White Lights by Lauren Kate

On the worst night of her life, Desdemona “Dez” Rae gets the opportunity of a lifetime.  She discovers that she’s been accepted to the elusive Acheron Film School on a full-ride scholarship.  Once she meets her new peers including the enigmatic Rafe who she just can’t stay away from no matter how hard she may try, she discovers the school is much more than it seems. 

White Lights was fantastic.  I loved Lauren Kate’s Fallen series when I worked at Borders back in the day and White Lights has similar dark angelic vibes but on a much more adult level.  The spice level soars to an adult (18+) level here and the stakes are out of this world. 

I really liked Dez’s grit and fighting spirit.  I also loved the way Kate described Dez’s filmmaking vision and what it means to her.  As someone who also studied TV/Film production and loves the creative process, I felt Kate did a great job of expressing this will through Dez.

As for the world of Acheron, I don’t want to say too much as to avoid spoiling the whole thing.  There are lot of twists and turns and the book leaves you wanting more.  I look forward to the planned future installments.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the e-ARC and the “acceptance letter” to Acheron and Netgalley for delivering the widget.   You can find White Lights by Lauren Kate at your favorite local bookstore, library or online shop.  

 

 

This Changes Everything by Lisa Scottoline (pub date 07/14/26)

 

Julia Pritzker loves her new life as a wife and mother in beautiful Tuscany—except that she misses her best friend Courtney, back in the States. One night, Julia calls Courtney and reaches her as she’s arriving at her grandmother’s farm in Pennsylvania.

Then the unthinkable happens. A dreadful premonition overwhelms Julia moments before Courtney enters the house—and makes a heartbreaking discovery. Her beloved grandmother has been murdered, and the killer is escaping out the back door.

Julia flies home the next morning to support Courtney in her grief. The local police believe the murder was a botched burglary, but the women suspect something much more sinister and enlist hotshot Philly lawyer Bennie Rosato to assist. In addition, Courtney entreats Julia to trust her psychic intuition to point her to the missing pieces of this dark puzzle.

But in a town filled with explosive secrets, events take a deadly turn, and Julia becomes the target of a murderous conspiracy. She ends up fighting for her life, with no one to save her … but herself. author's website

 

This Changes Everything by Lisa Scottoline was one of the best books that I have read this year.  I’ve been a fan of Lisa’s for years now and her latest novel really ratchets the thrills and tension up to a new level.  This is a follow-up to last summer’s The Unraveling of Julia, but you don’t have to read that book (although you definitely should as it’s also great) to enjoy This Changes Everything.  This Changes Everything also features a cameo from attorney Bennie Rosato from Lisa’s Rosato & Associates and Rosato & DiNunzio series.  I hope we hear more from Bennie and the ladies at the law firm in the near future too.

This Changes Everything by Lisa Scottoline releases 07/14/26 but you can pre-order now at your favorite local bookstore or online shop.  Check out Lisa’s social media for more details and try to catch her on tour. 

Thank you to the publisher, Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

Lies Between Us by Jessica Goodman (pub date 06/02/26)

 

 Do you ever really know the people you love?

For the Gold sisters and Silver brothers, life has been idyllic, growing up in side-by-side waterfront mansions in a town where doors are never locked and the police do little more than issue speeding tickets. The Golds and Silvers have known each other their entire lives, as neighbors, as friends, as family.

But one carefree summer takes a dark turn when a beach party ends in tragedy and their perfect world cracks wide open. Suddenly, the bonds that tie these families together are strained by suspicion and fear. Painful secrets surface, revealing the fragile truths they’ve all been hiding.

Lucy, the oldest Gold girl, harbors a crushing secret from her boyfriend, one of the Silver boys. Millie, the middle sister, quietly yearns for the one person she can’t have. And the youngest, Frankie, uncovers something that could blow their island apart. 

From New York Times bestselling author Jessica Goodman, comes a gripping novel about the lies friends tell, the façade siblings build, and how one summer tests—and breaks—the bonds of family. Penguin Random House

Lies Between Us by Jessica Goodman reminded me of all those great teen dramas they used to have on Freeform – a small town with a circle of friends all hiding secrets when a shocking murder threatens to expose them all.  I could easily see this novel adapted into a TV show. 

I loved the multiple POVs between the Gold sisters, Lucy, Millie, and Frankie.  This mystery kept me guessing until the end as there are multiple suspects and red herrings.  I enjoy trying to solve the case with the protagonists and being able to correctly guess “whodunnit.”  The ending here though is subject to interpretation which will be satisfying for some and frustrating for others.  Overall, this was a quick fun read.

Thank you to Penguin Teen/G.P. Putnam’s Sons and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lies Between Us by Jessica Goodman officially releases 06/02/26 but you can pre-order your copy now at your local bookstore or favorite online shop.