Monday, April 20, 2026

BLOG TOUR - The Happy Family



DESCRIPTION:

Behind closed doors, nothing is as it seems…

I stare at the photograph. It was taken on an ordinary day at the park. The four of us look so happy – our smiles wide and cheeks rosy. But just a month after this image was taken, I lost everything.

I’m watching them now, walking in the park my handsome husband, my beautiful daughter and my adorable son. They’re with her. She’s playing happy families with my loved ones. She stole them from me.

She thinks she’s got rid of me.
But I’m going to get my family back.
And I’m going to get revenge…

The Happy Family is an utterly page-turning and completely addictive psychological thriller full of incredible twists by number one bestselling author Daniel Hurst. Perfect for fans of T.M. Logan, John Marrs and Freida McFadden.


BUY LINK:

Title:  The Happy Family
Author:  Daniel Hurst
Series:  The Hunt Family #3
Publisher:  Bookouture
Genre:   Psychological Thriller
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   336
Date of Publication:   April 20, 2026
My Rating:   4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

The Happy Family by Daniel Hurst is a perfect example of the author’s talent for creating protagonists you’d never want in your real life - yet you can’t look away from the chaos they create. His books are, quite simply, addictive.

In this trilogy, readers are introduced to Luna, whose diabolical mindset drives the entire series. From the very beginning, she wants what Sadie has: a husband, two children, and that picture-perfect life. In I Want Your Family, Luna carefully crafts a plan to take everything from Sadie. Working as a delivery driver gives her the perfect access - and the perfect opportunity to insert herself into Sadie’s world. By the time we reach I Stole Your Family, Luna has succeeded in getting exactly what she wanted.

So where does that leave us in The Happy Family?

Sadie has lost everything - and she’s not backing down. She’s determined to expose Luna and reclaim her life, no matter the cost. Throughout the book, one thought kept circling my mind: only one of them can win. The tension feels almost gladiatorial, as if you’re watching an inevitable, brutal showdown inch closer with every chapter.

I’ll admit, I didn’t read this trilogy in order - I went into The Happy Family completely blind. But that misstep didn’t last long. Thanks to Kindle Unlimited, I quickly went back and read the first two books, and I’m so glad I did. It gave much-needed depth to the story - especially with the introduction of Gemma, whose role proves to be pivotal.

The Happy Family delivers a fitting end to an utterly addictive series. Hurst has crafted a central character who is completely unhinged - and somehow, that’s exactly what makes you unable to stop reading.

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


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Daniel Hurst is an Amazon number one bestselling author of fast-paced psychological thrillers. His most popular titles include The Doctor’s Wife, which reached number one in the UK Kindle store in February 2023, The Couple’s Revenge, The Couple in the Cabin and The Perfect Nurse. 

Daniel prides himself on writing fast-paced, twist-filled stories with jaw-dropping endings and he loves engaging with his readers.



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Saturday, April 18, 2026

BLOG TOUR - The Secret House in Orchid Bay


DESCRIPTION:

Kelly blinks back tears as she gazes at the wildflower meadows outside her window. In her trembling hands is a letter from beyond the grave, with a secret that could change everything forever…


Kelly’s heart is still in pieces following the death of her husband, Rob. As she opens the creaky gate leading to Orchid Hall, she draws a ragged breath, remembering her final promise to him to travel to Ireland. Desperate to understand his last wish, she hopes this house holds the answers she is searching for.


The glimmering sea and the gorgeous coves of Orchid Bay soon sweep Kelly off her feet. Spending long days and nights renovating the tumbledown house with the help of handsome local villager Mike, she slowly feels her heart beginning to open again. Did her husband send her here because he wanted to give her a fresh start by the wild Irish Sea?


But then a letter from Rob from beyond the grave turns everything she thought she knew on its head. In the pages of his letter, she uncovers the mystery of the house, and its true connection to her husband. The secret shakes her to the core and makes her question everything she ever knew about her husband. Will her husband’s past stop her from making a new life in Orchid Bay, or can she trust again, and take a second chance on love?


An utterly heartbreaking and page-turning read filled with Irish charm, perfect for fans of Susanne O’Leary, Tricia O’Malley and Mary Alice Monroe.


BUY LINK:
 
Title:   The Secret House in Orchid Bay
Author:  Ann O’Loughlin
Publisher:  Bookouture
Series:  Orchid Bay, Book #2
Genre:   Women’s Fiction
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   337
Date of Publication:  April 15, 2026
My Rating:   5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Kelly is reeling from the devastating loss of her husband, Rob. Before his sudden death, he made her promise to travel to the Irish coast. Although why he asked this of her remains a mystery, she honors his request. Kelly is accompanied by her Aunt Val, with no idea just how much her life is about to change.

Orchid Bay is undeniably beautiful, but Kelly’s grief runs so deep that she can’t imagine ever feeling whole again. Then, shockingly, she receives a letter from Rob - and soon discovers there will be more to come. It becomes clear that Rob has a story to tell, one that not only explains his final request but gently guides Kelly toward a new future in Orchid Bay.

What a beautiful story. I fell in love with the idyllic village of Orchid Bay when I first visited it in A Secret Daughter from Ireland, and it was wonderful to return in The Secret House in Orchid Bay. There’s a quiet, healing magic woven into this setting - first for Becky in the earlier book, and now for Kelly. I especially loved the letters and how they serve as a bridge between past and present, playing such a meaningful role in the healing process. They truly make this story shine; one that is emotional, meaningful, and impossible to forget.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ann is the Irish author of five novels and has been translated into eleven languages. Her first novel The Ballroom Cafe was also an ebook bestseller and in the top 20 bestselling books of 2015 on Amazon UK. Ann loves to write and often gets up at 5am to get the words down, before starting her other job of writing as a news reporter. A leading journalist in Ireland, Ann has covered all major news events in a long career with Independent Newspapers, Ireland. She is now a senior journalist with the Irish Examiner specialising in legal issues. Ann has also lived in India. Originally from the west of Ireland she now lives on the east coast with her husband and family.

 

Author social media:

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annoloughlinbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/annolwriter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annoloughlinbooks/

Newsletter: https://www.bookouture.com/ann-oloughlin



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Thursday, April 16, 2026

Review - A Soldier’s Wife

Title:  Soldier’s Wife
Author:  Blair Underwood
Publisher:  Amistand
Genre:   Memoirs
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   208
Date of Publication:   April 14, 2026
My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

In this moving biography and memoir, Blair Underwood, acclaimed star of film, stage, and television, pays homage to his mother, sharing her well-lived life, and key lessons learned as a fashion designer, mother, and soldier’s wife.

In this moving biography and memoir, Blair Underwood, acclaimed star of film, stage, and television, pays homage to his mother, sharing her well-lived life, and key lessons learned.

Born in Buffalo, New York, Marilyn Ann Scales Underwood dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. Moving to New York City to study at the Traphagen School of Fashion, she became an assistant designer and eventually returned to her hometown where she began her career as the first Black female executive at Barmon Brothers Company. Independent and content with being single, she wasn’t interested in marriage until she met Lieutenant Frank Underwood.

Blair Underwood honors his mother with this remarkable work, bringing into sharp focus her life as a soldier's wife, mother, and successful entrepreneur, drawn from his memories, her letters, and interviews with family and friends. Told thematically, and organized around essential pillars such as Wisdom, Faith, and Patience, Underwood gently peels back the layers of his mother’s life and character to reveal highly, triumphant, and sometimes-scary moments told in Marilyn’s warm and witty voice that connects with readers. Painting a wonderfully rich and deeply human portrait of a woman whose indelible mark is felt by all privileged to know her.


MY THOUGHTS:

Admittedly, I picked up A Soldier’s Wife because of the author, Blair Underwood. I hadn’t read the blurb beforehand, so I went in completely unaware of what to expect - and found myself fully drawn into his mother’s story. In fact, the complete title says it all: A Soldier’s Wife: My Mother, the Marvelous Mrs. Marilyn A. Underwood.

Though relatively brief, this book shines a heartfelt spotlight on Underwood’s mother, Marilyn. It was especially interesting to learn about her early life and the experiences that shaped her. Through a blend of personal recollections, letters, and conversations with family members, Marilyn A. Underwood’s story unfolds in a way that feels both intimate and genuine.

The structure of the book is particularly thoughtful. Each chapter is built around strong, defining qualities - wisdom, devotion, perseverance, and more - and concludes with a meaningful takeaway tied to those themes. Adding to its charm, every chapter opens with a beautiful photograph of Marilyn, capturing moments from throughout her life and giving readers a deeper connection to the woman at the heart of the story.

While this book may not have widespread attention in terms of reviews, it’s one I would still recommend. What resonates most is how clearly Underwood loved his mother and how warmly he shares those memories. It’s a touching tribute that lingers long after the final page.

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


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AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - Too Close to Home


Title:  Too Close To Home
Author:  Seraphina Nova Glass
Publisher:  Graydon House Paperback
Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers
Format:  Audiobook ALC and Kindle ARC
Length:  7 hrs 53 mins
Narrators:  Brittany Pressley, 
  Rebecca Lowman, Karissa Vacker
No. of Pages:   304
Date of Publication:   April 14, 2026
My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

The two-time Edgar Award–nominated author of ON A QUIET STREETand THE VACANCY IN ROOM 10, Seraphina Nova Glass, is back with TOO CLOSE TO HOME

Nothing in this idyllic community is quite what it seems…

Those lucky enough to live in the elite lakefront community of Cloverhill Lakes are drawn to it for its safety and top-notch school district. The moms meet for coffee at the park while their kids play, they’re heavily involved in the PTA, and the summers are filled with chardonnay, brunch, sundresses, and backyard bonfires.

But everything changes when Regan Hoffman’s car explodes at the annual Labor Day party. The wrong person is killed, but it was meant for her. As the carefully crafted walls of her community begin to crumble, Regan tries to keep it together—something made infinitely harder when she sees her dead husband…alive.

When a Cloverhill Lakes resident suddenly goes missing, dark secrets begin to surface from underneath the idyllic veneer of their beautiful community—and the truth threatens to destroy them all as Regan finds herself in a fight for her life.


MY THOUGHTS:

If you’re looking for a captivating, entertaining story packed with intriguing characters, then Too Close to Home by Seraphina Nova Glass is a must-read. This engaging narrative unfolds through three narrators - Brittany Pressley, Rebecca Lowman, Karissa Vacker -each offering a distinct perspective on the central trio - Regan, Andi, and Sasha. While other characters certainly leave their mark, the chapter titles cleverly signal whose voice you’re about to step into, with each perspective delivered in the first person, drawing you even deeper into their chaotic lives.

The story itself is undeniably thrilling. A car bomb abruptly shatters a Labor Day celebration in the otherwise peaceful community of Clover Hills, Connecticut, instantly setting the tone for a novel that’s nearly impossible to put down. The drama surrounding Regan, Andi, and Sasha is thick with tension - the kind that keeps you listening without pause.

At its core, the novel is driven by murder, and the mystery surrounding it adds real depth. Yet what makes this book stand out is its darkly humorous edge, woven seamlessly throughout the narrative and making the experience all the more enjoyable. The pacing is sharp and deliberate, and the narration flows effortlessly, keeping the momentum strong from beginning to end. And that ending, one that is genuinely unexpected, was terrific.

I highly recommend this book. It gave me strong The Stepford Wives vibes, with a touch of Desperate Housewives energy mixed in. Even without having watched the shows myself, that familiar sense of suburban secrets and simmering drama came through loud and clear - and I was thoroughly entertained because of it.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nova Glass is an assistant professor of instruction and playwright in residence at the University of Texas, Arlington, where she teaches film studies and playwriting. Her novel On A Quiet Street was nominated for an Edgar Award, was a New York Times Summer Read, an Amazon Bestseller and Editor’s Pick, and also featured in the Boston Globe and Bustle. Publishers Weekly has named her “a writer to watch.” She’s also an award-winning playwright and holds an MFA degree in dramatic writing from Smith College and a second MFA in directing from the University of Idaho. She is a proud dog mom and loves to travel the world with her husband. She resides in Dallas, Texas.



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Wednesday, April 15, 2026

BLOG TOUR - Wicked Women


DESCRIPTION:

The woman is lying on her back, eyes closed, face still. The blood from the single stab wound in her chest has pooled on the ground, interrupted only where her killer stood to watch her die… 

Detective Kim Stone knows from the moment she looks down on Ashley Reynolds that this is no ordinary crime. No one has a bad word to say about this loving wife and mother. So why did someone murder her, and wait to make sure she was dead?

Ashley was a social worker, and some claimed she tore families apart. But her husband is also acting strangely, planning to take their daughter and leave town. Did the threat to her come from home or work?

Then another woman is killed in the same cold, calm way. Nadine was a honey trapper, and the men she tricked blamed her for destroying their marriages. Someone clearly believes Ashley and Nadine were wicked… and that wicked women deserve to die. 

But when a third woman is murdered, Kim and the team can’t find anything that even the sickest mind would find fault with. Certain that time is running out, they search desperately for something that links their victims.

And then Kim realises something that chills her to the bone. Because if she’s right, the worst danger is yet to come…

A brilliantly gripping crime thriller about secrets and revenge that will have you gasping at the final reveal. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Val McDermid and Robert Dugoni will love Wicked Women.

Can be read as a standalone.


BUY LINKS:


Title:   Wicked Women
Author:  Angela Marsons
Series:  D. I. Kim Stone Book #23
Publisher:  Bookouture 
Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:  332
Date of Publication:  April 14, 2026
My Rating:   5 Stars


MY THOUGHTS:

Detective Kim Stone takes every case - and every victim - to heart, so when she’s called to the scene of a murdered young wife and mother, Ashley Reynolds, the impact is immediate. As Kim begins to dig beneath the surface, she uncovers two very different versions of Ashley’s life. On one hand, she was deeply loved. On the other, her work as a social worker placed her in situations where she could easily be seen as a disruptor of families rather than a protector of them.


Could someone from a fractured family be responsible? Before Kim can fully explore that possibility, another woman is killed, and the similarities are impossible to ignore. Though their lives couldn’t be more different, the method of murder is identical. This time, the victim, Nadine, made her living as a honey trapper, luring men in and blackmailing them. Like Ashley, she could easily be labeled as someone who caused damage in others’ lives. It raises a chilling question: is the killer targeting women they believe to be “wicked”?


But just when the pattern seems clear, another victim emerges. However, this time, Kim struggles to find anything that would fit that narrative. The certainty begins to fracture, and with it, the investigation becomes even more urgent. Kim and her team are once again in a race against time, knowing that every misstep could mean another life lost.


Angela Marsons, renowned for her sharp and captivating writing style, delivers another gripping installment in the D.I. Kim Stone series. Despite reaching book twenty-three, the series remains remarkably fresh and engaging. While each novel can be enjoyed independently, there’s an unparalleled sense of satisfaction in witnessing Kim’s growth. Not only does she evolve into a fiercely intelligent detective, but she also becomes a formidable leader and colleague whose relationships undergo profound and meaningful transformations. As always, I found myself enthralled from the very first page, and the book maintained an incredible level of tension throughout.  


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


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Angela Marsons is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of the DI Kim Stone series. Her books have sold more than six million copies, and have been translated into over thirty languages.

She lives in Worcestershire with her wife, two cheeky Golden Retrievers, and a Bernedoodle. 

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Angela Marsons here: https://www.bookouture.com/angela-marsons

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