The Anniversary by Alex Finlay

May 1 will never be the same for Jules Delaney and Quinn Riley.

On May 1, Jules Delaney was confronted and attacked by the May Day serial killer and Quinn Riley was put into a juvenile detention for almost killing another man.

Jules never told anyone about the attack until one day she decided she had to write it all down and send it to the police so hopefully it would help catch the serial killer.

Meanwhile Quinn is in the army, sees his best friend get murdered, comes home to the news that his mother has been murdered, and he has to testify at the trial.

Will they catch the serial killer and the killer of Quinn's mother?

A lot of things were going on in this small town and with both characters.

THE ANNIVERSARY will give a new definition to the word anniversary after you have read this book that ends in an amazing reveal.

I do have to say it was a bit confusing at first with so many things going on and the timeline switchings, but the ending tension is typical, fantastic Finlay.  4/5 

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

Spotlight of The Last Lady B by Eloisa James

PHOTO SOURCE:

TYPORAMA

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THE LAST LADY B

ELOISA JAMES

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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF ERICA TEMPESTA, PUBLICIST FROM KAYE PUBLICITY.

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A sharp, contemporary take on historical romance and her first foray into near-gothic storytelling.

Eloisa, “a reigning queen of romance” (CBS Sunday Morning) and a Shakespeare professor, continues to reinvent herself with her latest story: think Jane Austen meets The White Lotus in the Scottish Highlands. 

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May 12, 2026

Gallery Books

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PRAISE FOR THE LAST LADY B:

"As the intrigue ramps up—complete with death, scandalous revelations, criminal allegations, and the potential for supernatural interference—sparks fly between Evie and Godric. The gothic abbey proves a perfect backdrop to their tumultuous and compulsively readable romance. It’s an unmitigated delight."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"James’s latest (after Hardly a Gentleman) is a delightfully charming, heartwarming, often laugh-out-loud, found-family tale."—Library Journal, starred review

"[Eloisa James] skillfully strokes the slow-burn romance between Evie and Godric into an explosion of sensual fireworks in a marvelously madcap, wickedly witty love story with a delicious gothic vibe à la Ann Radcliffe,"

—Booklist

"[The Last Lady B] is a moody ghost story, full of plot twists, but it’s also the tale of a strong heroine with a quick wit and a piglet for a pet...[T]his book is likely to be enjoyed by James’ fans, as it’s one of her best in years."—Kirkus

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ABOUT THE LAST LADY B:

Lady B may have married Bluebeard; she may have fallen in love with a gorgeous, grumpy solicitor; she may have met a ghost and survived to tell the tale! New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Eloisa James delights with witty historical romance with a gothic twist.

In the depths of winter, Lady Genevieve Hughes, her pet piglet, and her septuagenarian husband travel to a haunted abbey in the Scottish Highlands. Evie is excited to meet a ghost (perhaps one of her husband’s three previous wives), but didn’t expect the funny, quirky guests to become the friends she’s never had. And she certainly didn’t imagine meeting Sir Godric Everly, a sardonic, witty solicitor who loathes her husband.

Yet as secrets and lies turn Evie’s world upside down, Sir Godric becomes the one person whom she can trust.

When ghosts, multiple wills, and a shocking marriage certificate bring Lord Burnsby’s past crashing into his present, Burnsby promptly dies, leaving Evie free to remarry…though as a virgin wife, now a virgin widow, she is more unnerved by the marriage bed than a spectral visit.

More importantly, she has to figure out whose identity is false, whose vows are dishonorable, whose truths could destroy her reputation—and where her heart belongs.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Eloisa James is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of historical romance novels.

Her books have been translated into twenty-six languages with sales worldwide of seven million.

As Mary Bly, she is a Shakespeare professor at Fordham University.

She lives in New York City and Florence, Italy.

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FIND THE AUTHOR AT THE LINKS BELOW:

Instagram

Website

Facebook

TikTok

Goodreads

The May House by Jillian Cantor

The May sisters, Julia, Emily, and Nora, met every year in May at Grandma’s beach house in Coronado since they were children.

Wonderful memories were made with Grandma with the same traditions happening every year - the favorite was the making of s’mores.

Grandma Vera left the girls the house with the stipulation that they had to get together the same week every last weekend in May.

All was good, and they met every year to keep Grandma’s memories alive until one year Julia didn’t show.  What happened to her - she was the most reliable of the three sisters.

Find out about the connection between the sisters, what happened to Julia, and what the secret was that was kept.

The book was difficult to follow at first because of how it jumped around from date to date, but it did get easier to follow as the book continued.  

THE MAY HOUSE is about sisters and making memories.  4/5

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

Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Brammer

What a perfect name for the main character and what a beautiful, heartwarming read!!

Joy brings joy and makes you laugh at how she misbehaves at age 89 which explains the title.

Joy and her best friend since they were eight years old still support each other, and Joy now needs to support Hazel more than ever since she is dying from cancer.

Even though the topic is  a bit depressing, the way Ms. Brammer writes and puts laughter into the book makes it actually a feel good book.

GOOD JOY, BAD JOY is a tribute to lasting friendship, doing things you have never done before as you age, and knowing you CAN do anything at any time in your life.

If you need an uplifting read with wonderful characters, you will want to add this book to your TBR.   5/5

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

It's Monday!! What Are YOU Reading? - 5/11/2026

                                         

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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 BRUNSWICK by Callie Murray - review will be on June 6, 2026.

Excellent historical fiction about The Kindertransport.

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MARION by Leah Rowan - review will be on June 3, 2025.

Oh...this is a good one!!

Marion isn't the "real" you - she comes out at times and does things that shouldn't be done!!

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ROAD TRIP by Mary Kay Anderson - review will be on June 2, 2026.

Another fun read!! 

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THE WINDSOR AFFAIR by Melanie Benjamin - spotlight will be on June 2, 2025.

Too many royal names - too confusing about who was who and what was going on.  

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THE BURNING SIDE by Sarah Damoff - review will be on May 23, 2026.

I finished this book, but it wasn't a favorite for me.

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A SPRINKLE OF SWEET SEREDIPITY - review will be on May 21, 2026.

LOVE her books.  Adorable cover, and the book is simply wonderful - great characters and heartwarming.

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GOOD JOY, BAD JOY by Mikki Brammer - review will be on May 20, 2026.

I enjoyed her other book THE COLLECTED REGRETS OF CLOVER, and this book is just as good.

DO NOT MISS THIS ONE - it is heartwarming and cozy!!

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THE HOPE KEEPER by Heather Webb - review will be on May 19, 2026.

Always an enjoyable read by Ms. Webb - and look at that gorgeous cover!!

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THE ANNIVERSARY by Alex Finlay - review will be on May 14, 2026.

Oh yes...typical Alex Finlay - tension and fantastic.

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THE MAY HOUSE by Jillian Cantor - review will be on May 12, 2026.

Enjoyable read - sisters making memories!!

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THE PARISIAN CHAPTER by Janet Skeslien Charles  - spotlight is in the book's title.

Wasn't catching my interest.

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A LITTLE BIT BAD by Cassandra Neyenesch - spotlight is in the book's title.

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SUMMER STATE OF MIND by Kristy Woodson Harvey - review is in the book's title.

Heartwarming with characters you will love.

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THE ISLAND CLUB by Nicola Harrison - review is in the book's title.

Set in the 1950's.  Rich wives depending on their husbands.   I enjoyed the women and how they grew.

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MS. MEBEL GOES BACK TO THE CHOPPING BLOCK by Jesse Q. Sutanto - review is in the book's title.

Oh my...such a fun read.  You will LOVE Mebel.

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THE HOTEL GUEST by Rosemary Hennigan - spotlight is in the book's title.

Not my cup of tea - couldn't get interested.

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Book Currently Reading:

THE RAINY DAY BOOKSHOP by RaeAnne Thayne - review will be on June 6, 2026.

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Books Up Next:

THE LAST TIME WE DROWNED by Saratoga Schaefer - review will be on June 8, 2026.

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

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

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THE CALAMITY CLUB by Kathryn Stockett - review will be on June 15, 2026.

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SUMMER'S NEVER OVER by Darby Bozeman - review will be on June 18, 2026.

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DEATH WAS NOT ON THE GUEST LIST by Jenni L. Walsh - review will be on June 20, 2026.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE RAINY DAY BOOKSHOP by RaeAnne Thayne - review will be on June 6, 2026.

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THE ARTFUL ANNA HARRIS by Tracy Maton - review will be on July 3, 2026.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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WHEN LEMONS GIVE YOU LIFE by Anna Johnston - review will be on August 5, 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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I'LL BE WATCHING YOU by Allison Brennan - review will be on September 15, 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 STORY BAKER by Carsten Henn - review will be on October 13, 2026.

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PEREGRINE HILL by Nina De Gramont - 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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