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Review: It Ends Here by Heidi Perks

Every once in a while, a thriller comes along that feels… different. Not louder, not twistier, but somehow more human. It Ends Here is exactly that — a mystery that doesn’t rely on shock value or high-speed chaos, but on a quiet, simmering intensity that keeps tightening around you page by page. The premise is already gripping: five strangers receive a phone call telling them that their loved one is inside a café being held hostage. What they don’t know is that one of the hostages is actually the hostage taker. We just don’t know who. Or why. The narrative switches between three key threads: – the detective in charge, trying to piece together motives from the shadows – the loved ones outside, desperate for answers – and the hostage taker, speaking to us directly… but always just out of reach What I loved is how we get to know the hostages through the people who love them. It creates this beautifully soft emotional layer — you care about these people even though you barely spend any tim...
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Book Review: The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth by Barbara O’Neal

 

Barbara O’Neal’s The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth is a beautiful and heartfelt novel about friendship, grief, and rediscovering yourself after life knocks you off course.


We meet Veronica, a recently divorced woman trying to navigate the messiness of co-parenting three adult children with her insufferable ex-husband. She’s at a crossroads, financially strained and emotionally drained, and in desperate need of a job to stay afloat.


That’s when she meets Mariah Ellsworth, a former Olympic snowboarder whose life was derailed by a significant event. Still deep in grief over the recent death of her mother, Rachel Ellsworth - a vibrant, globe-trotting cookbook author - Mariah recruits Veronica to help finish Rachel’s final cookbook: a tribute to the rich culinary world of Parsi cafés.


As the two women trace Rachel’s footsteps from London to Paris, through the markets of Marrakech and finally to India, they not only work to bring Rachel’s last project to life but also unravel the mystery hidden in her final letter. Along the way, both women are forced to confront their own pain, reevaluate their identities, and redefine what it means to truly live.


This novel has such warmth and depth. I loved following Veronica and Mariah’s personal growth, and their dynamic felt authentic and earned. The mystery element added just enough intrigue to keep the pages turning, without overshadowing the emotional core of the story.


A thoughtful, moving read with a heart as rich as its settings. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy character-driven stories of resilience, healing, and second chances.


As usual a huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review. I did enjoy reading this on my travels, feeling the spirit of adventure through Veronica’s and Mariah’s travels. 

📚 Published July 29th, 2025 by Lake Union Publishing | Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Women’s Fiction

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)


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