It started with a New Year's resolution:
1 book a week, 52 books in a year.
I kept reading, and it grew into something much more.

Back in 2011, I was an avid reader who had somehow lost my way with reading. Between working and being a full-time student, reading for pleasure had slowly fallen by the wayside.

I wanted to change that. So I gave myself a New Year's resolution to read one book every week for a year. I started A Book A Week on January 1, 2012 as a way to hold myself accountable and share what I was reading along the way.

I didn't quite reach my goal that first year, but I kept reading. I kept reviewing. And all these years later, I'm still here, looking forward to whatever book comes next. Some years I crush my goals, some years I don't, but my love for a good book has never wavered.

Reader. Blogger.
Book lover.

I'm a lifelong reader with a particular soft spot for mysteries and thrillers. I've always loved the genre, and I credit those stories—the twists, suspense, and need to know what happens next—with keeping me a reader as an adult. My reading has taken me in all kinds of directions since then, but I'll always come back to a good mystery.

I love creepy horror novels. A fascinating work of nonfiction can completely pull me in, too. And I've found plenty of favorites in science fiction, literary fiction, romance, and other genres I might never have picked up when I first started the blog. That's part of the fun. I never quite know what kind of story is going to grab me next.

When I'm not reading or writing reviews, you'll usually find me at home with my husband and our pets. I'm a classically trained musician and composer, an enthusiastic home cook, and a backyard gardener. There's usually a trip to look forward to or some new project that has caught my interest, too.

At the end of the day, I just really love books. There's nothing quite like discovering a story I can't put down or finding an author I can't wait to read again. Even when a book doesn't quite work for me, I still enjoy thinking about why and putting those thoughts into words. That's what keeps me reading, reviewing, and sharing it all here on A Book A Week.

Honest reviews, always.

Some of the books I review are ones I've purchased myself. Others are provided by publishers or authors in exchange for an honest review. Either way, what I write here is always what I really think.

Not every book is going to work for every reader, and that's part of the fun of talking about books. I'll tell you what worked for me, what didn't, and hopefully give you enough to decide whether a book might be right for you.

Good, bad, or somewhere in between, you'll always get my honest take.

Let's Connect

I'm always happy to hear from readers, publishers, authors, and fellow book lovers.

Review Copies

I'm always open to considering books for review. I read across a pretty wide range of genres, though mysteries and thrillers tend to be particular favorites. If you'd like me to consider a book, send along a little information about it and why you think it might be a good fit for A Book A Week.

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I just finished reading The Housemaid Is Watching, the third book in Freida McFadden's addictive, page-turning series, and I was genuinely impressed by how natural and fresh the story expanded. That third installment was a hit for me, and it left me eager for more. To my surprise, I discovered there’s a short novella in the series—The Housemaid’s Wedding—a quick story meant to fill the gap between books two and three. Still riding high from Watching, I decided to dive in.

Millie is just four hours away from what’s supposed to be the happiest day of her life, her wedding to Enzo. It’s a day she’s dreamed about, though never truly believed would come, especially after everything the couple has endured. When Millie found herself pregnant, Enzo popped the question, and now a small, winter-themed ceremony is underway. But things are already starting to unravel. Her dress doesn’t fit, she’s running out of time, and then she gets a threatening phone call from an unknown number. It’s not just cold feet—someone doesn’t want her to walk down the aisle. Someone wants her dead.

After enjoying all three full-length novels in Freida McFadden’s Housemaid series, I have to admit this novella left me disappointed. The Housemaid’s Wedding struggles to justify its existence. There’s little suspense, barely any twists, and even the central mystery feels underdeveloped. I suppose you could read it for completion’s sake, but honestly, even that seems unnecessary. McFadden has wowed me up until this point, but this one just doesn’t work. If you’re looking for more thrills from the Housemaid universe, you’re better off skipping this one.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.

(2025, 52)

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8 Comments

Comments

Mary KirklandJuly 4, 2025 at 12:38 PM
I think if I was being threatened, I would call the wedding off.
Samantha@WLABBJuly 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM
I think novellas can be challenging. Funny, Molly the Maid had a similar novella between book 2 and 3 which was less mystery and more short story.
Rachel @Waves of FictionJuly 10, 2025 at 2:53 PM
I want to try this series and author after seeing a lot of praise. I'll make note to just skip this one. I usually don't read many novellas in a series unless I absolutely love it anyhow.
BlodeueddJuly 10, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Skip the novella, noted! But I did just finish a Mcfadden that was excellent

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About Me

It started with a New Year's resolution:
1 book a week, 52 books in a year.
I kept reading, and it grew into something much more.

Reader. Blogger.
Book lover.

Honest reviews, always.

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