Hi {{first_name|fellow bookworms}},

What are you all reading this month 👀?

I need some good thriller recommendations, drop yours for me in the comments!

Today I want to talk about an author I discovered recently… and her books genuinely had me in a chokehold.

Her name is Kia Abdullah, and she’s the queen of tense, layered courtroom thrillers. If you love legal drama mixed with psychological tension, she delivers stories where every testimony changes what you thought you knew.

I’ve read four of her books, and trust me, I never guessed the ending. Every chapter shifts who you trust, until the final pages click into place in a way you don’t see coming.

Short summary 😀
Next of Kin follows Leila Syed, who is meant to be looking after her three-year-old nephew when a tragedy strikes. As the case moves into court, every new detail flips the story, and you’re left questioning who to trust, what’s being hidden, and what really happened.

What makes this book special is that it’s not just about the case. It’s about family dynamics under pressure. It digs into motherhood, guilt, loyalty, and grief, and shows how quickly relationships shift when something devastating happens. The emotional tension is just as intense as the courtroom drama.

While reading, ask yourself:
If this happened in your own family… would you tell the full truth, or protect the people you love?

This book might honestly hold the record for the most twists I didn’t see coming. The plot is insane I genuinely finished it with my jaw on the floor.

If you haven’t read it yet, add it to your TBR immediately (You can find it on Kindle Unlimited). And if you have read it, tell me your thoughts in the comments (spoiler-free please).

My rating: (5/5)

My take (with spoiler) bottom of the newsletter.

Short summary 😀
The story centers around a sixteen-year-old girl with facial differences, living a difficult home life with an alcoholic and neglectful mother.

After she accuses four teenage boys of something unthinkable, the case turns into a tense courtroom battle where every detail makes you question what you believe, and who you trust.

This book had me completely gripped. I felt like I was sitting in the jury myself, constantly reassessing everything.

What makes it special is the way it explores truth vs perception, and how easily we choose sides based on instinct, emotion, and first impressions.

I’ll be honest, I caught myself picking a side early while reading, and it made me realize how quickly we form opinions without even noticing. This book is really good at challenging that.

My rating: (4.5/5)