It’s hard to believe it’s been a whole year since I last posted on my beloved blog! My final year of graduate school took up all of my 2023, and it was almost impossible to squeeze in any fun reading after going through dozens of journal articles. But now that school is firmly behind me, I finally have time to dive back into my TBR list and give Zhuri Reads some much-needed love. That said, last month was all about getting back into the habit of reading. So, here’s my mixed bag of January reads, ranging from contemporary romance to a few fast-paced thrillers.
No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister
What a way to start the year! No Two Persons chronicles the journey of a bestselling novel as it takes shape from a singular idea borne from grief into the hands of readers who are all uniquely impacted by the author’s work. This was a beautiful and immersive read that drew me into the lives of each character. I rooted for them, cried for them, and celebrated their wins with them. This book reminded me of how I felt when I read Good Morning Monster by Catherine Gildiner last year: hopeful and encouraged. No Two Persons will stick with me for a long time. It was a reminder that our lives and stories matter. Writers, keep writing. We need your stories.
Mr. Masters by TL Swan
I never planned to add romance to my January reads, but Bookstagram is at it again. When widowed judge Julian Masters hires Brielle to be a nanny for his two children, sparks fly the moment he picks her up from the airport. As she tries to ignore her feelings for her new boss, Brielle struggles to get along with the kids and adjust to her new responsibilities. This was a pleasant enough read, and it’s actually the first in a series of three books. Although Mr. Masters gave me plenty of angst and steam (my favourite part of contemporary romances), I won’t be completing the series. I’ve got to plough through my TBR! But it was nice to dip my toe back into the romance genre after reading a lot of historical fiction at the end of last year.
The Unwanted Marriage by Catharina Maura
Catharina Maura has fast become one of my favourite romance writers. I even got my Mom to read a few of her books! I cannot recommend The Windsors series enough. The Unwanted Marriage is Dion and Faye’s story, one of the best in the series. Lex’s story will be released at the end of this month, and I cannot wait!
My Sister’s Killer by McGarvey Black
Shout out to KU and its recommendations for this one! My Sister’s Killer reignited my love for a good, fast-paced thriller. Erin’s sister, Quinn, has been murdered, and Erin knows who killed her. It’s Quinn’s estranged husband, Alec. However, without concrete evidence linking Alec to the crime, Quinn’s murder remains unsolved for years. Quinn’s teenagers grow into adults, and Alec moves on with his life. But Erin will stop at nothing to bring her brother-in-law to justice. I loved it!
The Housemaid and The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden
The Housemaid had been sitting in my KU library for a couple of months, just waiting to be opened. What a wild ride! I was itching to get into The Housemaid’s Secret as soon as I finished it. After spending ten years in jail, Millie finds a job cleaning the houses of wealthy families who treat her like the dirt beneath their shoes. But nothing is as it seems, and Mille soon finds herself doing a whole lot more than just cleaning. I devoured these books in under 24 hours. The third book in the series will be released this summer, and I am READY.
Dante by Sadie Kincaid
This easy read (recommended by Bookstagram) kept me company on a sunny beach day when I didn’t feel much like swimming. Like Mr. Masters, it’s the first in a series I likely won’t complete. This speaks to a much larger conversation about the novels coming across my Instagram feed, but I’ll save that for another time.
The Good Lie by A. R. Torre
Give me twists, give me turns! This one kept me up late into the night. Psychiatrist Dr. Gwen Moore teams up with defence attorney Robert Kavin to solve the case of the Bloody Heart serial killer who’s responsible for the abduction and murder of six teenagers before his eventual capture. But Gwen and Robert haven’t been honest with each other, and their secrets may be the key to their investigation. A. R. Torre has found another fan in me, and I’ve added A Familiar Stranger and Every Last Secret to my TBR because I couldn’t squeeze another sentence into my January reads.
That’s it for my first post of the year! I am so happy to be reading again, and I’m looking forward to all of the diverse authors and stories I’ll explore this year. Have you explored any of my January reads? Share your thoughts in the comments, and happy reading!
