Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Bright Little Girls by Lorna Hollifield follows the tumultuous journey of Eliane Pangolin, a 27-year-old aspiring writer and dancer living with obsessive-compulsive disorder. As she struggles with past trauma and mental health challenges, Eliane remains emotionally entangled in the unresolved murder of her college friend, Lux. The crime continues to cast a long, dark shadow over her life. Haunted by betrayal from her best friend Jett and pursued by a sinister figure who stalks her every footstep, Eliane navigates a path filled with obsession, memory, and revelation. Her desire to chase literary dreams in Paris, Texas, intersects with the chilling reality that she may still be in the killer’s sights. But how can she protect herself when her dreams and obsession are so much bigger than all this?

Author Lorna Hollifield's suspenseful and character-driven story delves into the psychological complexities of trauma, betrayal, and mental illness. Eliane is a compelling protagonist, and her internal struggles with OCD and her broken relationships add depth to the suspenseful stalker plotline. The author effectively weaves together Eliane's past and present, gradually revealing the impact of Lux's murder and the betrayal by Jett. I loved how the story was narrated by Lux’s ghost. We get an imperfectly perfect look into Eliane's life as she tries to find a rhythm that best suits her life while also trying to outsmart her stalker. The narrative style is a little sarcastic and blunt at the same time. I love the descriptions and the atmosphere. The setting of Paris, Texas, provides a unique and atmospheric backdrop for Eliane's journey of self-discovery and confrontation with her stalker. Bright Little Girls is a raw, emotionally charged, and stunning novel that will have readers sitting on the edge of their seats.

Reviewed by Miche Arendse for Readers' Favorite

Dangerous Pursuit by Bethany Rosa follows Jackson Soloman as he battles with dealing with his new and very much unwanted assistant. Mia Marcos finds herself on the receiving end of not only her boss's desire but his ire as well. As the two continue to take shots at one another, all while still getting work done, they unknowingly start to develop feelings for one another. The problem is that Mia is only seventeen and her boss is all but a decade older than her. The two must navigate this complex relationship while Mia tries to keep her secrets hidden.

Dangerous Pursuit by Bethany Rosa is one of the most entertaining books I have read in a while. I couldn’t help but laugh at Jackson and Mia’s antics throughout the book and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. Despite the obviously questionable nature of their relationship, I found myself enjoying their interactions. I think Rosa did a wonderful job with this story and how it played out both in pacing and just general dialogue. I could easily see this book being adapted into a movie or, even better, a series. Both characters are so different and yet so similar in their stubbornness. You see them develop and change through each chapter the more they interact with one another, which was really enjoyable. I also liked the supporting characters in the story and felt that they came across as very realistic in their reactions and advice to the main characters. Overall, I think this book was amazing and I would definitely love to read more from this author.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

Her Wild Body by Noa Raveh is a raw and visceral exploration of female desire, self-discovery, and the complex nature of modern relationships. The story follows the narrator, Eleanor, a woman navigating a seemingly conventional life with a husband and children, while embarking on passionate, transformative affairs with women. The narrative unfolds through a series of fragmented, often erotic, vignettes, exploring Eleanor's encounters and her evolving understanding of her own body and desires. Eleanor lives a double life: devoted wife and mother by day, polyamorous goddess by weekend. Her open marriage with Tom satisfies her – until she meets Esther. This captivating artist ignites a desire that threatens to consume Eleanor's carefully constructed world. As their connection deepens, Eleanor faces an impossible choice: surrender to this intoxicating passion or protect the life she's built. Can she find true fulfillment in Esther's wild body?

Noa Raveh’s characters are elaborately drawn, though often presented through Eleanor’s subjective and highly sensual lens. Eleanor herself is a stunning character — a capable professional and devoted mother, yet also a woman driven by a powerful, almost insatiable desire. Her internal world is rich and often turbulent, laid bare through candid reflections on her experiences. Her primary lovers, Noga, Mowgli, Shira, and Tammy Gil, represent different facets of female connection and desire. Noga embodies a gentle, almost spiritual, intimacy. Mowgli is wild and primal, pushing Eleanor to explore the boundaries of pain and pleasure. Shira offers a fleeting, clandestine connection, while Tammy Gil is a whirlwind of energy and passion, challenging Eleanor's sense of self and leading her to confront her limitations and desires. The contrast between mundane family life and corporate work and the intense, often covert nature of her affairs highlights the tension in Eleanor's life. Her Wild Body is a book for mature readers and those comfortable with LGBTQ themes. This author writes with fire about sex, exploring the feminine energy in a way I have never read before.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Janie's Hope by S.R. Fabrico concludes the Southport Series with a compelling story about a neurodivergent woman's journey to uncover her family's secrets. Raised in isolation, Janie steps into the world of Southport despite her father's warnings about lurking dangers. Her unexpected connection with Noah becomes a source of strength as she investigates the mysteries surrounding her mother's death. Together, they navigate the complexities of love, trust, and self-discovery while discovering long-buried truths that threaten to change everything Janie has ever known about herself and her family. The small-town setting becomes a character in itself, filled with secrets and unexpected allies that help Janie piece together her past while building a future she never imagined possible.

Author S.R. Fabrico brings remarkable sensitivity to the final installment of the Southport Series, creating a story that I couldn't put down until the very end because every twist built up to an even bigger conclusion. Fabrico's portrayal of Janie's neurodivergent perspective offers fresh insights into human connection and personal strength, as well as an original viewpoint that's far from the typical narrative style of most family or crime dramas. The romance between Janie and Noah develops with beautiful authenticity, showing how true love can help us overcome our deepest fears, and I adored the use of dialogue with so much emotional energy in every line. Fabrico's ability to maintain suspense while developing complex relationships demonstrates real skill in balancing multiple narrative elements and the different threads of both the mystery and the emotional arc come together really naturally. Southport comes to life vividly and with multisensory detail, offering readers an immersive read that makes them feel part of the community. The exploration of how family secrets can shape our identity, and how finding the truth often requires more courage than we think we possess, is a profound lesson neatly layered into the tale. Overall, Janie's Hope delivers a satisfying conclusion to the series that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page. I would certainly recommend it to fans of the series so far.

Reviewed by Delene Vrey for Readers' Favorite

Cicero James, Miracle Worker by Hal Emerson is a cracking read. Cicero James is a Worker – someone who, through some horrible tragic event in his life, awakened the ability to fight creatures from the space between spaces. He has a Mentor, an older doctor who took Cicero in after his mother passed. Cicero does mundane things, the daily grind at his uneventful job, but in his free time, he does Works, meaning he takes contracts from the Worker higher-ups and then sends the beasties back to where they belong. Unfortunately, his last beastie killed him. At least that was what should have happened. When Cicero wakes up in the morgue with no deadly wound to his chest, let’s just say things get complicated. Cicero has to escape an unknown threat and prove to Marlowe’s associates that he is to be trusted while coming to terms with his apparent immortality.

Hal Emerson has written an exciting and action-packed urban fantasy and Cicero James reminds me of Harry Dresden and Harley Merlin. The narrative is first-person driven and immediately drew me in, as the author uses age-related language, style, and register. Cicero relates what happens to him in colloquial language, revealing his emotions and making him seem like a typical young man of the 2020s. The book transports the reader into an urban fantasy world that has been well thought out. The allusions to modern-day television and entertainment and references to current world affairs give credence to the characters and plot. The narrative is written as Cicero’s first-hand account of what happened and therefore comes across as authentic and believable. The main theme is the power play between good and evil. There are also themes of trauma and its effects and of trust and deceit. I have not read such a gripping and exciting urban fantasy in a while and I recommend this to anyone who loves gritty urban wizardry.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

In The Roots Run Deep by Chris Strong, Chris West is overcome with intense grief at his childhood friend's funeral, finding the sorrow linked more to the loss of a family member than to a friend's passing. Nostalgia kicks in and West reflects on his past with the Cool Crew, a group of friends from Coolidge Lane who once dreamed of a road trip to Mt. Hood. But life happens, and as an adult West is sandwiched between his busy life and a desire to reconnect with his friends. Buddy, who meets Stella at an airport after a minor accident, marries her, and they have a child within four years. Meanwhile, Izzy’s suicide attempt prompts West, Buddy, and Sean to finally organize that dreamed-of trip to Mt. Hood, looking to provide Izzy with a supportive escape from what pushed him to the edge, only to discover that he is not the only one who needs support, or whose life hangs in the balance.

The Roots Run Deep by Chris Strong threw me for a bit of a loop because I was pretty sure I knew more about the funeral West is eulogizing than it turns out I did. The author has some twisty turns in there and they're both beautiful and devastating. This completely character-driven novel transitions between the friends as kids and the friends as adults on their trip, and proves that there is a story to be told in which the journey is the whole point and not the destination. The beauty of literary fiction is that it has the flexibility to be more artistic without getting tied up in a single discernable plot. We know someone has died, and we learn of the trip that precludes it...but then Strong pulls out his ace card. The writing is simple and straightforward with some fun nods to generational pop culture. Overall, Strong gives us a thoughtful work of escapism that will no doubt resonate with readers. Recommended.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

What an indescribable pleasure it is to find a novel that holds you captive not just with its clever, dark plot, but with characters so riveting, real, and relatable that it’s impossible to put the book down. Drawn from Life by Sarah P. Blanchard is one of those stories I won’t forget in a hurry, with its contrasting protagonist, Emma Gillen, and antagonist, Lucy, Emma’s cousin. When we first meet these cousins, though they appear close, one senses something odd about their relationship. It takes a frightening car accident that results in the deaths of three people and leaves Emma with permanent disabilities to make readers question that relationship. As the plot details slowly unfold, so do these two women’s personalities and characters.

It’s fascinating to watch how skillfully the author lets the characters fully evolve. Also clever, sometimes even amusing, is Blanchard’s depiction of the effects of brain damage on Emma’s speech. Yet the author’s depiction of that, along with Emma’s relationship with her father, Chaz, and the detective who helps her discover the truth about the accident is handled with such sensitivity. Stellar writing from one of the best writers I’ve had the pleasure to review. The end notes about Sarah P. Blanchard tell us that she “is drawn to flawed, compassionate characters who believe they must battle their demons alone and complex antagonists who think they have nothing to lose.” Emma and Lucy illustrate that approach perfectly. Drawn from Life is a superb blend of psychological thriller and literary fiction, making it a novel that resonates with fans of both genres. If you’re one of those fans, add it to your bucket list now! I cannot recommend this novel highly enough.

Reviewed by Natalie Soine for Readers' Favorite

Sun in My Heart by Tricia T. LaRochelle is a gripping contemporary romance novel that delves into the lives of characters scarred by their pasts. Pop star Julian Sommers awakens from a night of debauchery to find himself haunted by the tragic events of a deranged fan's obsession, while Sophie Quinn, a woman desperate to escape her abusive husband, embarks on a journey to reclaim her life. Sophie meets Brian, a handyman who works for Julian and who has his own secrets to protect. Sophie's pursuit of freedom from her violent husband and her struggles with her mother's expectations lead her on a transformative journey. Meanwhile, Brian has a hidden past that threatens to unravel the budding connection between him and Sophie. The enigmatic Julian, still reeling from a traumatic event, seeks solace and distance from the limelight.

Tricia T. LaRochelle's Sun in My Heart is an emotional rollercoaster, a story skillfully crafted to keep readers engaged and invested in the lives of the characters. The story is a tapestry of broken souls seeking redemption and love. Sophie's journey from a place of vulnerability and fear to one of strength and self-discovery is a compelling character arc. Her struggles with an abusive husband and a demanding mother will resonate with many readers who have faced similar challenges in their lives. The introduction of Brian as a love interest adds depth and complexity to the story, with his secrets adding an intriguing layer of suspense. The narrative weaves complex relationships, familial dynamics, and personal secrets into a thrilling tale of survival, resilience, and the healing power of love.

Reviewed by Courtnee Turner Hoyle for Readers' Favorite

Keeping Janie by S.R. Fabrico is the second book in the Southport Series. Lizzie Levine waits for the looming court date that will decide if she can keep her daughter, Janie. Gray, Janie's father, seems to have changed, going to great lengths to restore Lizzie's trust. He allows Lizzie and her fiancé, Josh, to raise Janie, but Gray's involvement is a sore point in Lizzie and Josh's relationship. Josh wants to adopt Janie, but Gray pushes deeper into their lives, and Lizzie hopes his intentions are pure. Catalina, the woman who raised Janie for the first year of her life, is released from prison, and she is determined to reclaim Lizzie's daughter. With tensions in the custody case mounting, Lizzie receives pictures, showing someone is watching her family.

S.R. Fabrico brings readers another story with suspense dripping from the pages. As a mother, I was saddened by the legal hoops Lizzie had to jump through to remain with her daughter. I was flipping as fast as my fingers could fly to find out what happened to Lizzie and her precious Janie. Lizzie and Josh have a strong connection, and Fabrico tests it throughout the story. The author explores themes of grief and redemption as if she is one of the characters in the novel, making the situations feel as though they are happening to people you know. Prepare to be shocked by the events in the story, and don't let your guard down until the end. Readers who enjoy suspenseful stories with romance and strong female characters will love Keeping Janie.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Pursuit of Innocence is a work of fiction in the romance, interpersonal drama, and coming-of-age subgenres. It is best suited to mature readers owing to the presence of sexual scenes and the use of explicit language throughout. Penned by author Bethany Rosa, the plot follows Lily as she navigates the complexities of love and desire amidst the competing affections of billionaire Sebastian Dubree and her longtime crush, Jackson. Determined to focus on her goals of graduating and landing a high-paying job, Lily finds herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions when both Sebastian and Jackson vie for her attention. As she grapples with her feelings and the blurred boundaries between desire and resistance, Lily must ultimately decide whether to surrender to the passion ignited by the dominant CEO or cling to the familiarity of her childhood longing.

Author Bethany Rosa puts a huge amount of heart, drama, and imagination into crafting this gripping coming-of-age romance that explores themes of desire, self-discovery, and the challenges of navigating relationships in the face of conflicting emotions. I was really impressed with the character development, which populates the novel with realistic and relatable characters that are as flawed and raw as they are charismatic and attractive. I especially enjoyed Lily’s attitude and her vulnerabilities, which only served to bring readers closer to her in the suspenseful moments where romance and tension fill her head with conflict. The dialogue reflects so many exciting dynamics between her romantic options and gives even more great characterization, humor, and spice to every moment. The result is a compelling and exciting romantic drama that leaves readers yearning for more as they follow Lily's journey of self-discovery and love. Overall, I would highly recommend Pursuit of Innocence to fans of well-penned, character-driven romances everywhere.