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Review: The Secret World of Briar Rose by Cindy Pham

3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Release date: June 2, 2026

100 years ago, Princess Amelia was cursed with an eternal slumber, and the kingdom of Gyldan fell into poverty and ruin. Sisters Corin and Elly find their way to the hidden castle and into Amelia’s dreams. 

Almost every star I give this book goes to the premise. The idea of a Sleeping Beauty retelling where the MCs stumble into Sleeping Beauty’s dreams? GOLD. But the relationship between Corin and Elly is lacking; the only time we feel their closeness is when Corin is searching for sister. 

Jumping around with a dream world, a past world, and the present world was difficult to keep track of, and made it difficult to stay invested in the plot about 2/3 into it.

Overall, I enjoyed reading it this complicated retelling, and I loved how Pham wrapped up the ending for Corin and Elly.

🏰 Sleeping Beauty retelling
👀 Dual POV
⏳ Multiple timelines
😴 It was all a dream

CW: suicidal ideation, depression

Thank you NetGalley and Peguin Young Readers Group/Kokila for a copy of this eARC!

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Review: The Secret Lives of Murderer’s Wives by Elizabeth Arnott

3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

“I once heard someone say that women’s greatest fears in life are sexual assault and death. Men? The thing that keeps them up at night is the idea of being rejected and humiliated by a romantic prospect.”

In 1966, three wives of convicted murderers work together to catch a local killer targeting women. Beverley, Elsie, and Margot have all bonded while they try to rebuild their lives and live with the guilt that haunts them. Stopping a murderer would give them purpose and redemption, but of course, the police will not take them seriously.

This was a breezy (despite being about serial killers) read that will be perfect for summer. The mystery of finding out who the killer is kept me interested, and the pacing was quick.

There wasn’t a whole lot of character development, and Beverley managed to be actually a kind of awful MC.

The plot twists and pacing made this book a fun read, and the ending wrapped up nicely! 

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Review: Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Release Date: June 2, 2026

Estranged sisters Maeve and Therese are brought together after their mother’s death, and discover a painting they’ve inherited could be worth millions. The two leave Savannah to embark on road trip to Ireland to uncover their family lore.

I am a long-time fan of Mary Kay Andrews, and Road Trip started off where many of her books have: Savannah, Georgia, one of my favorite places. I loved the relationship between Maeve and Therese, and how their bond as sisters felt strong even after conflict and time apart. The family history and the mystery surrounding the painting was fascinating, and I actually would have loved more flashbacks.

About halfway through, the story dragged a bit, and up until the end it was a little more difficult to stay invested as the story went a whole other direction.

Still, this was a fun read and I love how Maeve and Therese both found where they were supposed to be in the end!

Thank you St. Martins Press and Netgalley for the digital ARC.