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Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson

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Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson
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I’m honestly still processing. I went in knowing nothing about this part of history, and Sadeqa just… opened my eyes. This story will sit with you long after you’re done and even send you down a rabbit hole to further research this time in history. And let me just say that having multiple points of view usually have me picking a fave. Not this time. Each character had such emotional journeys that I found myself fully invested in all three. You have Ethel, longing for motherhood while her husband serves in Germany. A bright-eyed Ozzie from South Philly trying to find direction through military service. And lastly Sophia, a teenager pushing past her mother’s fears to chase opportunity at a prestigious school struggling to fit in. This is how you write historical fiction. I’m thankful for the well thought storyline, character development and history lesson.

Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson, (List Price: $30, 37 Ink, 9781668069912, February 2026)

Reviewed by Morgan, The Book Worm Bookstore in Powder Springs, Georgia

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The Princess and the P.I. by Nikki Payne

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The Princess and the P.I. by Nikki Payne
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Fiona was out here using her multiple seasons of law and order detective skills to take down the shady company that stole her brother’s invention but chillleee then she ends up accused of murder. Maurice, a smooth talking private investigator, haunted by a past case decides to help her by taking on her case with a few ulterior motives. As soon as their paths cross, the sparks and family secrets start flying fast. This was my first read by Nikki Payne, and I really enjoyed it! It had the right mix of mystery, tension, romance, and some good spice too. I loved seeing smart, driven Black characters at the center of the story. Fiona’s not your average “princess” either. She came into her own womanhood in this story….bold, clever, and stands ten toes down for what’s right.

The Princess and the P.I. by Nikki Payne, (List Price: $19, Berkley, 9780593817360, September 2025)

Reviewed by Morgan, The Book Worm Bookstore in Powder Springs, Georgia

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The Mad Wife by Megan Church

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The Mad Wife by Megan Church
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I mean, all women in the 1950s were hysterical, right? Was she really going mad, or just trying to escape her reality? Lulu was doing her best to keep up with what society and her neighbors thought the perfect housewife should be. But when that picture-perfect life starts to crumble, chillleee… things got real. This wasn’t a jump-scare type of suspense… I felt like it was more of a mental spiral that had me thinking about how many women suffer in silence or get misdiagnosed when something feels off. The themes of mental health, postpartum depression, gaslighting, and just being plain overwhelmed really stood out. It’s a slow burn, but that plot twist definitely threw my book across the room when it hit … ugh, men lol *Note be sure to check in as some of the themes in the book are heavy…take care of yourself, the book can wait

The Mad Wife by Megan Church, (List Price: $17.99, Sourcebooks Landmark, 9781464236747, September 2025)

Reviewed by Morgan Gayles, The Book Worm Bookstore in Powder Springs, Georgia

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The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes

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The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes
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Being the star athlete and leading your team towards an undefeated season is a dream. But when one of your biggest fans is brutally attacked by the police, your focus shifts. You want to be there for him and not just under the Friday night lights. What you don’t expect is for the town to turn on you, treating you like you’re “just a football player” and nothing more. This story feels so real and so now, especially with the way athletes, young and old, are standing up against injustice and police brutality. Powerful story and an on-time read.

The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes, (List Price: $17.99, Viking Books for Young Readers, 9781984836755, September 2025)

Reviewed by Morgan Gayles, The Book Worm Bookstore in Powder Springs, Georgia

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