Audiobook Review: The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen
🐾🐾🐾🐾 — An eerie, unforgettable mystery where buried secrets refuse to stay hidden.
Review Date: August 4, 2026 | Release Date: August 4, 2026
Thank you to the author/publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Sarah Pekkanen once again proves why she’s one of my favorite authors for intelligent, character-driven suspense. The Women in White is a haunting blend of historical mystery, psychological suspense, and speculative intrigue that kept me questioning every revelation until the very end.
The story effortlessly moves between two timelines. In 1964, four gifted young women participate in groundbreaking parapsychology experiments that promise to change the scientific world forever—until they suddenly disappear without explanation. Decades later, Riley Bell accepts what seems like a simple caretaker position for the mysterious Betty, an elderly woman living as though time stopped decades ago. As Riley begins piecing together Betty’s past, she uncovers secrets that someone has spent sixty years trying to keep buried.
What makes this novel so compelling isn’t just the mystery—it’s the atmosphere. Pekkanen creates an unsettling sense of unease from the very first chapter. Betty’s isolated home feels almost frozen in time, and every strange detail adds another layer of suspense. The historical timeline is equally fascinating, capturing both the optimism of scientific discovery and the darker consequences of obsession and ambition.
The characters are wonderfully layered. Riley is relatable as she tries to rebuild her life after divorce while slowly realizing she’s become part of something much larger than herself. Betty is enigmatic, heartbreaking, and impossible to fully understand until the final pieces fall into place. The women from the 1960s timeline each bring their own unique personalities and emotional depth, making their disappearance feel even more devastating.
The paranormal elements are handled with restraint, allowing readers to question what is truly possible while never overshadowing the emotional core of the story. Rather than relying on cheap twists, the novel builds tension through unanswered questions, hidden motives, and long-buried truths.
The pacing starts deliberately before steadily tightening into a gripping finale where decades of secrets finally collide. While I found myself wanting even more time with some of the women from the original experiments, the emotional payoff made the journey worthwhile.
Equal parts historical fiction, mystery, and psychological thriller, The Women in White is an immersive read about memory, sacrifice, friendship, and the dangerous pursuit of knowledge. It’s a beautifully layered mystery that lingers long after the final page.
Book Review: The Pilot by Susan Stoker
🐾🐾🐾🐾 — Healing, redemption, and romance make this an emotional, satisfying romantic suspense.
Review Date: August 4, 2026 | Release Date: August 4, 2026
Thank you to the author/publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Susan Stoker delivers another heartfelt, emotionally rich romantic suspense with The Pilot, a story that proves healing often comes from the most unexpected places. Blending second chances, redemption, and protective romance with genuine emotional depth, this novel offers much more than a love story—it explores forgiveness, growth, and breaking cycles that have lasted for years.
Lincoln “Linc” Young immediately won me over. Beneath his calm, dependable exterior is a man carrying invisible scars from both combat and his childhood. His PTSD is handled with compassion and realism, never becoming his entire identity but instead adding another layer to an already admirable hero. Linc’s quiet strength, unwavering patience, and protective nature make him incredibly easy to root for.
Harper’s journey is equally compelling. Rather than brushing aside her past mistakes, the story forces her to confront them head-on. Watching her acknowledge the harm she’d caused as a teenager while trying to become a better mother and person made her redemption feel authentic. Her growth never feels rushed, and that’s what makes it satisfying.
One of my favorite parts of the novel was Kash. His storyline surrounding bullying adds an emotional weight that hits close to home and mirrors the mistakes and lessons of the previous generation. His relationship with Linc is absolutely heartwarming, creating many of the book’s sweetest moments.
The romance develops naturally through forced proximity and shared vulnerability. Their relationship isn’t built on instant forgiveness but on earning trust, understanding each other’s pain, and choosing compassion. The chemistry simmers beneath every interaction while the emotional connection steadily grows stronger.
As expected from Susan Stoker, the suspense element raises the stakes at exactly the right time. It never overshadows the romance but instead reinforces the fierce protectiveness that makes her heroes so memorable.
The Pilot is ultimately a story about redemption, forgiveness, family, and discovering that our past doesn’t have to define our future. With lovable characters, emotional healing, tender romance, and enough suspense to keep the pages turning, this is another satisfying addition to Susan Stoker’s catalog.
Book Review: Off Course by Julie Cook
🐾🐾🐾🐾 — A thrilling Olympic romance full of heart, heat, and breathtaking mountain adventure.
Review Date: August 4, 2026 | Release Date: August 4, 2026
Thank you to the author/publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
From the very first chapter, Off Course delivers an exhilarating blend of high-stakes competition, breathtaking mountain landscapes, and slow-burning chemistry that feels as adrenaline-fueled as the sport itself. Julie Cook’s debut combines the intensity of elite athletics with a heartfelt romance that proves sometimes the biggest leap isn’t down a mountain—it’s trusting someone with your heart.
Kit Schuster has built her entire life around discipline, schedules, and perfection. As one of the world’s most accomplished downhill skiers, she’s spent years proving herself, but with younger competitors gaining ground, she’s determined to cement her legacy by tackling Olympic ski mountaineering. Enter Asher McClendon—a fearless ski mountaineer whose adventurous approach to life couldn’t be more different from Kit’s carefully controlled world.
Their relationship develops naturally through long training sessions, challenging climbs, and quiet moments away from the spotlight. Rather than relying solely on instant attraction, Cook allows trust, admiration, and vulnerability to build alongside the romance, making every emotional breakthrough feel earned. The chemistry between Kit and Asher is undeniably steamy, but it’s their emotional connection that truly carries the story.
One of my favorite aspects was the detailed look into ski mountaineering. The training, physical demands, and sheer danger of the sport are woven seamlessly into the story, giving readers an authentic behind-the-scenes look at an Olympic event many may not know much about. The snowy Lake Tahoe setting provides a gorgeous backdrop that almost becomes a character itself.
Beyond the romance, Off Course explores identity, ambition, burnout, and what happens when your entire sense of self has always been tied to achievement. Kit’s internal journey feels incredibly relatable, even if most of us will never race down an Olympic mountain.
For a debut novel, Julie Cook balances sports romance, emotional depth, and sizzling tension remarkably well. Fans of sports romances featuring mature characters, forced proximity, opposites attract dynamics, and career-driven athletes will find plenty to love here.
If you’re looking for a romance filled with snowy scenery, undeniable chemistry, emotional growth, and plenty of heart-pounding moments both on and off the slopes, Off Course is well worth the ride.
Book Review: Small Town Slasher by Stephanie Rose
🐾🐾🐾🐾 — A love letter to classic slashers that’s equal parts chilling mystery, bloody fun, and unforgettable survival horror.
Review Date: August 4, 2026 | Release Date: August 4, 2026
Thank you to the author/publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
If you love slashers, creepy small towns, final girls, and horror that feels like watching your favorite late-night scary movie, Small Town Slasher absolutely delivers.
Stephanie Rose takes familiar slasher elements and gives them fresh life with a heroine who immediately stands out. Jenna isn’t your typical horror protagonist. She’s a disabled horror fanatic whose severe anxiety has kept her world painfully small, making her decision to vacation alone in a horror-themed cabin feel like a victory before the story even begins. Watching her push beyond her comfort zone while simultaneously facing an actual nightmare made her incredibly easy to root for.
The atmosphere is where this novel truly shines. Marion feels like one of those towns where every smiling face is hiding a secret, and the shadow of the Bitter Butcher murders hangs over every conversation. The setting is drenched in eerie tension from the first chapter, creating that delicious feeling that something terrible is lurking just out of sight.
As the new murders begin, the story leans into classic slasher fun without becoming predictable. Every new victim, clue, and revelation had me constantly changing my theories. I loved the references to horror films and slasher tropes—they felt like a love letter to horror fans while still telling an original story.
Jenna’s friendships with Erica and Jamie add warmth to an otherwise dark story. Their teamwork gives the novel heart, balancing the violence with genuine emotional connections. Jenna’s anxiety and disability are handled with care, becoming part of who she is rather than defining her entire character, which made her journey feel even more authentic.
The pacing rarely slows, building suspense with each chapter until the explosive finale. There are plenty of gruesome kills for horror lovers, but the mystery behind the murders keeps the pages turning just as much as the action. The ending delivers satisfying twists while paying homage to classic slasher films in all the best ways.
Small Town Slasher is equal parts murder mystery, survival thriller, and nostalgic slasher homage. Whether you’re a lifelong horror fan or simply love atmospheric thrillers with memorable characters, this is one that’s difficult to put down. It’s bloody, suspenseful, surprisingly heartfelt, and a perfect read for spooky season—or anytime you’re craving a chilling page-turner.
Book Review: Buyer Beware by Catherine Ryan Howard
🐾🐾🐾🐾 — Every house has a history—but this one refuses to keep its secrets buried.
Review Date: July 19, 2026 | Release Date: July 28, 2026
Thank you to the author/publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Some houses hold memories. Others hold secrets. Buyer Beware proves that sometimes the most dangerous thing you can inherit isn’t the property—it’s the truth buried inside it.
Catherine Ryan Howard once again demonstrates why she’s one of today’s most reliable voices in psychological suspense. What begins as a woman searching for a fresh start quickly transforms into a layered mystery where every answer raises even more unsettling questions. The premise is brilliantly simple, but the execution is anything but. Each revelation feels carefully earned, with the story constantly shifting beneath your feet.
Ellie is an engaging protagonist whose desire to disappear from her past makes her easy to root for, even as you begin questioning everyone—including her. Howard excels at creating characters who feel authentic, flawed, and emotionally grounded, making every new discovery carry genuine weight. The dual threads of past and present weave together seamlessly until they collide in ways that are both surprising and satisfying.
The atmosphere is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. The house itself becomes an unsettling presence, filled with unanswered questions and lingering unease. Rather than relying on graphic violence or cheap scares, the tension grows through uncertainty, suspicion, and the creeping realization that someone always seems to know more than they’re saying.
Howard’s pacing is exceptional. Short chapters and perfectly timed revelations make this one of those thrillers that’s difficult to put down because every chapter ends with another piece of the puzzle. Just when you think you’ve figured out the direction of the story, another twist completely changes your perspective. Importantly, those twists never feel random—they’re carefully planted throughout the novel, rewarding attentive readers.
Beyond the suspense, Buyer Beware explores identity, guilt, reinvention, and whether it’s ever truly possible to leave the past behind. The emotional undercurrent gives the mystery added depth, ensuring the story resonates long after the final page.
Fans of slow-burning psychological thrillers packed with clever twists, morally complex characters, and an eerie sense of unease will find plenty to love here. Catherine Ryan Howard has crafted another intelligent, addictive mystery that reminds readers that every home has a history—and sometimes history refuses to stay buried.