1. A STUDY IN DROWNING BY AVA REID (5⭐️) SERIES:  A Study in Drowning (Book 1 of 2) WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Effy has grown up as a super fan of the famous fairy tale book Angharad. As she studies architecture in college, she applies for the position to update the seaside home of Angharad's author. When she gets there, though, sinister things begin to happen. QUICK REVIEW: This novel is an ode to the art of storytelling. It uses fairy tale symbolism to convey its message of female em

1) THE ROAD OF BONES BY DEMI WINTERS (Adult Fantasy) (539 pages) (4.5⭐️) Silla is being hunted by an assassin and seeks safety in Kopa. To get there, she must travel the treacherous Road of Bones. She hides away in a wagon only to learn it belongs the infamous Bloodaxe Crew. This book was a great start to my reading year. The world is immersive, the plot was equal parts romance and danger, and I enjoyed the multiple POVs. I do wish some side characters got more spotlight. I l

FOUR RUINED REALMS BY MAI CORLAND (5⭐️) SERIES: The Broken Blades (Book 2 of 3) WHAT IT’S ABOUT (Book 1 - Five Broken Blades): A mercenary, a thief, a poison maiden, a count’s son, a banished prince, and a spy master must all work together in order to kill the god- king ruling their country. QUICK REVIEW: This may be a middle book in a trilogy, but it doesn’t feel like a filler novel. Readers get to see and learn so much more of this world. The plot is just as thrilling as th

1. NOT QUITE DEAD YET BY HOLLY JACKSON (Adult Thriller) WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Jet survives a brutal attack but develops an aneurysm that will kill her in a week. She is determined to solve her own murder before she inevitably dies. WHY IT’S A FAVORITE: I became invested in Jet and her mission. I actually cried for her while reading this book, and I don’t cry easily reading books. Billy, Jet’s neighbor and childhood best friend who helps her solve her murder, is the definition of a