Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did.

This felt so dragged out I couldn't even finish it. I did not care about any of the characters, mostly because I did not feel like I knew any of them. Part of that made sense as they were all hiding part of themselves but I don't think that was the only issue.

I also did not care for the plot or really anything else, which is why I dnfed this book. I even tried the audiobook but that did not make the experience any better for me.

It also did one thing that is a pet peeve of mine, which is too much foreshadowing. "Hey, hey, I know something you don't, wouldn't you like to know?" Well no, I am not a cat running after a toy, I just lose interest.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Tell Me Something Good by Court Stevens, begins very flow introducing a lot of characters that seem hard to follow. I kept at this one and was so glad I did. The story unfolds similar to All the Colors of the Dark where you aren't sure which character you should follow to solve the mysteries. I enjoyed this one and would recommend. It hits upon topics we are currently encountering in our media somewhat but you follow them as in a what if scenario. What if the best outcome happens to some of the cast of characters, only who those are may also remain a mystery.

Thank you to Harper Muse for this advanced reader copy via Net Galley.

Faced with unemployment, and a sick mom with mounting medical bills, (on top of just being generally poor), Anna takes a job working for some unsavory characters, and reluctantly alongside her ex-boyfriend. The plot gets a little convoluted, involving trafficking illegal weapons, and paternity questions, but it was pretty engaging.
This is really more like three and a half stars, but I'm rounding up because I really enjoyed the writing style.
Thanks to #netgalley and #harpermuse for this #arc of #tellmesomethinggood in exchange for an honest review.

TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD didn't pull me in like I wanted it to. I ended up DNF'ing this book because I found myself having no interest in picking it back up. I'm bummed about it, because I love the title and cover--and the synopsis definitely sounded like something I'd enjoy!

What happens when a murder from 20 years ago is brought up again? Old wounds are re-opened, families are hurting, and the socioeconomic gap in a small southern town is made even wider. A story of the rich and the poor, the good and the bad, Tell Me Something Good is a southern mystery that will have you guessing from page 1.

A lot of people I follow loved this so I’m just assuming my disconnect was a mood thing. I can’t pinpoint what didn’t work. I think I it’s just me.

I tried really hard to get into this book because it sounded so good but ultimately, I just couldn't get myself to be invested. I thought the writing was pretty good but I was not interested in any of the characters (of which there seemed to be a lot but maybe that's just me and my disinterest talking.) I'm sure this was a winner for a lot of people but it fell flat for me.

I started this book with no expectations and was blown away. I read it in 2 sittings and wanted to savour every word. A literary mystery thriller that tugs at your heart, I truly didn’t want it to end. Beautifully written and kept me guessing. Every character was richly drawn and carried the story superbly. A brilliant read!

This multi-POV murder mystery, with a side of romance, was interesting and very intriguing. It kept me guessing to figure out what was happening and what would happen next. A story of family secrets/drama, childhood flashbacks, toxic relationships, corruption, and an illegal auction during the annual hunting retreat. It’s also a story about protecting the ones we love no matter the cost. I liked how the omniscient narrator talked to the reader, which pulled me in and helped keep my attention. It is equally plot driven as character driven. The diverse complex cast of characters were well developed and crafted in a way that you weren’t sure who to trust, causing you to have a love-hate relationship with most of the characters. It is set around two towns separated by a river and social class. I really enjoyed the ending which brought all the missing pieces to the puzzle together with a powerful and meaningful message.

This was my first book by Court Stevens’ and is her adult debut. I was impressed and really enjoyed the writing style and the thought provoking lines. I can definitely see why it is being compared to Fredrik Backman’s Beartown, which is one of my all time fav reads.

I was thankful to have the audiobook and a physical book to follow along with while listening. The audiobook made for a great immersive experience. The narrators did a great job with giving each character their own voice and bringing the story to life. Their tone and pacing were spot on to create a mysterious, suspenseful, atmospheric setting and plot.

Thank you @harpermusebooks, @quartland, and @uplitreads for the #gifted PR box and finished copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow! I was anxious from the first page and the omniscient narrator kept me on my toes through every.single.page of this one from page one and until I kept reading through the acknowledgements. Somehow, with the complexity of the characters, I felt fully satisfied at the end without a single loose end! A tremendous read!!

DNF - There is something about the tone of this book that made me cringe. The way the author threw in little asides, the snide jokes, the good-old-boy feeling, put me off so that I couldn’t take any of it seriously. There are way too many characters, introduced, then left for other characters and a snippet of plot, and I’m assuming they will all come together sometime, but I didn’t feel connected enough to any of them, or invested enough in their story to keep reading.

2.75 rounded up. Interesting plot, but book was difficult for me to plod through. Slow reading. Do not recommend.

4,5 ⭐️ (maaybe 4,75) but rounded up.
This book took its time to win me over, but once it did, I couldn’t put it down.

At the beginning, I felt a bit lost. There were so many characters and different storylines that it was hard to keep track of everything. The structure felt confusing, and it took me a while to figure out what the book was trying to do.

But once I reached around the 30% mark, something shifted. The pieces started falling into place, and I found myself fully pulled in. From that point on, I was hooked. I love stories that give you the ending first and then take you backwards to figure out how it all happened. This one does that really well. It felt like slowly putting together a puzzle, and each new chapter added a little more clarity and emotion.

The writing is smooth and easy to read, even when it loops around or takes a while to move forward. The pacing might feel slow at first, but once it clicks, it becomes hard to stop. This is a story that reveals itself gradually. The characters unfold in layers, and the more I learned about them, the more I cared. I loved the use of multiple points of view, and how we are often shown the outcome early on, only to be pulled back in time to figure out how everything came to be. That kind of storytelling always draws me in when it is done well, and here, it is both ambitious and emotionally satisfying.

And the final chapter? It absolutely wrecked me. It might not be the neatest or most polished ending, and it did feel a little rushed, but it hit me hard. I’ve gone back to reread it a few times, and it still gets me.

This book started off feeling like a shy three-star read, and ended up being one of my favorites of the year. It’s not for everyone, and it definitely asks for some patience, but if you stick with it, there’s something really moving waiting on the other side.

Thank you to the publisher and the author for the ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Reading this book reminded me of an old game called 52 card pickup. A full deck of cards is tossed in the air and has to be reassembled.
This book is sobering but hopeful.
Luxor is a stagnant town but does it harbor a ton of lies.
Every chapter I read was like another card I was picking up until I had a full deck.
Turns out the Choir Girls were just window dressing.
The ending was interesting.

4.25 stars
This is a very impressive adult debut, and I was here for this literary mystery that is equally character and plot driven. The story revolves around two towns separated by a river and social class. Anna Ryder, the protagonist, is home caring for her sick mother. When she loses her job, she seeks employment at the Lodge out of desperation, where her mother had told her to stay away from. One of the employees involved in the annual hunting retreat was killed, allowing her to fill the vacancy.

What follows is a story of rich and poor, an illegal auction, toxic relationships, family secrets, childhood memories, corruption, and murder. It is also a story of friendship and protecting those we love. There are several characters, and they are slowly developed over time as their layers are peeled back, and I felt invested in them. I loved the concept that we leave ripples long after we are gone, for good or bad. I found myself totally engrossed in this story and highly recommend adding it to your TBR.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Muse, UpLit Reads, and Court Stevens for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Tell Me Something Good by Court Stevens book cover is in image) can be a confusing read. Because of its extremely short chapters, and multitude of characters, the story can feel disjointed at times, especially for the first half of the book. I had the good fortune of having both the audio book and eARC so I was able to switch to the audio, which provided a much better experience.

The narration by Marin Ireland was excellent, making it easy to follow this complex and layered story, and allowed me to finish the book in one day. I would strongly recommend this novel for reader who enjoy pealing back the the layers of an onion of a mystery.

Thank you to HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse and Harper Muse Audio for the opportunity to read the eARC and listen to the ALC. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 3 Stars
Pub Date: Jun 03 2025

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Tell Me Something Good is a convoluted and fun romp through the naughty behavior going on behind the scenes of an exclusive hunting invitational in a small Kentucky town. A mother and daughter get wrapped up in the present day through a shady job, which leads to the unraveling of 20 year old coverups. This is an entertaining novel, though there a few odd tangents, like reference to one person's "football" playing youth transporting us to Britain with no explanation. Otherwise, it's very fun with relatable characters, dilemmas, and relationships. Some ages and math get complicated on who was in what state 20 years ago and why are they in a creepy relationship now, but don't think about it too much, nor about the trauma of hearing your dead dad's postcoital musings on life on a recording. I hope that's not the "something good" the author has in mind.

"We don't always live to see the ripples we make, but we must make them all the same." - - I'm pretty sure this is my new favorite quote.

This book simply reached in and plucked all my heartstrings. I don't exactly know why I connected with it so intensely but I did. I would describe it as a multi-genre novel - - a little mystery/thriller, with some romance and family drama blended in.

This story focuses on Anna. She grew up in a small town in Kentucky that she always wanted to leave. But life changed and she found herself tied there. Her mother became sick and Anna is the only family there is. When she loses her job teaching at the local high school, Anna is forced to ask for a job from her ex-fiance and things only get more chaotic after that.

The town that Anna lives in has a history - - years ago, there was a brutal murder of nine women and it's still unsolved. It hangs over the town like the elephant in the room that no one wants to mention and many seem to have forgotten about. But there are many that can't forget about it. They were there and can't erase the images from their minds. Either way, things in this sleepy little town are about to get heated.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: I also listened to the audiobook and the narration was absolutely wonderful. It enabled me to completely immerse myself in the story. I simply loved it. 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for early copies of both the audiobook and ebook.

Thank you to NetGalley, Court Stevens, and HarperCollins Focus for the eARC. This fast-paced page-turner hooks you from the very beginning. An intriguing narrative expertly intertwines past and present to unveil a cruel plot.

"Tell Me Something Good" by Court Stevens is an adult debut novel that weaves together past and present mysteries within a close-knit, yet secretive, Southern community. Twenty years after nine women were brutally murdered on a Kentucky river, a crime quickly dismissed as unrelated to the locals due to a similar Texas incident, a new accidental death resurfaces the buried secrets. The story follows Anna Ryder, who, desperate to save her ailing mother, takes a job at the wealthy hunting lodges across the river from her impoverished Illinois town. She soon discovers that nearly everyone in her life has been lying to her, and the secrets surrounding the annual "Royale" event and the decades-old murders are far more interconnected and dangerous than anyone imagined, forcing Anna to uncover the truth at all costs.