Book Review - Count My Lies by Sophie Stava

 

In Count My Lies by Sophie Stava, compulsive liar Sloane Caraway fabricates her way into the lives of a seemingly perfect New York couple as their nanny, only to uncover that their polished facade hides something dangerous underneath. Sloane tells mostly harmless lies to make her life seem more interesting than it is. She cannot help herself when she sees a young girl crying in the park with her very attractive father. Sloane offers to help pull the bee stinger from the girl’s foot and tells the father that she is a nurse, even though she is a nail technician.

Jay and Violet Lockhart, the father and mother of the young girl, are very grateful that Sloane helped their daughter. They offer Sloane a nanny position that comes with great perks. The seemingly perfect couple has a brownstone, their daughter attends a private school, and they summer on Block Island. Since Sloane is the nanny, she now has access to those same perks. As Sloane’s life starts entwining with the Lockharts’, something is amiss…could it be that Sloane isn’t the only one keeping secrets?

The book was an entertaining read. It was full of twists and turns. Some were expected, while a few took me by surprise. The premise felt similar to other books I have read before. I didn’t like Sloane at first, but when the book switched POV towards the end, it became much more interesting. The ending caught me off guard, emerging out of nowhere, and I am not exactly sure it was realistic either. However, I would be open to reading more books by the author.

Book Review - "The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night" by Steven Banbury

 

In "The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night" by Steven Banbury, Evelyn, an orphan, is adopted by the mythical Pumpkin King.

Newly orphaned, Evelyn escapes her dreary orphanage on Halloween night and is unexpectedly taken in by the Pumpkin King. She becomes the Pumpkin Princess in the magical realm of Hallowell Valley, where she must navigate a world filled with supernatural creatures who are either afraid of or are wary of humans. Just when Evelyn thinks she has won over the town, she uncovers a sinister plot threatening her newfound family. 

The novel was an entertaining read, filled with spooky elements, and offers a heartwarming story of two people trying to define their idea of family. I appreciated how the author incorporated humor throughout the book. My favorite parts involved the scarecrows, making me wish I had a whole gang of them as friends. The mystery had some twists, although I managed to predict a few of them. The book is part of a series, and I can’t wait to dive into their other adventures.

Book Review - Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

 

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo follows 17-year-old Lily Hu, a Chinese American teenager who discovers her queer identity and navigates first love with classmate Kathleen (Kath), all while confronting cultural expectations and political paranoia in 1954 America. Lily can’t remember when she started feeling different from other girls; however, she does know that her feelings shifted when she and Kath went to the lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club.

Being in love with another woman wasn’t common or safe in 1954, especially in Chinatown. The Red Scare impacted Chinese Americans like Lily, and with deportation looming over her father, is Lily willing to risk everything for her love for Kath?

The novel is a heartwarming coming-out story that has tender moments when Lily decides to stand up for herself and prioritize her needs. I enjoyed reading about her finding her voice. The book switches between different points of view and time, which I found confusing and didn’t feel this contributed meaningfully to the story.

Although Kath and Lily are main characters, I felt we rarely got to know them deeply. I was surprised to learn that Kath was 17 years old, as she sometimes acts much younger. The novel is a standalone, but the author has another book that includes a conclusion for Lily’s and Kath’s relationship, which remains unresolved at the end of this one. While I liked the book, I don’t think I would go out of my way to read another work by the author.

Book Review - The Snowman Code by Simon Stephenson

 

 The Snowman Code by Simon Stephenson follows a young girl named Blessing, who makes an unlikely friend during a long, unending winter. In London, winter has lasted for months with no sign of easing. One day, instead of going to school, ten-year-old Blessing wanders into a park and discovers a snowman named Albert Framlington—who turns out to be alive.

The two quickly form a friendship, and as they grow closer, Blessing opens up about her struggles. She talks about her mother, who suffers from seasonal depression, and the bullies at school who make her dread attending. Albert explains that every snowman is duty-bound by the Snowman Code to help any child in need.

As Albert supports Blessing through her challenges, he’s also hiding a secret of his own. The reason winter seems never-ending is that Albert is searching for his long-lost love, Clementine, and winter won’t end until every snowman is ready for it to do so. Will the pair be able to help each other find their happy endings?

I thought the book was a fun and cozy read, filled with silly moments that young readers would enjoy. It’s a heartwarming story about learning, taking risks, and being there for one another. While the book addresses some heavy topics, it does so thoughtfully and could serve as a great conversation starter between young readers and their guardians. It’s a cute, wintry read that might even encourage kids to head outside and make a snow-friend of their own.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and were not influenced by the publisher or author. 

 

December 2025 Empties!

 

 

 

My last empties post for the year! I haven't been doing these consistently, but hopefully next year I will get back at it. I finished a few things, but nothing was particularly noteworthy.  

The Just Curls Herbishh Conditioner was okay. I was disappointed that the dispenser didn't work at all. The conditioner didn't have much scent, and it didn't do much to define my waves. I wouldn't get it again.

The Pause Moisture Lock Ultra Hydrator was alright. It didn't have much of a scent. I found it a bit watery, and it doesn't really moisturize as well. I feel like, for something that says Ultra Hydrator, my skin should be drenched, but it wasn't. My skin would feel dry when I wore it overnight. It didn't work as a daily or overnight mask.

The Belief Overnight Mask was okay. It works well and does keep my lips soft overnight. I was disappointed that the jar was so huge, but it only had a small amount.  The lip mask has the consistency of petroleum jelly and has no scent or taste. 

Book Review - "Flamer" by Mike Curato

Set in the summer of 1995, "Flamer" by Mike Curato is a semi-autobiographical graphic novel that follows 14-year-old Aiden Navarro, a Filipino American Boy Scout grappling with his sexual identity, religious beliefs, and the challenges of adolescence amid bullying and homophobia at summer camp. During the summer between middle and high school, Aiden goes to camp. At this stage, every teenager is experiencing changes, but for Aiden, it feels different. He struggles with bullying, managing new friendships, and handling his budding crush on a boy named Elias, whom he can’t stop thinking about.

The graphic novel was an okay read. It features a monochromatic style with occasional uses of red and orange colors. Several times, I had difficulty following along with what was happening. The graphic novel contained many graphic moments, which I am unsure would be appropriate for the younger audience it is targeting. 

Book Review - The Collaborators by Michael Idov

 

The Collaborators by Michael Idov is an espionage thriller that follows disillusioned CIA officer Ari Falk and LA heiress Maya Chou as they unravel a deadly conspiracy linking post-Soviet Russia and Western intelligence. Ari is left adrift after the death of his best asset and finds himself uncertain about his future. Meanwhile, Maya grows concerned when her Russian-American billionaire father goes missing. The two join forces to find him, only to uncover a much larger and more dangerous plot.

The spy thriller is fast-paced, filled with action, and features a large cast of characters moving in multiple directions, which can be difficult to follow. I thought it was an okay read, but I didn’t feel particularly invested in the characters. While it had its moments, I wouldn’t go out of my way to read more books by this author.

Book Review - If I Live by Terri Blackstock

 

If I Live by Terri Blackstock follows Casey, a woman on the run for a crime she didn’t commit. Still wanted in connection with a murder, Casey is running out of places to hide—her face is all over the news, and it’s only a matter of time before she’s either captured or killed by those hunting her. Dylan Roberts, the investigator who was once assigned to bring her in, now believes in her innocence. He becomes Casey’s only hope for finding justice.

This is the final book in the series. While it can technically be read as a standalone, I wouldn’t recommend it. I felt like I was missing a lot of character development and story context by not reading the previous books. My review should be taken with a grain of salt, as this was the only installment I read.

Personally, I found that the book focused more on religious themes than I would have liked. I didn’t connect with any of the characters—they felt one-dimensional, and there were too many to keep track of. The plot lacked unexpected twists or turns, and the romance felt clean but featured hints of insta-love, which didn’t appeal to me.

Book Review - Dying Inside by Pete Wentz

 

Dying Inside by Pete Wentz is a graphic novel about a sixteen-year-old girl named Ash who is tired of living. Ash is chronically depressed and believes that death would be the quickest and easiest route to relief. However, she wants her finale to be memorable—something more than just a "lame" death. She decides to buy a beautiful knife to end her life.

But the knife turns out to be enchanted with a protection spell that prevents Ash from harming herself. Determined, she sets out to find the witch who sold her the defective weapon. That witch turns out to be another depressed sixteen-year-old girl named Liv. Together, the two girls decide to find a way to undo the protection spell so Ash can fulfill her death wish.

The graphic novel is an interesting and engaging read, balancing serious themes with moments of humor. Because it deals with topics like self-harm and suicidal ideation, I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone. I initially picked up this graphic novel because Pete Wentz wrote it, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I would definitely read more graphic novels by these authors.

Book Review - In The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, Goop, and the False Promise of Self-Care by Rina Raphael

 

In The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, Goop, and the False Promise of Self-Care by journalist Rina Raphael examines the wellness industry and reveals how it exploits women's desires for control and well-being through manipulative marketing and pseudoscientific claims. With the rise of social media and influencer culture, women are pursuing their health like never before. Regardless of the trends, there is something for everyone. 

The industry has grown into a $4.4 trillion behemoth from its modest roots. The wellness industry promises health and vitality in an accessible way. Behind the layers of clever marketing lies a market that offers women something more than just health alone; it promises them the one thing they desire: control.

The book was an interesting read, and it made me re-evaluate some of my habits. For example, I would see a trend promoted by a popular influencer, and I wouldn’t even consider the research they were basing that claim on, or if they were just trying to sell something. It reinforced and reminded me to look at claims critically and do my own research before believing that something is true.

While I enjoyed portions of the book, I felt it could use more clarity. A few times, I wondered what the relevance was for a story the author brought up. I felt the ending left me unsure if the author was suggesting that people be wary of the wellness culture or to avoid it altogether. I also felt that the book jumped around a lot, making it hard to keep track of what was said and how everything is related. I appreciated parts of the book, and I will be more cautious about health claims without evidence to support them. However, I wish the author hadn’t criticized women to convey her point. While I would be open to reading another book by the author, I probably wouldn’t if it’s on the same topic or about the same industry.  

 

Book Review - If Looks Could Kill by Julie Berry

 

 

 

If Looks Could Kill by Julie Berry is about two young women who discover one of them has a supernatural and deadly gaze that can turn someone to stone, and the aftermath of the discovery of their abilities. In autumn 1888, Jack the Ripper is on the run, and the London police are closing in on their suspect. Jack decides to flee to England and to New York City in order to seek new victims and to get away from the scrutiny. The primal force of female vengeance had had enough of the violence against women. It has taken the form of Medusa, with hair of serpents and a fearsome gaze, and it’s on the hunt for Jack.

Tabitha and Pearl are volunteers in the Salvation Army. They spend their time trying to fundraise and help the needy. One day, they come across a newcomer who asks for directions. After helping the young girl, they come across her again, only to realize that the girl has been forced to work in the local brothel.

Pearl and Tabitha feel that they should help her. However, they are unsure how to go about it as they have different personalities and ideas. Tabitha is a girl from upstate who has a wry humor and a thirst for adventure. Pearl is a farm girl who is very pious and serious. As they plan their rescue mission, they find their paths crossing and entwining with Medusa’s and Jack’s.

I was very excited to read this novel. It had everything I could want to read: Jack the Ripper, Medusa, murder and mystery, and strong female leads. However, I found this book to be very boring and confusing. I found it to be all over the place, and it was hard to follow along at times. I felt like nothing was happening page after page. I would have liked it if the author had edited down the novel to only have one storyline instead of having multiple ones at the same time, as I don’t think most of the characters or storylines were well fleshed out. I might be open to reading more books by the author, but I wouldn’t go out of my way.

 Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and were not influenced by the publisher or author.