cheyennedierker's reviews
125 reviews

5.0/5.0⭐

Mark your calendars for January 2025 because this is an absolute gem of a thriller that you won't want to miss. If you enjoyed Netflix’s "Worst Roommate Ever," this book will be right up your alley.

Meg Russo’s story is one of resilience and courage. After the heartbreaking loss of her husband, she and her college-aged daughter are determined to rebuild their lives and their family bookstore. But when unsettling threats from a group of unhinged conspiracy theorists—who believe a book predicted COVID-19 and that Meg’s musician father worshiped the devil—start to chip away at their sense of safety, the tension skyrockets. As the pressure mounts, these two strong women must dig deep, confront their fears, and uncover the truth before it’s too late.

I’ll admit, the first chapter had me bracing for a typical hormonal-middle-aged-woman-in-crisis-whose-kids-hate-her story or a confusing multi-timeline plot, but I was pleasantly surprised. The narrative stays focused and engaging.

It reminded me of my college days when I was assigned a persuasive paper on an off-the-wall conspiracy theory and chose the one about Paul McCartney being replaced after a car accident. The book perfectly captures that fringe backward logic and wild speculation, like people playing records backward and seeing clues that aren’t really there. And set in a post-COVID world, with Facebook and Reddit fueling rapid misinformation, it feels more relevant than ever.

If you consider yourself a light conspiracy theorist, you’ll likely find this book intriguing without feeling offended or put off. The characters each fall somewhere on a spectrum of skepticism. However, if you’re very sensitive to themes of mental illness, particularly schizophrenia, this might not be the right fit for you, though it’s not overly dark or scary. I’d also note minor trigger warnings for antisemitism, illness, car crashes, and loss of a parent.

This would make an excellent, quick book club read, opening up rich conversations about the spread of misinformation, the spiral of delusion, and how wild theories—amplified by the anonymity of the internet—can take root and lead to real-world harm.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Despite the initial difficulty in getting into the story, Buxton's novel ultimately delivers a heartwarming tale with feel-good themes and memorable characters.

The beginning is thick with characters and minor details making it a lot to sort through. However, it does mellow into a charming narrative about an old Italian village, Lazzarina Boscarino, that's on its last leg. It follows Giuseppina, a bartender who receives a prophecy about a visitor, and Delizia, a newly elected mayor, and her journey from panic to leadership.

Tartufo delves into themes of identity, self-discovery, community, loyalty, and tradition with humor and irony.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy. 

Another well-crafted contemporary social satire that uses vantage point to showcase how jumping to conclusions about the people you think you know can be tragic, with a unique wellness industry spin. Coming September 2024.

Kelsey Rae Dimberg's "Snake Oil"  contrasts female ambition with profound skepticism and disdain for deceptive marketing. It alternates perspectives between Rhoda, the ambitious founder of Radical, a wellness company on track to reach a billion-dollar valuation; Cecilia, a "Customer Worship" team member grappling with chronic pain and cynicism; and Dani, her friend and coworker with unwavering loyalty to Radical.

Perfect for readers who recognize shades of grey in human nature and society, but be aware that the novel features a significant focus on pregnancy for those sensitive to the topic.

Thank you to Mariner Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

In a post-apocalyptic island community, villagers must solve the murder of one of their revered elders quickly to prevent a deadly fog from destroying them all, and their memories of the night before have been erased. While the hardcopy of Stuart Turton's The Last Murder at the End of the World has been receiving mixed reviews, I decided to try the audiobook and was pleasantly surprised. Narrated by James Cameron Stewart, the audio version adds a unique dimension to the story, with Stewart's narration enhancing the eerie and suspenseful atmosphere.

The story is heavy on science fiction concepts and requires careful attention to detail, so reading the preview or at least the blurb beforehand is helpful. While character development and relationships take a backseat to the broader mystery and community dynamics, the originality of the plot and the immersive narration make the audiobook version worth a listen. I recommend it to fans of science fiction and mystery looking for something different.

Thank you to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

 "The Examiner" by Janice Hallett is a crime novel uniquely told through emails, text messages, and essays. It centers on Gela Nathaniel and her efforts to manage a small group of students in a pilot art master's program at Royal Hastings University. As tensions rise and secrets come to light, a third-party examiner uncovers that someone is in grave danger through their final projects.

I thought the modern epistolary style would be a good fit because I'm nosy and my favorite middle-grade books were Kate Klise's "Regarding the Fountain" series. However, I think this would work better as a YA novel. It somehow felt both boring and farfetched, with the storyline and characters' actions often feeling implausible. While the assignments and communication methods were realistic and reminiscent of my own online college learning experiences, the plot dragged on until it finally picked up around the 60% mark. It did end with several unexpected twists.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy.

 #DeathLady, soon to be a TikTok sensation, appears unremarkable until she starts predicting the age and cause of death for passengers on an Australian flight. Some barely listen, others laugh and compare fortunes, while a few find her predictions gripping their every move.

Liane Moriarty, the queen of contemporary fiction, masterfully weaves plots and characters like no other. Here One Moment delves into destiny, free will, statistics and fallacy, grief, and the chilling impact of knowing one's fate.

I loved it. It was beautiful. It was brilliant. Now we eagerly await the inevitable film adaptation.

Thank you to Crown Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy. 

Elder millennial moms who were fans of "Big Little Lies" will love Asha Elias' debut "Pink Glass Houses," a delicious blend of social satire and contemporary chick lit where "Mean Girls" meets "Selling Sunset."

Dive into the ruthless dynasty of Miami Beach's Sunset Academy, an elite public elementary school—Go Seagulls! Charlotte Giordani, the reigning queen of fundraising, is ready to claim the PTA presidency when Kansas transplant Melody Howard comes to town. Melody gets a debrief from another mother, Darcy Resnick, a lawyer, about the social hierarchy and injustices at the school. Despite her loyalty to her new friend Darcy, Melody feels a sense of magnetism toward the bright and shiny Charlotte. As the PTA election takes off, the women's rivalries ignite a high-stakes game of scandal and deceit, unearthing dark secrets and shattering the polished facades of the town.

Elias masterfully develops each character through rotating perspectives, showcasing Charlotte, Melody, and the other women as lovable, hateable, and relatable in their own ways. From navigating Montessori learning and themed Halloween doors to Botox and white-collar crime, the women of "Pink Glass Houses" offer sharp wit and deep insights into how different our realities are depending on our vantage point.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the advanced copy. 

The Whole Story: Adventures in Love, Life, and Capitalism by John Mackey offers a comprehensive account of the rise of Whole Foods Market and Mackey's personal and spiritual journey. With a runtime of 13 hours and 6 minutes, it truly is the whole story.

As a business management major, I was vaguely familiar with John Mackey, but I got a better glimpse through an episode of the Freakonomics podcast titled 'How to Succeed by Being Authentic (Hint: Carefully)'. I highly recommend it as a starting point before diving into this book, to grasp Mackey's thinking style and see if his ideas resonate with you and if you can handle some of his political rantings. If they do, this audiobook is a good suit for your commute.

I particularly enjoyed his reflections of how much compromising of himself, or backing off his own ideals, he was wanting to do to make space for others in his businesses, and to grow said businesses. Mackey is quite eccentric but very logical in explaining his thinking. 

I always find it interesting if when a business leader accomplishes something that their team or others were unsure of or thought was impossible, what lessons they take from that. That is, do they jump to the notion of, 'Oh, no one thought I could do it, I'm a genius, they're wrong,' which you certainly don't learn anything from as a reader. Or, are they of the mindset of, 'Okay, we were playing with fire a little bit there, that was an uphill battle, we really came together and made that work, what do we change for next time?' Mackey certainly strikes me as the latter, emphasizing relationships, collaboration, and personal mistakes in this memoir rather than basking in his successes. 

Thank you to RB Media, Ascent Audio, and Netgalley for the advanced copy.

In "How to Piss Off Men: 109 Things to Say to Shatter the Male Ego," Kyle Prue presents over a hundred clever phrases, questions, and comebacks to clip the egos of annoying pick-up artists and put overly confident men in their place. Set to publish September 2024.

As someone who delights in Kyle Prue's TikToks, I found this book to be a natural extension of his hilarious take on toxic masculinity. My best friend, who's back navigating the world of online dating, often shares her misadventures with me, and Prue has become a go-to for quick laughs and light-hearted revenge tactics. However, it's worth noting that the humor may not be for everyone; those who take themselves very seriously or hold conservative views may find it off-putting.

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. 

 "A Sorceress Comes to Call," a new take on the Brothers Grimm classic "Goose Girl", brings secrets, shifting alliances, and a treacherous journey to freedom, set to be published in August 2024.

Cordelia's life is controlled by her peculiar mother, an evil sorceress whose true nature becomes clear as the story unfolds. Fleeing their town for a new beginning, Cordelia and her mother find themselves at the country manor of the Squire and his sister, Hester. As Cordelia's mother schemes to ensnare the Squire with her dark magic, Cordelia finds herself torn between loyalty and fear. Recognizing Cordelia's silent cries for help, others vow to protect her.

The strength of the book lies in its well-developed characters and relationships. Kingfisher's storytelling skill shines as she weaves a tale that feels both familiar and mysterious, drawing readers into a world of intrigue and danger. The fairy tale essence adds charm, making it a captivating read for fans of the genre. Readers sensitive to gore may want to pass on this one, but there was nothing overly dark here.

One of the book's highlights is its development of magic, seamlessly integrated into Cordelia's coming-of-age narrative. As Cordelia learns about her mother's sorcery, readers are taken on an organic journey of discovery, making the magic feel both natural and intriguing. Despite occasional imbalance in the pace, Kingfisher's storytelling prowess ensures the story remains engaging and compelling throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the advanced copy.