If you’ve been reading the blog for more than a month, you’re probably thinking, “Good grief! This woman recently wrote a post called ‘Why My Presence Shouldn’t Matter(opens in new tab)’ and now she’s writing the exact opposite.” And you’re right. On the other hand, as Gretchen Rubin(opens in new tab) says, the opposite of…
Author: caritagardiner
NetGalley Review of The Gilded Rose
(opens in new tab) title: The Gilded Rose author: Joanna Shupe publisher: Avon publication date: October 13, 2026 pages: 368 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: marital rape and brutality violence summary: Rare book expert Caroline thinks she’s lucky to marry Orson, who is stunning and woos her well…until she’s actually married to him and…
405. Why Stars
(opens in new tab) When I was in my pimple years, most people had several reactions to noticing a blemish. We might pop it. Though we knew that opening the skin was a sure-fire way to look worse the next day, the satisfaction of watching the gunk exit our faces was irresistible. We might brush…
NetGalley Review of It’s Only Dancing
(opens in new tab) title: It’s Only Dancing author: Jasmine Guillory publisher: Scholastic Press publication date: October 6, 2026 pages: 320 peppers: 1 (on this scale) warnings: body-image meanness mean boy behavior summary: Kat’s parents decide that what the family needs is a month at Camp Ochoa, a family camp in Southern California. It’s absolutely…
NetGalley Review of Trust Fall
(opens in new tab) title: Trust Fall author: Lynn Painter publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers publication date: September 29, 2026 pages: 416 peppers: 1 (on this scale) warnings: bullying summary: When Julia’s family in Nebraska inherits a mansion in NYC and millions of dollars, they’re somewhat surprised by the stipulation that they…
NetGalley Review of Hooking Nash
(opens in new tab) title: Hooking Nash author: Annica Dahl publisher: W by Wattpad Books publication date: September 22, 2026 pages: 320 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: miscarriage, alcohol, vomit summary: Kennady has just moved to NYC for a new job in advertising. Her childhood best friend and lifelong crush Nash plays for NYC’s…
NetGalley Review of The Pools
(opens in new tab) title: The Pools author: e. lockhart publisher: Delacorte Press publication date: October 6, 2026 pages: 384 peppers: 2 (on this scale) warnings: unwilling transmogrify animal murder violence self-harm/suicidal ideation (both past) summary: Lexie and Chester both have troubling pasts, but when they meet each other, everything feels right. Unfortunately, the natural…
NetGalley Review of The Twelve Loves of Christmas
(opens in new tab) title: The Twelve Loves of Christmas author: multiple publisher: Atria Books publication date: September 29, 2026 pages: 384 peppers: 1-3 (on this scale) warnings: none summary: These twelve short stories cover lots of ground over the twelve days from just before Christmas to just after New Year’s. tropes: enemies to lovers…
404. Why Do Your Own Work
The photo above has nothing to do with the post below, but it’s an unfiltered image of a field near my house. Sometimes, I can’t believe I live in such a beautiful place. As we start the new school year, another one in which much of my job is going to be convincing kiddos to…
NetGalley Review of The Invisible Roommate
(opens in new tab) title: The Invisible Roommate author: Timothy Janovsky publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin publication date: September 29, 2026 pages: 320 peppers: 2 (on this scale) warnings: parental abandonment (in past) summary: When Gerard Wells tries to escape his pop-star life by retreating to an island, his rental apartment comes with an invisible roommate…