2026 ARC Reviews
Spoiler-free early reviews of the most anticipated upcoming releases.
12 days
A Breathing House
Jed Kent
In the waning years of the Gilded Age, Marian enters a mansion built on excess - a world of towering marble and glittering chandeliers designed to announce her family's arrival into high society. But despite the opulence, the house greets her with a bitter, unnatural cold.
As her husband’s illness miraculously fades, Marian’s own health begins a mysterious decline. A chill settles deep into her bones, leaving her weaker with every passing day, as if the walls themselves are draining her vitality. The longer she remains, the more undeniable the truth becomes: the mansion is no sanctuary. It was built to give, and to take - and unless Marian uncovers its secrets, the price of their fortune will be her life.
A Breathing House is a chilling departure from my preferred genre of thrillers and it did not disappoint. As part of the In The Cards collection, this horror story leans into an unsettling atmosphere that builds a genuine sense of dread very quickly. The pervasive creepy factor kept me fully invested to see what would happen next. The breathing element is handled through eerie chants and physical shifts in the protagonist's health, making the house feel like a living, predatory entity. I appreciated that the main character's reactions felt grounded and realistic even as the situation escalated. It features a masterfully executed ending that delivers a satisfying conclusion to a truly haunting read.
12 days
Stepping Into The Star
D.M. Foley
Allison is a staunch believer in the metaphysical, a stark contrast to her skeptical best friend, Danica. But when a chilling tarot reading ends in Allison's sudden disappearance, Danica must question everything she thought she knew about reality in order to find her.
D.M. Foley delivers an interesting tale in Stepping Into The Star. Because the book deals with the metaphysical, the overall tone is steeped in suspense. Intrigue builds right from the opening pages. For a short story, the character development is well done. It gives the narrative enough depth to make the reader care while avoiding any drag in momentum.
The story unfolds in the present tense through a few different characters' points of view. I enjoyed the format of several short chapters. They complement the fast pace, keeping the story engaging while delivering a complete, satisfying mystery in a compact footprint. Anyone who likes books about the paranormal will enjoy this read.
12 days
The Replacement
Liv Constantine
Former Hollywood darling Veronica Van Arden is desperate to escape a string of box-office disasters and vicious tabloid rumors. Her salvation appears to be a starring role in a highly anticipated new film, made even sweeter by the unwavering support of her enthusiastic young costar, Sienna Vale. When fresh scandals threaten Veronica's fragile comeback, Sienna becomes her closest confidante. But as the veteran actress welcomes the newcomer into her inner sanctum, she is about to learn a terrifying lesson: the brightest spotlights always cast the darkest, most dangerous shadows.
The Replacement by Liv Constantine is a very enjoyable quick read.
The plot seems straightforward at first, but there are some good twists you won’t see coming, backed up by some good foreshadowing. The short chapters keep the pacing fast, and the character development is surprisingly good for a short story.
Overall, it’s a highly satisfying, straight-up thriller.
13 days
The Last Time We Drowned
Saratoga Schaefer
Broke and reeling from a devastating betrayal, Charlie Engels seizes a lifeline when her bookstagram earns her a spot on the Empress—an elite influencer yacht moored off the Florida Keys. Thrown into a ready-made sisterhood of deeply flawed internet stars, Charlie tries to outrun her past, only to keep catching glimpses of the supposedly departed influencer she was hired to replace.
When a massive hurricane cuts all communication and strands the crew with their billionaire boss, the glamorous retreat becomes a claustrophobic, floating prison. Once the first body drops, paranoia fractures the group, forcing Charlie to unmask a killer before she goes down with the ship.
The Last Time We Drowned is a solid mystery and suspense novel that leans away from the typical high-octane thriller. The writing style is engaging, with medium-length chapters that match the steady pace of the story. While one element did feel a bit repetitive, the overall construction of the plot is strong.
My main struggle was with the protagonist, Charlie. It was difficult to sympathize with her throughout the chaos because she felt so meek, which made her hard to relate to as a lead. However, the mystery itself is compelling enough to keep you hooked. There aren't any massive, world-shifting twists, but the ending is satisfying and wraps everything up well.
One of the highlights was finally discovering the significance of the title—it’s a clever tie-in, but you’ll have to read it yourself to find out why. If you enjoy mysteries with a trapped atmosphere, this is definitely worth picking up.
#NetGalley #TheLastTimeWeDrowned
16 days
Rich Little Liars
AJ Carter
Seeking a clean slate after a tragic house fire leaves her a widow, Kelly Reynolds escapes to the insulated wealth of the East Hamptons. But the tranquil illusion shatters when anonymous notes arrive, proving someone knows the dark truth about that fatal night. As paranoia sets in and the polite smiles of her neighbors begin to feel like traps, Kelly's new life spirals out of control. She survived the fire, but she might not survive the truth.
I found Rich Little Liars by AJ Carter to be a quick and easy read, which fits with what I expect from this author. The story has a slow start, with very little actually happening in the present timeline. I felt bogged down by Kelly and her constant thoughts of paranoia, which grew highly repetitive as the chapters went on.
Kelly is a tough character to root for because she behaves like such a doormat in both the past and the present scenes. Since the book features a very small cast of characters, her frustrating personality traits are front and center. The saving grace of the plot is the flashbacks, which were very interesting and kept my attention. While the main twist fell flat and was not very interesting, the very end of the book goes a long way to redeem the weaker parts of the story. This book is good for anyone who wants a quick easy read and doesn’t need a twist that will blow your mind.
19 days
Play Your Cards Right
Heather S. Chauvin
What starts as an idyllic weekend escape shatters when a member of the friend group is found dead. As Demi investigates, a chilling truth emerges: this wasn't a tragic crime of passion—it was a meticulously orchestrated execution.
This short story left me feeling underwhelmed. For a genre that relies on suspense, it unfortunately falls flat and didn't feel like a thriller. Overall, I found the plot to be boring and lacking the tension I look for in a good suspense read.
The most frustrating part of the story was the setup. Chauvin introduces a really interesting and unique family dynamic right off the bat, which gave the story a lot of potential. However, that dynamic doesn't end up mattering to the plot at all. The exact same events could have easily unfolded with any random group of friends or distant relatives, making the specific family ties feel like a completely wasted opportunity. It’s a quick read, but it misses the mark on delivering a gripping experience.
19 days
The Lion Within
Kay Elem
The town calls him Lion Strong. Here, boys are taught that true grit means suffering in silence, and that victory is the only thing that matters. But when the stadium empties, one mother is forced to ask what was ultimately sacrificed in the pursuit of perfection. Because sometimes, the deadliest cages are forged entirely from applause.
Kay Elem’s The Lion Within is a haunting, heartbreaking read. Fast-paced yet deeply engaging throughout, this beautifully crafted short story serves as a powerful cautionary tale regarding the devastating consequences of neglecting physical or mental health. Through excellent, evocative writing, the narrative captures a striking, urgent reality by holding a mirror up to the intense pressures currently found in sports at every level. It is a great read with an even greater message. If you are looking for an emotional book that will stay on your mind long after you finish the final page, this is an absolute must-read.
20 days
The Break-up Retreat
Camilla Sten
The Himlafall Clinic promises a revolutionary cure for heartbreak deep within the Swedish woods. But for Isobel Andersen, the retreat isn't a place of healing—it’s a crime scene. Investigating rumors of women who check in but never check out, Isobel goes undercover to expose the clinic's founder, Dr. Martina Hastings.
The Himlafall Clinic makes for a chilling backdrop in The Breakup Retreat, and the atmosphere is exactly what you'd expect from a Camilla Sten mystery. The story stays in Isobel’s perspective, but the addition of Martina’s social media posts and some Reddit threads keeps the mystery of the clinic engaging. Those digital snippets provide a modern layer to the plot that makes it easy to stay invested in what is actually going on.
The short chapters also make this a very quick read, which is always a plus for keeping the momentum high in a thriller. While Isobel is a decent lead, the subplot involving her father felt unnecessary and didn't really add anything to the story. The twist itself is quite interesting, though some of the ways things play out near the end feel a bit juvenile and silly. It isn't a perfect thriller, but it is a solid, enjoyable read. #TheBreakUpRetreat #NetGalley
22 days
The Aunt
Courtney Psak
When the phone rings, Amy’s life is shattered. Her estranged younger sister, Lexi, and her brother-in-law have perished in a devastating boating accident. Despite a decade of silence between them, the loss of the sister she never stopped loving leaves Amy reeling.
But grief quickly gives way to shock when the contents of Lexi’s will are revealed. Amy is named the sole guardian of a newborn niece she never knew existed—along with inheriting a sprawling Palm Beach estate and a massive fortune.
As Amy struggles to process the existence of Lexi’s secret child, the police drop another bombshell: the fatal crash wasn't an accident. Forced into a dangerous web of lies, Amy must uncover the dark secrets her sister took to the grave. Can she protect the innocent baby now in her care, or will unearthing the truth destroy what's left of her world?
The Aunt by Courtney Psak delivers a unique storyline. In a thriller genre where so many plots are feeling identical, finding a new concept is refreshing. The story is an interesting read, told through a dual timeline that alternates between Amy’s perspective in the present and Lexi’s point of view in the past.
While the mystery is engaging overall, the execution is a bit uneven, with transitions between scenes feeling abrupt at times. The biggest hurdle, however, is the main character of Amy. She is a frustrating protagonist to follow, getting upset over situations she entirely caused herself and wildly overreacting to things. She was a tough character to relate to or empathize with.
The plot delivers a few small twists, though there is nothing mind-blowing. The primary flaw in the mystery's construction lies in its dropped red herrings. A well-crafted thriller should neatly explain away its false leads once the actual truth comes to light, but here, several plot points are introduced as misdirections and then abandoned entirely. Despite an annoying protagonist and a few dropped narrative threads, it remains a solid read that stands out from the crowd thanks to its unique hook.
#TheAunt #NetGalley
27 days
Murder and Mayheim
Ronica Black, Toni Logan
Mystery bookstore owner Cassie Mayheim practically investigates fictional murders for a living. When she’s gifted a ticket on an Alaskan "WhoDunIt" cruise for her fortieth birthday, she thinks it’s the perfect playground for her amateur sleuthing skills. But the theatrical fun takes a chilling turn when the staged crime reveals very real danger. On the other side of the script is Hannah Garcia, a veteran cruise performer used to the nightly theatrics. When Hannah inadvertently uncovers a deadly, unscripted twist, she becomes a killer's very real target. Desperate and trapped at sea, Hannah finds an unlikely ally in Cassie. As the luxury liner cuts through the icy, isolated Alaskan waters, the two women must team up to catch a murderer—before the final curtain falls on them both.
Murder and Mayheim by Ronica Black and Toni Logan is a really enjoyable, fast-paced read. I loved that the story is structurally driven by short chapters; it kept the momentum going and made it easy to fly through the pages.
One of the strongest elements of the book was the character development. I easily got invested in the main character, Cassie, and the progression of her story. Furthermore, I thought her sidekicks, Goldie and Rosie, were a great addition. They brought a fun, entertaining dynamic to the narrative and perfectly complemented Cassie throughout the book.
The central romantic relationship was another highlight, and I genuinely enjoyed watching it unfold. I will add a quick content note though: the book does contain a few somewhat explicit romance scenes. While I really liked the romance itself, the heat level of those specific scenes did catch me a bit by surprise!
As for the mystery itself, I thought it was okay, though it felt a bit complicated with a lot of moving parts. My biggest critique is just how the conclusion is handled. Rather than a steady, organic build-up to the final reveal, the ending felt a bit abrupt to me. It definitely ties up all the loose ends, but the execution of those final explanations just wasn't as satisfying as I had hoped it would be.
Overall, despite my mixed feelings about the ending, I thought this was an entertaining book with a great cast of characters and a relationship I could easily root for. If you are looking for an engaging read with great sidekicks and a brisk pace, definitely pick this one up.
#MurderandMayheim #NetGalley
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What is an ARC?
An ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) is a pre-publication version of a book provided by publishers so reviewers can share early feedback. Our spoiler-free reviews help you decide which upcoming titles to add to your pre-order list!
Advance copies reviewed on SpoilThePlot are securely sourced through industry partners, including NetGalley and Inside Story.