Litsy

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Danika has a lot on her plate between doing tarot readings & working for her mother‘s detective agency. She finally gets to use her skills when a classmate disappears, & she gets to lead her 1st case.

Such fun! A strong narrative voice for Danika, pacing was mostly good (if a bit slow in the middle), & I loved all the characters. The final reveal didn‘t feel as set up as I wanted, but would definitely read a whole series of Danika! 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

BookmarkTavern Release Date: May 13th, 2025 #ARC #NetGalley #LGBTQIA2025 @Kenyazero BIPOC author 15h

ShananigansReads I'm glad I found out about this close to the publishing date. 8h

45 likes1 stack add2 comments

OutsmartYourShelf

The Thrashers: A Novel | Julie Soto

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Jodi Dillon has been friends with Zack Thrasher since second grade, meaning she was pulled into his friend group in high school almost by accident. Julian, Lucy, Paige, & of course Zack Thrasher, they're rich, sophisticated, & gorgeous - everything Jodi isn't. The group occasionally let an outsider in for a short while for kicks but it isn't long before they are iced out, rejected, 'thrashed'. (continued)

OutsmartYourShelf No wonder she feels out of place, as if she's a tag-along to the hottest friend clique in town, & always wonders if she is about to be the next one 'thrashed'?

When Emily Mills (a girl who wanted to be part of the group) dies, the group are interviewed by the police. Rumours abound that Emily was bullied by the others into committing suicide, rumours confirmed by Emily's journal. 20h

OutsmartYourShelf As everyone turns on the group, & the others start to distance themselves from Jodi, she sees her friends through new eyes. Did Emily make it all up because she was rejected by the group or do the other 'Thrashers' have secrets even from Jodi?

Wow, I loved this one! You know when you start reading a book & you get that feeling that you just know it's going to be a 5 star read? From the first page this was a cracker. 20h

OutsmartYourShelf None of the group are angels (even Jodi has her secrets) & sometimes aren't even that nice to each other, but they also have their good qualities. It makes for a tense read which grabs your attention & doesn't let go for a minute. If you like twisty YA thrillers with morally grey characters, then check this one out. 5🌟

My thanks to #NetGalley & publishers, HarperCollins UK, Children's/Harper Fire, for the opportunity to read an ARC. (edited) 20h

See All 6 Comments

OutsmartYourShelf Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7463734598
Read 5th-8th May 2025

#ReadAway2025 @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES 20h

Andrew65 Great review 🎉🎉🎉 19h

DieAReader 💖💖💖 4h

25 likes6 comments

julesG

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping: A Cosy, Heartfelt Witchy Romance from the Author of the Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches | Sangu Mandanna

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Pub Day: 17th July 2025

It's been some time since I read a book that pulled me into the story so much that I forgot I was reading about fictional characters. Yes, sure, it's unlikely I'll meet a speaking fox in my life and there might not be real magic out there, but all the characters felt very real. Believable backstories, believable problems and struggles.

I want to visit Batty Hole Inn and hug all of them.

#NetGalley #ARC #MountARC

BookmarkTavern I‘m so looking forward to this one! 15h

52 likes1 stack add1 comment

OutsmartYourShelf

Fallout in Georgia | S. E. Glen

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Ellena Reed's life is now in tatters: her ex-husband is in prison, her home is in foreclosure, & she is awaiting confirmation that her career as an EMT is also done. At her wits end, she reluctantly agrees to accompany stepsister, Button (aka Elizabeth), on a camping trip. The night they arrive nuclear warheads hit multiple targets in the US.

Their fellow survivors are a mum & son, & a man who claims to be ex-SEAL. (continued)

OutsmartYourShelf His answers to Ellena's questions are a little too pat & she's sure he's hiding something. The few survivors at the site hunker down together for the 3 days in which the fallout will be the worst, but with no word from the outside & the animals around the swamp starting to act out, it will soon be time to move on but where?

I don't know why but I tend to like postapocalyptic reads, people learning to cope with adversity etc. 2d

OutsmartYourShelf I thought the cover for this book was really good & it actually made me think it was going to be a lot darker storyline than it actually turned out to be. My heart did sink a little when I realised there was a canine character, Winter the dog, as I knew I'd spend the rest of the book on tenterhooks hoping nothing happens to him. (He is still alive at the end of the book so don't worry.)
2d

OutsmartYourShelf It's a gripping read but some of the characters are not really developed enough (Button & the mother & son included) & Button became really irritating at points. I enjoyed it enough to finish it though. It could be improved upon in parts but it was fine. 3.75🌟

My thanks to #NetGalley & publishers, Cork Place Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC. 2d

See All 7 Comments

OutsmartYourShelf Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7539505011
Read 3rd-5th May 2025

#ReadAway2025 @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES 2d

Andrew65 Excellent 🎉🎉🎉 1d

CatLass007 Sounds interesting. I would feel exactly the same way about Winter. I don‘t care how many people die in a book or movie, but harm a cat, dog or horse, and I turn into a wreck! 1d

DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 1d

31 likes7 comments

kezzlou85

Booked for Summer (The Kathryn Freeman Romcom Collection, Book 10) | Kathryn Freeman

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Ooh what a fabulous steamy romance. Perfect summer/beach read. It is quite steamy though but i enjoyed it. The plot was fun and interesting. I loved the character developments between Jade and Liam. The ending was sheer perfection for the story. I am a sucker for a story like this so it did not disappoint. I must say however that as much as i loved Jade, she's fun feisty and sassy. I did love Jeremy more. He was so brilliant #Netgalley 4*

42 likes

vlwelser

Friends and Liars | Kit Frick

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These idiots sort of all deserve each other. Unfortunately there are murdery things happening as well. Setting is Lake Como in Italy.

#BookSpin @TheAromaofBooks

Pub date is 12/2/25
#ARC #Netgalley

TheAromaofBooks I really like this cover!! 2d

29 likes1 comment