Brooke Nelson's Blog

Hey, it’s Brooke! Boy, do I have some news for you…

Today I published my favorite story I’ve ever written: an origin story for Snow White’s evil queen.

It follows the themes of sisterhood, love, fear, grief, perseverance, and good old fashioned *evil rulers.*

Here is the cover, and the tagline (which serves as more than just a tagline, as you’ll see). This is a story for the readers who want to root for the villain, and a story for the readers who want to perch on the fence, unsure of who to root for. Above all else, it is for the girls and women who grew up with Snow White and fell in love with her.

Fairest of Wolves is truly a love letter to the Brothers Grimm and their beautiful storytelling that still lives on today, and hopefully for many years to come. It is not an improvement upon their work, but a thank you for it.

And if you happen to be a Hunger Games fan, you may be pleased to hear I took a cue from Lucy Gray Baird and included a (fictional/original) song that recurs in the story.

I don’t wish to become a bestseller. (Okay, maybe just a little…)

But I truly wish to find the people who will feel a real and meaningful connection with my story and my characters.

If you would like to pick up a paperback or Kindle edition of Fairest of Wolves, click the link here.

Thank you for your love and support over the years. I am so happy I am finally sharing this bit of my work with you.

Until next time,

Brooke ♡

I think I should (no, I know I should) preface this post by noting that I am a slow reader. A sloooooooowwwwww reader. So when I tell you these are all the books I’ve read in 2024, I mean it.

I have read a grand total of 9. Woohoo! (I’ve DNF’ed some, but we’re going to ignore that and not add it to my count, since I don’t think it is really fair to rank a book I haven’t read in its entirety.)

I am a fantasy/thriller/women’s fiction/Greek myth girl, and by the time you finish this list, I suspect you will be able to tell.

Let’s get right into it!

9. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Rating: 2 out of 5.

I am so sorry to break it to the Fourth Wing girls, but sadly, I am not one of you. I just didn’t connect with this story. I didn’t connect at all with the MC.

It took me months (I kid you not, months) for me to finish it, and while the end was exciting, I don’t think I will be continuing the series. That being said, the dragons are adorable and precious. I always love to see an animal in a series, any kind of animal. So that part did it for me. The rest… not quite so much.

8. Galatea by Madeline Miller

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Does this count as a book? Sort of. Kind of. I guess.

It’s a short story. While I didn’t expect too much from this, as it’s incredibly brief, I did expect to enjoy the story or at least like Galatea a bit more, because I really enjoy Madeline Miller‘s writing typically.

That being said, Galatea was not bad, and I certainly wouldn’t give it a negative review. But instead, I would suggest reading Circe, as that is the story that made me truly appreciate this author.

7. The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Now, I am a big fan of the first Maid book. It was such a fun story. It got an easy 4 stars from me, for the plot and MC.

This story… eh. I think I could have done without this one. In fact, I think it speaks to my belief that some books are better left as standalones. Not everything needs a sequel, no matter how fun the first book is.

But if you’re looking for more Molly and are less concerned about the mystery aspect, this might still be a cute read for you!

6. Killing the Witches by Bill O’Reilly

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Now we’re getting into the 4-starrers… the real stars of the show. All of the books I rate 4 or 5 stars are ones I really, truly, immensely enjoyed, and that is what the rest of my ranking comprises of!

This book is one I will not be describing as I did the others: e.g. cute and fun.

Killing the Witches is neither cute nor fun. What it is is important, and also very heartbreaking. I find out a little new information every time I read a different piece of literature on witch hunts, and that is what this did for me. For that, I appreciate it.

5. Family Money by Chad Zunker

Rating: 4 out of 5.

In case I haven’t mentioned it before, I love love love love to read straightforward books with simplistic language, especially within the thriller genre. (Not a diss. I’m dead serious.)

This was a fun (there’s that word again), fast mystery/thriller type story that I finished easily within a few nights.

The MC is a bit too much of a simp for my taste, but overall the characters were likable, the plot was engaging, and I’d definitely recommend it for someone who likes the genre. (Also the author seems like a cool guy. He’s got good vibes, which is not the end-all be-all, of course, but it’s sure nice to see a good guy succeed.)

4. The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Ah, yes. We’ve reached them at last… my five star reads. The most precious and coveted stories I’ve read.

The Wolf Den holds a very special place in my heart that I believe it will likely never leave. It disturbed me on many occasions. I don’t read many books with overt sexual content (much less nonconsensual), and so that may be why it hit me harder.

Nonetheless, this was such an eye-opening look into the brutal lives of ancient Pompeiian women that is, for many of us, I think, difficult to even imagine. All I know is that this story will never, ever leave my mind.

3. Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

Rating: 5 out of 5.

It’s Percy Jackson for the grownup girls. Plain and simple. And I love it for that.

While I enjoy most every Greek myth retelling, this one was special in that it is written so differently from the rest. The gods are not beautiful and mystical, but corny and over-the-top. Perseus is not brave and strong, but whiny and awfully dumb.

This is not an idealized, sexy version of the story of Medusa, but a raw, ugly one, and that is what I adore so much about it. The fear, the fury, the nastiness. That is precisely what makes it beautiful.

2. She’s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica

Rating: 5 out of 5.

This is my first Mary Kubica book, and I think I really hit the jackpot getting this ARC.

I audibly gasped at least 5 times. I flipped back a few pages and reread to make sure my eyes weren’t fooling me a few times too.

I love an MC who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty, or who gets her hands dirty precisely because she fears what will happen if she doesn’t act. What an amazing MC. What a fantastic story. Wow.

But on a serious note: Do not read this if you plan on visiting a hospital any time soon. I can’t tell you why. Just trust me on this one.

1. First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

Rating: 5 out of 5.

You’re telling me this is the first adult thriller this woman has ever written?? What??

I cannot praise this book enough, and I do not praise super-hyped books easily. But this is truly phenomenal storytelling.

It is not your typical thriller. It’s the kind of thriller that Kaz Brekker would read and want to join in on. I love it. I love it so much. And that’s all I’ll say because I don’t want to risk spoiling even a second of this one for you!

There you have it…

My official ranking for my January through March reads of 2024, though I will undoubtedly finish a couple more in the next few days, probably right after I post this. And then what??

I’ll probably be back with another one of these posts at some point.

Let me know in the comments…

Have you read any of the books on my list? What is your #1 read of 2024 so far?

I’d love to hear from you!

And if you’re a fan of New Adult Thrillers, don’t forget to check out my own duology, The Half Theft, available in paperback and KU on Amazon.

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“I would like to think it is possible to be strong
without also being cruel.”

Oh, where do I even begin?

This was such a lovely story, from page 1 to the bitter end. Full of pain, struggle, triumph, and defeat, Katherine J. Chen truly draws on every human emotion with this book.

As someone who knows of Joan of Arc, but doesn’t necessarily know her well, this was an absolutely beautiful (and understandable) account of her story. I am very interested in history so this was an easy read for me, but I think the way that Joan is written makes it entirely possible to love it even if you aren’t a history buff, or even history buff-adjacent.

Joan is one of the most incredible women I have ever read of. Her strength, her intelligence, her resilience, her admittance when something eats away at her, her love for her family and animals, her complete apathy for any type of romance, and her steadfastness in her beliefs… Joan is on another level I fear most of us will never truly comprehend.

This is what I deem a “perfect book,” in a category with very few. It is one of those books that makes me feel changed in some miniscule but unforgettable way. It is a story for the ages, and a story that women desperately need in their lives.

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Sweet baby Jesus, was this a good one, y’all (spoken in a Southern accent to match the book’s vibe).

Thank you to NetGalley the book’s publisher for providing me with this ARC, even though I read it painfully late.

This was one magical story, and I do not say those words lightly. June Farrow is a book I shall not soon forget. From the perfectly crafted characters to the plot that drew me in in an instant and held my attention, this could not have been a more enjoyable read.

I do not often read women’s fiction, but I have been getting more into it lately, and this story is a perfect example of why it is so important. Some stories are not merely stories of humankind but stories that perfectly encapsule the female experience. That’s what this is: a celebration of motherhood, a deep-dive into a mind seemingly going mad, and a beautiful message to top it all off–we choose our own fates.

Brava, Adrienne Young. I will remember June Farrow forever.

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Thank you, NetGalley, for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well, honestly, that was underwhelming.

Rating: 2 out of 5.

While I don’t hate this book, I don’t have much good to say about it either. I am a big fan of thrillers and crime novels, which meant requesting this ARC was a no-brainer.

If you are someone who likes a cut-and-dry crime novel with very little mystery, then this may be the book for you. Unfortunately, it was a little disappointing for my taste.

Most of the story comprised of speculation by the main character about who may have committed the crime, but without any real evidence. Full chapters are filled with speculation based on imagined situations between the characters, rather than on what the MC, a cop, actually can deduce from the facts.

My second problem with this book is the fact that the male-written female MC is so obsessed with thinking about sex (e.g. “sex is always the motive,” “i don’t have real relationships, just random sex,” “this person’s sexuality must have something to do with the murders”). And this stuff is mentioned over and over and over.

Then, there is the (also female) best friend whose only personality traits are physically clinging to her husband and making crude sexual jokes. Are there women like this out there? Of course! But certainly not every one. And the fact that a man is portraying the only important women in the story in this fashion gives me an indescribable amount of ick.

Finally, and most upsetting for me, is the lackluster ending. We find out the killer way too early, and then there is no twist, just a painfully long chase and an explanation that I don’t really care about at all.

I really wanted to like this. I really want to like every book I read. I don’t read to hate, but this was not at all my cup of tea. I wish better luck upon my fellow readers.

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What does Riley Sager lace his books with? Because I am addicted .

This is easily my most entrancing, unputdownable read of 2023. I simply cannot get enough.

I am a thriller girl, through and through, and even more than that, I am a Riley Sager girl. When I saw he had a new book on the way, I put myself on the library hold list (poor person problems). And I was very first in line.

As it turns out, the library created a new listing for it and didn’t move my name to the new listing so here I am, reading this book a wee bit (over three months) late. That being said, the library confusion was well worth it. The Only One Left exceeded my expectations in so many ways.

First, there is the crafting of the female MC, often a struggle, even more often a struggle for male authors. This is one of the areas where I am most impressed with Sager’s handiwork. Not only does he write a believable woman, a realistic woman…

He writes a compelling one. I found myself rooting for Kit even when I didn’t agree with her, even when I thought she was a little stupid, even when she was frustrating me. I still rooted for her, because she felt so real and possessed that oft-missed quality in main character’s that makes me want them to win their battles. That is pure genius-level writing.

Next is the juicy part of the story–the plot, the action, and the mystery. Which in this particular book was absolutely mind-boggling . To say my jaw is on the floor would be an understatement. I began this book expecting to be surprised. After I guessed two of the smaller twists, I felt briefly disappointed. After I guessed a third, this one being a major twist, I entered a low level of despair, fearing this may be the end of the Riley Sager I’ve come to know and love, the one who writes plot twists that send me reeling.

Fortunately, the next twist, and the one after that, and the one after that, were absolute shocks to the system. Like totally unguessable. By the end, I had to shut the book, stare at the ceiling, and process everything I had just (mentally) witnessed. What a wild ride.

Needless to say, this is very easily my favorite Riley Sager book, and one of the absolute best thrillers I have ever read. I am so impressed by Sager’s story-writing and his seemingly endless imagination, with twists and turns galore. He keeps my thriller girl heart so happy.

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Hey, everyone! It’s so nice to see you back here again. I have some rather exciting news today…

I finally started a YouTube channel and uploaded my first video!

This is something I’ve wanted to do for years, but I never got around to it. I even invested in a few supplies, and still I found myself too nervous to actually record and upload anything.

On a whim, this past week, I ordered the remainder of the few very basic components I need to record a video, and I got started. I plopped down on the floor against my bed, and I talked for 20 minutes about the absolute treasure of a book that is The Picture of Dorian Gray. I went in depth on the meaning of the story, what it meant to me personally, and who I would recommend it to.

Since I chose to watch the 2009 film adaptation starring Ben Barnes, I also made a book vs movie comparison out of the video and shared my thoughts on the movie adaptation.

In my excitement, I made all my edits last night and uploaded the video just before midnight. I am so happy to share with you my very first book vs film review on my very own YouTube channel. I plan to post full-length bookish videos weekly (and possibly some short videos along the way as well).

My goal is not to grow into a huge channel right now, but instead to dip my toes into bookish content creation on YouTube, and to connect with more people like me who have a similar love for books and storytelling. There is so much potential for positive connection on a platform like YouTube, and I want to be a part of that.

I have linked my first video below, and if you take a moment to watch it, I hope you will also leave a comment and let me know your thoughts on the story. Thank you, as always, for keeping up with my blog! I hope you have a great day, and I’ll see you all later!

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(Tune in to my podcast reviews of Dorian Gray here. There are two of the, covering the first and second half of the story.)

Now this is a classic that instantly makes me understand why it is a classic. I am absolutely in love with this story, from start to finish. There is so much to unpack and so much relevance to modern life that I could truly read this book again right now, just to absorb a little more of its magic.

One of my favorite parts of The Picture of Dorian Gray is that it delves into some of people’s deepest fears in such a clever way. Life, death, beauty, aging, and morality are prevalent themes that are explored in a way that lends the reader inspiration to think about them in their own lives. It’s the kind of story that could very easily send a person spiraling into an existential crisis, but at the end, it left me feeling more positive about the future.

As a young woman, I also felt that the way the topic of societal beauty standards was woven into the story was perfect and really shone a light on how hugely important a topic it is and has been throughout history–even over a hundred years ago when this book was first published.

I love that nearly all of the main themes around which this book revolves are relevant in today’s world. Pieces of literature written a hundred, or even just a dozen, years ago, can often fall into the trap of feeling too quickly outdated. But this story certainly stood the test of time. I really feel I understand now why Dorian Gray is such an acclaimed and beloved story.

With every classic I read, I feel I gain a greater appreciation for writers throughout history, and I understand why some stories are meant to be carried on through time and shared again and again.

Don’t worry–I’ll still be sticking to my modern thrillers for the most part. (I can always count on them.) But I am definitely starting to branch out to different genres, and I am grateful I decided to do that. There is so much unexplored territory to delve into within the literary world, and I intend to cover as much ground as I can.

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Note: This post may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small profit at no additional cost to you.

Let me begin by saying this is one of the best books I’ve read in a loooooooong time. And as an avid complainer/whiner, I do not say that lightly.

I have been been fascinated by the character Clytemnestra since I read Elektra by Jennifer Saint. That book changed the entire trajectory of my love for Greek mythology. I went from a casual Percy Jackson reader to a die-hard mythological retellings reader. The one part of that story, though, that stood out most to me was Clytemnestra.

She wasn’t meant to be the main focal point of the story, but she ended up being mine nonetheless. She was unlike any other woman I’d ever read in modern or classic literature, both strong and feminine, willing to make terrible sacrifices but drawing her lines very clearly, a mother, a wife, a fighter. But that is just the barest description of her.

Reading an entire book that focuses on Clytemnestra’s life is something I so desperately needed after reading Elektra, and I cannot tell you how pleased I was to find this on my local library’s shelf.

Sometimes I fear I am becoming the person I am pretending to be.

– Costanza Casati, “Clytemnestra”

Casati’s writing style is beautiful. Every word is meaningful, and nearly every chapter holds a quote that made me pause and consider it, both in the context of the story and in the context of my own life. She has such a talent with relating Greek myth to modern lives in subtle but clever ways.

There is something I find so beautiful about stories that weave motherhood into them in such a unique and positive way. (I’m not a mother myself, so why do I love it so much? Not sure, but I do anyway.) So many depictions of strong, powerful women, especially modern ones, present a career-driven, ambitious woman that has little to no interest in or love for children. I don’t know if this is just an issue of popular tropes or what, but I love to read about a woman who is both wildly ambitious and devoted to her children and family. That is my brand of girl power.

Casati’s presentation of Clytemnestra was everything I had hoped for and more. From just the small bits and pieces of the character I’d read before, I knew she was someone I connected with and wanted to know more about, and this look into her mind was just flawlessly executed.

I am so pleased I decided to pick up this book and give it a go. There is truly not one thing I would have changed about Clytemnestra, and I just might have found my new favorite author. Costanza Casati, I salute you.

Read Clytemnestra for yourself here!

And, if you’re interested, you can read Elektra here to o !

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Here I am, with another Darcy Coates book, sitting down to write yet another review where I just… don’t quite know what to say.

Did I like the book? Yes. Was it objectively well written, following a spectacular storyline? Well, kind of.

I am a very subjective book rater, meaning that when I like (or dislike) a story, I figure it is for reasons all my own (how I interpret the book), and not because the book is definitively good or bad. I think that is a good way to describe why I am giving Gillespie House four out of five stars.

There wasn’t much mystery for me, as those parts were pretty quashed by the spoiler-filled synopsis on the back cover. I also just guessed key plot points a lot more quickly than they were revealed in the story. I don’t know if the reader was meant to do this, but I read it more as solely a horror story than a mystery, even though it was perhaps meant to be both.

On the other hand, I enjoy Coates’ simple but effective writing style. She isn’t overly poetic. She is straightforward, and for this genre, I think that style works to her advantage. While horror can be made scarier and more gruesome with fanciful language, it can be just as bone-chilling in plain language, when the characters and plot are effective enough (as they are here).

Another thing I particularly enjoy about Coates’ stories are that she always creates a haunting, vivid setting. That is a factor I often see overlooked in literature, but Gillespie House, along with her other stories, perfectly set up the creepy feeling I look for when starting a horror story.

Read The Haunting of Gillespie House for yourself here!

A final note: If you are not a fan of characters who talk out loud to themselves, this is not the book for you. It didn’t bother me, but it was quite noticeable and I know that can be a pet peeve for some.

LINK TO MY FULL PODCAST REVIEW HERE.

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