Wrap Up - September Week 1 - Sep 1 - 5

 

Books that I read August 1 - August 5, 2026

All My Sisters and Me	Sheryl Lister
Heart of Glass	Jennifer Hillier
The Devoted	Catherine Cho
Skyward	Brandon Sanderson
The Sherlock Society	James Ponti
We Chase Shadows	Richard Osman
The Raging Storm	Ann Cleeves
Hurricane Heist	James Ponti
Art Attack	James Ponti
Starsight	Brandon Sanderson
Anger Is Only a Shadow	Elizabeth Acevedo
Make It Out Alive	Allison Brennan
The Wonder of One	Suzanne Redfearn
The Case of the Christie Conspiracy	Kelly Oliver

Brief book summaries

1. All My Sisters and Me — Sheryl Lister
   Four sisters-in-law struggling with jealousy, family tensions, and complicated relationships must confront long-held secrets during a weeklong anniversary celebration that could either tear them apart or bring them closer. 
2. Heart of Glass — Jennifer Hillier
   When a convicted killer recants his confession to the murder of a teenage girl 25 years earlier, her former best friends are forced to revisit the night that changed all their lives while a new series of crimes unfolds. 
3. The Devoted — Catherine Cho
   A woman determined to escape her family’s connection to Hong Kong’s Triads is pulled back into that dangerous world when her young son is kidnapped. 
4. Skyward — Brandon Sanderson
   Spensa, the daughter of a disgraced pilot, dreams of joining humanity’s desperate fight against alien invaders and finally earning her place among the stars. 
5. The Sherlock Society — James Ponti
   Siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock and their friends form a summer detective agency that begins investigating a decades-old treasure mystery and uncovers a much more dangerous conspiracy. 
6. We Chase Shadows — Richard Osman
   Amy, Rosie, and Steve take on their first official case after a mysterious body is found at an Italian villa, sending the amateur detectives on a globe-trotting hunt through a maze of suspects and secrets. 
7. The Raging Storm — Ann Cleeves
   When a famous adventurer is found murdered in a dinghy during a violent storm, Detective Matthew Venn returns to a community from his troubled past to uncover a web of old secrets, rivalries, and betrayals. 
8. Hurricane Heist — James Ponti
   After a hurricane uncovers the body of a man believed to have stolen a million-dollar fortune six decades earlier, the Sherlock Society investigates the long-unsolved heist—and discovers someone still wants the truth buried. 
9. Art Attack — James Ponti
   The Sherlock Society goes undercover in Miami’s street-art scene to track down the elusive graffiti artist Funky Munky, leading them into an investigation filled with colorful clues and plenty of danger. 
10. Starsight — Brandon Sanderson
    Spensa ventures beyond her home planet and into enemy territory, where her mysterious powers and encounters with new alien civilizations force her to question everything she knows about the war. 
11. Anger Is Only a Shadow — Elizabeth Acevedo
    Seventeen-year-old Lil, already dealing with the juvenile justice system, must navigate family upheaval, loyalty, and her own anger while trying to figure out what kind of person she wants to become. 
12. Make It Out Alive — Allison Brennan
    When FBI agents Matt Costa and Kara Quinn investigate a serial killer targeting newlyweds, they become victims themselves and must survive a terrifying, deadly escape room while their team races to find them. 
13. The Wonder of One — Suzanne Redfearn
    Born with a facial birthmark and determined not to let prejudice define her, Vivien Kendall pursues her dream of becoming a champion figure skater while discovering the power of resilience, friendship, and believing in herself. 
14. The Case of the Christie Conspiracy — Kelly Oliver
    When a fellow mystery writer is murdered and Agatha Christie disappears, young investigator Eliza Baker sets out to prove Christie’s innocence while unraveling a dangerous mystery within London’s Detection Club. 

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - A Match for the Amish Beekeeper

 

A Match for the Amish Beekeeper

by Laurel Blount

SeriesHickory Springs Amish #4

PublisherHarlequin Audio

GenreInspirational Romance

FormatALC

NarratorStina Nielson

Length6 hrs 36 mins

Pages203

Pub. DateAugust 25, 2026

Rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION

Sometimes falling in love

Feels like coming home…

After losing her beloved fiancé, Lydia Riehl has supported herself as a beekeeper, with Aent Mattie’s guidance. There’s only one When Mattie passes away, she bequeaths the bees and hives to Lydia, and the house and land to Caleb’s twin brother, Ben King. Ben promised his brother he’d look out for Lydia. When he steps up to repair the house and learns the ins and outs of beekeeping, their friendship deepens into something more. Will these two lonely souls decide to be open to love’s possibilities?

From Love  Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Hickory Springs Amish

Book 1: The Amish Widower's Surprise

Book 2: Trusting the Amish Farmer

Book 3: A Courtship for the Amish Nanny

Book 4: A Match for the Amish Beekeeper

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS

I have really been enjoying Laurel Blount’s Hickory Springs Amish series. Each story has been sweet, uplifting, and filled with couples who seem perfectly matched. So far, we have met Eben and Lila in The Amish Widower’s Surprise, Jeremiah and Anna in Trusting the Amish Farmer, and Eli and Trudy in A Courtship for the Amish Nanny. This fourth installment brings Ben King and Lydia Riehl together, and I enjoyed their story just as much as the previous ones. There is also a fifth book, The Amish Mother’s Redemption, and I can’t wait to read it!

This story was especially sweet because Lydia had once been deeply in love with Caleb King and planned to marry him. Sadly, Caleb died from a serious illness, leaving Lydia heartbroken. Meanwhile, Lydia’s Aunt Mattie has passed away and left her beekeeping business to Lydia. But in a surprising turn of events, Mattie leaves her house to Caleb’s brother, Ben.

Ben had moved away some time ago, but he returns to get the house in order while deciding what he wants to do with the property. As he works on the house, he also becomes involved in Lydia’s beekeeping business. What begins as a practical arrangement gradually becomes something much more personal for both of them.

Both Lydia and Ben are grieving Caleb, which creates an emotional conflict neither of them could have anticipated. Could they really fall in love with each other? I especially appreciated the way Laurel Blount handled the delicate situation of a woman falling in love with her deceased fiancé’s brother. Their relationship is complicated by grief, memories, and the question of whether moving forward means leaving Caleb behind.

Ben also has another reason for wanting to remain close to Lydia. Before Caleb died, he made a promise to his brother that he would look after Lydia and help her find a worthy husband. But what happens when Ben begins to wonder if perhaps he could be that husband?

I am really enjoying this series, and this installment tackles some particularly meaningful themes, including grief, second chances, faith, forgiveness, and learning to open your heart to love again. Lydia and Ben’s story is a beautiful reminder that finding happiness again does not mean forgetting the person you lost.

Many thanks to Harlequin Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author Laurel Blount writes captivating romances full of grit and grace--with characters who'll walk right off the page and into your heart. She lives on a farm in Georgia with her husband, their four fabulous kids, and an assortment of ridiculously spoiled animals.

Robin Loves Reading

Review - Make It Out Alive

 

Make It Out Alive

by Allison Brennan

SeriesQuinn & Costa #7

PublisherHanover Square Press

GenreMystery & Thrillers

FormatKindle ARC

Pages392

Pub. DateJanuary 27, 2026

Rating🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

DESCRIPTION

Allison Brennan returns to her bestselling series with an edge-of-your-seat thriller that thrusts Quinn and Costa into the crosshairs of a sadistic serial killer.

Three newlywed couples have disappeared from an exclusive resort in Florida, only to turn up dead soon after. With the location and the similarities between the female victims as their only leads, it’s up to the FBI Mobile Response Team to catch a serial killer before anyone else ends up dead. And they have the perfect bait—Detective Kara Quinn, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the targeted women.

Undercover as newlyweds pretending to enjoy their honeymoon, Kara and FBI Agent Matt Costa set a flawless trap. When their plan works and they arrest the predator, Matt sends the rest of the team home so he and Kara can have the weekend for some much-needed R&R. But on Monday morning, the couple doesn’t show up to work, and the MRT learns they never checked out of their hotel.

As their team tries to find them, Matt and Kara learn the truth—the killer wasn’t acting alone. He had a partner who succeeded where he failed. Kidnapped and forced into a twisted escape room, they need to find a way out, because if they don’t escape, they’ll die.

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS

As the book opens, the FBI Mobile Response Team has finally honed in on the identity of a serial killer targeting newlywed women. Detective Kara Quinn bears a striking resemblance to the victims, making her the perfect undercover operative. She and FBI Special Agent Matt Costa pose as a newlywed couple at the exclusive Florida resort where the other women were murdered. Their plan works, and they successfully lure Garrett Reid - the man they are convinced is the killer - into a clever trap. Case closed… or so they think. Matt has his doubts that it could really be that simple.

Kara and Matt are expected to leave the resort and return to their jobs, but they suddenly disappear, sending their colleagues into a frantic search to find them. From the moment Kara and Matt awaken after being drugged, the tension kicks into high gear. It quickly becomes clear that the man they thought was responsible for the murders had a partner, and Kara and Matt are now fighting for their lives against a series of meticulously designed traps.

A secondary storyline involves an attorney whose wife and son are being held under dangerous circumstances as he is blackmailed into cooperating. Eventually, these two storylines converge, revealing just how far this killer is willing to go to carry out a very specific agenda.

Brennan keeps the suspense building throughout, with plenty of twists, danger, and moments that had me wondering how Kara and Matt would possibly make it out alive. The story ends with a shocking conclusion that brings this book to a fitting close.

Make It Out Alive is an intense and suspenseful thriller that stands out as an excellent addition to this series. If you’re a fan of FBI thrillers filled with danger, clever twists, and relatable characters, this book is a must-read.

Many thanks to Mira and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ALLISON BRENNAN is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over thirty novels. She has been nominated for Best Paperback Original Thriller by International Thriller Writers and the Daphne du Maurier Award. A former consultant in the California State Legislature, Allison lives in Arizona with her husband, five kids and assorted pets.

Social Links:

Author website: https://www.allisonbrennan.com/

Facebook: @AllisonBrennan

Twitter: @Allison_Brennan

Instagram: @abwrites

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/52527.Allison_Brennan

Robin Loves Reading

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - All My Sisters and Me

    

All My Sisters and Me

by Sheryl Lister

PublisherHarper Muse

GenreRomance

FormatALC and Kindle AR

NarratorsCarmen Jewel Jones, Ciarra Coburn Hodges, Trei Taylor, Emma Rachelle

Length11 hrs 4 mins

Pages336

Pub. DateSeptember 8, 2026

Rating🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

DESCRIPTION

Instead of growing closer over the years, sisters-in-law Giselle, Kamryn, Chanel, and Taylor are more distant than ever.

After almost a decade of marriage, Giselle is still childless, with the pangs of jealousy and feelings of inadequacy mounting each day. Kamryn loves her husband’s family, but she and Giselle have never gotten along, and she’s tired of always trying to keep the peace. Newly married Chanel is ecstatic to finally have the family she’s craved all her life, but the ongoing feud between her two sisters-in-law threatens that harmony. Meanwhile, Taylor is still trying to find her place in the family after a tragic and unexpected turn in her relationship.

As everything comes to a head during a weeklong anniversary celebration, the truth could tear them apart forever…or bring them together as the sisters they were meant to be.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS

I really enjoyed this compelling family drama by Sheryl Lister. The story introduces us to four sisters-in-law - Giselle, Kamryn, Chanel, and Taylor - who have all become part of the Bradley family through marriage. The book opens with the family coming together to celebrate Mr. and Mrs. Bradley’s 40th anniversary, and right away, you can see that this is a close-knit family. The Bradleys have welcomed their daughters-in-law as daughters, and there is clearly a lot of love within this family. But, of course, where there is family, there can also be drama!

And there is definitely some friction, particularly surrounding Giselle. She often feels like an outsider - not only within the Bradley family but, at times, even in her own marriage. There is a lot going on beneath the surface with her, and I found myself particularly drawn to her story.

The anniversary celebration lasts for an entire week, but as the story progresses, the couples eventually return to their everyday lives. This is very much a character-driven story, and I enjoyed getting to know each of the couples through the multiple POVs. We see how their individual relationships work, what challenges they face, and how their personal struggles can affect the entire family.

Of the four women, Giselle definitely stood out to me. She has a husband who loves her, yet something inside her is broken, and she is clearly unhappy. Her attitude sometimes creates friction within the family, but I really liked the way Mrs. Bradley handled Giselle and some of the other difficult situations that arose. There is something special about a woman who knows when to step in - and when to simply give someone the space they need.

Kamryn reminded me a lot of myself because she is the peacekeeper. And with four sisters of my own, I could definitely relate to that! Then there is Chanel, who has just married into the family. Being part of the Bradleys gives her the opportunity to experience something she hasn’t really known before: what it feels like to be part of a loving, supportive family. Taylor, meanwhile, is dealing with a personal tragedy that leaves her uncertain about what her future should look like.

What I especially enjoyed about this book is how relatable the family dynamics felt. These women have very different personalities and experiences, but their stories all come together to create a bigger picture of marriage, family, hurt, healing, and love.

I very much enjoyed All My Sisters and Me. It was an engaging and relatable read, and I loved watching these women - and this family - navigate their complicated relationships. And the narration was wonderfully done, bringing the different characters and their stories to life.

Many thanks to Harper Muse and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sheryl Lister has enjoyed reading and writing for as long as she can remember. She writes contemporary and inspirational romance and romantic suspense. She been nominated for an Emma Award and RT Reviewer’s Choice Award and named BRAB’s 2015 Best New Author. When she’s not reading, writing or playing chauffeur, Sheryl can be found on a date with her husband or in the kitchen creating appetizers and bite-sized desserts.

Web

Robin Loves Reading

BLOG TOUR - Bring Them Home

Bring Them Home

by Carolyn Arnold

SeriesDetective Amanda Steele #16

PublisherBookouture 

GenreMystery & Thrillers

FormatKindle ARC

Pages340

Pub. DateAugust 27, 2026

Rating🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

DESCRIPTION

She’d never been this terrified but she refused to let it show, to give her captors more power. As she was led out of the van with her parents, she stifled a cry. Ahead of her was an old farm, surrounded by fields. There was no one for miles around. No one to hear the screams that would inevitably come.

When a seemingly ordinary family goes missing in plain sight, Detective Amanda Steele is called in to find them before it’s too late. The only evidence left behind is the mother’s abandoned car in a mall parking lot—her phone and purse on the front seat. But why would anyone target a loving mother, a dedicated father and elementary schoolteacher, and a teenage girl?

Amanda and Trent speak with friends and family but can’t unearth any reason the family would disappear on their own. Their darker suspicion is confirmed when they find CCTV footage of the mother and daughter being bundled into an unmarked black van, driven away at speed. They are looking at an abduction.

Soon charred remains are discovered in a field outside of town, and Amanda uncovers a lead that could blow the investigation wide open. If she’s right, this case is linked to a woman who went missing ten years ago—and closer still, to someone within the police department. But can Amanda and Trent put all the pieces together in time to stop a twisted killer before more lives are lost?

A completely gripping and pulse-pounding crime thriller, perfect for fans of Kendra Elliott, Robert Dugoni and Mary Burton.

BUY LINK: 

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0GPDQ81RKsocial

• 

MY THOUGHTS

How can an entire family disappear in plain sight? That is exactly what Detective Amanda Steele is determined to find out. She knows time is not on her side and is desperate to find the family before it’s too late. As Amanda slowly uncovers evidence, the case becomes more complicated, and the search continues.

Amanda and her partner, Trent, talk to everyone they can, but initially they aren’t getting very far. Then they uncover video footage showing the mother and daughter being grabbed and forced into a van, which is then seen speeding away. The family definitely didn’t disappear of their own accord. Someone took them, and Amanda needs to figure out who - and, more importantly, why.

Sadly, this case is also connected to a gruesome crime, adding another disturbing layer to an already complicated investigation. Amanda is determined to uncover the connection and bring the missing family home.

Carolyn Arnold writes these books so they can be read as standalones, but personally, I recommend reading the Detective Amanda Steele series in order. There is an ongoing storyline that develops throughout the books, particularly when it comes to Amanda’s personal life and relationships.

In this installment, there is a different level of tension between Amanda and Trent, and I’m very curious to see how that develops as the series continues. As always, Arnold delivers another engaging and suspenseful investigation, and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next for Amanda and her team.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Arnold was born in a small Canadian town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower. As an international bestselling and award-winning author, she has several continuing fiction series, including her popular Detective Madison Knight series. She offers readers nearly three dozen published books in genres ranging from crime thrillers and hard-boiled mysteries to cozy mysteries and action adventures. She currently lives north of London, Ontario, with her husband and two beagles.

Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolynArnold/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Carolyn_Arnold
Website: https://carolynarnold.net/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/authorcarolynarnold/
Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/carolyn-arnold

Robin Loves Reading

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - Library of Forbidden Books

 

Library of Forbidden Books

By Mario Escobar 

PublisherThomas Nelson

GenreHistorical Fiction

FormatALC and Kindle ARC

NarratorKathleen Gati

Length7 hrs 36 mins

Pages304

Pub. DateSeptember 1, 2026

Rating🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

DESCRIPTION

In a world of burning books, one woman will risk everything to keep stories alive.

Berlin, 1933. The vibrant cultural heart of Germany is darkening under the shadow of the Nazi regime. For Helene Nathan, one of the first female librarians at a prestigious German library, the books she cherishes are no longer just sources of knowledge--they are targets. As the government begins its systematic purge of literature, compiling lists of "forbidden" works and orchestrating public book burnings, Helene realizes she cannot stand by as her world turns to ash.

Determined to resist the encroaching tyranny, Helene and her colleagues embark on a perilous mission of secretly collecting and hiding the very books slated for destruction. It's a dangerous act of defiance in a city where every neighbor could be an informant and the Gestapo are a constant, looming threat. Her quiet rebellion is especially complicated by the fact that Helene is half-Jewish, and Rudolf Kummer, a ruthless Nazi official, seemingly has a personal vendetta against her.

As the stakes escalate and friends and neighbors begin to disappear, Helene must decide how much she is willing to sacrifice. Her fight is not just for the pages she saves, but for the very soul of her country and the freedom to think.

Based on the heroic true stories of librarians who fought back, Library of Forbidden Books is a gripping tale of courage, the profound power of literature as resistance, and one woman's struggle to preserve humanity in the face of absolute evil.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS

Library of Forbidden Books is the first book I have read by Mario Escobar - and he definitely tore my heart out more than once with this story. Set in Berlin in 1933, Hitler’s rise to power is rapid, and the once-vibrant capital of Germany is buckling under the Nazi regime.

Our main protagonist is Helene Nathan, one of the first female librarians at a prestigious German library. She cherishes books and soon finds herself fighting not only for the books she loves, but for her own life. Female librarians are easily dismissed despite their expertise, while the new government begins creating a list of forbidden books and turning book burnings into public spectacles.

Helene begins organizing her fellow librarians with a mission to collect and save as many books as possible. Their actions are in direct defiance of the law, and Helene quickly learns that no one can be trusted. As a half-Jewish woman, she also becomes the target of a ruthless Nazi officer, Rudolf Kimmer.

Although this is historical fiction, the story is inspired by a real person, making it an incredibly emotional and difficult read. As an expertly narrated audiobook, it also includes an accompanying PDF with additional information about the real events that inspired the story. I just might purchase the book upon release, as I am very interested in the discussion questions that weren’t included in this advance copy.

Rating this book is difficult because it affected me so deeply. Despite my near emotional breakdowns while reading it, Library of Forbidden Books is absolutely worthy of five stars. Escobar tackles subjects that will undoubtedly affect his readers - the life of Helene Nathan, the rise of the Nazi regime, censorship, book banning, and the horrifying reality of burning books.

The story is divided into three parts, and each is equally compelling. There is a love story and there is also devastation. The accompanying PDF, the author’s note, historical clarifications, and timeline are all valuable additions to the story. Escobar’s degree in History is evident throughout, and his knowledge of the time period brings depth and authenticity to this powerful and heartbreaking book.

Many thanks to Libro.fm, Thomas Nelson and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mario Escobar Golderos has a degree in History, with an advanced studies diploma in Modern History. He has written numerous books and articles about the Inquisition, the Protestant Reformation, and religious sects. He is the executive director of an NGO and directs the magazine Nueva historia para el debate, in addition to being a contributing columnist in various publications. Passionate about history and its mysteries, Escobar has delved into the depths of church history, the different sectarian groups that have struggled therein, and the discovery and colonization of the Americas. He specializes in the lives of unorthodox Spaniards and Americans.

Web

Robin Loves Reading