Whisper Creek by Allison Brennan

Whisper Creek definitely wasn't whispering anything gentle or good.

In place of anything good or gentle in this small, close-knit town, it was offering pouring rain, floods, men trying to steal land, kidnapping, and murder.

The book opens with someone sneaking into the barn of one of the residents and putting foam in the gutters and cutting holes in the wood so the barn would be ruined.

This was done because some thugs were trying to get everyone to give up, go bankrupt, and sell their land to them.

More violence and devastation continue as WHISPER CREEK has the signature tension we can expect from Allison Brennan.

Her descriptions of the mud-soaked, waterlogged land and roads, pull you in and into the characters' lives.

Excellent as always, and you won’t be able to put the book down.  5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book.  All opinions are my own.

Spotlight of Worse Than Strangers by Kyleigh Leddy

 

PHOTO CREDIT:

TYPORAMA
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WORSE THAN STRANGERS

KYLEIGH LEDDY

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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF HEATHER WATERS OF GALLERY BOOKS | SIMON & SCHUSTER AND THE AUTHOR’S GOODREADS PAGE.

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Jane Austen’s Persuasion meets Gilmore Girls in this sparkling debut novel about a mother and daughter finding love and second chances during a life-changing Nantucket summer.

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June 23

Gallery Books

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PRAISE FOR WORSE THAN STRANGERS:

"A champagne cocktail of old loves, bucket lists, and new romances—

with a Jane Austen twist.”—Nancy Thayer, New York Times bestselling author

“I devoured this gorgeous debut, but its poignant lessons on love – especially between mother and daughter – will stay with me much, much longer.” —Jessie Rosen, nationally bestselling author of All the Signs

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ABOUT WORSE THAN STRANGERS:

Worse Than Strangers is the story of Rose and Lily Gardner, who are best friends first, mother-daughter second. Which is a good thing, because right now, Lily could really use a friend.

Recently fired from her NYC magazine job, Lily has fled to the family cottage in Siasconset, where she stumbles across her first love holding hands with his new fiancé. But Lily’s not the only one facing heartbreak.

Rose’s own world is rocked by the handsome renter staying in their guest cottage, Thomas Wentworth: the one person she thought she would never see again and the man who has always (unfortunately) held her heart.

Set against a lush backdrop of hydrangeas and shingled houses, Lily and Rose’s summer journey of healing and hope begs the question: Can you repeat the past, and is it ever too late to try again?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kyleigh Leddy’s writing has appeared in the New York Times, New York Magazine, and Parents, among others. In 2023, she was named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Media list. She holds a BA from Boston College, an MSW from Columbia University, and an MFA in fiction from Bennington Writing Seminars. She is a licensed therapist and teaches in Boston College’s M.A. in Writing and the Human Condition program. Worse Than Strangers is her debut novel.

**AUTHOR PHOTO AND BIO 

TAKEN FROM HER GOODREADS PAGE**

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SOCIAL LINKS:

Goodreads

Instagram

Website

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Spotlight of It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell

PHOTO SOURCE:

TYPORAMA

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IT COULD HAVE BEEN HER

LISA JEWELL

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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS TAKEN FROM THE PUBLISHER'S WEB PAGE.

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#1 New York Times bestselling author of Then She Was Gone Lisa Jewell brings her “thrilling, chilling” (Chris Whitaker) suspense to this shocking new thriller about a lost dog, a missing woman, and a house of long buried secrets.

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June 23, 2026

Atria Books

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PRAISE FOR IT COULD HAVE BEEN HER:

"Jewell is one of the best writers of psychological thrillers, and this one spectacularly showcases her gifts for character design and plotting. We get the sense that the author was having an especially good time crafting this one, too, and very much enjoying the agonizing suspense she’s putting us through... Magnificent."—Booklist

"With a shrewd command of the narrative, Jewell turns a chance encounter into a disturbing treatise on the past’s ability to assert itself in ways both unwelcome and unlikely . . . . [a] pitch-black spine-tingler."—Publishers Weekly

“Deliciously dark, devilishly addictive and beautifully written. This gripping, twisted tale will keep you guessing until the end. Nobody writes like Lisa Jewell."—Alice Feeney, New York Times bestselling author of My Husband’s Wife

“Twisty, twisted and oh so dark. Lisa Jewell once again proves herself a master of suspense.”—Riley Sager, New York Times bestselling author of With a Vengeance

“Another top-notch thriller, featuring the most endearing protagonist that I can easily identify with—a nosy middle-aged woman who stumbles across the story of a missing girl and decides to investigate it herself. Alternately cozy and harrowing, it investigates the most toxic family I have ever read. Superbly written with wit and class, Lisa Jewell remains at the top of her game with this entertaining and twisty thriller.”—Liz Nugent, author of Strange Sally Diamond

“Absolutely stunning storytelling, with layer after layer deftly and tantalizingly revealed, and a denouement that is so perfect, so devilishly clever, and yet I didn’t see it coming. A true masterpiece.”—Andrea Mara, author of All Her Fault

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ABOUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN HER:

Jane Trevally is walking her dogs on her country estate when a small white terrier appears, alone and with no sign of the teenaged girl he’d been staying with nearby. When the teenager is reported missing, Jane offers to return the dog to his registered owner, hours away in London. Arriving at a run-down house called Thornwood in the deepest backwaters of Hampstead, she is immediately on alert—because Jane has a dark history with this house.

The man who answers the door is not the man that Jane remembers from her past. He is cagey, and claims to know nothing about the missing teenage girl. Then, through the window of the house, Jane catches a glimpse of a haunted-looking woman.

Conjuring her memories from twenty-five years ago, Jane knows this unsettling house holds the key—to the missing teenager, to her own traumatic story, and to the dark secrets of the past.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Photo Credit:   Clara Molden

Lisa Jewell is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-four novels, including Don’t Let Him In, None of This Is True, The Family Upstairs, and Then She Was Gone, as well as Invisible Girl and Watching You.

Her novels have sold more than fifteen million copies internationally, and her work has also been translated into over thirty languages.

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FIND THE AUTHOR AT THE LINKS BELOW:

Instagram

Facebook

Website

Goodreads

Spotlight of All The Little Ways by Laura Lekkos

PHOTO SOURCE:

TYPORAMA

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ALL THE LITTLE WAYS

LAURA LEKKOS

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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF CASSIDY LAPOINTE OF WUNDERKIND PR 

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A layered, emotionally intelligent novel about love, sisterhood, chosen family, and the complicated truths that surface during pregnancy.

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June 9, 2026

S&S/Gallery

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PRAISE FOR ALL THE LITTLE WAYS:

"A perfect summer read--it's got the heart, the glamour, the zeitgeisty lifestyles, the career details that are so delicious, and the surprises that keep you turning the pages. You won't leave the pool until you've finished." –Plum Sykes, New York Times bestselling author of Wives Like Us and Bergdorf Blondes

“Funny, compassionate, and full of hilariously sharp observations about the absurd expectations we place on women, this is a story of friendship you won’t want to put down. Beneath the humor lies a profound tenderness that Lekkos reveals with true grace in this totally satisfying debut.” –Marjan Kamali, New York Times bestselling author of The Lion Women of Tehran

"A poignant and big-hearted debut, All the Little Ways explores modern womanhood and the relationships that define us with insight and humor. It will have you laughing, crying, and calling your best friend." –Domenica Ruta, New York Times bestselling author of With or Without You: A Memoir and All the Mothers: A Novel

"A page-turning, heartfelt novel about friendship, family, and the unexpected moments that end up meaning everything. With pitch-perfect humor and true emotional depth, ALL THE LITTLE WAYS introduces characters so real and lovable, you’ll be thinking about them long after you finish the book." –Loretta Rothschild, author of Finding Grace

"An all-too-relatable, vivid depiction of the struggles of making motherhood and work-life work together." –Zibby Owens

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ABOUT ALL THE LITTLE WAYS:

Victoria and Liz are diametrically opposed. Victoria is a powerful businesswoman; Liz is trapped in an awful job on an insufferable reality show; Victoria avoids motherhood, while Liz longs for it – but when unexpected pregnancies bring them together, the two form a powerful bond, leaning on each other to navigate important decisions about family, career, and love.

As they grow more secure in their futures with each other’s support, though, the friends confront a shocking turn of events that will change the course of both their lives. Victoria and Liz then must reckon with their relationships, their impending journeys of motherhood, and the strength of their own bond in this unforgettable work of women’s fiction.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laura Lekkos is a screenwriter and author.

Her credits include Amazon MGM’s Relationship Goals, and she is the adapting writer of Maurene Goo’s Somewhere Only We Know for Netflix.

Laura is behind the screenplay for Amazon Prime’s recent movie, Relationship Goals, and has many exciting projects ahead, including Jennifer Probst’s The Marriage Bargain and Maurene Goo’s Somewhere Only We Know for Netflix.

Laura’s screenwriting prowess shines through her fiction, resulting in a rich novel with sharp dialogue, tight pacing, and high-stakes emotional tension.

She is especially passionate about writing female-focused stories and has worked with various studios, including Amazon, Netflix, Sony, Universal, and Lionsgate.

She lives in Los Angeles with her family.

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FIND THE AUTHOR AT THE LINKS BELOW:

Instagram

Website

TikTok

Goodreads

It's Monday!! What Are YOU Reading? - 6/22/2026

                                         

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I hope you had a great reading week.

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This is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at BOOK DATE!

Post the books completed, the books you are currently reading, and the books you hope to finish at some point.

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Books Completed:

THE WOMEN IN WHITE by Sarah Pekkanen - review will be on August 4, 2026.

A very dark, creepy read.

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BUYER BEWARE by Catherine Ryan Howard - spotlight will be on July 29, 2026.

Wasn’t connecting with the two timelines.

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THE WHISPER by Chelsea Iversen - spotlight will be on July 31, 2026.

Couldn’t get into it!!

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THE MORTAL ENEMY MURDER CLUB by Gloria Chao - spotlight will be on July 30, 2026.

Not what I thought it would be.

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MEET IN PARIS by Kristin Harmel - review will be on July 28, 2028.

Disappointed - I normally LOVE her books.

This one isn’t historical fiction, but a story about people heading to Paris for one reason or another.  There are TOO many characters.  

I’ll be looking forward to her next historical fiction book.

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THE STORY KEEPER by Kelly Rimmer - review will be on July 21, 2026.

Ohhhhh….DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!!  A book within a book and just an amazing read!!  

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THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING by Lisa Scottoline - review will be on July 18, 2026.

A good one, but not her best.

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THE SINS OF SUMMER DAUGHTERS by Lo Patrick - spotlight will be on July 15, 2026.

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THE HALF LIFE by Rachel Beanland - spotlight will be on July 14, 2026.

Wasn’t working for me.  

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THE WEDDING WEEK by Aisha Saeed - spotlight will be on July 11, 2026.

Wasn’t connecting to the book.  Hope it works for you.

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PRETTY DEAD THINGS by Kelsey Cox - spotlight will be on July 8, 2026.

Very disappointed - I LOVED her first book.  

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MOST ARDENTLY YOURS by Freya Sampson - spotlight will be on July 7, 2026.

I normally LOVE her books.  It just wasn’t working.

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THE HOUSEWIFE by Natalie Barelli - review will be on July 1, 2026.

Ohhhh...what a ride!!  You will LOVE this book if you are a reader of mysteries and love a crazy main character.

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THE NEIGHBORS ARE WATCHING by Aggie Blum Thompson - review will be on June 30, 2026.

A good mystery...nosey neighbors that all have something to hide.

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WHISPER CREEK by Allison Brennan - review will be on June 24, 2026.

Ohhhh...it's so good!!

Has the signature tension we can expect from Allison Brennan. 

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WORSE THAN STRANGERS by Kyleigh Leddy - spotlight will also be on June 23, 2026.

Love the cover.  Didn't connect with the storyline.

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IT COULD HAVE BEEN HER by Lisa Jewell - spotlight will be on June 23, 2026.

Disappointed - it is very confusing.

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DEATH WAS NOT ON THE GUEST LIST by Jenni L. Walsh - spotlight is in the book's title.

Not enjoying the read so I will do a spotlight.

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SUMMER'S NEVER OVER by Darby Bozeman - spotlight is in the book's title.

Not enjoyable for me - doing a spotlight instead of a review.

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LOST IN THE SUMMER OF '69 by Eliza Knight - review will be on June 11, 2026.

Fun and nostalgic - great characters and storyline.

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BEACH THRILLER by Jamie Day - review will be on June 9, 2026.

Ohhhhh...a good one!!  Not scary, just good.

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Book Currently Reading:

WHEN LEMONS GIVE YOU LIFE by Anna Johnston - review will be on August 5, 2026.

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Books Up Next:

THE CALAMITY CLUB by Kathryn Stockett - review will be on a future date.

Sounds good, but putting this on hold for now - it is 600+ pages.

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PRETTY AS A PEACH by Grace Helena Walz - review will be on August 10, 2026.

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THE MATCHMAKER'S COTTAGE by Kat Sloane - review will be on August 12, 2026.

LOVE the cover!!

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THE ONE WHO WALKED AWAY by Karen Rose - review will be on August 14, 2026.

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HOW TO FIND ROMANCE IN A BOOKSHOP by Poppy Alexander - review will be on August 18, 2026.

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A FINE LAYER OF DUST by Barbara Conrey - review will be on September 1, 2026.

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THE MYSTIC AND THE MISSING GIRL by Vikki VanSickle - review will be on September 8, 2026.

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A BEAUTIFUL LIE by Tanya Grant - review will be on September 9, 2026.

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I'LL BE WATCHING YOU by Allison Brennan - review will be on September 15, 2026.

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THE BOOKSHOP WOMAN by Nanako Hanada - review will be on September 16, 2026.

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BLUE JEAN SUMMER by Maggie Gates - review will be on September 17, 2026.

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A DEADLY ENTANGLEMENT by Cathy Pegau - review will be on September 18, 2026.

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FALLING FOR PEACHTREE BLUFF by Kristy Woodson Harvey - review will be on September 19, 2026.

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THE MEMORY OF BORROWED BOOKS by Meg Anderson - review will be on October 6, 2026.

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THE UNDERCOVER BOOKSHOP by Katherine Reay - review will be on October 7, 2026.

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THE STORY BAKER by Carsten Henn - review will be on October 13, 2026.

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RED SEAL by Rosa Kwon Easton - review will be on October 18, 2026.

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MISSING MOLLY by Natalie Barelli - review will be on October 21, 2026.

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PEREGRINE HILL by Nina De Gramont - review will be on November 10, 2026.

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WHEN THEY FIND ME by Carter Wilson -  review will be on November 11, 2026.

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THE BUREAU OF UNKNOWN FATES by Gaëlle Nohant - review will be on December 8, 2026.

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MURDER UNABRIDGED by P. J. Nelson - review will be on December 1, 2026.

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SCREAM CITY by Hannah Norrissey - review will be on January 26, 2027.

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