Review | Widow’s Point by Richard Chizmar and W.H. Chizmar

Book cover for "Widow's Point" by Richard Chizmar and W.H. Chizmar, featuring a lighthouse in a dark, stormy landscape.

Longtime residents of the coastal town of Harper’s Cove believe that something is wrong with the Widow’s Point Lighthouse. Some say it’s cursed. Others claim it’s haunted. During its construction in 1838, three workers were killed, including one who mysteriously plunged to his death from the catwalk. That tragic accident was never explained, and it was just the beginning of the terror. In the decades that followed, nearly two dozen additional deaths occurred in or around the lighthouse, including cold-blooded murder, suicide, unexplained accidents and disappearances, the slaughter of an entire family, and the inexplicable death of a Hollywood starlet who was filming a movie on the grounds.

The lighthouse was finally shuttered tight in 1988 and a security fence was erected around the property. No one has been inside since. Until now.

Told across two harrowing incidents from 2017 and 2025, those who enter the Widow’s Point Lighthouse searching for supernatural proof and the next big thing find themselves cut off from the outside world. And although no one has recently stepped foot inside the structure, they are not alone.

In this remarkable collaboration, father-and-son writing team Richard and W.H. Chizmar combine forces to tell a terrifying ghost story that will make you think twice about what’s waiting for you in the dark.

Amazon | Goodreads

Turquoise hand-drawn "Review" lettering with a smiling cat illustration on the left and books on the right

Rating: 4 out of 5.

When I heard this was a combo of a haunted house (lighthouse) story and mixed media I was immediately adding it to my TBR. Immediately upon starting it I started feeling like it was a combination of Rose Red and Episode Thirteen (both things I enjoyed) so it was a good time. In it we get two timelines of events that happened in the lighthouse, with both of them also revealing the past of the lighthouse and the land it sits on. The atmosphere is on point and there’s instantly the feeling of watching a paranormal show unfold (and one character in the 2nd timeline was unfortunately just like a certain paranormal investigator). There’s a good balance of likeable and unlikeable characters and the story definitely moves at a fast pace. There were some elements where I wish things had gone a little farther, especially regarding the actual source of the haunting. It’s not a bad thing for a book to leave you wanting more from it, that’s a good indication that you enjoyed it – but I still wished it went just a little farther.

Happy reading!

*Disclaimer: Amazon links included may be affiliate links that I receive a commission on if purchased through.

Review | Almost Enough by Alexandra Ayres

Illustration for 'Almost Enough,' a Lily Ridge novel by Alexandra Ayres, featuring a couple in an autumn setting. The man carries the woman playfully, both smiling against a backdrop of orange trees.

Beau

I’ve spent years making myself easy to overlook. Work at the shop, go home, keep my head down. Then my best friend’s wedding sends me cross-country with the maid of honor—one truck, one cottage, and nonstop chatter I can’t tune out.

Whitley Collins talks to strangers like old friends and asks the questions I’ve spent years avoiding. I tell myself I just have to get her there on time. I don’t just get her there. I fall for her.

But letting her in means she’ll find out why I never left Lily Ridge, and I know what happens once people find out. They leave.

Whitley

I’ve been told I’m too loud and chatty my entire life. So when I’m stuck on a road trip with Beau Sinclair, a man who communicates mostly in grunts and disapproving eyebrow movements, I figure he’ll beg me to take a vow of silence.

Instead, he listens. All the way through my excellent game of naming every cow we pass. We make it to the wedding. We dance. I even get the broody guy to smile like he means it. Then he’s gone. No explanation. And I’m left wondering… Was I too much after all?

Amazon | Shop the Series | Goodreads

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Rating: 4 out of 5.

I’m always on board for a grumpy x sunshine, so of course wanted to pick this up when I heard about it. I loved the contrast of their two personalities and how they came together and shaped their relationship. They had great chemistry, but that’s wasn’t the entirety of the story. Beyond that they were complex individuals who had to do the hard work to make their relationship work. It was still a very fun read, but there was also emotional depth woven in that I really enjoyed. For me Whitley definitely stole the show (even though I’m not anywhere near a bubbly person like she is) she was just enjoyable to read. I know I will definitely be picking up the other books in the series and checking out more of Ayres’ writing.

Thanks to House of Hearts Lit for the ARC copy.

Happy reading!

*Disclaimer: Amazon links included may be affiliate links that I receive a commission on if purchased through.

Review | The Ship of Death by Kyle Winkler

Book cover for 'The Ship of Death' by Kyle Winkler, featuring a ghostly figure in a flowing robe and mask, standing above a swirling vortex on a textured black background, with red lettering for the title and author.

The dice roll. Darkness answers.

House of Leaves meets Jumanji in this brilliantly original and twisted novel composed entirely of found documents, following an unwitting couple ensnared by a sinister tabletop role-playing game

Cole and Lorraine playtest board games for some extra cash as they save up to buy a home. But after a series of bizarre coincidences, and signing a strange NDA, the couple finds on their porch a mysterious indie developer’s tabletop role-playing game called The Ship of Death. The game relies heavily on the players’ imaginations, and takes up an ever-growing amount of space: in their kitchen, and in their minds. As its true sinister nature becomes clearer, and its forces capture more in its web, the boundary between the game and reality begins to dissolve. . . and the pair are instructed to possess a stranger’s soul.

Told entirely through game reports, emails, game forum posts, personal journals, and police reports, reading The Ship of Death feels like a dangerous dice roll. It’s a sleep-stealing, possession-inducing work of intense, intelligent found cosmic horror that announces Kyle Winkler as a spectacular voice in the genre.

Amazon | Goodreads

Text graphic featuring the word 'Review' in a playful font, accompanied by an illustration of a cat and stacks of books.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Mixed media is always a buzzword for me and when I heard that this book was not only mixed media but also cosmic horror meets Jumanji, I was on board.

It was a pretty quick read, but I found myself wanting more little inserts of media from the game to break things up and maybe give even more foundation to how weird it was. Overall I liked the characters and their individual identities, but sometimes their decisions didn’t really align with those personalities. There was also some overly descriptive sections (particularly towards the psychic section) that seemed unneeded, almost like the author felt they had to insert some kind of sexual thoughts – but they didn’t really contribute to or make sense in the story so I wasn’t sure why Winkler felt the need to add that.

I did enjoy the story overall and would in general recommend it, it definitely hit that creepy cosmic horror vibe, but with a few small tweaks I would have probably enjoyed it far more.

Happy reading!

*Disclaimer: Amazon links included may be affiliate links that I receive a commission on if purchased through.

Review | Potions and Pawprints by Fleur DeVillainy

From author Fleur DeVillainy, author of Spellbound Scones and Sky of Thorns comes a new fall romance full of laughter, magic, and pumpkin spice lattes.

Illustration of a romantic couple in front of a decorated house with pumpkins, featuring the title 'Potions and Paw Prints' and the author's name Fleur Devilainy.

For Evie Hawthorne, Halloween is the busiest season of the year. Guests are piling into her family’s haunted bed-and-breakfast, her aunts are up to their usual matchmaking tricks, and the resident ghosts are feeling extra mischievous. The last thing she needs is romance.

But when a rugged jaguar shifter checks in and accidentally gets mistaken for her boyfriend, Evie seizes the chance to silence the gossip. All they have to do is fake a relationship until Halloween passes—but nothing in Moon Hollow ever goes according to plan.

Between midnight ghost hunts, enchanted pumpkin patches, and one too many “pretend” kisses, Evie and Liam find themselves caught in a whirlwind of autumn magic. And as Halloween draws near, they’ll have to decide if their love story is only for show… or the beginning of something truly magical.

Potions and Paw Prints is a standalone novella in The Witches of Pumpkin Hollow, an autumn-inspired series of interconnected paranormal romances. Each book centers on a different witch living in the same magical small town, with every story written by a different author, bringing together a coven of voices to tell tales of love, magic, and pumpkin-spiced mischief.

Amazon | Shop the Series | Goodreads

A cozy supernatural town with the annual pumpkin festival, a jaguar shifter detective, a witch running a B&B and a mystery where family heirlooms are getting stolen. Fleur DeVillainy really has a talent for these quick and cozy paranormal romances and I’m eating them up. I really enjoyed Liam and Evie as characters and though this is a novella, their personalities were very defined and clear. I did find myself wanting a bit more from some side characters such as her aunts but absolutely loved the ghosts and their interactions with Evie and Liam. This was perfect for the fall/Halloween season and I will definitely be checking out the other novellas in the series.

Happy reading!

*Disclaimer: Amazon links included may be affiliate links that I receive a commission on if purchased through.

Review | Nobody’s Baby by Olivia Waite

Book cover of 'Nobody's Baby' by Olivia Waite, featuring a colorful illustration of a nursery scene in a retro-futuristic setting. Two adults examine a baby wrapped in a red blanket while surrounded by green chairs and decorative plants.

Becky Chambers meets Miss Marple in the second entry of this cozy sci-fi mystery series, helmed by a formidable no-nonsense auntie of a detective

Welcome to the HMS Fairweather, Her Majesty’s most luxurious interstellar passenger liner! Room and board are included, new bodies are graciously provided upon request, and should you desire a rest between lifetimes, your mind shall be most carefully preserved in glass in the Library, shielded from every danger.

A wild baby appears! Dorothy Gentleman, ship detective, is put to the test once again when an infant is mysteriously left on her nephew’s doorstep. Fertility is supposed to be on pause during the Fairweather’s journey across the stars—but humans have a way of breaking any rule you set them. Who produced this child, and why did they then abandon him? And as her nephew and his partner get more and more attached, how can Dorothy prevent her colleague and rival detective, Leloup, a stickler for law and order, from classifying the baby as a stowaway or a piece of luggage?

Told through Dorothy’s delightfully shrewd POV, this novella series is an ode to the cozy mystery taken to the stars with a fresh new sci-fi take. Perfect for fans of the plot-twisty narratives of Dorothy Sayers and Ann Leckie, this well-paced story will leave readers captivated and hungry for the next installment.

Amazon | Shop the Series | Goodreads

The word 'Review' in a playful font, accompanied by a cartoon cat and a stack of books.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

I was eagerly awaiting the sequel to Murder by Memory as I love the little world Waite has created upon the Fairweather in its long journey to a new home planet. Dorothy Gentlemen is back and this time it’s to solve the mystery of a baby left on her Nephew’s doorstep, a baby that shouldn’t be possible – let alone abandoned. This one definitely had more of a light tone to it than the first one and it was nice to see more of Ruthie (and his interactions with the baby) as well as more from Dorothy about her past. This one has a lot of introspection from Dorothy and after reading the synopsis of the third one coming next year I think it’s leading into it perfectly.

Happy reading!

*Disclaimer: Amazon links included may be affiliate links that I receive a commission on if purchased through.

Review | Mobu’s Diary: Earning Your Paté by Kathy Lam

An anxious calico upends her cozy introvert life to work in a cat cafe in this hilarious and heartwarming graphic novel debut by international sensation Kathy Lam!

Cover of 'Mobu's Diary: Earning Your Paté' featuring a cartoon cat holding a can of cat food on a yellow background.

“Every day is the same, and I’m tired of it. I want to become a self-sufficient cat. I want to earn my own cat food!”

This is Mobu, a three-year-old female calico cat with white fur, gray-brown spots, pink toe beans, and an adorable face. Mobu no longer wants to be a pampered house cat. Determined to earn her keep, she sets her sights on working at a cat cafe to pay for her own meals.

Introverted and not fond of being petted, Mobu writes a deceptive resume, claiming she “enjoys interacting with humans.” Despite her obvious fear of strangers and her desire to nap, she bravely takes the first step toward independence.

International sensation Kathy Lam’s delightfully funny tale is perfect for animal lovers of all ages. Bursting with charm, laughter, and tender moments, this series invites readers to follow Mobu wherever she goes.

Translated by Cindy Ko and Kevin Wang.

Amazon | Goodreads

Graphic featuring the word 'Review' in teal, accompanied by a cute cartoon cat and a stack of books.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I am always down for comics containing adorable animals, cats especially – so when I saw this collection of comics about Mobu, the calico getting her first job at a cat cafe (among other scenarios) I had to pick it up. It was a quick read full of adorable cat humor, mostly charcoal/sketch style. Mobu has a distinct personality and definitely is clear in what she wants, even though what she wants might scare her. Overall this was a fun, humorous and heartwarming collection and a good introduction to Mobu herself.

Thanks to the publisher for the copy through NetGalley.

Happy reading!

Review | 50 True Stories That Will Scare You to Death: True Crime, Hauntings, Aliens, and More

Terrifying true tales to keep you up at night—from TikTok sensation Sebastian Krahl

Book cover for '50 True Stories That Will Scare You to Death' by Sebastian Krahl, featuring a dark, haunting tree against a red background.

This deeply horrifying collection of 50 chilling stories is not for the faint of heart. Collected and told by viral true crime storyteller Sebastian Krahl, these true tales dive into the unexplained, the unsettling, and the unimaginable, with frightening and gruesome real-life accounts of murder, mystery, abduction, hauntings, and so much more.

From popular creator Sebastian Krahl—With over 9.5 million total followers, Sebastian Krahl (@Sebastiank22) is known for his well-researched and detailed recountings of true crime, paranormal encounters, unsolved mysteries, and more.

True, and truly scary—These stories don’t shy away from the darkest corners of reality—read them with the lights on.

Discover stories like:

  • A set of haunted bunk beds who turned a family’s dreams into a nightmare.
  • A woman whose ghost solved her own murder.
  • A kidnapping victim who was kept in a box for years.
  • An alien encounter from one of the real-life men in black.
  • A murderer who lived in his victims’ home for days.
  • A set of creepy reincarnated twins.

Are you scared yet?

Amazon | Goodreads

Graphic featuring the word 'Review' in a playful font, accompanied by a drawing of a cat and stacks of books.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

As a part of the “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” generation, I am always down for scary stories, true or not. I found this to be a quick read, the audio version of which was very easy to listen to, but a lot of the stories were ones that I have heard many times. I did take a little issue with the one about Chloe at Myrtles Plantation, as there probably should have been a note that the story of Chloe herself has been proven to have no real basis in fact (were there slaves who were mistresses, who likely were killed, etc? Yes. But “Chloe” as the story is told did not exist – still, it is an oral story that has gotten a lot of attention).

There are a wide range of stories, from ghost stories to UFO abductions to true crime (trigger warning for some brutal details on those). I would say if you are someone who consumes a lot of paranormal and true crime content, you’ve probably already heard of most of these cases/stories prior to this. That being said, this is a great compilation for anyone who hasn’t been exposed to them.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Reviewer Hub through Libro.fm for the audio copy of this title.

Happy reading!

Review | Country Roads Vol 2 by T.C. Lynndale and Ericka Chestnutt

Books 5-8 of the Country Roads: A Year of Southern Small Town Romance with bonus epilogues.

Book cover for 'Country Roads Volume II' by TC Lynndale and Ericka Chestnut, featuring floral decorations and images representing different story themes: 'Revised Beginnings,' 'Explosive Beginnings,' 'Hometown Beginnings,' and 'Runaway Beginnings.'

May: Revised Beginnings
A Contemporary Small Town Single Mom Romance
Can a change of plans provide the push they need to overcome their self-doubts and forge a new future, together?

June: Runaway Beginnings
A Contemporary Small Town Cowboy Romance
Sometimes the most unlikely matches consume you the fastest.

July: Explosive Beginnings
A Contemporary Small Town Workplace Romance
Can their explosive start turn into happily ever after?

August: Hometown Beginnings
A Contemporary Small Town Best Friend’s Brother Romance
Sometimes coming home is the biggest adventure of all.

Amazon | Goodreads

Illustration featuring the word 'Review' in a playful font, accompanied by a cute cat laying down and a stack of books.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I would looking for some sweet small town romances and this one definitely fit the bill. Country Roads Volume 2 is a collection of four novella length stories, set in the summer months. Each one is a different trope (single mom, cowboy, workplace, best friend’s brother) and set within the months of summer. They are a little insta-love but they’re meant to be. This was a great quick and fun read and exactly fit the bill for what I expected. I think after reading this one, I’m definitely going to go back and read volume one.

Happy reading!

*Disclaimer: Amazon links included may be affiliate links that I receive a commission on if purchased through.

Review | Welcome to the Kokoro Cat Clinic

Cats once again prove to be the best medicine in the wonderful third book following the award-winning, bestselling Japanese novel We’ll Prescribe You a Cat.

Book cover of 'Welcome to the Kokoro Cat Clinic' by Syou Ishida, featuring a black cat's face with yellow eyes and a headband, surrounded by playful kittens and medical items.

When you are lost, the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul will find for you.

Dr. Nikké and his clinic are always ready to offer their unconventional approach to healing. Although one never quite understands how they ended up there, each person who has walked through the door has left with a cat and a deeper understanding of themselves. Every time, the clinic reaffirms that the unbreakable bond between cats and people has the potential to heal and transform lives.

With Dr. Nikké as the constant that weaves each of these stories together, we meet a woman anxious about an upcoming competition, an overwhelmed young father, an illustrator questioning her career, and a young woman burdened with guilt. Digging ever deeper into the complicated minds of humans—and the love of their feline companions—this poignant, episodic novel provides something richer and more challenging than mere comfort: compassion.

Amazon | Shop the Series | Goodreads

Text graphic featuring the word 'Review' in a playful font, accompanied by a cartoon cat and illustrations of books.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Dr. Nikké and Chitose are back again and helping more people by prescribing cats in the third installment of the We’ll Prescribe You a Cat series. While the format is the same, with different people finding their way to the Clinic for the Soul and being described a cat to help them figure out what is troubling them, in this installment we learn even more about the history of the space the clinic inhabits and what led to it’s creation. While the original events are somewhat described in books 1 and 2, we get a clear recollection of what originally happened from one of the people who were there, and their lingering feelings regarding the situation. There were definitely a lot of loose strings that were starting to be pulled together, but it’s obvious that there’s more to the underlying stories. As always there is a lot of introspection as people work through the things plaguing their hearts, not all of which are resolved.

I had previously thought this was the conclusion, but it looks like another three books are in the series in Japan, so I’m eager to see them come out in the US as well and continue with the story of the clinic.

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC copy of this book through Netgalley. Welcome to the Kokoro Cat Clinic came out today, so make sure to pick up a copy (and make sure to read the first two as well)!

Happy reading!

*Disclaimer: Amazon links included may be affiliate links that I receive a commission on if purchased through.

Review | Bad Days Aren’t Forever by Jacqueline Chen

Popular internet illustrator Chibird returns with a heartwarming collection of comforting comics to help you through tough days, sad days, and everything in between. For fans of Pusheen and cozy, kawaii art.

Cover of the comic book 'Bad Days Aren't Forever' by Jacqueline Chen featuring cute cartoon characters under an umbrella with rain clouds and sunshine in the background.

Jacqueline Chen’s Chibird returns with Bad Days Aren’t Forever, a collection of her iconic, endearing comics focused on mental health and getting through tough times.

Covering everything from seeking comfort and accepting your emotions to finding motivation and surviving sadness, Chibird meets you exactly where you are with a burst of encouragement for any difficult day.

– A long-awaited sequel to Loading Penguin Hugs
– Adorable, impossibly cute kawaii art
– Gentle, shareable messages on stress and self-esteem
– Perfect for fans of Pusheen and cozy comfort comics

A sweet reminder that bad days aren’t forever—and we’ll get through this one, together.

Amazon | Goodreads

The word 'Review' in playful, turquoise text accompanied by a cute cat illustration and stacks of books.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

When I saw that Jacqueline Chen was coming out with another book after loving Loading Penguin Hugs, I knew I had to pick it up. These comics are quick, single panel images with messages of uplifting encouragement. With this one especially, there’s a lot of references to getting through hard times. I love Jacqueline Chen’s art style and quick, one shot style of comics. They are a quick read, but also wholesome and adorable.

Bad Days Aren’t Forever is coming out on November 10th, so make sure to add it to your TBR and pre-order a copy. If you don’t want to wait, you can also check out Loading Penguin Hugs which is available now!

Happy reading!

*Disclaimer: Amazon links included may be affiliate links that I receive a commission on if purchased through.