Sound Like Love by Ashley Poston

I really enjoyed this one! It's a mix of celebrity trope, small-town charm, and a dash of magical realism. Sounds Like Love is a fun romcom that balances humor with emotional depth. It’s not overly spicy, but it still gives you all the feels, and it’s hard not to root for Joni’s romance from the very beginning.

Joni Lark is a songwriter who once penned hit songs, but after her mother’s illness, the music just stopped flowing. Returning to her hometown of Vienna Shores, a small vacation town, she finds herself torn between staying to care for her mom, who now struggles with dementia, or chasing her old dreams in LA.

Then something unexpected happens. Joni starts hearing a man’s voice in her head. Not just a voice, but a melody like an earworm she can’t shake. The two of them are somehow linked in this strange telepathic connection. Their attempt to finish the song together, and the fact that they can hear each other’s thoughts, had me smiling through the pages.

What really stood out for me was how the story explores dreams, family, friendship, and finding joy even in the hardest moments. Joni’s relationship with her mother was heartfelt and genuine, and I was touched by how the story shows that it’s never too late to set new goals or ask the right questions about where life is leading us. 4.5 ⭐

Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin

Detective Aunty is a cozy, lighthearted murder mystery with an amateur sleuth, small-town charm, and just enough twists to keep you guessing.

An unlikely detective is Kausar Khan, a woman in her fifties who suddenly finds herself thrust into an investigation when her daughter, Sana, is accused of murder. One phone call drags Kausar back into her old neighborhood, where she must face not only the suspicion circling Sana but also her own grief for her late husband and son.

Sana’s landlord, Imran Thakur, is found stabbed to death in her shop. He wasn’t well-liked, but the police are quick to assume the worst when they find Sana’s clothes covered in blood and the murder weapon belonging to her. Instead of treating her as a witness, they charge her with first-degree murder.

However, Kausar refuses to believe her daughter capable of such a crime. With curiosity, and a knack for asking questions no one else dares to, she starts piecing together clues alongside her quirky sidekicks.

I loved how Uzma layers the story with more than just the mystery. Themes of culture, grief, and even marital betrayal weave into the plot naturally, giving the book real emotional depth. I personally felt the ending was a little rushed and less satisfying than I’d hoped but that’s just my view, not a flaw in the writing.

Overall, Detective Aunty is a warm and witty mystery that balances heartache. I’ll definitely be waiting for the sequel to see if the missing X factor comes into play.

The Second Chance Convenience Store by Kim Ho-Yeon

After seeing so many good reviews, I was thrilled to finally dive into The Second Chance Convenience Store and it did not disappoint!

At the heart of the story is Mrs. Yeom Yeong-Sook, a retired teacher who has always lived with quiet dignity and kindness. One day, after losing her wallet, she meets a homeless man named Dokgo who returns it to her, safe and untouched. Though he refuses a reward, she offers him a lunch box from her convenience store. That small gesture sparks an unexpected friendship.

Dokgo, struggling with memory loss from alcohol-related dementia and emotional trauma, slowly reveals a thoughtful, capable soul beneath his rough exterior. When her night shift employee quits and the store begins to struggle, Mrs. Yeom takes a leap of faith and hires Dokgo.

What follows is a quiet, beautiful transformation. Not just in him, but in everyone around him. Through trust, kindness, and second chances, Dokgo finds purpose, and the story gently reminds us that it's never too late to start over.

I absolutely loved the message behind this book. It’s a simple, easy-to-read story that flows effortlessly from one page to the next. Some parts are predictable, but in the best way possible. You can see where the story is going, but that just makes the journey feel like a comforting hug.

In the end, it’s not about the plot, but about the feeling it leaves behind: hope, compassion, and the reminder that it’s never too late to grow or to change a life with kindness. 4⭐

Cinta Terbelah di Laut Merah by Ilham Mazalan

Kalau harap plot dramatik cepat berkembang, memang boleh terasa macam tak ke mana pada awalnya. Dua watak utama, Sevgil dan Shihab, adalah pelajar Malaysia di bumi Mesir. Mereka datang dari latar belakang dan cara fikir yang berbeza. Penulis banyak ambil masa membina watak, suasana, falsafah, dan idealisme.

Konflik mula kelihatan apabila ayah Shihab meninggal dunia dan dia pulang ke tanah air. Sevgil hilang arah, pelajarannya terganggu dan tenggelam dalam kemurungan. Kepada Marsha, Harris dan Syed tempat dia berkongsi rasa. Walau pun peribadi sahabatnya itu dipandang sinis masyarakat sekitar tapi di sinilah erti persahabatan diuji. Aku sendiri tersentak ketika Sevgil mendedahkan pengalaman buruk di asrama yang meninggalkan trauma mendalam. Babak ini membuka mata, menjelaskan mengapa dirinya begitu rapuh, dan di situlah aku rasa Sevgil adalah mangsa pengkhianatan.

Babak bersama Dr. Noha, psikiatri yang merawat Sevgil, muncul sebagai salah satu adegan paling signifikan. Dialog dan interaksi di sini bukan sekadar terapi, tetapi juga menjawab persoalan mengapa Sevgil menjadi dirinya yang penuh dengan kerentanan. Di sinilah karya ini menampilkan sisi keberanian, menyentuh isu kesihatan mental.

Dan akhirnya, pertemuan Sevgil dengan Seth di Gunung Sinai benar-benar menyentuh hati. Ia hadir sebagai alegori penuh makna, menyempurnakan perjalanan panjang Sevgil. Endingnya tuntas menutup naratif dengan begitu baik. Secara keseluruhan, Cinta Terbelah di Laut Merah bukan sekadar kisah cinta dua insan. Ia sarat dengan renungan tentang dunia, politik, sejarah, pencarian makna hidup, dan yang paling penting, hubungan manusia dengan Tuhan.

Petaka Bakteria by Mohd Kasim Mahmud

Babak suspen dimulakan dengan beberapa pesawat telah menggugurkan kotak-kotak kayu berisi pakaian dan patung mainan di sekitar kawasan kampung yang baru saja dilanda peperangan. Penduduk kampung yang kelaparan dan trauma berebut-rebut, menyangka itu hadiah daripada pemerintah. Namun, di situlah permulaan malapetaka yang tidak mereka duga. 

Novel ini menyingkap sisi kelam dunia sains dan teknologi melalui watak Profesor Gerago dan pembantunya, Dr. Yana. Berkhidmat di makmal senjata biologi, Dr. Yana mula dihantui rasa bersalah apabila bakteria ciptaannya, yang berbahaya setanding antraks, digugurkan ke perkampungan musuh. Kegelisahan moral dan keagamaannya berperang dengan hakikat bahawa projek itu adalah misi besar negara yang dipersetujui pemimpin tertinggi. 

Apa yang dia tidak tahu ialah, eksperimen demi eksperimen itu akhirnya melahirkan spesies tikus baru. Tikus-tikus tersebut membesar dengan saiz luar biasa selepas menjadikan tawanan perang sebagai makanan mereka.

Inilah antara babak yang ada dalam Petaka Bakteria karya Mohd Kasim Mahmud, pemenang Sayembara Fiksyen Sains dan Teknologi UTM-KUMPULAN UTUSAN.

Penulis berjaya menyuntik elemen sains, perang, dan konflik dalaman dengan adunan yang menegangkan. Petaka Bakteria membuatkan kita tertanya-tanya sejauh mana sains boleh dimanipulasi demi kuasa, dan batas moral seorang saintis.

Namun, ada satu kemusykilan bagi aku tentang kemunculan lelaki misteri sebanyak tiga kali, yang tidak memberi impak besar pada jalan cerita. Entah siapa agaknya dia.😅 Keseluruhannya, Petaka Bakteria ialah sebuah fiksyen sains tempatan yang mendebarkan, dengan premis berani dan latar peperangan yang sangat dekat dengan realiti dunia hari ini.