Habits of the Sea

Shea Ernshaw

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Fantasy + Magical Realism

The story follows Ellie and how she, as a child, finds herself on an isolated island meeting a man called Clay. What she thought was only a night spent on that island turns out to be more than that. Years later, Ellie is in her thirties. She is again on that island, and she meets Clay again, but he is not changed; he has not aged a day. 

Ellie feels attracted to Clay and the life on the island, forgetting about her boyfriend James and her Nana. There is always a constant fight inside her to return to her previous life rather than staying with Clay, whom she gets attached to with every passing day. 

The main highlight for me about this book is its atmosphere. It’s a very hazy and dreamlike atmosphere. You will feel the sea, the sky, and the island all blur together into a very surreal and immersive environment. The setting feels very much alive throughout the book, giving you that impression as if it were part of the character arc. It’s one of those books where the mood is the story as much as the plot itself.

The writing style is another major strength. It is very lyrical without overdoing it. Words flow in a way that perfectly matches the slow and isolated nature of the island. The author did a terrific job in her descriptions of the environment, as well as Ellie’s internal state. 

There is a romance in the story, but it is not the stereotypical kind. It is part of the story but not the emotional core of it, because this tale touches on a lot more subjects like grief, detachment, and the isolation sometimes we seek. There’s a quiet honesty in how the book handles pain—not dramatic or exaggerated, but lingering and persistent, like a tide that never fully recedes.

This is the third book I’ve read by this author, after The Wicked Deep and A History of Wild Places, both of which I also loved. There’s a clear signature style across all three—an emphasis on atmosphere, a touch of the uncanny, and characters searching for meaning in unusual circumstances. This one leans even more into introspection, and while it feels different in scope, it still carries that same haunting quality I’ve come to expect.

In terms of pacing, this is definitely a slow burn. At times, it felt like the story drifted rather than moved with purpose. But interestingly, that slowness also works in its favor. Overall, this is a story that is written beautifully. It is atmospheric and prioritizes both mood and emotion over the plot itself. A very solid read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book.

Key Themes

• Identity
• Self-discovery
• Isolation
• Grief
• Love
• Choice & Consequences

Before We Were Yours

 Lisa Wingate

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½
Genre: Historical Fiction

As usual, I’m late to the party! This book has been sitting on my shelf for a long time, asking me to pick it up and read it because it is one of the highest-rated stories on my historical shelf. Before We Were Yours is a historical fiction with dual timelines that focuses on family, loss, grief, and secrets. 

The past story is about Rill Foss and her siblings, who live a humble but loving life on a riverboat with their parents. Their life is shattered when authorities take them away, separating them from the world they know. They are placed into the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, where they face neglect, cruelty, and the looming threat of being permanently separated through illegal adoptions.

Rill, as the eldest, tries to protect her siblings, and in the process, her journey becomes one of survival, resilience, and quiet resistance in the face of overwhelming injustice. In the present day, we follow Avery Stafford. She is a successful woman from a politically prominent family; a chance encounter changes things for her and opens family secrets. 

The book keeps alternating between the two timelines. What worked the best for me was the past timeline, as it carried more depth and emotional weight. I just feel that part of the book had more punch, and it is the actual historical part of the story. In my opinion, the novel would have been stronger if it were entirely focused on the past timeline, perhaps using the present only for the prologue and epilogue. 

The writing style is easy and accessible. It flows easily—making the book more engaging and easier to read. The prose is not overcomplicated, which is something I really appreciate, and it works well in favor of the story. 

However, the pacing is not the strongest thing in this book. I felt in the middle there was a bit of dragging, and the story would’ve benefited more if the fillers there were removed. You will feel that when you reach that part because it will make you notice that the narrative is losing its momentum.

While the book aims to be emotionally powerful, there were moments where it felt overly dramatic, which I don’t think was the author's intention. I felt those moments were trying hard to get a reaction from the reader. I still think it is a solid read, but I can’t hide my disappointment because I was expecting this to be an all-time favorite. I guess I was just expecting a lot from it.

Key Themes
Family
Loss
Isolation
Grief
Secrets

Rock Paper Scissors

 Alex Feeney

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery Thriller

Having already read Daisy Darker, I went into Rock Paper Scissors with a clear sense of what to expect from Alice Feeney—twists, secrets, and a narrative that plays games with the reader. The story is about a troubled married couple (Adam and Amelia) who spend their weekend in a remote chapel in Scotland trying to fix their failing marriage. Right from the beginning, you will feel there is something wrong with this marriage and that it was built on a weak foundation.

As you progress in the story, the narration changes a bit with the timeline shifting between past and present, and also POVs keep changing. I feel the present-day narrative was more tense and atmospheric as the couple was trapped in this eerie and isolated place. The author did a great job there and also in blurring the lines between the past and present.

What stood out to me the most in this book is how incredibly atmospheric it is. The remote, snow-covered setting, the quiet isolation of the chapel, and the constant sense of unease create a strong mood that carries the entire story. It’s the kind of book where the environment itself feels like a character, pressing in on the story and amplifying every secret and suspicion.

The pacing is another strong point. If you are looking for a fast read, this is definitely one. The chapters are short, and there is enough going on to keep things moving. It’s easy to fall into that “just one more chapter” loop, especially as the narrative starts layering revelations on top of each other. While some sections take their time building up the mystery, I never found myself bored—there was always a sense that something was about to click into place.

I appreciated the twists even though they lean more toward withholding information from the reader. Normally, that kind of approach can feel a bit manipulative, but here it worked for me because it fits the tone of the story. The book isn’t trying to be a traditional puzzle, it’s more about perspective and control over what is revealed and when.

Despite all these pros, I’d have to say that with multiple timelines and shifting viewpoints, it can sometimes be a disorienting experience. Maybe at times you will need to pause and reorient yourself so you won’t get lost. It’s not as detracting as it may sound, but I had to mention it. 

This story is not meant to have likable characters. They are people with lots of flaws, secrets, and emotional distance. This is what they are supposed to have, and all this fits the theme of the story. Rather than rooting for them, I found myself trying to understand them—and more importantly, trying to figure out what each of them was hiding. That sense of mistrust is one of the book’s strongest elements.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read for me and a solid 4-star experience. It delivered exactly what I was hoping for after “Daisy Darker”: a fast-paced, twisty story wrapped in a thick, atmospheric setting.

Key Themes

• Secrets
• Deception
• Failed Marriage
• Emotional Distance
• Manipulation
• Isolation
• Control 

The Last Time We Saw Her

 Jaclyn Goldis

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery Thriller 

A decade ago, Sydney disappeared on a remote island while being among teenagers who went for a summer camp trip. This happened during a mysterious treasure hunt. Now the same group is returning to the island for a reunion to revisit the past and participate in a documentary. 

The premise of the book is something I was very interested in, and I thought I’d enjoy it a lot. The idea of a long-buried secret that resurfaces and haunts the involved parties is also compelling. To be fair, the book succeeded in creating that dreadful, uneasy atmosphere. That tension keeps increasing as you progress in the reading. I had that feeling that every single character was hiding something.

One of the strengths of the book is its neat structure. Yes, there are multiple points of view, and the shift between past and present timelines made things somewhat confusing. However, the author clearly put thought into how the story unfolds. The pieces do come together in the end, giving you the bigger picture, even if getting there wasn’t as smooth as I would’ve liked. 

The biggest issue for me, though, was the pacing. This isn’t a particularly long book, yet it felt much longer than it actually is. Many scenes felt stretched more than needed. I feel a tighter edit would have made a huge difference, and a faster pace would have made the story more engaging. 

In terms of the characters, in general, the author did a decent job with them—especially when it comes to their history as a group of teenagers during the past. However, not all the characters are fully developed. This could be intentional, so the book won’t get longer. I might be mistaken.

The book is decent but not particularly memorable. The revelations and twists do bring some kind of closure and might give you some surprise moments, but they don’t quite elevate the tale into something special and unforgettable. In other words, that lasting impact is not as strong as I’d hoped for.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book.

Key Themes

• Secrets
• Hidden Truth
• Friendship
• Betrayal
• Loyalty
• Guilt
• Identity
• Isolation

The Frenzy

 Joyce Carol Oates

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Short Stories + Literary Fiction

The Freny by Joyce Carol Oates is a collection of short stories that focuses on the haunting exploration of the boundaries between reality, memory, and grief. The book is divided into three sections, with each section having three stories.

With these stories, Oates shows off her unique ability to transform domestic anxieties into something profound—more like on the gothic side; at least this is how the stories were vividly imagined in my mind as I was reading.  

The first section has the title story with a middle-aged man who is in an affair with a much younger mistress. This one turns for him into a nightmare of abandonment and vulnerability. I see middle-aged women laughing at him and enjoying what happens to him. “The Fear” is more about living in the shadow of another person and the result of such a thing. This one felt very relevant on many fronts. 

In the second section, “The Call” was my favorite, in which a woman receives a call to find out that her entire adult life was just a dream, masking a reality she could never escape from. The final section must have been my least favorite in the book. The stories were more about our contemporary era. If I had to choose one of them, then it would be the last one due to its absurdity on the surface, yet depth from within. 

The good thing about the author’s narrative style is how she utilizes the interior monologues of these characters, which draws the reader directly into their vulnerabilities and experiences. What I noticed was that several stories in this collection were focusing on widowhood and domestic abuse themes. Yes, this can feel repetitive at times, but I believe Oates handled them very well, with much care, and the different shades of darkness of the stories helped in shaping the stories’ uniqueness.

If you appreciate psychological fiction that isn’t afraid to take you on a trip into the abyss, then this collection would work very well. Each story ends with characters reaching a point of hysterical release—making this collection live up to its title. 

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book.

Key Themes

• Widowhood
• Grief
• Trauma
• Domestic Abuse
• Refuge
• Betrayal

The Chateau on Sunset

 Natasha Lester

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 

Genre: Historical Fiction

The story in The Chateau on Sunset follows Aria, a young woman with a troubled past who finds herself drawn into Hollywood’s glamorous and dangerous world during the 1960s. Chateau Marmond is an infamous hotel that is filled with movie stars and lots of ambition and secrets. There, she reinvents herself, forming intense friendships and acquaintances. When the hotel is sold to a rock star, things start to take a different turn. 

I feel this book is one of those books that feels more impressive in concept than in execution. Set against the alluring backdrop of 1960s–70s Hollywood, it follows Aria as she escapes her past and becomes entangled in the seductive, often dangerous world of the Chateau Marmont. The story is a blend of coming of age and the dark side of power, fame, and survival. 

I enjoyed the setting in this book, and I think it is one of its strongest aspects. The old Hollywood atmosphere is richly drawn, filled with glamour, excess, and an undercurrent of unease. The Chateau itself feels almost alive—part sanctuary, part trap—and it gives the story a strong sense of place.

When it comes to the characters, the protagonist seems to be a quite complex character affected by her painful past. She has an emotional journey that will be relevant to some of the readers. I can’t say that all side characters were as developed as the protagonist, though.

Where I personally struggled with this book is with its dual timeline. The two timelines were relatively close. This made things confusing and disrupted the flow of the story. I think it would have made a really big difference if this story were told in a simple linear style. It is a historical fiction, so that would have made a big impact on me. 

Overall, The Chateau on Sunset is an ambitious story with a strong foundation that doesn’t fully reach its potential. While it shines in its setting and emotional depth, the slow pacing and the structure of the book hold it back from achieving what it aims for. It is a story worth picking if you are interested in character-driven historical fiction with some dark themes; it just needs some patience and focus. 

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book.

Key Themes

• Coming of Age
• The Illusion and Reality of Hollywood
• Power
• Ambition
• Identity
• Reinvention

The Tuxedo Society

 Paul Rudnick

Rating: ⭐⭐ ½
Genre: Mystery Thriller + LGBTQ+

I chose The Tuxedo Society from NetGalley expecting it to be a fun, campy queer spy adventure, and to be fair, it is all that, but just not the way I was hoping it would be. The premise sounds great with a secret society of queer spies who operate with all the glamour, wit, and high-stakes missions. The concept is a mixture of espionage and comedy. I think it is a strong concept, but the execution feels uneven.

It is safe to say that the biggest strength of the book is its humor when it is relevant to the situation. There are genuinely funny moments scattered throughout, with witty dialogue and absurd situations that fully embrace the ridiculousness of the premise. The writing is obviously leaning heavily into satire—not taking itself seriously. 

The book has an extremely campy tone, which can be a hit or a miss depending on your taste. The plot can be over the top and at times lean towards absurdity, which is all intentional. So, in other words, the story requires a complete suspension of disbelief. Don’t expect grounded storytelling here.

The pace is very fast, and you will find characters jumping from one mission to another before you can blink your eyes. I think readers who enjoy fast-paced stories might appreciate that, but I personally felt things were a bit messy, chaotic, and at times difficult to follow. I felt overwhelmed quite often and had to question why things were all over the place.

In terms of the characters, strangely, the main character felt underdeveloped. A few of the secondary ones felt more interesting to me than the protagonist. I just wish the author had invested more in building these characters. The reliance on gay stereotypes didn’t help the story, and I feel it backfired. There is also a heavy dose of pop culture references, which can get exhausting if you are not into that. 

In the end, this is one of those books that will strongly depend on your tolerance for absurdity. For me, it lands somewhere in the middle: entertaining but messy, funny but inconsistent. A 2.5-star read feels right—it’s not bad, but it never quite comes together into something truly satisfying. If you’re in the mood for something loud, chaotic, and unserious, it might work for you. Otherwise, this could be a frustrating ride.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book.

Key Themes

• Identity
• Self-Acceptance
• Queer
• Camp
• Friendship
• Espionage
• Adventure