ARC Review: For the Record by Emma Lord

 

An electrifying rom com of rivalry and redemption, perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Daisy Jones and the Six, from New York Times bestselling author Emma Lord.

Once the most notorious rivals in the music scene, pop princess Mackenzie Waters and punk rockstar Sam Blaze electrified audiences as their bands clashed on stage. But behind the scenes, their simmering tension grew into something more — until suddenly both bands fell apart, and the idea of Mackenzie and Sam did, too.

Two years later, Sam has traded the rockstar lifestyle for a quiet life raising the son he didn’t know about. Meanwhile, Mackenzie is dealing with a postoperative change in her voice by only singing under a pseudonym. The only way to revive their public careers? A joint comeback album.

With fans over the moon and their futures on the line, Sam and Mackenzie face their biggest challenge yet: giving up the old rivalry and learning to work together. But as old sparks fly and new secrets emerge, they set off a chain reaction neither of them could have anticipated — one that proves that sometimes, the greatest hits are the ones yet to be written.

Title: For the Record

Author: Emma Lord

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin/Macmillan Audio

Expected Publication Date: August 12, 2025

Review:

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this  title to read/listen to and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I really enjoy Lord's writing and her stories. I love that she can write adult and young adult. Her stories are always authentic and make me feel good. I was excited to jump into this one.

When I saw the audio was Andrew Eiden and Jesse Vilinsky were the narrators for this story, I was super excited. Jesse narrates most if not all of Lord's young adults books as well and Lynn Painter's young adult books.  And I adore Eiden. And, while I really loved his voice for Sam, the MMC, I wasn't thrilled with Jesse for the FMC, Mackenzie. I just felt her voice was a bit too young for the age of the character. I'm not sure if it's because I know her to voice younger characters or if it just didn't fit for me, but it detracted from my enjoyment of the story.

Despite me not loving Jesse's voice for the FMC, I really connected with Mackenzie. She was very relatable and well developed. Her background and back story of her relationship with Sam really impacted how she went into her future. But Sam, he was so sweet. And you can see he's come into himself having become a dad and realizing he needed to change his bad boys ways. 

The second chance romance of this book was top notch. I loved the build in the chemistry between Sam and Mack. But also, their past heavily influenced them as a couple. Both working on trying to believe they were worthy of one another. Both finding they had similar feelings that neither of them wanted to act on or couldn't act on due to their contracts with the recording company.

There's a bit of spice in this book but not much. It was more the slow burn that endeared me to the characters. Plus the side characters were fun.

The pacing was well done with lots of scenes building to reach the tipping point; side stories that gave insight into the relationships between all the characters. I liked that there was no real third act break up. 

Overall it was a fun read but definitely not my favorite by this author. While I loved the music industry side of the story, I felt it was lacking in romance in many parts. There was just something in the execution that didn't sit right with me and thus lowered my rating. I won't rule out reading this author in the future and I'm hoping I'll like whatever she brings to the table next more than this one.

Author:

Emma Lord is an NYT bestselling author of rom coms for teens and adults, a BuzzFeed senior writer, and dessert gremlin living in New York City. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a major in psychology and a minor in how to tilt your computer screen so nobody will notice you updating your fan fiction from the back row. Her sun sign is Cancer and her moon sign is whatever Taylor Swift song is about to pop up on shuffle.

Most Anticipated Releases Tuesday July 19, 2025

Here are the books I'm excited to see release this week!

A Theory of Dreaming (A Study in Drowning #2) by Ava Reid

I loved the first book in this series. I just finished this one and it was even better. You can see my review HERE.

You Belong Here by Megan Mirdanda

I really like Miranda's writing and I'm super excited for this newest one from her.

Immortal Consequences by I.V. Marie

The publisher sent this one to me and I as excited since I had been declined on NetGalley. I absolutely adored this one, in my top reads for this year. I cannot wait for the next book. You can read my thoughts HERE.

What is publishing this week that you're excited to see?

 

ARC Review: A Theory of Dreaming (A Study in Drowning #2) by Ava Reid

Return to the immersive, lush, and dreamlike world of the instantly bestselling dark academia fantasy A Study in Drowning as the aftermath of their first discovery pulls Effy and Preston on a final adventure and brings their haunting love story to its end in this stunning sequel and final book in the duology.

All stories come to an end.

Effy learned that when she defeated the Fairy King. Even though she may never know exactly what happened at Hiraeth, she is free of her nightmares and is able to pen a thesis with Preston on the beloved national fairy tale Angharad. She has finally earned a spot at the literature college, making her the first woman in history to enroll.

But some dreams are dangerous, especially when they come true. The entire university—and soon the entire nation—is waiting for her to fail. With the Fairy King defeated and Myrddin’s legacy exposed, Effy can no longer escape into fantasy. Who is she without her stories?

With Effy under threat, Preston is surprised to discover a rage simmering inside him, ringing in his ears like bells. He begins to dream of a palace under the sea, a world where he is king—visions that start to follow him even in waking.

As the war between Llyr and Argant explodes, Effy and Preston find themselves caught in the crossfire: Effy losing her dreams and Preston losing himself in his.

Are dreams ever truly just dreams?

Title: A Theory of Dreaming (A Study in Drowning #2)

Author: Ava Reid

Publisher: Harper Collins

Expected Publication Date: July 29, 2025

Review:

Thank you to HarperCollins and Edelweiss for supplying me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

A return to the world of Ava Reid's dark academia was something I was really excited for. The first book in this series was really lush and immersive and I couldn't wait to see where Reid would take the second part of this story. I was not disappointed at all. I will say, you cannot read this second book without having read the first. The first book truly builds the world for this second book. Reid takes that world and makes it even more complex and enriched with this story.

We pick up with Effy and Preston after they have returned from Hiraeth. Effy and Preston are facing scrutiny since they have challenged the beloved national fairytale. Everything they do is put under a microscope. And Effy has been admitted as the first woman to the literature college which puts her even more in the spotlight.

I loved the dual POV of this book. It allowed us to really get an in depth look at Preston and be in his head. I enjoyed experiencing things through his eyes. The book also focuses more on him and his dreams. We also see his love for Effy and how she has embedded herself in his life to the point that he would be totally devastated to lose her.

Reid continues to blur the line between reality and fantasy with this book, as well. The line between being awake and being asleep and how those two worlds collide.

Reid also tackles many big issues including but not limited to politics, misogyny, xenophobia, mental health, and substance abuse. While this is a fantasy, Reid truly anchors much of the book in reality. May of the issues she tackles can be related to the things we are seeing in our world today.

Reids writing is lyrical and addictive. The story is poetic in how it is presented. Pretty spot on since the books have their stories built around poets.

Reid gives a stunning follow up to A Study In Drowning with this book. I read this in less than 24 hours. It concludes well but you can also see there is room for more if she chooses to do so. I see she has written a novella and I cannot wait to read that one, as well. 

Author:

Ava Reid is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning, A Theory of Dreaming, Lady Macbeth, Juniper & Thorn, and The Wolf and the Woodsman. Her books have been published in over fourteen territories. She lives in the New York area. Follow her on Instagram @avasreid and find her online at tumblr.com/avasreid.

ARC Review: If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair

 

In this enemies-to-lovers romance, school nurse Josie and her brother's best friend--hockey player Wyatt Jacobs--are tricked into spending a summer together that's anything but smooth sailing.

When Josie's brother sends her to a random address for their (sometimes) annual Super Summer Sibling Extravaganza, she finds neither siblings nor extravaganzas. Instead, ends up at a run-down cottage on the Northern Neck of Virginia occupied by a hockey player she knows and loathes.

A hockey player who isn't just one of her sports agent brother's clients. He's also his best friend. And Josie's sworn enemy.

Oh--and her brother wants Josie to help Wyatt recover from his injury.

Dragging grumpy hockey players to physical therapy is a far cry from bandaging skinned knees, but for the price her brother offers to pay, Josie is willing to try.

Even if it means sharing what she dubs the quaint little murder cottage with Wyatt.

Begrudgingly, Josie starts to see a little more of the man behind the grumpy exterior. And when she finds out he was supposed to sail the Intracoastal Waterway south to Savannah scattering his uncle's ashes, Josie surprises even herself by offering to be Wyatt's first mate.

Smooth sailing is nowhere to be found, and Josie begins to wonder if they'll be able to make it home without killing--or kissing?--each other.

And yet, the longer they share cramped quarters and canned food, the more of Wyatt's layers she peels back until Josie realizes she misunderstood him, their shared history, and perhaps herself as well.

Title: If All Else Sails

Author: Emma St. Clair

Publisher: Thomas Nelson Fiction

Expected Publication Date: August 5, 2025

Review:

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction/Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for supplying me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I love a good enemies to lovers story. Pair that with some close proximity and you have the makings of the perfect chemistry that builds to a true love story. Emma St. Clair managed this flawlessly. This was my first book by this author but it certainly won't be my last. 

Josie finds herself in a pickle. Her brother lied to her and told her they were going on a sibling vacation. But what he was really doing was inserting her into Wyatt's life to try get his best friend to heal and get back to hockey. Josie and Wyatt have spent their lives hating each other, or at least that's what Josie thinks. But as the two spend more and more time together, they both learn about the miscommunication that has happened during their course of knowing each other, and their chemistry blooms into something undeniable.

I will say, I was expecting spice with this story. I have not read St. Clair before so I'm not sure if clean romance is her norm but there was zero spice. And, while that's the level I'm used to reading when I read romance, not having it did not detract in any way from the story for me. If anything, it made the chemistry even more steamy. I loved the slow burn connection Josie and Wyatt experienced. I'm not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope, and there were so many times during this story the two could have fully disclosed everything and gotten on with their lives. But then there would not have been a story.

The plot takes a turn when the two go off on a sailing trip together. I loved this portion of the book more than any other part. Their experiences during the trip were really great and helped build their relationship. Clair did well with the sailing language, as well. I was impressed with the level that was used. Perhaps because I have a sailboat and understand the words. But it was great to watch Josie eagerly learn what she needed to in order to be helpful for their trip.

I did not realize Wyatt has appeared in St. Clair's other books and now I'm anxious to read the other stories of the Appies players! I've now added all her titles to my TBR and I cannot wait to read them!

St. Clair infused witty banter with a good amount of emotional turmoil and growth. The characters were well fleshed out and developed. The author made me fall in love with them almost immediately. If you're looking for a clean romance read with tons of chemistry, wit, and emotional growth, pick this one up and give it a try!

Author:

Emma St. Clair is a USA Today Bestselling Author who loves sassy heroines, witty banter, and love stories with heart and humor. She has an MFA in Fiction and lives in Katy, Texas (go, Tigers!) with her hubby, five children, and Great Dane. Her favorite place to write is tapping on her phone while on the elliptical machine. No Emmas have been hurt in the writing of these novels. (Yet.)

Want a free novella? Grab Upping the Ante here: https://emmastclair.com/ante

You can follow the day-to-day on instagram @kikimojo.

ARC Review: Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings

 

Eva Kitt never expected to be the host of Sausage Talk, interviewing B-list celebrities over lukewarm hot dogs, instead of pursuing the journalism career she dreamed of. But when Eva’s impromptu public call out of her college ex goes viral, she’s thrust into the spotlight. It doesn’t help said ex is Rylie Cooper, a beloved social media personality that has built a platform on deconstructing toxic masculinity and teaching men how to be good partners.

Forced to confront Rylie on a live episode of Sausage Talk, he offers Eva a deal: allow him to take her on a series of dates to make up for his toxic behavior, then debrief them on his channel to show he’s changed. Eva refuses to play nice, but agrees to the scheme to advance her own career and continue defaming Rylie’s good name. When these manufactured dates start to feel real, Eva has to wonder if the boy that broke her heart has become the man that might heal it.

Title: Well, Actually

Author: Mazey Eddings

Publisher: St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin

Expected Publication Date: August 5, 2025

Review:

Thank you to St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This is my first Mazey Eddings book so I wasn't sure what to expect. But the blurb of an enemies to lovers and second chance love story drew me right in and I'm so glad I read this one! It was a lot of fun and I'm definitely hooked on this author and will read more of her in the future!

Eva Kitt calls out her ex on social media and it goes viral. When her boss finds out, they= company want to take advantage of the video's popularity to help boost the company's views. To do so, Eva must form an alliance with said ex, Rylie Cooper, and put herself out there by going on dates with him and using his PodCast to review them. 

This book is quintessential enemies to lovers. I truly had no idea how these two would possibly get over what made them enemies in the first place. But Mazey made it work. Their verbal sparring was top notch.

Eva's past with Rylie revolves around their dating and the relationship Eva thought she would get versus what Rylie actually gave her. She gave all her firsts to him but he blew her off. They had so much to work through in this book. And it just worked. I can't really talk too much about the hows and whys without spoiling things but let's just say Rylie had a lot of trauma he needed to work through that he never told Eva about. This story is his redemption.

The chemistry between these two was top notch. And their banter. I laughed so hard so many times. But there are also a ton of tender moments and moments where clarity between them becomes super emotional and heavy. So much so Eva has a hard time handling it. There is one scene with couples therapy that happens and it's probably one of the most raw scenes in a romance book I have ever read. 

Eddings paces this book perfectly. And YAY for no third act break up. These two truly learn how to work through their stuff and come out healthier on the other side. There's mental health and LBQTQ+ rep throughout, as well, which I absolutely loved because Eddings did it right.

This book had me laughing, crying, clutching my chest, and made me a bit of an emotional wreck, but in a good way. There are so many lessons to learn. There's insecurities and grief along with happy times and sweetness. And Eddings balances it out perfectly.

Author:

Mazey Eddings is a bestselling author, dentist, and (most importantly) stage mom to her cats, Yaya and Zadie. She can most often be found reading romance novels under her weighted blanket and asking her husband to bring her snacks. She's made it her personal mission in life to destigmatize mental health issues and write love stories for every brain. With roots in Ohio and Philadelphia, she now calls North Carolina home.

Fat Stack Friday July 25, 2025

 

Check out my haul this week! I knew it was going to be a busy week after having been on vacation for two. So many new goodies to share!

Kindle:

Arcana Academy (Arcana Academy #1) by Elsie Kova

I love me some dark academia but haven't seen much in the adult realm so I'm excited for this one for sure!

Heart Marks the Spot by Libby Hubscher

I really wanted to read this one early but decided I just would not have time to get it done. So it was on my immediate buy list as soon as it came out. I love a good treasure hunting romance story!

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

I have not read any Jackson yet but her Good Girl's Guide to Murder series has so many great ratings I decided I needed to get started on reading her!

Libby/Hoopla:

Ralph's Party by Lisa Jewell

This one is a reboot of an old Jewell book. I hope I like it. I tried one other older book by her and wasn't a fan.

The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O'Clover

This was a read now and it just looked cute. I love romance!

We Were Never Friends by Kaira Rouda

Saw this one all over my NetGalley groups and it was read now so I decided to give it a try.

Epicenter of Forever by Mara Williams

I will be honest and say this cover is what made me get this read now book. It reminded me of Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt, which I loved. Hope it's good!

He Sees You When You're Sleeping by Alta Hensley

I'm really into the dark romance stuff right now and this one fit the bill. Plus I'm building up my holiday reads!

For the Record by Emma Lord

I have a Kindle copy of this but when it popped up on audio and I saw it was Andrew Eiden and Jesse Vilinsky I had to request it. I'm going to do an audio/Kindle read along!

The First Time I saw Him by Laura Dave

I love Dave and haven't read a book by her yet that I haven't enjoyed. I can't wait to see what this one is about!

In the Mail:

Undead and Unwed by Sam Tschida

Sent to me by the publisher. I love a good vamp romance!

These two below are from my monthly FairyLoot adult/YA combo box. They are gorgeous! I'm excited specifically for Dance of Lies!

Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena

The Nightblood Prince by Molly X. Chang

What did you get this week?

ARC Review: Anywhere With You by Ellie Palmer

 

Title: Anywhere With You

Author: Ellie Palmer

Publisher:

Expected Publication Date: August 5, 2025

Review:

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review.  The opinions expressed here are my own.

Ellie Palmer could write a grocery list and I'd read it! After I read Four Weekends and a Funeral, she quickly became one of my favorite romance writers. This story also did not disappoint. Best friends to lovers, close proximity, and so much more all come together to create an emotional rollercoaster of a story full of chaos, humor, and so many tender moments.

Charley was probably one of the most relatable female characters I've read in a romance book. She's jaded about love and marriage after her divorce. She gave parts of herself up for what she thought was love only to find it wasn't truly what she thought it was. She settled for something that was just ok rather than allowing herself to take what she really wanted. I felt for her so much. Much of the book is her spent spiraling out of control as she tries to prevent her sister from what she thinks is the biggest mistake of her life: marrying her on again/boyfriend. She enlists her best friend to help her and along the way learns what true love really is. It was great to watch Charley bloom and open and see what true love from someone who really cares can be like. 

Ethan, ugh, what can I say. He was so great. Definitely a golden retriever of a character. And his banter with Charley is top notch. I found myself laughing out loud so many times during this book. I loved all their interactions and I loved watching Charley learn Ethan wasn't exactly who she thought he was, even though they had been friends for so long.

Of course there were times when I wanted to smack both characters around to get them to open their eyes, but they needed to go through the experiences to get there. But their chemistry was so amazing I often overlooked being annoyed with them.

The pacing was done really well with this one. I loved all the experiences Charley went through that helped reshape her frame of mind. Palmer did a great job inserting. And I really enjoyed the dual timeline. Flashbacks tell so much about characters and are such a great way to build a story and relationships. I didn't want to put the book down because I really had to see what happened that once tore Ethan and Charley apart. I did figure it out a bit early on but that didn't take away from me wanting to continue on with reading the story. I also loved that Palmer didn't just make it about Charley and Ethan. Charley's sister's storyline was essential to the plot, and to Charley realizing real love can and will endure. Laurel and Petey really were a great addition to the cast of characters and their plot played in well with Ethan and Charley's relationship growth.

I'm pretty sure there's nothing Palmer will ever write that I won't love. I cannot wait to see what else she brings in the future. This was a fast read for me that I can see myself picking up again, maybe in audio!

Author:

Ellie Palmer is a lifelong lover of love stories, a carrier of the BRCA1 mutation, and a prototypical Midwesterner who routinely apologizes to inanimate objects when she bumps into them. When she’s not writing romantic comedies featuring delightfully messy characters, she’s at home in Minnesota, eating breakfast food, watching too much reality television, and triple texting her husband about their son.

ARC Review: Immortal Consequences by I.V. Marie

Six students at Blackwood Academy, an enigmatic boarding school located at the edge of the afterlife, must compete for the once-in-eternity chance to change their fate—or risk remaining stuck in purgatory forever. An unputdownable debut full of hairpin twists, shock betrayals and world-defying love, for fans of The Atlas Six.

Welcome to Blackwood Academy: the legendary school located at the fringes of the afterlife, where students are fated to spend the rest of eternity shepherding lost souls. Once a pupil enters the school’s arched gates, there is no way out…except for the Decennial, a once-in-a-decade celebration that rewards nominees who pass its trials with a choice: formally graduate and join Blackwood’s magical elite, or venture into the unknown and cross over to the mysterious Other Side.

Wren Loughty is certain that this Decennial, she has what it takes to earn the nomination—unless, that is, her academic archrival Augustine Hughes steals her spot.

Irene Manette Bamford has never cared about playing by the rules. She’s willing to break whatever (and whoever) stands between her and getting the hell out of Blackwood, including her best and only friend, Masika Sallow.

Olivier Dupont gave up on securing the nomination ages ago. But after he meets Blackwood’s newest student, Emilio Córdova, he’ll do anything to keep Emilio from leaving him and crossing over to the Other Side—even if it means claiming the victory for himself.

All of them are determined to be Blackwood’s chosen candidate–and all of them would do anything to win. But none of them are prepared for what’s to come. Because this Decennial will be different. This time, the Decennial isn’t a celebration…it’s a competition. And there can only be one victor.

Six nominees. Four trials. Untold danger. Wren, August, Irene, Masika, Olivier and Emilio are about to learn: there are some fates worse than death.

Title: Immortal Consquences

Author: I.V. Marie

Publisher: Random House Children's

Expected Publication Date: June 29, 2025

Review:

Thank you to Random House Children's Publishing for sending me a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own. I was disappointed to be denied a copy of this book on NetGalley but then the publisher contacted me to see if I'd like to read and review and I jumped at the chance.

Wow! Wow! Wow! I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. It had so many great elements that checked all kinds of boxes for me. A magical academy a la Harry Potter. Hunger Games type competition. Stranger Things type creatures who are freaking scary and definitely out to get everyone. Plus a dark academia setting with an undead feel and good and evil factions. All this within the realm of the dead. It was so much fun to read.

I loved the multiple POVs the author used to give us so many different visions of what was happening during the entire book. If differing POVs is not your thing, you might not like this one as there are six, but I found it fascinating. The dynamics between the characters was enjoyable. And the entire crew gave a found family feel. It was great to get to know each and every character this way. Each character was well developed and Marie absolutely made me care for each and every one of them. They were relatable, despite the element of them being dead souls. The POVs were easily distinguishable and the characters were likeable with lots of flaws to make them even more understandable. The alternating POVs also kept me interested in the story as I wanted to know what happened to each and every one of the characters; what their end game was and why.

The pacing was action packed. There was always something happening that moved the story forward and kept me interested in what would be happening next. I was never bored, not for one single minute.

And the slow burn romances were on point. This book is definitely YA. I am a big romance reader so I always worry about a young adult romantasy and what it will hold for me. There is definitely fade to black with any scenes that contain the hint of a sexual encounter, but that didn't make the romances any less enjoyable. And the angst, oh the angst. I think this is what did it for me. I didn't need to spice because the longing and chemistry Marie did create was on point! There is great LBGTQ+ rep in this book, as well. 

Marie also did a fabulous job with the world building. It's filled with such great description and a well fleshed out magical system that was easy to understand. This part absolutely reminded me of Harry Potter with it's different dorms acting like the houses for the different magical abilities. And I loved her writing. It was easy to read and smooth.

This book is easily in my top 5 for this year. And I just knew there would be some crazy twist and a bit of a cliff hanger for this one but I didn't care. I was sad to come to the end and would love to have the second book right this very minute. I cannot wait to read what comes next!

If you're looking for an action packed paranormal read with dark academia the likes of Harry Potter and trials the likes of The Hunger Games, this one is it. I am absolutely enamored and on board with this series and cannot wait to see where Marie takes this story line!

Author:

I.V. Marie was born and raised in Miami to a Peruvian mother and Chilean father, where she acquired a penchant for afternoon cafecitos and developed an all-consuming obsession with books. Her writing ambitions began behind her grandparents’ computer, where she spent her childhood crafting spooky and fantastical short stories. She holds a BA in Communication Studies from Loyola Marymount University and currently lives in Los Angeles, where she spends her free time going on walks with her chaotic, but loving dog, Mr. Darcy.

 

ARC Review: The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen

 

The Locked Ward is the latest twisty thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author of Gone Tonight and House of Glass, Sarah Pekkanen.

Was it bitter, all-consuming jealousy? Pathological sibling rivalry? Pure insanity? Whatever the cause - and everyone has a theory- it was the Crime of the Decade when glamorous Georgia Cartwright, who was adopted as a newborn, killed the younger, biological daughter of her wealthy, Southern family.

Georgia is locked in a psychiatric institution where the most violent offenders are held while she awaits trial. The only words she whispers when her estranged twin sister Amanda visits are, "You've got to get me out of here. I didn't do it." Amanda doesn't trust Georgia, but she can't abandon her in a place so eerie and menacing it seems to exist in another dimension.

Is Georgia the victim of a powerful family so depraved that murder is the least of their crimes? Or is Amanda being led down a path of madness and into the web of a master manipulator?

Title: The Locked Ward

Author: Sarah Pekkanen

Publisher:

Expected Publication Date: August 5, 2025

Review:

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I picked up this book because I had seen many great reviews of this author's previous titles. I'm always looking for new mystery/thriller authors to read as I really do enjoy the genre. Unfortunately, I had to DNF this book at 68%. I wanted to love it. I wanted to enjoy the story and see where the mystery went. But it was boring for me. I didn't care about what was happening at all and at over halfway through the book I should have felt some kind of pull to finish. I didn't.

The narrator, January Lavoy, was enjoyable enough, though nothing special for me. She could have done better with voicing the different characters, making them more distinct as they all just sounded the same to me. Since it was dual POV, I struggled to remember which character's chapter I was on.

The alternating sister POV was also interesting to me. I like when books have more than one POV. It gives some interesting background. And it was intriguing how the author chose to have one in first person and one in second person, as well. I'm guessing this was to try and keep the perspectives straight, which normally works for me. Plus the author chose to write fairly short chapters which I very much appreciate.

But this was where it stopped being a good read for me.

The pacing was super slow. Even though things were happening, I honestly didn't feel like anything was happening. There was nothing gripping enough to pull me through the book and make me want to know what the mystery was. I didn't care if it was solved or not.

I also found the writing lacking. It seemed rather juvenile to me given it is an adult book. There was so much telling through the book when all I wanted was the author to show me what was happening.

I had zero connection with the characters. Their link was totally unbelievable to me. They were twins, though not identical which I found made their story lacking, who didn't know about each other until a huge tragedy strikes and they are somewhat forced together (I won't expand as I don't want to spoil it). I didn't feel their twin connection at all. The author had the characters telling you it was there, but that's all it was. Being told they had the connection rather than watching the chemistry that would indicate they did. I needed much more emotion and depth to them but their development was underwhelming.

While the opening was a strong start, and set the mystery up quite well, the plot line and pacing killed it for me by about 25% into the book. I kept going because I though maybe it was just a lull. Maybe it would pick up and I'd find more depth to the characters and the mystery. Maybe I'd love the action and the thrill of the chase. Alas, none of that happened for me.

Overall, I was disappointed not only with the writing but with the plot and lack of suspense this book provided. I found myself unable to stay engaged; my attention often wandering so I would have to rewind or flip back in the book to remind myself what was happening. I kept waiting for the shoe to drop, for some emotional spark to happen, or even for it to make sense but it just didn't. The premise was intriguing and the blurb seemed like the book would be entertaining but it just did not deliver. I'm not sure if I'll pick up another book by this author but it's possible I might give one of her older titles a try to see if maybe this was just a one off.

Author:

I'm a #1 New York Times bestselling author of 15 solo and coauthored books, including HOUSE OF GLASS, which is a Goodreads Choice award nominee and Amazon best book of the year.

My upcoming thriller, THE LOCKED WARD, is being hailed by Lee Child as "psychological suspense at its very best."

I'm also the coauthor of four bestselling thrillers: THE GOLDEN COUPLE, THE WIFE BETWEEN US, AN ANONYMOUS GIRL, and YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

I've also written eight novels that are contemporary fiction, not thrillers: THE EVER AFTER, THE PERFECT NEIGHBORS, THINGS YOU WON'T SAY, CATCHING AIR, THE BEST OF US, THE OPPOSITE OF ME, SKIPPING A BEAT, and THESE GIRLS. My linked free short estories, published by Simon&Schuster exclusively for ereaders, are titled "All is Bright," and "Love, Accidentally."

When I'm not writing or spending time with my three kids, I'm a passionate advocate for rescue animals. I serve as Ambassador of RRSA India, a shelter and sanctuary for abused and injured street dogs and other animals in Anand, India. And I'm the founder of the nonprofit charity IndiaStreetPaws.com.

I also serve on the board of the International Thriller Writers. Readers and writers - come join us at Thrillerfest in NYC every spring!

Please find me on Insta and Facebook for more!

My website is www.sarahpekkanen.com