I know that Instagram ads aren’t always reliable sources of product reviews, yet I still sometimes get hooked by the great-looking products and deals that feed into my algorithm. When I saw this sweater, it looked so cozy and soft that I decided to buy it. I ordered one in my usual size, medium. Here’s…
Author: caritagardiner
NetGalley Review of Is This a Cry for Help?
title: Is This a Cry for Help author: Emily Austin publisher: Atria Books publication date: January 13, 2026 pages: 304 peppers: 2 (on this scale) warnings: violence, abortion, homophobia, acute mental illness/anxiety, death (before the story) summary: While her wife is out of town helping with their new niece, librarian Darcy is learning to deal…
367. Why Have an Old Friend (GUEST POST)
[Okay, so I know the quality of the photo above is a little grainy, but cut me a break; I took the photo about four phones ago, and what it lacks in pixels, it makes up for in cuteness. The child is a teenager now, and she’s a total delight. Her dad and mom and…
NetGalley Review of Most Eligible
title: Most Eligible author: Isabelle Engel publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin publication date: January 13, 2026 pages: 336 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: cat death (mentioned) summary: Georgia wants to get a great article/exposé about the evil treatment of contestants on Love Shack, a reality TV show similar to the Bachelor series. Inconveniently, the host of…
366. Why Intentions
In Barbara Kingsolver’s book, The Bean Trees, the characters get into a discussion about which they like more, sunrise or sunset. One of the characters argues that the beginning of each day is better because there’s always the hope that one can accomplish everything on the to-do list that day, whereas, by nightfall, we know what…
NetGalley Review of Janae Sanders’ Second Time Around
title: Janae Sanders’ Second Time Around author: LaQuette publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin publication date: January 6, 2026 pages: 336 peppers: 2 (on this scale, in the first 100 pages) warnings: none in the first 100 pages. summary: Janae and Adam had a crushes on each other when they were in high school, but neither ever…
NetGalley Review of The Odds of You
title: The Odds of You author: Kate Dramis publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin publication date: January 6, 2026 pages: 352 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: family members deaths by car accident alcohol, hangovers fear of flying anxiety summary: Sage is heading to ComiCon to meet with movie executives about getting her best-selling debut novel onto…
NetGalley Review of Only on Gameday
title: Only on Game Day author: Kristen Callihan publisher: Mira publication date: January 6, 2026 pages: 416 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: violence, destruction of property summary: Since Penelope Morrow has had a serious crush on her mother’s best friend’s son August since she was nine-years-old, she’s surprised when he asks her to be…
NetGalley Review of Room to Breathe
title: Room to Breathe author: Kasie West publisher: Delacorte Romance publication date: January 6, 2026 pages: 272 peppers: 2 (on this scale) warnings: alcohol use marijuana use, mentioned vandalism fighting parents nightmares parental legal troubles summary: Indy and Beau used to be best friends, but when Indy’s mom forbids her from telling anyone what’s going…
365. Why HIIT
When we have all the free time in the world, we can relax, walk in circles (maybe following the path pictured above), and aim our energies in whatever direction we want. But how often do we have all the free time in the world? I’m a big fan of efficiency. Even when I am on…