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“The Dead Come To Stay” by Brandy Schillace – Book Review @Hanover_Square @HarperCollins #TheDeadComeToStay #BookReview | Fictionophile
I truly enjoyed the first novel in this series, so was eagerly anticipating the second instalment. With a neurodivergent protagonist, some subtle humour, and some peculiar and nefarious characters, there is a lot here to hold a reader’s interest. This time out, Jo Jones encounters the dark crimes of people smuggling, antiquity theft, and yes,…
“The Night The Lights Went Out” by Karen White – Book Review @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social #TheNightTheLightsWentOut #KarenWhite #BacklistReview #BookReview | Fictionophile
Newly divorced Merilee is a mother of two young children. She wishes to attain a certain measure of independence by driving a car she can actually afford, and by renting a cabin from an elderly lady named Sugar Prescott. Her new home is in Sweet Apple, Georgia, an elite suburb of Atlanta. A place where…
Libby at your Library – What’s popular? – August’s most borrowed titles @LibbyApp | Fictionophile
Most popular Ebooks borrowed via Libby in August 2025 "The Women" by Kristin Hannah "Great Big Beautiful Life" by Emily Henry "The Let Them Theory" by Mel Robbins "The Wedding People" by Alison Espach "Onyx Storm" by Rebecca Yarros "Sunrise On The Reaping" by Suzanne Collins "Atmosphere" by Taylor Jenkins Reid "A Court Of Thorns…
“The Homemade God” by Rachel Joyce – Book Review @thedialpress.bsky.social #TheHomemadeGod @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social #BookReview #BookSky | Fictionophile
I've enjoyed many novels written by Rachel Joyce and I have liked them all. Some I loved. However, though I continue to admire her writing, and her complex characters, this novel fell somewhat short for me. The four siblings were extraordinarily close due to the fact that their mother died when they were just small…
Fictionophile’s AUGUST 2025 #BookHaul #Bookbloggers #ForthcomingTitles #TBR #AnticipatedReads #BookSky📚💙 | Fictionophile
This month I added 9 new review commitments to my TBR mountain. Six were offered to me ; one was an auto-approval ; and I requested two of them. My reading and reviewing have suffered as a result of my moving house, and I can't seem to get my reading mojo back... (All book descriptions are…
Cover Love: part 120 – Pool Ladders #Fictionophile #CoverLove #BookCovers #BookLovers | Fictionophile
They say you can never have a second chance to make a good first impression. A book’s cover does just that – gives a first impression. A good cover can make a reader pick up a book. A bad cover can leave the book at the very bottom of a dusty pile. The covers of…
“The Day She Came Back” by Amanda Prowse – Book Review @MrsAmandaProwse #BacklistReview @LUAuthors #TheDaySheCameBack #BookReview | Fictionophile
A beautifully written novel about broken trust, loss and betrayal. Teenager, Victoria adores her grandmother Primrose. She is the rock of her life, the woman who brought her up. Her only family. When Victoria goes out with a friend, she cannot anticipate that when she returns to the house, her beloved Primrose will be dead…
“The Wandering Season” by Aimie K. Runyan – Book Review @harpermusebooks @aimiekrunyan #TheWanderingSeason #BookReview #BookSky | Fictionophile
This title surprised me somewhat. The blurb stated that each of Veronica's travel stops brought her visions, but I didn't expect it to be so literally. Veronica's 'visions' were like tandem, historical narrative's that shed light on some of her ancestor's lives. Call them ghost stories, echoes, or even time slips, they added greatly to…
“Home Before Dark” by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir – Book Review #BlogTour #HomeBeforeDark @OrendaBooks @evaaegisdottir #BookReview @RandomTTours | Fictionophile
I have read several titles by this author and have come to expect quality writing and engrossing stories from her. In this standalone, she doesn't disappoint. Told via dual timelines, we meet two sisters. The elder sister, beautiful Stina, went missing in 1967 while walking home from a friend's house. Though her body was never…
“Fast Boys And Pretty Girls” by Lo Patrick – Book Review @readlandmark.bsky.social #SourcebooksLandmark #LoPatrick #BookReview #FastBoysAndPrettyGirls #BookSky💙📚 | Fictionophile
This novel explores how, as adolescents, we view the world. Danielle Greer, a country girl from North Georgia is 'discovered' at a mall and enticed to the glamorous world of modelling in New York. She is not at all prepared for the life she finds there, yet she tries so hard to fit in, that…
Fictionophile’s JULY 2025 #BookHaul #Bookbloggers #ForthcomingTitles #TBR #AnticipatedReads #BookSky📚💙 | Fictionophile
This month I added 5 new review commitments to my TBR mountain. Three were offered to me - and I requested two of them. My reading and reviewing have suffered as a result of my moving house. I read only two books in July. Hopefully August will see me return to my normal pace... (All…
“Cattail Lane” by Fran Kimmel – Book Review @ecwpress.bsky.social #CattailLane #FranKimmel #CanadianFiction #BookReview | Fictionophile
Written with empathy and compassion, this was an uplifting family drama. The novel is set in Alberta, Canada and features two single parents struggling to keep their families together. Nick Ackerman has carried guilt around with him for the past fifteen years. He has become estranged from his beloved parents because he blames himself for…
“The Burial Place” by Stig Abell – Book Review @HarperFiction @HarperCollinsUK #TheBurialPlace @StigAbell #BookReview | Fictionophile
Jake Jackson series #3 Written partly as an homage to detective fiction, this third book was a worthy addition to the Jake Jackson series . Former London police detective Jake Jackson is now firmly ensconced in his new rural home - he is a changed man. He is very fit and self-sufficient. Having no television,…
Fictionophile’s JUNE 2025 #BookHaul #Bookbloggers #ForthcomingTitles #TBR #AnticipatedReads #BookSky📚💙 | Fictionophile
This month I added 3 new review commitments to my TBR mountain. All were offered to me - I didn't request any this month due to the fact that I am moving house. My reading and reviewing have suffered as a result. (All book descriptions are linked to Goodreads.) I received ONE of these titles…
JUNE was audiobook month – here are some stats from Libby #Audiobooks #LibbyApp | Fictionophile
As many of you know by now, I have recently embraced the practise of listening to audiobooks. I have a subscription to Audible, but I also frequently listen to audiobooks via my local public library using the Libby app. Compared to last year, audiobook checkouts on Libby have increased 14.3% Here are the TOP TEN…
“The Last Days of Kira Mullan” by Nicci French – #AudiobookReview @HarperCollins #HarperAudio #LibbyApp #TheLastDaysOfKiraMullan @FrenchNicci | Fictionophile
In March of 2024 I read "Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter?" and in my review of that novel wrote: "If there is a star of the novel, for me it was Detective Inspector Maud O’Connor. If the authors decide to feature her in future books, I will be first in line to read them." Well…
“The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans – Book Review @CrownPublishing #NetGalley #TheCorrespondent #VirginiaEvans #BookReview | Fictionophile
Written with empathy and wisdom, this debut epistolary novel was an easy five star read for me. The protagonist, Sybil Van Antwerp, is a fiercely intelligent woman who is riddled with guilt and self-recrimination. She has now retired from a distinguished career in the law, is divorced, and is mother to two adult children. Her…
“Three Days in June” by Anne Tyler – #AudiobookReview #BookReview #ThreeDaysInJune #LibbyApp #BooksOnTape | Fictionophile
narrated by J. Smith-Cameron After years and years of reading fiction, I'm ashamed to say that this is my first time reading the work of Anne Tyler. This novel was entertaining and thought provoking. The main topic was marriage - both old, new, broken, and repaired. The way we as human's tend to gravitate toward…
“This Ruined Place” by Michael Lawrence – Book Review | Fictionophile
"Easier to see with your eyes shut. See what you want - and remember - block out what you don't." Though I realized that during the war many manor houses were taken over by the army for use as medical hospitals etc., I did not know that sometimes entire towns were commandeered. This is the…
“Tell Me Something Good” by Court Stevens – Book Review #AudiobookReview #TellMeSomethingGood @harpermusebooks #NetGalley #Audiobooks🎧📚 #BookSky #BookX | Fictionophile
narrated by Marin Ireland with Charlie Thurston The past rears its ugly head in rural Kentucky. Listening to this audiobook was a memorable experience. It was a story of the 'haves' and the 'have nots". Kentucky, like many places, seems to have both extremes with little of the population falling safely somewhere in the middle.…
“Nobody Saw Him” by Liz Lawler – Book Review #BlogTour #NobodySawHim @bookouture.bsky.social #LizLawler #BookReview #BookoutureBooksOnTour #BookSky💙📚 | Fictionophile
A unique spin on the missing child trope puts "Nobody Saw Him" at the forefront of this type of domestic thriller. Jo's five-year-old son Sam goes missing from a public pool on a family swim day. Jo's firefighter husband Pete is away for work at the time. The police are called and events spiral as…
Fictionophile’s MAY 2025 #BookHaul #Bookbloggers #ForthcomingTitles #TBR #AnticipatedReads #BookSky📚💙 | Fictionophile
This month I added 8 new review commitments to my TBR mountain. TWO were titles that I requested; THREE were 'Read Now' titles; I was sent THREE email invitations with 'widgets'. (All book descriptions are linked to Goodreads.) I received four of these titles from NetGalley. My favourite author! Finally, my request was approved! I received…
“Our Last Wild Days” by Anna Bailey – Book Review @atriabooks.bsky.social #OurLastWildDays #AnnaBailey #BookReview | Fictionophile
"Hopelessness makes men do unimaginable things; women too." Many novels are described as atmospheric, and this one would definitely qualify. Set in a sultry, cloyingly humid summer, in an alligator infested Louisiana bayou, I almost had heat stroke reading it. Add to that the fact that the tiny town of Jacknife was also the home…
“Nosy Neighbors” by Freya Sampson – #AudiobookReview #BooksOnTape #NosyNeighbors #FreyaSampson #BookSky🎧📚 | Fictionophile
narrated by Sarah Lambie This is the second time I've had the opportunity to listen to Freya Sampson's novels and, it turns out, that they have both been wonderful, warm stories that will reside in my mind for years to come. I thought that she couldn't outdo herself after "The Lost Ticket", but this one…
“Count My Lies” by Sohpie Stava – Book Review @simonandschuster.bsky.social #BookSky #CountMyLies #SophieStava #BookReview | Fictionophile
Sloane Caraway is a compulsive liar. A life-long habit of lying has buoyed her life up so that she feels less ordinary, less lacklustre, and more interesting. She is quite intelligent and once worked as a teacher in a prestigious preschool. She adores children and is very good at relating with them. However, her teaching…
“Black Rock Bay” by Brianna Lubuskes – Book Review #BacklistReview #BlackRockBay #ThomasAndMercer #BookReview | Fictionophile
Detective Mia Hart grew up on a tiny island off the coast of Maine. When she was just a teenager, she lost two of her best friends to a suicide pact, an event where she too almost lost her life. Scarred both physically and mentally, Mia left the island of St. Lucy's and hasn't been…
“Killer At The County Show” by Kate Wells – Book Review @BoldwoodBooks @KatePoels @rararesources #KillerAtTheCountyShow #boldwoodbloggers #BlogTour #BookReview | Fictionophile
Our protagonist, Jude Gray, is a young, childless widow who now runs her large sheep farm with the help of Noah, her shepherd, and her loyal dogs, Pip and Archie - with memories of her late husband never far from her mind. When she met her husband Adam, he introduced her to his life-long friends…
“The Island Of Small Misfortunes” by Jackson Kuhl – Book Review @regalhouse.bsky.social #JacksonKuhl #TheIslandOfSmallMisfortunes #BookReview #BlueSky📚💙 | Fictionophile
" ... a man who cannot tolerate small misfortunes will never accomplish great things" Always entranced by novels set on islands, this time I learned of the Thimble Islands. The Thimble Islands is an archipelago consisting of small islands in Long Island Sound, located near the southeast corner of Branford, Connecticut. Many of these tiny…
“Coram House” by Bailey Seybolt – Book Review @atriabooks.bsky.social #BaileySeybolt #CoramHouse #BookReview #BookSky💙📚 | Fictionophile
"You can leave Coram House but you can't leave it behind." On the cold and wintery shores of Lake Champlain in Vermont lies an old, atmospheric house with a tragic history. Coram House was once a Catholic orphanage, and true to the reputation - it was a place where the children were abused under the…
“April Storm” by Leila Meacham – Book Review @harpercollins.bsky.social #AprilStorm #LeilaMeacham #BookReview | Fictionophile
I think it is very sad that this novel was published posthumously. The author will never get to realize how much the readers appreciated her work. I read this novel in April, but I'm just now getting around to writing my review.It has been some time since I've read a romantic suspense novel, and I…
Fictionophile’s APRIL 2025 Reading Wrap-Up #bookblogger #MonthlyWrapUp #Fictionophile #AprilReads #BookSky📚💙 | Fictionophile
April by the numbers: Total titles read: 11 three of which were audiobooks Published recently: 6 Backlist titles: 5 Five star reads: 1 Blog Tours 1 Books that are part of a series: 0 Reviews pending 2 Audiobooks 3 Goodreads challenge: 56/150 (37%) GR NetGalley challenge: 31/70 (44%) GR Edelweiss challenge: 10/30 (33%) In April,…
Fictionophile’s APRIL 2025 #BookHaul #Bookbloggers #ForthcomingTitles #TBR #AnticipatedReads #BookSky📚💙 | Fictionophile
This month I added 11 new review commitments to my TBR mountain. I requested ONE title from Edelweiss. Temptation won me over... ONE was a NetGalley 'Read Now' title; I was sent NINE email invitations with 'widgets' or links to download books (All book descriptions are linked to Goodreads.) I received five of these titles…
“Lula Dean’s Little Library Of Banned Books” by Kirsten Miller – Book Review @kirstenmiller.bsky.social #LulaDeansLittleLibraryOfBannedBooks #AudiobookReview #BookSky🎧📚 | Fictionophile
narrated by January LaVoyThough the cover of this novel might lead you to believe that it is a 'light' upbeat read, I found it quite misleading. Yes, the story was told with heart and humour, but the underlying topics were very serious indeed. Lula Dean is a very unhappy woman. A widow, with adult children…
“The River Knows Your Name” by Kelly Mustian – Book Review @tantoraudio.bsky.social @kellymustian.bsky.social #TheRiverKnowsYourName #AudiobookReview #BookSky 📚🎧 | Fictionophile
Sisters Nell and Evie were brought up in North Carolina by a taciturn, enigmatic, and reclusive woman named Hazel. One day the inquisitive girls find an old copy of "Jane Eyre" with a paper tucked inside. The paper is Evie's birth certificate - stating that she has another mother named Becca... This moving novel brought…
“The Sirens” by Emilia Hart – Book Review @stmartinspress.bsky.social @emiliahart.bsky.social #TheSirens #BookReview #BookSky 📚💙 | Fictionophile
I thoroughly enjoyed this author's debut novel and wanted to see if her second novel would be as good as her first. My verdict? "The Sirens" was very good, but not quite as good as "Weyward". "The Sirens" is a triple-timeline novel infused with a lot of magical realism. As is often the case, I…
“The Impossible Thing” by Belinda Bauer – Book Review @groveatlantic.bsky.social #BelindaBauer #TheImpossibleThing #BookReview | Fictionophile
I’ve really enjoyed several of Belinda Bauer‘s novels, so I couldn’t resist the opportunity to read her newest story The Impossible Thing. The main topic of this dual time-line novel was egg trafficking. The first I had ever heard of such a thing. And it WAS a big thing! And IS still a big thing.…
“The Brontë Plot” by Katherine Reay – Book Review #ThomasNelson #TheBrontePlot #BacklistReview #KatherineReay #BookReview #BookSky📚💙 | Fictionophile
Lucy Alling, our protagonist, is besotted with all things literary. She dotes on the classics and loves nothing more than to spend an afternoon with her nose deeply embedded in a book. She also has a keen eye for decorating, and she makes use of both her interests when she works for Chicago's premier interior…
“Where The Story Starts” by Imogen Clark – Book Review @imogenclark.bsky.social #WhereTheStoryStarts #LakeUnionPublishing #BookSky💙📚 #BookReview | Fictionophile
Why did I wait so long to read this wonderful novel? As I attempt to get a handle on my backlist of NetGalley titles, I encountered this gem from spring of 2019... The synopsis above refers to only one of the timelines in this dual timeline novel. This is a novel of four women and…
“The Story She Left Behind” by Patti Callahan Henry – Book Review @simonandschuster.bsky.social @atriabooks.bsky.social #TheStorySheLeftBehind #PattiCallahanHenry #BookReview #Booksky💙📚 | Fictionophile
The author was inspired to write this story after learning about the true literary mystery of Barbara Newhall Follet. Having enjoyed this author's previous novel "The Secret Book Of Flora Lea", I felt quite certain that I would enjoy this latest novel. I was right! In 1927 Clara's beautiful mother disappeared. This happened after Clara…
“The Marriage Rules” by Samantha Hayes – Book Review @bookouture.bsky.social #TheMarriageRules #SamanthaHayes #BookReview #BookoutureBooksOnTour #BookSky 💙📚 | Fictionophile
A twisty domestic thriller that will keep you up late! So many twists. So many questions. It always astounds me when intelligent people find themselves entrenched in a situation or relationship that clearly should be ringing their warning bells... In this instance, a nurse and a psychiatrist meet at work and become a couple. Just…