As August slips away, weāre still in the middle of a heatwave as September begins, which comes as no surprise. Iāve already got fall on my mind and just need the weather to catch up. Here are two standouts from the past month that brought me joy: a gripping first book in a brand new series by thriller queen Karin Slaughter, and a dazzling Lights Lacquer polish that has me craving fall more than ever.
š Favorite book I read: We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter
Thank you William Morrow for the free advanced copy of We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter.
In the small town of North Falls, the disappearance of two teenage girls during the fireworks proves that no one truly knows each other. Officer Emmy Clifton, burdened by guilt, is determined to find them and uncover the secrets the town has been hiding.
Karin Slaughter is an auto-read author for me so it was no surprise that her latest book, We Are All Guilty Here (the first in the North Falls series), is a 5-star read! This is one of those books you should go into without knowing too many details so you can experience every surprise. This slow-burn police procedural had me on my toes until the very end. I thought I had it all figured out, but twist after twist kept me guessing and I could not put it down. The emotional, deeply flawed characters hit me to my core. Slaughter did an incredible job weaving together two timelines with enough clarity to keep me fully invested. There were moments that felt heavy where I truly sympathized with Emmy or Jude and moments that left me completely shell-shocked. Highly recommend picking this one up. Now I canāt wait for the next book in the series!
š Favorite Manicure: Lights Lacquer Saddle Up
Saddle Up is part of the Lights Lacquer Headed West fall collection. Iām actually surprised that I chose another red as my favorite given that I donāt really wear red manis that much. Iām obsessed with how this specific shade reminds me of fall. I love how opaque and creamy it is. This will definitely be a repeat mani this upcoming season!
Fall may not be here yet, but my TBR and polish picks are already there.
Last month, I did something I never thought I would: I traded my Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition for the Kindle Basic.
On paper, it looked like a downgrade. My Paperwhite Signature had lots of storage, warm light, waterproofing, wireless charging, and a 6.8-inch screen. I figured I would miss those features the second I let it go. But hereās the surprising part ā I do not.
I never realized how little I actually used the 32gb storage and warm light. Th 16gb is more than enough and I found that I read better without the warm light. The waterproofing? Nice in theory, but I was not exactly reading in the bathtub or at the beach all the time. And the wireless charging pad? I never had a need for it since I used the cable to charge.
The real magic happened when I switched from 6.8 inches down to 6 inches. That small change made a big difference. The Kindle Basic feels lighter, more compact, and just easier to hold. I reach for it more without even thinking about it. It also fits in more of my bags as well.
And then thereās the color. I went from standard black to the soft, calming Matcha green. I didnāt think it was going to make a huge difference, but it actually changed the whole vibe. It feels more personal, more me. Now when I see it on my desk or in my bag, I want to pick it up.
The best part? The deal I got. I traded in my Paperwhite Signature and got a $30 gift card plus 20% off. I stacked that with a Prime Day discount and my credit card reward points. In the end, my Matcha Kindle Basic cost me about $30 ā roughly the price of a new hardcover.
I thought I was giving up the ābetterā Kindle for something simpler. What I actually did was find the Kindle that fits me best. And now? I am reading more than ever.
This is my first time doing a monthly wrap-up here. On Instagram, I used to share book wrap-ups, but I wanted to go in a different direction this time. Each month, Iāll keep it simple and share two favorites: a book I loved and a manicure that stood out. Hereās what made July special:
Favorite book I read: Chasing Shelter by Catherine Cowles
Chasing Shelter is the fifth book in the Sparrow Falls series. Itās an interconnected standalone, which means you can start with this one, but itās best enjoyed in order since there are spoilers for couples from the previous books. I was so excited to see Trace finally get his love story with Ellie. These two are perfectly matched, and this book deserves all the stars.
Ellieās bond with Traceās daughter, Keely, was one of the sweetest parts of the story. Watching their relationship grow made every scene with them even more heartwarming. It was also great to learn more about Traceās past and what shaped him into the man he is now. I loved that we still got the fun sibling group chat, Loliās antics, and the warmth of the found family dynamic. The suspense element was a nice touch too. I predicted one part but not the other and it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. The epilogue was absolute perfection. Now Iām counting down the days for Fallon and Kylerās book. I know Catherine will wrap up the series in the best possible way and Iām thrilled that Dex will get his spotlight in the new series!
I also read the sneak peek of Secret Haven and that prologue had me in tears. I can already tell itās going to be incredible. Plus, I was so happy to see a preview of Across the Vanishing Sky in the KU version. From what I read, it sounds amazing!
Favorite manicure: Lights Lacquer Cherry Wine
Part of Julyās Cherry Coated Trio launch, this vampy red shade was the perfect color to transition from summer to fall vibes. I loved wearing it and know it will stay in my regular rotation. Iām already planning to reach for it again soon.
Remember the joy of summer reading programs as a kid? Logging books, collecting stickers, and racing to the prize table? Turns out, some libraries still get it and theyāre making summer reading fun for adults too! š
Here are 3 SoCal libraries that totally understood the assignment:
š Long Beach Public Library
š®: Level Up at Your Library
šļø: June 14 – August 9
š: Read 6 books and earn prizes along the way
š: 2 free books, keychain, patch, book light, and tote bag
š Los Angeles Public Library
š³: Summer With the Library Reading Brings Us Together
šļø: June 1 – August 1
š: Read 60 minutes each week for at least 3 weeks
š: Sticker sheet & exclusive LAPL tote bag
š OC Public Library
š®: Level Up! Summer Reading Challenge
šļø: June 16 – August 3
š: Read once a day for 20 days
š: Free book from Friends of the Library or a brand new squishmallow
Iām genuinely so grateful to these libraries for making summer reading fun again and not just for kids, but for all of us book lovers! Some other systems offered only grand prize drawings (no guaranteed rewards), but these three? They showed up and handed out the goods.
Today Iām highlighting 3 new romance releases today and my thoughts on each of them:
š§¹ A Witchās Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
š Thank you Berkley Romance & PRH Audio for the free copy.
š¬: If you loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, this charming cozy book is for you! Seraās journey of healing, found family, and rediscovering confidence really shines. I adored the cast of supporting characters. The ending was satisfying. Iād recommend this to anyone craving magic with heart.
š¾ Pugs & Kisses by Farrah Rochon
š Thank you Forever & Hachette Audio for the free copy.
š¬: I was so happy to see Evie take center stage in this follow-up to Pardon My Frenchie. Her emotional arc is tender and relatable. Bryson brings just enough tension to make their chemistry sizzle even if I wanted to shake him a few times. Pet loss is mentioned here, however, the author handled with care and not for shock value which I appreciated. This oneās for fans of heartwarming friendships and slow-burn healing. I canāt wait for Ridley and Von next!
š§¼ Maid for Each Other by Lynn Painter
š Thank you Berkley Romance & PRH Audio for the free copy.
š¬: This one had Pretty Woman vibes and Painterās signature banter. This one wasnāt quite my cup of tea. However, if you love billionaire tropes or insta-love, it might be up your alley.
Why Iām Switching Things Up: I canāt believe weāre already halfway through the year! Lately, Iāve been thinking about how I want to navigate my blog. Bookish social media has been overwhelming at times. Writing reviews and keeping up with posts can be fun, but itās also a lot.
Iām not planning to stop, but I do want to be more intentional. From now on, Iāll be doing one post a month with something Iām excited to share, whether thatās favorites, a fun list or a reading recap.
My Favorite Reads So Far This Year I wanted to highlight a few 2025 releases that I gave five stars and still think about:
August Lane by Regina BlackShield of Sparrows by Devney PerryCanāt Get Enough by Kennedy RyanWild Side by Elsie SilverIf You Canāt Stand the Heat by Mona Shroff
Honorable Mention:
Shadows of You by Catherine Cowles – This one is a backlist book thatās part of the Lost & Found series. I loved the premise and it made me start getting into romantic suspense.
Looking Ahead: Hoping this new pace helps me enjoy blogging again.
Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson Publisher: Ecco Books Pub Date: 5/13/2025
Thank you Ecco Books for the free advanced copy.
Rating: āļøāļøāļøāļø
Madeline Hillās quiet life on a Tennessee farm is upended when a man named Reuben shows up claiming to be her half brother. Together, they embark on a wild road trip to track down their elusive father and a string of other siblings, discovering unexpected family and connection along the way.
I was excited to hear that Kevin Wilson was releasing a new book this year since I really enjoyed Nothing to See Here and Now Is Not the Time to Panic. The plot was intriguing and I loved the characters that were introduced. Most of the book is told through Madās perspective in third person, but I appreciated how we still got a sense of the supporting charactersā experiences as well. I liked learning about Madās complicated relationship with her dad. The vignettes showing his life with her half-siblings added depth to the story. The storyline was heartfelt and Kevin did an incredible job portraying strained family dynamics with tenderness. A few twists caught me by surprise in the best way and made the story even more enjoyable. I had to sit with the ending for a bit because at first it felt disappointing, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Definitely recommend picking this up if youāre a Kevin Wilson fan!
Donāt Open Your Eyes by Liv Constantine Publisher: Random House Pub Date: 6/17/2025
Thank you PRH Audio for the free copy.
Rating: āļøāļøāļøāļø
Annabelle has a perfect life until she starts having vivid dreams that feel more like warnings of a dangerous future. When parts of the dreams begin coming true, sheās forced to question her reality and how far sheāll go to protect her daughter.
Donāt Open Your Eyes was one of my most anticipated June reads. Liv Constantine is an auto-read author for me so I was really excited for this one! I liked the storyline and found the multiple perspectives engaging. Each voice felt distinct and the audiobook narrators were a great fit. Scarlett was my favorite character. I enjoyed seeing how she navigated being a teen. The dream sequences from Annabelleās point of view were intriguing and I liked the use of premonitions throughout. The ending wasnāt my favorite, but it was decent. Overall, Iād rate this 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 on Goodreads.
King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby Publisher: Flatiron Pub Date: 6/10/2025
Thank you Flatiron & Macmillan Audio for the free advanced copies.
Rating: āļøāļøāļøāļø
When Roman Carruthers returns home after his fatherās suspicious car accident, he finds his family drowning in debt and danger from violent criminals. As his sister Neveah fights to hold the family together, Roman uses his sharp financial skills, a ruthless side the gangsters didnāt expect, to protect the people he loves at any cost.
S.A. Cosby is an auto-read author for me and I can always count on his books to pull me out of a slump. I was especially excited to hear that Adam Lazarre-White would be narrating this one because I love his performances in Cosbyās other books. King of Ashes is another hit! Cosby has a way of creating characters you genuinely empathize with. They make tough choices and suddenly youāre wrapped up in their complexity and moral grayness. Roman was such a layered character and heās truly put through the wringer. The book raises hard questions about how far you would go to protect your family while also exploring strained family dynamics and complicated ties within a close-knit community. Cosbyās story is gritty and includes some graphic elements, but it feels purposeful and drive both the plot and character growth. I loved the slow burn, the high stakes for every character, and that epic ending! I was driving while listening to the last part and literally had to pull over just to relisten. Overall, I highly recommend picking this one up on audio!
Itās pub day and Iāve got three new releases to talk about. All three ended up being 3-star reads for me. Nothing terrible, but nothing Iām rushing to recommend either. If youāre curious about what didnāt quite hit, keep reading.
What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown Publisher: Random House
Thank you PRH Audio and Random House for the free advanced copy.
What Kind of Paradise is about Jane, who grows up in an isolated Montana cabin, believing her father is her whole world. But when she uncovers a terrible truth, she runs to San Francisco searching for answers and starts to question everything she thought she knew about her past, her parents, and herself.
I loved Janelleās previous books so I was really looking forward to What Kind of Paradise. I had mixed feelings about this one. The premise was interesting, but the execution felt meh. Itās not really a thriller as it leans more toward general fiction with a hint of suspense. The pacing was uneven where the beginning drew me in, but the second half dragged and felt way too slow. All the tech talk made me lose interest. I just couldnāt connect with Jane as she felt too emotionally distant for me to feel much empathy toward her. The ending also wrapped up a little too neatly. Overall, this one just didnāt work for me the way I hoped.
Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q. Sutanto Publisher: Hyperion Ave
Thank you Leo PR & Hyperion Ave for the free advanced copy.
To save her fatherās hedge fund deal, Mulan pretends to be him and heads to a whiskey ranch run by Shang and his old-school, misogynistic family. Sheās determined to close the deal, but falling for Shang was never part of the plan.
Worth Fighting For is the fifth book in the Meant To Be series and a modern Mulan retelling. I had mixed feelings about this one. I loved the sentiment behind the story and what it clearly meant to the author. The way iconic scenes from the movie were seamlessly integrated into a contemporary setting was one of the highlights. Mulanās personality was what I expected. It didnāt surprise me that she altered her name for the Lis, but it did stretch believability that they fell for it considering her dad is the managing partner and owner of the firm. Also with how involved Shang was in social media, it was hard to believe he didnāt know who she was.
The part I struggled with most was Shangās character. He was really underdeveloped. While I appreciated that he wasnāt as blatantly misogynistic as the rest of his family, we never got to see his leadership in action or feel his passion for Wutai Gold, his familyās high-end whiskey company. Mushu was a firecracker and I had mixed feelings about her. I loved how loyal and supportive she was to Mulan, but she could be a bit too out there at times. The ranch portion of the story was easily my favorite. It brought out everyoneās personalities and felt the most engaging. Unfortunately, the ending didnāt work for me. Too much happened too fast, it felt rushed and anticlimactic, and then it just abruptly stopped. Iām curious to see what the next retelling in this series will be!
The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for the free advanced copy.
Olivia Dumont is a ghostwriter hiding her identity as the daughter of infamous horror author and murder suspect Vincent Taylor. When she agrees to ghostwrite his final book, long-buried family secrets and haunting truths resurface.
I loved The Last Flight, but found The Lies I Tell to be just okay so I wasnāt sure what to expect from The Ghostwriter. The premise was intriguing and felt unique which is what drew me in. However, I wasnāt a fan of the writing style or execution. The first half of the book is an extremely slow build while the second half picks up slightly with more flashbacks that help move the story along. I found Olivia to be a dull and unengaging protagonist with no real character growth. Of all the perspectives, Poppyās was the most compelling. Vinceās chapters, on the other hand, read more like a teenage girl than a boy which pulled me out of the story. It was frustrating how often information was repeated as if the reader couldnāt connect the dots on their own. Many side characters seemed to appear out of nowhere and felt underdeveloped. The last 15% of the book is where the action finally kicks in and the ending was decent. Overall, I donāt think Julie Clarkās writing style is for me.
Asha Reads 