If you’ve ever wondered what the Once Upon a Book Club team is currently reading (and obsessing over), you’re in the right place.

Because if there’s one thing about us, we always have a book in hand and usually a few more waiting nearby “just in case.” If I’m honest, I am usually reading 3 or 4 books at the same time.

From thrillers that keep us up way too late, to magical worlds we don’t want to leave, to romances that make us feel everything, our current reads are a little bit of everything (and we love it that way).

So if your TBR is looking a little empty, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

 

Logan: Two Girls Down by Louisa Luna

“A thriller about two missing girls and the private investigators hired to find them. Honestly, really intense and loving the storytelling of it! I'm very invested in how it will end!”

About the Book:

When two young sisters vanish from a strip mall parking lot, their mother turns to bounty hunter Alice Vega for help. But this isn’t a straightforward case. With limited support from an overstretched police department, Vega teams up with disgraced former cop Max Caplan to follow a trail of lies, dead ends, and dangerous connections.

As the clock ticks, the stakes rise, and the deeper they dig, the more complicated everything becomes. It’s tense, gripping, and the kind of story that pulls you in and refuses to let go.

 

Sydney: The Swan's Daughter by Roshani Chokshi 

“I am absolutely obsessed with this story! The magical atmosphere, gorgeous writing, adorable characters, and the tournament of brides featuring beautiful (possibly murderous) bachelorettes...this is definitely shaping up to be a 5-star read.”

About the Book:

Prince Arris knows that love comes with a deadly cost…literally. Thanks to a cursed wish, anyone who marries him may be after more than just his heart. When a tournament of brides is announced, hopeful (and possibly dangerous) contenders arrive to compete for his hand.

Enter Demelza, a truth-telling swan with a secret of her own. Together, they must navigate a world of deception, magic, and impossible choices, where love and survival are far more tangled than they seem.

 

Teri: Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

“I just read Alix's other book, The Everlasting, and absolutely loved it, so I was excited to pick up another book by her. This one is very eerie and gothic, with a cursed town and a sentient house, but also funny and full of heart. This book has my emotions all over the place. I'm getting so invested in the story!”

About the Book:

Opal has spent her life trying to escape her circumstances and protect her younger brother along the way. But everything changes when she steps into Starling House, a mysterious mansion tied to dark rumours and long-forgotten secrets.

As strange forces begin to surface and the town’s past refuses to stay buried, Opal finds herself drawn deeper into something she may not be able to escape. It’s eerie, emotional, and filled with moments that linger long after you turn the page.

 

Ryan: His Reaper by Cora Rose

“This is a dark MM romance. It's very dark and gory but also hilarious. Bane is a psychotic golden retriever, and he made me laugh and cringe at his antics.”

About the Book:

Bane lives a life that’s anything but ordinary, balancing his role as a reaper with a personality that’s equal parts chaotic and oddly charming. But things take a turn when danger threatens the people he cares about most.

Alongside Georgiy, he dives into a world filled with dark truths, danger, and a past that refuses to stay hidden. It’s intense, unpredictable, and surprisingly funny in all the right moments.

 

Nicole: Queen of Thieves by Beezy Marsh

“I just started this book, but it's about a group of women thieves in post-WWII London trying to survive and thrive in London's 'underworld', and I'm really excited for it!”

About the Book:

In post-war London, survival isn’t easy, and for some, it means bending the rules. Alice Diamond leads a fearless gang of women thieves, navigating a dangerous underworld where power, survival, and ambition collide.

When Nell enters this world, she quickly learns that it’s as glamorous as it is dangerous. But as loyalties shift and hidden motives emerge, she begins carving her own path, one that could change everything.

 

Tristan: Half Sick of Shadows by Laura Sebastian

“I am absolutely in love with this King Arthur retelling—where The Lady of Shalott steps out of the shadows and seizes her story with hauntingly beautiful magic. It’s a tragic reimagining of Camelot that maintains the original events but spins them in a way that feels both timeless and excitingly new.”

About the Book:

Elaine of Shalott is cursed to see the future, and that future is filled with tragedy. As she and those around her step into the world of Camelot, destiny begins to unfold in ways she cannot fully control.

With magic outlawed and danger closing in, Elaine must decide whether to accept fate…or fight against it, no matter the cost.

It’s a wrap

And there you have it, just a little peek into what the OUABC team has been reading (and loving, stressing over, and staying up way too late for).

Whether you’re in the mood for something dark and twisty, magical and immersive, or emotional and unforgettable, there’s a little bit of everything here to inspire your next read.

Speaking of your next read, you must check out our pre-order collection! We have lots of exciting boxes just waiting for you. The Cursed Covenant box should definitely be at the top of your list. Featuring the highly anticipated Blood Bound by Ellis Hunter and FIVE captivating gifts that bring this daring fantasy to life, get ready to be transported to a world of rebellion and fate.

This deluxe, first-print edition of Blood Bound features a reversible dust jacket with foil effects, stunning stenciled page edges, custom illustrated endpapers, a foil-stamped case, and a matching signed bookplate!

So…which one are you adding to your TBR first? 👀