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chaptersofchase's Reviews (1.12k)
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh y’all, come sit a spell, and we’ll spill some tea 🫖
Thank you, Dutton Books, for the gifted copy of Everyone is Lying to You{ partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 7.15.2025
Pages: 336
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
“Everyone is Lying to you. Never forget it.”
I went in with an open mind and no expectations... and found myself completely hooked. Everyone Is Lying to You was such an addictive, propulsive read that I had to force myself to put it down to get things done — and then I’d sneak in a few more pages every chance I got.
This book peels back the curtain on the elite influencer world. I kept asking myself: How much of what we see online is real? Is it staged? Are they really happy? I know social media can be a highlight reel, and I try to remember that all that glitters isn’t gold… but wow, this story made me question it all.
Part dark comedy, part domestic suspense, this book surprised me at every turn. I can’t recommend it enough if you like your reads sharp, fast-paced, and a little unsettling.
cw: gaslighting, domestic abuse, violence. Feel free to message me if you want more info.
Read if you enjoy:
😱 Domestic suspense
🤳🏼 Influencer culture
📖 Layered stories
📣 Women finding their voice
I recommend reading Everyone Is Lying to You if you enjoyed Gone Girl, A Simple Favor, or the movie The Stepford Wives.
______
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emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
The PERFECT book for the dog lover! 🐾
Thank you, Random House & PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of This Dog Will Change Your Life {partner}
Genre: Non-Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 6.3.2025
Pages: 304
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
"That's what dogs do; they get into your soul, and they don't disappear. Even when they physically do."
If you've been following me for a while (or even a short time), you know that my dogs are my world. They occupy the majority of my thoughts, make me laugh the hardest, evoke the most profound emotions, and have been my companions during my lowest times. They have changed my life.
I've been following The Dogist for years now, and I always enjoy reading his stories about the dogs he encounters. So when I saw that Elias Weiss Friedman would be publishing a book, I immediately added it to my TBR list.
TDWCYL is full of incredible details about dogs, how they impact our lives, how we impact theirs, and the important role they play in our world. Friedman takes a matter-of-fact approach with the book and doesn't skim over the tough bits — but instead brings the reader's attention to the problematic (and realistic) ways that dogs are treated around the world. But he also tells story after story about dogs that changed people's lives.
Friedman discusses the details of certain breeds, explaining what makes them unique and why it's essential to thoroughly research a dog's breed before bringing it into your life. Taking on the responsibility of a dog is not just a fleeting thing but a lifetime commitment.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
The author narrates the audiobook, and I could hear every bit of emotion in his voice as he told his story. Highly recommend.
Read if you enjoy:
🐶 Dogs
🦮 History of Dogs
🐕 Stories about dogs
At the end of This Dog Will Change Your Life — Friedman shares a list of organizations, from shelters to international dog rescue operations and organizations. I highly recommend checking the book out and donating to one of the causes.
______
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medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
When your “big break” turns out to be directing Cinderella at a retirement home… but somehow, it’s exactly what your heart needs.
Thank you, Thomas Nelson, for the gifted copy of Everything’s Coming Up Rosie {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 6.3.2025
Pages: 352
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
“It’s just life.”
In true Courtney Walsh fashion, this was the kind of feel-good, female-centered story I didn’t know I needed until I was knee-deep in quirky chaos and community theater.
Rosie Waterman’s dream of becoming a working actor has hit a dead end. She’s lost her job, her apartment, and—let’s be honest—her confidence. So when she accepts a directing gig in Door County, Wisconsin, she’s not expecting much. After all, it’s not New York… and her “regional theater” cast? It turns out they’re residents of a retirement community with zero acting experience and a whole lot of opinions.
But this story had me grinning from ear to ear. Rosie’s personal growth was heartfelt and genuine, but it was the supporting cast of cranky, lovable seniors that completely stole the show. I could read an entire spinoff about them!
The theater backdrop brought such warmth and joy, and I honestly don’t think I’ve ever read another book that centers on the experience of putting on a community play. It felt fresh, funny, and deeply human.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆
I chose to read this with my eyes and then also started listening to it through Libro.FM. The narrator, Jorjeana Marie, did a good job with this one! There were times that her voice acting leaned more towards a childish cadence but other than that it was a fun listen!
Read if you enjoy:
💪🏼 Self-discovery
🏘️ Small town
🫶🏼 Found family
🚪 Closed door romance
This book reminded me that dreams can take unexpected shapes—and sometimes, the best roles aren’t the ones you imagined.
______
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medium-paced
This book started strong, but then it took a turn that I still can’t stop thinking about.
Thank you, Zibby Books, for the gifted copy of The Summer We Ran {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 6.3.2025
Pages: 336
Star Rating: ☆☆☆
“No one ever knows the rules. We all play along, hoping we have it right. To answer your question, no, you do not need to apologize.”
I’ve been sitting with this one, trying to figure out how to write this review — because Yes We Did gave me a lot to love and a lot to wrestle with.
The story blends elements of a political campaign with flashbacks to the ’90s (it gave me Every Summer After vibes). I loved the main character, Tess, and her firm sense of self — especially her beliefs and convictions early in the book.
But somewhere in the second half, the tone shifted, and the themes that pulled me in started to fade. Characters felt different. The focus shifted, and the story took on a different direction entirely.
But later in the book, it’s revealed she had once been pregnant, had a miscarriage, and was left unable to have children. And just like that, it shifted the meaning of her earlier choice. Instead of a woman choosing not to have children on her terms, it became a story about someone who couldn’t. It felt like a missed opportunity — and a frustrating one. I wanted more for her and for that representation.
There’s still a lot to admire in this novel, but that change in direction took something away from me and left me disappointed.
Read if you enjoy:
✌🏼Dual POV/Timeline
💙Political Campaigns
📖Complex Characters
Again, this one ended up not being for me. But, hopefully, it’s one for you!
______
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emotional
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Some stories find you exactly when your heart is ready to receive them.
Thank you, PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of The Correspondent by Virginia Evans{partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 4.29.2025
Pages: 304
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
“What happened brings me both grief and shame, although with age, I have learned my feelings and experience are sadly not unique. Terrible things happen. We make choices, and time cannot be rewound. The good that comes out of the bad can be unbearable.”
I genuinely don’t know how to put into words just how much I loved this book. The Correspondent wasn’t on my radar until a friend recommended it — and I’m so grateful they did because this will not be the last time I read it.
There’s something so beautiful about letters. Handwriting a note to a friend, a neighbor, or a loved one — it’s a lost art in our digital world. And while technology helps us stay connected, nothing compares to the feeling of opening your mailbox and finding a letter written just for you.
The entire time I was reading this book, I thought of my grandmother — the way she wrote letters until the last week of her life. I have a photo of her at her desk writing one, and I’ll cherish it forever. After she passed, I found the letters she wrote to her fiancé, who died in WWII, to my grandfather about me when I was a baby, and so many more — each one a tiny window into her life and love.
For all 304 pages of The Correspondent, I imagined her still out there — writing, loving, remembering. It broke my heart in the best way, and somehow, put a few pieces back together too.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
The full-cast narration was superb. If you’re an audiobook lover, please add this to your reading list.
In case you didn’t catch it in my review, I loved this book, and it will forever hold a special place in my heart.
______
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dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
This book snatched my weekend, my breath, and my ability to trust anyone.
Thank you, Thomas Mercer, for the gifted copy of Last Seen by J.T. Ellison {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 8.1.2025
Pages: 447
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
Last Seen was hands down the wildest reading ride I’ve been on in 2025. I picked it up thinking I’d read a few chapters — and then… I did not put it down. It’s one of those books where every chapter peels back a new layer, revealing darker and more twisted secrets, and just when you think you’re catching on? You’re not. Not even close.
J.T. Ellison packed so much into this story, and it shows — the structure, the pacing, the payoff. It’s a carefully crafted thriller that’s impossible to stop thinking about, even when you’re not reading.
I know there were clues scattered throughout, but I missed them all. Every. Single. One. The ending left me completely blindsided in the best way. I was flipping pages, shouting internally, and literally picking my jaw up off the floor.
Read if you enjoy:
🤩 Dark & Twisty
🔍 Stories of missing people
😅 Cults
🐱🐭 Cat & Mouse
If you like layered thrillers with clever twists, messy secrets, and morally murky characters, this one belongs at the top of your list.
______
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fast-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A locked room, a body, and 11 hours to figure out the truth.
Thank you, Macmillan Audio, for the gifted copy of Party of Liars {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 7.1.2025
Pages: 336
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
"When I was a little kid, I used to lie awake at night convinced that any sound outside my window was The Mother. The thought that a monster could come from the shadows and take a person was terrifying. But as I've gotten older, I think it's scarier that a regular person can so easily become a monster."
Wowza — what a debut! I had no idea what to expect going into Party of Liars, but it delivered on all counts. This book had everything I love in a twisty, binge-able read: unreliable characters, eerie vibes, adults behaving badly… and one of my favorite tropes — a locked-room mystery.
The story kicks off with a death and then rewinds, taking the reader back through the 11 hours leading up to that moment. The suspense is constant — you don't know who died, why, or who might be responsible.
What really worked for me was the way tension simmered just under the surface. Secrets, betrayals — every chapter peeled back another layer, and I couldn't stop turning the pages. Even the parts that made me uncomfortable only did so because the writing was that good. Unsettling in the best way.
Party of Liars is the kind of story you fly through, but think about it long after it's done. It was a strong, chaotic debut that left me thoroughly entertained and creeped out in equal measure. I can't wait to see what Kelsey Cox writes next!
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
The audiobook is narrated by Dan Bittner, Kate Handford, Pearl Hewitt, Saskia Maarleveld, and Suzy Jackson. Full-cast narration of mystery novels is my catnip, and these voice actors knocked it out of the park.
Read if you enjoy:
✨Debut authors
🖤Dark & twisty
🤫Secrets
😅Complex relationships
You will want to add Party of Liars to your summer binge-read list. Because once you start, you won't want to put it down!
______
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fast-paced
Found family, summer playlists, and a story that made my heart happy
Thank you to the author, Jane L Rosen, for the gifted copy of Songs of Summer {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 5.20.2025
Pages: 336
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Full disclosure: I didn’t realize Songs of Summer was part of a trilogy until I sat down to write this. But even without reading the first two, this story completely stands on its own — and I never once felt lost.
This book was exactly what I hoped it would be: light, warm, and full of heart. It explores love, family, identity, and belonging in a way that never feels heavy — just deeply human. Every character felt real and distinct, which made the emotional moments land all the more powerfully.
Stories about adoption often carry some of the most moving insights into what it means to build a family — and this one absolutely delivered. It’s a reminder that family doesn’t have to follow one path. Love shows up in all kinds of ways, and that’s what makes it beautiful.
And can we talk about the playlist?! Each chapter is paired with a song title, and the author created a full Spotify playlist to accompany the book. It perfectly matches the tone and emotion of the story — I’ve already replayed it more times than I can count. Whether or not you pick up the book (though you should), the playlist is a perfect soundtrack for summer.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
The audio for Songs of Summer is narrated by Sarah Naughton, who is new to me as a narrator. She did a wonderful job narrating the book and the multiple POVs.
Read if you enjoy:
🚪 Closed door romance
🎶 Music themes
🏘️ Small town setting
✡️ Jewish representation
🗣️ Multiple POV
Songs of Summer was the kind of story that left me smiling and teary-eyed at the same time.
______
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emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Would you trade your memories of someone you loved to ease the pain of losing them?
Thank you, William Morrow, for the gifted copy of The Poppy Fields {partner}
Genre: Science Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 6.17.2025
Pages: 324
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
“Here’s the thing, they haven’t lost that love. They’ve lost the physical, the visible, the tangible layer of love. But not the love itself. The love itself endures. The love itself is baked into our memories. The love itself is what slips across our cheeks when we cry; it’s what tugs at our lips when we smile. It’s the yearning pit in our stomach, the urge to make them proud. It’s the gratitude in knowing we were gifted something real. “
The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick packed such a quiet, powerful punch. It began slowly, giving me time to sink into the characters — their fears, memories, and quiet heartbreaks. By the end, I felt like I truly knew them.
With this book, Erlick asks if you could go into a deep sleep and wake up healed from grief. Would you do it? Even if it meant losing your memories of that person — their love, your pain, everything?
For me, as heavy as grief is, it’s proof that they were real. That love was real. That I got to experience something worth missing. The ache never entirely fades… but how lucky I am to have had something worth grieving.
And that’s what made this book unforgettable for me. It’s a quiet exploration of grief, memory, healing, and what it means to carry love through pain. Erlick handles it all with such tenderness and depth — I couldn’t help but feel moved.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
The Poppy Fields is a full-cast audio narration. Each narrator added so much emotion and nuance — it made the story feel deeply immersive and personal.
Read if you enjoy:
❤️🩹 Self-reflection
🥹 Emotional stories
🗣️ Multiple POV
If you haven’t already, I highly recommend reading The Measure and The Poppy Fields. They both make incredible book club picks!
______
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emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Some stories ask hard questions about the past — and who gets left out of it.
Thank you, Bantam Books & PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of We Don't Talk About Carol {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 6.3.2025
Pages: 336
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
I've always found stories that dig into family history fascinating — especially the way they reveal the hidden lives of those who came before us. Our parents and grandparents weren't just background characters in our stories; they lived full lives, carried traumas, and made choices that ripple through generations. When we don't talk about their pasts, we risk losing the lessons they might offer.
That's what initially drew me to this book— the mystery of a young Black woman who went missing in the 1960s and the ripple effect her disappearance has on her family decades later. As the main character investigates her Aunt Carol's disappearance, the novel touches on a fundamental truth: tens of thousands of Black Americans go missing each year, and yet their cases are rarely given the visibility or urgency they deserve.
However, the story became unfocused. Much of the book shifts toward the protagonist's fertility journey — including her infertility diagnosis and IVF treatment — which, while important, took over the story I thought I was stepping into. That shift left me wishing for a more in-depth exploration of the original mystery.
CW: infertility, childhood trauma
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆
I read the first half of the book and then switched to the audio version, which provided a well-rounded experience. Narrator Nicole Cash did a beautiful job of capturing the emotions of each scene, bringing the characters to life with subtlety and clarity.
Read if you enjoy:
📖 Slow burn
🔍 Cold cases
✌🏼 Dual timeline
I recommend reading We Don't Talk About Carol, and it would make the perfect choice for a book club!
______
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Thank you, Bantam Books & PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of We Don't Talk About Carol {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 6.3.2025
Pages: 336
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
I've always found stories that dig into family history fascinating — especially the way they reveal the hidden lives of those who came before us. Our parents and grandparents weren't just background characters in our stories; they lived full lives, carried traumas, and made choices that ripple through generations. When we don't talk about their pasts, we risk losing the lessons they might offer.
That's what initially drew me to this book— the mystery of a young Black woman who went missing in the 1960s and the ripple effect her disappearance has on her family decades later. As the main character investigates her Aunt Carol's disappearance, the novel touches on a fundamental truth: tens of thousands of Black Americans go missing each year, and yet their cases are rarely given the visibility or urgency they deserve.
However, the story became unfocused. Much of the book shifts toward the protagonist's fertility journey — including her infertility diagnosis and IVF treatment — which, while important, took over the story I thought I was stepping into. That shift left me wishing for a more in-depth exploration of the original mystery.
CW: infertility, childhood trauma
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆
I read the first half of the book and then switched to the audio version, which provided a well-rounded experience. Narrator Nicole Cash did a beautiful job of capturing the emotions of each scene, bringing the characters to life with subtlety and clarity.
Read if you enjoy:
📖 Slow burn
🔍 Cold cases
✌🏼 Dual timeline
I recommend reading We Don't Talk About Carol, and it would make the perfect choice for a book club!
______
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase
Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/