Hey hey Sickos, it's Monday update time! Let me know what you plan on reading this week (or what you just finished) in the comments and let's boogie.

READING

REVIEW

WAR AGAINST ALL PUERTO RICANS by NELSON A. DENIS (narrative historical nonfiction)

Progress: Finished

Ripped through this entire puppy over the weekend and it was damn good! It's about a 1950 event where a nationalist uprising was brutally suppressed, marking the first time the US bombed its own citizens. Especially chilling was the details of what prisoners went through at La Princesa, including all manner of torture, squalid conditions, and possibly even human radiation experiments (on top of other confirmed, nefarious experiments). It also gives a brisk overview of the events leading up to this and an examination of how things like "Operation Bootstrap" only succeeded in transferring wealth and infrastructure to US corporations. Would recommend at 4.5 stars.

WE ARE LEGION (WE ARE BOB) - [Bobiverse #1] - by DENNIS E. TAYLOR (space science fiction)

Progress: Finished

Will stick with my previous sentiment that this is perfect for Project Hail Mary fans. The next time I need a lighthearted chaser I'll continue the series. 4 stars, solid!

PARABLE OF THE SOWER - [Parable #1] by OCTAVIA E. BUTLER (dystopian speculative fiction)

Progress: 196/329

I find it so easy to get hooked early in Butler's books. In the Discord Monthly Wrap video call we were discussing how wild it was that in 1993 Butler featured man-made climate change as a major factor in this. Her depiction of 21st century politics is also unsettling in its accuracy. We were talking about potential comparisons and while I was reading it today I think I landed on The Road by Cormac McCarthy, especially with the desolate, dog-eat-dog setting and vibe. The Road is my favorite book of all time and Butler is, so far, doing just as much to capture my attention.

PREVIEW

It's time for me to spread the book cheeks of the History Sickos book club winner for May, London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe. Pretty sure I'll be picking up We Do Not Part by Han Kang for my next fiction read after having it on deck for a while. I'm also itching to continue on with Berserk, where I'll be onto volume 22 (or volume 8 of the Deluxe edition).

PUBLISHING IMPRINT NEWS

We have a contract/offer out for our second acquisition! There's the usual negotiating to do and they have time to mull it over but I believe it's looking strong. Will update when there is more news there.

I'm pleased to announce that our audiobook deal for A Complement of Scoundrels by S.V. Lockwood is signed, sealed, and delivered. We put the details of that up on Instagram today. Tantor Media is legit as hell and I'm hyped to have them producing the audiobook!

EVERYTHING ELSE

I finished the Hulk Hogan: Real American documentary on Netflix. It's more surface-level nostalgia than anything and it does get into some of the controversies in the later episodes, but it left a good amount of meat on the bone there (which is to be expected as this was co-produced by WWE). Not the best wrestling documentary but I've seen worse.

If you want a cuckoo bonkers documentary, check out Should I Marry a Murderer? on Netflix, where "a fiancée becomes a key witness after staying engaged to a man accused of murder to gather evidence against him..."

I'll probably pick back up the Game of Thrones re-watch with season five and I may start the second season of Your Friends & Neighbors.

I climbed my third V4 last week and I’m projecting a V5 now. I’m starting to feel more stable and technically sound on the wall, but my finger tendons are definitely catching up to the increased difficulty, as those adapt significantly slower than muscles. So I'll be icing the hell out of my fingies this week while hoping it doesn't limit me to light sessions of high volume V3's. On the plus side I stopped skipping leg days and that has translated tremendously to bouldering since so much of it is about utilizing your lower boy.

Speaking of climbing, the last episode of The Dark Wizard on HBO drops Tuesday, which is about legendary/controversial climber, base jumper and highline walker Dean Potter. It's been excellent so far!

I've come to peace with the fact that I'll have to be content with the Flyers knocking out the Penguins as the Hurricanes look scary as hell. But I'll still be watching NHL Playoffs every night. At least I know some good Gritty content will come of it.

I don't think I'll have time to play any video games this week. Womp womp.

Yet another reminder that I'll be at BookNet Fest in Orlando, May 15-16!

Like that title? Just a little Catholic humor.

Every nerd greets each other with this Star Wars themed saying on May the 4th, but did you know that we've been doing it since 1979?! That's right, before this elder millenial was even born.

If you haven't watched Star Wars, I won't shame you, it's old AF. But the Jedi have a saying, "May the Force be with you" aka the force that lies between all things in the universe. Catholics say "Peace be with you" as a greeting at church. So if you're Catholic AND a nerd I will tell you that our gut instinct is to reply to "May the Fourth be with you" with "and also with you," which works, is a super weird reply to non-Catholics, but a hilarious joke if you do practice the religion of booze and guilt.

The first recorded use of the phrase was on May 3, 1979 in a UK newspaper, The London Evening News. In the UK election, Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime Minister. To celebrate her victory, the Conservative Party took out a newspaper ad reading "May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations." (If you're shocked that conservatives elected a woman, I need you to Google the Overton Window and study up.)

And according to Lucasfilm historian Lucas Seastrom, the casual (aka nonrecorded) use of the phrase actually predates that. It supposedly was used as a gimmick to mark Independence Day celebrations in the summer of 1978.

Language is such a hilarious and ever changing phenomenon, and I'm sure as a reader you can appreciate the fact that some memey trends (6-7 anyone?) may come and go, but some last forever. This one has definitely stood the test of time, so today let's celebrate the 48th anniversary of "May the Fourth be with you." Happy unofficial Star Wars Day!

— Zee

P.S. I'd be remiss if I didn't take this moment to inform you that there is also an unofficial Locked Tomb (Gideon the Ninth) Day. It's September 9th (nines, duh) and to celebrate, we all make and eat soup. Marrow is...optional.

If you liked this and want more of whatever THIS is (unhinged book analysis, barely contained rage at the state of the world, and occasional Tamsyn Muir references and em dashes that I will never apologize for) consider subscribing for $5/month. Every cent goes to people who actually need it, because I have a day job and a cause, not a brand deal. This is my middle finger to Big 5 publishing, dressed up as a book blog. Come hold it up with me.

I just finished If You Stayed, and I’m not even going to lie… this book had me in TEARS. 😭

Like, it was so emotional, but in a way that actually sticks with you. I kept thinking about it days later.

Definitely check your trigger warnings, because there is some domestic violence and themes of grief, but it was amazing.

I think what got me the most is how much I’m moved by character growth. Seeing someone truly do better? That will get me every single time.

And Kierra… she was really just living on autopilot until Gabriel came back into her life and kind of woke her up in a way.

I loved the pacing too. This was one of those books I could not put down. It moves fast, but still gives you everything you need.

And there are SO many plot lines in this book. Everything is woven in so nicely. But somehow, she wraps everything up so neatly.

I know some people might say it wrapped up too nicely, but honestly? I loved that. No loose ends, no confusion, just a complete story.

Also, the way the tension is built??? Because you know Kierra caused something in Gabriel’s life, but you don’t get the full story until later. And those flashbacks mixed with present day???

Yeah… chef’s kiss.

And the writing is less on the flowery side, but it still hits emotionally.

This was such a good read for me. Easily one of those books that reminds me why I love reading in the first place.

May is looking to be a great months for new releases. Here are some May 5th new book releases on my radar (and should be on yours!).

Saturn Returning by Kim Narby 4.25/5 stars

Put this on your TBR if you enjoy character-forward stories about messy lesbians who face real-life struggles.

Homebound by Portia Elan 3.5/5 stars

Put this on your TBR if you like a book that explores both the path and the future. The 1980s queer coming of age story was especially intriguing.

And the ones I haven't gotten my hands on yet:

Seek Immediate Shelter by Vincent Yu

Why it interests me: explores the aftermath of a ballistic missile warning on a community that was a false alarm.

The Girl with a Thousand Faces by Sunyi Dean

Why it interests me: diverse fantasy. In full transparency, I ordered this through Aardvark but will probably hold off until I'm excited for fantasy again.

One Leg on Earth by 'Pemi Aguda

Why it interests me: it's said to exploring coming of age and motherhood, set in Nigeria.

Now Then by Morgan Radford

Why it interests me: a multigenerational novel exploring a Cuban American family.

The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee

Why it interests me: everyone loves Fonda Lee's writing, and I think I will too.

Republic of Memory by Mahmud El Sayed

Why it interests me: it's comped to A Memory Called Empire. I love books like this, set on a generational ship.

Honey by Imani Thompson

Why it interests me: a feminist rage novel. If we don't read about it, maybe we'll be forced to act on ours.

John of John by Douglas Stuart

Why it interests me: it sounds like a quiet novel exporing queerness in a rural, traditional setting.

Hi--this is going to look a little different this month. I am having a bit of a rough go of it and honestly don't have the spoons to format this post like I normally do. What I do have is my spreadsheet of upcoming/recent releases with disability rep with all of that information. So I'm inserting screenshots of that, and then I'll link the books as normal below.

In the future, everything will be nicely formatted again--this is just to get me caught up for the last two months while I still am fighting off a chronic fatigue flare. If you use a screenreader and this isn't accessible for you, please let me know and I'll get you a written out version when I have a chance.

Are you in Deep Trouble now?

These reads pair nicely with the ocean-feel found in Deep Trouble. So stay out of the water and maybe read these books from the safe shores of the beach instead.

The Deep by Nick Cutter

Like Deep Trouble, this one has a science/experiment aspect to it. But be forewarned, this book is gross and very dark. And will also leave you feeling claustrophobic.

Into The Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

Need some more sea creatures after reading about the half shark half human creature? How about some Sirens who are not a fan of their territory being encroached upon.

Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield

What if the person you loved came back different from the bottom of the ocean?

Jaws by Peter Benchley

This classic shark tale will help fill the void the half man half shark left after finishing Deep Trouble.

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus

Take in the beautiful sights the ocean has in this book before getting swallowed up by a giant Sperm Whale.

Another month another pile of books added to the TBR and no dent made on the existing ones 😂
Someone lock me up without internet so I can read the books on my tbr or don’t because I read some pretty fantastic books this past month and I can’t bring myself to regret it!!!

I read a total of 23 books but please, check out my favorites 😻

I’m so blessed to have the trust of amazing authors, PR, publishers and audio producers. These books and audios bring so much joy to my life. Thank you 🫶

QOTD: Did you read any books from your tbr in April or did you just add to it? No judgement… 😂

Good morning lovelies!

Dropping you a quick line before I head out the door to meet the SoCal Story Swappers. We’re meeting to discuss our May book club pics, Cruelty Free (which I haven’t yet read) and Royal Spin (which I surprisingly enjoyed). We’re meeting at Steelcraft, a fun food court made up of old shipping containers. I have my heart set on a fried chicken sando, which will hopefully help with my Sunday blues. Why can’t every day be Saturday?

Last week was not a great reading week for me, but that happens every month around that time. As the first of the month approaches, I get really deep into content creation in preparation for the first of the month.

I did manage to finish The Fourth Wife, the debut from my friend Linda Hamilton. It was DARK and perfect for Gothic fiction lovers. So, if you like spirits, sentient houses, and religious fanaticism, it’s definitely for you! 4.5⭐️s

I also managed to finish This Book Made Me Think of You, and all I did is made me think of DNFing. Those kind of books are just not for me. It was two bubblegum, very saccharine, and kind of predictable. Oh well, onto the next! 2.5⭐️s

I’m on the struggle bus when it comes to Go As a River, and that’s a bit surprising. The prose is really lovely, and her storytelling is great. But the juvenile main character and the surprise pregnancy trope is not doing it for me. In fact, it’s kind of giving me the icks. I’ll finish just to see what the hype is all about, but it’s got a long way to go to make it to 4⭐️s at this point.

Last night I started the brand new Penny Haw, The Woman and Her Stars. I’m really enjoying it so far, and I think that’s because she throws you right into the story. I really love when an author drips out the backstory as the plot progresses: less telling and more showing.

I need your help choosing my next book so please vote in the poll below!

ICYMI:

• The May new release slide deck and video are now live for your viewing pleasure.

• We have a brand new Discord server dedicated to historical fiction, lovers and all things books.

• My Spring reading guide is live on Youtube and over an hour long and features all the books in the image above!

• Or you can also read it if you prefer on the blog.

• A new giveaway is live: 3 Recent Releases, 1 Winner!

• My dedication to Mom didn't reach many people, but I sure do love it

Hear It Here First:

• I have created over 200 TBR jar prompts perfect for historical fiction lovers. It’ll be my first paid product so fingers crossed everyone enjoys it. 🤞🏼

• And because I ❤️ you guys, I’m sharing a link to the June new historical fiction releases that you want to get on your Libby hold list ASAP!

Until next time, happy reading!

xoxo

C

There’s something about these walks with Link that always helps me sort through what I just read. Not the surface-level “this was good, this wasn’t” thoughts… but the why behind it. What stayed. What lingered. What I’m still quietly arguing with in my head days later.

This week? I’ve been sitting with a lot.

Enormous Wings

This is the one I haven’t been able to shake.

On the surface, it’s a story about aging, health, and autonomy. But underneath that, it’s asking much harder questions about control, dignity, and who gets to make decisions about our bodies, especially when we’re older.

And what hit me most wasn’t even the big, obvious moments. It was the quieter ones. The conversations that felt a little too real. The ways systems (medical, societal, even familial) can slowly start to speak for someone instead of with them.

Our main character is a feisty septuagenarian who refuses to be pushed into a version of care that doesn’t align with her values. And watching her navigate that? It’s equal parts empowering and deeply uncomfortable.

Because it forces you to ask: Where is the line between care and control? This isn’t a book that tells you what to think. It just makes it impossible not to think.

Amid Clouds and Bones

And then… chaos. Delicious, unhinged chaos.

This is what I wanted from a romantasy standalone and so rarely get: something that feels complete without sacrificing tension or pacing.

From the start, this story throws you into a relationship built on resentment, obligation, and power. Mildred and her betrothed prince aren’t circling each other with soft tension; they are actively trying to outmaneuver (and occasionally eliminate) each other.

And it works because neither of them is trying to be likable.

Mildred, especially, leans into her darker instincts in a way that feels intentional, not performative. She’s strategic, a little ruthless, and very aware of the role she’s been forced into. There’s no softening her edges to make her more palatable, and that made her far more compelling to follow.

The dynamic between them is toxic in that magnetic, can’t-look-away kind of way. The banter is sharp, the power plays constant, and the tension never really lets up.

But what surprised me most was how much the plot held its own.

The shifting alliances, the new characters, the sense that you’re never fully grounded in who to trust, it kept me slightly off-balance in the best way. And for a standalone, that’s hard to pull off without feeling rushed. This one knew exactly what it wanted to be.

How to Cheat Your Own Death

This is the book that reminded me how satisfying a well-executed dual timeline can be.

Because usually? I have a favorite. I skim one to get back to the other.

Not here.

The past timeline (with its moody, academia-adjacent setting and quietly unraveling social circle) gave me that “rich people behaving badly” energy I will always show up for. It’s glamorous on the surface, but there’s something rotten underneath, and you can feel it building long before it fully breaks.

Then in the present, Annie is pulled into another murder (this time within the art world), and the parallels between the two timelines slowly start to emerge.

What I appreciated most is how intentional those connections felt. Nothing was there just for shock value. Every reveal added context instead of just complication.

And then there’s Annie and Detective Crane.

Their dynamic continues to be one of my favorite parts of this series. The tension, the restraint, the very obvious feelings that neither of them is willing to fully confront; it adds a layer of emotional investment that goes beyond the mystery itself.

And that ending?

It doesn’t just close the door. It leaves it wide open in a way that feels both satisfying and deeply inconvenient for me as a reader who now has to wait.

Zoom with a View

This one is harder to talk about, because I can see what it was trying to do.

The ingredients are there: a small town, complicated relationships, a love triangle that leans messy, and even a meta layer with the inclusion of a snarky subreddit thread.

But for me, it never fully came together.

The main character felt stuck in a kind of emotional immaturity that made it difficult to stay invested in her decisions. And when a story hinges on relationship dynamics, that disconnect becomes more noticeable.

By the time we reached the ending, there were still too many threads left unresolved; not in an intentional, thought-provoking way, but in a way that made the payoff feel incomplete.

That said, the subreddit element? Genuinely one of the more interesting structural choices, and I wish the book had leaned into that even more.

The Library After Dark

This is what happens when a setting is allowed to be just as alive as the characters.

A private tour through a library where people have died is already a strong hook. But it’s the details that elevate it: the themed rooms, the poisoned books, the dark fairy tale interludes that weave through the narrative like something slightly cursed.

From the beginning, there’s this quiet sense that something is off. That these characters aren’t here by accident. That the randomness is… not random at all.

And I loved that the story trusted the reader to sit in that discomfort.

You’re constantly reassessing who you believe, who you trust, and what you think is actually happening. And the reveals don’t rely on shock alone; they feel earned.

It’s the kind of thriller that reminds me how effective atmosphere can be when it’s done well.

Payback

This one started with a premise that immediately hooked me...and then settled into something that felt more familiar than I expected.

The early twist (removing one of the most compelling characters almost immediately) was bold. It caught my attention in the moment. But it also left a gap that the rest of the story never quite filled.

As things progressed, the tone shifted into something that felt a bit more predictable, a bit more surface-level than I was hoping for.

But I will say this: learning about pay-to-stay prisons was one of those moments where fiction bleeds into reality in a way that makes you pause.

Sometimes the most unsettling part of a story isn’t what’s invented; it’s what’s real.

Some weeks are about favorites. Some are about surprises.

This one felt like a mix of both: the books that entertained me, the ones that frustrated me, and the ones that are still quietly sitting with me, asking questions I don’t have easy answers to.

Happy Sunday, mis internet amigxs!

I was trying to get all May releases into one post, but just ran out of time, but I am planning for next week's post to wrap-up the month for you...There are a few books releasing today just in time for World Cup fever for readers of all ages, but first, a little housekeeping...

Until then, I have some Discord Book Club reminders for you:

• MAY FICTION BOOK: Asiri and the Amaru by Natalia Hernandez

• MAY - JUNE NONFICTION SIDE QUEST: Accordion Eulogies by Noe Alvarez (requested theme was micro history)

• Both May book channels are open on Discord

• On Friday, May 8th, we'll be having spoilery discussion of both The House of the Spirits AND Everyone Who is Gone Is Here

• As a reminder our June fiction selection is And I'll Take Your Eyes Out by A.M. Sosa, plus we have The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia coming up as our August selection and You Should Have Been Nicer To My My by Vincent Tirado for October.

• We'll be voting on future selections as well as a chat with Natalia Hernandez soon.

And now on to this week's Latine releases!

YOUNG ADULT

Here Ye Mortals by Yamile Saied Mendez (Audiobook) While they're waiting for a girl's body to be recovered, an angel tells her ghost the story of their favorite band, which was created during the dictatorship in Argentina at the end of the 1970's. A historical YA steeped in anti-authoritarianism.

MIDDLE GRADE

The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy by Angela Cervantes (Audiobook) a middle grade detective story inspired by the real-life history of the World Cup trophy going missing -- just in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

NONFICTION

The Game at the End of the World: Villainous Referees, Communist Bakers, the Secret Women's World Cup, and a Goalkeeper's Last Stand by Juan Villoro and translated by Francisco Cantu: From the author of Horizontal Vertical, comes a history of soccer just in time for the World Cup

Cold War Puerto Rico: Anti-Communism in Washington’s Caribbean Colony by Steve Howell: A gripping history of FBI surveillance, political repression, and the fight for Puerto Rican independence for those who want further reader after War Against All Puerto Ricans.

xo,

Carmen

I'm in the middle of reading Bury our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab for our book club (join our Discord to participate!) and I can't help but notice the similarities it has with her previous novel, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.

I read Addie last year (or rather, listened to it) and ultimately ended up really liking it. It took me several months to get through it, not because it wasn't great, but because her writing doesn't lend itself to speedy consumption. Her prose is detailed, romantic, and it pays to spend time with it. I struggle with audiobooks as it is (ADHD brain be damned), so trying to listen to the book while I was playing basketball or doing chores was a bit of a losing battle at times. Towards the end of the book where the stakes start to feel a little more urgent, and Addie is really coming to terms with the life that she's found for herself, I couldn't put it down. 5/5 from me, and it immediately made me curious about her other work.

If you don't know, Addie LaRue is about a young woman in France in the 1700's who makes a deal with the devil for ultimate freedom, allowing her to escape her bethrotal to a man she doesn't even know. In true faustian bargain fashion, she is granted immortality, but the monkey paw curls and she finds that none of her family remember who she is, nor will anyone else for the rest of her life. Tragic stuff!

The novel sprawls across the centuries between her first encounter with the devil and present day, where she happens to find someone who does remember her, and eventually falls into a relationship with them. I won't say much more than that, but my point is that Schwab uses that framework to illustrate the longing and psychological turmoil that one goes through when you live for hundreds of years. Her writing is beautiful, and if you're the sappy romantic type like me, I think you'll get a lot of out of the book.

Fast foward to today and I am in the middle of reading Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil. Bury Our Bones deals with three lesbian vampires, living their lives across three separate times and places: 1530s Spain, 1827 London, and 2019 Boston. Much like Addie, vampires keep on keeping on into eternity barring any major setbacks. About 120 pages in to Bury Our Bones, it has become clear to me that Schwab has a real fascination with eternity. To be real, don't we all?

As a human being, I hope that by the time I reach my end, the number of seconds allotted to me will feel like the exact right amount. I think we all fear that we won't have enough, and maybe it'll never be enough, but the prospect of immortality brings its own set of anxieties. What do I do will all my loved ones disappear? Who do I relate to when I'm the only one with this predicament? How do I navigate this life without being studied like a science experiment?

So far, Bury Our Bones has been another banger of a book, and I very much appreciate the sapphic world that it lives in. If I may recommend another book about immortality, I highly encourage you to seek out The Past Through Tomorrow by Robert A. Heinlein, specifically the story Methuselah's Children. The Past Through Tomorrow exists as an imagined future history, charting out the social and technological future of humanity from the early 1900's to hundreds of years in the future. Heinlein wrote these stories across many decades, and his grand vision for the future of humanity is a marvel to behold in its entirety. You may have to endure some elements of his writing that haven't aged well, but if you're a sci-fi nerd, I can't recommend the collection highly enough.

Methuselah's Children follows a man named Lazarus Long, who if you are paying close attention, exists throughout the breadth of the stories from the very beginning. The oldest man on earth lives through earth's trials and tribulations for hundreds of years, and eventually sets his sights on the stars. It's one of my favorite short stories ever, in one of my favorite short story collections ever. Well worth your time, and thanks to my grandfather for lending it to me several years ago.

Anyway, enough rambling for me today. What are you reading? What are you listening to? What are you watching? Here's some good stuff.

Have a wonderful day!

Shawn

Our Crash Into Me digital resources are LIVE! Whether you’re navigating the toxic playground of LA with a bestie or diving into Cecilia’s world in total solitude, we have four distinct ways to experience Robinne Lee’s latest masterpiece:

📚 The Full Book Club Kit: For the hostess! Discussion guides, themed menus, and art therapy activities for your next big meetup. https://tinyurl.com/54uezwb2

📖 The Individual Member Kit: For the prepared reader! Your personal guide to tracking motifs and Mask Moments as you read and prepare for your upcoming book club meeting! https://tinyurl.com/yhw9x293

🎨 The Solo Deep Dive: For the introspective soul! A private retreat guide for the reader who wants to go inward. https://tinyurl.com/mr36dj5d

🥂 The Buddy Reader Kit: For the ultimate duo! Our interactive schedule and prediction tracker for you and your favorite reading partner. https://tinyurl.com/ysjjjhmt

Everything you need to turn a book into a full sensory experience is just a tap away.

#ThePageLadies #TheBindery #CrashIntoMe #RobinneLee #BookClubKit #BuddyRead #DeepDiveReading #FirstEditions #ReaderKits

There are books you read for escape and then there are books that quietly unravel you. Crash Into Me by Robinne Lee firmly belongs in the second category.

This was one of those rare book club picks that didn’t just spark conversation it demanded it.

💔First Impressions: A Story That Doesn’t Play It Safe

At its core, Crash Into Me is about Cecilia Chen, a woman who, on paper, has everything: a husband, children, a life steeped in privilege in Los Angeles. But beneath that polished surface is a quiet, persistent question:

Who is she, really, outside of the roles she’s been given?

From the very beginning, there’s a sense of emotional tension simmering under the surface. Cecilia isn’t in crisis in the traditional sense she’s functioning, surviving but there’s a disconnect between the life she’s living and the life she feels she should be living.

And then Anouk reappears.

Not gradually. Not gently. But in a literal, physical collision that mirrors the emotional upheaval to come.

🔥The Heart of the Story: Identity vs Expectation

One of the most powerful elements of this novel and the core of our book club discussion is its exploration of identity.

Cecilia is constantly defined by labels:

• Wife

• Mother

• Daughter

• Artist

But none of those labels fully capture her truth.

Her reconnection with Anouk doesn’t just reignite attraction; it reopens a version of herself she left behind. A younger, freer, more instinctive version that wasn’t yet shaped by expectation and responsibility.

Book Club Takeaway:
We found ourselves asking:

How much of who we are is chosen and how much is assigned?

❤️The Romance: Intense, Complicated, and Unapologetically Messy

Let’s be clear this is not a conventional romance.

The relationship between Cecilia and Anouk is:

• Emotionally charged

• Physically intense

• Morally complicated

And that’s exactly why it works.

Their connection is rooted in history unfinished, unresolved, and still burning after twenty years. When they come back into each other’s lives, it doesn’t feel like a new love story. It feels like a continuation of something that never truly ended.

But what makes this relationship so compelling is that it doesn’t offer easy answers.

Is it love?
Is it escape?
Is it self-discovery?

The answer shifts depending on how you read it and that ambiguity led to some of the most passionate debates in our group.

🌴Setting as a Character: The Illusion of Los Angeles

Los Angeles in this novel isn’t just a backdrop, it's a pressure cooker.

It represents:

• Image over authenticity

• Wealth masking emotional emptiness

• A curated life that feels increasingly suffocating

Cecilia’s environment amplifies her internal struggle. She’s surrounded by privilege, yet feels deeply disconnected from herself.

Book Club Insight:
Several of us felt that LA almost acts as an antagonist quietly reinforcing the life Cecilia feels trapped in.

🧠Themes That Sparked Discussion

1. The Cost of Reinvention

What happens when you try to reclaim a version of yourself that no longer fits your current life?

2. Desire vs Responsibility

Cecilia’s journey forces her and the reader to confront an uncomfortable question:

Do we owe more to our own truth or to the people who depend on us?

3. Second Chances

Is rekindling a past connection an act of courage or avoidance?

4. The Fluidity of Identity

This book challenges the idea that identity is fixed. Instead, it suggests that who we are can shift depending on circumstance, relationships, and time.

😬The Tension: Why This Book Divides Readers

Not everyone in our book club experienced this story the same way and that’s what made it such a strong pick.

Some readers:

• Loved the emotional honesty and complexity

• Connected deeply with Cecilia’s internal conflict

Others:

• Felt frustrated by her choices

• Struggled with the moral ambiguity of her actions

And honestly? Both reactions are valid.

This is a book that invites you to sit in discomfort and not everyone enjoys that experience.

✨Final Thoughts: A Story That Lingers

Crash Into Me isn’t about finding clean resolutions or perfect love. It’s about the chaos of wanting more, the courage or recklessness it takes to pursue it, and the consequences that follow.

It’s introspective. It’s messy. It’s deeply human.

And most importantly it’s the kind of book that doesn’t end when you close it. It stays with you, quietly asking questions long after the final page.

💬 Book Club Discussion Question

If you were in Cecilia’s position, would you choose the life you’ve built or risk everything to rediscover who you used to be?

✨️Thank you The Book Club Cookbook, St. Martin's Press and Robinne Lee for sharing Crash Into Me with us!

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