Donna Huber's Blog

by Donna Huber

Chet the dog is less than enthusiastic about the Little Detective Agency’s next case. Chet and his human partner, PI Bernie Little, have been hired to find a missing person—only the missing person is a cat. Miss Kitty, an internet sensation, has disappeared, and Chet and Bernie have been hired to find her before her many followers realize something is wrong.
Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.
April 2026; Minotaur Books; 978-1250331779
audio, ebook, print (320 pages); cozy mystery
Cat on a Hot Tin Woof is book 16 in Spencer Quinn's Chet and Bernie mystery series. Don't worry if you haven't been following this series. This is the first one I read, and it can totally be read as a standalone book.  
It is an adorable read. The book is narrated by the dog Chet. In Chet's eyes, Bernie (his person) is absolutely perfect, and everything about him is Chet's favorite. 
I worried that it would get annoying having the dog narrate the story, as Quinn really captures a dog's personality in this story. Chet is also an unreliable narrator. He processes everything through his doggie mind and there are things about humans he just doesn't understand. Instead of being annoying, his doggie behaviors and thoughts are endearing and charming. 
Overall, it is a cute read. 
A missing cat case may seem to be insulting for a PI, but Bernie takes the job seriously. According to Chet, they can't really be choosy about their cases. Yet, Bernie never makes it seem like the case is beneath him, which I really liked about his personality. Now, if you are thinking, why would I read a cozy mystery about a missing cat? The mystery does get a bit larger with a murder.
If you are looking for a cute, lighthearted read, then you can't go wrong with this book.
Buy Cat on a Hot Tin Woof at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Or Follow Girl Who Reads with Bloglovin.Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.

by Susan Roberts 
A young mother filled with regret returns to Sullivan’s Island to rebuild her life and finds compassion in the most unexpected places in this heartfelt women’s fiction story of self-discovery and second chances
Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.
March 2026; Tyndale Fiction; 979-8400507816
audio, ebook, print (352 pages); southern fiction
This beautiful and emotional book is about a young woman who works hard to rebuild her life after addiction.  She wants to stay sober and regain custody of her young daughter, and there are roadblocks every step of the way that she has to overcome.
Junie grew up with her older brother, mainly taking care of her.  Their parents were researchers and were so caught up in their research that they often forgot that they had children.  The only shining light in her young life was her grandmother.  Junie began drinking at a young age, and that was soon followed by an addiction to pills.  She got married too young and had a daughter who was the love of her life.  Right after her young husband died in an accident, her beloved grandmother died.  The grief threw her into worse addiction, and she was sent to jail for driving with her young daughter in the car.  Her brother took custody of her 4-year-old daughter.  Now Junie is back at Sullivan’s Island in the house that her grandmother left her and knows that she has to fight the addiction if she ever hopes to get her daughter back.  With the constant help of her coach/probation officer, she starts going to AA meetings and finds a way to start making money using her artistic background.  But her brother doesn’t trust her at all and won’t even allow her to see her daughter. Her new friendship with a writer who lives next door helps her maintain her sobriety, as do her new friends in AA.  But will she ever convince her brother that she deserves to have her daughter back?
Junie is such a wonderful, well-written character.  She tries so hard to stay on the straight and narrow, even though it’s difficult to resist her urges to drink.  Plus, she can’t forgive herself for the mistakes that she made in the past, and doesn’t believe that anyone else will forgive her for her past mistakes. She is so complex and well-written that she seemed like someone that I knew, and I rooted for her, laughed with her, and cried with her throughout the whole book.  Her story represents the recovery story that we’d all like to see in friends and family who are in recovery.  This is an emotional look at recovery, self-acceptance, and forgiveness, and family – both family by blood and people who become family as they travel the same paths.  This book was a definite winner, and I want to read some of the author’s earlier books.
Buy South of Somewhere at Amazon

Susan Roberts grew up in Michigan but loves the laid-back life at her home in the Piedmont area of North Carolina where she is three hours from the beach to the east and the mountains in the west.  She reads almost anything but her favorite genres are Southern Fiction and Historical Fiction.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Or Follow Girl Who Reads with Bloglovin.Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.

by MK French

Pregnant and in her wedding dress, Elly is on the run from her new husband. He wasn't who she thought he was, and he will likely hurt her in the future. While wandering the forest, a beautiful house appears. Hex House is a refuge able to help those in need. Four years after Siobhan met Elly there, Siobhan is haunted by the horrors she saw there when she intended to make a documentary about the house. Her life is in shambles, and someone is now reaching out with news about Hex House that could change everything. Siobhan always thought she was destined to return, and now it's time.
Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.
April 2026; Titan Books; 978-1835413449
audio, ebook, print (368 pages); gothic fiction
We have two timelines going on, then and now. Then is Elly's flight and appearance at Hex House, learning what it means to be part of it and working with Haina. Now is Siobhan being reminded of her attempt at documenting the House and its residents, feeling awful about it. Both starts are full of foreboding and questions about the house and what went wrong. 
Siobhan is not exactly a nice person in her thread of the story, and it's not clear if it's because that's how she was before or if it's her unginged way of dealing with grief and guilt. She talks with Zara about the house in fits and starts, and we get a glimpse of the life that brought her to Haina's attention for the documentary. Later on, we get a better idea of the details and feel wary about the house and its purpose. Elly is a fragile woman, and pushes aside her misgivings to please Haina and become the kind of strong woman with a hex that can protect the house and provide for it. The ending wasn't quite what I expected, but it answers the questions about the women and the house itself. It's an eerie story, with a lingering sense of otherworldliness that haunts you long after finishing the book. 
Buy Hex House at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Or Follow Girl Who Reads with Bloglovin.Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.

by Donna Huber

I was looking through the Goodreads Editors' Top Genre Picks of the Past Five Years list and noticed that we had read quite a few of them. I hope you haven't hated these lists over the last couple of weeks that I put together in preparation for being on vacation. I thought it was fun to look back at books we've read, and for new readers, this might be the first time you've seen our reviews of these books. I'm back home tomorrow, and new reviews start back then as well.
Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
"The writing is beautiful and despite the depressing situations, the major feeling is one of hope for the future.  This book will definitely be in my top ten books of the year and is one of the few books that I'm sure I'll re-read in the future," wrote Susan in her review.
Buy Demon Copperhead at Amazon
Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson
If you haven't read this book yet, I highly recommend it. It is set after the end of WWII when everything is being rebuilt and societal changes are occuring worldwide. It is mostly about the half-black American/half-German children left behind in Germany. Read my review.
Buy Keeper of Lost Children at Amazon
The Will of the Many by James Islington
"The final section of the book is stressful, horrifying in places, and heartbreaking. Then comes a twist that had my jaw drop, which is the perfect way to get someone wanting the next book. This was a very layered and incredibly detailed, and I can't wait for the next one!" wrote MK in her review.
Buy The Will of the Many at Amazon
Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker
"My heart went out to Cora in the beginning. She thinks so much and fears her own thoughts and perception," wrote MK in her review.
Buy Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng at Amazon
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
"This is Constanta’s confession to Dracula, the “you” she keeps addressing, and that makes all of what she sees, hears, and thinks to feel even more claustrophobic and private. It also makes Dracula’s casual cruelties feel even worse because it feels directed at the reader as well. I really enjoyed the novel, and wish Constanta well in her future. She’s certainly earned it," wrote MK in her review.
Buy A Dowry of Blood at Amazon
Lone Women by Victor LaValle
"I loved how everything came together at the end of the book, and couldn't stop reading until the last page," wrote MK in her review.
Buy Lone Women at Amazon
Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky
"It is well-written and there is plenty to make you think which will make this a great book club discussion book. But if you just want an entertaining novel that lets you go along for the ride, this novel is that too," I wrote in my review.
Buy Service Model at Amazon
The Blueprint by Rae Giana Rashad
"There are parallels between Solenne's life in the near future and Henriette's life in the 1800s. Solenne finds strength in the story of Henriette," I wrote in my review. It is a different kind of story but it is definitely worth the read.
Buy The Blueprint at Amazon
Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell
This is another book I read thinking that my post-apocalyptic book club might be interested in. It has a lot of potential for discussion. Read my full review.
Buy Sky Full of Elephants at Amazon
House of Sticks by Ly Tran
"House of Sticks is a book that really spoke to me, and kept me thinking about the moments in it long after I put it down. As far as I'm concerned, that's the best part of a memoir," wrote MK in her review.
Buy House of Sticks at Amazon
Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection by John Green
This is a great book. I only knew a little about TB - mostly from reading historical fiction. If you are interested in public global health in any way this is an excellent book.
Buy Everything Is Tuberculosis at Amazon
The Song of the Cell by Siddhartha Mukherjee
"The opening sections of Mukherjee's The Song of the Cell were my favorite as it was about the history of medicine and the impact the discovery of the cell had on medicine," I wrote in my review.
Buy The Song of the Cell at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Or Follow Girl Who Reads with Bloglovin.Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.

by Donna Huber

I'm not surprised that we haven't reviewed many books on Goodreads' list of 100 Doorstopper Books to Level Up Your Spring Reading. As a book blogger I feel pressured to read books quickly so that I will have content to post so longer books aren't as appealing know that that will take me longer. Also, looking at the list I see that it has a large number of classics (great as you can often find them free or cheap so you can take as long as you want to read it without breaking the bank). I wonder if authors and publishers are shying away from longer books as well given the shortening attention spans of the public in general. 
Several years ago, I participated in the Big Book Summer Challenge hosted by Book by Book. I remember reading the new Mary Kay Andrews book that summer (they are usually 400+ pages). The challenge usually starts Memorial Day Weekend (end of May for non-US readers), if you want to participate.
Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
I read this in high school and loved it. Definitely a classic love story.
Buy Jane Eyre at Amazon
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
I loved The Grapes of Wrath, but I never read anything else by Steinbeck. Several years ago I decided to read East of Eden and found it equally great. I consider Steinbeck's books to be among the Great American Novels.
Buy East of Eden at Amazon
The Stand by Stephen King
Susan wrote a great piece on The Stand a few years ago as it is one of her favorite novels. 
Buy The Stand at Amazon
The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
"The story of the Holy Week pilgrimage is one that has the hallmarks of mythology we might learn in school, and I was sucked deeply into this tale. I had to see if Keema and Jun made it to the end, as I cared about their journey and how it would affect them," wrote MK in her review.
Buy The Spear Cuts Through Water at Amazon
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
"The writing is beautiful and despite the depressing situations, the major feeling is one of hope for the future.  This book will definitely be in my top ten books of the year and is one of the few books that I'm sure I'll re-read in the future," wrote Susan in her review.
Buy Demon Copperhead at Amazon
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
"Doerr's novel is told with soaring language and endlessly inventive turns of phrase," wrote Alison in her review.
"Read it.  Treasure it.  It will make you an instant fan of Anthony Doerr's extraordinary talent," wrote Kathleen Barker in her review.
Buy All the Light We Cannot See at Amazon
Perdido Street Station by China Miéville
I listened to the audiobook for my post-apocalyptic book club. It might not be the best book to listen to as the story felt all over the place and was difficult to follow.
Buy Perdido Street Station at Amazon
The Terror by Dan Simmons
"The novel begins in the middle of the action and continues to skip around on a non-linear timeline. I was instantly drawn in by the colorful figure of Lady Silence, an "Esquimaux" woman who has had her tongue chewed off," wrote Alison in her review.
Buy The Terror at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Or Follow Girl Who Reads with Bloglovin.Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.

by MK French

Blazing with reawakened magic, a young woman challenges the tides of fate in this highly anticipated installment of Julie Johnson’s romantasy series.
Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.
April 2026; Ace; 978-0593817889
audio, ebook, print (544 pages); romantasy
Rhya Fleetwood is a fledgling wind weaver, and the attraction she has with Penn, the Remnant of Fire, isn't enough when he has a kingdom to rebuild and a need for revenge. King Soren is the Remnant of Water and explains the magic binding them together. Torn between the two, Rhya must decide between fire and sea, and how to reach her full potential.
This is the sequel to The Wind Weaver . It picks up soon after, with Caeldara rebuilding in the aftermath. Rhya is working as a healer, unable to trust her wind ability after the disaster, and Penn all but blames their attraction and love for distracting him from protecting the kingdom and infusing its wards. An accident sends Rhya to Soren, who begins the training exercises he had promised. They grow closer, and Rhya not only works with her gift of air but also makes friends and learns to trust herself. Efnysien is still out there, and the looming threat comes too soon. After the joyous central section of the book, the finale is heartbreaking and no doubt setting up a third book, hopefully to complete the story and a triumphant finale. 
Buy The Sea Spinner at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Or Follow Girl Who Reads with Bloglovin.Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.

by Donna Huber

As the calendar shifts from April to May, we shift to "beach reads". Beach reads, while often considered romance or women's fiction, can really encompass any genre as they are meant to be engrossing reads that you enjoy while relaxing. And I do have a mystery on the list. Here are a few that I have on my radar for May and June, in case you are packing for an upcoming vacation and want to plan your reading material.
Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.
Chasing the Clouds Away by Debbie Macomber April 2026; Ballantine Books; 979-8217091676
audio, ebook, print (320 pages); women's fiction
This one comes out on Tuesday, and I'm not going to the beach, but I do plan on reading it while I'm on my trip.
Maisy Gallaher has always dreamt of becoming a nurse, a beacon of hope and healing for those in need. But when her father passed away, she selflessly set aside her aspirations to help her family. Despite knowing it was the right thing to do, she can’t help but wish for the path not taken.
Chase Furst, on the other hand, is primarily focused on his own life and his work as a hardened bank executive and heir to a financial empire. His childhood was marred by his mother’s struggle with addiction, leaving him jaded and emotionally distant.
Then he meets Maisy, a beautiful woman full of optimism and kindness who can see past his defenses. To his surprise and annoyance, Maisy offers to help Chase in a time of need, despite just meeting him. The two butt heads, especially when Maisy declines his offer of payment. Instead, she asks him to pay it forward to someone else—not with money or a quick fix, but through an act of true selflessness. Chase doesn’t know where to begin.
Despite his skepticism, Chase is determined to rise to this challenge. And doing good for others leads Chase back to Maisy, who begins to break down his walls, even as she resists risking her own gentle heart. But the more time they spend together, the more they realize how much they have to learn from each other . . . and how much love could make a difference in their future. (Goodreads)
Buy Chasing the Clouds Away at Amazon
Five-Star Summer by Sarah Morgan May 2026; MIRA; 978-1335013231
audio, ebook, print (368 pages); romance
Running a five-star Cornish hotel should have been Evie Hamilton’s dream job. But restoring it to its former glory is going to take a miracle. All Evie has is grit, and a hoard of unruly staff who love to speculate about her love life. She needs back-up, and fast.
Enter Abby Jones. Parachuted in by the hotel’s umbrella company for the summer, Abby thinks Evie could be the best friend she never had. But Abby has her own agenda for being in Cornwall. If her real motives are uncovered, their friendship is going to melt away faster than an ice cream in the summer sun.
Yet Abby’s arrival starts a chain reaction. With the help of a charming chef and a gruff pub owner, they begin to embrace their true selves and the bonds that unite them. But it’s not just the hotel’s five-star reputation that needs rebuilding – Evie and Abby will also have to brave tearing down their lives in order to reshape their futures… (Goodreads)
Buy Five-Star Summer at Amazon
The Summer Share by Jenn McKinlay May 2026; Berkley; 978-0593955468
audio, ebook, print (368 pages); romantic comedy
Free-spirited travel influencer Hannah Spencer has spent five years touring the country in her vintage van. An unexpected inheritance from her Pops brings Hannah to Cape Split, North Carolina, where she learns she’s the new owner of a worse-for-wear seaside beach house. Or, rather, fifty percent of one. Turns out Simon O’Malley inherited the other half from his Gramps.
As Simon and Hannah spend the summer tag-teaming repairs on the crumbling cottage, they discover the house was once home to a timeless love story. Soon, they begin to wonder if the house’s romantic past may be a good omen for their future together. But there’s one problem—Simon is set on selling the property at the end of the summer.
Hannah thought one summer at the Split would be enough, except it isn’t like any place she’s ever been, and Simon isn’t like any man she’s ever known—and she’s thinking about putting down some roots. She just needs Simon to see their budding relationship and this newfound community the same way or their first summer share might also be their last. (Goodreads)
Buy The Summer Share at Amazon
Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews June 2026; St. Martin's Press; 978-1250372888
audio, ebook, print (448 pages); women's fiction
Maeve and Therese Dunigan are sisters—but the two have been estranged for years. They could not be more Maeve, a rule-follower and Therese, a rebel. But when their mother's death brings the family back together, the two find that they have inherited a painting—one that could be worth millions and could save each of them from their respective wolves at the door. The only issue is, the painting might be a fake and the only way the can solve the problem is to find the original. This means a road trip—to Ireland, to their family roots, and to a mysterious crime that occurred years ago. With tensions simmering, the two hit the road and find themselves on twisty lanes, in colorful villages, at local pubs, and with handsome men whose gift of the gab is surpassed only by their charm. Can Maeve and Therese find the real painting, remove a family curse, solve a cold case, and actually survive without killing each other? Join Mary Kay Andrews on a road trip that will entertain you for miles. (Goodreads)
Buy Road Trip at Amazon
Beach Thriller by Jamie Day June 2026; St. Martin's Press;  978-1250358233
audio, ebook, print (368 pages); mystery
Holly Sinclair, a struggling author, is dead broke. After being evicted from her New York apartment, she returns to her family’s dilapidated beach house in coastal New England with one urgent goal: write a book that sells. Fast.
Reinventing herself won’t be easy, but the old seaside town offers a few unexpected allies. Gail, a driven local Realtor, introduces her to a charming handyman who can help her get back on her feet. Serena, the town psychic, offers encouragement and an unsettling warning about danger ahead. And Jade, a teen runaway, is hiding out in Holly’s attic and desperately needs a safe place to land.
Holly takes Jade in, and soon the girl finds work with the powerful Carmichael family. Their dynasty has faded, but their connection to Holly’s past is darker than she wants to remember. Their secrets could put both women at risk.
Not everyone is glad to see Holly return. Someone in town is watching her every move. The Watcher knows something Holly doesn’t. The past may be a foggy echo, but it’s close enough to come rushing in with the tide. (Goodreads)
Buy Beach Thriller at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Or Follow Girl Who Reads with Bloglovin.Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.

by Susan Roberts

"I'm only telling you in case the police contact you. Esme was arrested, but I'm handling everything, and she doesn't want to hear from you." Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.
January 2026; Black Rose Writing; 978-1685136994
ebook, print (333 pages); women's fiction
As a parent, it's difficult to imagine being totally estranged from your child and even more difficult to realize that the husband that you once loved is the person who has engineered the estrangement.  That's exactly what happens in this new book by Fran Hawthorne.  Alice loved being a mother to her daughter, Esme, and was hurt and confused when her daughter decided to live with her dad and his new wife when she was 15.  Now, Esme is 23, and Alice hasn't talked to her at all in over 6 years.  She really doesn't know what is going on in Esme's life until she gets a text from her ex-husband that Esme has been arrested.  
As Alice works to find out why her daughter has been arrested and what, if there is anything, she can do to help, she remembers back on her happier years with her daughter.  She searches obsessively up and down the California coast to try to get information, and her quest causes estrangement from the friends who have been there for her for years.  Her search even jeopardizes her job as an environmental activist, but she only cares about finding her daughter.  As she uncovers hints, she realizes that she didn't really know her daughter at all.  All she wants is to find her daughter and talk to her, and maybe start to heal the estrangement.  She's also very worried that if/when she finds her daughter, she may say the wrong thing to her that will increase the bad feelings her daughter has for her.  No matter what else is going on, she wants to find her daughter.
I really liked the way the book is written.  As Alice is searching for Esme, there are small nuggets of the past thrown in.  Is Alice to blame for prioritizing her job?  Is her ex to blame for creating the estrangement by constantly talking about Alice to his daughter in a negative way?  Or is there blame for all three of them?
There were times in the book that I didn't like Alice at all, but other times I identified with her feelings.  No matter how I felt about her and her obsessions, I was still hoping for her to reconcile with her daughter.  But as with life, there are no black and white endings, and despite the emotions, the ending is perfect given the conflict within the family. 
This is an emotional must-read book about a mother/daughter conflict that has split into pieces, and a mother who is trying to understand why, as she hopes for reconciliation. 
Buy Her Daughter at Amazon

Susan Roberts grew up in Michigan but loves the laid-back life at her home in the Piedmont area of North Carolina where she is three hours from the beach to the east and the mountains in the west.  She reads almost anything but her favorite genres are Southern Fiction and Historical Fiction.

 

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Or Follow Girl Who Reads with Bloglovin.Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.

by MK French

Mikey Hartford IV coasted through life, but now his father changes the terms of his trust and requires a positive contribution to the world before his thirtieth birthday. Mikey decides to work at the struggling Camp Lore, where his twelve-year-old aunt will be. His campers become obsessed with a local legend set at an abandoned cabin on the grounds, and it turns out an actual murder took place at Camp Lore. Someone is determined to keep it hidden, so surely Mikey can earn his inheritance if he solves it. He just has to stay alive long enough to do it. 
Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.
April 2026; oisoned Pen Press; 978-1464250064
audio, ebook, print (368 pages); mystery
Mikey's father doesn't like that he's a shiftless man partying and lavishly supporting the best friend he's pining over, who criticizes the extravagant lifestyle the 1% can afford. He has little purpose other than snarking at everything, including the fact that his grandfather married a young woman, and that at 29, he has a 12-year-old aunt. Annabelle has been isolated because of that fact, which she's painfully aware of, and is interested in true crime, thrillers, and horror. Mikey makes continual pop culture references from the 90's, and goes along with his father's plan. 
The murder at the camp is a missing person case, and the investigation progresses with some hilarious bits, some threats to Mikey's safety, and a few red herrings. He also gradually thaws enough to allow himself to truly feel his emotions and not smother them with jokes and more references. The kids he interacts with are afterthoughts at times, though I really enjoyed his relationship with Annabelle. She's precocious and sheltered due to her wealth and the significant age gap between her parents, with angst due to her mother's reaction to her isolation. I liked seeing her come out of her shell as well, and the two have a great sibling-style camaraderie despite the difference in age. The story was a fun one, with a showdown ending that matched the Camp vibe perfectly. 
Buy A Murder Most Camp at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Or Follow Girl Who Reads with Bloglovin.Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.

by Donna Huber

Have you ever felt like no one is reading the books you are reading? I feel like that a lot. I sifted through Goodreads' list of "Hot & Fresh: The New Hit Books, According to Fellow Readers" and I might be right as I've only read 3 books on that list. Susan has read 5 books, and MK has read 7 books. So if you are looking for "well-kept secrets" of great books to read, then you should be checking out our reviews.
Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.
The Mad Wife by Meagan Church
A  haunting exploration of identity, motherhood, and the suffocating grip of societal expectations that will leave you questioning the lives we build―and the lies we live. They called it hysteria. She called it survival.
" The Mad Wife looks at the lives of housewives in the 1950s.  If you don't realize how far women's roles have come since this time period, you will after you finish this book," wrote Susan in her review of this "well-written" book.
Buy The Mad Wife at Amazon
Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson
If you haven't read this book yet, I highly recommend it. It is set after the end of WWII when everything is being rebuilt and societal changes are occuring worldwide. It is mostly about the half-black American/half-German children left behind in Germany. Read my review.
Buy Keeper of Lost Children at Amazon
Women of a Promiscuous Nature by Donna Everhart 
"Donna Everhart is an automatic buy for me -- I've loved every book that she's written, and she keeps writing about unknown parts of Southern history and often about issues that are very uncomfortable to learn about. Her new book is so fantastic that I would give it 100 stars if I could," wrote Susan in her review.
Buy Women of a Promiscuous Nature at Amazon
The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton
"This beautifully written novel follows three women in different time periods whose lives have intersected over a book written in  Cuba in the early 1900s," wrote Susan in her review.
Buy The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes at Amazon
Astral Library by Kate Quinn
If you enjoyed The Charmed Library by Jennifer Moorman, then you will want to put this book on your reading list. The biggest difference is that in Astral Library , the main character goes into various books, instead of calling characters out of books.I think it would make a great television show. Read my review.
Buy Astral Library at Amazon
Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett
"I loved the worldbuilding here, with magic coming from another dimension and being housed in physical objects that magicians can manipulate for their spells," wrote MK in her review.
Buy  Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter  at Amazon
The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao
"With high stakes like this, I was drawn in and had to know what odd thing would happen next, or how the staffers that Raya and Q meet play a role in what goes on," wrote MK in her review.
Buy The Elsewhere Express at Amazon
Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher
"The finale is fitting, and had me cheering for her and the community. It is a very engaging and fun read," wrote MK in her review.
Buy Snake-Eater at Amazon
This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page
"This beautifully written book made me laugh and made me cry.  I totally understood Tilly, the main character, losing her love of reading after the death of her husband," wrote Susan in her review.
Buy This Book Made Me Think of You at Amazon
Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz
"The community in Dragon's Rest is full of fun characters, and we learn about them as they band together for the end of the book. It's a lovely story, and I very much enjoyed reading it," wrote MK in her review.
Buy Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore at Amazon
Coffin Moon by Keith Rosson
"The need for revenge is high for both of them, and the despair permeates the pages. We get flashback chapters to show Varley in the past and how he developed into the vampire he was at the start, as well as the search to track him down. It's not a pretty story, since it's death and vengeance and the choices people make under duress. These vampires kill, sometimes just for the fun of it, and we're along for the ride to see how it ends. There are still choices to be made at the end, and we are not always sure how it will go, just like life," wrote MK in her review.
Buy Coffin Moon at Amazon
Detour by Jeff Rake and Rob Hart
"I don't know when I have enjoyed a book more," I wrote in my review. It is pure entertainment.
MK, who also read it, wrote in her review, "The book is enthralling, more because of the interpersonal tensions." She can't wait for the next book either.
Buy Detour at Amazon
Never Ever After by Sue Lynn Tan
"The story kept me enthralled until the last page, and I loved the world they're in. I'd be more than happy to return if there's a sequel planned," wrote MK in her review.
Buy Never Ever After at Amazon
The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald by John U. Bacon
"The Gales of November is an emotional tribute to the lives lost and a propulsive, page-turning history of the loss of this great ship and its crew," wrote Susan in her review.
Buy The Gales of November at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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