Catching Up, Pt. 1

Recent releases I've read + recommend

It’s been longer than I intended since I’ve been in your inbox! And so in the interest of not overwhelming you with all things books, I’ll send my various thoughts in pieces. Today’s newsletter focuses on the March, April, and May releases I’ve read recently; Saturday’s will be my favorite recent reads (along with some unpopular opinions), and Sunday I’ll share the upcoming June and July releases I’m looking forward to. So get your TBRs, library holds, and preorders ready!

March, April, and May releases I read + recommend

[A big thank you to the following publishers and Netgalley for my free copies.]

📖Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

Rebecca Serle has been hit or miss for me: I LOVED In Five Years, thought The Dinner List was okay, and DNF'd One Italian Summer. The premise of this one – in the beginning of every relationship Daphne gets a piece of paper that tells her just how long it will last – sounded intriguing enough I was excited to give it a try. And it lived up to my expectations! It was a quick and absorbing read, with a couple of twists that really threw me for a loop (which it feels harder and harder to do these days). There were some other themes that resonated for me personally which definitely contributed to its emotional impact, but revealing them would be a spoiler. If you've liked any of her other books, give this a try. [Free copy thanks to Atria.]
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📖Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura

This debut started out strong, but didn't take the story and its themes as far as I thought the author could. Power dynamics between men and women, especially those in an academic setting, have been a popular literary topic for a while, and I was hoping for a deeper dive into those issues. However, it stayed fairly surface level and I was left unsure of what the author was trying to do say. It was still an enjoyable reading experience and am glad I read it, I just wish there had been more. [Free copy thanks to Celadon.]
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📖What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan

I have to admit, this cover kept me from picking it up initially, but after hearing rave reviews from trusted readers, I decided to give it a try – and I'm glad I did! While we know what happened to Nina (at least vaguely and with more detail halfway through), this was surprisingly propulsive. It very much read like a true crime podcast and I was always eager to pick it back up. The focus on the differing emotions and motivations portrayed by each set of parents, as well as getting a peek into Simon's thoughts, was fascinating, and kept me guessing more than I thought it would. While I haven't found typical thrillers (i.e. Ruth Ware, Stacy Willingham, etc.) to be very satisfying as of late, literary feminist thrillers/mysteries are really working for me (think Nightwatching and The Quiet Tenant). Highly recommend. [Free copy thanks to William Morrow.]
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📖/🎧Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

With every Abby Jimenez book I read I say "this one's my new favorite!" and Just for the Summer was no different – this is my new favorite. The chemistry between Justin and Emma was immediate and believable, the family and friendship dynamics were relatable, the character growth was perfection, and it gave me alllll the feels. Abby continues to be an auto-read author for me and I'm so grateful I got to read this one early! [Free copy thanks to Forever.]
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📖Funny Story by Emily Henry

This was an absolute delight from start to finish (shocking, I know). As usual, her characters are well crafted (maybe my favorite yet?), the town is one I now want to move to, and the chemistry was palpable. This might be my favorite of hers yet, and solidified that reading them in print is the way to go for me (for some reason her books don’t work as well for me on audio). I know I don’t even need to tell you to read it because most of you probably already have.
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📖/🎧Real Americans by Rachel Khong

It's been a couple weeks since I finished and I still can't put my finger on what book it's reminiscent of (Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, perhaps?). Khong's writing is fantastic, as is the story, which kept the book moving despite its length. Part one was my favorite but I enjoyed the entire reading experience overall, with a focus on themes of fate, influence, and identity. One large aspect of the story is one that is a spoiler, but my personal relationship with it definitely skewed my enjoyment of the story ever so slightly. While some scientific elements weren't fully explained, and at times it felt like Khong was trying to do too much, it was a unique and satisfying story. [Free copy thanks to Knopf and PRH Audio.]
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🎧The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean

The Return of Ellie Black tackles tough subjects like child abuse, abduction, rape, and murder, making it a challenging but compelling read. The audio was fantastic, with a full cast narration that helped bring the story to life. Despite some one-dimensional characters (including one of the lead protagonists), there were some surprises that kept me reading. While not overly descriptive, sensitive topics might disturb some readers, so look up content warnings. Overall, it’s a solid thriller that will appeal to fans of the genre. [Free copy thanks to Simon Audio.]
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🎧The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

While I claim to be a die hard Christina Lauren fan (and I DO love their books), I realized that the last one I'd read of theirs was The Unhoneymooners. (I think I get nervous to pick up books from favorite authors for fear of them not living up. Spoiler alert: The Paradise Problem exceeded expectations.) Anna and West were such unique characters with palpable chemistry; the setting was completely escapist; the rich people behaving badly was highly entertaining; and their love story was just so adorable (and steamy!). I swooned throughout and was genuinely sad when I had to leave them. Whether or not you've read CL, if you're a contemporary romance fan I urge you to pick this up. [Free copy thanks to Gallery and Simon Audio.]
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📖I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue

I Hope This Finds You Well exceeded my expectations in every way. What I expected was a light comedy, similar to “The Office” but what Sue gave us is so much more. Her characters quirky and relatable, and the story is heartfelt and smart. This was a compassionate, touching gem of a novel that I was unable to put down. For fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, All the Lonely People, and “Fleabag”. A contender for one of my favorite books of the year. [Free copy thanks to William Morrow.]
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Have you read any of these or added them to your TBR?

If you haven’t tried audiobooks or don’t have an audiobook subscription, Libro.fm is my favorite way to listen to audiobooks, and my favorite audiobook company to support. Your purchase supports an indie bookstore of your choosing, and you can pause or cancel at anytime. Use my code (KATHARINE) or this link and get TWO audiobook credits for the price of one.

And that’s it for now! Look for me back in your inbox on Saturday, with my favorite recent reads (as well as some unpopular opinions on a few new releases).