Book Review - The Executioners Three by Susan Dennard

 

The Executioners Three by Susan Dennard follows a group of high school students who unwittingly unleash an ancient curse after a prank goes horribly wrong. Freddie Geller believes she’s doing the right thing when she calls the police after hearing screams coming from the woods—only to later realize it was just a group of kids partying, and her call led to their arrest.

The next day, a body is found in the woods. Although the sheriff rules it a suicide, Freddie’s instincts tell her otherwise—she’s convinced it was murder. Determined to uncover the truth, Freddie sets out to prove foul play and expose a killer on the loose.

The book was an okay read. It had some creepy themes, though nothing particularly scary. I appreciated the nostalgic moments and pop culture references, which reminded me of things I enjoyed growing up. The story included humor and even some slapstick elements. However, certain parts felt over-the-top and unrealistic—for instance, the final showdown takes place in the middle of town, yet no one else is around to witness or intervene in the chaos.

Despite some outrageous moments, the book was fun at times, and I’d be open to reading more from the author. If you enjoy quirky, campy stories with a dose of nostalgia, you might find this an entertaining read.

Book Review - Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas

 

Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas is a historical novel that follows a resilient fourteen year old girl, Haidie Richards, and her brother, Boots, as they navigate the dangers and hardships of life while traveling across the country to Colorado in search of their father. Shortly after their mother dies, Haidie and her younger brother are sent to an orphanage, as they are considered orphans. Their father had left four years earlier to search for gold in the Colorado Territory. In that time, he sent only three letters, but Haidie remains convinced he is alive—and that he struck it rich. She believes it’s only a matter of time before he comes back for them.

Determined not to wait any longer, Haidie decides to escape the orphanage with Boots and set out to find their father. To help them travel safely through the dangerous Western frontier, she disguises herself as a boy. Along the way, the siblings learn how to survive in the wild and deal with unsavory characters, but they also come to understand the value of community. They form fast friendships with an unlikely group of companions: a cheating card shark, an ex-nun, two independent spinsters, and a loyal dog. When they finally arrive in Colorado, Haidie realizes they will need the support of all their newfound friends if they want a chance at a happy ending.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I initially expected a dull Western, but I was hooked from the very first page. The story was compelling, and I appreciated how well-developed and unique the characters were. I especially liked how the author portrayed the female characters as complex and dynamic. They weren’t one-dimensional or solely focused on men, but also on what they wanted from life. I would definitely be open to reading more books by this author.

Book Review - American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

 

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins is a harrowing and emotional novel that follows a Mexican woman, Lydia, and her son, Luca, as they flee a drug cartel boss and undertake a dangerous journey north toward the U.S. border in search of safety and freedom. Lydia and her family live in Acapulco and love their life there—until her husband, Sebastián, publishes an article about a local cartel boss named Javier. When Javier reads the article, he is enraged and retaliates by massacring Lydia’s entire family. By a stroke of luck, Lydia and Luca survive and are forced to flee. They soon find themselves among countless others making the perilous trek toward the United States.

I meant to read this novel years ago when it was first published. I remember the controversy surrounding it at the time, but for this review, I’m focusing solely on my personal thoughts about the book itself. I found it to be beautifully written and emotionally impactful. It felt well-researched, as expounded on by the author, and the storytelling was so vivid that I felt like I was experiencing part of the journey alongside Lydia and Luca.

The characters were well-developed and likable, and I admired how Lydia and Luca found the strength to push forward after enduring such unimaginable trauma. That said, without giving away spoilers, I would have liked more detail about what happened to them at the end. The novel focuses heavily on the journey rather than the destination, and while that approach was powerful, I think a few more moments of hope or resolution would have added emotional balance after so much hardship.

Book Review - Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson

 

Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson is a gripping thriller about a teen girl, Kaylani, who must uncover the truth behind the shocking death of a young man during a mysterious summer trip. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Kaylani feels out of place when she’s invited to spend the summer in Martha’s Vineyard with her grandmother’s friends, the Watsons. She would much rather stay home and talk on the phone with her father, who is currently incarcerated, but her mother insists that a change of scenery will do her good.

The Watsons live in Oak Bluffs, a town rich in Black history, and while Kaylani is curious to learn more about the culture and vibe of the area, she’s met with coldness from her former friend, London Watson, who wants nothing to do with her. With London brushing her off, Kaylani spends much of her time alone—until she begins connecting with other neighborhood kids and finally starts to enjoy her time on the island.

That is, until tragedy strikes: a young man is found dead, initially believed to be the victim of a shark attack. But it’s soon discovered that someone made it look that way—he was murdered. Determined to uncover the truth, Kaylani dives into the mystery. But can she solve it before becoming the next target?

The book was an entertaining and suspenseful read. There were a few solid twists, including one I didn’t see coming. It was compelling to see how Kaylani navigated new friendships while grappling with the stigma surrounding her father’s incarceration. I did feel the mystery could have been developed further, and the ending felt a bit rushed. Still, I enjoyed the author’s writing style and would be interested in reading more of her work.

Book Review - Our Little Secret by Lisa Jackson

 

Our Little Secret by Lisa Jackson follows Brooke Hastings, a woman who tries to end a passionate six-week affair with the charming yet obsessive Gideon Ross. Although determined to preserve her marriage and family, Brooke quickly realizes that Gideon has no intention of letting her go. Convinced they’re meant to be together, Gideon begins to insert himself into her life and he promises that they will be together forever. He’s not someone who breaks his promises, even if he has to destroy everything to keep his promise.

I was surprised by how much I disliked every single character—there wasn’t a single redeemable one in the entire book. And yet, much like watching a trashy reality TV show, I couldn’t stop reading. The writing style is easy to follow, and while there were no shocking twists or turns, the story was still compulsively readable.

Overall, Our Little Secret is an entertaining, drama-filled read—perfect for a beach day when you're in the mood for something light, messy, and addictive.