Building the Book Pile #494

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Happy Sunday!

Hi everyone, I hope you are having a great long weekend if in the U.S. We were home on Friday but spent the day doing chores and packing. Saturday we got on a plane to take a trip for a few days. It will be nice to both get away together. All the other travel this summer so far has been separate.  

Hoping to get some reading done while traveling and also hoping to have a lake/beach day in my near future... wish me luck.

Linking up this week with the Caffeinated Reviewer and her Sunday Post series.

xo steph

Coming up on the Blog

Blog Tour: Review - The Best Worst Mistake by Lily Parker (Adult)

Books Received Recently...  

Friend is moving and purging so I grabbed:

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton

Have you missed anything lately?

Cover Reveal:  A Claim to Murder by Jean G. Goodhind

Early Reader Review: Watch Out for Falling Iguanas by Edwidge Danticat

Recent Reads: The Wrong Game by Kandi Steiner 

Monthly Re-Cap: June 2025

Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading! 

Reading ReCap: June 2025

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

In June, I...

I read 7 books and DNFed A Deception on Cold Hill and Party of Liars

StoryGraph for some Stats help again, I really like this visual 

~~Books I Read in June~~   

DNFs 

 

How was your start of Summer Reading? What books are you excited to read soon? Are you listening to any good audiobooks? Mid year check in - how is that Goodreads challenge going?

Feel free to share in the comments! I would love to know what you are reading! 

Recent Reads: The Wrong Game by Kandi Steiner

Source: From the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

The Wrong Game by Kandi Steiner 

Publisher: Arndell
Publication Date: June 17, 2025 

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Two season tickets.

One genius idea.

Zero interest in a relationship.

The plan is simple: a brand new, hot, preferably funny, definitely single male will fill one of those seats for every Bears game at Soldier Field. And I’ll fill the other.

I can’t think of a better way to use the season passes I’d bought for my ex-husband. I am a woman of plans, and this one’s foolproof.

Until Zach Bowen offers to be my practice round.

He’s infuriating. Presumptuous and overbearing. And absolutely, undeniably gorgeous. Any woman with a heartbeat would be attracted to him, and mine picks up speed every time he speaks.

But as I said, I’m a woman of plans — and I’m not backing down on this one.

One night. One game. And then, his time’s up.

He can try to change the rules, but here’s the truth: he can’t win if he’s playing the wrong game.

The Wrong Game is a stand-alone, angsty, enemies-to-lovers sports romance.

Review: 

The Wrong Game was a thoroughly enjoyable rom-com that hit many of the right notes for me — witty banter, lovable characters, and a satisfying emotional arc, all wrapped up in a standalone package (which I greatly appreciate in all books).

Though marketed as an enemies-to-lovers, it leans more toward a he-falls-first dynamic, which I adored. Zach Bowen is an absolute swoon-fest — romantic, persistent in the best way, and always ready with a grand gesture. Watching him patiently chip away at Gemma’s walls was as heartwarming as it was entertaining.

Gemma, for her part, is wonderfully complex. Her emotional guardedness makes sense as the story unfolds, and while the prologue feels a bit older than the characters’ stated age (early 30s), it ultimately adds depth to her journey. Her friendship with Belle is also hilarious. I found myself laughing out loud more than once at their sharp, snappy exchanges, that are over the top and often graphic.

Told in dual POV, the book does a great job of letting readers fall for both leads. The emotional vulnerability across the cast, not just in the central romance, added depth without bogging the story down. The plot is predictable in a cozy, familiar way, which worked for me. And yes, there are some open-door spicy scenes for those who like a bit of heat with their heart.

All in all, this is a fun, feel-good read with just enough angst to keep things interesting. If you're in the mood for a low-stress romance with humor, heart, and a big dose of charm, The Wrong Game is well worth picking up.

Early Reader Review: Watch Out for Falling Iguanas by Edwidge Danticat

Source: From the Librarything Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Watch Out for Falling Iguanas by Edwidge Danticat, illustrated by Rachel Moss

Publisher: Black Sheep
Publication Date: July 1, 2025 

 

Format: Hardback


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Perfect for readers of all ages, this captivating picture book teaches children about iguanas’ unique behaviors while celebrating the bonds between generations and the wonders of the natural world. 

ON A RARE CHILLY DAY IN MIAMI, Florida, young Leila sets off for school bundled up in her bright red jacket. But this isn’t just any cold day—her grandmother, Grandma Issa, gives her an unusual “Watch out for falling iguanas.” 

As Leila navigates her morning, she can’t stop thinking about Grandma’s strange words. From remembering dodging coconuts and seeing her parents’ car being held up by chickens crossing the road to admiring roaming peacocks, Leila’s day is full of curious encounters. But nothing prepares her for the moment she sees an iguana drop from a tree. 

Join Leila, her close friends, and her teacher Ms. Benoit on an unexpected adventure as they discover why these tropical creatures fall from trees during cold snaps. With charming illustrations by acclaimed Jamaican artist Rachel Moss and a truly heartwarming story, Watch Out for Falling Iguanas is a delightful tale about family, friendship, and the surprises nature can bring. 

Review: 

Watch Out for Falling Iguanas is a children’s book about...falling iguanas 🦎. It follows a young girl on her way to school. When her grandma warns her to "watch out for falling iguanas," she’s a bit confused but decides to keep her eyes open, just in case.

Sure enough, when she gets to school, she actually does see an iguana fall! Thankfully, her teacher is there to explain what’s going on, not just to her, but to the whole class. It’s a great intro to animal physiology, especially how cold weather affects iguanas and why they sometimes “freeze” and fall from trees. The book also highlights why it’s important not to touch these seemingly still animals.

The illustrations are really well done and match the story perfectly. I especially appreciate that the book tackles such a quirky and uncommon topic. It’s fun, informative, and a little unexpected. Young readers and animal lovers are sure to enjoy this one! 

Cover Reveal: A Claim to Murder by Jean G. Goodhind

COVER REVEAL!

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A Claim to Murder by Jean G. Goodhind

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A Claim to Murder by Jean G. Goodhind
Series: Honey Driver Mystery Series
Publisher: Joffee Books
Publication Date:   August 5th, 2025

 

About the Book:

Life couldn’t be sweeter for Honey Driver, floating around the Med on her own private yacht, with her dishy detective husband Steve.

But dark clouds are gathering on Honey’s perfect horizon. And the forecast looks like murder!

When Honey’s love boat sinks in a freak accident, she has no choice but to return to rain-drenched Bath. But now that Honey needs him, her insurance broker, silver-tongued Norman Glendower, is nowhere to be found.

He’s not at his luxury offices in town and he’s not answering his phone.

Honey could kill Norman for leaving her in this fix. But what if someone got there first?

Behind the gates of leafy Regency Gardens, the exclusive complex where Norman lives, something is terribly amiss. Norman’s mewling cat leads a curious neighbour straight to his dead body!

He’s been bludgeoned and left for dead on the pristine tiles of his designer kitchen. Which of his many enemies was the one to strike the fatal blow?

Honey’s on the case — with a  killer watching her every move . . .

About the Author:

Jean, the alter ego of bestselling historical author Lizzie Lane, has lived in and around the Bath area for some time and was indeed a member of Bath Hotels and Restaurants Association — so well in touch with the hospitality trade in that fair city. However, unlike Bath hotelier Honey Driver, she was never asked to be Crime Liaison Officer and neither does she collect antique underwear! However, her daughter assures her she is just as zany as the quirky Honey Driver and will never grow old gracefully.

Building the Book Pile #493

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Happy Sunday!

Hi there, I hope you had a good week. I am n0t sure how we got to the end of June so quickly! 

I am realizing that I have listened to NO audiobooks for the 2025 JIAM Audiobook Challenge ... today and tomorrow are it... let's see what I can get done. I need to garden today...read as: weed the veggie garden excessively. I loathe grass. 

I am also a bit behind in my 20 Books of Summer challenge - My goal is 10 from my TBR. Originally I wanted this to be backlog TBR but I am going to be more realistic and say ANY TBR including my review list... because I am reading slowly right now and luckily this challenge gives us that flexibility. 

You can find my challenges and progress here

It was a long week. Although I had Monday off to recoup from my conference, the rest of the week dragged on SO slowly. I have less to do right now, so I am cleaning up and prepping for next year, but it is just monotonous and boring. That said, I am going to take a few more days off soon and that will be nice, plus the 4th of July holiday.

Summer so far has been meh in New England... lots of rain, some REALLY hot days but it hasn't felt like summer yet. How is it where you are?

Linking up this week with the Caffeinated Reviewer and her Sunday Post series.

xo steph

Coming up on the Blog

Cover Reveal:  A Claim to Murder by Jean G. Goodhind

Early Reader Review: Watch Out for Falling Iguanas by Edwidge Danticat

Recent Reads: The Wrong Game by Kandi Steiner 

Monthly Re-Cap: June 2025

Books Received Recently...  

No books AGAIN this week 😅

I am trying to read more of what I own! 

Have you missed anything lately?

Early Reader Review: You've Awoken Her by Ann Davila Cardinal (YA) -4 stars

DNF Review: Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox (Adult)

Blog Tour: The Shrinking of Grin by J. Edwin Skinner (MG) -3.5 Stars

Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading! 

Blog Tour: The Shrinking of Grin by J. Edwin Skinner

The Shrinking of Grin by J. Edwin Skinner 
Publisher: CAAB Publishing Ltd
Publication Date:  February 23, 2025

 

About the Book:

While Grin’s scientist father is disturbed by the unexplained disappearance of his research institute’s director, Magnus G. Musselman, Grin is more interested in emulating his father and sets his mind to conducting a series of crazy experiments: on flies. 

He cannot imagine the trouble this will land him in. 

Literally cut down to size when he is faced down by a big fat bluebottle, he finds himself prey to a gigantic wasp and is only saved at the last minute by a huge frog that takes pity on him when he lands on a lily pad in the garden pond. 

Guiding Grin down through the depths of this pond, the frog takes him to a fabulously weird world called Quilibria with the promise of a quick fix for his situation. Yet the fix is not as quick as he would hope in this strange new dimension, where nothing is quite what it seems.

But it is the only place where Grin can hope to find the solution to his sadly shrunken state and get back to his normal size. 

As he travels through Quilibria in search of the solution, he is met with one obstacle after another thrown in his way by a succession of weird creatures.

Will he find what he’s looking for? 

If he does, will he be able to take it with him or will he stay this size forever? 

And what does Magnus G. Musselman’s disappearance have to do with any of this?

Rating: 

Review: 

This was such a strange but interesting read. Grin (short for Peregrine) is a young boy who is constantly trying to please his father, a scientist obsessed with precision and perfection. Grin plays piano to make his father happy, and in his own time, collects flies to study, seemingly mirroring his father's research on insects and rodents. But when Grin suddenly finds himself shrunken down to bug size, he’s forced to embark on a bizarre and dangerous adventure to return to normal.

The story felt like a mix of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Alice in Wonderland, with a little bit of science, but mostly whimsical and odd. While the pacing was solid and the adventure kept moving, I often found myself confused by the world-building and the characters/bugs that help and hinder his journey. The strange dimension of Quilibria had some creative moments, but I felt it could have benefited from more explanation and development to fully immerse the reader. There were times when I felt like we were time-warping through zones. The ending also felt quite abrupt.

Overall, this was a quick, adventurous read with plenty of whimsy that I think younger middle grade readers will likely enjoy more than I did. It’s imaginative and fast-paced, even if at times it left me scratching my head.

About the Author:

A native of Exeter, J. Edwin Skinner studied at Newcastle, London and Bristol. He worked briefly as a teacher of English in Germany and a translator in the UK, before moving with his young family to work for a multinational company in Switzerland, where he eventually set up his own translation business. Under the pen name A.B. Decker, he has also published Flowers from the Black Sea (2024), The Dark Frontier (2021) and is working on another book set mostly in Austria around the time of World War 2.

Find the Author

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bluesky | Website

DNF Review - Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox 

Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: July 1, 2025

 

Format: Ebook 


Rating: 

 ~Did Not Finish @ 38%~


Goodreads Synopsis: 

A lavish, Texas-sized Sweet Sixteen turns deadly in this twisty, pulse-pounding new novel — serving up a fresh take on a classic locked-room whodunnit. Let the festivities begin…

Today is Sophie Matthews’s sixteenth birthday party, an exclusive black-tie bash in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, where secrets are as deep-rooted as the sprawling live oaks. Sophie’s dad has spared no expense, and his renovated cliffside mansion—once thought haunted—is now hosting the event of the season. Then, just before the candles on the three-tiered red velvet cake are blown out, a body falls from the balcony onto the starlit dance floor below.

It’s a killer guest list . . .

DANI: Sophie’s new stepmother who’s been plagued by self-doubt ever since the birth of her own baby girl

ÓRLAITH: the superstitious Irish nanny who senses a looming danger in this cavernous house

MIKAYLA: the birthday girl’s best friend who is not nearly as meek as the popular kids assume

KIM: the cunning ex-wife who has a grudge she can’t let go of . . .

Everyone is invited in. Not everyone will get out alive.

Review: 

I ultimately decided not to finish this book, stopping around the 38% mark. Unfortunately, the pacing was just too slow for me. By that point, I typically expect to be immersed in the core of a mystery, especially in a whodunit, but the story was still heavily focused on establishing the cast of characters rather than advancing the plot.

While character-driven stories can be compelling, I struggled to connect with anyone in the cast. The mother’s alcoholism felt like a one-note trait rather than something fully explored. The daughter came across as frustratingly oblivious, and her best friend seemed more like a passive follower than a person with her own motivations. And I’ll admit my own bias when it comes to stepmothers in fiction, but this one didn’t do herself any favors—she was mostly portrayed as a pretty face without much depth.

To its credit, the book introduced several intriguing threads early on—a mysterious note, a ghost referred to as “The Mother,” and the discovery of a body—but instead of building tension around these elements, the story meandered through alternating perspectives that never felt compelling or purposeful. The suspense didn’t build, and the emotional stakes never landed.

In the end, the combination of a slow-moving plot and a cast I couldn’t root for made it hard to stay invested. I can see how this might work better for readers who enjoy slower burn mysteries with a strong focus on interpersonal dynamics, but it just wasn’t the right fit for me.

Early Reader Review: You've Awoken Her by Ann Dávila Cardinal

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

You've Awoken Her by Ann Dávila Cardinal  

Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: June 17, 2025 

 

Format: Hardback

Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Fans of You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight and Your Lonely Nights Are Over will love this thrilling YA horror about a string of disappearances and "accidental" drownings in the Hamptons, the changing relationship between two best friends, and their desperate attempt to not be the next victims of a Lovecraftian monster terrorizing the coastline. 

All Gabi wants is to spend the summer in his room, surrounded by his Funkos and books, but with his mom traveling, his bags are packed for the last place he wants to visit—the Hamptons. Staying with his best friend should have him willing to peek out of his cave, but ever since Ruth’s nouveau riche family moved, their friendship has been off.

Surrounded by mansions, country clubs, and Ruth’s new boyfriend, Frost Thurston—the axis that Hampton society orbits around—it doesn’t take long for Gabi to feel completely out of place. But when he witnesses a woman being pulled under the ocean water, and no one—not the police or anyone else in the Hamptons—seems to care, Gabi starts to wonder if maybe the beachside town’s bad vibes are more real than he thought.

As the “accidental” deaths and drownings begin to climb, Gabi knows he’ll need proof to convince Ruth they’re all in danger. And while the Thurston family name keeps rising to the top, along with every fresh body, what’s worst is that all the signs point to something lurking beneath the water—something with tentacles and a thirst for blood. Can Gabi figure out how the two are intertwined and put an end to the string of deaths…before becoming the water’s next victim? 

Review: 

The story follows Gabi (Gabriel), a young man from Queens, as he visits his best friend Ruth at her new house in the Hamptons. Told from Gabi’s point of view, the novel explores his growing discomfort and jealousy over Ruth’s change in status. Despite missing her, he resents the world she now inhabits.

Ruth’s new social circle consists of wealthy elites who prioritize money and power above all else. Though Ruth remains grounded and holds onto her values, her new boyfriend, Frost, epitomizes the worst of the group—entitled, arrogant, and riding on his father’s wealth.

Adding to Gabi’s unease are disturbing events: people are going missing, dismembered body parts begin washing up on the beach, and whispers of a monster circulate among the locals. This supernatural thread introduces an intriguing element of magical realism, pulling in themes from the Old Gods and Lovecraftian lore.

The book is a quick and engaging read, with a fast-paced plot that keeps you turning the pages. However, it falls short in a few areas. There’s minimal character development—feelings are acknowledged, but not deeply explored—and Gabi’s voice can be frustrating. He often criticizes Ruth for her privilege, despite the fact that her circumstances were shaped by her father, not her own choices. Instead of supporting her, his jealousy comes across as petty and repetitive.

The Lovecraftian elements are conceptually strong, but the author’s commentary on Lovecraft’s racism and misogyny feels excessive. It’s important to address those aspects, but doing so every time his influence appears begins to dilute the impact. A more nuanced approach—embedding these critiques within the characters and narrative—could have made a stronger statement.

While Gabi’s perspective is often whiny and grating, the overall story is compelling enough to maintain interest. The core concept is solid, but several thematic elements could have hit harder with a bit more depth and restraint.

Building the Book Pile #492

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Happy Sunday!

Back from my Conference in ATL - it was hot and humid, but I had a lovely time with work friends. The conference is a mid-size one, probably about 400 people and we all work in Career Services, most of us at the MBA level. It is a good chance to commiserate and talk strategies. I always come home rejuvenated and with a feeling of appreciate for what I do. Now to share takeaways with the team next week. Since I was traveling yesterday, I am taking Monday off though, for a little more recoup/ laundry time. 

While I was away I decided to DNF a book - Party of Liars and pick up a new one. The pacing was too slow, I made it to 38% before giving up, so more on that this week probably. I did start and finish a romance I have for review after this though, So I am happy I got some reading done. 

Not much on the home-front to update, the hubs spent the week with the animals while I was away and they drove him crazy... not surprising. I love him for helping. I hope you had a great week and read some awesome books!

Linking up this week with the Caffeinated Reviewer and her Sunday Post series.

xo steph

Coming up on the Blog

Early Reader Review: You've Awoken Her by Ann Davila Cardinal (YA)

DNF Review: Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox (Adult)

Blog Tour: The Shrinking of Grin by J. Edwin Skinner (MG)

Books Received Recently...  

No books this week 😅

Have you missed anything lately?

Early Reader Review: A Novel Murder by E.C. Nevin (Adult) -4 stars

Early Reader Review: Arcana: The Lost Heirs by Sam Prentice-Jones (YA, GN) -3 stars

Recent Reads: Sand Cakes by Kallie George (Youth) - 5 stars

Donating Caffeine is greatly appreciated ... Donate on Ko-fi

What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading!