Trad Wife by Sarah Langan

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CW: violence, murder, body horror, gore, pregnancy, abuse

This is an unnerving horror story that has a lot to say about our current society, the trad wife industry and the family influencer culture. 

Full review here.

The Girl with a Thousand Faces by Sunyi Dean

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: war, violence, death, murder, massacre, child death, grief, PTSD, suicide, body horror, gore

This is a gorgeously evocative but blood-soaked fantasy that grapples with generational trauma, cyclical violence and the aftermath of war. It is one of the most imaginative and intriguing fantasy stories I have read this year.

Full review here.

A Wish So Deadly by Marilize Loxton

⭐️🏳️‍🌈💙

CW: death, grief, abusive relationship, gore, blood, injury

I really enjoyed the sibling relationship at the heart of this and the competition element, as the different trials felt high-stakes and interesting. Those fraught dyamics were enjoyable.

Boring Asian Female by Canwen Xu

⭐️🧠

CW: murder, death, violence, racism, miscarriage, sexism

This is a biting and brilliant book that is difficult to get out of your head. It is a wild ride and you are captivated throughout. Also I really liked how Xu chose to explore the ‘boring Asian female’ trope in this book. 

Full review here.

The Daughter by T. M. Logan

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CW: death, murder, violence, grooming, manipulation, gore

This was one of my favourite books from T. M. Logan – great concept, delivered brilliantly. It gets dark and messy and the characterisation was layered and complex. Twisty, tightly-plotted and terrific.

Strong Female Character by Fern Brady

🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: attempted murder, suicidal ideation, self-harm, rape/child sexual assault, domestic violence, ableism, misogyny, fatphobia

I really enjoyed this memoir – it is sharp, insightful and often far too relatable. There is a real poignancy in the honesty Brady brings to this and a discussion to be had about the gendered differences in experiences with living with autism.

Fellow Creatures by Emma Lowther

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: death, murder, violence, death of a child, grief, sexual assault, rape

This was a wonderfully tight portrayal of a toxic relationship and obsession brought to extreme measures. I liked the way the pressures of drama school came into play and that forced sense of competition heightened existing tensions. Fantastic ending to boot.

Full review to come.

Tell Your Friends by Lauren Wilson

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CW: murder, death, violence, death of a child, grief, abusive relationships

This is such a well-paced YA thriller where the stakes feel like they are always increasing and the tension getting thicker with each new chapter. Wilson has plenty of twists in store and you will reconsider what you thought you knew about this story. Everything builds to an explosive conclusion, but Wilson still has a few tricks up her sleeve. You are left gripped right up until the final sentence and that to me is the testament of a great thriller. 

Full review to come.

Hekate by Nikita Gill

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, grief, war, blood, enslavement, torture

Gill’s writing is sublime. It is so evocative and pulls you entirely into the story in just a few sparse words. She really taps into that emotional rawness of the form and provides a wonderful new addition to the pantheon of Greek mythological retellings.

The Silent Appeal by Janice Hallett

⭐️

CW: death, murder, violence

This is a triumphant return to Lower Lockwood with an incredible sequel. Yet again Hallett utilises her distinctive epistolary story to lead you down a rabbit hole into a story full of mischief, murder and mayhem. It is exceptional.

Full review to come.

The Death Row Club by V. A. Vazquez

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: murder, death, violence, PTSD, serial killer, gore, kidnapping, imprisonment

This takes an endlessly fascinating premise and turns it into a breath-taking, no-holds-barred thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Full review to come.

Main Characters by Bobby Palmer

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, grief, animal death, cheating, abusive relationship, controlling behaviour

This gorgeous book snuck into my heart and stole a sliver of it. Incredible concept, well-realised and emotionally devastating.

Full review to come.

It’s For Your Own Good by Kate Francis

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: murder, violence, death, blood, gore

This is such an interesting idea and horrifingly timely as even more stories from these ‘troubled teen’ industry spaces emerge. Francis offers a fresh spin on the story and a pacey, engaging YA thriller.

Full review to come.

Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce

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CW: death, murder, violence, rape, sexual assault, suicide, manipulation, gaslighting

This has a particuarly nasty twist in store and do read with caution around content involved. I did think the pacing dragged for me in the middle but that ending clawed some of it back.

Everything was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, violence, car accident, death of a child, grief, suicide, suicidal ideation, terminal illness

The concept here is staggering and the type of thing that stays with you. Reeves takes this and runs with it to create a deeply affecting story that tackles death head-on and ultimately has a gorgeous, life-affirming message.

Full review to come.

Not Like The Other Parents by Asia Mackay

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, PTSD, gore, injury

This was an enjoyable sequel that took the characters to new spaces and continued believable journeys in this extraordinary story. It’s such an exciting spin on familiar tropes and I hope it continues.

Full review to come.

The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: pandemic, mass death, illness, domestic violence, death of a child, grief

I found this hit a little too close to home and many of the characters didn’t feel like they had distinctive voices, it felt a little homogenous at times. However the depiction of grief was nuanced and felt emotionally raw.

Slasher Summer by E. L. Chen

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: death, murder, violence, gore, stalking, sexual assault

This had all of the ingredients of the best slashers and it added some new flavours to the mix. It feels like a love letter to the genre and has some brilliant surprises in store.

Full review to come.

Rottenheart by Kat Dunn

🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, gore, grief, death of a parent, blackmail, drowning, suicidal ideation, abusive relationship, sexism, misogyny, sexual harassment 

Kat Dunn’s work always has this ability to cast a shadow that lingers with you long after the final page. Her writing is stunning with a lyrical quality that is enchanting, but beware the thorns on this rose. There is a danger and an ominous feeling to each piece, which is dialled up to eleven. The horror is done so brilliantly. You get the sense of something standing right there, just out of your sight.

Full review here.

One of the Family by Mark Edwards

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CW: death, murder, violence, classism, stalking

This took meeting the parents to new, nightmarish territory. I loved how Edwards spun the isolated community with secrets buried beneath the surface and combined it with this family who appear to have everything. Do remember that appearances can be deceptive.

Full review to come.

A Killer Plot by E. C. Nevin

⭐️🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, sexism, stalking

A Novel Murder was a wickedly sharp and meta cosy crime novel based in the publishing industry and the conniving chaos it can contain. A Killer Plot returns to the glittering world of publishing through the cosy crime lens of an insider to deliver more nefarious plots, great twists and characters that steal a place in your heart. 

Full review here.

And The River Drags Her Down by Jihyun Yun

⭐️🧠

CW: grief, death, violence, murder, car accident, death of a loved one, gore, injury, drowning

This was a wonderful story combining a well-defined magic system and a raw, messy depiction of grief. The overall message was affecting and the plot engaging, but some of the characterisation didn’t quite land for me.

The Dying Light by Daniel Aubrey

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CW: death, murder, violence, rape, trafficking, sexual assault, injury, grief, torture

This was a dark thriller that hooks its claws under your skin and doesn’t let go. I’m really enjoying the series arc that is being crafted and how Freya is going to have to grapple with this. That ending was cruel, I need the next book immediately.

Better Than Revenge by Bea Fitzgerald

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: murder, death, violence, domestic abuse, toxic relationship

This was the type of book you will need to talk to everyone you know about. It is a scathing indictment of the film industry, a complicated portrait of a deeply toxic relationship and a damn good time to boot.

Full review to come.

Six Must Die by Victoria Wlosok

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, gore, fire, stalking, harassment

I really wanted to love this as I thoroughly enjoyed Wlosok’s debut, but this just didn’t work quite as well for me. The characterisation was enjoyable and layered and the concept interesting, but the actual plot felt a little lacklustre and predictable for me.

If I Ruled The World by Amy DuBois Barnett

⭐️🧠

CW: rape, sexual assault, racism, grooming

I enjoyed the peek behind the curtains story this explored in the world of pop culture and magazines. The themes explored are heavy but treated with sensitivity and care. Nikki was a great protagonist, I just felt like some elements were wrapped up a little too easily.

Foes and Cons by Georgia Bower

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

This was an adorable YA contemporary romance that explored the power and community of fandom. It was a joyous book that celebrates love in all forms and the importance of friendship too.