The Housemaid & The Housemaid’s Secret
by Freida McFadden
Library Worthy- 3 Stars
Desperate for a fresh start, Millie accepts a job as a live-in housemaid for the wealthy Winchester family. At first, the opportunity seems like exactly what she needs, but as she settles into their beautiful home, strange rules, unsettling behavior, and the increasingly volatile nature of her employer begin to reveal that something is deeply wrong behind the family’s polished façade. As secrets pile up and tension escalates, Millie realizes that the house may be far more dangerous than she ever imagined and escaping it may not be as simple as walking out the door.
This book is a great entry-level thriller for those of us who may not typically read the genre. I did find it somewhat predictable but overall it was an enjoyable read, and easily weekend-bingeable.
The plot, characters and ending were all ok, although I did enjoy the premise of the character and how she found a way to add purpose to her life. While I won’t be scrambling to buy it as a shelf-trophy, it is definitely worth checking out the next time you visit your local library!
Amazon: US or CA
Small Ceremonies by Kyle Edwards
Read Worthy- 3/5 Stars
Small Ceremonies is a coming-of-age novel set in Winnipeg’s North End that follows a group of Indigenous high school students, focusing on two friends who play on a struggling school hockey team. As they navigate friendships, family struggles, racism, and the pressures of growing up, the boys confront questions about identity, community, and what their futures might hold beyond the neighborhood that shaped them. The story paints a vivid portrait of urban Indigenous life and the bonds that hold a community together.
I listened to this book on Audible partially because the narrator from Buffalo Hunter Hunter, Shane Ghostkeeper, also narrated Small Ceremonies, and because it won the Governor General Literary Awards here in Canada. I was not disappointed; the plot, writing, and characters were all good and it was overall an enjoyable listen on my way to and from work. The ending, ugh, the ending! (I won’t spoil it, but my heart!) This book has a beautiful indigenous voice that deserves to be heard.
Due to my rating system, I had to give it a 3-star. I don’t NEED it on my shelf, and I won’t necessarily RAVE about it, but… if you ask me for a book that is an easy, genuinely solid and good read, bonus points for having an indigenous author and narrators, this will be it.
Amazon: US or CA
Angel Down by Daniel Kraus
Library Worthy- 3/5 Stars
Angel Down is a novel set during World War I, where the brutality of the battlefield collides with something far darker and more supernatural. As soldiers struggle to survive the physical and emotional devastation of war, an eerie presence begins to blur the line between human violence and something otherworldly, creating a story of dread, grief, the horrors of survival, and ultimately brotherly comradery.
I picked up this book as it landed in the Top 20 of 2025 list I’d put together earlier on this year. Atmospheric, with incredibly detailed writing, I enjoyed the premise of the plot and its pacing, the main character arc was good, although the ending was somewhat predictable. Worth the trip to your local Library!
Amazon: US or CA
Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre
Read Worthy- 3.5/5 Stars
This memoire recounts Virginia’s survival, the abuse she endured, and her fight to expose the powerful people who exploited her. Written in her own voice, the book traces her journey from a vulnerable childhood through trauma, escape, her experience under Epstein and ultimately becoming an outspoken advocate for justice and survivors’ rights.
After prince Andrew’s arrest, the release of the Epstein files and the fact that this book has been on the New York Times Best Seller list for 22 weeks how- this book felt especially relevant. As a woman, and the mother of my 18 year-old daughter I think it is so incredibly important that we continuously spark conversation around s/x, relationships, creating safe spaces as well as setting and enforcing boundaries.
According to the World Health Organization 1 in 3 women will experience secual assault, in some form, at some point in their life. Quite honestly, I’m surprised that number isn’t higher as this would apply to nearly every woman I know who’s over 25.
It doesn’t have to be broadcasted online, but I would strongly encourage all mothers, sisters, aunts, friends etc. to have these conversations with other women around you. Of course we need to be having these conversations with men as well, but women, especially young women, need to hear these stories. So read that book, share that story, and spark conversation ❤
Amazon: US or CA
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang
Shelf Worthy- 4/5 Stars
Inspired by the legend of Xi Shi, A Song to Drown Rivers follows a young woman chosen for her beauty and trained to become a political weapon. Sent into enemy territory to seduce a rival king, she must use charm and deception to help bring down a kingdom, while navigating the dangerous line between duty and her own heart.
This was my first sprayed edges that I picked up from Homesense in August and has just been sitting on my shelf, and omgosh! I typically am not a fan of Young Adult books, and it didn’t have the greatest GoodReads rating, but I think it’s the perfect example of ‘what a book finds you’. The writing is easy to follow, I loved that the antagonist was humanized and the plausible tension between him and the protagonist, and having never heard of the legend of Xi Shi before, I did NOT see the ending coming.
I actually loved this book, and would love to look more into the original story, for me, a sign of a great book; one that inspires you to read more. I would recommend this to teens, young adults and adults alike.
& can we just with this quote below. It got me so in my head for DAAAYS. I think this sums up my issues with modern dating; people who should be viewed as partners are viewed as accomplishments, something to be shown off instead of nurtured. People put their own wants, needs and fantasies onto another person, from afar in the beginning, until the relationship becomes real, gets messy and no longer fits their initial perfect image. Relationships and love have come to revolve around ‘what do I want? what does this give me?’ instead of…. what am I willing to give, and how do I protect this?
Amazon: US or CA
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Read Worthy- 3.5/5 Stars
Evie Sage, a bright and quirky young woman unexpectedly lands a job working for the kingdom’s most feared villain. What starts as a desperate attempt to make ends meet quickly turns into a chaotic and dangerous adventure filled with dark magic, suspicious murders, office politics, and undeniable chemistry.
I actually just really enjoyed this one. Nothing too deep or complicated, just light-hearted hilarity. I was absolutely recommend the audio version and couldn’t help but laughing to myself on my drives into work. The characters and plot were all good, but really it was the tongue-in-cheek, sarcastic humor that tied it all together.
Amazon: US or CA
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
Read Worthy- 3/5 Stars
Piper Bellinger is a fashionable and spoiled socialite whose wild lifestyle lands her in a small seaside town, where she’s cut off from the glamorous life she’s used to. There, she clashes with Brendan, a gruff local sea captain who thinks she won’t last a week outside the city.
A super cute summer romance, this is just one of those easy-breezy reads. The characters and plot were ok, although the writing style and scripting of some of the more intimate moments just gave me the cringe, and I am definitely not a ‘miscommunication trope’ kind of girl. What I did enjoy most though was Piper’s unapologetic journey to self-discovery, embracing who she was, high-maintenance ditz and all.
Amazon: US or CA
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Hard-Cover Worthy- 5/5 Stars
Set against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program, Atmosphere follows Joan Goodwin joins NASA’s astronaut training program. As she enters a world of ambition, pressure, and possibility, she forms deep connections with the people around her while confronting questions of identity, purpose, and what it truly means to chase something bigger than yourself.
With her signature historical fiction flare, Jenkins explores love, sacrifice, and the human longing to reach beyond what feels possible.
Fun Fact: I am NOT a fan of space, probably due to 8-year old me watching Armageddon and the resulting nightmares of meteors (or the moon) hitting earth that went on into my 20’s. and I know… I KNOW, “But Anna, scientifically speaking the moon is actually moving AWAY from earth at a rate of 4cm a year, and the angle of the light’s reflection through the atmosphere only makes it LOOK like it’s bigger…” Yes Susan, I get it; but to this day I cannot look at these beautiful Super Moons everyone gets all excited about without a spike of fear 🙈. Ignoring personal triggers and back to the book at hand…
I loved it. I thought it would be overrated, it’s not. I thought it would be a trigger for me, I was so engrossed in this beautiful story of love and self-discovery and the emotion it brings forth. Tears are almost guaranteed. This book felt so relevant with the current Artemis II spacecraft launch, whose mission is currently on day 3 of 10 to orbit the moon, and prepare for future moon landings. I would 100% recommend you read this book!
Amazon: US or CA
NotMyThing
The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden
2 Stars- It was just an ok read, it just felt like the first book but with the ‘anti’ turned up on every aspect possible. I’ll still be reading the third book but with more reserved expectations.
How to Kill a Witch by Zoe Venditozzi & Claire Mitchell
2.5 Stars- I read this as part of a Goodreads challenge and it was ok, with a few interesting facts, there just wasn’t a huge takeaway for me.
How is Spring kicking off?
-Anna R.
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The Weekend Readers 
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