Book Review: Dear Pen Pal (The Mother-Daughter Book Club, #3) by Heather Vogel Frederick

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Dear Pen Pal (The Mother-Daughter Book Club, #3)  by Heather Vogel Frederick  is the third book in a middle grade book series that is being rereleased. Chaos erupts in this third installment as the daughters in the book club get themselves into trouble. Each of the girls have big changes in their lives:  Jess is going to boarding school; Megan's grandmother comes to live with her; Emma starts a campaign against school uniforms; Cassidy has a lot of unexpected change coming to her family. Will the mother daughter book club stay together? I'd like to thank NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Dear Pen Pal  by Heather Vogel Frederick with it's upcoming rerelease to the public. I always love a good book that involves books, even if its target audience is children between the ages of eight and twelve. It wasn't until I reached the end of the book that I realized that it...
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Book Review: The Photographer II, The Dark Room by Barbara Steiner

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Young Adult Horror Book Series Barbara Steiner
The Photographer II: The Dark Room by Barbara Steiner is a gripping sequel that picks up right where the first book leaves off. Derrick is now living in a new town under an assumed name, attempting to blend in while hiding his dark past. He’s opened a photography studio, presenting himself as a harmless professional, but readers quickly learn that he has developed some disturbing new tricks along the way. As his story unfolds, the tension builds around one central question: will Derrick finally get away with murder, or will his carefully constructed life begin to unravel?

I typically find myself disappointed by sequels, as they often fail to capture the intensity or originality of the first installment. That was not the case here. Barbara Steiner truly outdid herself with this follow-up, and I ended up enjoying it even more than the original book. There are strong V.C. Andrews style vibes throughout the story, which add a dark, unsettling edge and give the plot an extra layer of intrigue. Those gothic undertones pair well with the sci-fi elements carried over from the first book, creating a unique blend of psychological suspense and speculative twists.

Horror Book Series for Tweens and Teens Barbara Steiner
The character development felt stronger this time around, making it easier to connect with the story while simultaneously feeling repelled by Derrick’s actions. In fact, I somehow managed to dislike Derrick even more than before, which speaks to how effectively he’s written as a deeply disturbing protagonist. The plot also felt more believable overall, aside from the obvious sci-fi aspects. Though if you’ve read the first book, you’ll know exactly what to expect on that front.

The Photographer II:  The Dark Room by Barbara Steiner delivers a darker, more engaging continuation of the story, with heightened tension, stronger characters, and an atmosphere that keeps you turning pages. I ultimately gave this book five out of five stars and would recommend it to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with a touch of sci-fi and a villain you love to hate.

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