Book Reviews, Find Your Next Read

You’ll Love It Here by Natalie Sue: A funny, heartfelt novel about discovering the value of community

Sometimes the life you’ve been working toward isn’t the life that will make you happiest. Natalie Sue’s You’ll Love It Here is a warm, witty, and emotionally satisfying novel that explores burnout, grief, ambition, and the unexpected power of community. Releasing August 11, 2026, this charming contemporary novel delivers plenty of laughs while reminding readers that success isn’t always found where we expect it.

After the success of I Hope This Finds You Well, Natalie Sue once again creates an unforgettable cast of characters whose messy, ordinary lives become surprisingly compelling. While the novel follows a familiar emotional trajectory, it’s the rich characterization and heartfelt relationships that make the journey so rewarding.

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Seasonal reads: Books to dive into this busy time of year

The end of the year is often a time for reflection, connection, and a little cozy escape — whether that’s in a favorite chair with a cup of tea or curled up under a blanket while the world rushes by. This season, I’ve rounded up a mix of books I’ve reviewed that are perfect for December reading, from thought-provoking literary stories to chills that aren’t just from the winter air.

Stories that make you think about family and connection

Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino — A story that delves deeply into family dynamics, with a narrative that lingers long after you finish it. Beautyland is a winner of the American Book Award and a Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, making it a standout choice for thoughtful seasonal reading.

Do Not Follow by Surbhi Bansal — A story that will leave readers reflecting on the ties that bind us, both the ones we’re born into and the ones we create.

Joy Moody is Out of Time by Kerryn Mayne — Explores how sometimes found family can mean more than biological family, reminding us of the importance of chosen connections.

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Book Reviews, Find Your Next Read

Joy Moody is Out of Time is a heartbreaking and layered novel about love, lies, and family

What happens when doing the wrong thing might actually be the most loving choice? That’s the central question at the heart of Joy Moody is Out of Time by Kerryn Mayne, a novel that blends quirky crime with an emotionally complex family story.

Get your copy of Joy Moody is Out of Time from my independent online bookstore today!

Behind the bubblegum-pink facade of Joyful Suds laundromat in Bayside, Australia, Joy Moody has been raising her twin daughters, Cassie and Andie, under a carefully constructed lie. For nearly twenty-one years, she’s told them a fantastical tale about their destiny, a story designed to protect them—but also one that has left them isolated from the world around them. When Joy is suddenly found dead on the twins’ twenty-first birthday, the truth unravels, and the girls are left to face a world they are utterly unprepared for.

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