A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall

A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Theo is newly engaged to Connor Dalton, a charming man from an extremely wealthy, powerful family. As they head to the secluded Dalton winter retreat—a sprawling estate with a grand main house, several luxurious cabins, and a full staff—Theo finds herself deeply out of her element. This isn't your average rustic getaway. It’s rich-people “roughing it,” and for someone like Theo, who grew up scraping by and working for everything she has, it’s both overwhelming and intimidating.

She's never been to the estate before—at least, she doesn’t think she has. But the moment she arrives, strange memories begin surfacing. Things feel familiar in unsettling ways. To make things worse, Theo’s been receiving anonymous warnings to stay away, threats that she can't ignore, especially as odd encounters and gut-level fear begin to mount.

Connor’s family is tight-knit and secretive, and outsiders are never invited to this exclusive annual retreat. But Theo, as his fiancée, has earned a place—whether they like it or not. Still, she’s painfully aware that she’s being judged. Adopted by a cult-like, hyper-religious family after a traumatic early childhood, Theo was raised to believe she was inherently flawed, never good enough. She's fought hard to build a normal life: college, a steady bookstore job, one solid friendship. Now she has the chance to step into a whole new world—if she can just play the part and win over the Daltons.

But nothing about this weekend feels right. Theo starts seeing things, finding things, remembering things. Is she losing her grip, or uncovering long-buried secrets? Can she trust Connor? Can she trust anyone?

A Killing Cold is a sharp, fast-paced thriller with short, addictive chapters and unforgettable characters—some you'll root for, some you'll love to hate. Twisty, chilling, and impossible to put down. Bonus: the dog lives.

View all my reviews

We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough

We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you're craving a slow-burn gothic thriller drenched in atmosphere and psychological tension, We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough is a must for your summer reading list. With her signature eerie style, Pinborough delivers a dark, supernatural tale that lingers long after the final page, sinking deep beneath your skin.

The story unfolds inside a haunting house on the edge of Dartmoor, a setting steeped in secrets and creeping dread. Told through multiple points of view, each chapter peels back another layer of mystery, gradually building suspense. The pacing is intentionally slow, allowing the dread to grow in subtle, insidious ways. It’s not a book that rushes—it simmers, sharpens, and then strikes.

One of the most memorable perspectives comes from Freddie. Not because he's likable—in fact, he’s infuriating—but because his voice is so sharply drawn. You don’t root for him; you root against him. His chapters are brilliantly written, revealing just enough to twist the emotional tension tighter.

Emily and Freddie move to Dartmoor for a fresh start after Emily’s brush with death. But their new home feels anything but safe. The fire won’t stay lit. Shadows seem alive. And Freddie dismisses her fears. Emily starts questioning her sanity as strange occurrences multiply. Is the house haunted—or is something darker unfolding between them?

What elevates this novel is its lyrical, almost hypnotic prose and its deliciously gothic tone. Think Edgar Allan Poe meets modern domestic thriller—melancholy, madness, and secrets buried just beneath the floorboards. Supernatural elements drift in and out like mist, never quite solid, always unnerving.

This is more than just a haunted house story—it’s a portrait of a crumbling marriage, a psychological puzzle, and a chilling study in what happens when you can’t trust your mind, your partner, or your own home. Slow, unsettling, and brilliantly executed.

View all my reviews

Happy Wife by Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores

I love when a female main character transforms into a strong, unexpected baddie—and Nora delivers! I didn’t expect to enjoy the dynamic between Nora and Will as much as I did, especially with a 20-year age gap (she’s 28, he’s 46), but it works. Will, a high-powered attorney, lives in a world of wealth and luxury, while Nora is a museum receptionist working part-time at a swim club. That’s where she meets Will’s teenage daughter, Mia, and eventually, Will himself. Sparks fly, and in no time, he proposes. Adjusting to life in his elite Winter Park, Florida circle isn’t easy. Nora doesn't fit into the country club crowd, and Will’s ex-wife, Constance, is downright vicious—her jealousy toward Nora is off the charts. Then, after a lavish birthday party, Will vanishes. He’d stepped out to get Mia’s jacket from her boat and never came back. Nora assumes he’s holed up at the Ritz working, but when he stops answering calls, concern sets in. Fritz, Will’s pompous law partner, shows up furious and calls the police. Nora is thrown into a nightmare that only worsens when Will’s body is found floating in the lake. Suddenly, Nora’s the prime suspect. The rich social circle turns cold, led by Fritz and his snide wife Gianna. Nora knows she didn’t kill him—but proving it is another matter. With support from her loyal best friend Este and Este’s husband Beau, Nora starts digging. What she finds are secrets, betrayals, and even a hint of romance with charming chef Marcus. But is she ready for that? This mystery had everything: glitz, betrayal, shady characters, and a strong heroine. I loved the over-the-top drama, the social politics, and watching Nora rise. It's a perfect poolside or beach read—sharp, twisty, and satisfying. I’ll definitely be watching for more from this author duo!

All the Books

All This Could Be Yours by Hank Phillippi Ryan

All This Could Be Yours is one of those thrillers you pick up thinking you’ll read a chapter or two—and suddenly it’s midnight and you’ve accidentally finished it. It follows Tessa Calloway, a debut author riding the wave of her first big book tour, which should be a dream come true. Instead, things get weird. Fast. She’s being followed, watched, harassed—and the stalker is only getting bolder. But Tessa isn’t exactly innocent. She’s hiding something—maybe even from herself. As the threats escalate, you start to wonder: is her family really safe back home? Is she? And who the hell is behind all this? The pacing is electric—short, sharp chapters that feel like eating chips out of a bag you can’t stop reaching into. The plot walks this fascinating line between the glittery illusion of fame and the messiness of regular life. Sure, Tessa’s in the spotlight, but she’s still dealing with nosy neighbors, awkward family stuff, and worrying if her house will still feel like hers when she gets back from her tour. What makes this book hit differently is how it plays with the overlap between real life and online life. Fame isn’t just about flashing cameras anymore—it’s about followers, perceptions, and the way your identity can splinter across platforms. Tessa’s story kind of lives in both realities, and the book messes with your expectations in the best way. It’s like a psychological thriller wrapped in a social media fever dream. The lines between character and author, fiction and truth, fan and stalker—blur in a way that makes you feel like you might be part of the story too. Last time I read a Hank Phillippi Ryan novel, I swore I’d only read her during daylight hours. This one? Let’s just say I’m double-checking the locks tonight.

Psychological Thrillers with Crazy Plot Twists!

JUST READ!

My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney

My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: Alice Feeney’s Upcoming Thriller

You may want to tear through an Alice Feeney thriller in one sitting—but don’t. Her twists are so meticulously woven into the fabric of the narrative that rushing would mean missing the brilliance. Her upcoming novel, set for release on January 20, 2026, is another atmospheric, slow-burn psychological puzzle that will leave you breathless.

Set at Spyglass, a hauntingly beautiful coastal home, the story opens with Eden Fox, an artist on the cusp of her big break. But her life is shattered when she returns from a run to find her key no longer works—and a woman who looks exactly like her has taken her place. Even her husband insists she’s the impostor. From that moment, nothing is stable, and the unease Feeney is known for begins to take root.

Parallel to Eden’s unraveling is Birdy, a woman who inherits Spyglass six months earlier after receiving a devastating medical diagnosis. When she discovers a letter in her late grandmother’s things—one that eerily predicted the exact date of her death—Birdy is pulled into a mystery that stretches beyond logic. With the clinic’s name, Thanatos (the Greek god of death), haunting the narrative, Feeney flirts with the supernatural while keeping things grounded in sharp psychological tension.

Birdy’s humor, grit, and unpredictable choices make her one of Feeney’s most memorable characters yet. The two timelines twist together with jaw-dropping precision, leading to a final act that’s as emotionally resonant as it is shocking. You’ll find yourself questioning every character, every scene, and even your own assumptions.

Feeney is a master at layering deception, trauma, and heartbreak beneath suspense. As always, it’s wise to check content warnings—her stories rarely shy away from emotional weight. But if you’re craving a thriller that dares you to guess and rewards you when you don’t, this one belongs at the top of your 2026 reading list.












View all my reviews

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I first discovered Carley Fortune through This Summer Will Be Different, and then fell hard for Sam and Percy’s emotional journey in Every Summer After. But it was One Golden Summer that truly captured me. After getting a glimpse of Charlie in her earlier novel, I was eager to see his story unfold—and I’m so glad I did. Charlie and Alice’s connection is electric from the start, filled with tenderness, slow-burning tension, and the kind of chemistry that makes your heart ache.

I actually found myself preferring Charlie and Alice to Sam and Percy. Their story felt more grounded, more intimate. I loved how even their families seemed to know they were meant to be before they realized it themselves. From the playful banter to the quiet moments of vulnerability, every scene between them shimmered with feeling. And Charlie—he absolutely won me over. His warmth, the way he cared for Nan, and the deep, unspoken affection he had for Alice made him impossible not to root for.

The setting in Barry’s Bay is so vivid, it felt like I was right there on the dock, camera in hand, watching the lake sparkle in the summer sun. Fortune has a way of writing that pulls you in completely, like you're living the summer with her characters. Alice, in particular, felt incredibly real to me—a woman who’s always hidden behind the lens, learning to live in front of it for the first time.

This story is more than a summer romance—it’s about grief, hope, and rediscovery. It had me laughing, tearing up, and swooning, often in the same chapter. And when the final twist revealed why Charlie had been holding back, it hit hard, but in the best way. I closed this book feeling full of longing, joy, and admiration for a love that felt truly earned. One Golden Summer is exactly what its title promises: golden.

View all my reviews