Book Review - Beth Is Dead by Katie Bernet

 

 Beth Is Dead by Katie Bernet is about three sisters, Meg, Jo, and Amy, uncovering the truth about their sister’s murder. When their sister, Beth March, was found dead in the woods near their home on New Year’s Day, they promised to find her murderer. However, there is no shortage of suspects. There is their neighbor, who has a crush on two of the sisters; Meg’s conniving best friend; Amy’s creepy and flirty mentor; and Beth’s first love.

As the sisters try to grieve and cope with their beloved sister’s death, they realize that each has a secret that could have led to Beth’s death. Jo has a huge following on social media and is an aspiring author. She has been facing writer’s block, and her publisher has been threatening to pull her book deal if she doesn’t come up with a viable story.

Amy dreams of studying art in Europe but can’t afford it. The only way she can is if she asks their Aunt March for money. Unfortunately, their aunt has already promised to give money to Beth and isn’t able to help Amy. Meg wouldn’t hurt her younger sister, but she does have a boyfriend who doesn’t always see eye to eye with Beth. He feels that Beth has been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and is wasting it.

As everyone becomes a suspect, it’s hard to pin down a killer, especially since the family was thrown into the limelight by their father. He penned a controversial bestseller about his own daughters that caused a frenzy. Anyone could have killed Beth, and will the sisters be able to find the truth?

I was torn between really liking the novel and loving it. The novel started off strong with a whole heap of suspects. It was fun trying to figure out who the murderer was before it was revealed. The book is narrated by all four sisters and is told in both past and present tenses, except for Beth, who is told only in the past tense.

I like that the characters were interesting and well-written. However, I am not sure why the young women were so quick to believe the men in their lives, even with evidence that might prove they were lying. Even when they admitted they were lying, the sisters were quick to forgive them. It was annoying to me because they didn’t give each other that grace or other women in their lives the benefit of the doubt. I didn’t like that the sisters claimed they loved each other and were close, but believed strangers over their own sisters.

I have not read Little Women, nor am I familiar with the characters. I know that some fans of the original book might not like the retelling or how the characters are portrayed. As I am not familiar with the book, I read it as a completely different and new story. I think if you like murder mysteries, you might enjoy this book. It’s an engaging debut, and I would read more by the author.

Book Review - Afia in the Land of Wonders by Mia Araujo

 

In Afia in the Land of Wonders by Mia Araujo, sixteen-year-old Afia leaves her beloved twin and family to travel to a mysterious land in search of adventure. Afia has always felt out of place, as if she were only half a person because she has a twin sister, Aya. Unlike Afia, who is a daydreamer eager to explore life beyond their small village of Dafra, Aya is content to follow their family’s expectations.

Afia’s longing for adventure comes true when she crosses paths with a shape-shifter named Bakame. Bakame tells her about a magical place called Ijábù. Intrigued by the wonders he describes, Afia resolves not to let her parents dictate her destiny. Although afraid, she decides the risk is worth leaving everything she knows behind including her beloved sister.

She follows Bakame into the forbidden forest, a place rumored to swallow travelers whole, never to return. Along the way to Ijábù, Afia witnesses many mystical sights and senses something shadowy pursuing her. When she finally arrives, she meets the enchanting Queen, who is both beautiful and mysterious. At first, Ijábù seems to be everything Afia ever dreamed of but she soon discovers that not everything is as it seems, and her dreams may come at a terrible cost.

I found the book to be an interesting retelling of Alice in Wonderland. It includes many playful references to the original while adding its own unique spin. I especially enjoyed the illustrations, which were filled with gorgeous artwork, and I liked seeing how Afia grew and learned to follow her own voice. However, I didn’t enjoy the ending; it felt abrupt, and I was unclear about how much time had passed or whether Afia truly achieved what she wanted. While the book is geared toward middle-grade readers, I found some parts rather gruesome and possibly unsuitable for younger audiences. Overall, I would be open to reading more books by this author.

Book Review - Wake the Wild Creatures by Nova Ren Suma

 

Wake the Wild Creatures by Nova Ren Suma is about a young woman who lived with her mother off the grid her entire life and was forced to return to civilization. Until three years ago, Talia lived in the ruins of Neves, a once-beautiful and grand hotel that had been abandoned, with her mother, Pola, and a community of like-minded women in the Catskills Mountains area. Each woman had her own reason for coming to Neves. Some came to escape men; others were hiding from the law, but they all found safety, comfort, and connection when they arrived.

Neves is cloaked in a mysterious, magical mist that keeps intruders and anyone who isn’t welcome away. As their numbers grew, so did their complications. Someone had betrayed the community and called the police on Pola. The uniformed men descended on their sacred community and arrested her, calling her a murderer and a fugitive, which caused Talia to be taken away and left their community in shambles.

Talia is now sixteen and eager to return to her community. She currently lives with her mother’s sister, Rachele, and her family. Talia doesn’t like how the world revolves around ideals the women of Neves stood against. Talia is desperate to return to her home, but she is awaiting a signal from her mother. As Talia waits, she questions everything she knew about her past and is desperate to know whether she can ever return to the life she left behind.

I thought the book was an okay read. I think it was nicely written and easy to follow along at times but can be confusing when it would switch between past and present. The book is told from Talia’s perspective and alternates between the past and present. It was interesting to read about Talia’s past and how she was coping in the present. However, I felt the ending left me with more questions, such as what happened to the mother, why they waited so long to give her a signal, what would happen to Talia, her mother, and the others, and why the place is magical.

At times, the book was hard to read because I didn’t care for Talia. I felt like she was an unlikeable person and very self-centered. I also wondered what the point of the book was, because the ending felt very unresolved for me. Sometimes the book would focus heavily on her past, and I would be very interested in seeing what role it played in the present, but sometimes nothing came of it. The book was very boring at times, with almost no twists or turns, and even though it is billed as a mysterious thriller, it is not. I think it’s an okay read, but I wouldn’t read it again or be in a hurry to read another book by the author.

Book Review - Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne

 

 

Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne is a collection of stories about Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends. The book follows the honey-loving bear and his adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood. Each chapter features a new adventure that Pooh and his friends embark on together.

I remember watching the TV show as a kid and loving it, and I still clearly remember some of the episodes. At times, scenes from the show played in my head while I was reading certain chapters. I was surprised by how some of the characters came across on the page. I always liked Rabbit and Eeyore, but reading about them changed my perception a bit. I hate to say it, but Eeyore can be a bit of a drama queen, though I still love him. The illustrations were charming and added a fun, nostalgic touch to the story.

The only drawback of this newer edition is its soft, fuzzy cover. While I love how it feels, it definitely needs a protective cover. The fuzz comes off easily, traps dirt, and gets dirty quickly. Overall, though, it’s a classic that readers familiar with the characters will enjoy revisiting.

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.

 

February 2026 Empties!

 

This year, I’m trying to be more intentional about posting regularly and using up the products I already own. So far, I think I’ve been doing pretty well, and I’ve managed to finish several items. Most of them were K-beauty products, and a few are things I would definitely repurchase.

I finished two products from the brand Banobagi: the Rejuvenating Vital Serum and the Rejuvenating Vital Cream. Interestingly, I didn’t purchase them at the same time, and I didn’t even realize they were from the same brand while I was using them. Both products were great quality and very affordable. The serum and moisturizer were unscented, lightweight, and surprisingly moisturizing. The Vital Cream, in particular, felt very luxe and left my skin feeling incredibly soft.

The Araceli eyeliner lasted forever until I accidentally left the cap off. It was very dark and applied smoothly along my lash line. It ended up being one of my favorite finds of the year.

The Gillian Instant Renew Amazon Clay Mask with Tsubaki Oil was gifted to me by a friend who toured a skincare factory and received samples to try. She gave one to me since she had two. I wasn’t familiar with the brand, but I was excited to test it out. The clay mask worked well and wasn’t overly drying. It left my skin feeling soft and smooth after use. I would get this again.

Have you tried anything new this month that you’ve been loving?