There’s something I love about getting a peek into what everyone is currently reading. It feels a little like walking into a cozy bookstore with friends and hearing, “Okay, wait, you HAVE to read this next.” And let’s be honest, our TBR lists are already wildly out of control, but what’s a few more, right?

At Once Upon a Book Club, we’re always surrounded by stories (it’s kind of our thing), but what we read in our own time? That’s where things get really interesting. From twisty thrillers to magical academies and emotional love stories, the team’s current reads are giving range.

And if you’re anything like me, you’re about to find at least one book you immediately want to add to your reading list, which, conveniently, pairs perfectly with treating yourself to one of our book box subscriptions (because reading is better when there are surprise gifts involved, just saying 😉).

 

Logan: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

“This book has been everywhere, and I needed to see what the hype was about. I'm like 6% in, and the main character is absolutely TERRIBLE, so I can't wait for something awful to happen to her. 😂”

About the Book

Natalie Heller Mills has built a picture-perfect life, and more importantly, a picture-perfect online life. From her charming farmhouse to her handsome cowboy husband and beautifully baked sourdough, everything looks flawless. Of course, what her followers don’t see are the nannies, producers, and behind-the-scenes effort that keep the illusion alive.

But everything shifts when Natalie wakes up one morning in a version of her life that feels…wrong. Everything is familiar, yet unsettlingly off. Her home, her husband, even her children feel like distorted reflections of reality. Is it a hoax, a test, or something far more sinister?

One thing Natalie knows for sure? Whatever is happening, it’s going to make a very interesting Instagram post.

 

Sydney: Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

“After absolutely loving Alice Feeney's My Husband's Wife, I couldn't wait to check out her previous books! This one is so tense and wild, and I can't wait to uncover all of the secrets and figure out what is happening! She's such an amazing thriller writer and always writes the most unexpected twists.”

About the Book

Adam and Amelia Wright’s marriage has been struggling for a long time. So when they win a weekend getaway to Scotland, it feels like the perfect opportunity to reconnect or finally fall apart.

Adam, a screenwriter who has lived his entire life with face blindness, can’t recognize even the people closest to him, including his own wife. Meanwhile, every year on their anniversary, Amelia writes him a letter he’s never allowed to read…until now.

As the couple heads into this isolated trip, it becomes clear that this wasn’t a random win. Secrets begin to surface, and the truth behind their relationship starts to unravel.

One of them is lying. And someone is making sure this anniversary is one they’ll never survive.

 

Teri: Arcana Academy by Elise Kova

“I love any book with a magical university, and this one also features some really cool magic based on tarot cards. There's a fake engagement with a prince that I think is going to lead to a very good enemies-to-lovers plot.”

About the Book

Clara Graysword has survived the dangerous underworld of Eclipse City using a mix of skill, luck, and illegal magic. But when a job goes wrong, she’s sentenced to life in prison for using a rare magical ability tied to tarot cards, something reserved for the elite students of Arcana Academy.

Just when all hope seems lost, the academy’s mysterious headmaster, Prince Kaelis, offers her a way out. But his help comes at a price. He believes Clara can help him steal a powerful tarot card from the king and recreate a long-lost force of immense power.

To keep her close, Kaelis brings Clara into the academy as a student…and introduces her as his future bride.

Thrown into a world of magic, secrets, and royal intrigue, Clara must navigate a dangerous game where one wrong move could cost her everything. And as she gets closer to the prince she’s meant to hate, she begins to question whether she can trust him…or herself.

 

Ryan: Stitched Hearts by Morgan Sloan

“I just started it this morning, but I'm really enjoying it so far. The relationship between the two MCs is really sweet and beautiful, but I can already tell that this book is going to crush me before it ends. I've already cried twice, and I'm only on chapter 15.”

About the Book

Roman Miller knows that falling in love with Beck Hart was the easy part. Leaving him behind was not. After escaping a difficult past, Roman disappeared from Beck’s life, believing it was for the best.

Beck, however, was left shattered. After finding Roman injured and afraid, Beck had taken him in, cared for him, and fallen deeply in love, only to have Roman vanish without explanation.

Now, ten years later, Roman has returned, determined to win Beck back. He brings flowers, leaves notes, and asks for another chance. But while the love between them still lingers, so does the pain.

Beck is torn between the feelings he never lost and the fear of being hurt again. And Roman must prove that this time, he won’t run.

 

Nicole: The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

“This book has so much fun southern charm paired with Grady Hendrix's unique taste of horror, and I love it so far! I can't wait to see how it ends!”

About the Book

Patricia Campbell’s life feels small and overwhelming. Between her workaholic husband, independent kids, and demanding mother-in-law, she’s constantly juggling responsibilities. Her one escape is her book club, a group of Charleston women bonded over true crime stories and shared frustrations.

Everything changes after Patricia is attacked by an elderly neighbor, which introduces her to the neighbor’s charming nephew, James Harris. He’s charismatic, well-read, and brings a spark back into Patricia’s life.

But when children in the community begin to go missing, Patricia starts to suspect that James is hiding something far more sinister.

As he slowly integrates himself into her life, Patricia realizes that he may not just be dangerous; he may be something entirely monstrous. And this time, the threat is closer than she ever imagined.

 

Tristan: A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland

“Just started this one and I’m already hooked—the main character is a shy prince with anxiety (relatable), and I’m so curious to see how his story unfolds. The writing is absolutely beautiful so far, and I have a feeling this is going to be one of those immersive, can’t-put-it-down reads.”

About the Book

Kadou, the shy prince of Arasht, finds himself humiliated after a public altercation with a powerful ambassador. Determined to prove his loyalty to his sister, the queen, he takes on the responsibility of investigating a break-in at one of their guilds.

To assist him, he’s paired with Evemer, his newly appointed bodyguard, cold, distant, and seemingly unimpressed by him.

As they work together, they uncover a dangerous conspiracy involving counterfeit precious metals, a crime considered heresy in their world. In a kingdom where magic and history intertwine, the stakes are high, and the consequences could be devastating.

As Kadou navigates politics, power, and his own anxieties, he must find the strength to face both external threats and his inner struggles.

That’s a Wrap (For Now) 📖✨

If there’s one thing this list proves, it’s that our team has excellent taste (and also zero hesitation about emotional damage, plot twists, and morally questionable characters 😂).

Whether you’re in the mood for a twisty thriller, a magical romance, or a story that will absolutely wreck you in the best way, there’s something here to add to your next reading stack.

And if you’re looking to take your reading experience to the next level, our Once Upon a Book Club subscriptions are kind of the ultimate upgrade. Imagine reading one of these stories and then reaching a page where you get to open a surprise gift that brings the moment to life. It’s immersive, it’s exciting, and it makes it very hard to go back to “normal” reading.

So if your TBR just got longer (you’re welcome), it might be time to treat yourself to a book box that makes every story feel like an event.

Happy reading from all of us here at Once Upon a Book Club! 😉📦💛