Fiction

When I’m Gone
We've all felt it; that uncomfortable tightening in our chest when someone mentions estate planning or end-of-life wishes. We tell ourselves we'll get to it later, when we're older, when things slow down.
By Edward Smithabout 3 hours ago in BookClub
Christmas Crackers and Coming Home
Welcome back to The Chapter Café, where stories are always on the menu and comfort is served by the chapter. I’m your host, Kristen, and today we’re unwrapping a festive, emotionally rich holiday tale that’s as cozy as a wool blanket and as sparkly as a Christmas cracker. On today’s menu? I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Jenny Bayliss—a story about coming home, facing old wounds, and finding your place in the world, one snow-dusted step at a time.
By Kristen Barenthalera day ago in BookClub
Come As You Are & the Art of Starting Over
Welcome back to The Chapter Café, where stories are always on the menu and comfort is served by the chapter. I’m your host, Kristen, and today we’re unpacking a story about heartbreak, reinvention, and the unexpected ways we find our people. On today’s menu? Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler—a YA romance that’s equal parts sharp, swoony, and soul-searching.
By Kristen Barenthalera day ago in BookClub
Espresso Shots & Espionage: The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold
Welcome back to The Chapter Café, where stories are always on the menu and comfort is served by the chapter. I’m your host, Kristen, and today we’re trading in our cozy cardigans for leather jackets and encrypted burner phones. On today’s menu? The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold by Ally Carter—a second-chance spy romance that’s equal parts adrenaline and heart.
By Kristen Barenthalera day ago in BookClub
Lights Out & Love in the Dark
Welcome back to The Chapter Café, where stories are always on the menu and comfort is served by the chapter. I’m your host, Kristen, and tonight we’re dimming the lights, pouring something strong, and stepping into the shadows with a dark romance that’s as twisted as it is tender. On today’s menu? Lights Out by Navessa Allen—a story of trauma, obsession, and the strange, electric pull between two broken souls.
By Kristen Barenthalera day ago in BookClub
Rewind to Us & the Magic of Second Chances
Welcome back to The Chapter Café, where stories are always on the menu and comfort is served by the chapter. I’m your host, Kristen, and today we’re rewinding the clock—literally and emotionally—with a story about love, regret, and the courage it takes to say what matters before it’s too late. On today’s menu? Rewind to Us by Molly Morris—a YA novel that blends magical realism with the raw, messy beauty of growing up.
By Kristen Barenthalera day ago in BookClub
The Deal & the Art of the Fake Date
Welcome back to The Chapter Café, where stories are always on the menu and comfort is served by the chapter. I’m your host, Kristen, and today we’re serving up a spicy, slow-burn romance with a side of banter, brainy girls, and hockey boys. On today’s menu? The Deal by Elle Kennedy—a book that proves sometimes the best relationships start with a little pretending.
By Kristen Barenthalera day ago in BookClub
Valentine in Montréal
Don't be fooled by the title. The story is actually very interesting: My name is Valentine. I am twenty-three years old and I work at a little store at Berri-UQAM métro. I am very ordinary-looking and Barney, who works the same shift as me at the store, says I do not know how to dress. I have been working there for four years, and I have never missed a day. This is why sometimes I seem familiar to people, even though they can't place me.
By Kendall Defoe 2 days ago in BookClub
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop Review
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa is a story about a young woman named Takako who seemingly has it all: a great job and a handsome boyfriend. One day her boyfriend pulls the rug out from beneath her by announcing that he's getting married to a woman he was dating behind Takako's back. Takako spirals into a depression, spending all of her time alone in her apartment, sleeping her life away, and avoiding friends and family. A call from her uncle Satoru sends Takako's life on a different path. Her uncle offers her a rent-free room above his bookshop that she can live in as long as she helps him out at the store. Takako quits her job to help out her uncle while she figures out what to do with her life.
By Amy Arndt2 days ago in BookClub
Is Patrick Bateman or Maeve Fly More Insane?
I never thought I would ever find another protagonist/killer similar to that of Patrick Bateman from American Psycho. I finally found one that could rival him, the female version, who is the splitting image of Patrick Bateman. Her name is Maeve Fly, and oh boy, I believe she is just as insane as he is!
By Emy Quinn5 days ago in BookClub
5 Random Books with Insane Storylines that Will Leave You Shocked
Right before the New Year ended, I felt that I had selected some of the best books for last. I focused on multiple genres this time around, reading thrillers, horror, sci - fi, with a little bit of romance sprinkled in. These books were the perfect way to end the year, and I enjoyed how bold each of these tales were.
By Emy Quinn6 days ago in BookClub
[BOOK SUMMARY & REVIEW] "NO FAMILY"
There are books that, when read at different ages, reveal different layers of meaning. For children, "No Family" is a dramatic adventure with intelligent animals and new lands. For adults, it is a lesson about the harshness of fate, about character, and about the true definition of "family."
By HieuDinh7 days ago in BookClub