I am currently re-listening to the Harry Dresden Files, but took a break to listen to his newest offering, Outlaw, by Jim Butcher. The events in this novel take place after the fall of Chicago and begin when Gentleman John Marcone, Baron of Chicago, calls in a favor owed. He needs Harry to assist an underling who is looking to go straight. Doing so finds Harry in the middle of a battle he wants no part of.

The past comes back in a big way for Chicago's only professional wizard in this action-packed novella from the #1 New York Times –bestselling Dresden Files.

In a city that's just beginning to recover from the devastation caused by the Battle of Chicago, Harry Dresden is finally pulling himself together as well. He's ensconced in his own personal castle, healing his various wounds, and training an eager new apprentice. The last thing he wants is any trouble. But, as history has consistently—and quite annoyingly—shown, what Harry wants is rarely what Harry gets.

It starts with a visit from Harry's most powerful frenemy, Gentleman John Marcone, Baron of Chicago. He needs Harry to assist in the redemption of an underling who's looking to go straight. And since Harry does kinda sorta owe Marcone for saving his life once (stupid honorable debt!), it's not a request he can refuse. He'll just wish he had.

Because this little favor is going to drag Harry into a fight he doesn't want on behalf of a lowlife he doesn't trust against an enemy more powerful and pestilent than he ever could've an insatiable, demonic foe whom Harry himself may have created when he wiped out the vampires of the Red Court so long ago.

Before, all it wanted was blood. Now it wants the entire world . . .

Harry is pulling himself together, the city is healing, and dare he hint he is feeling good. That is until there is a knock on the door. It’s Marcone. And before Harry can slam the door on John, he reminds Harry that he owes him a debt. If he performs this task, the two will be even. Ugh. So natural Harry reluctantly agrees. While Butcher does a stellar job of bringing readers/listeners up to speed, I strongly recommend listening to the series in the order of its release, novellas included.

Out Law is a moral parable, a story of new beginnings and redemption. The favor Marcone wants is for Harry to help one of his men who has decided to go straight. And mostly he has, but he made a mistake and bet funds meant for a charity, hoping to double it for said charity. As luck would have it, he does. Only the organizer of the bet won’t pay up. Soon Harry discovers it’s a former member of t the Red Court Vampires. Oh Boy!

Naturally, I found myself pulled into the story. I love seeing familiar characters and settings. However, Butcher continues to introduce new characters and expand our knowledge of the world he has created. Even though this is a novella and roughly half the length of a typical novel, it felt complete and unhurried.

James Marsters narrates and is simply brilliant and giving voice to these characters from Harry to Bob. I strongly recommend listening, although I confess to owning them in hardcover, ebook and audio. Another addictive tale in a world I will never grow tired of.

Amazon* | Audible | Libro.fm

About Jim Butcher

Jim Butcher is the author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and a new steampunk series, the Cinder Spires. His resume includes a laundry list of skills which were useful a couple of centuries ago, and he plays guitar quite badly. An avid gamer, he plays tabletop games in varying systems, a variety of video games on PC and console, and LARPs whenever he can make time for it. Jim currently resides mostly inside his own head, but his head can generally be found in his home town of Independence, Missouri. Jim goes by the moniker Longshot in a number of online locales. He came by this name in the early 1990′s when he decided he would become a published author. Usually only 3 in 1000 who make such an attempt actually manage to become published; of those, only 1 in 10 make enough money to call it a living. The sale of a second series was the breakthrough that let him beat the long odds against attaining a career as a novelist.

Website

About James Marsters

James Marsters, famous as Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is a highly acclaimed audiobook narrator, best known for bringing Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files series to life, where he voices multiple characters and is praised for his emotional depth and performance. He also narrates books by other authors like Cassandra Clare and Oscar Wilde, earning an Earphones Award for his work.

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2026 Audiobook Challenge

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Nora Roberts’ latest romantic suspense, The Final Target, delivered a suspenseful tale set against new beginnings, small towns, and wonderful characters. An addictive standalone perfect for your beach tote this summer.

A young author becomes the object of a fan’s desire―and rage―in the gripping new thriller by the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Hidden Nature.

He showed up at Arden Bowie’s debut author appearance with a copy of her novel and an eager smile. He showered her with compliments and got her autograph. Then he came to her next event. And the one after that.

Dustin was just an aspiring writer who wanted advice, Arden reassured herself. But after giving in to one of his incessant invitations and chatting with him over coffee, she discovered that ignoring her inner alarm bell had been a terrible mistake…

An introvert at heart, Arden had long craved solitude―but now, after a harrowing assault, she finds herself hiding behind locked doors and startling at every sound. And her relief at his imprisonment is tempered by anxiety when Dustin’s wealthy mother helps to get him a paltry five-year sentence at a psychiatric facility.

Arden decides to write a new story for herself, moving to a tiny Oregon town and befriending Gideon, an ex-LAPD detective. But while she learns to thrive, Dustin remains his delusional, twisted self, as fixated as ever and now seething with anger. He still believes Arden's purpose on earth is to serve and please him. And his job is to protect her. But who will protect her from him?

The Final Target is a standalone novel and tells the story of obsession, overcoming, and new beginnings. Arden Bowie is a debut author when Dustin showed up. He seemed harmless at first, but then he came to all her events until he showed up at her door. The tale that unfolded held me captive as we witnessed Arden begin anew.

The event in her apartment damaged Arden, yet she is a fighter. She continues to write, even if she has to wedge a chair under the front door to do it. Roberts did a stellar job of showing what Arden was going through and the fierce determination she had to reclaim her life, even as the fear of his release followed her.

Arden takes control of her life and moves cross-country to Oregon to be closer to her family. She buys a lovely mountain home and makes it her own. Here she meets the local hardware owner, who introduces her to his son, Gideon Riley, an ex-LAPD detective who does beautiful woodwork. I loved getting to know all the secondary characters, including Arden’s closet neighbors. We witness the close-knit community Arden has been accepted into, see her home transform, get plenty of foodie talk to have me craving a sandwich, and lots of laughter, tender moments, and the building of something special.

Roberts doesn’t forget Dustin, though. We are treated to his perceptive and obsession as he works the system and gets closer to his release. What happened after kept me reading into the wee hours. The suspense grew as Dustin drew closer to Oregon. I will leave you to discover what happens.

A perfect blend of women’s fiction, thriller, and romantic suspense, The Final Target is the perfect beach read.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts is the number-one New York Times–bestselling author of Whiskey Beach, The Witness, Chasing Fire, and The Search, among other titles. She is also the author of the bestselling In Death series, written under the pen name J. D. Robb. There are more than 400 million copies of her novels in print.

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It’s here! Grab your audiobooks and join us in celebrating Audiobook Month with the JIAM 2026 Audiobook Challenge hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer & That’s What I’m Talking About.

Find the official rules on the sign-up post. Then start listening and enter for a chance to win The Murder of Crows Audible trilogy from Chris Tullbane and a Chirp Gift Card!

Challenges

Complete at least one challenge to enter giveaway. See rules listed below.

• Finish/Start a series in a month. (listen to at least 3 audiobooks in a series)
• Love your Library (listen to 3 audiobooks from your local library)
• Let there be Monsters (listen to 3 audiobooks with monsters/paranormal elements)
• Going the Distance (listen to 3 audiobooks over 12 hours each)
• Tackle your Audiobook TBR Pile (listen to 3 audiobooks you already own)

Be sure you’ve signed up: 2026 JIAM Audiobook Challenge Sign-up

Audiobook Review Link-up

Linkup your reviews (Two to three sentences, showing you’ve listened and when. (Goodreads link, blog, Instagram link etc)

Enter the Giveaway

Enter for a chance to win the Murder of Crows trilogy by Chris Tullbane on Audible and a Chirp Gift card.

May the odds be forever in your favor, and your ears always connected!

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The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @CaffeinatedReviewer. It’s a chance to share news — a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join weekly, biweekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

It was a busy week. Sophia graduated from elementary school; there was baseball, softball, and the last day of school. It’s the last day of May, and tomorrow we kick off June and celebrate Audio Month. Our weather behaved, and the temperature is warming up, making me thrilled as I continue to recover from this cough and cold. Stay caffeinated & spread kindness.

Last Week on the Blog

• The Lake House by Lori Foster (book review)
• Bad Boy Era by Amy Daws (book review)
• Cash and Gravity by Perrin Pring (audiobook review)

This Week on the Blog

• JIAM 2026 Audiobook Challenge Kick-off (event)
• The Final Target by Nora Roberts (book review)
• Out Law by Jim Butcher (audiobook review)
• The Midnight Train by Matt Haig (audiobook review)

New Arrivals at the Caffeinated Cafe

• Lead Me Home by Catherine ByBee
• Dive Bar at the End of the Road by Kelley Armstrong
• The Calamities by Chuck Wendig

A special thank you to Brilliance Audio & St. Martin’s Press

Around The Blogosphere

• Join the JIAM Audiobook Challenge and Win.
• Make the switch to Libro.fm and support independent bookstores. You’ll get two audiobooks when you sign up.

Caffeinated PR

Link Up Your Edition Of The Sunday Post

Before you link up, please be sure your weekly post includes a link back to Caffeinated Reviewer and the Sunday Post.

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Narrated by Elizabeth Ashby, Cash and Gravity by Perrin Pring delivered an action-packed sci-fi western with a motley crew who find themselves on a mission that could change the future. For geeks and cowboys, you won’t want to miss this first in the Chevy Cole series.

A high-stakes chase across the American West. A device that could change the world. Three unlikely allies thrown together by fate.

In the not so distant future, six mega corporations and their privatized armies have supplanted the American government. They compete for resources, market position, and the ultimate long game prize of colonizing the stars.

Chevy Cole left her conservative family behind for life as a Launch Tech marine and never looked back, proud of her role as a first-into-the-fire grunt, even if she were well below the revered female super soldiers known as Aces. When rumors spread that one of the Big Six has created a fusion device that would put the stars within reach, all-out war looms.

After the catastrophic failed siege of a Nevada mine leaves most of her comrades dead, Chevy encounters a dying Ace in possession of a mysterious package and a surprise: this Ace is a man. Joined by Dolon, an aging mercenary "phantom" sent by Launch Tech to transport the package to an Idaho safehouse, the three form an uneasy alliance.

As they try to outrun a rival corporation's ruthless agents across the desert in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, Chevy realizes that their survival may also determine who controls the future. But when greed is the only rule of law, who can she trust?

If you enjoy action-packed stories and westerns and are intrigued by the science fiction genre, Cash and Gravity is the perfect place to start. The world-building is engaging without the info dumps, as we are thrust into the story as it unfolds.

We first meet Chevy, a space marine who, along with her team, is sent to a mining area in Nevada. Thing go wrong quickly and she finds herself injured and her teammates dead. She discovers a lifeboat that crashed with Ace, a special agent and coveted device on board.

Dolon, a phantom who lives off the grid, has been tasked with bringing the device to a safe house. He did not expect travel companions, but the three work together as they are chased by bad guys who want the device. I liked Dolan, who has basically shut himself off from the world after his wife’s death.

The story is primarily told from Chevy’s perspective, but we get chapters with others, including the men pursuing them. Ruthless mercenaries who get a thrill out of kills. Chevy has been hurt, and Ace is suffering from some sort of space illness. As they travel across country, the three form a bond and explore the consequences of the device and the outcome if it were to fall into the wrong hands.

Pring’s storytelling pulls the listener/reader in. His characters are complex and have depth as he touches on themes of consequences, greed and power. The story has twists, humor, climatic scenes and plenty of action that kept me listening well past my bedtime. I cannot wait for the next one.

The world-building was interesting, and the world has a dystopian vibe. It’s a corporate-run world where each is vying for power and minerals, both on planet and off world. Each wants to rule and sabotage, espionage and battles are not uncommon.

Elisabeth Ashby is a narrator I am familiar with and she does a stellar job of capturing the tone of the story and bringing our characters to life. Chevy is a powerful character and Ashby did her justice.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Perrin Pring

A former white water kayaker who competed on the World Cup circuit, Perrin Pring is now a park ranger. She has worked and lived across the U.S., riding horses in the Rocky Mountains, driving Jeeps in the wilds of the desert, greeting the sunrise in Hawaii, and running chainsaws in the Sierra Mountains. She holds an MFA in creative writing and screenwriting from UC Riverside Palm Desert and a BA from Tufts University. Her writing has appeared in Backcountry Journal, the Coachella Review, and Kelp Literary. She lives in the Rocky Mountain West.

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About Elisabeth Ashby

Elisabeth Ashby is a seasoned character actor and singer with over two decades of stage experience. Having loved audiobooks since she was a little girl checking cassettes out from the local library, she is thrilled to have found a way to combine her love of performing with her lifelong passion for the written word as a narrator. Originally from Upstate New York, she now lives in Central Virginia with her husband and two cats.

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2026 Audiobook Challenge

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I have been loving the Mountain Men Matchmaker series and was excited to dive into Bad Boy Era by Amy Daws. This story belongs to our little matchmaker, Everly Fletcher, and a very hot, Irish Rugby player.

Rule #1 on the Everly Fletcher Matchmaking Manifesto…Never fall for your best friend’s grumpy brother.

Everly is the matchmaking mastermind of her family, but her own love life is a bit of a flop.

Back from four years in Dublin, she’s ready for a quiet summer on Fletcher Mountain helping launch her aunt’s animal rescue center—until Conri “Wolf” Reilly shows up.

Wolf is her college roommate’s infuriating twin brother. He’s brooding, Irish, and college rugby’s resident bad boy with thighs that could crack a watermelon.

His red card reputation has trashed his rugby prospects…until a training camp in Denver comes calling. As a favor, Everly reluctantly gets Wolf a place to stay if he volunteers at the rescue center.

Now Everly’s finds herself working and living next door to the Irish tattooed grump who treats her like a nuisance—but looks at her like he could press her up against a hay bale until they forget their own names.

Wolf swore he came to America to fix his image, not fall for his sister’s best friend, but the more time he spends with Everly, the harder it is to keep his distance.

Perhaps Everly’s in her bad boy era…or maybe Fletcher Mountain might has its own matchmaking plans.

All the books in the Mountain Men Matchmaker series have their own romance and can work on their own. However, this series features siblings, offers delicious romance, humor, and a crazy amount of animals. I recommend devouring them in the order of their release.

Everly has been away attending college in Dublin. Her family, particularly her uncles, believe she is having the time of her life. She has a best friend, and has successfully worked her matchmaking successfully on campus, but not so much in the boyfriend department. Turns out our matchmaker is awkward out there on her own and wore an over-sharer.

Her best friend’s grumpy brother, Conri “Wolf” Reilly might make Everly weak in the knees but he’s never shown any interest. The man is all muscle and intense with temper to boot, but there is more to him that what appears on the surface as we and Everly soon find out.

When Wolf loses a chance to play Rugby in Ireland, and their parents fuss about her BFF not playing, Everly steps in and gets Wolf a place to stay if he volunteers at the rescue center when the Denver Rugby team makes an offer. Holy hotness, this was good, and I loved being back on the mountain.

Bad Boy Era has it all. It was smart and funny, hot and sexy, cute, and filled with family. I loved it all from moments at the rescue center to poker night with the men. I adore Everly and loved the growth we saw in her, and seeing Wolf open up as well was heartfelt. Psst- be sure and follow the directions to get the free epilogue. So worth it.

Amy Daws has delivered with this series. I love the Fletcher family, their animals and the people they fall for. Bad Boy Era was a hot, sexy, adorkable read, and I cannot wait for her next one.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Amy Daws

Amazon Bestselling author Amy Daws writes spicy love stories that take place in America, as well as across the pond. She's most known for her footy-playing Harris Brothers and writing in a tire shop waiting room. When Amy is not writing, she’s likely making charcuterie boards from her home in South Dakota where she lives with her daughter and husband.

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I was delighted to read another standalone small-town romance in the Firefly Summer series. The Lake House by Lori Foster delivered all the feels as Bramble, Kentucky gets a new resident for the summer. You’ll want to take this one to the lake this summer.

Second chances, surprising revelations, and sweet, unexpected love go hand-in-hand in the tiny lakeside town at the heart of this charming series from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster.

When Pixie Nolan first came to Bramble, Kentucky, the abandoned and desperate young single mother found hope, healing, and a fresh start. With the loving support of her best friends—Marlow Heddings and her handsome Marine husband, Cort—Pixie is now happily raising her toddler son in a cozy cottage, managing Marlow’s thriving boutique, and designing firefly logo t-shirts that are selling like hotcakes. The past is behind her, and life is good.

She never expected to make an electrifying connection with a summer renter, a retired Navy SEAL with his own complicated past …

A rugged warrior with scars both seen and unseen, Brogan Rafferty arrives with an adorable baby girl in tow and settles into the lake house next door. And while he’s a stunning addition to the gorgeous scenery, it’s his caring devotion that captures Pixie’s heart—the way he gently snuggles away the precious infant’s cries, or swoops Pixie’s delighted little boy high in the air with his tattooed, muscular arms.

But it’s no coincidence that Brogan has found Pixie, and his startling revelations make it clear she’s the key to healing old regrets and building new dreams. And when a hostile stranger turns up with shocking accusations against Bramble’s new hometown hero, Pixie must put her own fears and heartbreak away for good—and learn what it truly means to trust.

Brogan Rafferty, a retired Navy SEAL, arrives in Bramble with an adorable baby girl in tow. He is renting out the old cottage that Pixie and her son used before settling next door. While this works as a standalone romance with its own HEA, previous characters and townfolk are woven into the story. If you love that small-town vibe and updates like I do, you’ll want to grab book one first.

Lori Foster delivered a realistic, heartwarming story that unfolded slowly and settled over me like a favorite cozy blanket. Brogan is broody, protective, and carrying baggage. He feels guilty about things even as we learn they were beyond his control. He is very protective and gentle with baby Shayna and the man stole my heart.

Pixie and her adorable son Andy have come along way since they arrived on Marlow’s doorstep. I loved seeing the confidence that has come from being surrounded by her found family. The chemistry is there between her and Brogan, and I loved watching this one unfold. Brogan’s story touched me. Foster has a way of making her characters feel genuine.

Secrets, a little mystery, and some danger kept me reading. Andy and his affection for Shayna, “my baby,” stole scenes and made me smile. We get updates and see Marlow and Cort which delighted me, as well as the townsfolk who embraced these newcomers.

If you are looking for a swoony, feel-good, small-town romance that will leave you with a smile, I recommend packing The Lake House in your tote this summer.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Lori Foster

Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has become a USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author. Lori has published through a variety of houses, including Kensington, St. Martin’s, Harlequin, Silhouette, Samhain, and Berkley/Jove. She is currently published with HQN.

Website | Facebook

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The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @CaffeinatedReviewer. It’s a chance to share news — a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join weekly, biweekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

Caught a cold with a cough that keeps me up all night; had my yearly mammogram and dealt with unseasonably cold weather and rain. We had a quiet weekend, and I have been resting. Finally, starting down the Dungeon Crawler Carl series rabbit hole and I am continuing my re-listen of the Harry Dresden Files. Stay caffeinated & spread kindness.

Last Week on the Blog

• An Ordinary Sort of Evil by Kelley Armstrong (book/audiobook review)
• The Mermaid in the Shot Glass by Hailey Edwards (audiobook review)
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Volume 2 by Beth Brower (book review/ guest blogger)

This Week on the Blog

• The Lake House by Lori Foster (book review)
• Bad Boy Era by Amy Daws (book review)
• Cash and Gravity by Perrin Pring (audiobook review)

New Arrivals at the Caffeinated Cafe

• Disenchanted by Lucy Jane Wood

A special thank you to Berkley Publishing Group.

Around The Blogosphere

• Join the JIAM Audiobook Challenge and Win.
• Make the switch to Libro.fm and support independent bookstores. You’ll get two audiobooks when you sign up.

Caffeinated PR

Link Up Your Edition Of The Sunday Post

Before you link up, please be sure your weekly post includes a link back to Caffeinated Reviewer and the Sunday Post.

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Sophia Rose is here with the second volume of the Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower. Come check out her thoughts and see why she is enjoying the witty adventures of Emma, narrated by Genevieve Grant.

I was sitting at my desk reading, with a cup of tea, my windows flung open, when I heard The Tenant enter his garret, just on the other side of the wall from myself.”

THE YEAR IS 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

Listeners have compared Beth Brower's writing to Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, P.G. Wodehouse, and L. M. Montgomery.

Sophia Rose’s Review

After winning – and losing, the first skirmish of her war over Lapis Lazuli House and her independence, Emma Lion is settled in her half of the garret with ‘The Tenant’ occupying the other.  Beth Brower’s sparkling, witty Emma and her adventures are still being chronicled in her journal-style writing to fabulous results.

In Volume Two, Emma faces the precarious financial situation Cousin Archibald has left them all in, the London Season under the dictatorship of her Aunt Eugenia, curiosity over the required new tenant (which the Roman ghost stirred himself to give warning over, and the crisis of ‘the Jane Eyres’.

Emma is growing up.  She is still impulsive in word and deed, but has moments of pause and reflection as well as cleverness to see her through each time she’s in a pickle.  I loved learning some more about ‘The Tenant’, an escapade involving her friends and old school, and seeing how Emma and Society took to one another. 

There are ongoing plot threads that stretch beyond Volume Two and I can’t wait to see what comes next for Emma.

Genevieve Gaunt is Emma’s voice in my head and love all the familiar character voices from the maid’s chippy Scottish to the duke’s slow aristocratic drawl.  Very gifted with voices and ability to interpret the tone and pace of the story.

This second outing with the series was even stronger after all the intros in the first and I can only anticipate each new installment.  I’m setting this as a historical fiction, but there are hints that romance might be a growing element as the volumes progress.  Definitely recommend!

Amazon* | Audible | Libro.fm

*kindleunlimited

About Beth Brower

Beth Bower graduated with a degree in literary studies, and is working on the novels that keep pounding on the doors of her mind and none of her characters are very patient to wait their turn. She lives with her wonderful chemist husband and has books in every room of their house.

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About Sophia Rose

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.

Goodreads

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It’s time for the next Groom & Doom audiobook. The Mermaid in the Shot Glass is the third book in this cozy paranormal fantasy featuring dragons! Ana is training and getting closer to Rían as the story continues.

The time has come for Ana to conquer her doubts about her heritage and discover her inner dragon. Her lessons begin with summoning fire on the shore at Lendman Park, placing a buffer between her fledgling powers and town. Her flames prove eager to please, leaping to her fingertips, but a sudden burst of magic topples her and Rían into the lake. A lake one of the locals swears is inhabited by a mermaid.

Too bad the mermaid lore isn't the only story making the rounds in Brentwood. Rumor has it that Mercer Bates has challenged Carmichael Sartori for control of the Sartori pack. Ana doesn't want to care whether Carmichael lives or dies, but our hearts don't always listen to our heads. And that proves doubly true when someone Ana considers a new friend reveals her true loyalties in an explosive betrayal that shakes the foundation of the Walsh clan.

Narrated by Leanne Woodward, the Groom & Doom is a novella series featuring a latent shifter who was living among wolves until she learned she was stolen from her family. This is a series that should be listened to in the order of its release. Romance, suspense, magic, and found family await you.

Ana has begun her training and is growing more comfortable with the Walsh clan. Her bond with Rian is strengthening, as is her relationship with others. Mercer Bates has challenged Carmichael Sartori for control of the Sartori pack, and even though she is angry at Carmichael for what he did to her and her mother, she still struggles as she worries about him dying. With the unrest, Brentwood is still on lockdown, and Rian and his clan are spread thin keeping everyone safe.

A lesson with her flames has Ana and Rian at the bottom of the lake. When tensions get hot, Rian takes her to a special place. We see their connection grow stronger, and their chemistry is electric. I love how patient he is with her, and seeing Ana flourish was wonderful.

The audiobooks are delightful and capture the tone and emotions of the characters. At just under five hours, these are perfect for road trips. I’m excited for the next audiobook, The Pixie in the Pickle Jar.

Amazon* | Audible | Libro.fm

*kindleunlimited

About Hailey Edwards

Hailey Edwards writes about questionable applications of otherwise perfectly good magic, the transformative power of love, the family you choose for yourself, and blowing stuff up. Not necessarily all at once. That could get messy. She lives in Alabama with her husband, their daughter, and a herd of dachshunds.

Website | Facebook

About Leanne Woodward

Leanne Woodward has always wondered what was happening elsewhere. In someone else's story, in some other universe. Now she spends her days immersed in fantastical, dark, and thrilling tales. She's been behind the microphone for more than thirty years, working in radio as well as on commercial voice-over projects. Her theater and improv experience bring risk-taking, emotion, and depth to her performances. She loves learning accents and languages—currently, French! When not narrating, Leanne explores the "real" world with hikes into the wild and dangerous culinary experiments.

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2026 Audiobook Challenge

Source

I was delighted to return to 1870s Scotland and the Rip Through Time series. An Ordinary Sort of Evil by Kelley Armstrong has Mallory and Duncan working an unusual case and creating alternative paths. Advancement in our slow-burning romance and a suspenseful case had me reading & listening into the wee hours.

New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong returns to Victorian Scotland in the latest in the genre-blending Rip Through Time series.

Modern-day homicide detective Mallory Mitchell has grown accustomed to life in Victorian Scotland after travelling 150 years into the past into the body of a housemaid. She’s built a new life for herself. Even though she works as an assistant to forensic-science pioneer Dr. Duncan Gray and Detective Hugh McCreadie, she considers them true friends. And with Gray in particular, perhaps, someday, something more.

Late one night, Gray and Mallory are summoned urgently to the home of Lady Adler, a patron of Gray’s undertaking business, and they assume there's been a death in the household. But instead, they arrive in the midst of a seance with a ghost demanding Gray's presence. The ghost is Lady Adler's former maid, who had gone missing but now requests that Gray investigate her murder. Although Gray and Mallory are skeptical, they agree to look into the matter, whether she's dead or alive. But unsure if there's been a murder or not, unable to call out the medium as a fraud, and concerned for the fate of the young maid, Gray and Mallory are once again drawn into a mystery much more puzzling--and more dangerous--than it first seems

The author does a wonderful job of bringing new readers and listeners up to speed, and each of the books in A Rip Through Time series has its own standalone mystery. However, if like me you enjoy seeing the slow-burning romance develop as well as the motley crew of friends Mallory Atkinson has surrounded herself with, I recommend devouring them in the order of their release. I also highly recommend reading all the novellas, too.

An Ordinary Sort of Evil is the fifth book in the series and takes place shortly after the events of Death at a Highland Wedding. Mallory and Duncan are enjoying a drink when there is a knock at the door. It seems Duncan is being summoned urgently to the home of Lady Adler, a patron of Gray’s undertaking business. Both he and Mallory assume there’s been a death in the household. They arrive to find the Lady hosting a séance and it seems a ghost, a maid in the Adler house, is requesting Dr. Grey’s help in finding her murderer. Yep, I was hooked. I love how Armstrong weaves in the history of this time period and séances.

Of course Duncan doesn’t believe in ghosts, being a man of science, but Detective Hugh reminds him he should be more open-minded, especially since Mallory is really from the twenty-first century. Speaking of Hugh, his romance with Isle continues, hampered only by Mallory being an unmarried woman in the Grey household. Because of that, we see some movement in the slow-burning romance between Mallory and Duncan.

I absolutely loved the mystery, Jack’s involvement, and the interest from a certain royal figure. It delivered some twists and suspenseful moments that had me holding my breath. I had the pleasure of switching between reading and listening. I have read the series and novellas, but jumped at the chance to listen along. Kate Handford narrates and did a lovely job of giving voice to Mallory and these characters.

I closed this one with a satisfied smile and look forward to the next book in this addictive series with characters I love. Perfect for fans of historical mysteries served with a side dish of romance.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Kelley Armstrong

Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed. Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.

Website | Facebook

About Kate Handford

Kate Handford is an award winning voice over artist, narrating audio books, voicing characters in video games, and international campaigns including The Modist & World Animal Protection. ​She has performed on stage at Shakespeare's Globe, the National Theatre Studio & in films shown at international festivals.

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The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @CaffeinatedReviewer. It’s a chance to share news — a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join weekly, biweekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

This was a busy week with baseball, storms, and a visit from Hazel. June is Audiobook month and we’ve got a fun month-long challenge with a chance to win The Murder of Crows trilogy from author Chris Tullbane and a Chirp gift card. I hope you’ll join us! Link in the sidebar. Stay caffeinated & spread kindness.

Last Week on the Blog

• What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall (audiobook review)
• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (audiobook review)
• The Duke’s Bargain by Megan Walker (book review/ guest blogger)
• Platform Decay by Martha Wells (audiobook review)

This Week on the Blog

• An Ordinary Sort of Evil by Kelley Armstrong (book/audiobook review)
• The Mermaid in the Shot Glass by Hailey Edwards (audiobook review)
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Volume 2 by Beth Brower (book review/ guest blogger)
• Junkyard Riders by Faith Hunter (audiobook review)

New Arrivals at the Caffeinated Cafe

• Christmas at Honeycombe Bay by Liliac Mills
• The Midnight Train by Matt Haig

A special thank you to Ballantine Books & PRH

Around The Blogosphere

• Join the JIAM Audiobook Challenge and Win.
• Make the switch to Libro.fm and support indie bookstores. You’ll get two audiobooks when you sign up.

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Narrated by Kevin R. Free, Platform Decay by Martha Wells delivered the newest installment with my favorite SecUnit, Murderbot. Murderbot is on a rescue mission, and there may be feelings involved!

Everyone's favorite lethal SecUnit is back in the next installment of Martha Wells' bestselling and award-winning Murderbot Diaries series.

Having someone else support your bad decision feels kind of good.

After volunteering to run a rescue mission, Murderbot realizes that it will have to spend significant time with a bunch of humans it doesn't know.

Including human children. Ugh.

This may well call for … eye contact!

(Emotion check: Oh, for f—)

Platform Decay is the eighth audiobook in the Murderbot Diaries and a series that I recommend be listened to in the order of their release. Our SecUnit evolves, as do his relationships with the humans he interacts with.

Our Murderbot is totally out of his comfort zone as he goes on a rescue mission in the dangerous Corporation Rim. He is concerned that Barish-Estranza, the evil megacorp, is still a threat to him and the humans. He has a plan to rescue members of Dr. Mensah’s family, but of course, there are complications. The tale that unfolded was fantastic, addictive, and left me wanting more of this world and our bot.

I was worried that the emotions program our SecUnit installed was causing a systems collapse and relieved it was not; it is changing Murderbot, not that he would admit it, and its stats had me grinning. The rescue was long and complicated as we navigated the rim. It kept Murderbot busy, and our poor SecUnit could barely decompress and tune into any of his favorite programs.

I loved seeing Murderbot in charge, but also relying on others. The story is told completely from his point of view, and I absolutely loved seeing him realize that maybe, just maybe, he needs these humans as much as they need him. Brilliant.

Kevin R. Free narrates and is the voice of our SecUnit. His performance makes listening a must. Free captures the humor, tension, and tone of the story perfectly. Each of the audiobooks runs under six hours and is perfect for road trips. Fans of science fiction fantasies will love these diaries, but so will a broader audience.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Martha Wells

Martha Wells has written many fantasy novels, including The Books of the Raksura series (beginning with The Cloud Roads), the Ile-Rien series (including The Death of the Necromancer) as well as YA fantasy novels, short stories, media tie-ins (for Star Wars and Stargate: Atlantis), and non-fiction. Her most recent fantasy novel is The Harbors of the Sun in 2017, the final novel in The Books of the Raksura series. She has a new series of SF novellas, The Murderbot Diaries, published by Tor.com in 2017 and 2018. She was also the lead writer for the story team of Magic: the Gathering's Dominaria expansion in 2018. She has won a Nebula Award, an ALA/YALSA Alex Award, a Locus Award, and her work has appeared on the Hugo, Nebula, and Philip K. Dick Award ballots, the USA Today Bestseller List, and the New York Times Bestseller List. Her books have been published in eleven languages.

Website

About Kevin R. Free

Kevin R. Free is an actor, writer, director, and producer whose work has been developed both regionally and in NYC. He is an accomplished voice actor, having created voices for commercials and, most notably, the voice of Kevin for the popular podcast Welcome to Night Vale. He is proud of his 20 years as an audiobook narrator whose work spans many genres.

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Sophia Rose is here with a review of the historical romance novel, The Duke’s Bargain by Megan Walker. This is a standalone romance featuring characters from some of her previous stories. It’s a romance filled with fireworks and redemption.

Ruined by scandal, Georgiana bargains with a duke to regain her place in Society. But their pretend friendship sparks real love, risking reputations, duty, and unexpected happily-ever-afters.

Eight months after a stolen kiss ruined her reputation, Miss Georgiana Wood is a recluse, cast out of Society without any hope of ever finding a suitable match. Longing for redemption, she never expects her salvation to arrive in the form of a handsome, temperamental duke.

After a failed bargain left the Duke of Marlow without a promised wife and heir, he must face courtship a final time. He plans to entice his future bride with a priceless family heirloom—one now in the possession of Miss Wood, who agrees to return it if he takes her on three outings in London during the Season to restore her reputation.

As the pair navigate Society’s expectations and whispered gossip, Marlow begins to see Georgiana as an ally and a friend. Her wit and courage, grace and allure far exceed that of the eligible ladies he intended to court, and soon, he’d do almost anything to secure her happiness.

As Marlow wrestles with duty and desire, Georgiana begins to hope that she could be loved for who she truly is. When hearts are tested, truth and secrets revealed, will love be enough to risk it all?

Sophia Rose’s Review

She needs his help restoring her to London Society and he needs the heirloom she has in her possession to achieve the dutiful, proper marriage befitting a duke’s status.  Megan Walker returns to her Proper Romance regency world with a romance full of fireworks and redemption.

The Duke’s Bargain is a standalone story- and I did fine reading it as such-, but I learned after I started reading that both characters were introduced in previous Megan Walker standalones.  I got that feeling readers know when its obvious that the character has a backstory that had to have been introduced in a previous book.  Though I haven’t read them… yet, I discovered that Georgiana was busy getting kissed and her reputation ruined in Lakeshire Park and the Duke of Marlow got jilted at the alter in Miss Newbury’s List.

And, so, Georgiana loves matching wits and witticisms and social activities that come with being about in Society and, more than anything she wants her reputation restored so she can return to that glittering world.  Fortunately, she has a bargaining tool to make a certain infuriated duke go along with her plan.  Three outings on his arm to high society exclusive functions ought to do the trick.

The Duke of Marlow is angry.  He wants to make a proper match, have his heir and do what’s expected of him, but the lady he chose embarrassed him nearly at the altar, no less.  Now, he must start again and he knows that a certain family heirloom will entice the right sort.  And, the female who has it will only part with it on conditions.

Circling one another warily, Georgiana and Marlow set out to keep their bargain, but somewhere along the way, the hostility eases and they become friends.  As things progress, it becomes more, but they are determined to stay the original course.  Even though…, but there are secrets and risks if they go there.

I kept seeing Megan Walker’s Regency era releases and they always looked good, but I finally had the chance to grab this one.  I loved the interplay between these two and loved that up front, it is obvious that they are two flawed people, both bright, but made mistakes.  Georgiana is not a black-hearted villain by any stretch, but she certainly isn’t dissuaded by some sketchy motives and choices.  She has a road to redemption in this one and fortunately, Marlow is her match.  They have both put up solid walls of protection that don’t allow people to see their real selves, but eventually, they both show each other what is beyond the walls and that was lovely. 

I blew through this one fast.  It pulled me in and the pages flew by.  I liked seeing this pair together among Society and the reactions they got and their reaction to each other.

The Duke’s Bargain turned out to be a steal of a deal of a read and I recommend it to other sweet Regency Romance lovers- though, go for those earlier releases to get the bigger picture first.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Megan Walker

Megan Walker was raised on a berry farm in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where her imagination took her to times past and worlds away. While earning her degree in Early Childhood Education, she married her one true love and started a family. But her imaginings of Regency England wouldn't leave her alone, so she picked up a pen. And the rest is history. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and three children.

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About Sophia Rose

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.

Goodreads

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Narrated by Rebecca Lowman, Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke delivers a mystery-thriller where a pioneer-woman, social media influencer, awakens to find herself in 1855 and is living the reality she portrayed. I went into this cold and found myself completely caught up in this story and our disturbed protagonist.

A traditional American woman, a beautiful wife and mother who sells her pioneer lifestyle of raw milk and farm-fresh eggs to her millions of social media followers, suddenly awakens cold, filthy, and terrified in the brutal reality of 1855—where she must unravel whether this living nightmare is an elaborate hoax, a twisted reality show, or something far more sinister in this sensational debut novel.

My name was Natalie Heller Mills, and I was perfect at being alive.

Natalie lives a traditional lifestyle. Her charming farmhouse is rustic, her husband a handsome cowboy, her six children each more delightful than the last. So what if there are nannies and producers behind the scenes, her kitchen hiding industrial-grade fridges and ovens, her husband the Republican equivalent of a Kennedy? What Natalie’s followers—all 8 million of them—don’t know won’t hurt them. And The Angry Women? The privileged, Ivy League, coastal elite haters who call her an antifeminist iconoclast? They’re sick with jealousy. Because Natalie isn’t simply living the good life, she’s living the ideal—and just so happens to be building an empire from it.

Until one morning she wakes up in a life that isn’t hers. Her home, her husband, her children—they’re all familiar, but something’s off. Her kitchen is warmed by a sputtering fire rather than electricity, her children are dirty and strange, and her soft-handed husband is suddenly a competent farmer. Just yesterday Natalie was curating photos of homemade jam for her Instagram, and now she’s expected to haul firewood and handwash clothes until her fingers bleed. Has she become the unwitting star of a brutal reality show? Could it really be time travel? Is she being tested by God? By Satan? When Natalie suffers a brutal injury in the woods, she realizes two things: This is not her beautiful life, and she must escape by any means possible.

A gripping, electrifying novel that is as darkly funny as it is frightening, Yesteryear is a gimlet-eyed look at tradition, fame, faith, and the grand performance of womanhood.

The story begins by introducing socially awkward Naomi during her college years. She gives off the impression of being a sheltered, religious girl, yet it doesn’t quite ring true. She is an unlikeable and unreliable narrator in this story.

Caleb, whose father was a politician, was someone she met in college. The couple eventually marries, and a daughter is born to them. Here, the problems start, and we discover that something is amiss with Naomi. Caleb is no better. He lacks direction in life and is satisfied with his father’s financial support. This is when the concept for the farm and subsequently the social media channel came about.

We see cracks in Naomi’s relationships, her methodical plodding, her cold nature, and plenty of things that contradict the image she is trying to create. She is barely holding things together, keeps forgetting about her children, and frets over perfection. Things escalate until something threatens to destroy this carefully constructed image/world Naomi has created. This is when she awakens in 1855. It’s her farm, but it’s not her children and not her husband, well, not exactly. She believes this is some type of reality show or that she is being held prisoner, and I couldn’t stop listening.

This is a fantastic listen/read for a book club. This story touches on a lot of topics and issues, from mental health to culture trends, but doesn’t really address them and offers plenty of topics to dig into and examine.

While the ending had me questioning the realistic aspect of some events, reality has forced me to understand that money, influence, and those with political reach don’t always follow the same rules, making it seem at least plausible. I have spent very little time on TikTok and don’t really follow any of these pioneer or trad-wife types. I don’t follow celebrities and absolutely hate reality TV shows. Give me books to escape into, and to heck with reality. Burke’s portrayal of these influencer channels is quite like I imagined. Staged.

Rebecca Lowman gives voice to Naomi and does a wonderful job of capturing her personality, flaws, and the wrongness of this character. It was an addictive listen and I’m glad I listened.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Caro Claire Burke

Caro Claire Burke received her Master’s in Fine Arts from the Bennington Writing Seminars. She is the co-host of Diabolical Lies, a politics and culture podcast. YESTERYEAR is her first novel.

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About Rebecca Lowman

Rebecca Lowman is an American actress, writer, and audio-book narrator who has established herself as a versatile performer across television, film, and audio media. Originally from Springfield, Illinois, Lowman pursued formal training in the performing arts, earning her Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University. Her educational foundation provided the technical skills and artistic depth that would later define her multifaceted career in entertainment.

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2026 Audiobook Challenge

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What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall delivers a mystery thriller when Naomi, Cassidy, and Olivia revisit the events that occurred when they were eleven. The year they sent a killer to prison. Narrated by Karissa Vacker, I quickly found myself pulled into the story.

They were eleven when they sent a killer to prison. They were heroes . . . but they were liars.

Naomi Shaw used to believe in magic. Twenty-two years ago, she and her two best friends, Cassidy and Olivia, spent the summer roaming the woods, imagining a world of ceremony and wonder. They called it the Goddess Game. The summer ended suddenly when Naomi was attacked. Miraculously, she survived her seventeen stab wounds and lived to identify the man who had hurt her. The girls’ testimony put away a serial killer, wanted for murdering six women. They were heroes.

And they were liars.

For decades, the friends have kept a secret worth killing for. But now Olivia wants to tell, and Naomi sets out to find out what really happened in the woods―no matter how dangerous the truth turns out to be.

When Naomi, Cassidy and Olivia were eleven, they spent their summers in the woods playing the Goddess game until Naomi was attacked and stabbed over seventeen times. She survived and could identify her attacker. Together, the girls’ testimony put a serial killer in prison. They were called heroes. But they were really liars, and now Olivia wants to come clean.

Naomi does not know what actually happened that day; she just repeated her friend’s story, but now she is determined to find answers. What does Olivia want to reveal? The author delivers the tale in both past and the present. The point of view is delivered by Naomi and I quickly found myself pulled in.

I thought this was very well done with plenty of suspense, twists, and detail. We even get a little romance. I felt for Naomi, and even as I eventually guessed what Olivia wanted to reveal, I still felt surprised about a few things.

I highly recommend listening. The narration by Karissa Vacker was outstanding, perfectly portraying Naomi and the other characters. She set the tone and ensured a smooth transition from the past to the present.

Whether you read or listen, it’s the perfect book for a road trip or beach day. It’s easy to see why it was nominated for a Goodreads Award and lives up to the hype.

Amazon* | Audible | Libro.fm

*kindleunlimited

About Kate Alice Marshall

Kate Alice Marshall writes horror and thrillers for all ages, from middle grade to adult. Her books have been nominated for the Washington State Book Awards and Bram Stoker Awards. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family, where she spends her time gardening, gaming, and concocting stories of the uncanny.

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About Karissa Vacker

Karissa is an Audie Award Finalist and AudioFile Earphones award winning narrator. She is a classically trained actor with credits from major regional theaters and also has numerous film and TV credits. Karissa has narrated over 300 books for Penguin Random House, Macmillan Audio, Hachette, Brilliance, Tantor, Dreamscape, Harper Collins and Scholastic, among others. She excels at narrating suspense/thrillers, literary fiction and romantic comedies.

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2026 Audiobook Challenge

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The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @CaffeinatedReviewer. It’s a chance to share news — a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join weekly, biweekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms! We celebrated my husband’s birthday yesterday. Stay caffeinated & spread kindness.

Last Week on the Blog

• Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey (book review)
• Among Her Bones by Kate SeRine (book tour)
• The Summer I Found You by Jennifer O’Brien (book review/ guest blogger)
• The Sea Spinner by Julie Johnson (book review)

This Week on the Blog

• What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall (audiobook review)
• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (audiobook review)
• The Duke’s Bargain by Megan Walker (book review/ guest blogger)
• Platform Decay by Martha Wells (audiobook review)

New Arrivals at the Caffeinated Cafe

• Inkpot Gods by Seanan McGuire

A special thank you to Tor

Around The Blogosphere

• Join the JIAM Audiobook Challenge and Win.
• Make the switch to Libro.fm and support indie bookstores. You’ll get two audiobooks when you sign up.

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Link Up Your Edition Of The Sunday Post

Before you link up, please be sure your weekly post includes a link back to Caffeinated Reviewer and the Sunday Post.

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