I don't reach for mysteries or thrillers often, but I'm so glad my curiosity got me to pick this one up!

I identified a lot with Iris and her struggles: a big mistake, wasted potential, uncaring family, feeling alone and unmoored in the world. Watching her discover more of herself and she unravels the clues her sister left behind was really fun.

The way the book is written, jumping between present and past with the help of audio journals, was interesting. I liked how the tapes weaved things together and connected the sisters across time and space.

There are several twists and turns leading up to the big one, which I never expected at all. It took me by complete surprise! The last hour and a half had me so engrossed, I stayed up until 3am to finish.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!

4.25/5✨

This was a great thriller unlike anything I’ve read before. The Lemon Twist follows Iris, a figure skater who is down on her luck and recovering from a brain injury. She receives a mysterious postcard that leads her to believe her sister is in danger. She goes on a journey to help her, and in doing so, finds herself in a seemingly abandoned part of California. This place holds the clues she needs to find out what happened to her sister, and we get a front row seat to her solving this puzzle.

This is well-written with steady pacing. The characters have depth that doesn’t feel forced into the story. Also, I love any queer romance, but it hits my heart especially hard when it is tied to the HIV epidemic.

My main critique is that the ending felt over-explained at times and too neatly tied-up for my taste. That’s probably just the cynic in me!

Thank you to the author, Turner Publishing Company, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I must admit, I almost passed up this intriguing mystery read due to its cover. While it is appealing, it doesn’t quite align with the genre, so I really hope more readers will take the plunge and give this book a chance, even if the cover doesn’t initially grab their attention!

Iris Sailor confronts the aftermath of a devastating fall that jeopardizes her figure skating career and isolates her from her loved ones, including her estranged sister, Sam. Upon returning home, a postcard leads Iris to a Northern California cove where she finds cassette tapes left by Sam, who disappeared years earlier. Driven to uncover the truth about her sister's fate and reconcile her past, Iris grapples with deep-seated fears and family secrets, raising the stakes of her journey for redemption and understanding.

The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of Iris, Sam, and Sierra, utilizing a dual timeline that allows us to piece together this complex mystery. The inclusion of recorded tapes adds an immersive feel, taking us back in time to the era of cassettes and Walkmans—a delightful flashback! From the moment you dive into the story, set in 1984, you will be drawn in and won’t want to let go until you unravel this mystery alongside Iris. She’s a flawed, incredibly relatable character who grapples with various struggles, including the search for her missing sister. In some ways, Iris reminds me of a more carefree Nancy Drew. It’s a wild ride to join her on this journey!

The writing is sharp and suspenseful, with the author skillfully withholding information until the very end. As you search for Sam, tiny hints are sprinkled throughout, though they won't truly come together until the final reveal. I absolutely loved the conclusion and the meaningful message behind the story. I’d classify this book as a blend of mystery and young adult fiction—it's one of those reads that leaves you with a warm feeling at the end. The twist and resolution were unexpected yet incredibly satisfying; there was no way I could have anticipated it.

The secluded setting had a closed-room mystery vibe, and the vivid descriptions made me feel the chill in my bones and the water soaking into my shoes. I felt fully immersed alongside Iris as we uncovered the truths about Sam and Sierra, viewing everything from a fresh perspective. Not reading the blurb beforehand kept me pleasantly surprised, and I thoroughly enjoyed this captivating tale. It was heartwarming, cozy, and filled with suspense, all while carrying a sense of hope.

This story is perfect for anyone who enjoys sleuthing in unexpected places, especially if you have the patience to piece together a mystery surrounded by bizarre occurrences and can appreciate the lengths to which one might go for a new lease on life. I discovered this book when the author reached out to me directly and invited me to take a look. The cover didn’t draw me in, but I always strive to support indie authors on their exciting journeys. I’m so glad I decided to read this one—it turned out to be a fantastic experience. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to jump on my Bookstagram and brag about this book! Ha!

Thank you, Turner Publishing Company and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This novel delivers a compelling and intricately crafted mystery that will captivate you from beginning to end. At its core, the story unfolds like a carefully designed scavenger hunt, drawing you into a layered journey of discovery alongside the protagonist, Iris, as she searches for her missing sister.

One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to weave together a multitude of clues, each revealing new dimensions of the narrative while deepening the intrigue. The pacing is deliberate yet engaging, allowing tension to build steadily as each revelation raises further questions. Readers are not merely observers but active participants, piecing together the puzzle as the story progresses.

Overall, this book stands out as a richly layered mystery that rewards attentive reading. Its combination of a scavenger hunt structure, emotional stakes, and relentless twists makes it a memorable and satisfying experience for fans of the genre.

Thank you to the author, Turner Publishing Company, and NetGalley for the earc in exchange for my honest review.