Fiction/Science Fiction
Date Published: June 28, 2026
Publisher: Sapphire Stories
When Nichola Rodale stumbles upon information suggesting her father—a renowned scientist and brilliant puzzle maker—may not have died during The Great Drought, she embarks on a perilous journey across the desolate American Southwest to discover the truth.
Some books are hyped so much that by the time you finally pick them up, you're almost afraid you're going to be disappointed.
Starside was not one of those books for me.
Welcome to Worth the Hype?, where I'll be talking about books that have been getting a lot of attention and giving you my honest answer: Is the hype actually worth it?
This week, we're talking about Starside by Alex Aster, the first book in the Starside series.
And my answer?
Date Published: 09-01-2026
Publisher: Literary Wanderlust
She takes solace in her studies with the local wisewoman and in her friendship with Geoff, a groom at the local manor. Until the day Henry of Lancaster, Blanche’s half-brother, brings her news of an arranged marriage to Sir Thomas Prescott, Constable of the Tower of London. Although she smells cruelty on him, Blanche agrees to marry Thomas in the hopes that her influence may help better the lives of Geoff and all England’s villeins.
But soon, the peasants’ discontent turns to revolt. Though her heart is of the people, Blanche’s nobility makes her an enemy to the rebels. To save herself and Henry from the executioner’s ax, Blanche must use every power at her disposal, even those she once considered a curse.
Damiana
Lilly Manning
(The Sigils Series, #1)
Publication date: October 22nd 2026
Genres: Adult, Horror, Romance
The retreat promised the other half of her soul.
It was a promise with a waitlist: black-sand beaches, redwood fog, luxury glamping, ceremonial cacao, and a bonfire where every guest casts a sigil for the kind of love she’s been waiting her whole life to find.
Draw the symbol. Feed it to the flames. He’ll come.
Marlowe only attends because her boss pays for her to go. It’s all nonsense, she tells herself. An evening of designer spirituality for women desperate enough to believe the lie.
Then every woman’s wish starts coming true. Including hers.
Damian is everything she asked for—patient, devoted, ruinously handsome—and the only person trying to convince her not to sign up for the next retreat.
Because the fire wasn’t symbolic. The women didn’t manifest anything. Every wish was answered by design.
Now the retreat’s charismatic founder and the secretive sisterhood behind her wellness empire expect Marlowe to honor a bargain she never knew she made.
And walking away has never been part of the program.
The fire doesn’t forget what was promised.
