To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X Chang

⭐️🧠

TW: torture, experimentation, genocide, grief, drug addiction, death of a family member, violence, death, gore, PTSD, flashbacks

This was a gorgeously written debut novel with an excellent focus on the insidious nature of colonialism. It was a masterclass in manipulation, only weakened by the main ‘romance’, which dropped my rating. However, the little we know about the sequel seems to promise to resolve some of my issues. I still think it is a promising start to what looks to be an interesting series.

I Hope This Doesn’t Find You by Ann Liang

⭐️🧠

TW: bullying, sexism

Ann Liang’s books just scratch a special place in my brain and my heart. This is another such shining star of a romantic contemporary tale. It is an academic rivals to something more storyline, with a throughline about competition and expectations pushing someone down against themselves and blocking out people who could be their biggest champions.

Full review here.

A Sign of Her Own by Sarah Marsh

💙

TW: ableism, prejudice, manipulation, exploitation, sexism

A Sign of Her Own marries two of my favourite things: a historical moment or period I know little about but am now fascinated by and a reclaiming of a narrative from an overlooked voice. Ellen is a great protagonist as well and this is firmly her story. She is reshaping her narrative and learning to be proud of her communication styles, though this is a long and arduous journey that does not necessarily result in a happy ending.

Full review here.

Well, That Was Unexpected by Jesse Q Sutanto

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: sexism, slut shaming, misogyny, homophobia, trolling

Sutanto brings such joy in her books. This brilliant YA contemporary offers excellent characterisation and an important, in-depth exploration of misogny and homophobia. The central romance was pitch perfect too – great chemistry, dialogue and overall arc.

The Actor by Chris MacDonald

🧠

TW: gaslighting, death, suicide, suicidal ideation, emotional abuse, bullying, grief, harassment, mental breakdown, suicide attempts, assault, manipulation, addiction, alcoholism

This is not a book that tiptoes around. It is visceral and excruciating to read at times, with mounting pressure and moments of humiliation. Everything is a move in a twisted game of chess – to secure your legacy and leave your mark. It completely turns its head on the dazzling world of movie stardom to reveal a seedy story of secrets, lies and some truly sickening moments.

Full review here.

Little Bang by Kelly McCaughrain

TW: abortion, pregnancy, fertility issues, control, manipulation, religion

This was a delicate, softly beautiful YA coming of age narrative with a fierce, quiet strength within its core. McCaughrain is incredibly brave to tackle these necessary topics and to depict them in such a nuanced light. There are many grey areas and we remain in those ambiguous moments – moving like treacle as we puzzle through the options. 

Full review here.

Just Happy To Be Here by Naomi Kanakia

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: transphobia, queerphobia, homophobia, racism, misgendering, deadnaming, harassment, bullying, dysphoria, threat of legal repercussions to transitioning, fear of deportation

I really liked Tara and enjoyed her voice & the complex, messy interpersonal dynamics throughout. However, the writing just felt quite clunky and the story meandered a lot. This has a lot of important points to make though.

Lord of the Fly Fest by Goldy Moldavsky

TW: bullying, murder, gaslighting, classism, body shaming, excrement, alcohol

This was an interesting read and I enjoyed the whole Fyre Fest/Lord of the Flies with social media influencers. Rafi’s voice as the narrator was great, however, it just did not work for me. It felt lacklustre and not massively surprising throughout.

Six Truths and a Lie by Ream Shukairy

⭐️🧠

TW: Islamophobia, terror attack, death, grief, racism, police brutality, deportation, incarceration, animal death

I loved the central plotline of this book and how it discussed Islamophobia, the prison industry, grief and racism within the police. The characterisation was stellar, as were the twists. However, I just didn’t love it as much as I wanted to.

Everyone on This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson

🧠

TW: murder, death, rape, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, blackmail, gaslighting, manipulation, hit and run, poisoning  

The whole conceit is just stellar. There’s direct references to Murder on the Orient Express, but with the added twist of a crime festival complete with superstar crime writers and megafans of the genre. It should be a doddle, right?

Full review here.

Listen For The Lie by Amy Tintera

🧠

TW: murder, death, toxic family relationships, cheating, alcoholism, abusive relationship, sexual assault, rape, physical abuse, gaslighting

Tintera has created something special here. This was a riveting, brilliantly written and compulsively readable thriller with a central character you will not forget any time soon. Also, this made full use of the podcast element, fleshing out the story and side characters, as well as introducing new perspectives and twists we had not yet considered.

Full review here.

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

🧠

TW: death, murder, grief, past child death, infertility issues, maternal mortality, child emotional abuse, addiction, suicide, torture, kidnapping, fire, serial killer

Benjamin Stevenson quickly jumped onto my must read pile with these two witty, funny and brilliantly clever Ernest Cunningham murder mysteries. The voice is fantastic and meta, meticulously outlining each rule and how the story slots into it (the footnotes and future hints were amazing touches).

One Last Breath by Ginny Myers Sain

🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, serial killer, homophobia, stalking

Ginny Myers Sain has such a distinctive and brilliant brand of thrillers that are thick with atmosphere, excellent characterisation and a speculative edge. They never fail to totally enthrall me and this is no exception. The twists are excellent and the plotting is stellar.

Full review here.

You Wouldn’t Catch Me Dead by Tess James-Mackey

🧠

TW: death, murder, suicide, violence, blood, gore, stalking

James-Mackey has a knack for writing compulsively readable YA thrillers with interesting premises and twists. Keely is such a guarded and defensive character determined to stay isolated, yet gets caught up in a bleak and difficult situation that only seems to get worse.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

🧠

TW: disappearance, PTSD, gaslighting, manipulation, abuse, flashbacks, forced captivity, stalking, kidnapping, murder, attempted murder, dementia

Holly Jackson truly is a mastermind of the YA myster/thriller genre for me. It is a lit fuse that explodes in dramatic fashion, but also always stays focused on the characters at its heart. This is a twisty, ambiguous book that thrives in its entangled relationships, unpicking the secrets hidden within.

Full review here.

Remember, Remember by Elle Machray

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, racism, homophobia, explosion, sexism, slavery, torture, sexual assault, rape, beating

This is a fantastic Historical Fiction read, with an exquisite reimagining of history and characters that leap off the page and into your heart. It burns with rage and fury, following the central plot of re-enacting the Gunpowder Plot. In short, it is a marvel.

Full review here.

I Promise It Won’t Always Hurt Like This by Clare Mackintosh

🧠

TW: death, child death, terminal illness, grief

Mackintosh’s words are so raw and emotionally vulnerable, yet so comforting and authentic in their rawness. You feel seen, you feel supported and most importantly, you feel like finally someone understands a facet of how you are feeling.

Full review here.

The Night in Question by Susan Fletcher

🧠💙

I was lucky enough to borrow a copy of this brilliant book from a friend and I adored every second of reading. This has excellent characterisation, plotting and reveals that utterly throw you off guard. Fletcher is a star in the making.

The Fates by Rose Blythe

TW: sexism, misogny, violence, death

I was so excited to read a retelling of The Fates, but unfortunately it didn’t hit the mark for me. I buddy read this and we both agree the narrative voices of each character felt so similar, they were almost indistinguishable. Sadly, it fell flat and when the genre of Greek mythological retellings is so rich and wonderful, it’s a shame to see one falter.

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

TW: death, murder, blood, violence, cheating, infidelity, manipulation

This was a wonderful murder mystery, packed to the brim with twists and turns. Perrin’s writing was wickedly brilliant, insightful and utterly captivating. This was truly fantastic and I adored the timeline weaving of it all.

Full review here.

Where They Lie by Claire Coughlan

🧠

TW: suicide, miscarriage, child death, abortion, death of a loved one, infidelity

Coughlan’s writing and characterisation were interesting and I particularlyenjoyed how character focused the central mystery really was. However, it felt a little bit too predictable for me and not particularly surprising, though an enjoyable read.