Review: Sakamoto Days (Vol. 13) by Yuto Suzuki

Title: Sakamoto Days: Vol. 13

Series: Sakamoto Days #13

Previous books in this series: Sakamoto Days #1 | Sakamoto Days #2 | Sakamoto Days #3 | Sakamoto Days #4 | Sakamoto Days #5 | Sakamoto Days #6 | Sakamoto Days #7 | Sakamoto Days #8 | Sakamoto Days #9 | Sakamoto Days #10 | Sakamoto Days #11 | Sakamoto Days #12

Author: Yuto Suzuki

Genre: YA, manga, adventure

Publication date: September 2024

Published by: VIZ Media

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: Taro Sakamoto was once a legendary hit man considered the greatest of all time. Bad guys feared him! Assassins revered him! But then one day he quit, got married, and had a baby. He’s now living the quiet life as the owner of a neighborhood store, but how long can Sakamoto enjoy his days of retirement before his past catches up to him?!

In order to avoid expulsion from the JCC, a young Sakamoto, Nagumo, and Akao are assigned a special mission—along with another outcast, Uzuki. The assassins close in on their target at a special department store for hit men, but unbeknownst to them, their actions there will alter the course of their futures forever…

My rating: ★★★★⯪

This was a bit of a flashback volume, going back to when Sakamoto was in school with Uzuki aka X, and Nagumo, among others. I really enjoyed following Sakamoto in his younger days and learning more about his past and his connections to all these characters we’ve come across throughout the series.

Review: Sakamoto Days (Vol. 11) by Yuto Suzuki

Title: Sakamoto Days: Vol. 11

Series: Sakamoto Days #11

Previous books in this series: Sakamoto Days #1 | Sakamoto Days #2 | Sakamoto Days #3 | Sakamoto Days #4 | Sakamoto Days #5 | Sakamoto Days #6 | Sakamoto Days #7 | Sakamoto Days #8 | Sakamoto Days #9 | Sakamoto Days #10

Author: Yuto Suzuki

Genre: YA, manga, adventure

Publication date: April 2024

Published by: VIZ Media

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: Taro Sakamoto was once a legendary hit man considered the greatest of all time. Bad guys feared him! Assassins revered him! But then one day he quit, got married, and had a baby. He’s now living the quiet life as the owner of a neighborhood store, but how long can Sakamoto enjoy his days of retirement before his past catches up to him?!

When X’s forces attack the JCC, all hell breaks loose! While Satoda Sensei faces off with Kanaguri to protect the students, Sakamoto and Shin rush to secure Amane’s grandfather. But the whole situation gets even more hairy when Club Jam hypnotizes the entire school!

My rating: ★★★★⯪

Things are going all sorts of sideways at the JCC 😬 Which actually made for some really good fights, which I love! I love the action in this series! It’s always so fun!

Review: Sakamoto Days (Vol. 10) by Yuto Suzuki

Title: Sakamoto Days: Vol. 10

Series: Sakamoto Days #10

Previous books in this series: Sakamoto Days #1 | Sakamoto Days #2 | Sakamoto Days #3 | Sakamoto Days #4 | Sakamoto Days #5 | Sakamoto Days #6 | Sakamoto Days #7 | Sakamoto Days #8 | Sakamoto Days #9

Author: Yuto Suzuki

Genre: YA, manga, adventure

Publication date: December 2023

Published by: VIZ Media

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: Taro Sakamoto was once a legendary hit man considered the greatest of all time. Bad guys feared him! Assassins revered him! But then one day he quit, got married, and had a baby. He’s now living the quiet life as the owner of a neighborhood store, but how long can Sakamoto enjoy his days of retirement before his past catches up to him?!

As Sakamoto and his friends hunt for the database at the JCC, Shin winds up in a serious duel with a teacher who might have information on what they want. Meanwhile, Sakamoto deals with Amane, a boy with a connection to X. Thanks to X’s schemes, the JCC faces an unprecedented crisis!

My rating: ★★★★⯪

This was such a fun volume! There were so many fun moments and just bickering between the characters, which is actually one of my favorite things about this series. Lol.

Review: The Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong

Title: The Haunting of Paynes Hollow

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Genre: Adult, horror

Publication date: October 2025

Published by: St. Martin's Press

Source: Purchased hardcover

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Synopsis: From New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong comes a nail-biting supernatural horror about a haunted lakeside property and twisted family secrets.

When Samantha Payne’s grandfather dies, she figures she won’t even get a mention in the will. After all, she hasn’t seen him in fourteen years, not since her father took his own life after being accused of murdering a child at their lakefront cottage. Her grandfather always insisted her father was innocent, despite Sam having caught him burying the child’s body, his clothing streaked with blood.

But when she does attend the reading of the will at the behest of her aunt, she discovers that her grandfather left her the very valuable lakefront property where the family cottage sits. There’s one catch: Sam needs to stay in the cottage for a month. To finally face the fact she was wrong and her father was innocent, in her grandfather's words.

Traveling to Paynes Hollow, Sam is faced with the realities of her childhood and the secrets kept hidden in the shadows of her memories. When her aunt goes missing a couple days into their stay, Sam begins to question everything again. Plagued by nightmares and paranoia, she begins hearing sounds in the forest and seeing shapes crawling from the water as the rippling waves of the lake promise something unspeakably dark lurking just below their surface.

My rating: ★★★★⯪

"What's in there?" I asked.
"The headless horseman.”

Kelley Armstrong writing horror?

Review: How to Fake a Haunting by Christa Carmen

Title: How to Fake a Haunting

Author: Christa Carmen

Genre: Adult, horror

Publication date: October 2025

Published by: Thomas & Mercer

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: A desperate woman’s plot to frighten her husband out of her life takes a nightmarish turn in a chilling novel of modern horror by a Bram Stoker Award–winning author.

Lainey Taylor is being pushed to the brink by her alcoholic husband, Callum. Prone to hallucinations and erratic behavior, it’s only a matter of time before he puts Lainey’s life—and that of their daughter, Beatrix—in jeopardy. A divorce and full custody is out of the question. In Callum’s words: Over my dead body.

Lainey’s sympathetic friend Adelaide has a wild solution. They’ll stage a haunting so convincing it will drive Callum out of Lainey’s life for good. Nothing too over the top: strange smells, noises in the walls, and flies unleashed along the windowsills. It could work. Considering Callum’s alcohol-induced night terrors, he’s already close to broken. With each new scare, Lainey is closer to seeing the haunting through to its bitter, freeing end.

But in a house filled with so much rage, resentment, and fear, is it any wonder that Lainey and Adelaide’s plan goes horribly wrong? As their fake haunting spirals into something no one can control, Lainey discovers that the only way out of this frightening trap is to join forces with Callum, or die trying.

My rating: ★★★★⯪

"So"—Adelaide's eyes had that glint again, all fire and excitement—"what do you say? Shall we turn this place into a motherfucking haunted house?”

I LOVED the premise of this book! This is what our protagonist has been dealing with in her home life:

My current reality—shackled to a man more concerned with drinking than his daughter, my dreams reduced to getting through each day, holding things together for Bea while practically falling apart myself.

Review: Kindergarten Wars (Vol. 2) by You Chiba

Title: Kindergarten Wars Vol. 2

Series: Kindergarten Wars #2

Previous book in this series: Kindergarten Wars #1

Author: You Chiba

Genre: YA, manga, action, humor

Publication date: September 2025

Published by: Yen Press

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: The new employee, Hana, has suddenly turned traitor! But then she’s shot by the true mastermind behind it all, her own father...Just when all seems lost, Rita, thought to have perished in an explosion, appears on the scene! Who will take charge during the deadliest playtime of all? 

My rating: ★★★★⯪

The last volume ended in a bit of a cliffhanger, so we finally got a resolution to that situation at the beginning of this volume. And all I have to say is that Hanna’s father is insane. Even after everything Hanna did/tried to do, I felt SO bad for her! 😩

Review: Kaiju No. 8 (Vol. 1) by Naoya Matsumoto

Title: Kaiju No. 8 Vol.1

Series: Kaiju No. 8 #1

Author: Naoya Matsumoto

Genre: YA, manga, action

Publication date: December 2020

Published by: VIZ Media

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: With the highest kaiju-emergence rates in the world, Japan is no stranger to attack by deadly monsters. Enter the Japan Defense Force, a military organization tasked with the neutralization of kaiju. Kafka Hibino, a kaiju-corpse cleanup man, has always dreamed of joining the force. But when he gets another shot at achieving his childhood dream, he undergoes an unexpected transformation. How can he fight kaiju now that he’s become one himself?!

Kafka hopes to one day keep his pact with his childhood friend Mina to join the Japan Defense Force and fight by her side. But while she’s out neutralizing kaiju as Third Division captain, Kafka is stuck cleaning up the aftermath of her battles. When a sudden rule change makes Kafka eligible for the Defense Force, he decides to try out for the squad once more. There’s just one problem—he’s made the Defense Force’s neutralization list under the code name Kaiju No. 8.

My rating: ★★★★⯪

I really liked this manga! I loved the premise and the execution was great!

Review: Night Terror (Bleak Haven #2) by Vincent Ralph

Title: Night Terror

Series: Bleak Haven #2

Previous book in this series: Dead Fake

Author: Vincent Ralph

Genre: YA, horror

Publication date: January 20th 2026

Published by: Wednesday Books

Source: Borrwed from library

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Synopsis: Who the hell holds up a bookstore? That’s what Noah asks when his favorite spot is suddenly targeted by masked attackers.

But these people don’t want a ransom. They are searching for Bleak Haven’s very own urban legend – The Burning Book.

When something with a thirst for flesh creeps from its pages, Noah must team up with the other hostages and try to escape the mall without turning their town into a bloodbath.

My rating: ★★★★⯪

Despite all the real-life killers that Bleak Haven has endured, what scares some folks most is the Burning Book. They believe bad things are hidden within its pages the kind of things that even fire cannot kill.

This book was so freaking fun! I mentioned it in my review of the last book, and I’ll mention it again, I am LOVING the modern-day Fear Street vibes! Ah! It’s SO good! Though maybe I shouldn’t say ‘modern’ for this one, as it takes place in 1987. Lol. But still! My point stands! Lol.

Review: Artificial Condition (The Murderbot Diaries #2) by Martha Wells

Title: Artificial Condition

Series: The Murderbot Diaries #2

Previous book in this series: All Systems Red

Author: Martha Wells

Genre: Adult, sci-fi

Publication date: May 2018

Published by: Tordotcom

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: It has a dark past – one in which a number of humans were killed. A past that caused it to christen itself “Murderbot." But it has only vague memories of the massacre that spawned that title, and it wants to know more.

Teaming up with a Research Transport vessel named ART (you don’t want to know what the “A” stands for), Murderbot heads to the mining facility where it went rogue.

What it discovers will forever change the way it thinks.

My rating: ★★★★⯪

Ah! I love Murderbot! In this next installment, Murderbot returns to the place where all the murders happened to once and for all figure out what actually happened. This whole incident is so freaking sad, and it makes me feel for Murderbot.

Review: A Blacksmith's Guide to Dragon-Rearing (Dragons of Safe Haven #2) by Julia Huni

Title: A Blacksmith's Guide to Dragon-Rearing

Series: Dragons of Safe Haven #2

Previous book in this series: A Dragon Rider's Guide to Retirement

Author: Julia Huni

Genre: Adult, cozy fantasy

Publication date: March 31st, 2026

Published by: IPH Media

Source: eARC for review of author

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Synopsis: Raising dragons is easier than raising a five-year-old. Probably.

Nevan never planned on becoming a dragon rider. He was perfectly content swinging a hammer in the forge—until an injured dragon rider retired to Safe Haven. Now he’s supposed to help train the island’s brand new sea dragon fire brigade. That means long days, soaked clothing, and a growing suspicion that dragons like to play matchmaker.

Franisa has her hands full keeping her bakery--and her daughter--in one piece, but she still manages to keep an eye on Nevan. After all, she’s known him since childhood—and maybe, just maybe, she’s starting to see the dragon rider in a new light.

But when sparks fly—literally and figuratively—the whole village gets involved. Between curious dragons, nosy neighbors, and one busy little girl, Nevan and Franisa might have to decide if their friendship is ready to turn into something more.

Dragons, fresh bread, and a magical island town—welcome back to Safe Haven.

My rating: ★★★★⯪

This book was just like a warm hug. I loved it!

Review: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Title: Project Hail Mary

Author: Andy Weir

Genre: Adult, sci-fi

Publication date: May 2021

Published by: Ballantine Books

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission – and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish. Except that right now, he doesn't know that. He can't even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.

All he knows is that he's been asleep for a very, very long time. And he's just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.

His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realises that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it's up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.

And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he's got to do it all alone. Or does he?

My rating: ★★★★⯪

I liked this book a whole lot more than I was expecting. Like, I heard it was good, but DAMN.

Review: Dead Fake (Bleak Haven #1) by Vincent Ralph

Title: Dead Fake

Series: Bleak Haven #1

Author: Vincent Ralph

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: January 2026

Published by: Wednesday Books

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: Would you Swipe to Die?

When the new craze takes over Bleak Haven High, Ava Wilson refuses to join in. As the niece of an infamous murderer, it’s the last thing she needs.

The mysterious website allows people to view their own ‘death’ – an AI generated version of their final slasher-movie-moments. But, when some of her classmates’ deepfakes are replicated in real life, Ava can either catch the killer... or be the next victim.

My rating: ★★★★⯪

I freaking loved this book! And the main reason why is because it gave me modern Fear Street vibes! You guys know I LOVE Fear Street!

Review: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Title: Dungeon Crawler Carl

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl #1

Author: Matt Dinniman

Genre: Adult, fantasy, sci-fi, apocalyptic, adventure

Publication date: September 2020

Published by: Ace

Source: Purchased hardcover

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Synopsis: The apocalypse will be televised! Welcome to the first book in the wildly popular and addictive Dungeon Crawler Carl series—now with bonus material exclusive to this print edition.

You know what’s worse than breaking up with your girlfriend? Being stuck with her prize-winning show cat. And you know what’s worse than that? An alien invasion, the destruction of all man-made structures on Earth, and the systematic exploitation of all the survivors for a sadistic intergalactic game show. That’s what.

Join Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, as they try to survive the end of the world—or just get to the next level—in a video game–like, trap-filled fantasy dungeon. A dungeon that’s actually the set of a reality television show with countless viewers across the galaxy. Exploding goblins. Magical potions. Deadly, drug-dealing llamas. This ain’t your ordinary game show.

Welcome, Crawler. Welcome to the Dungeon. Survival is optional. Keeping the viewers entertained is not.

Includes part one of the exclusive bonus story “Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret.”

My rating: ★★★★⯪

I had been seeing a lot of my friends on Goodreads raving about this series, and one day while I was at B&N I saw this book, and I was like, "Hey thats the one!" The new neon cover is what definitely caught my attention. But I'm glad to have finally gotten on the bandwagon because I had a lot of fun reading it!

Review: Fake Skating by Lynn Painter

Title: Fake Skating

Author: Lynn Painter

Genre: YA, contemporary romance

Publication date: September 2025

Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies Lynn Painter comes a heartfelt and banter-filled rom-com about childhood sweethearts whose icy reunion in their hockey-loving hometown unexpectedly thaws when they fake a romantic relationship.

Growing up, Dani couldn’t help but follow around the adorable son of her mom’s best friend. Funny, kind of nerdy, and a little soft, Alec was always down to hang with Dani when they were little. From play dates on the playground to sneaking into movie theaters, Dani and Alec were inseparable. Until Dani moved away. Alec promised they’d stay in touch—except, they didn’t.

Flash forward and Dani is back in Minnesota for her senior year, she and her mom living with her grandfather. Dealing with the fallout of her parents’ devastating divorce, Dani wouldn’t mind a nerd-out with the cozy and comforting Alec (and maybe a chance to confront him on his MIA status for all these years). But teenage Alec is nothing like the kid Dani remembers. He’s a hockey star in a town where hockey players are worshiped as gods. Dani’s place as his shadow has been taken up by drooling female fans... and he loves it.

Dani is resolved to ice out her former best friend until an unlikely series of events brings them together—and forces them to fake being a couple. Once forced together, the former childhood sweethearts begin to reconnect, unearth complicated family secrets, and face their true feelings towards each other…including the real reason Alec has been pushing Dani away all these years.

My rating: ★★★★⯪

I don't read many romances, but damn if I don't love a Lynn Painter book! 😍 Over the years, I've come to discover what I like and don't like in a romance, and for me, Lynn Painter just does romance right! They're so cute!

Review: Only Rogue Actions (Galactic Bonds #5) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Only Rogue Actions

Series: Galactic Bonds #5

Previous books in this series: Only Bad Options (#1) | Only Good Enemies (#2) | Only Hard Problems (#3) | Only Cold Depths (#4)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, fantasy

Publication date: October 14th 2025

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: eARC for review from author

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Synopsis: A WOMAN WHO DREAMS OF THE FUTURE...

Once upon a time, I was Vesper Quill, a lowly lab rat using my seer magic and engineering skills to repair broken appliances at a Regal-owned corporation. These days, I’m one of the most infamous and wanted fugitives in the Archipelago Galaxy, along with Kyrion Caldaren, my partner.

Kyrion and I are hiding out on a distant planet when we are offered a chance to train at a prestigious facility in hopes of better understanding our truebond, the psionic connection that lets us share thoughts, feelings, skills, and more.

Mastering our magic is the only way we can hope to defeat our many enemies and make my dreams of a safe future a reality, so Kyrion and I accept the invitation. But evil forces are at work, and our training exercise is not what it seems, plunging us both into another deadly situation with only bad options.

A MAN WHO CAN’T ESCAPE HIS PAST...

I’ve always been Kyrion Caldaren, a Regal lord with telekinesis, telepathy, telempathy, and other powerful psionic abilities. I might have gone rogue from the Arrows, the Imperium’s elite warriors, but my fighting skills are as sharp and deadly as ever.

Vesper Quill and I need help with our truebond, so we agree to participate in a rigorous training exercise designed to test the depths of our connection. But a new enemy has other plans, and we’re soon separated and confronted with one dangerous obstacle after another.

But my love for Vesper is stronger than any forces set against us, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make my way back to her—and kill anyone who gets in my way.

My rating: ★★★★⯪

This is one of my favorite series because I love the blend of sci-fi and fantasy... and this is also by one of my favorite authors 😆

Review: Full Speed to a Crash Landing (Chaotic Orbits, #1) by Beth Revis

Title: Full Speed to a Crash Landing

Series: Chaotic Orbits #1

Author: Beth Revis

Genre: Adult, sci-fi

Publication date: August 2024

Published by: DAW

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: A high octane sexy space heist from New York Times-bestselling author Beth Revis, the first in a novella trilogy.

Ada Lamarr may have gotten to the spaceship wreck first, but looter’s rights won’t get her far when she’s got a hole in the side of her ship and her spacesuit is almost out of air. Fortunately for her, help arrives in the form of a government salvage crew—and while they reluctantly rescue her from certain death, they are not pleased to have an unexpected passenger along on their classified mission.

But Ada doesn’t care—all that matters to her is enjoying their fine food and sweet, sweet oxygen—until Rian White, the government agent in charge, starts to suspect that there’s more to Ada than meets the eye. He’s not wrong—but he’s so pretty that Ada is perfectly happy to keep him paying attention to her—at least until she can complete the job she was sent to pull off. But as quick as Ada is, Rian might be quicker—and she may not be entirely sure who’s manipulating who until it’s too late…

A phenomenally fun novella that kicks off a trilogy of sexy space heists and romantic tension, Full Speed to a Crash Landing is packed with great characters and full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end.

My rating: ★★★★⯪

One goal. Full speed until you get it. It’s the only way.

Omg, this book was SO much fun! I loved it! I have been on such a sci-fi kick lately and I knew I had to read this book in particular when I found out that not only did the author basically write this series out of spite when some rando told her she couldn’t write (reader: she absolutely can write! 🙌), but that she basically also mocks Elongated Muskrat. That’s amazing! Especially in this political climate.