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Real Life, Fake Likes
Author: M. Kay
Publisher: Indie
Published: December 27, 2025This book answers the question of why we are emotionally attached to social media. It doesn’t attempt to get you to become a digital nomad, but encourages you ask yourself a series of questions to self-analyze your use: 𝘏𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭-𝘰𝘶𝘵? 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯? 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘺, 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳? 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯?
The author doesn’t assume that you will give up social media, even knowing the ways that the algorithm tricks you into staying engaged (scrolling). They provide some tips to help you use your time online wisely, and more efficiently:
• Spot the algorithm’s tricks
• Engage actively, consume passively less
• Practice the pause
• Question the urge
There is some repetition, but I love that the tone of the book doesn’t come off preachy – the author admits to her share of scrolling. They used research and provided citations under suggested readings. This may just be the wake-up call you need to become a more informed consumer of social media, and to make you feel better about the time you do spend online.
Thank you to Hidden Gems for the opportunity to read an advance reader’s copy. -
The Invisible Woman
Author: James Patterson and Susan DiLallo
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Published: January 5, 2026I liked the premise of this book…an FBI agent who is “of a certain age” would be perfect to go undercover as a nanny and spy on the suspect. And that would be great if Elinor had actually acted like a seasoned FBI agent. But there was so much naivety on her part that I just couldn’t get past it. Elinor’s interactions with her small charge were cute, but there was a lot (a LOT) of potty humor.
Was there a real mystery involved? Yes, and the interplay between art dealings and the lives of the families in the privileged neighborhood where Elinor wound up kept me engaged. And, of course, the “advanced” baby Lily was endearing. You may enjoy this book a lot more than I did, for the wittiness and the writing; cozies just aren’t my cup of tea.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an advance reader’s copy. -
Pretty Little Lies
Author: Jessica Huntley
Publisher: Inkubator Books
Published: December 10, 2025There is something so relatable about a story where one anonymous rumor can take down a person’s business, reputation, or marriage. It sometimes feels like we are one social media click from it happening to any one of us. And Jessica Huntley makes sure we feel every emotion her characters are experiencing!
Amelia has relocated to support Noah and has just gotten her mobile beauty therapist business to the point where it’s profitable. She knows not to get too personal with clients, although there is one client she feels she can confide in. And then there’s the new client – whose behavior is nothing short of stalkerish. And her husband has been acting weird for a couple of weeks. When clients start dropping, and her husband gets caught in a lie, it’s time for a nail-biting (pun intended 😉 twist.
The short chapters invite you to read “just one more chapter”, and the twists will keep you reading though the night.
Thank you to NetGalley, Inkubator Books, and the author for an advance reader’s copy. -
Hungry Ghosts
Author: Anthony Bourdain, Joel Rose, Alberto Ponticelli, Irene Koh, and Paul Pope
Publisher: Berger Books
Published: October 2, 2018Who knew that Anthony Bourdain had a graphic novel?
“Save me a beer, brother, and a seat at the table.”
Dedication to Anthony Bourdain from co-author Joel Rose
Graphic novels are not typically the type of book I read, but Japanese folklore, amazing illustrations, and Anthony Bourdain? How could I resist? I spent many hours watching his Parts Unknown tv show. Whenever I travelled with @nomadicfornow, if there was a Bourdain-recommended restaurant nearby, he made sure we visited.
The book revolves around the Japanese concept of 100 Candles where storytellers tell scary stories by 100 candles, blowing them out as they go, with the final summoning of a spirit. Bourdain’s stories, of course, revolve around food.
In retrospect, it seems to me that Bourdain was referring to himself when he wrote about the Russian oligarch, “He has an old soul, this Russian.” “He is not ordinary.” “Yes there is something there. A sorrow. A pain.” Because we know how troubled Bourdain was, and the tragedy of his death leaves us all missing a man who was an irreverent explorer, storyteller, and food critic who never shied away from locals or their cuisine.
This edition contains five new recipes and a guide to the spirits behind the stories.
This belongs on any fan of Bourdain’s or Japanese folklore collector’s shelf.
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Ten Thousand Light Years from Okay
Author: Tracy Dobmeier and Wendy Katzman
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Published: December 1, 2025I’m not crying, you’re crying! Although this book is categorized as women’s fiction rather than romance, it incorporates elements of mystery, fantasy, and trauma. It’s centered around Thea’s inability to write a new book after her first book seemed to foretell her husband’s tragic death. Now she thinks she can “manifest reality” through her writing. Her psychologist calls it “magical thinking”. After deciding to write a “happily ever after” story to change her fate, she can’t believe it when coincidences start happening after it’s published. But just like in the book, she’s met someone. To celebrate her newfound relationship, she leaves her friend’s apartment “carrying a Ziploc filled with a shocking assortment of condoms”.
What Thea doesn’t count on is the social media backlash, which sends her into a tailspin. Even though she doesn’t realize it, her mother-in-law’s ultimatum to seek therapy winds up being the best thing to happen to her. Because what she thought was true, and what really happened were two very different things.
This was the third book I read as an ambassador for BookSparks’ #FRC2025 who gifted me this copy and my first book by the author team of Tracy Dobmeier and Wendy Katzman. It was totally readable, full of humor, drama, and even…dare I say it…romance! Yay for #PracticalBookMagic! -
Gift Keepers
Author: Shade Owens
Publisher: Red Raven Publishing
Published: December 1, 2025This short little novella packs quite a punch!
Just in time for Christmas, this is a story about a Yuletide tradition that is a total horror show. It’s a story about a man saved from addiction, his quest to find his sponsor before a snowstorm descends, and the secret ritual he finds in an abandoned coal mine.
I have read two other books by indie author Shade Owens and she is always a five-star read!
Thanks to Book Sirens for an arc of this novella – publishing December 1. They’re the folks who introduced me to some of my favorite new-to-me authors!
Background image courtesy of Anastasiia Chepinska @unsplash
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All Eyes on Him
Author: Illiana Xander
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Published: December 2, 2025I read thrillers, so I’m used to suspending disbelief, but there were so many coincidences and unbelievable scenarios in this book that it almost made me quit reading. But I stuck with it and I’m glad I did! Once it got going, I couldn’t put it down.
Natalie gets a job working for the wealthy, private man whom she believes might have hurt her friend. She thinks she knows more about him than the staff does. They clearly don’t like her and keep warning her away, but like the naive, headstrong person she is, she keeps coming back. Ducking the cameras (but did she find them all?). And eavesdropping on conversations. Little does she know, she’s about to put everyone’s life in danger!
The conclusion was fast-paced, and the interactions between the main character and one of the staff members were fun to watch. If you need something to break your reading slump, give All Eyes on Him a try!
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advance reader’s copy – my second book by Iliana Xander! -
Ten Thousand Light Years From Okay
Author: Tracy Dobmeier and Wendy Katzman
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Published: December 1, 2025I’m not crying, you’re crying!
Although this book is categorized as women’s fiction rather than romance, it incorporates elements of mystery, fantasy, and trauma. It’s centered around Thea’s inability to write a new book after her first book seemed to foretell her husband’s tragic death. Now she thinks she can “manifest reality” through her writing. Her psychologist calls it “magical thinking”. After deciding to write a “happily ever after” story to change her fate, she can’t believe it when coincidences start happening after it’s published. But just like in the book, she’s met someone. To celebrate her newfound relationship, she leaves her friend’s apartment “carrying a Ziploc filled with a shocking assortment of condoms”.
What Thea doesn’t count on is the social media backlash, which sends her into a tailspin. Even though she doesn’t realize it, her mother-in-law’s ultimatum to seek therapy winds up being the best thing to happen to her. Because what she thought was true, and what really happened were two very different things.
This was the third book I read as an ambassador for BookSparks’ #FRC2025 and my first book by the author team of Tracy Dobmeier and Wendy Katzman. It was totally readable, full of humor, drama, and even…dare I say it…romance! Yay for #PracticalBookMagic! -
One Little Mistake
Author: Miranda Rijks
Publisher: Inkubator Books
Published: November 9, 2025Whenever I’m asked for a list of auto-buy authors, Miranda Rijks is always at the top of the list! She’s my go-to palate cleanser 🙂
This book is a cautionary tale about what happens when petty mean-girl activities take on a life of their own. There are so many layers that even Kate, the author of a spreadsheet ranking her friends, can’t figure out who has released her private thoughts. Or why someone is sending her threatening text messages. Or who’s following her in the black SUV.
Did I mention her marital relationship? Oh yeah. Not so good. Jared is not supportive when Kate is iced out by her friends, the moms at school, and even her business clients. But Karma has a way of striking back. And that’s where Miranda Rijks shines.
If you love a good thriller with lots of twists and turns, you can’t go wrong with One Little Mistake (see what I did there 😉
Thanks to Booksprout, the author, and Inkubator Books for an advanced reader’s copy.Background photo courtesy of Denis Sebastian Tamas @unsplash
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The First Wives
Author: S. E. Reed
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Published: September 24, 2025Hannah McMillan is a trad-wife influencer with a wealthy husband, twins (boy and a girl), a beautiful house beachside in Florida – the perfect life. Happy wife, happy life, right?
Wrong! Court works in crypto finance and travels for days. Since he’s paranoid about work secrets getting out, he doesn’t allow Hannah to have help – no nanny, housekeeper, or cook. No pictures of him on Instagram.
Then Sophia moves in next door. She too, has a wealthy husband she never sees. And worse – he has a secret family! So of course, I figured out the twist. Yay me! Nope – that was just what the author intended. Because whiplash! There are more twists to come, and the book picks up steam and doesn’t let go. The second half of the book will have you reading far into the night!
It was interesting to see the friendship between the two women evolve, then slowly devolve as Hannah learns more about who Sophia really is. The confrontations with Court made me want to scream! And thanks to her stylist, Sinclair, we even get a bit of comic relief!
Thanks to @Novel.Tours for introducing me to this new-to-me author with an advance eArc!
Book Cravings 