I have a couple books from the wonderful people at MBC Books to share with you!
A big thanks to them and to the aurhors for the gifted copies in exchange for my honest reviews
YOU SHOULDN’T BE HERE – Lauren Thoman (Released August 1st, 2024)
DEATH AT MORNING HOUSE – Maureen Johnson (Released August 6th, 2024)
Scroll down to see my mini reviews for these are summer releases!
YOU SHOULDN’T BE HERE – Lauren Thoman (Released August 1st, 2024)
When sixteen-year-old Angie Stewart starts hearing a mysterious voice in her house, she’s thrilled at the possibility of a ghost. Finally, something interesting is happening in her boring hometown of East Henderson, Pennsylvania. But why is she the only one who can hear it? And what does it want from her?
Meanwhile, first-year teacher Madelyn Zhao just got the keys to her new home, which is located close to her job, within walking distance of a dog park—and, most importantly, in the town where her cousin went missing several years ago. No one in East Henderson wants to talk about what happened, but Madelyn is determined to find answers.
As the two strangers search for clues, their investigations begin to point toward the same dark place. But by the time they realize that the truth could be deadly, it’s too late to turn back. And someone out there will stop at nothing to make sure their secrets stay buried.
Mini Review: 3/5 stars – This cover is still so bright and stunning! A thriller to kick off August reading (I started and finished another book but that one will have to wait until August 8th to share!) I really liked the plot of this one and the inclusion of transcripts and other forms of media. I don’t know why, but that’s always an element I enjoy in books – police transcripts, texts, scripts, tweets, or comments.
I liked the characters for the most part, but some got incredibly frustrating at times. I guess that can be a good thing, right? I think I’d probably put this more in the suspense genre because it is slower moving to start. I enjoyed the twists, and I can see some seasoned suspense readers guessing a couple of things, but it’s still an enjoyable read. Some hints of paranormal elements and a little romance to round it out!
DEATH AT MORNING HOUSE – Maureen Johnson (Released August 6th, 2024)
From the bestselling author of the Truly Devious books, Maureen Johnson, comes a new stand-alone YA about a teen who uncovers a mystery while working as a tour guide on an island and must solve it before history repeats itself.
The fire wasn’t Marlowe Wexler’s fault. Dates should be hot, but not hot enough to warrant literal firefighters. Akilah, the girl Marlowe has been in love with for years, will never go out with her again. No one dates an accidental arsonist.
With her house-sitting career up in flames, it seems the universe owes Marlowe a new summer job, and that’s how she ends up at Morning House, a mansion built on an island in the 1920s and abandoned shortly thereafter. It’s easy enough, giving tours. Low risk of fire. High chance of getting bored talking about stained glass and nut cutlets and Prohibition.
Oh, and the deaths. Did anyone mention the deaths?
Mini Thoughts: 3.5/5 stars – Now I’ve never read the Truly Devious series, which seems to be a mistake because so many people rave about it. This is a new standalone from Johnson, not the next installment in the series. I loved the FMC, Marlowe. She’s snarky and hilarious, and who else has a date literally go up in flames? She leaves town in search of a summer job, and she becomes the newest tour guide of the Morning House 1920’s mansion. So much mystery surrounding the house and the deaths that occurred.
Jessicamap Reviews 