What I read & recommend: March 2025

The first half is all the books I read & recommend.

The second half are books I started reading / read but do not think highly enough of to recommend (although some I had to finish simply because I got too invested in what was happening and needed to know the ending).

No book links because I thoroughly encourage you to use a library or a local, independent bookseller and absolutely by all means possible, avoid Indigo/Chapters, and Amazon.

If you need one that delivers in Canada, I very much like McNally Robinson. They can order any book you like.

WHAT I RECOMMEND

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place (Series): Maryrose Wood

Little Bun was the one who read them and then eagerly told me: Mommy you would LOVE this series…. so I started reading them and he was so right.

I of course, cried in the first two books (they hit me hard because.. I am a parent..) and the rest of it was interesting enough to read because I want to know what happened.

I will say that the books drag out the mystery a little longer than it should have (I mean 6 books to get to an ending? UGH..) but I liked the character development considering it was geared towards children.

The ending was also satisfying.

The Inmate: Frieda McFadden

I CAN NEVER EVER figure out who did it. I think I got it, I am sure I did, and then it is not that person. She gives so little away, but the writing is easy, brisk, I can finish one of her novels in a day, and it is engrossing (you really don’t want to put it down).

The plot is a nurse who goes to work in a prison and her ex-boyfriend happens to be an inmate. It really is a mental mind twist because it goes back and forth between “who did it, what happened”, and I could not figure it out.

Even near the end, I was lost and kept in suspense until the reveal.

The Fall Risk: Abby Jimenez

A short story from one of my favourite chick-lit authors. Her characters are so well-developed and fleshed out that it is worth the read.

It basically follows two tenants who happen to be trapped in a building together for a weekend, and the relationship that blooms out of that.

Very sweet, but I will mention that there is a bit of stalking so if you are sensitive, you might want to give this a pass.

Scythe & Sparrow: Brynne Weaver

The third in the Serial Killers Finding Love trilogy. I read it because I REALLY HAD TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED, but I didn’t find it as engrossing as the first two, even though I enjoyed it well enough.

I think the story wasn’t as well done as it could have been because the characters weren’t properly explained with a solid back story and so on. It felt kind of light, to be honest.

Ozerov Bratva Duo: Nicole Fox

A new series I didn’t know existed with a theme – Russian mobsters. Surprisingly engrossing, but heavy on the stereotypes of Russian mobsters (see: films), and a little controlling / dominating if you like that kind of fiction. I read it because I had to know what happened (obviously), and I liked the characters but the protaganist in this seemed a bit wimpy, sort of childlike.

Obviously I like stronger women, so this was a flaw for me.

I still enjoyed it a lot, it was nice to see the change in the characters as the story progressed AND it was a mystery of WTF happened (yes, mysteries always suck me in).

The Leftover Woman: Jean Kwok

One of the most impactful books I have read all year. I was so scared it would be one of those stereotypical Asian books (you know what I mean; think Joy Luck Club), where it was heavy on Asian imagery and culture… and while this book had it, it was not all about it.

I also didn’t want to read a book constantly repeating the same racist themes over and over again, and while it DID touch on that, it did it in a very enlightening, revealing way.

It essentially is more a book about motherhood. About who is a mother (even if you have adopted) and how you can fiercely love a child in all the senses of the word, even if you are not their biological parent.

I don’t want to give too much away as there is a little mystery in there but Kwok is now one of my golden ‘I will read ANYTHING by her’ authors in my book.

Rebel Chef: Dominique Crenn

I have always admired her from seeing her on Top Chef and this book made it a 100% certainty that one day, if I ever get the chance, I will eat in her restaurant. She isn’t 100% French which made me love her more, she is adopted AND she is a lesbian.

Her book was so incredibly insightful and clear on how much privilege she has received as a result of her upbringing and looks.

I loved her story of how she grew up, how her parents treated her, and how she acknowledges her luck in many things, but also.. how hard she had to work to get to where she is today, at the top as one of the best chefs in the world.

Not quite by the book: Julie Hatcher

This was not a book where I would scream: OMG PLEASE READ THIS TOMORROW (I say this about any book from Abby Jimenez for instance), but it was a pleasant read. A typical storyline of course, of a bookstore owner (who else) who goes off to find herself and her place in her family.

That’s where the book gets interesting, it is meant to be a chicklit but it was lighter on the romance and heavier on the ‘finding yourself’ bit, which was a nice surprise. The storyline for the love bit was kind of weak, if I am to be honest, but the rest was quite good.

I especially liked the storyline around the parents and family, and all the self-reflection she made on what she really wants out of life.

Do not Disturb: Frieda McFadden

Another winner. I read it, couldn’t figure out who did it, and it totally surprised me at the end. AGAIN. Another good, light mental thriller.

The storyline is a motel where someone stays for the short-term and suspicious characters live there, so while they’re trying to figure out what is going on, they uncover a secret, and there ends up being another murder.

Atmosphere: Taylor Jenkins Reid

I was really hesitant to read it because as much as I like all topics, I am not into “Space”. That said, Reid is such a fantastic writer that she can take ANY subject and make me interested in it.

I loved the story line of women getting into the space program, their treatment inside of it, and the surprising part was how wonderful the love story was between an aunt and her niece (not all mother-daughter relationships are with the biological mother), and the discovery of who she is at her core was excellent.

I don’t want to spoil it, but it is an excellent book that I couldn’t put down.

The Secret….Sherlock Holmes Series: June Thomson

I am a sucker for Sherlock Holmes, and having Thomson create all these mini stories was like finding a treasure trove. I read all of them, loved them, managed to solve almost none of them, and it made me want to reread the original series all over again.

The Perfect Son: Frieda McFadden

OK this I wasn’t sure I would be able to read because…. I have a son. Obviously. So I was nervous with a title like this, knowing it is a mental thriller, but I am glad I read it because it was such a great flip flop. I had NO IDEA WHO DID IT. I sound like a broken record but there you have it.

Braving the Wilderness: Brené Brown

I love Brown. I really do. Her writing is storytelling and anecdotal, the kind of work I like to read, and she is so dang engaging. But this I have to say, brought out my cynical side.

I agree in using the principles she has mentioned in the book in general, but there definitely (at least for me), comes a point where you have to cut off ties, walk away, stop engaging and preserve your mental health.

It is one thing to be open minded and compassionate but when the other side is anything but, and refuses to do the same work, proving over and over again how little you mean to them then you become a doormat.

And I mean it for everything. I did like her message and I will definitely take a good chunk of it to heart, but I will not the one who is the only one making compromises and giving in.

(Also, some people are irredeemable and despicable. I am sorry, but it is the truth.)

Antoinette’s Sister: Diana Giovinazzo

I very much enjoyed the look of Marie Antoinette’s sister, learning about Charlotte and her struggles with helping be a co-ruler in a region. It gave me another perspective of the time period leading up to the French Revolution and I learned more about the political climate and sentiment at the time.

Plus, being given an in-depth view into royalty and the pitfalls of being a ruler (or just living there in general…) made me shudder and thank all my stars I am not living in those periods as a royal, peasant, servant or other.

Giovinazzo has made it to my list of “Will read any Historical Fiction from her”, because she is so engaging. The other two star authors for historical fiction for me are Madeleine Miller and Michelle Moran.

The Vacancy in Room 10: Seraphina Nova Glass

I read this with ZERO expectations and was completely blown away. I loved how the author hammered home the theme of how your family is not necessarily your biological one. LOVED that because it is so true for many people.

I really loved all the mini mysteries and story arcs around the whole situation, with all the little stories happening from each character.

Glass masterfully kept all the parts moving without it feeling stale, confusing or complicated, which is very hard to do, and I was totally invested until the super satisfying AF end.

Want to know a Secret?: Frieda McFadden

Another winner. I keep saying the same thing but … she really is the Queen of mental thrillers for me, consistently interesting and well done for the most part (two of her books made it to my DO NOT READ list at the bottom however).

No Exit: Taylor Adams

I started this book with zero expectations, and it ended up being such a GOOD read. It was… dare I say, part satire? I don’t know if it was meant to be funny and mocking of such mental thrillers but there were a bit of comedic moments in there in a twisted way that made me think – how unbelievable is this?!

Anyway, I did however, feel my heart rip at the start because no one wants to hear about children being abused, so keep that in mind.

Also.. the ending was SUCH A TWIST. Excellent read.

The Royal Art of Poison: Eleanor Herman

A great dive into history. I thought it would all be about poison and it was about all diseases and medical stuff in general. Gave such a good overview of how lucky I am to be living in a time where medicine is so far, quite advanced and we are no longer bleeding patients for their health.

Seriously.

If you like reading about medical history, anecdotes about people lived back then (it was kind of gross, so be forewarned), and deep diving into the mysteries of how certain famous people died (one can never be totally sure), this is the book to read.

The Audacity: Katherine Ryan

I adore Ryan’s comedy, and her book delivered in spades. I liked reading about how she grew up, what she went through and how she got to where she was.

I still am in utter shock as to how she managed to teach her child Violet sign language and therefore, potty trained her before she could even speak, because that was a NIGHTMARE with Little Bun and I never ever want to repeat it.

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird: Josie Silver

This.. was spectacular. You MUST read it. I absolutely loved the time travel aspect, and the whole diverging of two lives to the point where it made me sit and self-reflect about my own life and the choices I made leading me to each.

I also liked how raw her writing was when talking about a loss of a loved one, the grief, the absolute lack of care about anything else – it resonated deep inside of me… the ending was also fabulous and exactly what I wanted in the end.

No notes.

Sisu: Joanna Nylund

Very fast read, in about an hour it gives you the gist of what Sisu means to the Finns and how to incorporate this attitude to your life. A nice read if you are interested in learning about Resilience + Grit + Finding Inner Strength.

The Partner Track: Helen Wan

I had this one my list to read for a while and I am glad I did. Obvious (because it is TRUE) racial themes in there and the unveiling of the boy’s club that is .. well.. in 99% of corporations.

I liked how Wan deftly dealt with all of that, portrayed a very interesting trajectory and went easy or avoided the stereotypical Dragon Lady storyline that most would have put in there.

The ending was surprising, the supporting characters were also surprising in their own quiet ways, revealing a side to them you weren’t sure existed out of their archetype cast.

Well worth a read.

Ties that Blind: Jake Fox

Another excellent mystery, kind of a legal thriller really… I can’t wait to read more in this series because I really enjoyed it.

It follows a lawyer who lost his daughter early on in her teens, and how he finds his purpose again.

The Man in the Queue: Josephine Tey

The writing style is a bit stilted for me. I loved the mystery, it was well done and I cannot fault that, but it isn’t as smooth as I am used to with other mysteries. I found myself forcing the next page turn because I had to know what happened.

The story itself is excellent though, because it was really well constructed and interesting, but the writing was a little dry for me.

I will try another Tey book and see if it is just this book or her writing style.

Killer Instinct: Zoë Sharp

Yet another series I am going to start reading.

I LOVE a strong female character and Charlie Fox (a women’s defense trainer) is no different. A real page turner because I had to know what happened and the mystery did not disappoint.

A great mystery novel, full of fast turns and how they catch the serial killer in the end (plus.. the WHY they did it!)

The Flower Master: Sujata Massey

Rei Shimura is a character I have loved from the start of the whole series, but somehow I missed this story in her repetoire. It is really a great mystery that has wonderful threads of Japanese culture, behaviour, attitude and society interwoven throughout almost every interaction.

I really enjoyed the mystery and couldn’t figure out what happened but definitely didn’t put the book down until I did.

Louisiana Hot Shot: Julie Smith

I am finding all sorts of new series to love and Talba Wallis as a new heroine is wonderful.

The pages are full of nuanced interactions, gritty, interesting as a private investigator learning the ropes, learns how to navigate finding out what she needs, with the grumpy white old guy Eddie as her mentor. A perfect combination of characters.

I love how the book also goes in depth into the back story of the main characters, rather than leaving it superficial.

Cross Current: Christine King

This book made me cry in many spots, but especially at the end. It is fiction, but every fictional story has a real live history or set of facts backing it. It is a mystery about a girl who is found drifting in the sea and the quest of who her father is…

There is a happy ending to all of it, but damn, the immigrant struggle is real. This one focuses on Haitians trying to come over for a better life, and my heart broke with every one of their small stories.

It wasn’t so painful that I couldn’t read it again (some books are like that for me, powerful but I am unable to put myself willingly through that emotional rollercoaster again), and I am interested in reading more books from King as a result. Super happy I found her.

Want more book recommendations?

All of my previous book recommendations are here.

DO NOT READ

The Lonely City: Olivia Liang

I tried to read this and couldn’t. I just couldn’t relate to it and while I appreciated her trying to explain and dive into how you can be in a city and feel lonely, I guess I can’t see that. I wrote a whole post on it here – Am I weird for not feeling lonely?

Expectation: Anna Hope

I wanted so much more out from this book but it just meandered. It didn’t go into each woman and give a back story worthy to keep me reading, and I just skipped to the end to see how it ended but it wasn’t compelling either. Maybe I wasn’t in a good headspace to read it.

Wrong Daughter: Dandy Smith

Freaking confusing. The flip flop between two timelines and storylines is fine, I can handle that as long as there is enough of a backstory to keep it alive in your head, but this was just simply awful and annoying. I skipped to the end, and even that was confusing.

The Widow’s Husband’s Secret Lie: Frieda McFadden

This was meant to be satire and it failed. It was awful. I really disliked it.

Do you Remember?: Frieda McFadden

Another flop. I think she was under pressure to deliver a book, any book, and this came out. That is how it felt. Rushed, sketchy storyline, the mental thriller part was still good – a woman keeps forgetting her life every day she wakes up – but the ending was awful and the whole story arc was lacking. Sloppy work.

Journey to the end of the night: Louis-Ferdinand Céline

No. Just no. I tried half a chapter and decided life was too short for this.

The Perfect Nanny: Leila Slimani

I can’t when it starts with the deaths of children and then goes into deep detail how it got there. I just can’t. I mentally cannot continue, it is too much for me right now.

The Italians: John Hooper

I tried to like it but I guess I am not into the history of Italians as much as if I were.. let’s say.. an Italian. Or maybe dating one. It would be a good book to read if you had an interest in the topic.