Girl A
By: Abigail Dean
Release Date | February 2
Genre | Suspense
She is Girl A, the girl who escaped. The one who escaped from the House of Horrors. After her mother's passing, Lex Gracie returns to the House of Horrors determined to turn her horrible past into something good but first she must come to terms with it and the six siblings that also shared the journey.
In Girl A, I anticipate a house filled with abuse or psychological manipulation that pits the siblings against one another. OR the siblings were required to observe something horrible but not partake in it themselves and its because of these questions that I am anticipating reading this suspense novel in 2021 along with many many others.
Find the full review | HERE | for Girl A
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The Project
By: Courtney Summers
Release Date | February 2
Genre | Young Adult
Author of Sadie, The Project is Courtney Summer's new novel filled with thrills, cults, and suspense. Lo Denham's sister, Bea, joined the Unity project after the demise of their parents leaving Lo alone. The Unity Project is renowned, winning multiple awards and stealing the hearts of thousands through their charitable work but what the public doesn't know and what Lo's been desperately failing to prove for the last six years is that there is more to it than meets the eye.
When a man shows up at Lo's place of work claiming the Project killed his son, worlds collide and Lo jumps at the opportunity; it is time to uncover the truth and reunite with her sister - that is if she can whose lying.
In The Project, I anticipate a novel filled with lies and an enjoyable read.
Find the full review | HERE | for The Project
The Burning Girls
By: CJ Tudor
Release Date | February 9
Genre | Suspense
Residing by the seaside, Chapel Croft is home to a community haunted by death and disappearances but how would newcomer Reverend Jack Brooks know that. The goal of moving to the village with their fourteen year old daughter was a fresh start but instead they are greeted with mystery. Mystery that both child and parent are exposed too soon realising that nobody trusts an outsider, especially the ghosts.
In The Burning Girls, I anticipate incorporation of paranormal with murder. I like CJ Tudor's works and am hoping this is up to par with The Taking of Annie Thorne.
The Kitchen Front
By: Jennifer Ryan
Release Date | February 23
Genre | Historical Fiction
Its 1915 and Great Britain is hurting. U-boats are cut-off, cities are destroyed, the Nazi's are leading the war and yet life continues. The BBC programming still hosts The Kitchen Front, a wartime cookery program that is now hosting a competition for the position of first ever female co-host.
Four women are in the running to win this life changing opportunity. It's a widow's opportunity to provide for her children and pay off debts. It is a chance for a kitchen maid to become free. A position as co-host would allow one to leave her husband and his increasingly hostile behaviour. And winning for the trained chef would mean proving to others that women have the right to be professional chefs.
With so much at stake and their whole hearts in it, will this competition with the goal of bringing a nation together actually cause it to further tear apart?
In The Kitchen Front, I anticipate a novel filled with food (who would have guessed), grievances aired, and maybe some public shaming?? I think this is my most anticipated read of 2021.
Find the full review | HERE | for The Kitchen Front
Every Last Fear
By: Alex Finlay
Release Date | March 2
Genre | Psychological Thriller
Right up my alley, Every Last Fear tells the story of a murder and a survivor. This particular survivor is son of an infamous family, infamous due to their involvement in a true crime documentary. Their death via gas leak seems suspicious and Matt knows suspicious murders as his older brother Danny is serving life for a murder the documentary suggests he did not commit.
Except Matt has a secret about that night and as suspicion around the death of his family increase so do the memories of the past and pain he has desperately been avoiding.
In Every Last Fear, I anticipate the family potentially being murdered because Danny actually is innocent and the original murder is trying to tie loose ends or maybe the reverse, the family like Matt knows something about Danny that could only further prove his guilt. I am eager to read and find out whether or not my guesses are proven true.
Find the full review | HERE | for Every Last Fear
Klara and the Sun
By: Kazuo Ishiguro
Release Date | March 2
Genre | Science Fiction
Klara is an Artificial Friend. She watches from within the store those that come to browse; an AF highly optimised for observation and one who hopes to be chosen.
From the limited blurb, in Klara and the Sun, I anticipate AI and human friendships. I don't really know what to expect but any combination of the sci-fi and dystopian genre is ideal making this novel an anticipated read in 2021.
Find the full review | HERE | for Klara and the Sun
Lightseekers
By: Femi Kayode
Release Date | March 2
Genre | Mystery
Summoned by a powerful politician, Dr. Philip Taiwo has been assigned to investigate the deaths of three university students in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The problem is, Philip is not a detective, his studies focus on the why not the who in crime and upon his arrival he is swept up, completely unprepared, into the frenzy of these mob-driven murders. With his driver Chika by his side Dr. Taiwo must work towards uncovering who, not why these murders occurred.
In Lightseekers, I anticipate this "powerful politician" playing a larger role than is let on and a professor discovering his intuition is better than he thought. This is a mystery novel I am ready to read.
The Rose Code
By: Kate Quinn
Release Date | March 9
Genre | Historical Fiction
The authour of The Alice Network brings to 2021 a new novel about World War II and three female code breakers. Osla, Mab and Beth are retired Bletchley Circle code breakers who have been reunited to expose one last spy. The Rose Code is destined to have intrigue, drama, and pain.
In The Rose Code, I anticipate nothing. Quinn's works always surprise and if it is anything like The Alice Network, I know to set aside 4 hours of my time to gobble this up in one setting.
Find the full review | HERE | for The Rose Code
Dark Lullaby
By: Polly Ho-Yen
Release Date | March 23
Genre | Dystopian
Kit lives in a society where parenting standards are strict. Parents are monitored by OSIP to ensure a child's safety and any step out of line is cause for immediate removal of a child, for their safety of course. Despite the standards, Kit believes she is prepared to have a child until she does. How far will Kit go to dodge the gaze of OSIP and keep her family together?
In Dark Lullaby, I anticipate something different. I am hoping for a mother's determination to shine through and maybe a disruption to the system.
What I am most excited about is to read this - who doesn't love exploring new worlds? This concept is something I typically would stray away from reading but the blurb made it so enticing and 2021 is made for new things and its time to read something new!
The Forest of Stolen Girls
By: June Hur
Genre | Young Adult
Release Date | April 20
Hwani and her sister were found unconscious in the woods shortly after having gone missing; a horrible thing to occur alone but down-right bone chilling when coupled with the fact they were found nearby a gruesome crime scene. Since then, Hwani's family have never been the same and the only thing the sisters remember is that their captor wore a white mask.
Years later, Hwani's father, Detective Min, learns about the recent disappearance of thirteen other girls in the woods his own were found in. Determined to find answers, Detective Min returns - only to go missing himself. Plagued with guilt and determination to undo what tore apart their family, Hwani returns home to continue the search discovering along the way that some answers lie with what she forget in the forest years ago.
In The Forest of Stolen Girls, I anticipate a run through the woods, reconciliation, a potential death, and so much suspense. I am eager to read this!
Arsenic and Adobo
By: Mia P. Manansala
Release Date | May 4
Genre | Mystery
The first instalment of Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mysteries (a cozy series name may I say), Arsenic and Adobo starts Lila Macapagal and her return home after devastating heartbreak. Just like a Hallmark movie, Lila's come home to despair and is immediately tasked with helping Tita Rosie save her failing restaurant.
When a food critic, who coincidentally is also her ex, falls dead moments after confroting Lila, her Hallmark movie plot turns into a murder mystery - with her as the prime suspect.
In Arsenic and Adobo, I anticipate a lighthearted novel with characters you can root for and are eager to read more about. I mean, this is the start of a series so let's hope the first one is great.
The Ivies
By: Alexa Donne
Release | May 25
Genre | Young Adult
The Ivies are the most powerful, public, and famous universities within the United States and its known worldwide that if you are part of an Ivy, you yourself are power. And nothing is more powerful than being accepted into one of those coveted universities, something five girls at Claflin Academy know. They will do anything in their power to obtain acceptance. From leadership positions, competitions, to high scores, they will do what is needed to put themselves on top even murder. How do I know? Well, I'm one of them.
In The Ivies, I anticipate a ramped up Gossip Girl vibe and either this will be trashy fun to read or exciting. Doesn't matter, both are great options making this a novel to read in 2021.
Find the full review | HERE | for The Ivies
The Maidens
By: Alex Michaelides
Release Date | June 1
Genre | Mystery
The Maidens combines Greek mythology, murder, and obsession in an attempt to create something you cannot tear your eyes away from. Fosca is an untouchable professor at Cambridge University. He is adored by staff and students except Mariana Andros is certain he is a murderer. When a member of The Maidens, a secret society on campus, turns up dead, Mariana is certain Fosca is the killer.
In The Maidens, I anticipate a beautiful intertwining of Greek mythology and murder, both subjects I adore reading about and can't wait to read in six months!
Find the full review | HERE | for The Maidens
