Feb 2025 book

BOOK TITLE: Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing

AUTHOR: Matthew Perry

GENRE: Bio           272 pages    Feb 2025

BLURB: In an extraordinary story that only he could tell, Matthew Perry takes readers onto the soundstage of the most successful sitcom of all time while opening up about his private struggles with addiction. Candid, self-aware, and told with his trademark humor, Perry vividly details his lifelong battle with the disease and what fueled it despite seemingly having it all.

MY REVIEW:  Well written by Matt, and so very sad in that he seemed better when he wrote it, and could not put it down.  Knowing how it actually ended makes the whole book even sadder….His storytelling is candid, often humorous, and at times heartbreaking, giving readers a raw glimpse into the challenges he faced behind the scenes of his iconic career. The memoir is not just a recounting of his life but also a powerful reflection on his journey toward recovery and self-acceptance. Perry’s vulnerability and wit make this a compelling read, not just for Friends fans, but for anyone who appreciates an honest exploration of overcoming adversity.  His life and the book ended too soon.

BOOK TITLE: The Secret Life of an American Codebreaker

AUTHOR: Jan Slimming

GENRE: Research         328 pages    Feb 2025

BLURB: The Secret Life of an American Codebreaker is the true account of Janice Martin, a college student recruited to the military in 1943, after she was secretly approached by a college professor at Goucher College, a liberal arts establishment for women in Baltimore, USA. Destined for a teaching career, Janice became a prestigious professor of classics at Georgia State University, but how did she spend three years of her secret life during the war working in Washington D.C.’s Top Secret Intelligence?

MY REVIEW:   I was hoping for more of her story and less of the the code information, some of which I skimmed.

BOOK TITLE: Killer Smile ( Stella Knox 1)

AUTHOR: Mary Stone

GENRE: Mystery, thriller           259 pages  Feb 2025

BLURB: Special Agent Stella Knox became an FBI agent to find the dirty cops responsible for her father’s murder and make them pay. But fresh out of Quantico, her first case has her seeking justice for a different victim—three of them, in fact.

MY REVIEW:  Fun story to start the story of Stella.  Featuring a strong, determined protagonist, the novel follows a seasoned investigator as she uncovers a chilling web of secrets while chasing down a ruthless killer. Stone's writing is sharp and immersive, blending taut suspense with emotional depth as the characters grapple with their pasts while trying to solve a grisly case. With unexpected twists and a relentless pace, Killer Smile is a gripping read that will appeal to fans of dark, psychological thrillers.

BOOK TITLE: The Player and the Prince an everlands cycle novella

AUTHOR: JC Rycroft

GENRE: Fantasy, LGBTQ      188 pages   Feb 2025

BLURB: An actress who can have whoever she wants…At the height of her reputation…But her desires run deeper…As one of the foremost performers in the kingdom of Rescalin, Liv Equitor has come a long way from the gutters of Pastira. She’s fought tooth and nail for her reputation and its she’s determined that nothing and no one will take her choices from her again. But despite all her careful staging, she can’t get her handsy troupe leader to give up the sense he’s entitled to her.

MY REVIEW:  Fun romp, with LGBTQ themes that were a twist for the fantasy novel. Will read more by this author. The nuanced character development and emotional depth give the story both heart and suspense, making it a gripping read for fans of political thrillers and forbidden romance.

BOOK TITLE: Dog Stars

AUTHOR: Peter Heller

GENRE: Dystopian               336 pages  Feb 2025

BLURB: Hig somehow survived the flu pandemic that killed everyone he knows. Now his wife is gone, his friends are dead, and he lives in the hangar of a small abandoned airport with his dog, Jasper, and a mercurial, gun-toting misanthrope named Bangley.But when a random transmission beams through the radio of his 1956 Cessna, the voice ignites a hope deep inside him that a better life exists outside their tightly controlled perimeter. Risking everything, he flies past his point of no return and follows its static-broken trail, only to find something that is both better and worse than anything he could ever hope for.

MY REVIEW:  Taylor mentioned this one.  Dog Stars by Peter Heller is a hauntingly beautiful post-apocalyptic novel that blends adventure, survival, and deep emotional resonance. Set in a world ravaged by a deadly flu pandemic, it follows Hig, a solitary man living in a desolate Colorado landscape, and his bond with his dog, Jasper. Heller’s lyrical prose brings this bleak, yet hopeful, world to life, capturing the quiet despair and the unexpected moments of connection that keep Hig going. The story explores themes of loss, love, and what it means to survive in a world that feels stripped of meaning. The Dog Stars is a poignant, meditative journey that will stay with you long after the last page.

BOOK TITLE: Iron Flame

AUTHOR: Rebecca Yarros

GENRE: fantasy romantasy dragons     895 pages    Feb 2025

BLURB:  Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.

MY REVIEW: Loved this one just as much as the first

BOOK TITLE: Dragon of Wind and Flame  The Elementum Book 1

AUTHOR: H M Clarke

GENRE: Fantasy               232 pages   Need to review

BLURB: In the solitude of her coastal home, Ny Keena saves a man from the treacherous sea. Little does she know that this act of kindness will plunge her into a world of exhilarating chaos.
The man, however, is no ordinary survivor. He reveals himself as a Keeper of Dragons, entrusted with a precious egg destined for the chosen one of the revered Guild of Dragon Riders. They are the sole survivors of a devastating shipwreck, and news of the egg’s existence spreads like wildfire.
But an unprotected dragon egg is a tantalizing prize, coveted by many who crave the incredible power that comes with becoming a dragon rider. Ny Keena suddenly finds herself at the center of a high-stakes game where the rules are deadly, and betrayal lurks in every shadow.

MY REVIEW: Dragon of Wind and Flame by H. M. Clarke is a captivating blend of epic fantasy, adventure, and deep emotional stakes. The novel invites readers into a lush, intricate world where dragons soar through a sky of shifting colors, elemental forces govern every corner of the realm, and ancient secrets shape the destiny of its people.

At the heart of the story is the protagonist, Aeryn, a young warrior with a unique connection to the mythical dragons that roam the land.

BOOK TITLE: Serial Killer Support Group

AUTHOR: Saratoga Schaefer

GENRE: Thriller            320 pages   Feb 2025    was an ARC from LibraryThing

BLURB: After her sister is murdered, a woman infiltrates a support group for serial killers in this biting queer feminist debut thriller, perfect for fans of The Final Girl Support Group and My Sister, the Serial Killer.When Cyra Griffin’s younger sister is murdered by a serial killer, Cyra knows better than to expect  justice from the hands of the police department. With the investigation already dying its own slow death, Cyra follows the blood trail and finds her own way forward. 

MY REVIEW:  Loved this book!  a thrilling, gripping, and razor-sharp debut that will leave readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. In this biting queer feminist thriller, the author deftly navigates themes of loss, justice, and the complexities of trauma with both heart and precision. Cyra Griffin, a deeply relatable and fiercely determined protagonist, seeks vengeance for her younger sister's murder in an unorthodox and exhilarating way—by infiltrating a support group for serial killers.The novel's premise alone is enough to hook you, but it's the execution that truly stands out. The writing is taut and compelling, with suspense that builds layer by layer, making every page turn feel like a rollercoaster ride. Cyra's journey is both emotional and empowering as she steps outside the traditional role of victim and takes matters into her own hands. The portrayal of grief and the refusal to accept the failures of the justice system add a sharp emotional depth that sets this book apart from other thrillers in the genre.

BOOK TITLE: The Killing Light

AUTHOR: Myke Cole

GENRE: Fantasy   235 pages Feb 2025

BLURB: Heloise and her allies are marching on the Imperial Capital. The villagers, the Kipti, and the Red Lords are united only in their loyalty to Heloise, though dissenting voices are many and they are loud.

MY REVIEW: Good conclusion to this series that has some LGBT element 

BOOK TITLE: The Queen of Crows

AUTHOR: Myke Cole

GENRE: Fantasy    252 pages   Feb 2025

BLURB: The Queen of Crows, book two of the Sacred Throne trilogy, continues the epic story of Heloise as she continues her journey from obscurity to greatness. Despite the crippling injuries she’s received, Heloise stands tall against overwhelming odds with the help of alchemically empowered armor and an unbreakable spirit.

MY REVIEW:  Liked this one as well and the author does a nice job of telling the story

BOOK TITLE: Armored Saint

AUTHOR: Myke Cole

GENRE: Fantasy   200 pages  feb 2025

BLURB:  In a world where any act of magic could open a portal to hell, the Order ensures that no wizard will live to summon devils, and they will kill as many innocent people as they must to prevent that greater horror. After witnessing a horrendous slaughter, the village girl Heloise opposes the Order, and risks bringing their wrath down on herself, her family, and her village.

MY REVIEW: Armored Saint by Myke Cole is a thrilling ride from start to finish! Cole’s world-building is immersive and the characters are complex and engaging, with their struggles and growth being a central theme of the story. The action scenes are intense and well-crafted, keeping the reader on edge throughout. What truly sets this novel apart is its exploration of loyalty, honor, and sacrifice in the face of unimaginable challenges.

BOOK TITLE: Darkly Dreaming Dexter

AUTHOR: Jeff Lindsay

GENRE: crime, mystery, thriller           288 pages Feb 2025

BLURB: Meet Dexter Morgan, a polite wolf in sheep's clothing. He's handsome and charming, but something in his past has made him abide by a different set of rules. He's a serial killer whose one golden rule makes him immensely likeable: he only kills bad people. And his job as a blood spatter expert for the Miami police department puts him in the perfect position to identify his victims. But when a series of brutal murders bearing a striking similarity to his own style start turning up, Dexter is caught between being flattered and being frightened—of himself or some other fiend.

MY REVIEW: Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay is a gripping and fun thriller that pulls you into the twisted mind of Dexter Morgan, a forensic blood spatter expert who moonlights as a vigilante serial killer. Lindsay crafts a darkly fascinating protagonist who is both likable and morally complex. The pacing is fast, the suspense is relentless, and the writing is sharp. With its mix of dark humor and psychological tension, this book keeps you hooked from start to finish. If you're looking for something that blends crime, suspense, and a bit of moral ambiguity, Darkly Dreaming Dexter is a great fit.

BOOK TITLE: The Marriage Portrait

AUTHOR:  Maggie O’Farrell

GENRE: Historical Fiction   355 pages   Feb 2025

BLURB: Florence, the 1550s. Lucrezia, third daughter of the grand duke, is comfortable with her obscure place in the palazzo: free to wonder at its treasures, observe its clandestine workings, and devote herself to her own artistic pursuits. But when her older sister dies on the eve of her wedding to the ruler of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio, Lucrezia is thrust unwittingly into the limelight: the duke is quick to request her hand in marriage, and her father just as quick to accept on her behalf.

MY REVIEW: The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell is an exquisite work of historical fiction that blends beauty, mystery, and deep emotional resonance. Drawing inspiration from the painting of Lucrezia de' Medici, the wife of Alfonso d'Este, O'Farrell weaves a rich tapestry of love, power, and self-discovery that will captivate readers from start to finish.

The novel is a masterclass in character development. Lucrezia, though a historical figure, feels vividly alive—her complexity, vulnerability, and quiet strength emerge through O'Farrell's lyrical prose. The narrative is compelling, with a gripping mix of suspense and poignant introspection. O'Farrell explores Lucrezia's life and marriage with such depth that readers can't help but empathize with her struggles, her desires, and her quiet rebellion against the constraints of her time.  I will read more works by this author!