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  • Why The Samurai of the Red Carnation Will Surprise You

    Book Overview: The Samurai of the Red Carnation

    Content Warnings: violence, war, fire, heartbreak, betrayal

    Summary: An irresistibly winning romantic historical adventure, set in medieval Japan and tinged with fantasy, revolving around the art of waka poetry.

    Matsuo is expected to be a samurai, like his father before him. But as he is training in the art of war, he realises he was destined for a different art altogether. Turning his back on his future as a warrior of the sword, he decides instead to do battle with words, as a poet.

    Thus begins a story of intrigue and adventure, passion and betrayal. Matsuo’s quest to find his true self, and his true love, takes him across medieval Japan, through bloody battlefields and burning cities. But his ultimate test will be the uta awase – a tournament where Japan’s greatest poets engage in fierce verbal combat for the honour of victory, and where Matsuo will find himself fighting for his life.

    The Samurai of the Red Carnation is both a thrilling, swashbuckling adventure and a sensitive meditation on love and poetry. Denis Thériault, is known for his award-winning novel, The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman, which also made extensive use of original poetry in Japanese styles and which won the author the Japan-Canada Book Prize.

    Image Source: Courtesy of Penguin Random House

    Imagine training with a sword and realizing your true weapon is a poem. Denis Thériault’s novel mixes swashbuckling adventure with tender romance in a lyrical way. It’s like watching a grand samurai film with a poetry score. From its vivid medieval Japan scenes to an epic poetry duel, the story feels fresh and full of wonder. For those of you who crave both adrenaline and artistry, this tale delivers something truly new!

    The Samurai of the Red Carnation follows Matsuo, born into a samurai family but secretly a poet. Instead of wielding a sword, he picks up a pen. Bending tradition, the biggest battles in his life shift from war to words; Matsuo must fight for his life with verses instead of blades. His journey begins with one bold choice: abandon his destiny as a warrior. That kind of passion, choosing art over duty, makes Matsuo surprisingly relatable.

    A Samurai By Name, A Poet By Nature

    From the start, Matsuo is torn between duty and desire. He trains as a warrior, but a secret longing for poetry calls. When he walks away from his armor, he shows courage of a different sort: the courage to follow his true self. He learns waka, a classical form of Japanese verse, from a wild Zen master on his journey. This mischievous teacher, more rogue monk than sensei, turns Matsuo’s world upside down with riddles and verses. Thériault lets us feel Matsuo’s dreams and doubts. Even when Matsuo stumbles, he remains a hero you root for!

    An Ancient Japan Painted In Words

    The setting is a major draw. Thériault, long fascinated by Japan, paints Heian-era Kyoto and beyond with vivid detail. You can almost smell incense in a shrine and feel the heat of a burning city. In fact, the novel opens on a night when Kyoto is ablaze, hinting at intrigue to come. Peace and turmoil live side by side: in one chapter Matsuo meditates in a garden; in the next he hides from samurai on a mountainside path. You sense an era where beauty and danger collide… where courtly grace meets clan rivalries on the horizon.

    Battles Of Wit And Wordplay

    Forget sword duels; the book’s fiercest fights are poetry contests called uta-awase. Picture a medieval rap battle: poets duel with clever verses and sharp insults. A panel of nobles listens as if lives depend on each line (because they often do). Losing can mean ruin. Thériault treats these word duels like life-or-death matches. Between the quips and metaphors, you really feel the tension. Fans of wordplay will relish it. Every so often, even a single line can feel as sharp as a blade!

    Forbidden Love And Family Loyalties

    Of course there’s romance. Matsuo falls for a princess’s attendant, a poised young woman with a secret smile, who is already promised to a powerful general. Their situation feels like star-crossed fate: an ache anyone who’s loved from afar will recognize. Even with war swirling around them, their quiet connection blooms. This romance brings real heat and heartbreak. Family expectations and battle pressures add drama! Each choice tests Matsuo’s loyalty and honor. Yet hope flickers through it all, and each setback strengthens his resolve while keeping the story moving.

    Mystery, Myth, And A Touch Of Fantasy

    The novel isn’t just historical… it hints at something mystical! Heian Japan was said to be “haunted by spirits of Nature,” and Thériault weaves in that sense of the uncanny. The story opens with a mysterious figure watching Kyoto burn, casting a strange shadow over Matsuo’s path. Other moments feel dreamlike: a shrine that murmurs secrets, or a poem that reads like a prophecy. The line between reality and myth blurs in small, eerie ways! These touches give the journey a magical sheen.

    Thériault’s Poetic Legacy

    Denis Thériault’s earlier hit The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman also mixed Japanese verse into its tale; it even won the Japan–Canada Book Prize. Fans of that quirky, lyrical style will find plenty here! Thériault’s prose often reads like poetry itself: carefully chosen, rhythmic, and full of gentle humor. Even the action scenes have an elegance, as if choreographed. The English version keeps that charm, making the verses and jokes land smoothly. All in all, it feels like a novel as carefully crafted as a poem.

    For anyone who wonders if the pen is mightier than the sword, Matsuo’s world might have the answer!

    What are your thoughts on The Samurai of the Red Carnation? You can get a copy here if you don’t have one already! Let us know all your thoughts in the comments below or over on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook!

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    Asia M.

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  • What Happens When Your School Study Is Actually A Maze? This Moth Saw Brightness Reviewed

    Book Overview: This Moth Saw Brightness

    Content Warnings: mental illness, neurodivergence, abandonment, government experimentation, conspiracy theories

    Summary: A weird and revelatory debut that vividly captures the dislocation of growing up BIPOC and neurodivergent in a country awash in both conspiracy theories and genuine conspiracies.

    “The invisible D in my name is my mother’s second most lasting contribution to my life.”

    ‘Wayne Le—known as “Invisible-D ‘Wayne” at school—has been invited to participate in a seemingly ordinary, innocuous adolescent health study by a prestigious university. The study has a few nice perks, but most important to ‘Wayne, is the opportunity to give his immigrant father an accomplishment to be proud of—something that’s been in short supply since ‘Wayne’s mother left.

    But the study quickly proves to be anything but ordinary and innocuous, and ‘Wayne, his best friend Kermit, and a fellow study participant named Jane (a girl who shall not be manic-pixied) find themselves sucked into an M. C. Escheresque maze of conspiracies that might be entirely in their heads or might truly be a sinister government plot.

    This Moth Saw Brightness By A. A. Vacharat
    Image Source: Photo Courtesy of Penguin Random House

    1. Hooking You Before Page One

    You know what? Sometimes a book arrives and feels like it’s whispering in your ear: “Hey…I’m going to turn your assumptions upside down.” That’s exactly the energy of This Moth Saw Brightness by A. A. Vacharat. From the first line hinting at an “invisible D” in the narrator’s name, the novel signals that it won’t settle for comfortable. It invites you into a story that’s part coming-of-age, part speculative thriller, part identity essay, and yes, you’re going to like the ride!

    2. Who’s Narrating This Train-Wreck Disguised As Adolescence

    Meet Wayne Le, or “Invisible-D ‘Wayne,” as the school calls him. He’s BIPOC, neurodivergent (or at least navigating life in ways that don’t match the “neurotypical” checklist), and he’s invited to participate in a so-called innocuous adolescent health study by a prestigious university. The study promises perks: a chance to give his immigrant father something to be proud of, a small win in a life defined by absence (his mother leaving) and expectation. But things go off the rails fast.

    3. Weirdness And Conspiracies: High School Meets M.C. Escher

    Here’s where the plot takes the weird turn: the study is anything but ordinary. ‘Wayne, his best friend Kermit, and Jane (yes, a girl “who shall not be manic-pixied”) find themselves in an Escher-cornucopia of conspiracies; overlapping, bending reality, maybe in their heads, maybe not. The narrative feels breathing, alive, slightly off-kilter…in a good way.

    4. Identity, Neurodivergence And That Immigrant-Dad Pressure

    Beyond the twists and conspiracies, there’s the muscle of the story. What does it feel like to grow up neurodivergent in a world that assumes you’re “just like everyone else?” What does it mean to carry the weight of immigrant expectations on your shoulders when your mother has already left, when your father’s pride is something you chase? The “invisible D” in his name? Symbolic. His sense of invisibility? Real. Vacharat doesn’t shy away from those questions, and she doesn’t answer them neatly. That feels honest.

    5. The Tone: Quirky, Clever, And Zipping Along

    If you expect a straight-laced narrative, you’ll be surprised. The tone flicks between sardonic, anxious, reflective, bizarre, like life when you’re awake in the middle of a strange dream and someone hands you a biology textbook. The novel rewards readers who enjoy short chapters, playful breaks, and surprising shifts in rhythm. One moment you’re thinking of high school drama, next you’re wondering about Big Tech, surveillance, and your own concept of control. The result? You won’t just read this book, you’ll feel its pulse!

    6. Relatable Chaos: Friendships, Crushes, Awkwardness

    Despite the grand themes, the story keeps it grounded in adolescence. There’s the best friend who still codes and hacks (hello, Kermit). There’s the crush who complicates everything (hello, Jane). There’s the parent who expects too much, and the absence of the parent who left. There’s the feeling that you’re slightly off-center and everyone else is lining up like they know what’s going on. If you’ve ever felt side-lined, weirded out, or “why am I not normal?”, then ‘Wayne’s story will resonate. The conspiracies become metaphors for the nagging sense that the world is rigged, and you’re trying to find your spot in it.

    7. Why You Should Care (And Maybe Freak Out A Little)

    Because this book doesn’t just entertain. It pushes you. It asks: What is trust? What is identity? Who decides who matters? And in a world full of surveillance, half-truths, and algorithms, how do you even locate your own truth? Vacharat wraps it all in genre elements: thriller, mystery, coming-of-age, so you’re on your toes the whole time. The ending? It’s unsettling. Not because it’s bad. Because it leaves you thinking. Hey, that’s a win!

    8. The Caveats (Yes, There Are A Few)

    If you like your stories tidy, you might bristle at the sharp corners here. The plot layers move fast, and some minor characters veer into caricature. But honestly…the messiness is part of the point. Life is messy. Identity is messy. Conspiracies? Definitely messy. If you’re up for the ride, you’ll be fine.

    9. Final Verdict

    In short: This Moth Saw Brightness is weird, wild, heartfelt, and smart. It’s a debut that doesn’t play it safe. It introduces a narrator you’ll root for, a world you’ll question, and a genre-blend that sticks with you. If you’re looking for a book that lingers after you close the cover, that challenges you while making you laugh (and maybe wince), this is it!

    A. A. Vacharat’s This Moth Saw Brightness quietly teaches you that sometimes the conspiracy is simply that you were never invited to believe you belonged.

    If you enjoyed this review, grab a copy of the book, let those footnotes surprise you, and let the conspiracies swirl! Because the brightest lights sometimes hide behind the weirdest moths. What are your thoughts on This Moth Saw Brightness? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments below or over on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT A. A. VACHARAT:
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    Asia M.

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  • The New Year’s Party Is The Messy, Addictive Read Your Winter Needs

    Book Overview: The New Year’s Party

    Content Warnings: violence, murder, sexual assault, substance abuse, infidelity

    Summary: New Year’s Eve hits different in your thirties. Especially when the party ends in murder.

    It used to be an annual thing—the raucous New Year’s party full of games and hors d’oeuvres. But for Olivia and her friends, the chaos of their thirties has really challenged the definition of annual. It’s been a few years since the close friends were last…close. But this year is gonna be different. The burnout, parenting stress, credit card debt, job drama, marriage troubles, addiction—they’re going to set it all aside for the night. No, really. They swear.

    Oh, except for the secrets. Every last person has one… But secrets are only as good as the people you trust to keep them, and when the wrong one slips out…well, friends or not, that just might become motive for murder.

    Everybody thinks they know their closest friends—until somebody winds up dead.

    Image Source: Photo Courtesy of HarperCollins

    New Year’s Eve is usually all about fresh starts and glittery optimism. But for Olivia and her long-time friends, that midnight countdown comes with a body count. Jenna Satterthwaite’s The New Year’s Party turns a familiar reunion scenario on its head with a story that’s both relatable and jaw-dropping. Written in a style that’s conversational yet polished, it draws readers in with wry humor and mounting suspense.

    1. Old Friends, New Drama

    After years of adulting (careers, kids, mortgages), Olivia and her once inseparable high school friends have drifted apart. This New Year’s Eve is their big chance to reconnect. From the moment they reunite, it’s clear each person is lugging more baggage than the overnight kind. Burnout at work? Check. Marriage on the rocks? Definitely.

    Each thirtysomething in the room wears a polite party face that barely disguises the personal chaos underneath. It’s a scenario many readers in their late twenties or thirties will recognize: a bittersweet mix of nostalgia and the stark reality that growing up often means growing apart. And as this story shows, sometimes those old friendships hide new secrets capable of sparking serious fireworks.

    2. Champagne, Confetti, And Crime

    The setting is a classic New Year’s house party in the Midwest, complete with hors d’oeuvres, silly party games, and champagne fizzing over plastic flutes. There’s an almost cinematic quality to the backdrop: imagine a cozy living room decked with twinkle lights and half-forgotten inside jokes. It all feels comfortingly familiar until the stroke of midnight approaches and the atmosphere shifts from festive to foreboding.

    The author uses the holiday’s bubbly energy as a clever contrast to the darkness lurking among the guests. One minute, the friends are clinking glasses, and the next minute, we’re reminded that this isn’t your typical New Year’s bash. The confetti isn’t the only thing hitting the floor tonight. By the time the clock strikes twelve, someone will be dead, and that glittery party backdrop suddenly feels more chilling than cheerful.

    3. No Resolutions, Just Revelations

    If New Year’s is about resolving to change, these friends are more focused on revealing what’s been hidden. Every guest at Olivia’s party has a secret (or three) tucked away, and watching those secrets spill out is half the thrill. Satterthwaite masterfully unravels the group’s tangled web of lies and grudges through sharp dialogue and tense exchanges. Little confessions drop like unexpected party favors, each one upping the stakes.

    Did someone just confess to an affair under their breath, or is that a hint of financial disaster behind a forced smile? With each reveal, alliances in the room shift on a dime. It’s the kind of drama that feels uncomfortably real (who hasn’t worried about a friend blabbing a confidence after a few drinks?), yet it escalates into deliciously high-stakes territory. In The New Year’s Party, secrets aren’t just social ticking bombs; they’re motives, each potent enough to push someone over the edge.

    4. Ten Perspectives, One Wild Night

    The novel doesn’t stick to one storyteller. Instead, it hands the mic to nearly everyone at the party. That means we hop between multiple characters’ viewpoints, each chapter peeling back a new layer of the night’s events. This narrative style gives readers a 360-degree view of the chaos. We see grudges, fears, and long-held resentments from every angle. It’s an ambitious move, but it pays off by making the mystery feel rich and communal.

    Every friend has their moment to shine or incriminate themselves. The shifting perspectives mimic the vibe of actually being at the party: snippets of whispered conversations, side glances, and private thoughts that only we, the readers, get to piece together. It might sound like a lot to track, but the narrative keeps each voice distinct enough that you quickly remember who’s who and who’s hiding what.

    5. Twists And Turns (Spoiler-Free!)

    It’s hard to talk about the best parts of a murder mystery without giving things away, but here’s what can be said: The New Year’s Party does not disappoint when it comes to twists. The novel opens with a bang, quite literally, as we find out in the first few pages that one of the friends is dead. From there, the story rewinds to the morning of the party and methodically builds suspense.

    Every chapter ends on a note that dares you not to read the next. Satterthwaite plants red herrings throughout, so just when you think you’ve figured out the victim or the culprit, another curveball hits. By the final chapters, multiple mini-bombs drop, each one more shocking than the last. It’s a thrill ride that will make you second-guess every character’s alibi. Best of all, the big reveal lands with a satisfying punch, leaving no loose ends in the confetti.

    6. A Thriller Worth RSVPing

    At its heart, The New Year’s Party is both a cautionary tale and a celebration of the messy bonds between friends. It asks how well we really know the people we grew up with, and how much we’ve all changed since high school. The narrative flows like a lively conversation, mixing nostalgia and shock in equal measure. For a younger audience, especially, the story feels fresh and dynamic, addressing modern anxieties (hello, burnout and social media envy) while delivering old-school thriller payoffs.

    It’s a page-turner that can make you cringe in recognition one moment and gasp in surprise the next. Polished yet playful, this novel has the irresistible vibe of a New Year’s Eve party you’d hate to miss (minus the actual homicide, of course). In the end, Jenna Satterthwaite serves up a fizzy cocktail of suspense and insight that goes down easy with a wicked aftertaste!

    The New Year’s Party manages to be both a razor-sharp friendship drama and a crackling murder mystery that leaves you breathless by midnight.

    What are your thoughts on The New Year’s Party? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments below or over on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JENNA SATTERTHWAITE:
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    Asia M.

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  • No Secrets Are Safe In This Is A Safe Space

    Book Overview: This Is A Safe Space

    Content Warnings: sexual assault, stalking, blackmail, coercive control, infidelity, trauma

    Summary: Jenna, who runs a successful private therapy practice, still struggles with trust issues of her own. She’s made a promise to stop snooping in her husband Colten’s phone, but sometimes she can’t help herself. One night, she discovers a troubling exchange between him and his cousin Bodie, who’s one of his closest friends. A dancer from a bachelor party they both recently attended is threatening Bodie, claiming they crossed a line sexually and that she’ll expose the truth to his family if she doesn’t get what she wants. They don’t know much about this woman, or how far she’s willing to go. But Jenna might.

    Lexus Chardonnay, the stage name of the dancer from the party, is one you don’t forget. And Jenna’s heard it before—from one of her clients.

    Kaitlyn is a medical school student who dances on weekends to put herself through school. Jenna’s been her therapist for years, except she hasn’t seen her for three months. Not since Kaitlyn stopped showing up for treatment, without explanation. As Jenna begins to listen back to their past sessions, desperate for answers, a more complicated picture emerges, and she must decide who to trust as her career and her family hang in the balance.

    This is a Safe Space By Lucinda Berry
    Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

    Everyone says they want honesty in a relationship, but how many of us have sneaked a peek at a partner’s phone when nobody’s looking? Jenna knows she shouldn’t, yet one quiet night, she breaks her promise and scrolls through her husband’s texts. What she finds isn’t your run-of-the-mill flirty message or a secret Instagram account. It’s something much more alarming: a digital Pandora’s box that threatens not just her marriage, but the very career built on trust and confidentiality.

    Lucinda Berry’s new thriller, This Is A Safe Space, puts a modern twist on the old idea that some secrets refuse to stay buried. In an era when our whole lives (and our darkest lies) can hide behind a lock screen, this story taps into a very real, very today kind of fear. What if the person who creates a “safe space” for others has nowhere safe for herself? It’s a question Jenna is forced to confront as her professional world collides with a deeply personal nightmare.

    1. Our Phones, Our Secrets

    What would someone find if they opened your phone right now? It’s a disarming question, and in This Is A Safe Space, the answer nearly shatters one family. Jenna’s late-night phone snooping isn’t just a plot device; it’s a painfully relatable lapse in judgment. In an age of fingerprint locks and Face IDs, the smartphone has become a diary, confession booth, and safe deposit box of our secrets all in one. Jenna promised herself she’d trust her husband Colten, but the temptation of that glowing screen proves too strong. And when her worst suspicions appear confirmed by a string of cryptic texts, it kicks off a chain reaction of suspicion and fear.

    This thriller gets how a tiny breach of digital privacy can snowball. One moment of “just checking” leads Jenna into a web of lies connecting her home to her therapy practice. It’s a modern scenario that feels disturbingly familiar, tapping into the way real trust issues often begin with a single notification at 2 AM. By anchoring the mystery in something as ordinary as a text message, the story makes its psychological punches hit close to home!

    2. One Name, Two Lives

    Meet Lexus Chardonnay. It’s a stage name you won’t easily forget. For Jenna, it’s the name that makes her blood run cold. Those threatening messages on her husband’s phone revolve around a mysterious dancer with this flashy alias. But Jenna has heard it before, in a far different context. Lexus is actually Kaitlyn, a bright medical student who has sat across from Jenna in therapy for years. By day, Kaitlyn is studying to heal others; by night, under neon lights, she becomes Lexus, dancing to pay the bills.

    This dual life isn’t just a plot twist; it’s a commentary on the curated identities people juggle. On social media, we often present highlight reels of our lives, and some of us even keep whole parts of ourselves hidden under alter egos. The novel deftly shows how those separate worlds can collide in an instant. Jenna suddenly realizes the woman sending shockwaves through her family is the same person she’s tried to help through panic attacks and personal struggles. It’s a collision of worlds that raises the stakes and begs the question: how well do we really know anyone, even those we’re supposed to trust most?

    3. Victim Or Villain?

    Thrillers thrive on uncertainty over who wears the white hat and who’s hiding a dagger behind their back. This Is A Safe Space takes that uncertainty up a notch. The dancer threatening Jenna’s family might be an extortionist preying on men’s worst fears, or she could be a young woman lashing out after surviving something unspeakable. The story constantly tugs the rug out from under assumptions. One chapter, you’re convinced Bodie (Colten’s hapless cousin caught in the scandal) is being unfairly trapped; the next, you wonder if he’s not as innocent as he seems.

    It’s a fascinating tightrope walk between sympathy and suspicion. The novel asks if it’s possible to be both a victim and a perpetrator at once. In real life, people who are hurt sometimes hurt others in return, intentionally or not. Berry isn’t afraid to live in that gray area. She lets readers sit with the discomfort that comes when you simply can’t slot someone into “good” or “bad.” It makes the suspense that much more intense.

    4. When Control Turns Coercive

    Behind the thriller’s twists lies a sobering commentary on power and credibility. The situation Jenna uncovers isn’t just about a scandal. It’s about who gets believed and who gets blamed. Kaitlyn’s alter ego, Lexus, resorts to late-night threats and demands, behaviors that look like stalking on the surface. But the novel nudges readers to consider why she feels this is her only recourse. Women who speak up about being harmed are too often dismissed as “crazy” or attention-seeking, especially if their story threatens a tight-knit family’s reputation. It’s a frustrating reality that This Is A Safe Space digs into: if Kaitlyn truly was wronged, would anyone believe her without proof or pressure?

    The flip side is equally unsettling. If she’s lying, then she’s weaponizing the doubt that real victims face, making it harder for others to trust women’s stories. The narrative walks this fine line without preaching. Instead, it heightens the suspense: every character is unsure who to trust, and that creeping feeling of being watched or manipulated keeps both Jenna and the reader on edge. Coercive control isn’t always overt violence: sometimes it’s a barrage of texts, a veiled threat, or the silent treatment that warps reality. Berry shows how these subtler forms of manipulation can be just as chilling, especially in a world where deleting a message doesn’t erase what happened.

    5. Blurred Boundaries, Big Dilemmas

    Therapists are supposed to keep a professional distance, but what happens when the “someone” needing help is on the other side of the couch and also at your dinner table? Jenna’s predicament is every psychologist’s nightmare scenario. Ethically, a therapist shouldn’t entangle their personal life with a patient’s, yet here she is, smack in the middle of her client’s secret crisis. When Kaitlyn vanished from therapy without a word three months ago, Jenna never imagined their next encounter would be like this. Now Jenna is combing through old session notes and audio recordings, searching for clues in conversations that were meant to heal, not solve a mystery.

    The book grapples with the ethics of these dual relationships in a very human way. Jenna isn’t portrayed as a saint or a sinner for the choices she makes, just a person trying to protect her family and her patient at the same time. It raises tough questions: Can you ever really separate personal feelings from professional duty? Jenna knows the rulebook, but This Is A Safe Space shows how real life often laughs in the face of those rules. The tension of watching her walk that tightrope between what’s right as a therapist and what’s necessary as a wife and mother adds another layer of depth to an already twisty thriller.

    6. When Betrayal Hits Home

    Beyond the mystery and mind games, Berry delves into the emotional wreckage that betrayal leaves behind. Jenna might be a therapist, but discovering her husband’s possible deceit puts her on the other side of the couch, reeling, doubting, and hurt like anyone else. The novel illustrates betrayal trauma in a way that young readers and older ones alike can feel in their gut. When someone you love breaks your trust, it doesn’t just sting; it alters how you see the world. Jenna’s outlook shifts as she grapples with the notion that the man she built a life with may have dangerous secrets. Her empathy is tested too; can she still sympathize with her client’s pain when she’s drowning in her own?

    Lucinda Berry’s background as a psychologist shines through in these moments. The story doesn’t lecture about trauma; it shows it unfolding in real time, from Kaitlyn’s anxiety spirals to Jenna’s simmering panic behind her professional poise. The characters’ reactions feel authentic, messy, and human. This Is A Safe Space isn’t just another page turner; it’s a thriller that truly understands the psychology of broken trust!

    The scariest part of This Is A Safe Space isn’t what people confess; it’s what they keep to themselves.

    What are your thoughts on This Is A Safe Space? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments below or over on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LUCINDA BERRY:
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    Asia M.

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  • Thirteen’s The Charm: Inside The Dark Enchantment Of Erin A. Craig’s The Thirteenth Child

    Book Overview: The Thirteenth Child

    Content Warnings: death, parent deaths, gore, war, violence, illness and plague, cheating

    Summary: Hazel Trépas has always known she wasn’t like the rest of her siblings. A thirteenth child, promised to one of the gods, she spends her childhood waiting for her godfather, Merrick, the Dreaded End and Death himself, to arrive. When he does, he lays out his plan for Hazel’s future. She will become a great healer, known throughout the kingdom for her precision and skill. To aid her endeavors, Merrick blesses Hazel with a gift, the ability to instantly deduce the exact cure needed to treat the sick.

    But all gifts come with a price. . . .

    Hazel can see when Death has claimed a patient—when all hope is gone—and is tasked with ending their suffering, permanently. Haunted by the ghosts of those she’s killed, Hazel longs to run. But destiny brings her to the royal court,where she meets Leo, a rakish prince, and against her better judgment, she falls in love. But Hazel faces her biggest dilemma yet when she is called to heal the king. Hazel knows what she is meant to do and knows what her heart is urging her toward, but what will happen if she goes against the will of Death for the sake of love?

    The Thirteenth Child by Erin A. Craig

    Imagine being blessed at birth, not by a fairy godmother but by Death himself. That’s the haunting premise of Erin Craig’s The Thirteenth Child, a YA novel that spins a darkly enchanting tale from a Grimm fairy tale. It’s part epic fantasy, part romance, and it’s already topping bestseller lists. So what makes this gothic story stand out? Here are 7 reasons it’s casting a spell on young readers:

    1. A Grimm Inspiration Reborn

    Based on a Brothers Grimm tale, but far from a quaint fable. It draws inspiration from a lesser-known Grimm story called Godfather Death, but don’t expect a straight retelling. Craig uses that dark premise as a springboard for something much bigger! The novel nods to the original folktale’s themes of bargains and fate, then ups the ante with richer characters and higher stakes. It feels like a classic fairy tale at heart, but with far more twists and teeth.

    2. Hazel Trépas: A Heroine With A Dark Gift

    At the story’s heart is Hazel, a girl blessed (and cursed) by Death. Hazel Trépas is the thirteenth child of a poor family, promised from birth to the God of Death. When her eerie godfather finally shows up, he blesses Hazel with the power to heal any illness. The catch? She can also tell exactly when someone is beyond saving, and then she must end their suffering. Imagine the burden of that gift! Hazel is compassionate but haunted, determined to forge her own path despite the grim duty hanging over her. It’s impossible not to root for her as she fights for control of her life under Death’s shadow!

    3. Death As The Ultimate Godfather

    When Death becomes your mentor, expect the unexpected. Merrick, the god of Death himself, isn’t your typical hooded reaper. As Hazel’s godfather, he’s stern and otherworldly, yet oddly caring in his own way (more so than Hazel’s actual parents, frankly). He takes Hazel under his wing to mold her into the great healer he expects. Their bond is a fascinating push-pull of duty and affection. It’s not every day that Death plays dad, and here it’s equal parts chilling and touching.

    4. Gothic Atmosphere And Storybook Vibes

    Think candlelit castles, misty forests, and ghosts at the door. The book’s atmosphere is pure gothic goodness, from midnight chapel vigils to woodland spirits lurking by the road. Craig vividly renders a world where every blessing comes with a curse attached, making it feel like you’ve stepped into an eerie old storybook. Yet for all the dark, lush detail, the writing stays crisp and clear. It gives you goosebumps without ever getting you lost in the woods.

    5. Royal Intrigue And High-Stakes Twists

    Palace politics, family secrets, and fate hanging by a thread. When Hazel is summoned to the royal court to heal a dying king, the story kicks into high gear. Suddenly she’s navigating a den of vipers: scheming nobles, hidden agendas, and maybe even a murderous plot. In this kingdom, no one is entirely trustworthy, and danger lurks in every corridor. The novel delivers twist after twist as Hazel unravels what (or who) is behind the king’s illness. The stakes are sky-high, with Hazel’s own future tied to the fate of the realm, so by the climax you’ll be holding your breath hoping she can cheat Death itself!

    6. A ‘Romantasy’ Worth Swooning Over

    Amid the darkness is a swoon-worthy spark. Even in a dark tale, there’s room for love. Hazel’s chemistry with Prince Leo (the king’s younger son) brings a welcome glow to the gloom. Their banter is quick and witty (Leo’s cynicism meets its match in Hazel’s no-nonsense charm) and their reluctant alliance slowly blossoms into something more. Importantly, the romance never overshadows the main story; instead, it raises the emotional stakes. You’ll find yourself rooting for this couple to find a happily-ever-after, even as doom hangs over them. In a world so shadowed, their romance is a warm, defiant light.

    7. Haunting Themes With Heart

    A fairy tale that makes you think (and maybe cry). Beyond the magic and mayhem, this story tackles big questions about mortality and sacrifice. Hazel’s very role asks: What makes a life well-lived? How far should one go to save someone they love? There are definitely scenes that tug at the heartstrings (keep tissues handy), but there’s also a thread of hope shining through!

    The Thirteenth Child doesn’t just retell a fairy tale: it redefines it for a new generation, turning a morbid premise into a story about the fierce, fragile beauty of life!

    What are your thoughts on The Thirteenth Child? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments below or over on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook!

    Want more book reviews? Check out our library!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ERIN A. CRAIG:
    GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE

    Asia M.

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  • Get Yourself An Order Of Love & Lattes By Beth Reekles!

    Get Yourself An Order Of Love & Lattes By Beth Reekles!

    We think everyone with an internet connection knows about Beth Reekles. You may know her from books like The Reunion and Love, Locked Down. And, of course, she’s the bestselling author of The Kissing Booth! Sound familiar yet?

    Love & Lattes is Beth Reekles’ new YA rom-com, also known as Sincerely Yours, Anna Sherwood in the UK! It follows Annalise Sherwood, a college student about to start a prestigious summer internship in London. But things go awry when she unknowingly kisses the son of the company CEO only nights before she starts interning.

    We’ve made Love & Lattes our latest obsession, and we don’t regret it! Here are three things we love about Love & Lattes by Beth Reekles.

    Cover: Love & Lattes by Beth Reekles
    Image Source: Penguin Random House

    Book Overview: Love & Lattes

    Content Warnings: deceased parent, mention of postpartum depression, divorce

    Summary: Annalise Sherwood has worked herself to the bone to get a place in a prestigious internship program, and nothing will stop her now. Work hard, play later, that’s her motto. She figures one night letting her guard down won’t hurt, though – especially when it ends with the best kiss of her life.

    But to Anna’s horror, she discovers that the mystery guy she kissed that night is none other than Lloyd, the company CEO’s son. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he’s everyone’s favorite guy and a total charmer, swanning around like he owns the place. And from the moment they meet again, he rubs Anna up the wrong way.

    As the summer and the internship wane, Lloyd seems to be finding any excuse to annoy Anna, and she’s not afraid to return it to him. But when a lot of late-night work brings them unexpectedly closer, she wonders if there’s more to him than she initially thought.

    The Romance

    We wouldn’t be writing a proper book review of Love & Lattes without highlighting Anna and Lloyd’s push-pull romance! An intern dating the boss’s son is already enough of a scandal on its own. But no matter how hard Anna tries, she keeps letting her guard down around Lloyd. And Lloyd somehow gets Anna to open up about secrets she’s never told anyone else. Everything would be easier for our main characters if they could be honest about their feelings, but there’d be no plot and no fighting for love!

    Lloyd’s Charm

    Anna is so much stronger than us because we wouldn’t have been able to reject Lloyd as many times as she did in Love & Lattes. She has to put her career first, of course. Her professional reputation would be ruined if people started to think that she was using Lloyd to move up the corporate ladder. But Lloyd’s personality makes us fold every single time! He’s considerate, funny, and charismatic. He asks the right questions and wears his heart on his sleeve. Lloyd communicates so well and knows his self-worth. (Pop off, king!)

    The Supporting Cast

    Finally, we love Love & Lattes for its supporting characters. The other interns in Anna’s cohort are the types of friends we need in our lives. They invite you everywhere even though you have a busy schedule. They look after everyone who’s been drinking, which happens almost every weekend. And when someone tries to blackmail you and blast your personal life for the office to see, they help you clean up the mess. Monty, Dylan, and Elaine are just the realest.

    With a delightful will-they-won’t-they romance and a lovely supporting cast, we fell head over heels for Beth Reekles’ Love & Lattes!

    Love & Lattes by Beth Reekles comes out on October 22nd, and you can preorder a copy of it today!

    What do you think about Love & Lattes? Are you excited about Beth Reekles’ latest novel? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

    Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BETH REEKLES:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE

    Julie Dam

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  • Mansi Shah Blows Us Away With New Novel, A Good Indian Girl

    Mansi Shah Blows Us Away With New Novel, A Good Indian Girl

    It feels like everyone’s vacationing in Europe this summer except us at THP! And by everyone, we mean the book characters we’ve been reading about. Mansi Shah’s new novel, A Good Indian Girl, transports us to Tuscany, Italy.

    A Good Indian Girl by Mansi Shah is a story about Jyoti Shah, an Indian American divorcée spending her summer in Italy after her husband of more than 15 years left her for being unable to conceive. There, Jyoti rekindles her passion for cooking and tries to figure out how best to live her life.

    It felt like A Good Indian Girl had been written with us in mind, and we’re taking it to heart! Here are three of our favorite things about Mansi Shah’s A Good Indian Girl.

    Cover: A Good Indian Girl by Mansi Shah
    Image Source: HarperCollins Publishers

    Book Overview: A Good Indian Girl

    Content Warnings: mention of pregnancy and miscarriages, infertility, racism, medical procedures, needles, depression

    Summary: Jyoti is the “perfect” Indian American daughter: She stayed out of trouble, looked after her younger sisters, and married a man her parents approved of. So when her husband, Ashok, pushes her to quit her dream job as head chef to focus on conceiving, she obliges, knowing this will please her parents—only for Ashok to leave her when she cannot carry to term. Now unemployed, childless, and divorced, a disgrace to her Gujarati family, Jyoti books a ticket to Tuscany for the summer to visit her best friend (and fellow social outcast), Karishma.

    Carbs, chianti, and la bella vita slowly restore Jyoti’s confidence, inspiring her to experiment with Indian-Italian fusion recipes. But when she unexpectedly goes viral for her impromptu cooking vlogs—and candid vent sessions—her gossiping aunties have a field day. And when a shocking reveal comes to light, Jyoti must choose between family acceptance, a fulfilling career, and even motherhood, all before the summer ends…

    The Italy Itinerary

    In the past two weeks, we’ve reviewed books about London and Paris, and now we’re in Italy for A Good Indian Girl. This book only adds to our ever-growing European bucket list, specifically the kind of food we’d love to try. Jyoti’s best friend Karishma is the ultimate tour guide, showing her the best pasta spots that Jyoti could appreciate to the fullest. Karishma also takes Jyoti to the Amalfi Coast, going on boat tours and swimming in caves. We can only read and dream of these experiences (for now)!

    So Many Recipes

    The scenes where Jyoti cooks and eats in A Good Indian Girl are some of our favorites! She cooks hangover cures, Gujarati comfort foods, and eventually Indian-Italian fusion dishes. And the way readers experience these dishes is just out of this world. We’re salivating imagining the rich and savory goodness of this novel. Plus, that’s not even the best part. Everything that Jyoti cooks has a recipe listed at the back of the book! So if you can try your hand at making samosas, saag paneer ravioli, or even Gujarati Shaak-inspired risotto.

    The Topic Of Living Childfree

    Another one of our favorite things about A Good Indian Girl is how it addresses being child-free. After years of trying to conceive and suffering several miscarriages, Jyoti now grapples with her decision to destroy the embryos she had with her ex-husband Ashok. She knows that she may not have any kids at all once that happens. But she starts to realize that she never really wanted children. She only went with what her parents and former husband wanted, never stopping to ask herself. Meeting other people in Italy who live fulfilling, childfree lives like Karishma, Ben, and Mae helps her start living for herself. And the possibilities are limitless.

    An inspirational and sincere message to children of immigrants, eldest daughters, and women choosing to be childfree. We recommend reading Mansi Shah’s A Good Indian Girl with all our hearts.

    A Good Indian Girl by Mansi Shah comes out September 3rd, and you can preorder a copy of it here!

    What’s your favorite thing about A Good Indian Girl so far? Are you adding it to your TBR? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

    Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MANSI SHAH:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | WEBSITE

    Julie Dam

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