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A dark, moody image of many open books scattered across a surface, with the text 'JAN. READS.' and 'REVIEWS MY 2025 TBR 9/80 GOAL' overlaid, indicating a book review compilation.
The cover of 'The Cruel Dark' by Bea Northwick, featuring dark floral motifs. Surrounding text highlights it as a 'twisty mystery' with a 'stunningly dark setting' and 'a villain you never saw coming,' rated 4.5 stars.
The cover of 'Feast of Fools' by Naomi Loud, depicting golden drapes and ornate details. Accompanying text describes it as a 'true enemies to lovers' story with 'morally black mcs,' rated 4 stars.
The cover of 'The Coven' by Harper L. Woods, showing a skull and skeletal hands within a circular frame. Text notes a 'magical university,' 'hot morally black professor,' and 'an ending I never saw coming,' rated 4.5 stars.
The cover of 'The Cursed' by Harper L. Woods, featuring skeletal hands and purple flowers. Text highlights 'enemies to lovers,' a 'badass fmc,' and anticipation for 'what will happen next????,' rated 4.5 stars.
The cover of 'The House Across the Lake' by Riley Sager, showing a house by a lake at night. Text describes it as a 'mysterious ensemble' with an 'eerie backdrop,' 'many twists & turns,' and 'many secrets,' rated 4.5 stars.
The cover of 'Horror Movie' by Paul Tremblay, designed to look like a VHS tape. Text mentions a 'cool concept,' 'cinematic horror,' being 'a little wordy,' and '90s nostalgia,' rated 2.5 stars.
The cover of 'All in Her Head' by Elizabeth Comen, M.D., featuring a stylized Vitruvian Woman. Text indicates it's 'topical' with 'interesting history,' 'case studies and unbiased research,' and is 'a must read!,' rated 4.5 stars.
The cover of 'What the River Knows' by Isabel Ibañez, with an Egyptian-themed illustration. Text describes 'an Egyptian treasure,' 'an amazing fmc,' being 'for fans of The Mummy,' and 'a magical mystery,' rated 4.5 stars.
The cover of 'Where the Library Hides' by Isabel Ibañez, featuring a fantastical library scene. Text highlights 'friends turned lovers turned enemies turned lovers again,' 'fun characters,' 'twists you never see coming,' and 'family secrets,' rated 4.5 stars.
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10

JANUARY READS 📖📖📖

1. The Cruel Dark by Bea Northwick

A very interesting read! This debut had such a great pace, story, and an ending of twists and turns I was not expecting! In the vein of Riley Sager, this thriller offers a sexy side that will keep any reader enthralled. A must!

2. Feast of Fools by Naomi Loud

ARC REVIEW : it took me a second, but I genuinely ended up enjoying this one. I loved the first in this series from Loud and was initially put off by this one. However, she quickly won me over and I found myself gorging myself on this second installment in the Perverse world. I was even able to get past one of my least favorite tropes.

3. The Coven by Harper L. Woods

Holy sh**! I was not expecting that. The Coven chewed me up and spit me out. This book had me hooked from page 1. The magical world, the morally black mmc, the badass fmc- there isn’t one part of this book that wasn’t killer. And THAT twist ending, I’m scrambling for the second book as we speak! An absolute must read!

4. The Cursed by Harper L. Woods

I can’t believe I read this is a little over a day. This duo has taken over my brain and now I have to wait for the next?! I don’t think I’ll be able to take it haha. Woods has created an enthralling world and while it might not be for everyone, it certainly held my attention. Willow and Gray are the morally black couple everyone needs. And the side characters in this were way better done than in the first. An absolute killer sequel to a great series. An A+ from me!

5. The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager

Riley Sager can do no wrong. His works are always a great change of pace and a wonderful game of twists and turns I never see coming. This book was no exception. If you’re looking for a mysterious thriller with fake outs, missing girls, celebrity encounters and underlying tension- this is the book for you!

6. Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay

I wanted to like this. But it was just too wordy and all over the place for me. The concept is cool- and as a huge fan of horror and film I thought this book was right up my alley. But there was just something I couldn’t get behind. The characters seemed flat and unlikable. I did love that a majority took place in the 90s, but the nostalgia love stops there.

7. All in Her Head by Elizabeth Comen, M.D.

I really enjoyed this one! While some of the lengthy case studies and jargon lost me at points I genuinely found this book so interesting and absolutely infuriating! The fact that women have repeatedly been misdiagnosed, misrepresented and misheard in the medical field is astounding and disheartening. Dr. Comes shows how women’s health needs to be taken seriously. As seriously as any men’s. Or even more so. A great read.

8. What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez

If you love The mummy, then look no further than this amazing YA Novel! I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get into this one but I was so into it! Inez is an outstanding heroine- she’s coming into her own and out from under the sheltered life she’s always known. That’s bound to make for some mistakes and misfortunes. And her adventures only increase from “go”. Throw in ancient Egyptian treasure, a handsome stranger and a murder mystery- needless to say, I was locked in!

9. Where the Library Hides by Isabel Ibañez

What a great duology this was! This book left me constantly enthralled and curious what would happen next. I loved the twists and turns! The characters were so fun to follow and there were so many parts in this one that were just heartbreaking. Needless to say, this book put me through it! Inez is easily one of my favorite heroines!

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#booktok #BookReview #whattheriverknows #bookcluboflemon8 #rileysager

2025/2/3 Edited to

... Read moreSo many of you are looking for Naomi Loud's books, and I totally get why! Her 'Feast of Fools' was a standout for me this January, even if it took a moment to truly click. Let's dive into what makes her writing so compelling, especially if you're into those 'morally black mcs' and 'enemies to lovers' tropes! When I picked up 'Feast of Fools,' I wasn't initially sure. It's the second in her 'Perverse world' series, and sometimes sequels can be tricky because you're already so invested in the first book. But trust me, Naomi Loud quickly won me over. The way she crafts her characters, especially the morally complex ones, is just *chef's kiss*. You know how much I love a good 'enemies to lovers' story, and this one delivers with such intensity. It's not just about the romance; it's about the intricate power dynamics and how these characters navigate a world that's anything but black and white. The book cover, with its 'golden drapes and ornate details,' really hints at the rich, decadent, and slightly dangerous atmosphere she creates within the story. What I appreciate most about Naomi Loud's writing is her ability to take tropes I sometimes struggle with and make them utterly engrossing. She doesn't shy away from the darker side of fantasy, blending it with intense emotional journeys. If you've read her before, you know she builds worlds that are both beautiful and brutal, drawing you into a narrative where you're constantly guessing what will happen next. Her pacing is always on point, making it hard to put her books down once you're invested. It's definitely for readers who enjoy a challenge and aren't afraid of complex characters and unexpected twists. If you're new to the 'Perverse world,' 'Feast of Fools' is a fantastic entry point, but I'd encourage you to check out the first book too to get the full scope of her incredible world-building. What makes this series special is how deeply you get immersed in its unique magic system and societal structures. It's a universe where consequences are real, and characters have to make tough, often morally ambiguous, choices. The series truly shines in exploring themes of power, desire, and redemption, all wrapped up in a package that keeps you turning pages late into the night. If you loved the dark romance, morally grey characters, and intricate world-building of Naomi Loud's 'Feast of Fools,' you might also enjoy authors who play with similar themes. Look for stories that aren't afraid to explore the shadows and provide a truly immersive escape. I've found that authors who blend dark fantasy with compelling character-driven plots often hit that sweet spot. What are some of your favorite dark fantasy or enemies-to-lovers reads that have captivated you recently? I'm always looking for new recommendations!