose is warm and thoughtful, with a soft-spoken lyricism that complements the fairy-tale tone. There’s a distinct sense of melancholy and wonder woven into the fabric of every chapter. The atmosphere feels like reading under a blanket with a flashlight—a little mysterious, a little wistful, and very safe.

THEMES & DEPTH
This is a book about being lost—physically, emotionally, narratively—and about finding your way back through love, memory, and belief. Stories aren’t just escape in The Lost Story—they’re how we process trauma, shape identity, and make meaning. For readers who’ve ever clung to a book like a lifeline, this one speaks your language.

PERSONAL TAKE
I absolutely loved this one. It reminded me of why I read—to feel something, to believe in magic again. It’s a book that makes the case that fairy tales aren’t childish—they’re vital. And it does so without being overly sentimental. I would recommend this to anyone who needs a gentle, lovely book to remind them of the power of stories.

The Final Verdict

A moving, magical reminder that we’re never too old for fairy tales—especially the ones that help us come home to ourselves.

Favorite Quote

“All books are magic. An object that can take you to another world without even leaving your room? A story written by a stranger and yet it seems they wrote it just for you or to you? Loving and hating people made out of ink and paper, not flesh and blood? Yes, books are magic. Maybe even the strongest magic there is.”

The Fragile Threads of Power

Every now and then, a sequel shows up not just to revisit an old world, but to expand it—breathe new life into familiar characters and locations, and make your heart race like it did the first time. The Fragile Threads of Power does exactly that—and somehow even more. 

The Fragile threads of Power

by V.E. Schwab

A Return to Red London and a Magical Reunion Worth the Wait

The Fragile Threads of Power

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The Fragile Threads of Power
Fragile Threads, book 1 (part of the Darker Shades saga)

V.E. Schwab

Adventure; Fantasy; Pirates!

644

September 26, 2023

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The Quick Look

Every now and then, a sequel shows up not just to revisit an old world, but to expand it—breathe new life into familiar characters and locations, and make your heart race like it did the first time. The Fragile Threads of Power does exactly that—and somehow even more. 

  • Themes: Found family, magic and imbalance, personal sacrifice, legacy
  • Read If You Like: The Darker Shades series (our reviews here, here, and here), multi-POV fantasy epics, or books that beg to be read aloud with dramatic flair.
  • Best for: Fans of Schwab’s magical multiverse and anyone who believes great characters make great fantasy.
  • Skip if: Don’t even think about it.

The Full Review

PLOT & PACING:
This isn’t just a continuation—it’s a new arc. A rich, fully realized entry point that pulls the threads of the past together and spins something thrillingly fresh. Schwab raises the stakes with political unrest, magical upheaval, and a larger, fractured world on the edge of a new era. The pace is sharp, with carefully timed reveals and cliffhangers that never feel cheap.

CHARACTER & VOICE:
If you’ve missed Kell, Lila, Rhy, or Alucard—you’re in for an emotional reunion. But it’s the new characters who take center stage in surprising, powerful ways. Ren is an instant standout, Tess will charm the magic right off your shelves, and Kosika is equal parts terrifying and tragic. Schwab gives every POV character a reason to matter. No one feels wasted. Everyone feels real.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE:
Read it. No—perform it. Schwab’s writing sings aloud. Whether you’re whispering secrets in Grey London or unleashing elemental chaos in Red, every line feels built for drama and heart. She’s always had a lyrical style, but this is another level. It’s theatrical in the best sense of the word.

THEMES & DEPTH:
This book explores the responsibility that comes with power, the wounds left behind by legacy, and how fragile alliances can be in a world built on unstable magic. But at its heart, it’s still a story about chosen family, and the risks we take for those we love.

PERSONAL TAKE:
This was an experience. I read every word aloud to Jenni and it felt like we were there. I’ve loved Schwab before, but this is the book that made me want to scream it from the rooftops. It’s a near-perfect continuation that doesn’t rely on nostalgia—it earns every new beat with ambition and heart.

The Final Verdict

This one breaks our rating system… Schwab has never been more confident, more cinematic, or more emotionally on-point. The Fragile Threads of Power is a celebration of everything that made the Darker Shades series magical—and a thrilling beginning of something entirely new.

 

Want a reminder of how we felt about the rest of Schwab’s Darker Shades series? Check them out here:
A Darker Shade of Magic
A Gathering of Shadows
A Conjuring of Light

The Unmaking of June Farrow

There are stories that entertain, and then there are stories that rearrange you. The Unmaking of June Farrow is the latter. It delivers a mesmerizing rural fantasy that proves love, legacy, and identity can defy even the laws of time.

The Unmaking of June Farrow

by Adrienne Young

Curses, Time Travel, & Enduring Love

The Unmaking of June Farrow

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The Unmaking of June Farrow

Adrienne Young

Magical Realism; Time Travel

315

October 17, 2023

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The Quick Look

There are stories that entertain, and then there are stories that rearrange you. The Unmaking of June Farrow is the latter. It delivers a mesmerizing rural fantasy that proves love, legacy, and identity can defy even the laws of time. 

  • Themes: Generational curses, Time as a dimension of love, Breaking cycles, Memory, Destiny
  • Read If You Like: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Time Traveler’s Wife, or anything that whispers “love is stronger than time.”
  • Best for: Anyone craving a rich story about time, memory, and the power of love.
  • Skip if: You prefer linear narratives or strict realism.

The Full Review

PLOT & PACING:
From the start, there’s a gripping, slow-burn mystery: Why do the Farrow women always go mad? What really happened to June’s mother? The answers unfurl steadily, with layer after layer peeling back to reveal a powerful story of resilience and choice. The time travel is handled elegantly—never gimmicky, always purposeful.

CHARACTER & VOICE:
June Farrow is unforgettable. She’s smart, determined, full of quiet longing and fierce love. Her journey through confusion, loss, and ultimately clarity makes her one of the most compelling protagonists in recent memory. Every supporting character—from the townsfolk of Jasper to the figures in alternate timelines—feels thoughtfully drawn, rooted in emotional realism.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE:
Adrienne Young’s prose is lyrical but grounded. There’s a softness to the way she describes June’s world, even as it bends and reshapes through time. The North Carolina setting is rich and immersive, anchoring the magical elements with a sense of real, lived-in place.

THEMES & DEPTH:
At its heart, this is a novel about the choices we make and the legacies we carry. It explores how love can be both wound and balm, curse and cure. Young writes with incredible tenderness about grief, inheritance, identity, and what it means to break free of the past without losing the good in it.

PERSONAL TAKE:
Like Addie LaRue, June Farrow snuck up on me and absolutely wrecked me—in the best way. The twisty, time-bending plot hooked me, but it’s the emotional resonance and thematic weight that’ll stay with me. I finished the last page and just sat with it for a while. This is one I’ll be recommending to everyone. PLUS the book cover will look GOREGOUS on your shelf.

The Final Verdict

Elegant, haunting, and full of heart, The Unmaking of June Farrow is a rare gem—equal parts page-turner and soul-searcher. It’s not just a good book—it’s a memorable one.

A Conjuring of Light

A high-stakes, no-breaths-taken finale that delivers redemption, heartbreak, and triumph in equal measure—A Conjuring of Light is fantasy at its finest.

A Conjuring of Light

by V.E. Schwab

Magic Comes to Life and Demands Everything in Schwab's Fiery Finale (Darker Shades, book 3)

A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

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A Conjuring of Light
Shades of Magic, book 3

V.E. Schwab

Adventure; Fantasy; Pirates!

624

February 21, 2017

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The Quick Look

The threads of magic pull tighter, the stakes reach impossible heights, and V.E. Schwab delivers a final act that refuses to let go. A Conjuring of Light is the explosive, emotional finale this dazzling trilogy deserves. See our review of A Darker Shade of Magic and A Gathering of Shadows.

  • Themes: Sacrifice, Power, Redemption, Legacy, Adventure
  • Read If You Like: Series finales with emotional payoff, found families, redemption arcs, or magical wars that pull no punches.
  • Best for: Readers of books 1 and 2 (don’t skip them!), fans of emotional arcs, and lovers of morally complex fantasy.
  • Skip if: You’re looking for a breezy, easy read—this one demands your full attention.

The Full Review

PLOT & PACING:
From the very first page, A Conjuring of Light hits the gas—and never lets up. It picks up right where A Gathering of Shadows leaves off. Red London is in chaos, darkness is spreading, and our beloved characters are barely keeping their heads above water. Schwab crafts a tension-filled narrative that escalates to a roaring crescendo, with minimal downtime. It’s exhilarating—but exhausting. Then again, that’s kind of the point.

CHARACTER & VOICE:
This book is a gift to fans of the series. Every major player—Kell, Lila, Rhy, Alucard, Holland, even the royal parents—gets their moment to shine. Holland’s arc in particular is a masterclass in redemption, while Rhy begins to grow into the king he’s meant to be. Schwab’s strength in building emotionally complex characters is on full display here.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE:
There’s a lyrical confidence to Schwab’s prose. She writes magic like music—rhythmic, pulsing, and utterly alive. The world-building remains lush, but it’s the internal stakes that hit hardest. With so many POVs, you’d think it would get muddy, but it doesn’t. Each thread contributes to the emotional tapestry of the finale.

THEMES & DEPTH:
At its core, this is a book about facing the darkness, both externally and within. Schwab asks what it costs to protect a world, to love fiercely, to fight for something even when it seems hopeless. There’s sacrifice, heartbreak, and triumph—but no cheap shortcuts.

PERSONAL TAKE:
While A Gathering of Shadows remains my personal favorite, A Conjuring of Light gave me what I needed: closure, catharsis, and a deep admiration for every character’s journey. My only critique? I wished for one or two moments of stillness to process everything—but that relentless pace is also what makes it feel real.

The Final Verdict

A powerful, fast-burning finale that closes the trilogy with all the fire, heart, and magic Schwab’s crafted from book one. A Conjuring of Light is a triumph of character and storytelling.

Best of all? The fun’s not over! The saga continues with The Fragile Threads of Power!

A Gathering of Shadows

Power is seductive—but balance is essential. In this dazzling sequel to A Darker Shade of Magic, V.E. Schwab ups the stakes with a whirlwind of magic, identity, and ambition that refuses to be put down.

A Gathering of Shadows

by V.E. Schwab

Sparks Fly at the Essen Tach Tournament (Darker Shades of Magic, book 2)

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

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A Gathering of Shadows
Darker Shades of Magic, book 2

V.E. Schwab

Adventure; Fantasy

509

February 23, 2016

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The Quick Look

Power is seductive—but balance is essential. In this dazzling sequel to A Darker Shade of Magic, V.E. Schwab ups the stakes with a whirlwind of magic, identity, and ambition that refuses to be put down. 

  • Themes: Power & Sacrifice, Self-Discovery, Identity, Balance, Connection
  • Read If You Like: Magical tournaments (Think Tri-Wizard Tournament on steroids), high-stakes drama, morally complex mages, or anything that blends emotional depth with spellbinding adventure.
  • Best for: Fantasy lovers craving high-stakes competition, dynamic character growth, and richly imagined worlds.
  • Skip if: You haven’t read book one yet—this picks up threads that will land harder with context.

The Full Review

PLOT & PACING:
If A Darker Shade of Magic was world-building with a flicker of plot, A Gathering of Shadows is where the series truly ignites. The introduction of the Essen Tach, an international magical tournament, injects irresistible tension and excitement. While political machinations simmer in the background, Schwab lets the character arcs shine—especially for Kell and Lila, who are each navigating what it means to belong.

CHARACTER & VOICE:
Lila Bard continues to be one of fantasy’s most compelling antiheroes—bold, reckless, deeply human. Kell’s inner turmoil and moral compass clash with the expectations of Red London (and the burden of living a life for his brother, Rhy), while new faces add spice to the ensemble (Alucard Emery, anyone?). Schwab excels at writing relationships that are as volatile and enchanting as the magic itself.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE:
This is where Schwab’s writing noticeably levels up. The prose is confident, the pacing tight, and the emotional beats hit harder than before. Whether she’s describing the shimmer of a magical duel or the ache of a quiet betrayal, every sentence feels like it belongs.

THEMES & DEPTH:
At its core, A Gathering of Shadows is about the tension between identity and expectation—what it means to forge your own path, especially when the world wants to define you. It also explores how power corrupts, how relationships can anchor or unmoor you, and how magic is both a gift and a test.

PERSONAL TAKE:
I devoured this book. From the brilliant structure of the tournament to the emotional unraveling of beloved characters, I was hooked. Schwab’s evolution as a storyteller is on full display here, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

The Final Verdict

A rare sequel that surpasses its predecessor, A Gathering of Shadows delivers everything you want in a fantasy novel—magic, heart, betrayal, identity, and just enough cliffhanger to make you immediately reach for book three (our review here).

Final Girls

Like its spiritual ancestors I Know What You Did Last Summer or Scream, Riley Sager’s first thriller is a fun romp that’ll keep you entertained.

Final Girls

by Riley Sager

The Past Never Stays Dead

Final Girls by Riley Sager

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Final Girls

Riley Sager

Thriller; Slasher

339

June 14, 2017

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The Quick Look

A remote cabin. A blood-soaked survivor. A secret that won’t stay buried. Final Girls is a twisty, slasher-inspired thriller that asks: what happens after the horror movie ends? 

  • Themes: Survival, Trust, Trauma
  • Read If You Like: Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, or crime thrillers with a horror flavor.
  • Best for: Fans of slashers, twisty thrillers, or fast-paced, movie-ready reads.
  • Skip if: You’re looking for psychological depth or emotional resonance.

The Full Review

PLOT & PACING:
Quincy Carpenter is a “final girl”—the lone survivor of a brutal massacre. Years later, her quiet life is shattered when another final girl, Sam, shows up at her door. What unfolds is a series of tense confrontations, unraveling memories, and—you guessed it—a string of red herrings. The pacing is solid, though the mystery relies heavily on misdirection. If you’re someone who prides yourself on calling a twist, you may have a shot with this one.

CHARACTER & VOICE:
Quincy is an unreliable narrator, and much of the tension stems from not knowing whether you can trust her. Sam is chaotic and magnetic, but her true role in the story is a bit deeper than I had initially guessed. While none of the characters are deeply fleshed out, they serve their purpose in the plot—much like their horror movie counterparts.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE:
Sager’s prose is accessible and brisk, perfectly suited to a popcorn thriller. There’s a slickness to the writing that feels cinematic—this book practically begs to be adapted for the screen. It doesn’t dig too deep, but it doesn’t really need to.

THEMES & DEPTH:
The book lightly explores themes of trauma, identity, and media sensationalism. What does it mean to survive something horrific? What are you allowed to forget? And how do you keep living when your trauma is public property? While it could’ve gone further into these questions, the framework is compelling.

PERSONAL TAKE:
This wasn’t my favorite thriller, but I had fun reading it. I predicted the twist early, but I was still surprised by some of the character reveals. While it’s not deep, it is entertaining.

The Final Verdict

A blood-spattered whodunnit that’s more Scream than Sharp Objects—quick, twisty, and best enjoyed with popcorn.