Currently Booked: Phylicia's May Bookshelf
- Phylicia Kara
- Jun 1
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 29
You’ll find short and sweet reviews for all the books I've read for the month because let’s be honest, who has time to read all those long reviews! Right now, I’m diving into a mix of rom-coms, thrillers, mysteries, suspense, and feel-good stories that keep me hooked and coming back for more. Follow me on the Fable App and Goodreads to stay connected with my latest reads and all things books! 📖💫
01
Beg, Borrow, or Steal
by Sarah Adams
🏷️ Fiction, Chick Lit, Romance, RomCom, Feel-Good
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This sweet, small town romance pairs rival second-grade teachers in a funny enemies-to-lovers story. Emily and Jack’s banter is sharp, the chemistry slow-burn and satisfying, and the emotional growth makes it more than just a romcom. It's heartwarming and full of charm. I enjoyed reading this book!
02
Death Row
by Freida McFadden
🏷️ Fiction, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Short Read
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Death Row is a fast-paced, twisty novella about a woman on death row who spots her supposedly dead husband just days before her execution. It was suspenseful, dark, and full of surprises. As a short story, it is perfect for a quick, bingeable thriller fix. I didn't particularly like this as much as Freida's other books that I've read.
03
The Gift
by Freida McFadden
🏷️ Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Short Read
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A dark, twisty Christmas thriller that follows Stella, a broke newlywed who makes a mysterious trade to buy her husband the perfect gift. Short, eerie, and packed with a jaw-dropping ending, it’s a quick read that lingers. I'm not sure if the lingering was in a good way though. 😅 This is a perfect short read for fans of unsettling holiday tales.
04
Ward D
by Freida McFadden
🏷️ Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Plot Twists
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A tense and twisty psychological thriller set in a locked psychiatric ward, Ward D follows medical student Amy on a night shift that spirals into chaos. With flashbacks revealing buried trauma and secrets, the story keeps you guessing about Amy's reliability and what’s real. This was a fast-paced, eerie, and binge-worthy read with Freida’s signature twists! I enjoyed reading this and just kept turning the pages trying to find out how it all ends.
05
The Temporary Roomie
by Sarah Adams
🏷️ Fiction, RomCom, Fake Dating, Enemies to Lovers
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Temporary Roomie is a fun romcom featuring enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and forced proximity tropes. Jessie, a pregnant salon owner, moves in with Drew, her best friend’s brother, and the result is a mix of hilarious pranks and unexpected chemistry. This charming, closed-door romance balances humor with just the right amount of heart. It was a satisfying and fun read!
06
Because You Loved Me
by Victorine E. Lieske
🏷️ Fiction, Clean Romance, Second Chance, Slow Burn
Because You Loved Me is a sweet, clean romance set on Willow Shade Island. Kiki, a nanny with a deep secret, takes a job caring for her own daughter and the handsome single dad, Tobias, who adopted her. As Kiki learns to trust again, a slow-burn connection begins to grow between her and Tobias. Hidden identities and emotional stakes make this feel-good story truly heartwarming. I enjoyed reading it and could really feel Kiki’s raw emotions.
07
The Tenant
by Freida McFadden
🏷️ Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Plot Twists
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When Blake rents out a room to the mysterious Whitney, strange things start happening and nothing is what it seems. This was fast paced and full of tension. It delivers thrills and a chilling twist that McFadden fans will love!
08
When In Rome
by Sarah Adams
🏷️ Fiction, Romcom, Romance, Slow Burn, Feel Good
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This small-town romcom was such a cozy feel-good story. Amelia, a pop star running from her hectic life, lands in Rome, Kentucky, and sparks fly with Noah, the grumpy-but-sweet pie shop owner. Their slow-burn romance is full of witty banter, heart, and all the warm, small-town vibes you expect. I really enjoyed this story from the beginning to the end.
09
The Crash
by Freida McFadden
🏷️ Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Survival Mode
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tegan, eight months pregnant and escaping a troubled past, crashes during a snowstorm and is taken in by strangers in a remote Maine home. What starts as a refuge soon turns tense and dangerous. The story is fast-paced with some solid twists, though a few plot points felt somewhat predictable. This is a gripping psychological thriller for fans of suspense and survival stories.
10
Holiday Hideaway: A Short Story
by Mary Kay Andrews
🏷️ Fiction, Holiday Novellas, RomCom, Second Chances
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tilly moves into a vacation home to escape her messy life, but things get complicated when the new owner shows up unexpectedly. It’s funny, sweet, and full of holiday charm. A quick, cozy read wrapped in warm, fuzzy feelings. I really enjoyed it. Now I want Christmas to come sooner!
11
Say You'll Remember Me
by Abby Jimenez
🏷️ Fiction, RomCom, Romance, Feel-Good, All the Feels
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm a huge Abby Jimenez fan and this did not disappoint! Say You'll Remember Me had me going through the emotions from laughing to crying. I was fully invested from start to finish. Samantha meets Xavier thanks to a feisty rescue kitten, and what starts as a funny, unexpected run-in turns into a love story filled with heart, real-life challenges, and long-distance stakes. It’s emotional and sweet. I absolutely loved it!
12
Just for the Summer
by Abby Jimenez
🏷️ Fiction, Romcom, Slow Burn, Feel Good, Summer Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emma and Justin meet through a Reddit thread about a strange dating curse. They both have noticed the trend of their exes finding their significant others right after dating them. They decide to spend the summer together to break this curse. What starts off fun and casual quickly turns into something heartfelt and real. They both come with emotional baggage, but the way they open up and help each other heal is so beautiful. I loved the lake setting, the found-family feel, and Justin might just be one of my favorite book boyfriends ever. This one made me laugh, cry, and smile all the way to the end. So, so good! I absolutely love Abby's books!
13
Double Take
by Lynette Eason
🏷️ Fiction, Christian, Suspense, Thriller, Mystery, Unexpected Love
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lainie is trying to move on after a brutal attack, but when her ex- the man who attacked her and who she thought was dead - suddenly resurfaces, her world is thrown into chaos. Detective James steps in to protect her, and together they uncover dangerous secrets while navigating trust, trauma, and the spark growing between them. Fast-paced, emotional, and full of suspense. I was hooked from start to finish!
Whew! This was the most books I read in one month! New accomplishment unlocked! 🔓🥳🎉🙌
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