Review: Sweet Pea by Kit de Waal

 

Sweet Pea by Kit de Waal is a very thoughtful, character-driven story about grief, motherhood, belonging, and the unexpected ways people become family. de Waal writes about complicated lives and personal relationships with commendable warmth and sensitivity.

What stood out to me was the exploration of family beyond blood ties, the importance of kindness, and how people navigate loss and difficult circumstances. The novel focuses on Paulette's (Sweet Pea's) yearning for love and a family of her own, all the characters and their experiences. Although, it did not work out how she thought, she found one through some of the people she interacts with.

Overall, Sweet Pea is a well-written, thoughtful novel with plenty to reflect on especially if you are from the Caribbean or the diaspora. As a #ReadCaribbean title (Paulette is from St. Kitts), I appreciated the emotional depth and experiences she brought to this story. It is relatable and made it easy to connect. 

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Kit de Waal and St. Martin's Press for a digital copy (ebook) of #Sweetpea in exchange for my honest opinion. #Sweetpea is out tomorrow, November 3, 2026. 

Review: A Confederacy of Dunces - A Graphic Novel

 

A Confederacy of Dunces by Albert Monteys is a graphic novel adaptation of John Kennedy Toole's 1980 comedic novel. This 21st century version makes the story easier to read and connect with. It follows Ignatius a regular 'bloke' and his daily adventures and escapades. This was okay, rather dull and boring at times. It felt like Monteys' was trying to create a modern version of American Splendor (published in 1976). Tried too hard and fell short. Despite this the artwork was okay, had a gritty look like American Splendor. 

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Albert Monteys and BOOM! Studios for a digital copy (ebook) of #AConfederacyofDunces in exchange for my honest opinion. #AConfederacyofDunces is out tomorrow, September 29, 2026. 

Review: Look! A Bear! by Elise Kleven

 

This is such a cute picture book. All Remy the rabbit wants to do is make friends and play. The illustrations are super cute and has a pencil crayon vibe that I love. 

Most picture books have some lesson to teach and I think Look! A Bear! has one but not for kids. It's a lesson for parents to careful not to impose their issues and fears onto their children. Remy wanted to make a new friend and play with Bella the bear yet her parents were pointing out that Bella was different and bears and rabbits can't be friends. Bella and Remy did not see any difference. All they saw was that there was an opportunity to make a new friend and have some friend.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author and illustrator Elise Kleven and The Collective Book Studio | Tiny Torch Books for a digital copy (ebook) of #LookABear in exchange for my honest opinion.#LookABear is out tomorrow, September 29, 2026. 

REVIEW: Queenie Is Working On It by Candice Carty-Williams

 

Queenie "Hot-Mess" Jenkins is back. Older but not necessarily wiser. Queenie Is Working On It is the follow up to Candice Carty-Williams bestseller Queenie (my favorite of all her books) and one of this Summer's most anticipated reads. 

Queenie's life is still the same as it was before, she is still trying to figure out her life. She now has a better "more permanent" job that she actually likes. She is "seeing" someone, a friends with benefits situationship. She is still searching for her thing and her place in the world. I enjoyed this novel, I continue to enjoy watching Queenie trying to figure out her life. She is very relatable as we all are trying to figure out our own lives, taking it day by day while trying not to fall apart. The only issue I had was that Queenie's character still has some growing up to do. She as a grown adult is approaching life like a 20 something year old college student. I am going to predict that if there is another Queenie novel, the title will be Queenie: Grown and Sexy that lends to her finally figuring her ish out, has a stable relationship or realizes that she is fine on her own and will start loving who she is. 

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Candice Carty-Williams and Gallery Books | Gallery/Scout Press for a digital copy (ebook) of #QueenieIsWorkingOnIt in exchange for my honest opinion.#QueenieIsWorkingOnIt is out today, September 8, 2026. 

REVIEW: The Disappearers by Marlon James

The Disappearers by Marlon James is truly a masterpiece. 

Set primarily in Jamaica beginning in 1988, the novel follows a group of gay men who respond to an ad for actors to audition for a gay play. Just to note it was not a group of men coming together to rehearse for a "regular" play, it was a group or a group of men joining a co-ed cast. Many will find this book difficult to read because the themes are uncomfortable or disturbing especially the extremely graphic violence and sexual content is because Jamaica according to Time Magazine in 2006 was the most homophobic country in the world*.

The novel is centered around an event that was not proven to be factual. The alleged incident was allegedly based on hearsay, rumor and gossip and Jamaicans do not care about fact checking before they "investigate" and unleash justice. I should know, I am Jamaican. In a recent interview James said "..in Jamaica we trust rumours more than facts, so the fact that people kept whispering about it meant it was true."** The only event I can remember from 1988 is Hurricane Gilbert. I found myself taking mental breaks at times, it is a lot to process and digest so the faint of heart or very sensitive readers are duly warned. 

James came back to the literary world with a true tour de force. The Disappears was longlisted for the Booker Prize before it was even published, something that literally never happens. That's how good this book is and left a lasting mark on the selection committee and I agree. I cannot wait for my preordered copy to arrive. Everyone needs to read this book and approach it with an open mind and really think about how people are labeled by society and mistreated accordingly. 

The only issues I had were (1) more patois was needed, (2) a few grammatical issues (granted this is a review of the uncorrected proof) that caused me to reread a number of sentences multiple times to understand what was being conveyed and for the love of [insert your higher being person] enough of Kurt Cobain. One other thing is the focus of Jamaica's university English lit courses, very white American and British and void of regional works. I was in primary school in the 80's so I can't verify this part of our education system.  

The Disappearers is many things brutal, angry, unflinching, queer, complex, haunting, · provocative, funny (yes, I laughed many times), ambitious and unforgettable. And apart for being a Booker Prize worthy 5star masterpiece, The Disappearers is unapologetically Jamaican. 

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Marlon James and Riverhead | Riverhead Books for a digital copy (ebook) of #TheDisappearers in exchange for my honest opinion. #TheDisappearers will be published on September 1, 2026. 

P.S. Note to Mr. James, your fans have not forgotten that we are due the last book in The Dark Star Trilogy. 

* https://time.com/archive/6939331/the-most-homophobic-place-on-earth/ 

**This quote was taken from a Booker Prize longlisted author interview published on August 16, 2026 https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/features/marlon-james-interview.

REVIEW: Handsome by Ezra Palmer

 

Handsome by Ezra Palmer is one of those novels that you have to experience. I was a bit unsure of what to make of Handsome during the first few chapters, however I eventually got in the groove. The writing is like one long stream of thoughts with very little pause. It reminds me of Ducks, Newburyport by Lucy Ellmann.

The story follows Evvie, a former journalist living with Alzheimer's disease, as she prepares for a trip with her husband. We are invited into Evvie's mind as memories ebb and flow, circle back, and become muddled. There are moments that will make you smile, others will broke your heart. Occasionally I found myself thinking about my own memories, aging, the future and what will happen when my own memories start to fade. 

Ezra Palmer writes Evvie with so much dignity and humanity, and not as a sufferer of Alzheimer's. She's funny, complicated, loving, frustrated, and frustrating - even as her memories become less reliable. This is also a beautiful story about marriage—not the idealized version we often see, but the messy, imperfect kind that's built over decades. Love, resentment, forgiveness, disappointment, loyalty - it's all here. 

Handsome is quiet, thoughtful, and emotionally resonant. It challenged me as a reader in the best possible way, and I'm really glad I stayed with it. It's one of those books that lingers in your mind and has been one of the most memorable books I read this year. I read this Correspondent by Virginia Evans earlier this year and I think Handsome is far superior and deserves it time in the spotlight.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Ezra Palmer and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for a digital copy (audiobook) of #Handsome in exchange for my honest opinion. #Handsome will be published on July 13, 2026. 

Review: The Overseer Class by Steven W. Thrasher

The Overseer Class by Steven W. Thrasher is a sharp and unsettling examination of how modern systems of power operate through networks of surveillance, bureaucracy, and institutional control rather than just obvious political or economic elites. Although an extremely heavy topic is explored The Overseer Class was powerful, informative and insightful. Thrasher challenges readers to rethink power as something embedded within systems and cultural norms that quietly sustain inequality and is designed less to comfort than to provoke deeper reflection about the structures shaping everyday life. The is an important read and should be added to a college reading list as a start. 

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Steven W. Thrasher and Amistad for a digital copy (eBook) of #TheOverseerClass in exchange for my honest opinion. #TheOverseerClass will be published on May 19, 2026. 

Review: Doubles by Nora Gold

There are novels that tell a story, and then there are novels that quietly unsettle you—Doubles by Nora Gold although a novella is firmly in the latter category. This novella packs a punch and lingers long after you’ve finished it. It centers around a young math-obsessed girl stuck in an institution. It is creative, dark, disturbing and clever.  

One can appreciate how this novella resists a clean resolution. If you’re looking for a tidy ending, this isn’t that. But if you’re willing to sit with ambiguity—and perhaps even discomfort—there’s something deeply satisfying in how the story unfolds. It trusts the reader to draw their conclusions.

If I had to place Doubles within a reading mood, I’d call it a quiet psychological study with literary edges—perfect for when you want something thoughtful, slightly unsettling, looking in on someone else's life and experiences that is intellectually engaging without being overwhelming.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Nora Gold and Literary Press Group of Canada|Guernica Editions for a digital copy (eBook) of #Doubles in exchange for my honest opinion. #Doubles will be published on May 1, 2026. 

REVIEW: Search for a Mysterious Mushroom Amy Seto Forrester and Andy Chou Musser

 

Search for a Mysterious Mushroom is a lively and imaginative pick-your-path adventure that turns reading and learning into a fun quest. Designed for young readers, the book invites kids to choose their research team, gear, and expedition as they hunt for the elusive Amparoina spinosissima mushroom. Along the way, each choice leads to new habitats and discoveries, that blend real science - an introduction to mycology - with an engaging cast and a fun narrative.

This book would be perfect for an end of the week class or science club activity, with props of course. Even a weekend adventure club or a sleep over etc. The artwork is simple and conveys exactly what the authors want.

The bright comic book/graphic novel style approach makes the information feel interactive, and even if one route doesn’t find the mushroom, readers will still learn a lot. the publisher describes this book as perfect for young adventurers who are into STEM, nature and will enjoy hands-on storytelling.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the authors Amy Seto Forrester and Andy Chou Musser and Chronicle Books for a digital copy (ebook) of #SearchforaMysteriousMushroom  in exchange for my honest opinion. Search for a Mysterious Mushroom will be published on May 5, 2026. 

REVIEW: The Merge by Grace Walker

Grace Walker’s The Merge left me both unsettled and deeply moved. Set in a near-future Britain where two minds can be merged into one body, it explores what happens when love and desperation blur the line between salvation and surrender. Through Laurie, a mother fading into Alzheimer’s, and her daughter Amelia, who risks everything to preserve her, Walker asks haunting questions about memory, identity, and how far we’ll go to hold on to those we love. At its heart this is a story about a mother-daughter bond under extreme strain.

Quietly dystopian yet achingly human, The Merge balances speculative intrigue with emotional truth. It’s less about technology than about what it means to be known — and what we lose when we merge too much of ourselves for someone else’s sake.

A powerful, provocative debut that lingers long after the final page. Interestingly, I can't stop thinking about what fragrance Amelia and her mother would be wearing. The Merge embodies the fading memory and speak to Narciso Rodriguez for Her for its nostalgia and Juliette Has a Gun for its minimalism like consciousness pared down. 

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Grace Walker and Mariner Books for a digital copy of #TheMerge in exchange for my honest opinion. The Merge will be published on November 11, 2025. 

REVIEW: Good Intentions by Marisa Walz

 

Marisa Walz’s debut Good Intentions is a gripping tale that lingers in the uneasy space between love, loss, and the moral blur of “helping” someone too much.

Cady, an event planner with a seemingly perfect life, loses her twin sister, Dana, in a sudden accident. While grieving she meets a grieving mother in the hospital, Morgan. Cady convinces herself that helping this stranger will somehow heal them both. What follows is a quiet, unnerving unraveling of identity and obsession. Walz pens this mystery-thriller with emotional precision, crafting the somewhat perfect unreliable narrator who we cannot help but be sympathetic towards.  She captures grief’s claustrophobic effect, and the lengths people are willing to go to in order to make sense of loss. 

This isn’t a fast-paced thriller; it’s a psychological portrait that poses uncomfortable questions about boundaries, intention, and the things we tell ourselves about being “good" and having "good intentions". It’s haunting, humane, and deeply unsettling in a pretty good way.

If this novel was a perfume it would be either Imaginary Authors - A City on Fire for its smoky sweetness and emotional unease or Le Labo – Iris 39 for its elegant, intimate, but unsettlingly detached feel.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress and the author Marisa Walz for a digital copy of #GoodIntentions exchange for my honest opinion. Good Intentions will be published tomorrow February 3, 2026.

REVIEW: Sonora by Jenni L. Walsh

 

A fantastic historical fiction about one of the original women horse "daredevil" divers in a circus or amusement show.  She answers an ad in her late teens at the urgence of her mother. She goes to see the show and is enamored. Sonora loved horses. Now, she loved horses even more, and her death-defying act bolstered this love. She became a main attraction and loved every minute of it. However, after years of doing the act, she had an accident during a performance. Literally in the blink of an eye, she went blind in an instance. This would crush some but Sonora, but as soon as she was able to get up and "heal," she was back at it. She made a stellar comeback and continued her act while blind. This is not only an interesting story about Sonora Webster but one of endurance, self-sufficiency, independence, and perseverance. She found her calling in life, loved it, and did it on her terms. It's such a great novel. 

Thank you to #NetGalley, Harper Muse Audiobooks, and the author Jenni L. Walsh for a digital (audio) copy of #Sonora exchange for my honest opinion. Sonora will be published on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

REVIEW: BOOM TOWN by Nic Stone

 

Debut adult thriller from young adult and middle grade author Nic Stone. Boom Town is her first adult novel. 

Boom Town is a fast pace intense urban thriller set in one of Atlant's infamous gentlemens club. We find two employees, Charm a newbie and Lucky, a seasoned [former] headliner have gone missing without a trace. The only person that notices this and how similar the two disappearances are is Lucky's former partner and co- headliner, Lyriq. 

Lyriq is on a mission to find out what happened and where these women are. This thriller is a mix of Player’s Club and P-Valley. It is gritty, raw, sharp, suspenseful and thought provoking. The latter is evident in the novel's social commentary on power, abuse, race, class, misogyny and the lack of attention and resources dedicated to finding missing women and girls.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #SimonSchuster, the author Nic Stone for a digital copy of #BoomTown exchange for my honest opinion. Boom Town will be published tomorrow October 14, 2025.

REVIEW: Orange Wine by Esperanza Hope Snyder

 

Orange Wine is a quiet, lyrical family saga about betrayal, endurance, and survival. Inés’s story—losing her husband to her sister just weeks after giving birth—unfolds with a kind of fated inevitability, more whispered family secret than melodrama.  Esperanza Hope Snyder's novel is tender, evocative, and beautifully penned, suffused with themes of feminine resilience, artistic freedom, and emotional rebirth. Snyder’s prose is gorgeous and precise, and the atmosphere reminded me of Isabel Allende and Elena Ferrante.

This is not a fast read—the pacing is slow, and Inés herself can be frustrating—but the language and emotional weight make it worth sitting with. Like the lingering scent of citrus, this one will stay with you long after the last page.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Esperanza Hope Snyder and Bindery Books | Mareas for a digital copy of #OrangeWine in exchange for my honest opinion. Orange Wine will be published on September 30, 2025. 

#CampNetGalley 2025: Review - 9 Little People by Regina Feldmann

 

9 Little People by Regina Feldmann is a super cute picture book that follows 9 kids born on the same day and highlights activities and events they experience together. The illustrations are themselves gorgeous. This is a great book to read with children ages 4-8 (Kindergarten to grade 2).

Thank you to #NetGalley and #CampNetGalley, the author Regina Feldmann and NorthSouth Books Inc. | NorthSouth Books for a digital copy of #9LittlePeople exchange for my honest opinion. 9 Little People  will be published on September 2, 2025.

Review: Jamaica Road by Lisa Smith

 

I was so excited to review this new novel by Lisa Smith. To be transparent I am Jamaican so this book was right up my alley. It has everything I like in the Jamaican-British story. Set in the early 80s, we meet Daphne (British born) as she tries to navigate growing up and attending a school where the other kids are not too nice. Added to this daily stress are the racial tensions that we all know run through the veins of the master colonizers. Then in comes Connie, a tall, lanky plimsoll wearing transplant from Jamaica with a family secret.

Some may have difficulty with the dialogue which was music to my ears. So often Caribbean authors especially from Jamaica are forced to anglicize their work (native dialect) to satisfy the "western" market. I just hope that the audiobook has an actual Jamaican or Jamaican-Brit do the narration. Can you image the 80's reggae soundtrack that would accompany this book? 

Smith's Jamaica Road is emotional, evocative, immersive and transformative coming of age tale. It was an excellent read. 

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Lisa Smith and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for a digital copy of #JamaicaRoad exchange for my honest opinion. Jamaica Road  will be published on July 15, 2025. 

Review: The Game is Afoot by Elise Bryant

Mavis is back, honing her amateur detective skills once again to solve another mysterious death. The Game is Afoot is the second installment in Elise Bryant's Mavis Miller series. This is a cozy and funny read. Bryant did not disappoint. Not only does Mavis have to solve a murder but she also has to interrogate the goings-on of a MLM, deal with her ex-husband and parent her-too-wise-before-her-time daughter Pearl. You will not be disappointed.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Elise Bryant and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for an e-copy of #TheGameIsAfoot in exchange for my honest opinion. The Game is Afoot is out today July 8, 2025. 

REVIEW: I Am Nobody's Slave by Lee Hawkins

 

This is a very heartfelt memoir that could mirror any childhood of any African American child growing up post Jim Crow. Lee Hawkins recounts a deeply personal. somewhat scarred upbringing as he explores his family's history. Many of his experiences (parent-child or parent-parent relationships) were so relatable. One example is the ice-cream incident which I am positive has played out in many households over the past century and even today.  Hawkins also addresses some hard topics such as racism, generational trauma and slavery. This was an enjoyable read that was insightful and moving. I Am Nobody’s Slave is a powerful reflection on the African American struggle and a peoples resilience for the want of a better life. 

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Lee Hawkins and Amistad for a digital copy of #IAmNobodysSlave in exchange for my honest opinion. I Am Nobody's Slave comes out today January 14, 2025. 

REVIEW: Don't Cause Trouble by Arree Chung

                                                                 

Don’t Cause Trouble follows Ming, a kid just trying to fit in at a new school and make friends. As usually there are a few bumps along the way. Ming's life isn't made easy as his well-meaning mother insists on giving him the same stereotypical bowl haircut every year, and his wardrobe comes straight from the discount thrift shop. And to add insult to injury Ming ends up placed in an ESL class, despite only knowing and speaking English. His parents ever optimistic try to give him advice and drill home that getting good grades and not causing trouble is the only way to have get into a good college and have a fulfilling life. However this is harder to put into practice. Ming is occasionally daydreams of being 'other' and expresses himself through his sketches. But with his two new friends who are also misfits in their own way, Ming decides it's time to bend the rules a bit and find his own way. Together, they take on bullies and take advantage of every opportunity to make money. Don’t Cause Trouble is a funny, warmhearted graphic novel, that effortlessly tackles hard topics such as immigration and bullying and shows readers that it takes courage to be yourself and find worthwhile friends. Perfect for anyone who’s ever felt a little out of place, Ming’s journey is as relatable as it is entertaining.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Arree Chung and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks for an digital copy of #DontCauseTrouble in exchange for my honest opinion. Don’t Cause Trouble comes out April 22, 2025. 

REVIEW: The Day God Saw Me as Black by D. Danyelle Thomas

 

In The Day God Saw Me as Black: The Journey to Liberated Faith, D. Danyelle Thomas delivers a profound exploration of Black identity, spirituality, and the decolonization of faith. Through candid storytelling and a blend of cultural critique and personal reflections, Thomas invites readers to reimagine their spirituality beyond Eurocentric interpretations of Christianity. The book speaks to the healing and liberation found in reclaiming one’s faith from oppressive structures, celebrating Blackness as sacred and deserving. Thomas's writing is both intimate and empowering, making this work a compelling read for those interested in faith, cultural identity, and the resilience of the Black experience. Each chapter could be it's own standalone text as deserves it's own deep dive and exploration. There are so many gems within and between the lines. 

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author D. Danyelle Thomas and Row House Publishing for an audio copy of #TheDayGodSawMeasBlack in exchange for my honest opinion. The Day God Saw Me As Black comes out tomorrow, October 29, 2024.