One of these books I absolutely adored. One was a solid thriller. And one felt like a waste of time, but it’s probably good if that’s your vibe. Thanks, NetGalley. I always appreciate the review copies.

The Queen of Wishful Thinking by Milly Johnson

The Queen of Wishful Thinking is a warm, comforting, and uplifting story about second chances, personal courage, and the possibility of creating a happier life even when change feels impossible.

Bonnie Brookland is an immediately likeable and sympathetic character. Her connection to the world of antiques gives the novel a wonderfully nostalgic atmosphere, filled with forgotten treasures, bustling market stalls, and the sense that every object has a story waiting to be discovered. Yet beneath this colourful setting, Bonnie is struggling with a life that no longer brings her happiness, making her journey towards independence especially moving.

Lewis Harley is equally engaging. After leaving a demanding career following a health scare, he hopes that running The Pot of Gold will offer him the calmer, more meaningful existence he needs. His antique shop may be struggling, but Bonnie’s arrival brings new energy, friendship, and hope into both the business and his life.

The relationship between Bonnie and Lew develops with warmth and tenderness, but the novel is about far more than romance. It thoughtfully explores loss, emotional resilience, difficult relationships, and the bravery required to let go of a familiar life in order to pursue something better.

Milly Johnson balances humour and heart beautifully, creating memorable characters and a cosy community that feels welcoming and real. The antique-shop setting adds charm throughout, while the long-buried secrets and personal challenges provide enough tension to keep the story compelling.

Heartfelt, hopeful, and deeply satisfying, The Queen of Wishful Thinking is an excellent audiobook for listeners who enjoy emotional contemporary fiction, gentle romance, and stories about rediscovering yourself. It is a lovely reminder that new beginnings can appear in unexpected places, and that it is never too late to build a life you truly love.

Watching Alice by Sue Watson

Watching Alice is a tense, unsettling psychological thriller that turns the breakdown of a marriage into something far more sinister. Sue Watson creates a claustrophobic atmosphere from the opening pages, building a story filled with suspicion, manipulation, and the constant fear that Alice may not be safe in her own home.

Alice is a sympathetic and believable protagonist. After discovering her husband Jason’s affair, she is forced into an unusual living arrangement in which they take turns occupying the family home. What initially seems like a practical solution soon becomes deeply uncomfortable as Alice notices objects being moved, unfamiliar mess, and subtle changes that make her question whether Jason is deliberately trying to unsettle her.

The sense of being watched adds another gripping layer to the story. Alice’s growing unease is handled effectively, leaving the listener unsure whether she is being manipulated, followed, or slowly losing her grip on reality. This uncertainty keeps the suspense high and makes even ordinary domestic moments feel threatening.

The novel also explores the emotional damage caused by betrayal, control, and the loss of trust. Alice’s fear is not only about who may be watching her, but also about how little she can rely on the people and places that once made her feel secure.

Fast-paced, atmospheric, and full of psychological tension, Watching Alice is an absorbing audiobook for fans of domestic thrillers and twist-filled suspense. The ominous opening, escalating paranoia, and carefully concealed secrets make it difficult to stop listening.

The East Wing by Danielle M. Wong

The East Wing is a haunting, atmospheric thriller that combines gothic mystery, psychological suspense, and family secrets to gripping effect. Danielle M. Wong creates an immediate sense of unease, drawing the listener into a remote mansion where every shadow, locked door, and whispered sound seems to conceal something dangerous.

Wren Lee is a compelling and sympathetic protagonist. Still struggling with insomnia, grief, and fragmented memories of the accident that changed her life, she arrives in rural Virginia hoping that her unexpected inheritance will offer a fresh start. Instead, she finds herself in a house that feels hostile from the moment she enters it.

The mansion is almost a character in its own right. Its maze-like corridors, mysterious lullaby, unsettling traditions, and forbidden east wing create a wonderfully claustrophobic setting. Ruth, the watchful housekeeper who continues setting a place for Wren’s deceased grandfather, adds another intriguing layer of tension. Her behaviour leaves Wren—and the listener—wondering whether she is protective, threatening, or hiding something far more complicated.

The approaching storm heightens the suspense beautifully, isolating Wren and forcing her to confront both the secrets of the house and the memories she has tried to avoid. The story’s blend of supernatural possibility and psychological uncertainty keeps the mystery unpredictable, as it is never entirely clear which dangers belong to the mansion and which are connected to Wren’s past.

Dark, immersive, and filled with chilling twists, The East Wing is an excellent audiobook for fans of gothic suspense, haunted-house mysteries, and emotionally layered thrillers. Its eerie setting, vulnerable protagonist, and steadily unfolding secrets make it a captivating story that is difficult to stop listening to.