Everything I Read in August 2026
The Take
I didn’t love this book but I didn’t dislike it either. It kept my attention because I wanted to know how it all played out in the end. Maggie is an aspiring writer who is struggling to make her dreams come true. When she has the opportunity to work for Ingrid Parker, a top Hollywood producer, Maggie thinks this could be her big break. Except she isn’t going to be doing a conventional job. Ingrid wants to try a new experimental anti-aging procedure where she will essentially exchange blood with Maggie in hopes that she will reverse her age. Without understanding the full scope of this experiment, Maggie gleefully accepts the job.
While in this new job, Maggie does get access to other Hollywood contacts who could help advance her writing career, but also begins to feel negative affects from the blood exchange. Ingrid assures her it will be worth it and she will help Maggie achieve her goals of becoming a famous writer. After Maggie uncovers the real reason behind Ingrid’s experimental procedure, she begins to question whether it was worth it. Rating: 8
The Names
This book has been on my TBR (to be read) list for so long but sadly it was a complete letdown. It was sooooo slow moving and at times really hard to follow. I wish the author had been a bit more clear about how the story was going to veer off in so many different directions instead of just placing us somewhere new every chapter. The concept of the book is really interesting but the execution was not for me.
With an impending storm coming, Cora must hurry to the registrar’s office to register her new son’s name. On the way there, she is discussing the possible names with her young daughter. There are three different options – one that Cora wants, one that her daughter wants and one that her husband is insistent upon. The story then takes you through the alternate lives of each possible name of her son. Can a name really change your path in life? The one common thread throughout all the alternate realities is the abuse that the entire family suffers at the hands of Cora’s husband. His reaction to his son’s name directly correlates to how the lives of each family member plays out. I love the premise of the story but it was too hard to follow for much of the book. Rating: 7
The House Wife
An easy to get through mystery that had some great twists and turns. Jodie is living her dream of being a housewife to successful man. She lives in a beautiful home in Beverly Hills and has everything she could ever want. The only issue is the mystery surrounding the death of his first wife. He says she committed suicide but Jodie isn’t sure. And Jodie is keeping secrets of her own from her husband. Ones that could expose the truth of who her husband really is and what he is capable of. Rating: 8
Three Reasons for Revenge
An easy to get through thriller though it wasn’t a favorite of the month. After a young woman comes to the police station to report an assault, detective Judith Lee realizes this is not the first time she is hearing about an assault complaint made on this perpetrator. He is a wildly successful psychologist who works at the local university. After taking the woman’s statement, detective Lee launches an investigation only to have the man end up dead in his office a few days later. The two incidents must be related but the young woman who made the initial complaint has disappeared.
After two more pieces of evidence connected to the death appear at seemingly random homes, Detective Lee realizes that she is racing against the clock to find this missing woman. Was this a revenge killing? And if so, why? Does the assault complaint Detective Lee took years ago against the same psychologist have an anything to do with what is happening presently? So many unanswered questions that can make it a bit hard to follow at times but it does all tie together in the end. Rating: 8
The Lies They Told
One of my favorite books of 2026! The story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. Lena comes with her family to America from Germany in hopes of escaping their war torn country in the early 1930’s. When they arrive at Ellis Island, she is separated from her brother and mother without explanation. Terrified and alone in a foreign country with her two year old daughter, Lena must fight to make a life for herself. A distant cousin has agreed to allow her to come work at his home in the Blue Ridge Mountains taking care of his home and children.
Shortly after arriving, Lena comes to learn that her cousin has taught his kids to hide from law enforcement whenever they come around. Without any explanation as to why, Lena fears that there is something her cousin isn’t telling her about his life in Virginia. Things come to a head when the state shows up to take the children into custody as well as Lena’s two year old daughter. In a fight for her life, Lena must endure the most horrific experiences in hopes that she can be reunited with her child again. Rating: 9.5
It Could Have Been Her
I absolutely loved this new book from Lisa Jewell! It was soooo drawn out but in the best way – I could not put it down. Jane is out one afternoon walking her dog when another small dog runs up to them with no leash or owner. After taking the stray dog to the vet, they check for a microship so Jane can return the dog to its owners. Shortly after reuniting the dog with its family, word spreads that a teenage girl has also gone missing which makes Jane wonder if the teenager and lost dog were together. Jane decides to try and launch a search for the teenager but surprisingly is not getting much help from the girl’s family.
What could this family be hiding and why won’t they be more forthcoming in locating their missing family member? There are SO many loose threads woven throughout this book that don’t come together until the very end in the best way! Rating: 9
For more book reviews, visit the blog.
Comments