The Shampoo Effect - Jenny Jackson

 

Description

A VOGUE 'BEST BOOK OF 2026'

OVER ONE LONG SUMMER, WHO KNOWS WHAT MIGHT COME OUT IN THE WASH?

When writer Caroline Lash arrives in Greenhead, she falls immediately for its scenic beaches and New England charm – and even harder for Van Whittaker, a gorgeous, fleece-wearing, litter-collecting, kayak enthusiast.

She meets his friends: Augusta, old money and uptight; Fran, drowning in everyone else’s problems whilst keeping two kids (and an inebriated husband) afloat; and Bailey, who is sexy, confident… and inconveniently pregnant with Van’s child.

Determined nothing will dull the shine of her new romance, Caroline joins the friends as they run wild through Greenhead, drinking on houseboats, gossiping on beaches while their children paddle, and playing risky games.

It seems the fun will last forever – until it doesn’t. As decades-old friendships and marriages begin to fracture, Caroline’s place in their world is called into question. And with all the group’s most tightly held secrets at stake, who knows what might come out?

Dazzlingly funny, sexy, and as juicy as it is astute, The Shampoo Effect is a story of late-night parties, early mornings with small children, and old friends finally growing up – despite all their best efforts.

'The platonic ideal of a beach read: fun and fast-paced'
New York Times

'[A] juicy send-up of privilege in all its rowdy dysfunction'
People

'Astutely observed'
Booklist

Review

I loved Pineapple Street so eagerly began to read this one.

Caroline is starting afresh as a newly published writer in the New Yorker. She has secured a writers residency in a beach town and right away meets and falls for Van. He comes with a whole group of friends who have known one another for 30 years so it's a tough group to integrate into.

It started out ok, but I couldn't connect with any of the characters or feel anything towards them. Caroline was the strongest character for me, but as the book flips between the characters stories, she wasn't narrating all the time. 

At one point I did think why am I reading this, it's just people's lives that I have no interest in (apart from Caroline). I read on and I am so glad I did. I picked the book up and down several times until I had arrived at around half way through it. It was like a key turned and I really got it! I proceeded to read the rest of the book straight to the end, staying up late to do so. Seems like once everyone started to spill their feelings and secrets it became a lot more interesting. 

I loved the sweet ending.

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. It gained an extra star during the second half and for the ending. My thanks to Negalley for the ARC to review. This book is out on 2 July 2026.

Retro - Jessica M Goldstein

 

Description

✨ PRE-ORDER THE ZEITGEISTY TIME TRAVEL DEBUT WITH A TWIST ✨

'I want to travel back so I can read it again for the first time!'
Casey Scieszka, author of The Fountain

'So much fun!'
Holly Gramazio, author of The Husbands

EVER WANTED TO TRAVEL INTO THE PAST? WELL NOW YOU CAN!*
*exclusions and exorbitant fees apply.

Ash is a failed actress who is done trying to ‘make’ something of her life when she scrolls past an ad for Retro. The algorithm thinks she can afford recreational time travel? Then she sees the caption: Come away with us! We’re hiring.

Time Travel Agents, the guides who lead ultra-wealthy explorers on trips to the past on the ‘Retro Metro’, must blend seamlessly into any historical period. Ash is a perfect fit. She’s an actress after all. Or at least she used to be.

So begins Ash’s life at Retro, chaperoning rich tourists through history’s most Instagrammable eras. She wrangles bachelorette parties chasing hunky cowboys in the Old West, throws ‘'20s for your twenties’ birthday bashes at speakeasies, and rolls her eyes at Wall Street men trying their luck in the Gold Rush.

For the first time in years, Ash’s life feels enviable. She barely notices the strange glitches in her memory or the way her present-day relationships are starting to slip.

But as the trips intensify and her present begins to fray, Ash confronts an unsettling question: Was diving into the past ever really an escape, or just another way to lose herself?

***

'A magnetic read—equal parts charming, melancholy, and strange—perfect for those with sharp tongues but yearning hearts.' Emily Hunt Kivel, author of Dwelling

'Shrewd, witty and original' Aisling Rawle, author of The Compound

'Retro provides a whip smart critique of influencer culture and the ultrawealthy, while being utterly readable and compelling' Tasha Coryell, author of Love Letters to a Serial Killer

Review

I love a time travel novel and was eagerly looking forward to this book. 

Ash hasn't made it as an actress and is currently in an office job. Then she sees an advert for a Time Travel company that are hiring. I immediately began to think of the Jack Finney short stories set in a similar vein, although this is 21st century time travel. So all the clients want to go to Instagrammable locations and the time travel scenario is well publicised.

I was all in with the concept and mostly interested in the recreational time travel that the agents were allowed to undertake. When they chaperoned clients it was mainly spoilt rich people who wanted a 21st century experience in the past. 

Unfortunately for me I found the book became a little pedestrianised in its pace after a while. Going back in time was great, but when we got there not a lot happened. Plenty of details but not much action. Luckily I stuck with it, because in the last part of the book, I literally became so scared for Ash. Different outcomes were racing through my head and what "would I do" scenarios playing out in my mind. Then nothing. I re read the ending but "nothing". It felt like the wrong ending to me, a let down.

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review.

One of the Family - Mark Edwards

 

Description

One of the family is dead.
One of the family is missing.
And one of the family might just be the killer...

The outstanding new psychological thriller from the 5 million copy-bestselling author of Here to Stay and The Magpies

*****
Patrick couldn’t believe his luck when Holly fell for him. She’s wickedly funny, beautiful, and with an intimidatingly successful father, Charles.

So when she invites him to Charles’ mansion for a New Year’s break in Scotland, all he’s hoping is that they’ll accept him as one of the family.

But everything feels a little off. Whispers in hallways. Rumours of a body that got found nearby the previous year. And something very strange about Charles’ new girlfriend.

Every family has secrets, and Patrick tells himself all he needs to do is survive the next few days.

But then the first body is found, and Patrick realises that all he needs to do is survive the next few days…

Review

I thought the book was a little slow to begin with, but that did seem to fit the bleak Scottish landscape that it was set in. There was quite a bit of scene setting with who was who in the family, and everyone settling either back into the Scottish Mansion, or as first time visitors. 

Once the action began I was all in for trying to solve it, which proved pointless. The book flipped back 10 years a few times,  to when two of the characters were teenagers. This began to make some sense of the present day scenario. 

There wasn't a lot of depth to the characters but that didn't affect the story. I hated most of them anyway for varying reasons. 

Once the snow began to come down it really was an atmospheric novel, especially as there is only one policewoman in the vicinity. When the twists began I did literally have my mouth open at each one! It was a bit of a rollercoaster towards the end. Then came the epilogue.  I'm not sure I liked it as the ending to the book. I'm still reasoning it in my mind now.

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review. The book is published on 18 June 2026