Simple Book Reviews

Brilliantly written and utterly engaging, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is a novel that blends humor, feminism, and resilience into a powerful story. Set in the 1960s, the book follows Elizabeth Zott, a fiercely intelligent chemist whose career is constantly derailed by the sexism of her time. When circumstances force her to become the host of […]

A witty and heartfelt romance, Book Lovers by Emily Henry is a love letter to bookish people and the enemies-to-lovers trope. Nora is a sharp, ambitious literary agent whose life revolves around her career and her sister, Libby. When Libby insists on a three-week getaway to the small town of Sunshine Falls, Nora reluctantly agrees—only to […]

Kisscut is an unflinching and disturbing thriller that pulls no punches. Sara, Jeffrey, and Lena are still reeling from their last case when a shocking crime shakes their small town, 13-year-old Jenny is caught attempting to murder a teenage boy outside a skating rink. As they investigate, they uncover a horrifying underground world of abuse and […]

Few authors hook readers as quickly as Karin Slaughter, and A Faint Cold Fear is no exception. Set several months after Kisscut, the story follows Jeffrey and Sara as they investigate a string of suspicious suicides on a college campus. Meanwhile, Lena—now working as campus security—seems intent on pushing everyone away as she deals with her […]

Karin Slaughter delivers another intense thriller with Indelible, a gripping installment in the Grant County series. The novel opens with a shocking hostage situation at the police station, where Sara and Jeffrey find themselves at the mercy of masked gunmen. As the tension builds, the story alternates between the present crisis and flashbacks to a […]

A raw and emotionally powerful novel, The Strangers by Katherena Vermette is a poignant exploration of generational trauma, identity, and survival. Told from multiple perspectives, the novel follows three generations of Métis women: Phoenix, a teenager in prison; her sister Cedar-Sage, who is in foster care; their mother Elsie, struggling with addiction; and their grandmother Margaret, […]

A thought-provoking novel that explores Deaf culture, identity, and language, True Biz by Sara Novic is both educational and emotionally impactful. The story follows February, the headmistress of a struggling school for Deaf students, and Charlie, a teenager who has grown up with a malfunctioning cochlear implant and no exposure to sign language. While Charlie finds […]

A fierce and empowering feminist thriller, The Change by Kirsten Miller is a genre-blending novel full of mystery, supernatural elements, and revenge. In the coastal town of Mattauck, NY, three middle-aged women discover they have extraordinary powers. Nessa, a former nurse, can hear the voices of the dead. Jo, a fitness coach, has an uncontrollable inner […]

A charming, modern rom-com with grumpy x sunshine vibes, Lease on Love by Falon Ballard is a fun and flirty read. Sadie’s life takes an unexpected turn when she’s fired from her finance job. After a drunken mix-up on a dating app, she ends up meeting Jack, a quiet, introverted man who offers her a room […]

Kate Quinn delivers another thrilling historical novel with The Huntress, a slow-burning but gripping tale of revenge, survival, and justice. The story follows Ian, a former war reporter turned Nazi hunter, and Nina, a fearless ex-member of the Night Witches, the Soviet Union’s all-female bomber regiment. Both are on the hunt for The Huntress, a […]

A delightful and heartwarming small-town romance, Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison is the perfect holiday read. Stella Bloom has always dreamed of running a Christmas tree farm, but financial struggles threaten to ruin her dream. In a desperate attempt to save it, she enters a contest that could bring much-needed publicity and a $100,000 prize. The […]

Beautifully written and deeply moving, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin is a novel about love, ambition, and the power of creativity. The story spans three decades, following the lives of Sam and Sadie, two childhood friends who reunite in college and create a groundbreaking video game. Alongside their friend and producer, Marx, they […]

A History of Wild Places is an eerie and atmospheric novel about isolation, cult-like communities, and the dangers of blind faith. Years ago, children’s author Maggie St. James disappeared without a trace. When tracker Travis Wren is hired to find her, he stumbles upon the secluded community of Pastoral—only to vanish himself. Years later, Theo, a […]

A dark and emotional domestic thriller, Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier is a suspenseful story filled with secrets, betrayals, and heartbreak. Marin has everything, a successful career, a loving husband, and a beautiful life. But in an instant, her world shatters when her young son is kidnapped from a busy marketplace. A year later, with no […]

A heartwarming and delightful story about human connection, Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting is the perfect feel-good read. Every day, Iona Iverson takes the same train with the same group of strangers. Following her own unspoken rules, such as never talking to fellow passengers, she simply observes. But when one commuter, Pier, chokes on a grape, […]

A gripping psychological thriller with dark domestic suspense, The Housemaid by Freida McFadden is a fast-paced, addictive read. Millie is desperate for a job, and when Nina Winchester offers her a live-in housemaid position in her beautiful home, she can’t believe her luck. Having spent weeks living out of her car, she jumps at the chance, […]