13 minutes by Sarah Pinborough Review

13 Minutes: The twisty turny YA psychological thriller you will not be able to put down

Buy Link 

https://amzn.to/4wwCCwW

Blurb 

I was dead for 13 minutes.

I don't remember how I ended up in the icy water but I do know this - it wasn't an accident and I wasn't suicidal.

They say you should keep your friends close and your enemies closer, but when you're a teenage girl, it's hard to tell them apart. My friends love me, I'm sure of it. But that doesn't mean they didn't try to kill me. Does it?

Review 

Well that's my Thursday done 😂.

I picked this book up from an Auckland little library at the Viaduct.

And WOW 😳. This is not my usual genre, but the blurb piqued my interest and I read the first 3 pages and I took it home to read.

So first I it was going to be a little like the movie Mean Girls ( which I actually watched last week on TVNZ+)

This was definitely more twisty (OMG the plot twists kept me on the sofa ALL DAY)

This book captures all the toxic traits of 16 year old girls... (I felt very attached to Becca, her character being more like my old insecure teenage self)

The storyline is told in multiple POV, diary excerpts, and text messages.

This format really kept me on my toes until the author wanted me to doubt the scene opening on the page.

I was definitely swept back into the past, as the author really did capture the highschool cliques, the  intense, manipulative nature of those who were at the top of the social hierarchy (l was very lucky to go to school BEFORE SOCIAL MEDIA) l only have to look at my granddaughters social media to see how it can be weaponised.

The book is fast paced, kept me totally engrossed, and trying to find the truth of what happened keeps the tension high, so much so that I've read this book in one day ( good job I didn't have much to do 😉)

I could easily see people I knew at School , as I read the book, the characters having very realistic insecurities as teenagers tend to do.

The 'Barbies' were very typical of the narcissistic queens who thought that the world revolved around them.

This book did a good job at creating the narrative of all the dark stuff that goes on in schools.

It deals heavily with bullying, manipulation, and betrayal, this book was highly engaging, quite dark and the mystery of what really happened was definitely a twisty plot reveal.

Although this is a YA Thriller, if you enjoy tense, character-driven mysteries where everyone is a suspect, it is well worth a read. 

New rockstar romance cover reveal! From Kylie Scott

Blurb 

Nash Porter is a rockstar who wants out. He’s had enough of nonstop grinding tours and the pressure of success and fame. It’s time for a taste of normalcy. And his retired housekeeper’s home in a charming small town, is the last place anyone would think to look for him.

Having been dumped and evicted by her idiot ex, June Calloway is ready for a change of scenery. When her grandmother suggests June visit her, she jumps at the chance. What could be better than quiet time in a quaint picturesque town to restart her life and take her mind off her woes? What she doesn’t anticipate is that a rockstar-in-hiding will be her new roommate—and she’ll have to help keep him away from the media and adoring fans.

Concealing a platinum-selling, award-winning musician’s true identity isn’t going to be easy, but June has some ideas. It starts with a shave and haircut, and ends with June claiming Nash is her very ordinary, not the slightest-bit-famous, ex who has come to woo her back. Surely nothing can go wrong.

Order your copy now: Amazon Apple Kobo Nook Goodreads Signed print copies and Audible will be available here soon.

Cover by Austin Drake, @bottlecap.creative.

RELEASE BLITZ Beyond the Spotlight, Green River #1 by Megan O’Brien

 

Title: Beyond the Spotlight

Series: Green River #1

Author: Megan O'Brien

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Small Town/Obsessed Alpha Hero

Release Date: June 30, 2026

BLURB

What if the life you’ve built isn’t the one you truly want?

Hudson Carter has everything: chart-topping hits, sold-out arenas, and a reputation as country music’s golden boy. But behind the spotlight, he’s burned out and craving something real beyond the fame.

Lucy Kincaid is starting over in Green River, Colorado, determined to build a life that finally belongs to her. No expectations. No looking back.

Until Hudson walks into it.

The connection between them is instant, intense, and impossible to ignore. Hudson knows what he wants the moment he meets her. But can Lucy risk her heart when she's fought so hard to reclaim her life on her own terms?

When Lucy’s past resurfaces and the dark side of Hudson's fame threatens the life they’re building, they’ll have to decide: play it safe… or fight for a love that feels like home.

A small-town romance featuring an obsessed alpha hero, no cheating, and a guaranteed HEA

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REVIEW 

✨✨✨✨✨

What if the life you’ve built isn’t the one you truly want?

Oh isn't that the million dollar question ⁉️ 

Having moved across the world at 40, I do know how leaving the life you've known, to start again somewhere new feels like (luckily my soulmate moved with me)

I quickly fell into this storyline, as Lucy moved across states to the sleepy town of Green River. She was a character I could emphasize with.

Hudson... Oh Their first meeting was a really good scene, and I did chuckle as Lucy put him in his place. 

Hudson was a very likable Book boyfriend, hes handsome but he wasn't arrogant, he's over the lifestyle that the music industry has brought him, and when Lucy stepped into the picture, he knew she was 'The One'.

I liked how the romance was paced, and the funny moments were just right for this to be and easy small-town romance Read.

Infact I have just started an old Nora Roberts book that coincidentally has a female character that Also leaves her unfulfilled life to find herself... And this book has the same easy storytelling that transports the reader into another life and experience... Which is why I read. 

I will definitely be looking forward to the next book in this series.

AUTHOR BIO

Megan O'Brien is the bestselling author of the Ride Series and the Talon Security Series. She has a passion for a good love story and most enjoys writing stories with an alpha male and strong female characters.

Megan was born and raised in Northern California where she still resides with her handsome hubby and three amazing kiddos.

When she's not enjoying family time or burying her nose in her kindle she loves hiking, running and relaxing moments on the back porch with a glass of wine.

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Billionaire Sanctuary: The Heir #3 by Blair Babylon

BLURB

Marrying a billionaire was a giant mistake. 

Nicolai not signing a pre-nup with me was worse. 

Because now I’m hooked. 

In twenty-four hours, I’ve met his brother, his awesome cousin, and his lifelong boarding school buddies. They connected with me on their secret social media accounts. I’m in the group chat. 

Last night, for the first time, he touched me. 

I’ve made some really weird life choices, so I’d never been . . . touched. Not like that. 

Wow. I mean, holy cow. I’ve been missing out. 

But when I woke up in bed with him this morning, he turned to me with a blankness on his astonishingly handsome face and said, “I’m divorcing you. Get out.” 

What could I have done so wrong? 

But it doesn’t matter. I won’t just abandon him. I’ll fight for what we had for that one beautiful day because I don’t have anyone or anything else. 

His ice-blue eyes narrowed, and his voice was absolutely calm. “I said, get out.” 

BUY LINKS

AMAZON US : https://amzn.to/4ezCh5d

REVIEW 

Part 3 of The Heir, we start off where book 2 finished.. . The tension is high and poor Lexi is confused about Nico's abrupt change. Thankfully Lexi doesn't capitulate to his demands, she's made of sterner stuff.

This book is fast paced, the tension of yet another threat and the bratvia showing the depths of their depravity to make Nico submit to their demands.

This book starts to show Lexi becoming more confident and standing up to Nico.

This was my favorite so far because of Lexi's determination to protect Nico as much as he wants to protect her.

As usual we're left gasping for breath and anxiously waiting for the next instalment.

If you haven't started this series yet, go grab your copies and start book 1...

https://amzn.to/43umFL5

Other Books in the "Billionaire Sanctuary: The Heir"

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Buy Link  https://amzn.to/3QuoS6o

BOOK 4 COMING SOON...

Cover Reveal for 'The Chosen ' by T. K. Leigh

 

Title: The Chosen

Series: Hunter Trilogy #3

Author: T.K. Leigh

Genres: Dark Romance/Romantic Suspense

Tropes: Captive Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Age Gap

Morally Gray Hero, Hades & Persephone Retelling

Revenge Romance, Forced Proximity

Cover Design: Tracy Kellam

Release Date: July 16, 2026

BLURB

She was supposed to be a pawn. Now I’ll burn down the world to keep her safe.

I thought I knew what evil looked like.

I was wrong.

For years, I believed Victor Kane was the monster at the center of everything...

The man pulling strings, destroying lives, and hunting the people I love.

I was prepared to burn down the world to stop him.

But Victor was only a distraction.

The truth is darker. Older. More sinister.

And it’s been watching me far longer than I ever realized.

Now Ariana is caught in the crosshairs of something far bigger than revenge.

Something that doesn’t just want power.

It wants obedience. Devotion. Sacrifice.

I’ve hunted monsters my entire life.

But this time, the monster isn’t in the shadows.

He’s been standing beside me all along.

The Chosen is the epic conclusion to The Hunter Trilogy, a dark captive romance. Grab your copy today.

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RELEASING JULY 2 HERE

AVAILABLE NOW

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AUTHOR BIO

T.K. Leigh is the USA Today Bestselling author of romance ranging from fun and flirty to sexy and suspenseful. Originally from New England, she now resides outside of Raleigh with her husband, beautiful daughter, special needs rescue dog, and three cats. When she’s not writing, she can be found training for her next marathon (of which she has run over twenty fulls and far too many halfs to recall) or chasing her daughter around the house.

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The distance between the stars by Melissa Toppen Review

 

Title: The Distance Between Stars

Series: Wren Cove #1

Author: Melissa Toppen

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Second Chance, Small Town Romance

Release Date: June 12, 2026

BLURB

Some loves are like the stars, brilliant for a time, but doomed to burn out in the end.

London Voss was the girl who couldn’t wait to get out of town, and that’s exactly what she did. At 18, she left behind her small-town coastal life, her overprotective family, and the boy who loved her too much to stand in the way of her dreams. But seven years later, her big city plans of dancing for The New York City Ballet have fallen apart, and having exhausted all other options, she’s forced to return home.

Wren Cove has changed a lot in her absence. The people. The places. And most notably, Penn Kade. The reckless boy she left behind is now the responsible, stone-faced man running his late father’s fishing company. He’s reliable, successful, and even more handsome than she remembered.

He’s also not exactly thrilled to see her again.

When London takes a temp job as his company’s bookkeeper to make ends meet, she and Penn are forced to put aside their differences and try to work together. But some things are simply easier said than done. Especially when old feelings start to resurface…

The Distance Between Stars is a standalone, small town, second chance romance.

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AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

US

REVIEW 

This is another new to me author, but there is a big back catalogue for me to explore, I've really enjoyed this story.

London left Wren Cove, and and didn't look back, a career at the New York City Ballet was her dream and she was determined to get it.

But now she's forced to return home, after her dancing career ends forever.

She tried everything to keep her career, but in the end, broke, and broken, she has to return to living with her parents back in Wren Cove.

 She is not looking forward to the inevitable gossip, and most importantly, running into Penn Kade. The boy she left behind, although he's not a boy any longer. Penn grew up, he's running his late father’s fishing company. He’s reliable, successful, and even more handsome than she remembered.

When they finally cross paths, he's not particularly thrilled to see her, and she doesn't really enjoy seeing the boy who she's still in love with dating Cat - her arch enemy from school. 

When the only job available is working for Penn, they react like spitting cobra's.

When they finally they put aside their differences and try to work out what they mean to each other, Cat drops a bombshell that could end their future.

Ok that's basically what I'll say about the storyline, now to what I liked: 

I liked that the second chance for London and Penn didn't just happen easy.

That London felt so uneasy and unsure of where she stood now. It's not easy having to return home, defeated and with no idea what to do next. (I know I have been there a few times).

Penn was quite bitter, he really did treat London badly at the beginning, and I loved that London had a few friends to rely on.

Trev was a favorite, and Josie was a good bff and had London's back whenever needed.

One of my favorite paragraphs was when London's mother was talking to her in her bedroom. Oh the times I remember having a conversation like that!

The story was well paced, I enjoyed getting to know the characters, and I think the next book will be just as intriguing, which will be about Josie and Alec. 

What I didn't like... 

There wasn't much really that I didn't like. And it was hard to try and find one to write down. So I'm going to say, I thought Penn should have been more assertive and fought harder for London to understand the situation... But then again he was running to his default character trait, and he eventually got his girl.

AUTHOR BIO

Melissa Toppen is a USA Today Bestselling Author who specializes in Fantasy, New Adult and Contemporary Romance. She is a lover of books and enjoys nothing more than losing herself in a good novel. She has a soft spot for romance and all things fantasy, and focuses her writing in that direction; writing what she loves to read. You can find more information about Melissa and her books at melissatoppen.com

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Low Blow by A.D. Justice. New Release Review Blitz

Title: Low Blow

Series: No Safe Corner #1

Author: A.D. Justice

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Tropes: Protective Alpha Boxer, Fearless Heroine

Buried Past, Corrupt Power, Slow Burn

Release Date: May 28, 2026

BLURB

She rebuilt herself from nothing.

He never expected to be the one she'd have to fight hardest to resist.

Andi Morgan clawed her way out of a past designed to destroy her — foster care, silence, survival — and built something no one could take away: a youth center, a career, a life that finally belongs to her. She's done being someone else's liability.

Then the past comes back swinging.

When buried secrets resurface, and a powerful enemy launches a coordinated campaign to dismantle her reputation, her organization, and everything she's fought for, Andi finds herself in the crosshairs of someone with unlimited resources and no conscience. The attacks are precise. The damage is real. And the person behind it knows exactly which relationships to weaponize.

Luke Woods has been fighting his whole life — in the ring and out of it. He knows how to read an opponent, absorb punishment, and wait for the opening. What he doesn't know how to do is walk away from a woman who refuses to go down.

Protecting Andi should be simple.

Wanting her is anything but.

As the threat escalates and the stakes turn deadly, Luke and Andi discover that the most dangerous fights aren't the ones you see coming — they're the ones you're already in before you know the bell has rung.

Always protect yourself.

Unless she’s the one you can’t afford to lose.

A steamy romantic suspense novel featuring a protective alpha boxer, a fearless heroine with a buried past, corrupt power, and a slow-burn romance that ignites under fire.

Book 1 of the No Safe Corner Series.

This is a reimagined and expanded version of Crazy Maybe, now part of the No Safe Corner trilogy. With deeper character development, higher stakes, and a stronger focus on suspense, this edition delivers a completely new reading experience.

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REVIEW

Andi Morgan has had a lot to deal with, orphaned at a young age, foster care, a broken system that she bears the scars of, but she found safe harbor in Mack and the Tough Enough Gym.

She's fought for her place in life, built a youth center, a career, a life that she finally feels okay in.

When she starts thinking life is actually working out in her favor, the past comes back and its not holding back on the punches.

When Luke Woods walked into 'Tough Enough' Gym, looking for Mack, to train him, he spots Andi... Luke needs to prove to himself and his family that he's going somewhere.  

What he didn't expect to do was walk into the gym and find the stunner from Karaoke last night...

What the author did in that scene was the first incling that I was going to really enjoy this new author to me's work. (I don't do spoilers, you can read it yourself) but all I will say is, I loved Andi's attitude, but also how she was professional enough to allow the poor Luke a bit of dignity (just 😉).

There's another excellent scene further on that had me absolutely 😂. Oh it was such a change of pace to the normal written morning after 😆.

Anyway, there's a lot of attraction between the pair, but their past keeps getting in the way.

Luke really blow's it a few times, and Andi rightly was wary of trusting him. (I wanted to swat him across the head a number of times).

But when Andi's past resurfaces, and someone with power systematically targets her reputation, her youth centre, and everything she holds dear, Luke realizes how much he needs Andi and he steps into the ring with her, no matter what low blow's are heading their way... Anyway enough about the storyline.

 

What did I think:

It's a steamy romantic suspense novel that really pulled me into the characters lives.

It deals with some tough situations, the author really brought the hopelessness of battling the powerful elite, where justice rarely gets served. Where the victims are systematically targeted and vilified in the media. And that's why I gave it 5 stars (as well as that morning after scene).

While I was reading it, I thought about that well know case that was hidden for so long (you know which one I mean. It involved a lot of powerful people...) it really made me think 🤔 how many victims are there in the world who suffer similar situations 🤯.

A protective alpha male who isn't a perfect book boyfriend ( he gets there eventually, but it was nice to see flawed characters) his choices were disappointing in the beginning, but he eventually rose up to the standard of book alpha hero.

A heroine, who has risen from the ashes of her childhood, to take any punches head on, protect the ones she loves, even if it means sacrificing herself, but still have doubts and insecurities that make her struggle to rely on people. (Andi wasn't as flawed as I would expect a person who'd been through the stuff she had experience actually)

An ending that was an ending to this round... But wasn't the end of the fight!

So although it's not a traditional cliffhanger, at the end of the book, you realize that there is more going on, and you are now waiting impatiently for book 2... And 😫 book 3 😵.

Would l recommend the book (series) YES, definitely. It's one of my favorite reads this year.

COMING SOON

Releasing July 9

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

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Releasing August 20

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AUTHOR BIO

A.D. Justice is the award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of several series and stand-alone romance novels in various romance genres, including romantic suspense, contemporary, and paranormal.

When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her alpha male husband in the Northwest Georgia mountains. They’re living out their own HEA, frequently on horseback with a dog in tow.

She is also an avid reader of romance novels, a master of procrastination, a chocolate sommelier, a twister of words, and speaks fluent sarcasm. An avid animal lover, she has two horses, three cats, and two very spoiled dogs.

She loves chatting with her readers. You’re welcome to stalk her across all social media!

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