Review: The Inevitable Undoing of Zahara Douglass by Leslye Penelope

About the Book

For four years, Zahara Douglass has been haunted by the mystery of her sister’s disappearance—not where she went, but whether she ever existed at all.

In April 1995, Zahara watched her twin sister, Annica, get hustled into a stranger’s car and disappear—only to return to a world where no one has heard of Annica. Not her mother. Not the police. No one.

Four years later, as the world braces for the looming Y2K crisis, Zahara finds evidence proving her sister was real and hires a private investigator to dig into her family’s shadowed past. When the investigation leads to two charismatic men who once served with her father in Vietnam, Zahara realizes she and her sister may be pawns in a dangerous power struggle with unthinkable consequences.

To find Annica, Zahara must face the truth about her family, her memories, and the power lurking within her. But the sisters’ reunion comes at a price—one that could bring about the end of the world.

Review

I loved every minute of The Inevitable Undoing of Zahara Douglass. From the beginning, it captured my full attention, and I found myself recommending it to anyone who would listen. I hadn’t read anything like it, and I quickly began obsessed with it and how adventurous and mysterious it was.

At the heart, this is a story about Zahara’s quest to find her twin, Annica. One second Annica was there, and the next there were no traces that she had ever existed. Now, Zahara is the only person who recalls her sister, and she refuses to accept that Annica is fully gone. Zahara had such an admirable and heartbreaking determination to find her sister. This isn’t a normal case of a child disappearing. And as Zahara begins to uncover the truth, she determines how complicated the truth is and how it’s connected to their late father.

There is some romance in the book, but I didn’t feel particularly invested in either. I do understand why it was included and how it served the larger plot. Also, I appreciated how Penelope never allowed the romance to fully take over the story. Again, Zahara and Annica are the heart of the story.

Another highlight of the book was the mixed-media narrative. Between Zahara’s third-person POV, audio recordings of their father about what happened to him in Vietnam, Annica’s emails and her digital journal entries, there was always another piece of the puzzle being revealed. These elements kept the momentum going while also allowing the story to explore the past without slowing down the present-day mystery. Everything felt well thought out and carefully woven together.

I especially love Annica’s chapters. It was so interesting to see the world through her eyes. She was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at a young age and turned to technology to cope with her illness and the limitations it placed on her life. Her chapters were a nice way to get to know her beyond Zahara’s memories. Like Zahara, Annica had been fiercely determined to do whatever she could to save her family. Even when she was younger.

As for the Y2K backdrop, I grew up hearing about the Y2K craze and all the fears surrounding what might happen when the year 2000 arrived. However, I don’t remember anything from that time. It was fascinating to read a science-fiction story unfolding right in the middle of that uncertainty. What a perfect backdrop to set this story in, especially with how the story unfolded at the end. Speaking of the end, I am pleased with how it ended; however, I would not mind a novella or a follow-up of what happened next. I am greedy for more.

Final Thoughts

The Inevitable Undoing of Zahara Douglass was a great sci-fi read. I’ve never read anything like it. It sort of reminded me of Marvel’s X-Men or NBC’s Heroes. From the beginning, I was pulled, and the plot and twists kept me locked in until the very last page. Zahara and Annica’s relationship gave the story its emotional core. Everything came together in a way that felt intentional. I can’t recommend this one enough.

Thank you, Redbook, for providing an ARC. The Inevitable Undoing of Zahara Douglass releases on August 11, 2026. 

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Review: The Girl on the Beach by Carol Snow

About the Book

A missing child tears a family apart in this switchback roller coaster of a psychological thriller that builds to a final, jaw-dropping twist, perfect for fans of Jennifer Hillier and Lisa Lutz.

On the surface, Sonia and Graham Starr were a glamorous couple: She, the sleek entrepreneur; he, the boyishly handsome painter with an irrepressible zest for life. They had everything money can buy and the one thing it can’t—a precious, precocious four-year-old named Roxie. But when Roxie disappears into the Pacific Ocean on a perfect August afternoon, their world crumbles around them.

Months later, Roxie’s twenty-one-year-old former nanny, plagued by guilt and confusion, returns to the Starrs’ beach house on the “American Riviera,” the rarefied stretch of land around Santa Barbara where the mountains meet the sea. Her first night back, she gazes out at the sand, only to see a child who bears a striking resemblance to Roxie. When she calls out, the child runs away.

Colleen never believed that Roxie, who was afraid of the surf, would run into the ocean on her own. Now, she is determined to get to the truth, even if it means facing her greatest fears.

The Girl on the Beach asks us who we trust when we can’t trust ourselves. 

Review

The Girl on the Beach is the kind of psychological thriller that makes you question everything you think you know. One sunny afternoon, 4-year-old Roxie Starr vanishes into the Pacific Ocean. Her disappearance breaks apart the Starr family leaving unanswered questions, guilt and grief that seem to have affected their lives.

After months of not being able to relinquish her burden of guilt, their former nanny, Colleen returns to the beach house where everything happened trying to work out her uncertainty. When she sees a little girl on the beach who looks like Roxie, her whole world flips upside down. Was it a coincidence or proof that what everyone believed about Roxie’s disappearance is completely wrong?

From there, the secrets start stacking up, and Colleen finds herself pulled into a labyrinth of memory, suspicion, and buried truths. The more she digs for answers, the more she wonders if she could trust the people around her or her own mind. 

Told from a dual timeline, this is a twisty, unsettling read that keeps shifting beneath your feet. Just when you think you’ve figured out what happened to Roxie, the story throws another curveball. When I say a curveball, you won’t see it coming. 

And that ending? Jaw-dropping. I truly honestly had to put the book down because I thought my mind was mixed up. There’s no way to have predicted what happened and I’m still thinking about it. The book had a slow simmer, but when it starts to get hot, it becomes a page turner.

If you love psychological thrillers filled with missing children, unreliable perceptions, family secrets, and twists that make you rethink everything you just read, The Girl on the Beach deserves a spot on your TBR.

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Review: Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne

About the Book

For a hopeful and hopeless romantic, it’s love at first sight—with a little twist—in a hilarious short story about finding Mr. Right by the USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game.

Rosie Whittaker and her sister are up for some Galentine’s pampering at a day spa. Getting locked inside a flotation tank is so Rosie. Enter a firefighter hero determined to pry this luckless pearl out of her high-tech shell. All Rosie has to go on is a dreamy voice and a flirty sense of humor. Remain calm, Rosie. This could be what you’ve been waiting for. Is this the man she’s waited for her whole life?

Sally Thorne’s Rosie and the Dreamboat is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s make a date of it.

Review

For the most part, I had a good time with Rosie and the Dreamboat. It was lighthearted and delivered exactly what was promised—a cute, quick Meet-cute. Rosie and Leo’s meeting wasn’t ideal by any means, but they made the best of the situation, with effortless banter and easy chemistry. Although, there were a few times when the dialogue felt a little too cringey and immature for my taste.

The biggest issue that I had with the story was the revelation about Rosie’s past. While in college, she had been locked in a car trunk by bullies.  I don’t think that was given the emotional weight that it deserved. Also, because of her trauma, it felt unbelievable that she hadn’t been freaking more.

Final Thoughts

Despite some flaws, Rosie and the Dreamboat was entertaining and enjoyable. Rosie and Leo’s chemistry exceeded my expectations.

Review: Extracurricular by Rachel Lynn Solomon

About the Book

When a former pop star enrolls in college, the last thing she expects is A-plus chemistry with her psychology professor in this sexy and tender romance from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel Lynn Solomon.

“This is Rachel Lynn Solomon at her absolute best: a moving love story between two people learning to trust not only the good in each other, but in themselves.”—Ellen O’Clover, author of The Heartbreak Hotel

Ramona Wilder has spent her whole life in the spotlight. After a hit kids’ TV show, she transitioned into music, singing in arenas around the world and becoming an icon for millions of teenage girls. Now at age twenty-six, exhausted by the inhumane lack of privacy, she’s done—with all of it. She wants a chance at normal, whatever that might mean for her. And she’s starting with college.

Professor Nick Navarro is recently divorced but determinedly optimistic, allowing himself a very reasonable ten minutes per day to wallow. When his department calls a meeting about a celebrity enrollment, he plans to treat whoever it is like any other student. Except when Ramona blazes into class and causes an uproar, the typically easygoing professor is rattled, maybe for the first time in his career.

Ramona loves the way she flusters him, taking every opportunity to push Nick’s buttons, though what she really wants is to unbutton them completely. When a crisis brings them closer outside of class, they begin a tentative friendship amid an undeniable attraction. But Ramona can’t be so easily finished with her old life, and they’ll both have to confront their pasts if they want a chance at something real.

Review

For months, I’ve been waiting to get Extracurricular in my hands, and once I finally got it, I was so excited and dropped everything to curl up and read it. I will admit there was a bit of nerves. A worry that it wouldn’t meet my expectations or that it would fall victim to inconsistent pacing or undeveloped romance. This is one of my first books by Rachel Lynn Solomon, and I wasn’t sure what to expect from her writing. There was no need to worry. Soloman delivered one of my favorite reads of the year. This was a heartfelt, beautifully paced romance filled with emotional depth, unforgettable characters, and a romance that felt completely earned.

The book begins with Ramona walking away from everything she has known to go back to college. It’s a scary choice, but Ramona was completely brave, and watching her try to live a normal life after spending so much of it in the public eye was fascinating. As well as heartbreaking. She had gone through so much, and her story genuinely broke my heart at times. The book doesn’t shy away from exploring the harsh realities of fame and the emotional toll a person can experience because of it. Despite it, she remained funny, sharp-witted, kind, and resilient. Her journey felt so meaningful.

Like Ramona, Nick was on a path of self-discovery. He was recently divorced and had moved in with his sister and niece (special shoutout to his relationship with his niece because it was great). Nick was such an adorable dork. He was also so soft, patient, and supportive. Even before he and Ramona had developed a deeper connection, he was constantly showing up for her.

Nick and Ramona did share an immediate attraction; however, their relationship never did feel rushed. There was room for their connection to grow. For them to learn to trust each other and be vulnerable. There were so many great small moments of them that made their romance feel genuine and elevated them to one of my favorite book couples. The emotional vulnerability between them created such a raw and beautiful love story. Also, the banter? Fantastic!

Final Thoughts

Within a few chapters, I knew that Extracurricular was going to be a hit for me. It is by far one of my favorite books of the year, and I should send a personalized thank-you letter to Rachel Lynn Solomon. This story has taken up a permanent residence in my head. Not only was the writing engaging, but I was also completely blown away by the sharp humor and emotionally grounded characters.

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Review: Apparently, I'm A Bitch by Demi Blaize

About the Book

Nikki is not a bitch… is she?

She thinks she is. Ever since she started working at one of Manhattan’s most prestigious law firms, she’s been questioning everything about herself.

She’s not even sure about her best friend anymore.

After nine years, the tension between her and Tristan is unbearable—and now Tristan can’t stop thinking about her. His obsession with Nikki is getting harder to ignore, and he’s done holding back.

But there’s just one problem: Rochelle Wiener.

She’s trapped Tristan in a fake-dating arrangement that could cost him everything—his coffee shop, his best friend, and every last dollar he’s ever earned. If he doesn’t play along, he’ll lose it all.

And if Nikki finds out… he’ll lose her too.

Apparently, I’m A Bitch is a spicy, swoony, angst-filled romantic comedy about honesty, temptation, and what happens when the truth comes too late.

This spicy best friends to lovers romantic comedy is set in contemporary New York City, and is the first book within the Apparently, We're The Problem series, but can be read as a standalone.

Review

What do you get when you have years of unspoken feelings, bad timing and a fake dating scheme, a chaotic romantic comedy. Apparently, I’m a Bitch, is one of those stories that will bring you in by its humor and witty banter but also pull at your heart a little bit. What begins as a spicy romcom turns into a heartfelt story about friendship, vulnerability and what happens when you keep secrets.

Nikki is a relatable heroine. Despite impressions of her at moments living up to the title, beneath her sharp edges and challenging self-confidence is a woman trying to balance self-discovery and the pressure of a demanding career by holding it all together.

Then there’s Tristan. Get ready. If you’ve ever wanted two friends to get together so badly, it would be these two. They are clearly meant for each other, but they keep finding a way to make things more complicated than it needs to be. As Tristan’s heart grows with the realization of his love for Nikki, that desperate anticipation for that moment when they both confront what has been right in front of them gives you that romantic tension that keeps you wanting to flip the pages.

As to be expected, we are thrown a curve ball. Everything seemed so perfect until it wasn’t. The angst of the fake dating arrangement is the right blend that doesn’t make it predictable. What keeps you interested is the impact of wondering how much longer things can be hidden before it falls apart and the consequences of knowing that it’s that coming but the uncertainty of when keeps you turning wanting more. 

The chemistry between these two is undeniable. What is endearing is their history making their story more investable and meaningful because every moment learning up to confession is all the more special. Satisfying yet frustrating at times, they are sweet, naughty at times but are everything you’d hope in a friends to lovers romance.

If you love best friends to lovers, fake dating tropes, slow burn romance with the right amount of tension, this story balances the laugh out loud moments with emotional depth. Apparently, I’m A Bitch comes through for a good read. It definitely leaves you wanting to find out what happens in the next book in the series. This book deserves a spot on the TBR list.

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Review: Syx and the City by Grey Huffington

About the Book

The odds of Syx Rouge, aspiring fashion illustrator and current assistant to world-renowned vocalist, Amiyah Mallard, indulging in an unsolicited, overly pleasurable, steamy night with a man like Trough were slim to none. However, a slight turn of events redirected the odds in her favor.

Ultra-sexy and centric Syx was at her wits end. Her New Year's celebration had been strategically planned since her older sister, Sevyn, faced her fears and relocated to the Big City. In New York surrounded by laughter, love, music, drinks and the thrill of the people is where Syx desperately wanted to be. Yet, she found herself missing the very last flight bound for the Big City and stranded in Atlanta, GA. A hint of fate scrambled her way as she returned home after discovering her plans were shot. Amiyah Mallard, with her own agenda in mind, forces her husband to give Syx a lift, compliments of his private plane. A slew of unexpected, yet fortunate, occurrences leaves Syx dazed and confused after waking up on New Year's Day in unknown territory, on a dangerously comforting mattress, tangled in Italian sheets with her beloved boss's life partner. Trough Mallard.

Review

I struggled with the writing in Syx and the City. I found myself rereading the first few paragraphs to ensure that I understood what was happening. The sentence structure felt off, and it made it difficult to connect with the story and the main characters. Also, the romance never felt authentic to me. There were too many coincidences, and it made it super hard to fully invest in them and their chemistry.

In the context of a three-book series, I think this is an interesting concept here. It does lay the groundwork for how the other books would play out. And I think that if I read them back-to-back, I would enjoy them, and maybe have gotten used to the writing style.

Final Thoughts

Syx and the City wasn’t for me. There is something interesting here, and maybe one day I could revisit it with a fresh set of eyes and enjoy it a lot more.

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