TESSA TALKS BOOKS

Welcome back to my weekly reading round-up, where I share my thoughts on the books I’ve devoured lately—no spoilers, just vibes. This week’s batch was full of suspense, sass, and a little bit of mayhem (the fictional kind, of course). Whether you love a twisty mystery, a feminist revenge fantasy, or a puzzling whodunit, there’s something here for you.

So grab a cozy drink, curl up, and let’s talk books!

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Marriage Vendetta by Caroline Madden

This darkly funny feminist debut had me hooked from the start. Eliza Sheridan is a stay-at-home mom pushed to her breaking point when her husband, Richard, breaks yet another promise—this time involving an alleged affair. When she stumbles into therapy with a rather unconventional counselor, the story takes a wildly unexpected turn. What starts as a last-ditch effort to fix her marriage quickly becomes a series of increasingly bizarre revenge stunts, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages to see how far Eliza would go.

What I loved most was the mix of sharp wit and raw emotional tension. The author never lets the humor undercut the real stakes at play—this is a story about agency, frustration, and the messy reality of love and resentment. The ending wrapped things up with just the right balance of closure and a little twist of justice. If you like your domestic thrillers with bite, this one delivers.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten

If you’re in the mood for a slow-burn suspense novel with a haunting atmosphere, this one might be your next weekend read. The story centers on Tessa Nilsson, a disgraced true crime podcaster who travels with her best friend to an off-the-grid yoga retreat on a mysterious Swedish island. But this isn’t just any island—it’s the same one where four childhood friends vanished ten years ago, a case that has haunted Tessa for years.

I’ll admit, it took a few chapters to really sink into this one, but once I did, I was intrigued. The chapters alternate between the past and present, and the tension builds as secrets begin to unravel. The remote island setting gave me major locked-room mystery vibes, and the final twists had just enough bite to satisfy. It’s a quieter kind of thriller, but if you’re into moody Scandinavian noir, give this one a go.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Most Puzzling Murder by Bianca Marais

This was such a charmingly offbeat mystery! Destiny Whip is a socially awkward former child prodigy turned world-class puzzle expert (yes, enigmatologist is a real word, and I love it). When she receives a mysterious letter inviting her to a creepy old estate called Eerie Island, she accepts out of curiosity—and the promise of uncovering her family history. What follows is a delightfully gothic tale full of cryptic clues, suspicious relatives, and one looming question: who is about to be murdered?

This book is the literary equivalent of a rainy day with tea and a cat on your lap. Destiny is an unforgettable protagonist—brilliant, lonely, and surprisingly vulnerable. Her voice is so distinct, and the puzzles woven into the narrative made the whole thing feel like a game you’re playing alongside her. It’s smart, whimsical, and a bit eerie (in the best way). If you’re a fan of Knives Out, give this one a spot on your TBR.

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🔮 Coming Next Week: Books on My Radar

Looking ahead, here are the titles I’ll be, hopefully, reading and reviewing in next week’s post—get ready for everything from heartwarming holiday magic to high-stakes espionage and witchy drama:

• A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
• Holly Jolly July by Lindsay Maple
• Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds: A Novel by Allison Brennan
• The Medusa Protocol by Rob Hart
• Human Rites (Her Majesty’s Royal Coven #3) by Juno Dawson

It’s shaping up to be a wildly fun (and slightly chaotic) reading week—and I’m so here for it.

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Which of these books have you read or want to read? Drop your recs, thoughts, or favorite revenge plots in the comments! 💬👇