The Ferry Man’s Daughter
By Yasmin Angoe
The daughter of an infamous serial killer gets caught up in a copycat’s sick game (or is it a copycat) in this thriller about legacy. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the suspense really kept me roped in. I loved the personal relationships of the characters, especially Sanaa and her aunt, and uncle. As Sanna tried to keep her secrets buried, there are too many people threatening to out her. while her detective fiancé is working the case, she could very likely help solve she is spiraling trying to deal with it all.
Everybody and their Momma was a suspect, no one was safe, at one point I was convinced it was the sweet little old lady across the street. The suspense defiantly kept me guessing. Once I realized who the killer was, I was like damn Gina why!!! The conclusion did not disappoint me at all, I really enjoyed this thriller.
Rebel
By Beverly Jenkins
3.75⭐ I love a good historical romance, especially when the author expertly weaves real history into the plot. Set right after the Civil War, this book doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of the post slavery era. It shows that “freedom” wasn’t truly freedom, but often just another form of oppression, capturing the constant danger Black people faced. Against this heavy backdrop, Valinda Lacey and Captain Drake LeVeq share an incredibly steamy, high stakes love story. Their chemistry is instant and electric even though Valinda is unfortunately betrothed to someone else! Watching their romance unfold was absolute fire. I loved that Valinda was fierce and independent enough to hold her own, but still allowed Drake to step in when she needed backup. I cannot wait to dive into book two! |
When You Are Mine
Kennedy Ryan
3⭐ This book was a slow burn that left me feeling pretty indifferent. A huge dealbreaker for me is the cheating trope, which made it hard to enjoy. On top of that, the characters were tough to like. Kerri’s characterization felt frustratingly infantilized, framed as a tiny, exotic, high-principled woman while actively cheating. Meanwhile, Cam’s neediness came off as selfish and emotionally abusive, and Jackson was purely selfish. I’ve already purchased the rest of the books, so I’m committed to reading them all now lol. Had I only bought the first one, though, this would definitely be the end of the road for me.
Zeal
By Morgan Jenkins
5⭐ An absolutely amazing read from beginning to end! I love a multigenerational story that follows a family’s lineage from slavery to the present day, and Morgan’s beautiful writing style pulled me in immediately. The story opens with Tirzah and Harris, two lovers torn apart by the Civil War. When Harris returns home to find Tirzah gone, it sets off a heartbreaking journey as they try to reunite while navigating devastating circumstances. The historical markers woven throughout the narrative, including slavery, the Reconstruction era, the Great Migration, the blues era, COVID-19, and the tragedies of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor—keep you completely engrossed. The emotions this book evokes, especially surrounding the pandemic, are incredibly powerful. This is a beautiful story that I cannot recommend enough!
Tender Is Flesh
By Agustina Bazterrica
I was left totally speechless, and not in a good way. Imagine a world where all animal meat is toxic, cannibalism is legalized, and humans are literally livestock. This book is incredibly detailed, gory, and a bit too gruesome for my personal taste. Going into it, I thought we would get a deeper look at the husband/wife dynamic and their failing marriage, so I was disappointed that aspect wasn’t the main focus. The male main character faces some brutal moral dilemmas, and watching him struggle with his conscience while committing deeply unethical acts was wildly disturbing. It wasn’t for me, but I’m sure there’s an audience out there for this.
