June 2026

Katie Peterson

Aug 8

6 min read

Something old, something new, something steamy, something true-ish

Book Review Blog-Previous Posts

Something old:

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Something new:

Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray

Something steamy:

Girl Abroad by Elle Kennedy

Something true-ish:

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick

Book Club pick:

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

The Ratings:

Like plain, black coffee. Strong dislike.

A little cream, a little sugar. Not bad. Not great.

Add some flavor or syrup, it's getting good.

I liked this a latte!

Love! Refill please!

The Steam:

No peppers: Love/romance not a major part of this story

One pepper: Mild! Some love scenes; nothing risque on the page; fade to black

Two peppers: Moderate! Slightly descriptive romantic scenes may occur on page; some implied innuendos

Three peppers: Hot! Blushing while reading may occur; lots of spice

Something old:

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

This rec came from my brother who tends to love books featuring any mix of science, space, futuristic life, and/or time travel. Those themes don't make it onto my reading docket often, but I did decide I wanted to read this one prior to watching the movie which had just been released.

This was a perfect dose of high-concept science presented in an easy-to-understand way (it helps that the main character is a middle school science teacher so most content is explained in a way that he would educate his students). Ryland Grace awakens alone in a spaceship, millions of miles from Earth. Coming out of an induced coma, Grace suffers from amnesia and has no idea what he's doing there. As his memory steadily returns, he realizes he's been tasked with a job that will literally determine the fate of the Earth's survival. If his mission fails, the sun will continue to slowly die, making life impossible.

While working the problem, he notices he's not quite as alone in space as he thought...a second space craft is seen mimicking every move he makes. He's shocked when a being from another world emerges, making him the first human to be in contact with alien life! As he and Rocky (named thus due to his rock-like form) learn to communicate, it becomes clear that they'll need to collaborate to achieve a scientific breakthrough...or both of their planets will cease to exist.

My rating:

Read it first, then watch the movie. Both so good.

Something new:

Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray

It's been awhile since I've been into a legal thriller (I used to l-o-v-e a good John Grisham novel...might have to revisit!) and this was an interesting take, although slow moving at the beginning. The stage is painstakingly set in the United Kingdom court systems, with all of the foundations of the inner workings, politics, and heirarchy of the justice structure explained. Let me know do a quick recap of the relevant facts:

The case: a dead judge, well respected & known

The defendant: silent, aside from insisting a little known barrister act as his counsel

The barrister: assigned her first murder trial, a seemingly unwinnable case

The problem: the opposing counsel is none other than the barrister's husband and mentor

The trial: filled with twists and secrets at every turn

The first half of the book was a slow mover for me, and none of the characters made me want to root for them. Like, I honestly didn't care who won the case.... but....as the trial wound up towards the climactic finale, there were surprises I didn't see coming, and I do appreciate that in a book. This was probably a 2 cup rating until the end which did bump it up a bit.

My rating:

Let me know if you've read this one---I'd love to hear if we had similar or different takes on it.

Something steamy:

Girl Abroad by Elle Kennedy

I'll admit I'm a sucker for anything by Elle Kennedy [aside from one notable exception which I won't name here but you can find my copy donated to its new home at the library ;) ] and this did not disappoint.

Abbey's grown up in the shadow of her rock-star dad, who bases his over-protectiveness on his past experiences and decisions. Being used by boys to gain access to him is something she tries to escape by signing up for a semester abroad. She elects to share a flat with three roommates: Jackie, Lee, and Jamie. Upon arrival, she's shocked to find that what she assumed were three females, are in fact, men...attractive men. Knowing her dad will never let her stay if she tells the truth, she omits this information during her check-ins with him and decides to give the situation a try.

Forging a quick friendship with Lee (whom she learns is gay, making it easy for them to fall into the immediate platonic bestie phase) helps her ease into her new life in a foreign country. Jamie is fun and flirty, brining home a new girl each night. Lee enforces a 'no fraternization among roommates' rule to ensure the house remains peaceful. Jack is harder for Abbey to read. He's a rugby player, and there's definitely attraction, but she feels as if he's not being completely honest. When working on her research project for her coursework, Abbey also meets Nate, a brooding musician with whom she has instant chemistry. The problem: he's in a relationship.

Abbey, Nate, and Jack find themselves in a complicated love triangle. Abbey's only enrolled for a short time, and then she'll be moving again. And both guys are hiding vital information from her. Will she untangle her feelings in time to make a choice? Or will she leave always wondering 'what if'?

My rating:

Steam rating:

Something true-ish:

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick

Set in the 1960's, four suburban housewives start a book club, seeking connection and something more. More than preparing meals for their families. More than ironing their husbands' suits. More than managing the household.

Margaret decides to read Betty Freudian's trailblazing book "The Feminine Mystique" and invites three friends to join her. The book is considered groundbreaking for some, and taboo for many others. Arguing that traditional gender roles and societal pressure trap women in a box of finding fulfillment through homemaking, motherhood, and marriage, rather than chasing individual dreams and reaching their potential in other endeavors.

Although the four of them are in very different places in their lives, they find common ground in realizing that they share a profound desire to help reshape how women are viewed: in marriage and society alike. Although some of their spouses are more receptive to change than others, they all embark on a year of growth, sharing secrets and dreams over cocktails and book discussion.

My rating:

I liked this, but I wanted it to include more books and discussion to match them forming 'a book club'. It took them several months to get through each book; many times one or more of the women didn't actually read the book at all. I guess I wish it had included more overall 'book club vibes' given the title and premise.

Book Club pick:

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Vera owns a rundown tea shop in Chinatown, San Fransisco. Although her name is Vera Wong, she named her tea shop "Vera Wang's World Famous Teahouse" hoping potential customers might visit to potentially meet the famous fashion designer. Lonely and rigidly set in her ways, Vera follows a strict schedule, only breaking routine to try to communicate and connect with her son, who never seems to have time or patience for her.

One morning, on her way downstairs for her daily walk, Vera is surprised to discover a dead body in her shop. No problem, she's watched enough crime shows to know to outline the body, clean up the crime scene (including collecting evidence) and preparing tea so the officers will be alert and focused upon arrival. Dismayed at their disapproval to her actions (and tea), Vera is sure she can do a better job solving this crime (which the officers have actually ruled an accidental death).

From this point, a strange assortment of characters make their way into the shop, each with a connection to the victim. Vera, convinced this is a murder, watches each of these people carefully, serving them tea and looking for clues in the process. As she builds her case, she brings all of the suspects together, forming a hodgepodge family...all of whom have secrets they don't want discovered. But at the end of the day, no secret is buried too deep for Vera, who uncovers all with the two things she knows all Chinese mothers should have mastered: cooking and prodding.

My rating: