ARCs currently on my digital TBR shelf 📖
All of my ARC reads currently on shelf to be read 👀👇🏼
☔️The Storm- Rachel Hawkins
Gothic suspense set in a Gulf Coast beach motel where hurricane season can be murder. Placed at Rosalie Inn, a century-old hotel that's survived every one of those storms, in St. Medard's Bay, Alabama. A writer comes to town to research one of the biggest crimes that took place here, which was about Lo Bailey, the local girl infamously accused of the murder of her lover, political scion Landon Fitzroy, during Hurricane Marie in 1984.
🤷🏻♀️They Tried Their Best- Kimlyn Stanyon
They Tried Their Best is an extremely sharp, emotionally layered novella about one woman's reluctant journey through a collapsing world, bad dates, worse bosses, and liminal spaces. The narrator is a deeply relatable, darkly funny thirty-something who just wants chips, her dogs, and maybe if the universe allows it a real, meaningful connection… I mean who can relate, amiright? 😏
“With biting social commentary, unexpected tenderness, and surreal twists, this novella explores what it means to be loved, to be lonely, and to matter in a world that's increasingly falling apart.”
🪐Saturn Returning- Kim Narby
“A smoldering, soul-splitting debut that tracks three friends through the celestial chaos of adulthood, love, and queer identity. Saturn Returning charts the complex paths of human connection and queer friendship, questioning how we define ourselves against the relationships that have shaped our lives.”
This sounds like it’s gonna be good! 😊
❄️Secrets in Ice- Kennedy Plumb
2nd book to Ever Afters series. (1st- Lightkeepers)
What some say “A Good Girls Guide to Murder meets Frozen” 🥶
“A story of a sister's love, seeking justice against all odds, and not participating in the act of murder on your very aggravating, very arrogant, and very blonde colleague - who may or may not have some secrets of his own.”
I am honestly thrilled to read all of these ARCs! I wish I had more time to read- because they all sound soooo good!
Will get to reading and report back! 🫡
Are you currently reading any ARCs? 🤭🤭
#lemon8bookclub #lemon8readers #bookswormsoflemon8 #lemon8bookrecs #Lemon8Diary
You know how it is – sometimes a book cover just grabs you, right? Especially when it's for a highly anticipated thriller like 'The Storm' by Rachel Hawkins. I've noticed a lot of buzz around this one, and honestly, who can blame anyone for wanting to see that cover? The description alone – 'Gothic suspense set in a Gulf Coast beach motel where hurricane season can be murder,' featuring a writer researching a decades-old crime in a century-old hotel – just screams 'atmospheric masterpiece.' The idea of a strong female lead investigating a murder during a hurricane, tied to a local legend, gives me chills in the best way. For a thriller like this, the cover art is absolutely crucial in setting the mood and hinting at the mystery within. What makes a great mystery or thriller cover so compelling? Often, it's about subtle hints, a striking color palette, or an evocative image that captures the essence of the story without giving too much away. For 'The Storm,' I'm picturing something dark, stormy, perhaps a silhouette against a dramatic sky, or a dimly lit old hotel. The OCR mentions 'a house amidst tropical foliage' on the cover, which perfectly fits the 'Gulf Coast' setting and the gothic vibe. It promises a chilling read, perfect for those dark, rainy nights. Knowing it's a 'Mystery' and 'Thriller' with a 'Release: Jan 6, 2026,' makes me even more eager to see how the cover truly encapsulates the suspense. When I saw the visuals for 'The Storm,' it instantly cemented its place on my TBR. It's not just the intriguing plot; it's the whole package – the author's reputation for compelling thrillers, the setting, and yes, that all-important cover art that draws you in. It makes you want to pick it up and unravel the secrets within. While 'The Storm' is definitely a standout, I also find myself drawn to the covers of the other ARCs on my list. 'They Tried Their Best' (released July 14, 2025) sounds like a darkly funny take on a collapsing world, and its cover, showing 'a woman holding two small dogs,' probably hints at the relatable, chaotic humor. Then there's 'Saturn Returning' (May 4, 2026), which the OCR describes as having 'hands with tarot cards and drinks' – a perfect visual for a 'celestial chaos' and 'queer identity' story. And for 'Secrets in Ice' (October 30, 2025), a 'TRUE CRIME' and 'MYSTERY/THRILLER,' the image of 'two figures in a snowy forest' instantly conjures up the chilling atmosphere one would expect from a 'Good Girls Guide to Murder meets Frozen' vibe. For fellow bookworms who are as obsessed with covers as I am, a great tip is to check out publisher websites or Goodreads for high-resolution images. Sometimes just seeing the full artistry of a cover can make you even more excited for a book's release. It’s part of the whole reading experience, isn't it? The visual promise of the story to come. I'm already counting down the days for these to be officially released!