There are two kinds of people in the world.

People who see a weird notification and ignore it.

And people who immediately tap it because their curiosity has no adult supervision.

I want to believe I am the first kind of person.

I am probably not.

Especially if the notification says something dramatic like:

You have been chosen.

Chosen for what?

A coupon?
A curse?
A murder investigation?
A free trial I forgot to cancel?

Unfortunately, I would need to know.

Which brings us to today’s question:

Would you check the weird notification?

Here’s the setup:

It’s midnight.

You’re in bed.

Your phone lights up.

The notification is from an app you don’t remember downloading.

It says:

One new message from: UNKNOWN

You should ignore it.

You should turn off your phone.

You should go to sleep like a healthy, responsible human being.

Instead, the message changes.

I know what you did.

Then a photo appears.

It’s you.

Taken five minutes ago.

From outside your window.

So… what do you do?

A) Open the message because you need answers.
B) Throw the phone across the room and wake everyone up.
C) Take screenshots, turn off location settings, and call for help.
D) Text your best friend, “Something weird is happening,” because apparently they are your emergency plan.

Kim’s Very Scientific Thriller Verdict

If you picked A, I respect your curiosity, but your phone now owns the plot.

If you picked B, dramatic, loud, and possibly effective. I approve.

If you picked C, yes. This is the answer. Screenshot first. Panic second.

If you picked D, relatable. Not ideal. But relatable.What I’m Reading

Why I Love This Kind of Setup

Technology and new medical technology are scary because it feels normal.

A haunted house announces itself.

It creaks.
It groans.
It has suspicious wallpaper.

A phone just sits there looking innocent. So do your Vitamins. lol 😅

Cute case.
Low battery.
Tiny portal to chaos.

That’s what makes tech thrillers fun to write.

The danger doesn’t arrive wearing a cloak.

Sometimes it arrives as a notification.

Sometimes it sounds exactly like every other buzz in your pocket.

And sometimes, by the time you realize something is wrong, you’ve already clicked.

The Real-Life Part

I don’t think technology is evil.

I do think it’s powerful.

And I think stories help us ask better questions about it.

Who has access to us?

What are we giving away without thinking?

When does connection become surveillance?

How do kids and teens protect themselves in spaces that even adults don’t fully understand?

Those are big questions.

So naturally, I turned them into a creepy YA thriller because that is apparently how my brain handles concern.

Now tell me:

Would you check the notification?

Reply with A, B, C, or D.

And please be honest.

I know at least half of us are clicking.

What I’m Reading 📖

This week, I’m reading Killing Sadie by Rachel Peterson, and it got me thinking about belonging — especially the kind that comes with strings attached.

Scream meets Two Sides to Every Murder and One of Us is Lying in this thriller that unspools the truth behind a tragic murder through multiple unreliable narrators who all have secrets to keep. After a deadly barn party leaves Sadie Cooper and her killer, Mason Vreeland, dead, the case seems straightforward…until conflicting POVs from her twin sister, boyfriend, and best friend begin to unravel the truth. As their stories clash, Sadie’s own perspective in the days before the murder reveals a shocking reality she never saw coming, forcing the question of who’s lying—and why.

This book had me hooked on the first page. You don’t know who’s telling the truth. The author did a wonderful job putting in a lot of red herrings. But this book got me to thinking. Most of what Sadie’s friends did was to fit in and keep their friendships.

They want someone to say, “We see you.”

That can be beautiful.

It can also be how the trap closes.

Here is my full review and where you can get a copy of the book:

Warmly,
Kim

P.S. Next time, we may need to discuss whether you’d survive a secret school club. Spoiler: matching hoodies are never a good sign.

The facts initially seem straightforward. After one of the McClain family’s infamous barn parties, seventeen-year-old Sadie Cooper and her apparent killer, Mason Vreeland, are both dead. Sadie’s twin sister, Jayne, witnessed the murder and held Sadie as she died. Mason was then killed by Sadie’s boyfriend, Ben, while he was supposedly trying to save her.

It sounds like a tragic but uncomplicated case. Mason killed Sadie. Ben killed Mason. Case closed.

Except this is a thriller, so naturally the case is approximately as closed as a screen door during a hurricane.

The story unfolds through the perspectives of Jayne, Ben, and Sadie’s best friend, Liz, as they explain to the police what happened at the party and during the days leading up to it. The problem is that their stories do not quite match. At first, the differences appear small enough to dismiss. Someone remembers a conversation differently. Someone leaves out an interaction. Someone insists they were in one place when another person’s account suggests otherwise.

Then those tiny inconsistencies begin multiplying, and suddenly everyone looks suspicious.

One of the strongest parts of Killing Sadie is the way Rachel Peterson handles the unreliable narrators. Every point-of-view character is either lying, hiding something, manipulating the truth, or doing an impressive combination of all three. Trying to decide who deserves your trust becomes part of the fun. Just when I thought I understood a character’s motivations, another detail appeared and made me reconsider everything.

The book is filled with gaslighting, betrayal, secret grudges, questionable relationships, and people making spectacularly bad decisions. In other words, it contains nearly everything I want from a fast-paced young adult thriller. The drama is delicious, the tension keeps building, and the characters’ shifting versions of events create a constant sense that something important is being hidden just out of sight.

I did predict the culprit after chapter five. As an avid thriller reader and writer, I always make a prediction before reaching the ending because apparently I cannot simply relax and let a mystery happen to me. I need to mentally assemble a crime board, connect imaginary red string between suspects, and decide who did it before the book tells me.

This time, my early prediction was correct all the way through.

However, figuring out the answer did not make me want to stop reading. That is an important distinction. Some mysteries collapse once you identify the person responsible, but Killing Sadie remains compelling because the mystery is not limited to one question. Knowing—or suspecting—who did it does not automatically reveal how the situation developed, what each character is concealing, or why everyone is working so hard to control the narrative.

I wanted to see how all the lies connected. I wanted to know which details were genuine clues and which were carefully constructed distractions. Most of all, I wanted to watch the characters’ stories fall apart.

The third act shifts into Sadie’s perspective during the days before the party, finally allowing readers to see the events through the victim’s eyes. This change gives the book’s title and central mystery additional meaning. Sadie may be at the center of everything, but she does not fully recognize what is happening around her. Watching the truth come together through her point of view is both satisfying and frustrating because the warning signs become increasingly visible—even when Sadie cannot interpret them correctly.

The final reveal is worth the wait. Although experienced thriller readers may recognize certain clues early, I think many readers will be surprised by the full truth. Peterson does a fabulous job of using omissions, assumptions, and conflicting perspectives to keep the story moving. The suspense does not depend entirely on a single shocking moment. Instead, it comes from gradually realizing how much information has been distorted.

My only real criticism is that the overall concept did not feel particularly original to me. Unreliable narrators, deadly parties, tangled teenage relationships, and victims who missed something important have all appeared in other young adult mysteries. The publisher recommends the book for fans of How to Survive Your Murder and Dead Girls Can’t Tell Secrets, although I have not read either comparison title, so readers familiar with those books may notice similarities that I cannot evaluate.

Still, originality is not the only thing that makes a thriller successful. A familiar idea can be incredibly entertaining when executed well, and Killing Sadie is very well executed. The multiple perspectives are engaging, the discrepancies are carefully placed, and the constant lying gives the story an addictive momentum. I may have solved the central mystery early, but I still had a fantastic time watching every secret crawl into the light.

Overall, I am giving Killing Sadie 4.8 out of 5 stars. It may not completely reinvent the young adult thriller, but it delivers a compulsively readable mystery filled with lies, gaslighting, betrayal, and characters who should never be allowed to coordinate their stories without legal supervision.

Pick this one up when you are in the mood for a twisty, fast-paced thriller that will make you suspicious of everyone. Just do not start it before bed unless you are prepared to say, “One more chapter,” several times before accidentally finishing the entire book.

About the book:

Synopsis:

For the first printing only! This hardcover features sprayed edges while the special edition supply lasts.

Perfect for fans of How to Survive Your Murder and Dead Girls Can’t Tell Secrets, this young adult thriller unspools the truth behind a tragic murder through multiple unreliable narrators who all have secrets to keep.

Here’s what we do know: there was another infamous barn party at the McClain family farm last night, and things went horribly wrong. By the end of the night, there were two dead bodies in the old barn: seventeen-year-old Sadie Cooper and her killer, Mason Vreeland. The murder was heartbreakingly witnessed by Sadie’s twin sister, Jayne, and Sadie died in her arms. Mason was killed by Sadie’s boyfriend, Ben, in an attempt to save Sadie.

Aside from figuring out Mason’s motive, it should be an open and shut case.

But it’s not.

The story unfolds just after the murders, and Jayne, Ben, and Sadie’s best friend, Liz, are telling the cops what transpired at the party and the events leading up to it. But little details don’t match. And those little details start to add up to big discrepancies. But who’s lying, and why?

The shocking truth is revealed in the third act, when the POV shifts to victim Sadie herself, in the days leading up to the party. Witness exactly what happened—and see if you can piece it all together. Because poor Sadie totally missed what was right in front of her.

Get the book!

About The Author

Rachel Peterson graduated from Miami University of Ohio with a degree in English and creative writing. Born and raised in Ohio, she started her career in advertising before spending nearly a decade in New York City as a marketing executive for technology companies. An avid traveler, Rachel now splits her time between Manhattan and the Midwest, where she lives with her husband, Ken; their dog, Olive; and horse, Hope.

This week, the internet is once again making me ask:

At what point did our phones stop being tools and start becoming tiny pocket gremlins with notifications?

Because I came across an article from Sky News about UK teenagers possibly facing a social media curfew and limits on infinite scrolling.

And yes, my first thought was:

Wait.

You can just… stop the scroll?

Somewhere, my tired thumb just whispered, “Thank you.”

So grab your coffee, tea, or emotional support bookmark.

It’s time for another Brave Bookshelf Dispatch.

📁 THE BRAVE BOOKSHELF CASE FILE

Case: Can you protect teens from social media if they can switch the protections off?

According to the Sky News article, teenagers in the UK may face new social media limits, including a curfew and restrictions on infinite scrolling.

Here’s the part that caught my attention:

They may be able to switch those limits off.

Which feels very teen.

And also very internet.

Because if you tell a teenager, “This setting is here to protect you,” at least one of them is immediately going to say, “Interesting. Where is the off button?”

And honestly?

That’s the real conversation.

Not just whether teens should have limits.

But whether the apps should be built to keep them scrolling in the first place.

Because infinite scrolling is not exactly an accident.

It’s not there because someone gently thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice if people could read forever?”

No.

It’s there because stopping is bad for business.

And teens are growing up with platforms that know how to keep their attention, feed their curiosity, poke their insecurities, and hand them one more video.

Then one more.

Then one more.

Until suddenly it’s midnight, their homework is judging them from across the room, and their brain feels like it has been run through a blender with Wi-Fi.

You can read the article here:

👉 https://news.sky.com/story/uk-teenagers-to-face-social-media-curfew-and-no-infinite-scrolling-but-can-switch-it-off-13563527

💻 KIM VS. THE INTERNET

This week’s question:

Should teens have social media curfews?

Part of me says yes.

Because sleep matters.

Mental health matters.

And no one needs to be watching drama, doom, beauty trends, conspiracy theories, dance videos, and someone’s seven-part storytime at 1:13 in the morning.

Nothing good happens in the comment section after midnight.

Probably.

But another part of me wonders if curfews alone are enough.

Because this puts the responsibility back on teens and parents, instead of asking harder questions about the platforms themselves.

Why is endless scrolling the default?
Why are apps built to be so hard to leave?
Why does everything have to be a feed?
Why does every quiet moment need to be filled?
And why do kids have to be more disciplined than the companies making money from their attention?

That’s the part that bugs me.

We keep telling teens to make better choices in digital spaces that were built to make better choices harder.

That does not mean teens should have no responsibility.

Of course they should.

But maybe the adults, companies, and lawmakers need to stop acting surprised when an app built to be addictive is… addictive.

Shocking, I know.

Next we’ll discover dragons are flammable.

📚 BOOKS THAT START THE CONVERSATION

This is why I love YA books that deal with technology, pressure, identity, and control.

Because social media is not just “online stuff” anymore.

It affects sleep.
Friendships.
Body image.
Mental health.
Self-worth.
Safety.
And the way teens understand themselves.

A good book can make those conversations feel less like a lecture and more like a question:

Who gets your attention?
Who profits from your time?
What do you lose when you can’t stop scrolling?
And what would happen if an app knew exactly how to keep you hooked?

That last one is probably why I write thrillers.

Because once you start asking what an app wants from you, the answer gets creepy fast.

📚 WHAT I’M READING

This week, I’m reading The Revenge Playbook by Rimma Onoset, a YA contemporary novel published on July 21, 2026.

And let me tell you — boarding school drama? Enemies forced to work together? A popular boy who absolutely needs to be taken down?

Yes, please.

The story follows Uyai and Fiyin, two roommates at Blue Waters Secondary School who are definitely not friends.

Uyai is popular, fierce, and impossible to ignore.

Fiyin is quiet, nerdy, and used to being overlooked.

On the surface, they seem like total opposites. But they have one painful thing in common: they’ve both been hurt and humiliated by the same boy.

And when they realize he’s the real villain of the story, they stop turning their anger on each other and start building a plan.

That’s the part I’m loving so far.

I’m always drawn to stories where girls realize they don’t have to be enemies just because the world keeps trying to pit them against each other. Sometimes the real power shift happens when they look at each other and say, “Wait… why are we fighting when he’s the problem?”

Content notes: sexual assault and oppression.

I’m still reading this one because I didn’t get the book in time for my blog stop date with Toppling Stacks Tours, which was July 26, 2026. I will post my rating on Goodreads, so be sure to follow me to find out what I thought of this twisty academia revenge plot.

Find the book here:

🎤 NEW ON THE BRAVE BOOKSHELF

In case you missed it, here’s what’s new:

📚 Latest Review:

✍️ Coming Soon: More book reviews, brave conversations, and probably more evidence that my TBR pile is now legally a dependent.

You can catch up here:

👉 The Brave Bookshelf with Kim Bartosch

📅 AUTHOR EVENTS & BOOKISH NEWS

Date: Saturday, September 26

Time: 12:00–9:00 p.m. ET

Location: 200 West Nine Mile, Ferndale, Michigan

Event type: Art fair / author signing

More information: Funky Ferndale Art Fair

I’ll be attending Funky Ferndale Art Fair with other SCBWI members, where I’ll be selling and signing copies of Ask the Girl.

Funky Ferndale is known for its creative, lively art fair atmosphere, and I’m excited to be part of the bookish side of the fun. Come browse, shop, discover new artists and authors, and say hello.

Behind the scenes, I’m reading, reviewing, writing, podcasting, and trying not to let my inbox become a crime scene.

So far?

Mixed results.

💬 YOUR TURN

Reply and tell me:

Would a social media curfew help teens?

You can reply with just one word:

Yes, No, or Maybe.

Bonus points if you tell me what time your phone should legally be forced to go sit in a corner.

I’m nosy, but in a bookish way.

Until next time,

Kim

Author | Book Reviewer | Host of The Brave Bookshelf

P.S. If your phone had a built-in curfew, what time would it shut itself off—and would you actually listen?

The premise immediately caught my attention: Uyai and Fiyin may be enemies, but they share one painful truth—the same popular boy hurt them both. If they want to take him down before graduation, they’ll have to put aside their differences and become teammates.

I’m always interested in stories that challenge the damaging double standard that shames girls while excusing boys with “boys will be boys.” Girls should never be treated as sexual objects or blamed for someone else’s harmful behavior. Accountability belongs with the person who exploited, humiliated, or hurt them—not with the girls who were harmed.

Featuring Black and Nigerian representation, a boarding-school setting, enemies-to-allies tension, and a twisty revenge plot, The Revenge Playbook sounds like an important and compelling YA novel.

⚠️ Content warnings: Sexual assault and oppression
⭐ Rating: No rating—book not read (Follow me on Goodreads for my rating and review, which will be posted later)

About the book:

Genre: YA Contemporary
Publishing date: July 21, 2026

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Rep: Black, Nigerian

Synopsis:

In this deliciously twisty YA novel, two girls ( enemies) at a boarding school must team up to take down the boy who hurt them– perfect for fans of Ace of Spades and Do Revenge.

Uyai and Fiyin may be roommates at Blue Waters Secondary School, but they are not friends. Uyai is popular and fierce– she dominates every room she walks into. Fiyin is nerdy and quiet– she’s easy to miss. Anyone who knows them (assuming they know who Fiyin is at all) would argue that, besides that shared dorm room, the two girls have absolutely nothing in common.

But they do.

Because both girls have been hurt. Humiliated. Taken advantage of. And both girls have just one boy to blame for it.

Fiyin thinks Uyai is an irresponsible mean girl. Uyai thinks Fiyin is an uptight loser. They both think the boy that hurt them deserves to suffer. But taking down one of the most popular guys in school isn’t a one-woman task. If they want to get their revenge before graduation, Uyai and Fiyin will need each other’s help– regardless of how they feel about each other.

After all, you don’t need to be friends to be teammates.

Content Warning: sexual assault, oppression

Meet the author:

Rimma Onoseta is a Nigerian author who writes stories she wanted to read when she was younger: stories about young girls who are chaotic and fierce and who question what they’re taught.

Website | Instagram | Goodreads

In every YA thriller, there comes a moment when the main character has information that should absolutely be shared with an adult.

A threat.
A clue.
A body.
A message written in something that is hopefully not blood.

And every time, I find myself whispering:

Tell someone.

Please.

I am begging you.

Tell literally one responsible person with a working phone and access to a car.

But then I remember something.

In a lot of these stories, the adults don’t listen.

Or they listen too late.

Or they are suspiciously involved.

Which brings us to today’s question:

Would you tell an adult?

Here’s the setup:

Your friend has gone missing.

Before they disappeared, they sent you one message:

Don’t trust anyone.

Helpful? No.

Dramatic? Very.

Now you have three clues:

A photo you don’t remember taking.
A deleted message that somehow came back.
A name your friend circled in an old yearbook.

You could go to an adult.

But which adult?

A teacher?
A parent?
The police?
The school counselor?
The one neighbor who always watches everything from behind the curtain?

So… what do you do?

A) Tell the first adult you see and hope for the best.
B) Gather more evidence before saying anything.
C) Tell one trusted adult, but keep copies of everything.
D) Tell no one because you are now the detective, apparently.

Kim’s Very Scientific Thriller Verdict

If you picked A, your heart is in the right place. Your survival odds depend on whether this adult has common sense.

If you picked B, I understand the instinct. I also worry you are about to find clue number four in a very unsafe location.

If you picked C, excellent. Evidence, backup, and a trusted adult? You may make it to the sequel.

If you picked D, please step away from the corkboard and red string.

Why I Love This Kind of Setup

This is where YA thrillers can get painfully real.

The mystery might be fictional.

The missing friend, the creepy app, the ghost, the secret club — all of that might be invented.

But the fear underneath it?

That’s real.

The fear of not being believed.

The fear of making things worse.

The fear of betraying someone’s trust.

The fear that the person who should help you won’t.

That’s why these stories matter to me.

They give readers a way to practice brave questions before they need them in real life.

Because, to be honest, how many teens do you think would tell an adult or a trusted adult? I know I wouldn’t have when I was a teen. The fear of getting in trouble was so real for me at that age. It meant the end of the world when I was 16 to get caught or tell on a friend.

What about you? Was that the same for you?

The Real-Life Part

This is also part of what I love about The Brave Bookshelf.

Books can start conversations that feel too hard to begin out of nowhere.

A character can say, “I was scared to tell someone.”

And suddenly, a kid, teen, parent, teacher, librarian, or counselor has a door into that conversation.

Not a lecture.

Not an interrogation.

Just a story.

And sometimes stories make the scary thing a little easier to name.

So now I want to know:

Would you tell an adult?

Reply with A, B, C, or D.

And if your answer is, “It depends on the adult,” congratulations.

You understand YA thrillers and possibly life.

What I’m watching right now

This month, I’m watching House of the Dragon on Max, which means I’m back in my dragon era.

Again.

And apparently, nothing says “relaxing TV time” like family betrayal, political scheming, questionable marriages, and dragons casually solving problems with fire.

But it also got me thinking about George R. R. Martin’s world and how young so many of the characters are in the books. Daenerys is only thirteen when she marries Khal Drogo. Jon Snow is around fourteen when he goes to the Wall. Arya, Sansa, Bran, Robb — they’re all children or teens being pushed into adult decisions long before they’re ready.

And yes, this is fantasy.

There are dragons.
There are ancient houses.
There are people making terrible choices in very dramatic outfits.

But that part — children being treated like adults — does reflect something real about history.

For a long time, the idea of “being a teenager” the way we understand it now did not really exist. You were a child, and then you were expected to take on adult work, adult responsibilities, adult marriages, or adult consequences much earlier than we would ever accept today.

Which makes me think about how much has changed.

And also why we have to be careful when we say things like, “Well, when I was a teen…”

Because the truth is, teens today are growing up in a world we did not grow up in.

They have social media.
AI.
Group chats.
School shootings.
Online comparison.
A constant audience in their pockets.
And about 4,000 more ways to feel like they’re failing before breakfast.

So maybe we can remember what it felt like to be young.

But we can’t fully know what it feels like to be young right now.

We can only listen.

And maybe stop comparing their dragons to ours.

Warmly,
Kim

P.S. Next time, your phone gets a weird notification. And no, ignoring it will not make it less suspicious.

This week, the internet is once again making me want to throw my phone into a lake.

Not permanently.

Just long enough for it to think about what it’s done.

Because between filters, likes, comments, “perfect” bodies, and videos that seem to know exactly what makes teens feel awful about themselves, social media is starting to feel less like entertainment and more like a funhouse mirror with Wi-Fi.

So grab your coffee, tea, or emotional support bookmark.

It’s time for another Brave Bookshelf Dispatch.

📁 THE BRAVE BOOKSHELF CASE FILE

Case: When the scroll starts messing with how teens see themselves.

I found a review through the National Library of Medicine that looked at how social media affects adolescent body image and emotional well-being.

The review looked at 26 studies from the past five years, focusing on terms like social media, body image dissatisfaction, mental health, adolescents, eating disorders, and self-esteem.

And the findings were heartbreaking, but not surprising.

The studies found a strong link between frequent social media use and negative body image. Appearance-focused platforms like Instagram and TikTok can push unrealistic beauty standards, especially when teens start measuring themselves through likes, comments, and peer approval.

Both boys and girls reported body dissatisfaction, though most of the research focused on girls.

The review also connected frequent social media use with lower self-esteem, anxiety, depression, eating disorder risk, and a stronger drive for thinness.

So basically, the internet looked at teenagers — already full of feelings, hormones, self-doubt, and questionable sleep habits — and said:

“Would you like to compare yourself to 4,000 edited strangers before breakfast?”

Hard pass.

You can read the study here:

👉 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12437731/

💻 KIM VS. THE INTERNET

This week’s question:

When did mirrors become algorithms?

Because that’s what this feels like.

Teens are not just looking in the mirror anymore.

They’re looking at filtered faces.
Edited bodies.
Beauty trends.
Fitness trends.
“What I eat in a day” videos.
Comment sections full of strangers.
And algorithms that keep feeding them more of whatever makes them stop, stare, compare, and feel worse.

That’s the part that gets me.

It’s not just that teens are seeing unrealistic images.

It’s that the apps learn what holds their attention.

Even if what holds their attention is insecurity.

Even if it makes them anxious.
Even if it makes them feel too big, too small, too awkward, too different, too much, or not enough.

And as a mom, teacher, book reviewer, and YA author, I keep thinking about the kids who are quietly absorbing all of this.

The ones who don’t say anything.

The ones who laugh it off.

The ones who post the picture, delete it, repost it, check the likes, check the comments, and then pretend they’re fine.

This is why media literacy matters.

Not in a boring worksheet kind of way.

In a “please know this image was edited, this influencer is selling something, and your worth does not live in a comment section” kind of way.

We need to talk with kids about what they’re seeing.

Not shame them for being online.

Not panic every time they open an app.

But help them ask better questions:

Who made this?
Why am I seeing it?
Is this real?
Is this selling me something?
How do I feel after watching this?
Would I talk to a friend the way this post makes me talk to myself?

Because that last one matters.

A lot.

📚 BOOKS THAT START THE CONVERSATION

This week on The Brave Bookshelf, I’m talking about:

Drop Dead Famous by Jennifer Pearson

This one caught my attention because it takes fame, grief, sisterhood, murder, and the pressure of living under a spotlight and turns it into a YA mystery that feels very now.

The pitch alone hooked me:

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder meets a cultural moment like The Eras Tour gone horribly wrong.

After pop superstar Blair Baker is murdered just before her homecoming concert, her younger sister Stevie becomes determined to find out what really happened.

But fame is not as shiny up close.

As Stevie digs into Blair’s death, she gets pulled into the darker side of global fame, public image, secrets, grief, and the kind of attention that can turn dangerous fast.

What I liked most:

📖 The hook: A murdered pop star, a grieving younger sister, and a homecoming concert that turns into a crime scene? Yes, my mystery-loving brain immediately needed answers.

💛 The brave conversation: This book brings up questions about fame, public pressure, grief, sister bonds, and what happens when someone becomes more of an image than a person.

👀 Who might connect with it: Teens, mystery readers, pop culture fans, librarians, teachers, and anyone who likes twisty YA stories with messy family emotions and big public stakes.

🗣️ Question to ask after reading: How much of a famous person do we actually know — and what do we forget when we treat them like entertainment instead of a human being?

You can read my full review here:

🎤 NEW ON THE BRAVE BOOKSHELF

In case you missed it, here’s what’s new:

📚 Latest Review:

✍️ Coming Soon: More book reviews, brave conversations, and probably more evidence that I cannot be trusted near a bookstore.

You can catch up here:

👉The Brave Bookshelf

📅 AUTHOR EVENTS & BOOKISH NEWS

Blue Water Festival in Port Huron was cancelled due to the unhealthy air quality from the Canadian wildfires up North. If you haven’t seen what it’s been like up here in Michigan last week, we’ve been shrouded in a sickly orange color. Perfect for a horror novel setting, not so perfect for our lungs.

That orange round thing is the moon, I think. I couldn’t tell when I drove my son to work on Thursday. It may be the sun; I’m not sure. What do you think?

Upcoming Events

Date: Saturday, September 26

Time: 12:00–9:00 p.m. ET

Location: 200 West Nine Mile, Ferndale, Michigan

Event type: Art fair / author signing

More information: Funky Ferndale Art Fair

I’ll be attending Funky Ferndale Art Fair with other SCBWI members, where I’ll be selling and signing copies of Ask the Girl.

Funky Ferndale is known for its creative, lively art fair atmosphere, and I’m excited to be part of the bookish side of the fun. Come browse, shop, discover new artists and authors, and say hello.

Behind the scenes, I’m reading, reviewing, writing, podcasting, and trying not to let my inbox become a crime scene.

💬 YOUR TURN

Reply and tell me:

What part of social media do you think affects teens the most?

Filters?
Likes?
Comments?
Influencers?
Beauty trends?
Comparison?
The pressure to always be visible?

You can reply with just one word.

I’m nosy, but in a bookish way.

Until next time,

Kim

Author | Book Reviewer | Host of The Brave Bookshelf

P.S. What social media trend would make the creepiest YA thriller plot? I’m collecting ideas for completely normal author reasons.

That is the unsettling situation twelve-year-old Joni Bird faces in The Ginghams, the eerie and imaginative middle-grade debut by T.C. Kemper. Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), this mystery combines creepy science-fiction elements, friendship struggles, humor, and an important message about individuality.

When Joni returns to Olive Springs, she immediately realizes that something is wrong. Her best friend, May, is no longer the loud, drum-playing, head-banging girl Joni remembers. Instead, May wears her hair in a tight bun, dresses more conservatively, and suddenly believes that playing the drums is “unladylike.”

May is not the only person behaving strangely.

The town’s ice cream shop now serves only vanilla. Women and girls wear nearly identical dresses and large pearl earrings. Neighbors who once had distinctive personalities have become unnervingly cheerful, obedient, and proper.

At the center of these changes is the Gingham family, the unsettling new residents of Olive Springs. With their old-fashioned clothing, carefully controlled manners, and frozen smiles, the Ginghams seem determined to transform the town into their version of a perfect community. Anyone who attends their Thursday-night book club returns as a polished, smiling “model citizen” devoted to Mr. Gingham’s lifestyle guide, The Pillars of Perfection.

Joni is not fooled. With the help of her friend Tyler, she begins investigating the Ginghams, hoping to discover what is hidden behind their basement door and, more importantly, how to bring May back.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was its concept. The story reminded me of The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin, as well as the 2004 movie adaptation starring Nicole Kidman and Bette Midler. Like that story, The Ginghams explores the disturbing idea of people losing their individual personalities in the pursuit of an artificial standard of perfection.

Kemper makes this concept appropriate and engaging for a younger audience. The result is creepy without becoming too frightening and thought-provoking without feeling like a lecture. Young readers will understand that something is wrong with Olive Springs, but they will also have fun following Joni as she searches for clues and tries to outsmart the Ginghams.

Joni’s narration is another strength. She is relatable, curious, stubborn, and wonderfully spunky. Her determination frequently gets her into trouble, but it also makes her exactly the kind of character needed to uncover what is happening. She refuses to accept the changes around her simply because the adults and other children act as though everything is normal.

I also appreciated that Joni is not portrayed as perfect. She can be impulsive, and she does not always understand what May needs from their friendship. This gives the story emotional depth beyond the mystery itself.

The conflict between Joni and May was especially effective. At first, it is easy to assume that May has simply been taken over by the Ginghams. As the story develops, however, readers begin to understand why she allowed their influence into her life. The Ginghams offer structure, approval, and a clear picture of how someone is supposedly meant to behave. For a child who feels uncertain or misunderstood, that kind of acceptance can be tempting.

This conflict makes Joni’s mission more complicated. Saving May is not only about defeating a sinister family. Joni must also recognize the problems that already existed between them and consider whether she has truly been listening to her friend. Their relationship helps reinforce the idea that friendship requires more than knowing someone’s favorite music or remembering how they used to behave.

The book’s strongest theme is the importance of individuality. Olive Springs becomes unsettling because everything unique about its residents begins to disappear. Personal style, unusual interests, strong opinions, and creative expression are replaced with sameness.

Through this exaggerated transformation, the story shows young readers that there is no single correct way to dress, behave, create, or live. People should not have to erase parts of themselves to earn acceptance. Differences are not flaws that need to be corrected, and “perfect” is often an impossible standard created to control people.

There were, however, a few elements that did not work as well for me.

Tyler, the queer or gender-nonconforming character, initially felt somewhat stereotypical. His personality is communicated through kimonos, brightly feminine clothing, painted nails, and makeup. I understand why the author emphasizes his bold appearance: when the Ginghams change him, the disappearance of his usual style creates a dramatic and immediately recognizable contrast. Still, I would have liked his identity and personality to be developed through more than clothing and appearance.

I also struggled to understand why more people did not become suspicious of the Ginghams. The changes in Olive Springs are extremely obvious. Personalities shift, clothing becomes uniform, and familiar businesses lose their variety. While the story requires most of the town to overlook or accept these changes, I sometimes wished the book had offered a stronger explanation for why so few unaffected people questioned what was happening.

Despite those concerns, The Ginghams is a fast-moving and entertaining mystery with plenty for middle-grade readers to enjoy. The creepy smiles, suspicious book club, hidden basement, and race to save Olive Springs create an adventure that should keep readers turning the pages.

More importantly, the story delivers a valuable message about accepting differences, resisting pressure to conform, and paying attention when a friend may be struggling beneath the surface.

I think kids will connect with Joni’s determination, recognize the complicated emotions within her friendship with May, and enjoy imagining how they might fight back against the Ginghams. Readers who like eerie mysteries, strange neighborhoods, clever young investigators, and stories about standing up for yourself will find a lot to appreciate here.

Final rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨3.8 out of 5 stars.

About the book:

Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel
Publishing date: July 28, 2026

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Synopsis:

An eerie middle grade mystery debut that follows a young girl who returns home to find the people of her little town, including her best friend, chillingly changed after the arrival of the prim and proper Gingham family.

“A rip-roaring adventure, but more importantly, a kids’ power ballad to the importance of being yourself.” —New York Times-bestselling author Gordon Korman

When 12-year-old Joni Bird returns home from summer camp, it’s clear something strange is afoot in Olive Springs. May, her usually head-banging best friend, now wears her hair in a tight bun and calls playing the drums “unladylike.” The ice cream shop only serves vanilla ice cream. The women and girls of the neighborhood all sport big pearl earrings and crisp cotton dresses.

At the heart of it all? The creepy new family in the neighborhood with their soulless, carnival smiles and retro fashion sense: the Ginghams. Everyone they invite to their Thursday night book club re-emerges as dead-eyed, smiling, Gingham-approved “model citizens,” all thanks to Mr. Gingham’s lifestyle guide, The Pillars of Perfection—and something even more sinister hidden behind his basement door.

Through quick thinking and cunning, Joni and her friend Tyler set out to fight not only to get their friend May back, but to save their whole town from forever falling under the Ginghams’

Meet the author:

T.C. Kemper is an American author of sparky kidlit and speculative fiction. When she’s not sipping peppermint tea sweetened with local honey or hiking woodland trails with her family and rescue pup, she’s likely lost in a beautifully crafted story.

Upcoming release: THE GINGHAMS (Henry Holt BFYR/Macmillan Children’s): a fresh middle-grade twist on THE STEPFORD WIVES, with book banners as villains, A.I.-powered mind control, and a friendship breakup. This spooky sci-fi is full of spine-tingling surprises!

Website | Instagram | Goodreads

Superstar Blair Baker is preparing for a triumphant homecoming concert when she is murdered only moments before she is supposed to take the stage. Her younger sister, Stevie, is determined to discover who killed Blair, even if searching for the truth puts her in danger.

This is not the first time Stevie has desperately searched for answers after someone she loves was hurt. She was younger then and unable to uncover the truth, but now she refuses to let another mystery remain unsolved. As Stevie investigates Blair’s death, she is pulled deeper into the darker side of fame and begins discovering secrets much closer to home. Someone wants those secrets to stay hidden—and they may be willing to do anything to stop Stevie from exposing them.

From that premise alone, I knew Drop Dead Famous would be my kind of book. What I did not expect was how completely invested I would become in Stevie, her investigation, and the people she meets along the way.

Stevie is a compelling main character because her determination comes from such a personal and emotional place. She is not investigating a random crime or chasing attention. Blair was her sister, and Stevie needs to understand what happened to her. That grief gives the mystery real weight. Even when Stevie takes risks, her choices make sense because readers understand how much she has already lost and how desperately she needs answers.

The investigation also forces her to look beyond Blair’s polished public image. To millions of fans, Blair was an international superstar. To Stevie, she was a sister with flaws, secrets, and relationships that the public knew nothing about. I loved the way the story explored the difference between a celebrity’s carefully managed image and the complicated human being behind it.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the friendship Stevie forms with Colby, a die-hard fan of Blair. Colby easily became my favorite character. She brings so much personality and humor to the story, especially through her quirky comments and memorable behavior. Her ability to run in cowboy boots deserves recognition all by itself! Those small details made her feel fun, distinctive, and completely real.

Stevie and Colby also make an excellent investigative pair. Colby’s enthusiasm and knowledge of Blair’s career give her a different perspective, while Stevie understands the personal side of Blair’s life. Their friendship adds warmth and energy to a story built around grief and danger. I loved watching their partnership develop as they followed clues, questioned what they thought they knew, and moved closer to the truth.

The mystery itself is incredibly well constructed. Every time I thought I might have figured something out, another discovery made me reconsider my theory. The story kept moving without feeling rushed, and the clues were scattered throughout the book in a way that made me want to pay attention to every conversation and suspicious detail.

Pearson also balances the suspense with humor and emotion. The funny exchanges never take away from the seriousness of Blair’s murder. Instead, they give the characters—and the reader—a moment to breathe before the tension builds again. That balance helped make the story feel like more than a standard whodunit. It is a mystery, but it is also a story about grief, trust, family, friendship, and the cost of living in the public eye.

And then there is the ending.

Without revealing anything that could spoil the experience, I will say that I loved the twist involving the identity of Blair’s killer. The revelation about Blair’s secret—and the way that secret connects to the reason she was killed—was shocking and satisfying. It made me mentally revisit earlier moments and clues, which is exactly what I want from a great mystery.

The ending did not feel as though it came out of nowhere simply to surprise readers. Once the truth was revealed, the pieces began falling into place. I wish I could say more, but this is definitely a book best enjoyed without knowing too much beforehand.

Jennifer Pearson is a former teacher who lives in northeast England with her husband and two sons. She has written several middle-grade novels under the name Jenny Pearson and has received recognition from the Costa Children’s Book Award, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, and the Laugh Out Loud Book Awards. Drop Dead Famous is her young adult debut, and the press release also notes that a sequel featuring a new murder investigation is planned for summer 2027.

Overall, I loved everything about this book. The characters were entertaining, the emotional stakes felt genuine, the mystery kept me guessing, and the final twists delivered exactly the kind of surprise I was hoping for. Stevie and Colby are a fantastic duo, and I would happily follow them into another investigation.

Drop Dead Famous hooked me from the first page and kept me reading all the way to the end. Fans of fast-paced YA mysteries, celebrity-centered thrillers, strong friendships, family secrets, and shocking revelations should add this one to their reading lists.

Five stars all the way! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the book:

An investigation turns into an obsession when the younger sister of a slain pop star is determined to uncover her sister’s killer, no matter the cost, in this “tense and intricately plotted thriller” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

When superstar Blair Baker is murdered moments before her triumphant homecoming concert, her younger sister, Stevie, knows she has one chance to find out who’s responsible.

The thing is, Stevie’s been here before, desperately searching for clues that might reveal who hurt someone she loves…but Stevie was younger then, just a kid. This time, she won’t let the truth slip through her fingers.

What begins as a search for answers about Blair’s death turns into a dangerous journey through the darker side of global fame. Soon, Stevie begins to uncover dark secrets closer to home—secrets that someone wants desperately to keep hidden. Is Stevie ready to confront what the truth reveals?

Buy the Book!

Meet the author:

Jennifer Pearson is a former teacher and author who lives in the northeast of England with two energetic boys and her somewhat energetic husband. She’s the author of several middle-grade novels, writing as Jenny Pearson, and has been short-listed for the Costa Children’s Book Award and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, and was the winner of the Lollies (Laugh Out Loud Book Awards). When she’s not writing, Jenny can either be found doing something sporty or binge-watching true crime documentaries while eating astounding quantities of cheese.

There are certain phrases in YA thrillers that should make every reader nervous.

“I know a shortcut.”

“Don’t tell anyone.”

“I’ll explain later.”

And my personal favorite:

“You can trust me.”

Absolutely not.

No offense to fictional teenagers, but if someone says, “You can trust me” while standing in a dark hallway, holding a secret phone, and looking over their shoulder?

I’m already suspicious.

So today’s question is:

Would you trust the popular girl?

Here’s the setup:

There’s a girl at school everyone knows.

She’s pretty.
Smart.
Funny when she wants to be.
Terrifying when she doesn’t.

She knows who broke up.
Who cheated.
Who lied.
Who cried in the bathroom during lunch.
Who got called into the principal’s office.

She knows everything.

Then one day, she pulls you aside and says she needs your help.

She says someone is spreading lies.

She says someone is trying to ruin her.

She says you’re the only person she can trust.

Then she hands you a flash drive.

Because apparently we are making terrible choices today.

So… what do you do?

A) Take the flash drive because this is clearly your main character moment.
B) Ask why she picked you, because that feels important.
C) Refuse to get involved unless she tells you the truth first.
D) Take it, snoop, and immediately regret learning every secret in the school.

Kim’s Very Scientific Thriller Verdict

If you picked A, you are generous, helpful, and about to be framed.

If you picked B, beautiful. Suspicion looks good on you.

If you picked C, you may actually survive this book.

If you picked D, I respect the honesty. Not the choice. But the honesty.

I also did a poll, so be sure to check out what your fellow Thriller readers picked!

Why I Love This Kind of Setup

School thrillers work because the stakes feel personal.

You don’t need a mansion, a locked room, or a secret island.

Sometimes all you need is one cafeteria, one rumor, and one person who knows how to use silence like a weapon.

In books, the popular girl is not always the villain.

Sometimes she’s a victim.
Sometimes she’s protecting someone.
Sometimes she’s both.
Sometimes she’s three plot twists in a trench coat.

That’s what makes her interesting.

And dangerous.

The Real-Life Part

YA thrillers (and middle-grade thrillers) let us talk about social power in a way that feels dramatic, but also familiar.

Who gets believed?

Who gets protected?

Who gets blamed?

Who gets to tell the story?

For teens, reputation can feel huge. One rumor, one screenshot, one private moment shared without permission can change everything.

That’s why I love books that ask messy questions about friendship and trust.

Not every “nice” person is safe.

Not every “mean” person is the villain.

And sometimes the person with the most power is also the loneliest one in the room.

So now I need your answer.

Reply with A, B, C, or D and tell me whether you’d trust her.

Bonus points if you tell me the exact moment you’d start suspecting her.

What I’m Reading

This week, I’m reading the middle-grade novel The Ginghams by T.C. Kemper, (out on July 28, 2026), and it has me thinking about popularity, individualism, and how fitting in with the crowd isn’t always the best thing to do.

This book is apart of a book tour sponsored by Toppling Stacks Tours, and my stop and review will be on July 21. Be sure to check back in to read my thoughts on this quirky, creepy middle-grade novel and possibly win a copy of the book.

Warmly,
Kim

P.S. Next time, we’re asking the most stressful question in YA thrillers: would you tell an adult?

This week, the internet is once again making me side-eye my phone.

Which, as a YA thriller author, feels less like paranoia and more like professional development.

Between AI, social media algorithms, and apps that seem to know way too much about us, I keep thinking:

At what point does technology stop being helpful and start auditioning for villain of the year?

So grab your coffee, tea, or emotional support bookmark.

It’s time for another Brave Bookshelf Dispatch.

📁 THE BRAVE BOOKSHELF CASE FILE

Case: When “fake” online harm becomes very real.

This week’s internet story is a heavy one.

Canadian teens are reportedly facing criminal charges after using AI to create and share non-consensual sexualized images of their classmates.

“A pair of 14-year-old boys in Edmonton (Canada) have been charged for allegedly using artificial intelligence to create child exploitation images of their classmates.

Investigators allege the teens took photos of girls at their school without consent, in addition to obtaining photos of female classmates from their social media accounts, and then used AI software to sexualize the images.

The accused students have since been charged with making and possessing child sexual exploitation materials as well as voyeurism.”

—Wallis Snowdon, CBC News Jun 17, 2026 11:18 AM EDT | Last Updated: June 17

And yes, I know.

Every generation has had something adults worried about.

DnD. (Dungeons and Dragons)
Rock music.

But this feels different.

Because AI can create something that looks real.

And apps can push harmful content toward kids before they even know what they’re looking at.

That’s not just “kids being online.”

That’s a whole new kind of danger.

💻 KIM VS. THE INTERNET

This week’s question:

How do we teach teens that digital harm still counts as harm?

Because I think this is where adults sometimes get stuck.

We want to say, “It’s not real. It’s just AI.”

But if someone’s face is used without permission, if classmates see it, share it, laugh about it, whisper about it, or use it to humiliate someone…

That damage is real.

The fear is real.
The shame is real.
The consequences are real.

And for the kids making or sharing those images, the consequences can be very real too.

This is why conversations about digital safety can’t just be:

“Don’t talk to strangers online.”

That ship has sailed, hit an iceberg, and probably has a TikTok account now.

We need to talk about consent.

Not just in person.

Online too.

Who gets to use your image?
What should you do if someone sends you something harmful?
When do you get an adult involved?
Why is sharing it also part of the harm?

And because I write thrillers, my brain also goes here:

What happens when the app knows more than the parents?
What happens when the algorithm keeps feeding the worst stuff to kids?
What happens when “fake” becomes impossible to ignore?

This is the kind of fear that sneaks into stories like The Kill App.

Technology can give teens a place to be heard.

But it can also become a weapon when the wrong people use it badly.

And that’s the part that keeps my thriller brain busy.

📚 BOOKS THAT START THE CONVERSATION

This is also why I love books that give teens a safer place to talk about scary things.

A good YA story can open the door to questions like:

What does consent mean online?
What do you do when a friend crosses a line?
How do you speak up when everyone else is laughing?
Can something be “just a joke” if someone gets hurt?

Those are not easy questions.

But books can make them easier to ask.

And sometimes that’s where the bravest conversations begin.

🐺 WHAT I’M READING RIGHT NOW

Right now, I’m reading The Lure of Wolves and Whispers by Amanda Connolly, and so far, I’m loving this one.

It’s an Irish lore-inspired YA romantasy about one sister who offers her life in exchange for her sister’s life. You know a little like The Hunger Games.

So yes, we have:

🌫️ Whisperers (Magicians or Witches)
⚔️ Power struggles
💔 Sisterly sacrifice
🔥 Romantic tension
👑 Dangerous choices

Basically, everything my TBR pile uses to lure me into ignoring pulling the weeds out of my garden.

Amanda Connolly is an award-winning journalist, and I can already see how her background adds something extra to the politics, alliances, and power struggles in this story.

The book draws loose inspiration from ancient Irish lore, the extinction of wild wolves in Ireland, the Irish Viking Age, Christianization, and the legend of St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland.

Which means I went in expecting fantasy.

And now I’m also getting history, rebellion, danger, and the kind of atmosphere that makes me want to read just one more chapter.

Famous last words.

The book was released on July 7, 2026, and I’ve also published my review. Click below to find the book and read my review.

📖My Review:

🎤 NEW ON THE BRAVE BOOKSHELF

In case you missed it, here’s what’s been happening on The Brave Bookshelf:

📚 Latest Review:

✍️ Coming Soon: More book reviews, brave conversations, and probably more evidence that my TBR pile has become sentient.

You can catch up here:

👉 https://www.kimbartosch.com

📅 AUTHOR EVENTS & BOOKISH NEWS

Here’s what’s coming up:

📍The Blue Water Street Fair, Date: Friday, July 17, Time: 12:00–9:00 p.m. ET, Location: Downtown Port Huron, Michigan, More information: The Blue Water Fest

I’ll be at the Blue Water Street Fair during The Blue Water Fest in Downtown Port Huron with other SCBWI members and signing and selling copies of Ask the Girl. So stop by if you’re attending the festival. I’d love to chat about books, writing, YA mysteries, ghost stories, or your favorite “I swear this place is haunted” story.

And behind the scenes:

I’m still working on revising The Kill App (My editor asked for more rewrites aah! 😱) and began finishing up my young adult fantasy/thriller. I’m also reading, reviewing, podcasting, and pretending my inbox is not a haunted house.

It is.

It absolutely is.

💬 YOUR TURN

Reply and tell me:

What online issue do you think teens need more help talking about?

AI images?
Social media pressure?
Cyberbullying?
Privacy?
Group chats gone wrong?

You can reply with just one word. (i.e., AI, Social Media, Privacy, chats)

I’m nosy, but in a bookish way.

Until next time,

Kim

Author | Book Reviewer | Host of The Brave Bookshelf

P.S. What app, trend, or online habit would make the best YA thriller villain? I’m collecting ideas for completely normal author reasons.

That question lies at the heart of Amanda Connolly’s The Lure of Wolves and Whispers, a dark, Irish lore–inspired romantasy filled with forbidden magic, political intrigue, deadly competition, and dangerously attractive men who may or may not be trustworthy. As the first book in The Martyred Isle series, it introduces a mysterious fantasy world that left me with plenty of questions—and a strong desire to continue reading.

On the mist-covered Isle of Eireann, magic has almost completely disappeared. What remains can be purchased, but every magical bargain comes at a terrible price. When Maeve’s beloved older sister is gravely injured, Maeve refuses to stand by and watch her die. Desperate to save her, Maeve seeks forbidden magic and trades her own life to Wolf, a ruthless rebel leader known as the Whisperer.

Bound to obey him, Maeve is sent into a dangerous royal competition to become the next queen. To survive, she must compete for a place beside Prince Cashel, the son of the tyrannical king responsible for much of the suffering throughout the isle. Maeve quickly discovers that the royal court is filled with secrets, shifting loyalties, and people who are far more complicated than they first appear.

Maeve was easily my favorite part of the book. She is brave, stubborn, resourceful, and wonderfully full of spunk. Her dedication to her sister drives many of her decisions, including some that are incredibly dangerous. Even when she is frightened or uncertain, she continues fighting for the people she loves.

I especially enjoyed the mystery surrounding Maeve, her mother, and her family’s past. There are hints that Maeve may be connected to the lost magic of Eireann in ways she does not yet understand. Every new clue raises even more questions. What happened to the magic? What secrets did Maeve’s mother keep from her? Is Maeve capable of challenging the king and helping magic return to the isle?

The magical system also fascinated me because magic does not feel ordinary or easily accessible. It feels ancient, mysterious, and slightly frightening. The people of Eireann know that magic once existed, but most of it was lost after war, conquest, and the rise of a brutal king. In a way, magic feels almost as distant to them as it does to us. They have stories and traces of it, but they do not fully understand what was lost or how it might be restored.

Then, of course, there is the romance.

The developing love triangle between Maeve, Wolf, and Prince Cashel added plenty of tension. Both men are intimidating, powerful, secretive, and more than a little dangerous. They are also frighteningly attractive, which makes Maeve’s situation even more complicated.

Wolf is ruthless and commanding, and his motives are difficult to read. He controls Maeve through their magical bargain, yet there are moments suggesting that there may be more beneath his cold exterior. Prince Cashel has an equally troubling reputation, especially because he is the son of the king Maeve has every reason to hate. However, he may not be exactly the man the rumors have made him out to be.

I spent much of the book questioning which man Maeve could trust—if she should trust either of them at all.

The secondary characters were another highlight. Talon, Aoife, Maeve’s sister, and her sister’s girlfriend all bring something interesting to the story. None of them feels completely transparent. Everyone seems to be keeping a secret, hiding an allegiance, or waiting for the right moment to reveal what they know. I am hoping future books explore these characters further and finally uncover some of their secrets.

Connolly also does an excellent job creating tension between the nobles, the royal family, and the common people. The class system in Eireann is deeply unfair and often infuriating. People are judged, mistreated, and denied opportunities simply because of their birth. The nobles and members of the royal court possess wealth and power while commoners are expected to suffer quietly.

This caste-like system gives the story more emotional weight because Maeve is not only fighting for herself or her sister. She is entering a world built to keep people like her powerless. Watching her challenge that system made me even more invested in her journey.

My biggest complaint is that the book does not include a map. I firmly believe a map should be a requirement for fantasy novels—especially stories involving multiple territories, political factions, royal strongholds, and a complicated history.

Connolly provides vivid descriptions of Eireann, its buildings, and its political structure, but I occasionally struggled to picture how everything connected. A map would have made the world easier to navigate. I also would have loved a few illustrations showing the interiors of important buildings, the different regions, or the clothing worn by the characters.

That said, the absence of a map did not prevent me from becoming absorbed in the story. The world is atmospheric, the political conflicts are compelling, and the unanswered questions kept me turning the pages.

The Lure of Wolves and Whispers is an exciting beginning to what promises to be a dramatic romantasy series. It offers a determined heroine, forbidden magic, cruel rulers, hidden identities, dangerous bargains, and a love triangle filled with uncertainty. Readers who enjoy royal competitions, morally complicated love interests, political intrigue, and fantasy worlds shaped by lost magic should find plenty to love here.

By the end, I was left wondering who Maeve can truly trust, what happened to Eireann’s magic, and whether she might be the person destined to bring down the treacherous king.

I am ready for the next book—and I am still trying to decide whether I am rooting for Wolf or Prince Cashel.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨4.5 stars

About the book:

Publisher: Sarah Barley Books

Release Date: July 7, 2026

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

One sister offers her life in exchange for the other’s in this dark, Irish lore–inspired romantasy and “sizzling, high-stakes debut launching a series that readers will greedily devour” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).

On the mist-shrouded Isle of Eireann, buying magic comes with a price.

But when her beloved older sister is gravely injured, Maeve risks everything to buy the forbidden magic that might save her. In exchange, Maeve trades her life to a ruthless and dangerously alluring rebel leader. Bound to do his bidding, Maeve finds herself thrown into a deadly competition to become the next queen and stand beside a prince rumored to be more brutal than his tyrannical father.

With the isle on the brink of war, trust and survival come at a terrible cost—one that will tear Maeve’s world, and her heart, in two.

What would you sacrifice to survive?

Buy the Book!

Meet the Author:

Amanda Connolly is a Canadian political journalist and editor. A winner of the EU-Canada Young Journalist Fellowship, she is a dual citizen of Canada and Ireland. The Lure of Wolves and Whispers is Amanda’s debut novel.

I know the correct answer is simple.

Do not follow the ghost upstairs.

We all know this.

The movies know this.
The books know this.
The creepy music knows this.

And yet…

If I heard a whisper from a dark hallway, I would probably grab a flashlight, ignore every survival instinct God gave me, and call it “research.”

This is why I write spooky books, and I should not be left alone in old houses.

So today’s question is:

Would you follow the ghost upstairs?

Here’s the setup:

You’re home alone.

Mostly.

The house has been making weird noises all week.

At first, you blamed the pipes.

Then the furnace.

Then the cat.

Except you don’t have a cat.

Now the hallway light flickers every night at 10:31.

Your sister has been acting strange.

She stares at corners.
She answers questions no one asked.
She hums a song your grandmother swears she heard as a child.

Then one night, you see her standing at the bottom of the stairs.

She points up.

And from the dark hallway above you, a voice whispers your name.

So… what do you do?

A) Follow the ghost because obviously it wants to tell you something.
B) Research the house, the family, and every old newspaper article you can find.
C) Wake someone up and tell them exactly what happened.
D) Move out immediately and let the ghost enjoy the mortgage.

Kim’s Very Scientific Thriller Verdict

If you picked A, you are brave, nosy, and probably haunted by chapter five.

If you picked B, excellent work. You understand that libraries, archives, and newspaper clippings are where the good secrets live.

If you picked C, emotionally healthy choice. Rare in YA thrillers, but we love to see it.

If you picked D, honestly? Fair.

Sometimes the smartest person in the horror story is the one who says, “Nope,” grabs snacks, and leaves.

I also did a poll so you could see what your fellow thriller readers picked.

Love This Kind of Setup

This is one of the reasons I wrote Ask the Girl.

Lila knows something is wrong.

She knows her sister Rose isn’t just acting strange.

She knows there is something old and ghostly and dangerous hiding under the surface.

But knowing the truth and getting people to believe you are two very different problems.

And honestly?

That might be scarier than the ghost.

Because ghosts are terrifying, yes.

But not being believed when you’re trying to save someone you love?

That sticks with me.

The Real-Life Part

A lot of spooky stories are really about being heard.

Kids and teens notice things.

They notice when someone changes.
They notice when a friend pulls away.
They notice when something feels off.

But sometimes adults miss it.

Or explain it away.

Or say, “I’m sure it’s nothing.”

Books give us a way to ask:

What if it isn’t nothing?

What if the person everyone doubts is the only one paying attention?

What if the ghost isn’t the scariest part of the story?

So now I need to know.

Reply with A, B, C, or D and tell me whether you’d follow the ghost upstairs.

I promise not to judge.

Unless you picked A.

Then I will judge lovingly, from a safe distance, with snacks.

What I’m Reading

This week, I’m reading Metamorphosis: A Grove Hollow Novel by Shelby Nicole, and it has the kind of atmosphere that makes every creak in the house feel suspicious. It has creepy mansions, 80’s vibes, and falling in love with a Victorian ghost and having to make tough choices.

You know the kind.

The book where you look up from the page and suddenly your laundry pile looks like a Victorian ghost with unresolved family trauma.

Read my full review here as part of the Toppling Stacks Tours book tour, along with other amazing book bloggers and bookstagrammers.

So if your TBR pile is already glaring at you from across the room… I apologize in advance. Sort of. 😉

Warmly,
Kim

P.S. Next time, we’re talking about whether you’d trust the popular girl who says, “I swear, you can trust me.” Which, in thriller language, is basically a warning label.

The novel follows eighteen-year-old Jade Whitney, who is sent to live with her Great Aunt Ruth at Blythe House, her family’s grand and mysterious mansion in Grove Hollow, New York. From the moment Jade arrives, it is clear that this town, her family, and her new home are hiding more than a few secrets. Blythe House may be beautiful and impressive, but it also has that perfect gothic feeling where every room seems like it could be holding a secret.

Jade is immediately thrown into a world that feels unfamiliar, intimidating, and not always welcoming. At her new private school, she struggles to find her place. Most of the students keep their distance, but she eventually connects with a group known as the Misfits. They are edgy, genuine, and exactly the kind of friends Jade needs while adjusting to a new life. They spend their time exploring abandoned haunted mansions and listening to The Cure, which gives the story such a strong 80s atmosphere.

One of the things I enjoyed most about Metamorphosis was how easy it was to relate to Jade. She is the new girl trying to fit in, figure out who she can trust, and understand where she belongs. That feeling of being caught between different people and different versions of yourself was very believable. Jade is drawn to the Misfits because they feel real and accepting, but she is also pulled toward Brad, the handsome and popular rugby captain who seems to notice her when others do not.

Brad brings in plenty of classic teen drama, especially since he breaks up with the head cheerleader to date Jade. It has that perfectly angsty YA energy where crushes, jealousy, social circles, and complicated feelings all collide. I liked that the romance was not simple, because Jade is also connected to William, the Victorian ghost tied to a cursed locket she finds in an abandoned estate.

William, or Will, adds one of the most compelling layers to the story. His mystery, his connection to the locket, and his growing bond with Jade kept me turning the pages. There is something so dramatic and fun about a ghost boyfriend situation, especially when it is wrapped in old family secrets, curses, and a setting that already feels haunted. Jade’s attraction to Will creates a complicated emotional pull, and I enjoyed watching her try to understand what he needs from her while also questioning what she wants for herself.

The side characters also stood out to me. Great Aunt Ruth is memorable, and Nigel, her very stereotypical butler, adds to the old-mansion atmosphere in a fun way. These characters help make Blythe House feel like more than just a setting. It becomes a place with personality, history, and secrets tucked into every corner. The family drama is one of the strongest parts of the book, and I loved how the story slowly reveals that Jade’s family history is darker and more complicated than she ever imagined.

Another highlight for me was the 1980s setting. The references to music, technology, and teen culture helped ground the story in its time period without feeling overwhelming. The Cure references, the lack of modern technology, and the overall mood gave the book a nostalgic feel that worked really well with the paranormal and gothic elements. The 80s backdrop made the mystery feel more isolated and atmospheric, which added to the tension.

The book also does a great job balancing different elements: teen angst, paranormal romance, mystery, family secrets, and gothic drama. There is always something pulling the story forward, whether it is Jade trying to fit in at school, uncovering the truth about her family, dealing with her feelings for Brad, or trying to help Will. The combination made the book engaging and easy to keep reading.

My only complaint is that I did get frustrated at times with how long it took to get answers. The mystery is interesting, but there were moments when I really wanted the story to reveal more a little sooner. That said, the slower reveal was not enough to stop me from enjoying the book or wanting to finish it. The characters, atmosphere, and family secrets kept me invested even when I was impatient for the bigger answers.

Overall, Metamorphosis is a lovely and compelling start to the Grove Hollow series. It has likeable characters, a strong gothic setting, great 80s details, family history, drama, secrets, and a complicated ghostly romance that makes the story stand out. Jade is an easy main character to root for, and her journey into the strange world of Grove Hollow is full of mystery and emotion.

Fans of YA paranormal romance, haunted mansions, cursed objects, dark family secrets, and messy teen feelings will find a lot to enjoy here. With its mix of gothic atmosphere, 80s nostalgia, and romantic tension, Metamorphosis is a page-turning read that left me excited to see where the Grove Hollow series goes next.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½✨ | 4.8 out of 5 stars

About the book:

Genre: YA Paranormal
Publishing date: July 6, 2026

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Synopsis:

Stranger Things meets Twilight in this stunning gothic paranormal romance! A teen girl is swept into an opulent world of love, lies, and ghosts after she moves in with the wealthy, mysterious family she never knew she had. Book One in the Grove Hollow series, this is an 80s dark academia-tinged tale full of fated love, a cursed amulet, and twisted family secrets.

The year is 1985, and eighteen-year-old Jade Whitney is about to discover her family holds a dark secret that will change her life forever. Sent to live with her Great Aunt Ruth, Jade moves into Blythe House, her family’s sprawling, gilded mansion—but picturesque Grove Hollow, New York, is anything but welcoming.

At Jade’s new private school she’s shunned by everyone except for the Misfits, the school’s edgy outcasts, who spend their weekends exploring abandoned haunted mansions and listening to the Cure. But Jade’s eye keeps wandering back to Brad, the charming, handsome rugby captain, who might just be the only other kid at school to welcome her.

Everything changes when Jade finds a cursed locket in a derelict estate. The locket is connected to a Victorian ghost named William, who desperately needs Jade’s help, and who Jade feels an undeniable attraction to. And the closer they grow, the more urgent it becomes for Jade to decide where her heart truly lies—and if she’s really willing to let Will go.

Meet the author:

Shelby Nicole is a multi-talented author, business owner, artist, and graphic designer known for her enthralling gothic paranormal series, Grove Hollow. With intricate narratives, mysterious plotlines, and fantastical elements, Shelby breathes new life into the paranormal romance genre, taking readers to otherworldly realms.

Through her magnetic storytelling, Shelby sets herself apart as an author, leaving readers eagerly awaiting the next thrilling chapter in The Grove Hollow series.

Website | Tik Tok | Instagram | Goodreads

Every other week, I’m going to try something a little different here on The Brave Bookshelf.

A little bookish.

A little behind-the-scenes.

A little “Kim vs. the Internet,” because apparently the internet wakes up every morning and says, How can I make this author suspicious today?

So welcome to the first Brave Bookshelf Dispatch.

Grab your coffee, tea, emotional support bookmark, or whatever is currently keeping you from yelling at your inbox.

📁 THE BRAVE BOOKSHELF CASE FILE

Case: Why scary stories sometimes make the safest conversations.

I’ve always loved books that let us look at hard things from a little distance.

Ghosts. Secrets. Murder mysteries. Creepy houses. Creepy apps. Creepy people who say, “I’m fine,” when they are absolutely not fine.

That’s one reason I started The Brave Bookshelf.

Children’s and YA books can give readers a way to talk about real life without feeling like they’re standing under a spotlight. Sometimes it’s easier to talk about grief through a ghost story. Or bullying through a thriller. Or feeling different through a character who finally finds someone who gets them.

That’s the kind of book I’m always looking for.

The kind that entertains us first — then sneaks up later and taps us on the shoulder.

💻 KIM VS. THE INTERNET

This week’s internet thing I’m side-eyeing:

Snapchat.

A recent investigation by the Heat Initiative found that Snapchat’s algorithm may be recommending graphic, sexualized, and violent content to minors — including accounts marked as 13-year-olds.

And I know every generation has its “kids these days” panic.

Comic books.
Rock music.
Horror movies.
Chat rooms.
TikTok dances that make my knees hurt just watching them.

But this feels different.

Because this isn’t just teens stumbling across something weird online. According to the report, the app may be pushing disturbing content toward them.

So the mom in me immediately went to my son and we scrolled through his followers and who he’s following, plus we watched his feed on Snapchat and there wasn’t anything inappropriate, only kids being silly. So, whew for now. I’ll keep monitoring this.

But my thriller-author brain thought:

Who decided this was okay?
Who benefits when kids keep scrolling?
And why does every “safe” platform eventually start sounding like the opening scene of a YA tech thriller?

This is exactly the kind of real-life fear that inspired parts of The Kill App.

Technology can be helpful. It can connect people. It can give teens a place to feel seen when they don’t feel safe saying things out loud.

But it can also turn dark fast.

Especially when the people using it are kids, and the people building it are chasing clicks, views, and attention.

That’s why I think books matter so much.

A good YA thriller lets teens ask scary questions in a safer place:

What happens when an app knows too much?
Who protects kids when adults don’t fully understand the technology?
When does “just scrolling” become something dangerous?

And maybe most important:

How do we teach kids to trust that uneasy little voice inside them that says, Something about this doesn’t feel right?

Because that voice matters.

Online.

In books.

And in real life.

Your turn: What app, trend, or online habit do you think would make the best YA thriller villain?

Reply and tell me. I’m nosy, but in a bookish way.

📚 BOOKS THAT START THE CONVERSATION

This week on The Brave Bookshelf, I’m talking about:

For the Greatest Good by Blair Hanson

This one caught my attention because it deals with clean water access, environmental injustice, poverty, queer identity, family estrangement, and morally messy choices in a way that gives readers a lot to sit with after they finish.

What I liked most:

📖 The hook: Gavin wants to save his town from a public health crisis, but the only way to get help may mean making choices that are anything but clean.

💛 The brave conversation: This book brings up big questions about who gets safe drinking water, why poor communities are often expected to endure what others would call an emergency, and what happens when doing the “right” thing starts hurting people along the way.

👀 Who might connect with it: Teens, parents, teachers, librarians, book clubs, and readers who like YA contemporary stories with social issues, small-town settings, LGBTQ+ representation, and characters who do not always make easy choices.

🗣️ Question to ask after reading: Is it still the right thing if you have to lie, manipulate, or hurt someone to make it happen?

You can read the full review here:

👉 https://www.kimbartosch.com/p/when-doing-the-right-thing-gets-messy?r=5a6umq

🎤 NEW ON THE BRAVE BOOKSHELF

In case you missed it, here’s what’s new:

🎧 Podcast: Hot New LGBTQ+ YA Releases 2026
📚 Book Review: Reality TV Turns Deadly in This Campy Dystopian Thriller: Book Review: “Survival Show” by Juno Dawson
✍️ Author Spotlight: Interview with Shelley Grandy highlighting her tips and tricks on writing, researching, and publishing her book Devious Web

I’m keeping everything in one place now, which means fewer internet breadcrumbs for you to follow and fewer tabs for me to lose.

Everyone wins.

Mostly.

📅 AUTHOR EVENTS & BOOKISH NEWS

Here’s where you can find me next:

📍Meadow Brook Writing Project at Oakland University

Date: July 8 and 15

I’ll be presenting “Haunted Pages: Writing Ghost Stories That Give Readers Goosebumps” to grades 6–8. If you want to have your preteen or teen writer join this writing camp, you can learn more here.

📍The Blue Water Festival

Date: Friday, July 17

Time: 12:00–9:00 p.m. ET

Location: Downtown Port Huron, Michigan

Event type: Festival / author signing

More information: The Blue Water Fest

I’ll be at the Blue Water Street Fair during The Blue Water Fest in Downtown Port Huron with other SCBWI members and signing and selling copies of Ask the Girl. So stop by if you’re attending the festival. I’d love to chat about books, writing, YA mysteries, ghost stories, or your favorite “I swear this place is haunted” story.

And behind the scenes, I’m currently working on:

🔪 The Kill App revisions
👻 More spooky bookish content
📚 A growing TBR pile that may require its own zip code

💬 YOUR TURN

Reply and tell me:

What kind of story helps you talk about hard things?

A ghost story?
A mystery?
A funny book?
A thriller where everyone is suspicious and no one should be trusted?

You can reply with just one word if you want:

Ghosts, Mystery, Funny, or Thriller.

I’m nosy, but in a bookish way.

Until next time,

Kim

Author | Book Reviewer | Host of The Brave Bookshelf

P.S. What app, trend, or internet thing do you think would make the best YA thriller villain? I have a notebook, and I’m not afraid to use it.

I like to think I’d survive a YA thriller.

I read them.
I write them.
I know the rules.

Do not follow strange noises.

Do not split up.

Do not say, “I’ll be right back,” unless you want dramatic background music to start playing.

And yet…

If a mysterious app showed up on my phone promising a private place to vent, rant, and anonymously unload every ugly feeling I’ve been carrying?

I’d like to say I would delete it.

But there’s also a very real chance I’d click on it while standing in my kitchen, drinking cold coffee, telling myself, “I’m just looking.”

Which, as we all know, is how the trouble starts.

So today’s question is:

Would you survive the app?

Here’s the setup:

You’re at school when your best friend shows you a new app everyone is suddenly whispering about.

No ads.
No creator listed.
No adult supervision.
No real names.

Just anonymous posts from kids who are angry, scared, embarrassed, heartbroken, or tired of pretending everything is fine.

At first, it feels harmless.

A digital scream pillow.

People complain about exes, fake friends, strict parents, cruel classmates, bad teachers, and all the things they wish they could say out loud but never would.

Then the posts start getting specific.

Too specific.

Someone writes about a bully.

The next day, that bully gets hurt.

Someone vents about a teacher.

That teacher disappears.

Then your phone buzzes with a notification:

Your turn.

So… what do you do?

A) Join immediately because curiosity is a lifestyle.

B) Ask who created the app before touching anything.

C) Screenshot everything and tell a trusted adult.

D) Pretend you are above the drama, then secretly check it from your friend’s phone.

Kim’s Very Scientific Thriller Verdict

If you picked A, I’m sorry, but you are absolutely chapter three material.

You are fun.
You are brave.
You are also the reason the rest of us are yelling, “DON’T CLICK THAT!” at the page.

If you picked B, you have promise.

You’re suspicious, which is good. Suspicion keeps people alive in YA thrillers. So does asking follow-up questions, backing away slowly, and not trusting apps with moody black icons.

If you picked C, congratulations.

You may survive long enough to find the second clue, expose the secret, and still have time to finish your homework.

If you picked D, you are chaotic, but useful.

You may not be the main character, but you are absolutely the friend who finds the screenshot that changes everything.

Why I love this kind of setup

This is the kind of question that kept poking at me while I was writing The Kill App.

What happens when a place that’s supposed to feel safe becomes dangerous?

What happens when teens use an app to say the things they’re too scared to say in real life?

And what happens when someone decides those private thoughts should have consequences?

Rae, the main character in The Kill App, joins an anonymous support app because she needs somewhere to put all the fear, anger, and survival mode she’s been carrying.

But when names from the app start turning up dead, she realizes the app isn’t just listening.

It’s choosing.

And once her own name rises to the top, Rae has to figure out who she can trust before the story writes an ending she can’t delete.

No pressure, right?

Just a normal teen problem.

Like homework, friendship drama, and a murder app with boundary issues.

I don’t write about apps because I think technology is evil. I write about apps because they’re where so much teen life happens now.

Nearly half of U.S. teens say they’re online almost constantly, according to Pew Research Center. That means friendship, fear, secrets, jokes, pressure, and drama often live in the same place: the phone.

The real-life part

One reason I love YA thrillers is because they let us talk about hard things without staring directly into the sun.

Fear.
Bullying.
Secrets.
Revenge.
Grief.
The pressure to stay quiet.
The danger of being ignored.

Sometimes scary stories give us a safer way to ask brave questions.

Who would I trust?

Would I speak up?

Would I notice the warning signs?

Would I be the person who clicks the app… or the person who says, “Wait. Something is wrong here.”

I’d love to know your answer.

Reply with A, B, C, or D and tell me whether you think you’d survive the app. I also included a poll so you can see how others voted.

No essay required.

Unless you want to confess that you, too, would click the suspicious link “just to see.”

I won’t judge.

Much.

Warmly,
Kim Bartosch

P.S. Next time, we may find out whether you’d survive being followed by a ghost who knows your family secrets. So, you know, something relaxing.

What I appreciated most about For the Greatest Good was the issue at the heart of the story. The book makes it clear that “moral victories” are not enough when people are living through a public health crisis. Pondville needs money, infrastructure, and real help. The story does a good job showing how environmental injustice affects poor communities and how those communities are often expected to simply endure problems that would be treated as emergencies elsewhere. The message is one of the strongest parts of the book: people should not have to leave the towns they love just to have clean, safe water.

I also really liked the way Pondville itself was portrayed. Small towns in YA books with queer characters are often shown only as hostile, judgmental, or religiously extreme places where LGBTQ+ people cannot safely belong. While that absolutely can be true in some communities, it is not the only reality. In this book, Pondville has a tight-knit feeling. People know each other, look out for each other, and have reasons for staying beyond simple stubbornness. There is a sense of community care that almost feels like found family, and I appreciated seeing that in a queer YA story.

One of the most effective parts of the book, for me, came in Chapter 3, when Gavin and MacKenzie interview a town resident about why she stays in Pondville. That scene added so much emotional context. It showed that leaving is not always easy, possible, or even fair. Poverty can keep people rooted in place, but love can too. Why should people have to abandon their homes, memories, neighbors, and history because the government and corporations have failed them? That scene helped make the stakes feel real and human. Honestly, I wish the book had opened closer to that moment.

Unfortunately, the first two chapters did not work well for me. I struggled to get into the story at the beginning, and I almost put the book down after Chapter 2. I kept reading because I had signed up for the tour with Toppling Stacks Tours, and I am glad I pushed through because the book does improve once the larger community issues come into focus. Still, the opening felt weaker than the premise deserved. Starting with the interview in Chapter 3 would have pulled me into Pondville’s crisis much faster and given me a stronger reason to care right away.

My biggest issue with the book was Gavin. I understood what he was trying to do, and I understood that desperation can make people justify bad choices. But I did not like him much as a character. He often came across as selfish and careless, especially when he was willing to hurt people to get what he wanted. The book wants Gavin’s choices to feel morally complicated, and they are, but I needed more emotional grounding to believe in how far he was willing to go.

That missing piece affected the story for me. I did not feel fully convinced that Gavin loved Pondville enough to risk everything for it. The book tells us the town matters, but I wanted to see more of how Pondville supported him as a gay teenager, how it made him feel safe, seen, or valued, and why saving it was worth conning his estranged father, manipulating the grant process, or risking serious consequences. There is one scene where Gavin is treated poorly in a nearby town because he is gay, which could have been a strong contrast, but I still needed more examples of Pondville actively being the place where he belongs.

The estranged father-son dynamic, however, was compelling. Gavin’s relationship with his father adds tension and emotional complexity to the plot. Their interactions are uncomfortable in a way that fits the story, because Gavin is not just trying to save his town; he is also dealing with unresolved family pain. I liked that this relationship was messy and transactional. It gave the book another layer beyond the political and environmental conflict.

Overall, For the Greatest Good has a strong message, an important topic, and a premise full of potential. I loved that it centered clean water access, public health, poverty, and queer representation in a small-town setting that was not reduced to stereotypes. But the uneven opening, my frustration with Gavin, and the lack of deeper emotional proof behind his devotion to Pondville kept this from being a stronger read for me.

This is a thoughtful YA novel with a lot to say, even if the execution did not fully convince me. Readers who enjoy morally complicated characters, political/social issue-driven fiction, small-town stories, and LGBTQ+ representation may find a lot to discuss here. For me, it lands at 3.5 stars: promising, important, and worth reading, but not without some holes.

About the book:

Genre: YA Contemporary
Publishing date: June 30, 2026

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Rep: Gay, LGBT+

Synopsis:

Moral victories don’t solve public health crises. Money does.

After years of poor water quality, Gavin fears his town, Pondville, is one burst pipe away from losing access to safe drinking water forever.

Demoralized, Gavin and his best friend MacKenzie turn to his estranged father, a board member of the infamous water company CrispFlow. CrispFlow is known for giving out grants to improve public facilities, but they’ve also been buying and privatizing cities’ failing water systems, often leaving those towns’ situations worse than they found them. Gavin wouldn’t trust CrispFlow to privatize their water, but with his father on the board and Gavin and Mack interning at town hall, he might just be able to walk away with the grant money instead. Gavin’s dad agrees to rig the grant process if Gavin and MacKenzie sabotage the competition to help Crisp­Flow win an infrastructure bid. It’s not above board, but everybody wins, as long as no one gets caught . . .

Content Warning: Social injustice, estrangement of a parent

Meet the author:

My name is Blair Hanson, and if it’s not already obvious, I am not an expert at building websites! I am much more passionate about writing contemporary young adult fiction. In my (mostly nonexistent) free time, I enjoy falling down Wikipedia wormholes and cuddling with the world’s most adorable cats.

My books include America’s Not-So-Sweetheart (June 17, 2025, Page Street YA) and the forthcoming For the Greatest Good (expected June 30, 2026, Page Street YA).

Website | Instagram | Goodreads

This book is bold, dramatic, and sharp, and the thrills are what made it work best for me. I gave it 4.5 stars because once the story leans into its danger and dystopian chaos, it becomes very hard to look away. There is something unsettling but also darkly entertaining about a world where fame, performance, survival, and politics are all tangled together. The idea of a singing competition where the stakes are life and death is both ridiculous and horrifying, which is exactly why the satire lands. It takes the familiar structure of reality TV competition and pushes it into nightmare territory.

For me, the strongest part of Survival Show was the tension. The thrills kept me engaged. I liked the danger of the competition, the sense that everything could go wrong, and the way the book uses entertainment as a mirror for bigger issues. The concept is campy, but underneath the camp is a lot of bite. Dawson is not just writing a wild dystopian spectacle for fun, though there is definitely fun in the chaos. The book is also looking at the world we live in now: climate anxiety, political fear, anti-LGBTQ policies, international instability, and the way people in power can turn suffering into entertainment.

That combination of satire and real-world relevance gives the story more weight than the premise might suggest at first. Yes, it has the “sing for your life” energy of a dystopian talent show from hell, but it also asks uncomfortable questions about what society values, who gets exploited, and how far people will go for survival, fame, or control. The best dystopian stories are not really about the future. They are about the present wearing a scary outfit. This one understands that.

I also liked the campy tone. A story like this needs to know what it is. If it took itself too seriously, the premise might become too heavy. If it leaned only into the fun, the darker themes might not land. Survival Show walks that line with a lot of energy. It has drama, danger, and spectacle, but it also has enough real-world sharpness to keep it from feeling empty. The book knows reality TV can be absurd, addictive, cruel, and emotionally manipulative, and it uses that knowledge well.

The part that did not fully work for me was the romance. The book includes a sapphic rivals-to-lovers relationship, and while I can see that being a major draw for many readers, it personally did not do as much for me as the thriller and dystopian elements did. I did not dislike the romance, but I did not feel as invested in it as I wanted to be. The danger, satire, and competition were much more compelling to me. Every time the story focused on survival and the larger dystopian world, I was more hooked.

That said, the romance not being my favorite part did not ruin the book. It just meant that I connected more strongly with the external stakes than the romantic ones. Readers who love rivals-to-lovers dynamics may respond differently and enjoy that part more than I did. For me, the book was at its best when it was intense, chaotic, and satirical. Give me the deadly singing competition. Give me the political commentary. Give me the “what nightmare version of entertainment culture are we in now?” energy. That is where the book shines.

The pacing also helps. A premise like this needs momentum, and Survival Show delivers plenty of it. The story has that “just one more chapter” quality because you want to know what is going to happen next, who will survive, and how much worse the situation can get. Spoiler: in dystopian satire, the answer is usually “worse, but with better lighting.”

I would recommend Survival Show to readers who enjoy YA dystopian stories with a satirical edge, reality TV-inspired plots, high-stakes competitions, queer representation, and a little camp mixed with their chaos. If you liked the idea of The Hunger Games but want something more performance-based, pop-culture aware, and theatrical, this one is worth checking out. It is especially good for readers who like their dystopian books to be both entertaining and pointed.

Overall, Survival Show is a thrilling, dramatic, and darkly fun read. The romance did not completely grab me, but the concept, tension, satire, and survival elements absolutely did. It is the kind of book that takes a familiar entertainment format and asks, “What if this was much worse?” Then it answers with glitter, danger, and a microphone.

My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

About the book:

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Release Date: August 4, 2026

Genre: Young Adult LGBTQ Dystopian Thriller

Synopsis:

The American Idol meets The Hunger Games in this “chilling, satirical dystopian adventure” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) about a teen betting her life that her singing talent can make her a star from the celebrated author of This Book Is Gay, Juno Dawson.

The world just seems to take and take from Taryn Beck, but there’s one thing it’ll never have: her voice. Only when she’s singing does Taryn feel like she can escape her reality—free from the aftermath of the War, free from the Scottish refugee camps where she and her family now live, and free from the responsibility of making ends meet for the sake of her sick brother.

Taryn’s voice is her one ticket out, and that’s why she enters to be a contestant on the world’s most watched television program: Starmaker, where kids from the New Peace Global Alliance compete for the chance to join an all-singing, all-dancing pop group. Rise to the top, and a life of luxury, stardom, and money awaits.

There’s only one small catch. The lowest ranking face a televised public execution. Starmaker thanks their participants for their noble sacrifice to Project Population.

Taryn’s about to sing for her life.

Buy / Preorder

Meet the author:

Juno Dawson is a #1 Sunday Times (London) bestselling novelist, screenwriter, and journalist and a columnist for Attitude magazine. Juno’s books include the global bestsellers This Book Is Gay and Clean. She also writes for television and has multiple shows in development both in the UK and US. Juno grew up in West Yorkshire, writing imaginary episodes of Doctor Who. She later turned her talent to journalism, interviewing luminaries such as Steps and Atomic Kitten before writing a weekly serial in a Brighton newspaper. Her writing has appeared in Glamour, The Pool, Dazed, and The Guardian. She has appeared on Pointless Celebrities, BBC Women’s Hour, ITV News, Channel 5 News, This Morning, and Newsnight. Juno lives in Brighton. She is a part of the queer cabaret collective known as Club Silencio. In 2014, Juno became a School & College Role Model for the charity Stonewall.

Rainbow Boys follows three teenage boys as they navigate their identities, relationships, fears, and hopes in a world that is not always kind to them. Set in the early aughts, the book captures a time when coming out could feel especially isolating and frightening, and when LGBTQ+ representation in young adult literature was nowhere near as visible as it is now. That historical context matters. Reading this book now, part of its power is seeing both how far queer YA has come and how many of the emotions in this story still feel deeply relevant.

This 25th Anniversary Edition comes with a fresh look, a note from the author, and an introduction by Maia Kobabe, the author of Gender Queer. That makes this edition feel less like a simple reprint and more like a celebration of a book that has mattered to many readers over the years. If you have already read Rainbow Boys, this edition gives you a good reason to return to it. If you have not read it, this is a great time to see why it has stayed important for so long.

What stands out most about Rainbow Boys is how honest it is about fear, longing, confusion, and hope. The boys in this story are not all in the same place emotionally. They each have their own insecurities, pressures, and ways of dealing with the world around them. That is part of what makes the book work so well. Coming out is not treated like one simple, universal experience. It is personal. It is messy. It can be terrifying. It can also be freeing. Sanchez gives these characters space to struggle, make mistakes, want love, fear rejection, and slowly discover what confidence can look like.

The early aughts setting gives the story a particular kind of tension. The world these characters are living in is often intolerant, and the stakes of being honest about who they are feel very real. There is a vulnerability in the story that still lands. Even though some details are tied to the time period, the emotional core is timeless. Wanting to be seen, wanting to be loved, wanting to find people who understand you—those feelings do not expire. They are still powerful, especially for teen readers who may be trying to figure out where they belong.

One reason this book deserves its classic status is that it centers queer teens as full, complicated people. Their identities matter, but they are not reduced to one issue or one struggle. They are trying to survive high school, deal with attraction, understand themselves, and figure out who they can trust. They want romance, friendship, safety, and belonging. In other words, they are teenagers. Sanchez gives them humanity, which sounds basic, but for the time this book originally came out, that kind of representation was incredibly important.

I also appreciate that the book does not pretend confidence appears overnight. These characters have to build it. They have to find each other. They have to face the world around them and the doubts inside themselves. That makes the coming-of-age aspect feel earned. It is not just about “coming out” as one big dramatic moment. It is about gradually learning how to live more honestly, even when honesty is scary.

For readers who already know and love this book, the anniversary edition is worth having. There is something special about seeing a book like this honored twenty-five years later. It is a reminder that YA literature matters. Representation matters. The books that reach readers at the right time can stay with them for years. And yes, if you are a collector, this edition absolutely has shelf-upgrade energy. Sometimes the book cart demands tribute.

I give Rainbow Boys: 25th Anniversary Edition five stars because it is a classic for a reason. It is important, heartfelt, and still meaningful. It belongs in conversations about queer YA and coming-of-age literature, and this anniversary edition is a beautiful way to recognize its legacy.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy realistic YA, LGBTQ+ coming-of-age stories, and books about identity, courage, friendship, and finding your voice. Many readers may have already read it, but if you have not, this edition is a perfect place to start.

My Rating: 5/5 stars

About the book:

Publication: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Release Date: September 29, 2026

Genre: LGBTQ+ Young Adult Novel

Synopsis:

For the first printing only! This paperback features sprayed stenciled edges while the special edition supply lasts. This reissue has a brand-new look, a note from the author, and an introduction by Maia Kobabe, author of Gender Queer.

A Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021)

Navigating through the intolerant world of the early aughts and their own insecurities, three teenage boys find each other and the confidence to come out of the closet in this seminal queer coming-of-age novel.

Jason Carillo is a jock with a steady girlfriend. He’s on track to play ball, marry his high school sweetheart, and get as far away from his abusive dad as possible—but that’s if he can get into college with his shaky math grades…and if he can stop dreaming about having sex with guys.

Kyle Meeks is definitely gay, but he’s not planning on telling anyone, least of all his parents. All he wants is to keep his head down and get through high school without incident—until Jason asks him for help in math and all of a sudden, Kyle is spending long hours with a boy he’s always found cute and it’s getting harder and harder to keep his feelings under wraps.

Nelson Glassman is out and loud about it, but being proud of who you are doesn’t mean things don’t get lonely. He’s got a target on his back for the school bullies to kick, and while his mom supports him, she doesn’t entirely understand him. To make things worse, he and his best friend—and longtime crush—Kyle have been spending more and more time apart, and he doesn’t know how to deal.

Messy, honest, and raw, Rainbow Boys follows these three boys as they come of age and come out of the closet in the early aughts in one of the most revolutionary young adult novels in the last quarter century.

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Meet the author:

Alex Sanchez spent almost fifteen years working with youth. He is the author of the teen novels Boyfriends with Girlfriends, Bait, The God Box, Getting It, Rainbow Boys, Rainbow High, and Rainbow Road, as well as the Lambda Award–winning middle grade novel So Hard to Say. Lambda Literary honored Alex with a Jim Duggins, PhD Outstanding Mid-Career Novelists’ Prize. He lives in Thailand and Hollywood, Florida. Visit him at AlexSanchez.com.

That changes when Jaliya travels to Jamaica to visit her uncle and his family for the summer. On the surface, it is supposed to be one last vacation before college, but Jaliya has a much deeper reason for going. She wants answers about her estranged mother, whose absence has been a painful mystery in her life. That mystery is what really pulled me into the story. I love a coming-of-age book where the main character is not just figuring out romance or friendship, but also trying to understand the missing pieces of her own identity. Jaliya’s mother’s absence has shaped so much of who she is, even in ways she does not fully realize at first.

I will say that the book had a slower start for me. I found myself wishing Davis would just get Jaliya to Jamaica already. The opening section takes its time setting up Jaliya’s life, her personality, and the emotional weight she is carrying, and while that is important, I was eager for the story to move into the setting that promised adventure, secrets, family tension, and discovery. Once Jaliya arrives in Jamaica, the story really begins to bloom. The setting adds warmth, movement, and texture, and the relationships become much more layered.

One of my favorite parts of the book was Jaliya herself. She is easy to root for because she feels so real. She is not some perfectly confident main character who arrives on the page already knowing who she is and what she wants. She is unsure. She is cautious. She is carrying questions she has been afraid to ask. Watching her slowly push against the version of herself that everyone else has gotten used to was one of the strongest parts of the story. There is something very relatable about a character who has done everything “right” on paper but still feels like she has not fully lived.

The family dynamics also worked well for me. Jaliya’s visit to her uncle and his family is not exactly the warm, easy reunion she may have imagined. Her cousin has his own life and does not automatically make space for her, and her aunt and uncle are not exactly the people she remembers. I liked that Davis allowed these relationships to be complicated. Family in this book is not simple. It is loving, frustrating, secretive, protective, and sometimes painful. Basically, family showed up and said, “Let’s make this emotionally inconvenient,” and honestly, that is where a lot of the story’s power comes from.

The romance also adds a lot to Jaliya’s summer of self-discovery. Her childhood crush is still very attractive but also unavailable, which creates one kind of tension. Then Jaliya meets India, who is vibrant, gorgeous, free-spirited, and completely different from the life Jaliya is used to. India makes Jaliya feel something new, something exciting, and something that forces her to look more closely at herself. I liked how the romance tied into Jaliya’s larger identity journey instead of feeling like a separate side plot. This is not just about who Jaliya likes. It is about who she is becoming.

What made the book strongest for me was the way it balanced romance, family secrets, and identity. Jaliya is not only searching for information about her mother; she is also trying to figure out what kind of person she wants to be when she is not trying to please everyone else. That emotional thread gave the story depth. I loved the mystery surrounding her mother because it gave Jaliya’s personal growth more weight. Her questions felt urgent, not just because she wanted answers, but because those answers could change how she understood herself.

Even with the slower beginning, The Lovers, the Liars, and Me became a heartfelt and rewarding read. I appreciated the emotional honesty, the messy relationships, and the way Jaliya’s journey unfolded. This is a summer story, but not just the light and breezy kind. It has romance, secrets, family drama, and self-discovery all wrapped together. It is about that moment before adulthood when you start realizing you can choose who you become, even if the people around you are still expecting you to stay the same.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy YA coming-of-age stories with complicated family dynamics, identity exploration, summer settings, and romance with emotional stakes. If you like stories about girls finding their voice, asking difficult questions, and stepping into a fuller version of themselves, this one is worth picking up.

My Rating: 4.7/5 stars

About the book:

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Release Date: June 23, 2026

Genre: Young Adult LGBTQ Drama/Contemporary

Synopsis:

A teen travels to Jamaica hoping to answer questions about her absent mother, only to discover more about her identity than she could have ever expected—and find herself caught up in an unexpected love triangle—in this dazzling young adult coming-of-age novel by award-winning author DeAndra Davis.

Jaliya Powell has never had a real adventure, a real boyfriend, or spoken up for herself. She’s never even been kissed. Despite being valedictorian of her high school class, Jaliya is used to fading into the background.

But this summer will be different.

This summer, Jaliya is visiting her uncle and his family in Jamaica. Under the guise of one last vacation before college, she plans to find out more about her estranged mother, whose absence has remained an unspoken mystery. But things have changed in the seven years since Jaliya last visited. Her cousin has his own life and is reluctant to let Jaliya in, her childhood crush has only gotten hotter and more unavailable, and her aunt and uncle aren’t everything she remembered, either. Then she meets India, who’s vibrant, gorgeous, and free-spirited. And who makes Jaliya feel something she’s never felt before.

While searching for traces of her mother across the island, Jaliya finds herself entangled in complicated relationships, tricky secrets, and a passionate new love. As she navigates this perfectly complicated summer, Jaliya must choose between who she has always been or who she hopes to become.

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Meet the author:

DeAndra Davis is New York–born and Florida-bred. She’s a hopeless musical theater nerd (Wicked is definitely her favorite), a perpetual student and teacher, and always trailed by a kid or a dog because she has way too many of both. She has an opinion for everything, an argument ready, and a hug for everyone, and she thinks you should, too. She is the author of All the Noise at Once, winner of the William C. Morris Award for best young adult debut book, and The Lovers, the Liars, and Me. DeAndra can be found on most socials @DeAndraWrites.

This year, I’ll be visiting writing camps, book festivals, art fairs, and community events around Michigan. Some events are for registered attendees, while others are open festivals where you can stop by, say hello, and talk books with me.

I’ll update this page as more details are confirmed, so check back for any changes, additions, or last-minute author table shenanigans.

Meadow Brook Writing Project Youth Writing Camps

Haunted Pages: Writing Ghost Stories That Give Readers Goosebumps

Dates: Wednesday, July 8 and Wednesday, July 15
Time: 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET
Location: Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan
Audience: Grades 6–8 writing camp students
Event type: Writing presentation / author visit
Registration required: Yes, students must be registered for the Meadow Brook Writing Project Youth Writing Camps
More information: Meadow Brook Writing Project Youth Writing Camps

I’ll be presenting “Haunted Pages: Writing Ghost Stories That Give Readers Goosebumps” to grades 6–8 as part of the Meadow Brook Writing Project at Oakland University.

During this session, we’ll dig into what makes a ghost story spooky, suspenseful, and emotionally memorable. We’ll talk about atmosphere, tension, secrets, setting, and how to create the kind of scenes that make readers want to keep turning pages even when the lights are off.

I’ll also have copies of my YA ghost story, Ask the Girl, available for purchase and signing.

This event is part of the registered youth writing camp experience, so please visit the Meadow Brook Writing Project website for camp details and registration information.

The Blue Water Fest

Date: Friday, July 17
Time: 12:00–9:00 p.m. ET
Location: Downtown Port Huron, Michigan
Event type: Festival / author signing
More information: The Blue Water Fest

I’ll be at the Blue Water Street Fair during The Blue Water Fest in Downtown Port Huron with other SCBWI members.

I’ll be signing and selling copies of Ask the Girl, so stop by if you’re attending the festival. I’d love to chat about books, writing, YA mysteries, ghost stories, or your favorite “I swear this place is haunted” story.

This is a great chance to browse local vendors, enjoy the festival atmosphere, and support Michigan authors. Basically: books, summer, and festival energy. Not a bad combo.

Funky Ferndale Art Fair

Date: Saturday, September 26
Time: 12:00–9:00 p.m. ET
Location: 200 West Nine Mile, Ferndale, Michigan
Event type: Art fair / author signing
More information: Funky Ferndale Art Fair

I’ll be attending Funky Ferndale Art Fair with other SCBWI members, where I’ll be selling and signing copies of Ask the Girl.

Funky Ferndale is known for its creative, lively art fair atmosphere, and I’m excited to be part of the bookish side of the fun. Come browse, shop, discover new artists and authors, and say hello.

I’ll have copies of Ask the Girl available, and I’m always happy to talk about ghost stories, writing, YA books, and what it’s like to build a mystery around secrets that refuse to stay buried.

About Ask the Girl

My debut YA ghost story, Ask the Girl, follows two teen girls and one teen ghost as they try to solve a treacherous murder. It’s a story about secrets, friendship, grief, danger, and the voices that refuse to be silenced.

If you enjoy mysteries, haunted places, complicated girls, and ghost stories with emotional bite, I’d love for you to check it out.

Come Say Hi

If you’re attending any of these events, please stop by and introduce yourself. Whether you’ve read Ask the Girl, follow my book reviews, love YA fiction, write your own stories, or just want to talk about spooky books for a few minutes, I’d love to meet you.

I’ll continue updating this page as new details are confirmed.

Hope to see you there!