S. F. Prescott

The Push blends psychological suspense with deep emotional introspection, making it both unsettling and thought-provoking. Highlighting themes of motherhood & identity, generational trauma, and nature vs. nurture. This book has one of the most terrifying scenes I’ve ever read. It gave me nightmares! But also introduced me to one of my new favorite authors 🤓

The Whispers is a psychological domestic thriller about four women in a suburban neighborhood whose lives unravel after a seemingly ordinary evening takes a tragic turn. Focusing on motherhood & societal pressures, secrets, and envy. The scenes felt cinematic, the characters are dark and complex—I couldn’t put it down. My dream is to see this turned into an HBO series 🙏🏼

The Tell is a memoir by venture capitalist and entrepreneur Amy Griffin about her lifelong journey of achievement—and the hidden wounds beneath it. While recounting her trauma, it also examines the cost of perfectionism and self-silencing, the consequences of unresolved trauma, and the power of truth-telling. So powerful. I read this in one sitting.

All Fours follows a 45-year-old semi-famous artist from Los Angeles who sets out on what’s supposed to be a solo road trip to New York but almost immediately detours into something much stranger and more transformative. Themes of midlife & identity, desire & freedom, and vulnerability. Told with July’s wry humor, I had to reread certain scenes out of complete disbelief. Cannot recommend enough!

The Death of Us is a literary psychological thriller about the long-term impact of trauma and how violence reshapes love, memory, and identity. A masterclass in literary suspense and character development. This quickly became my favorite book of Dean’s. Be warned: It is very dark!

Count My Lies is a psychological domestic thriller narrated by Sloane Caraway, a young woman who lies compulsively to make her life feel more interesting—and whose deceptions quickly entangle her in something much more dangerous than she imagined. I literally carried this book around the grocery store, unwilling to put it down or lose my rhythm, racing to the end. I cannot WAIT for the series on Hulu!

Blue Sisters is a character-driven novel about three adult sisters confronting grief, addiction, identity, and family bonds after the death of their fourth sister, Nicky. A beautiful, heartfelt story about love and loss—I will read anything Coco Mellors writes 🤓

Madwoman follows Clove, a woman who has built what looks like an ideal life—a stable family, two young children, and a seemingly safe suburban existence in Portland, Oregon. But her life is held together by lies and repression about a brutally violent childhood she has spent decades trying to bury. This sits in a top three spot for me! Gorgeous prose, thought-provoking topics, and wildly addictive. I would reread this in a heartbeat.

Finding Grace is an emotionally rich debut novel about love, loss, secrets, and the ways the past shapes the future. A story with one of the biggest twists 🤯 in the first chapter that shocked me (in the best way), and set up a unique narrative I wasn’t expecting. Such a joy to go in blind and thoroughly enjoy the ride! Everyone should read this book.

The Shadow of the Wind is a literary mystery and gothic novel set in post–Civil War Barcelona. Blending mystery, gothic romance, and literary fiction, with a moody, atmospheric style. This was on my shelf for years, and I finally picked it up over October as part of my spooky reads selection. It’s a beautiful, atmospheric novel, with complex characters, and a well-deserved climactic scene I won’t soon forget. I can’t wait to do the walking tour the next time I’m in Barcelona.