Mindy's Book Journey

  Title: Trad Wife Author: Sarah Langan Genre: Horror Published: 09/29/26 by Atria Books Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the copy for review.   Cancelled journalist Jenny Kaplan attempts to reignite her career when influencer trad wife Mia Wright invites her to idyllic Black Swan Farm to write an article about her. Shortly after arriving Jenny finds that Black Swan Farm is full of secrets and something sinister has a hold on the people there.  This novel features two seemingly opposite women. One career driven journalist that does not want children and a traditional wife and mother with seven children. This book explores women's lack of choices and autonomy on both sides of the line. There is a creeping dread that things are not quite right that leads to some great scenes of horror in the end. The characters are really interesting, and it was great to see such opposing viewpoints living together. I would highly recommend this novel to fans of horror that find t...

  Title: The Need Author: Megan Mostyn-Brown Genre: Horror Published: 9/22/26 by Del Rey Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the copy for review.   Talia has been on the run with her twin teenagers since they were young. She and her son Sam have The Need which makes them need human meat to survive. Her daughter Rosie does not have this affliction. Vera is a former supermodel who's family prides themselves in The Need thinking it makes them a cut above other people. Vera is looking for Talia, and Talia's family secrets are about to come to light. This book has a great mix of family drama and bloody ruthless action. The relationship between all the characters is really interesting. There is really high stakes as well with a big body count. This seemed like the kind of story that would make a very exciting movie.  The teens trying to live through these extraordinary circumstances has you hoping for the best for this family. If you like a bloody good time with great ch...

  Title: Strange Bedfellows Author: Amanda Mortlock Genre: Paranormal Romance Published: 9/22/26 by Atria Books Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the copy for review.  Cleo is a young woman working her way through college, and she also happens to be able to shift into a house cat. She meets and falls in love with a guitar playing college band member who happens to be a witch. They meet another familiar shifter and his witch and they make a coven. A love the idea of a cat shifter. As a cat lover I would love this magic ability. Cleo's personality is exactly what I think a human cat would have which is so fun. Ollie is a dog shifter and also has the perfect doglike personality. The magic in this book is great. There were moments of great romance as well. However, the plot does not always follow the romance tropes and cliches we come to expect which can be hit or miss. I really liked the story overall even if I wish a couple things went differently.  I recommend ...

  Title:  Murder on the Upper East Side Author:  Gigi Waldorf Genre:  Mystery Thriller Published:  9/8/26 by Atria Books Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the copy for review.    2016 Prescott Academy in New York City is the prep school for the children of the richest in the city. Hannah Miller and her sister are scholarship students that are trying to find their footing in this very different world. On top of this world is Madison DuPont and Elle Harrington. 10 years later the alumni meet at a charity gala where queen bee Madison ends up dead.  Now Hannah needs to find the murderer before the finger can be pointed at her. This is a mystery thriller about the richest elite in New York City. Glamorous parties have the gossip mill flowing. The characters are fascinating and insufferable in equal measures. I really enjoyed reading this duel timeline mystery where the secrets run deep. I would recommend this book to fans of Gossip Girl and my...

  Title: The House That Eats The Dead Author: Max Doty Genre: Horror Published: August 18, 2026 Thank you to Bantam Books and Netgalley for the copy for review.   A family seeks a fresh start in an older and larger home away from the San Francisco city center. They quickly realize that their new home has a hunger for everything dead.  What starts like the beginning of all sentient house book and movie becomes something very interesting. I love that the home in this book is definitely a character in this story. This family faces so many different moral quandaries around the maintenance of such a hungry house. Some of the situations they face in the story are expected, but this story keeps going way beyond what I could have imagined.  If you love sentient or haunted house stories I highly recommend this one. I don't recommend it as the scariest house, but as the best explored ideas that can be explored with the concept.   My Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars...

  Title: Pictures of You Author: Josh Malerman Genre: Thriller Published: September 8, 2026 by Del Rey Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the copy for review.   Emily and Jack are out on the town in an idyllic coastal town when their beautiful vacation turns into a nightmare. They wake up separated and find they are within the web of an unhinged artist looking to create their masterpiece. Pictures of You is a Hitchcockian thriller from one of the biggest names in horror. The greatest strength of this story is the character development. Emily and Jack seem realistic, likeable, and like a very fun couple hang out with. I would love to go out on the town with these characters in an idyllic coastal town. I was instantly sucked in and cared very much what happened to them. On the other hand, the antagonist, is incredibly unforgettable and colorful unhinged woman that steals the show in this one. The setup was also great and incredibly tense. Becoming the unwilling muse for a ...