
I love it when I get publisher’s requests to read their digital galley’s and ARCs, and usually download, read, and review the books, particularly if they fit my favorite genres.
This past week, however, I got three within a day or two of each other and was so excited by the invitations, I thought I’d have to let my readers in on each of these exciting new books, now available through NetGalley, to be released next year.
After reading the blurb of the first one, I promptly downloaded it for the CE as it appeared to be something he’d love. Keep an eye out for his thoughts and mine for the remaining two to follow soon.
Worse Than a Lie by Ben Crump (will be a CE review)
Release Date: February 17, 2026
Genre: Political Thrillers, Science Fiction Crime & Mystery
Publisher: Bantam – Dan Denning, Senior Marketing Manager, Ballantine Bantam Dell, Penguin Random House, NY
Hollis Montrose, a Black ex-police officer, is the latest victim of a brutal attack but survives. When the Chicago police department spins the narrative in its favor, it’s up to attorney Beau Lee Cooper to keep Hollis from a wrongful prison sentence.
♥♥♥♥♥
June Baby by Shannon Garvey
Genre: Women’s Friendship Fiction, Coming of Age Fiction, Mothers & Children Fiction
Publisher: Random House Marketing – Madison Dettlinger
Having been shipped off as a teenager to Block Island after the loss of her mother by her father, Ruth now at twenty-seven is faced with a new revelation of the women who raised her. “Both a heartfelt coming-of-age story and a tender exploration of love and grief…”
♥♥♥♥♥
Killing Me Softly by Sandie Jones
Genre: Domestic Thrillers, Murder Thrillers, Psychological Thrillers
Publisher: Minotaur Books – Angelica Pietrakowski – St Martin’s Press
“What do you do when love turns deadly?”
Charlie and Freya are supposed to be the picture-perfect couple but a tragedy of monumental proportions will change that. Can they survive this “wickedly twisty tale of obsession…”?
♥♥♥♥♥
These are all new authors for me, so I’m excited to discover their writing styles and talents and should be no problem to have them read and reviewed within the next couple months, the first by the end of December.
Of course, these are all currently listed in Goodreads. I hope you see one here that piques your interest!
Thank you so much to each of the above publishers for the opportunity to read their promotions. As always, our reviews will be our own honest opinions.
©2025 V Williams

























This story is well written and includes a surprise ending I did not expect. The characters are well developed and the action moves along believably. Read and enjoy this story. 4.5 stars – CE Williams









