Prairie Fox Reads

  Book Review:   Venus, Vanishing: A Novel   by Rebecca Birrell Rating:   ★★★★☆ (4.02 out of 5 stars) Disclaimer: I received a free advance review copy (ARC) of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, critiques, and analyses presented below are entirely my own. Publication and Context Title:   Venus, Vanishing: A Novel Author:   Rebecca Birrell Expected Publication Date:   October 27, 2026 Publisher:   Henry Holt and Co. Page Count:   352 pages Format:   Softcover (ASIN: 1250457238 / ISBN: 9781250457233) Genres:   Historical Fiction / Queer / LGBT / Lesbian / Adult Contextual Backdrop: Slated for release in late October 2026,   Venus, Vanishing   is positioned as a blisteringly passionate entry into queer historical fiction. Drawing direct comparative nods to celebrated authors of the genre like Sarah Waters, Yael van der Wouden, and Alice Winn, Rebecca Birrell’s novel centers on the in...

  Book Review:   Under the Falls   (Falls #2) by Richard Russo Estimated Rating:   ★★★☆☆ (3.14 out of 5 stars) Disclaimer: I received a free advance review copy (ARC) of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and analyses presented below are entirely my own. Publication and Context Title:   Under the Falls Author:   Richard Russo Series:   Falls (#2) Expected Publication Date:   August 11, 2026 Publisher:   Knopf Page Count:   256 pages Format:   Hardcover (ASIN / ISBN: 9780593805107) Genres:   Fiction / Literary Fiction / Mystery / Suspense / Friendship / Book Club Contextual Backdrop: Expected to hit shelves in August 2026,   Under the Falls   marks the return of Pulitzer Prize–winning author Richard Russo. Billed in the publisher’s description as his first stand-alone novel since   Chances Are . . . —despite also being categorized as “Falls #2”—this 256-page novel sees Russ...

  Book Review:   Two Lives with You: A Novel   by Lauren Ho Rating:   ★★★☆☆ (3.50 out of 5 stars) Disclaimer : I was given a free copy of the book from the publisher.   This provision has in no way affected the content, objectivity, or critical analysis of this review. Publication and Context Title:   Two Lives with You: A Novel Author:   Lauren Ho Contributor/Imprint:   Mindy Kaling (Mindy’s Book Studio) Publication Date:   June 1, 2026 Page Count:   279 pages Format:   Kindle Edition (ASIN: B0GFFMNYWP / ISBN: 9781662528071) Genres:   Romance / Fiction / Fantasy / Contemporary / Speculative Fiction / Marriage Contextual Backdrop: Published under Mindy’s Book Studio—an imprint known for championing diverse voices, sharp wit, and deeply relatable contemporary fiction— Two Lives with You   taps into the popular literary trend of speculative alternate realities. Author Lauren Ho takes the universal “what-if” quest...