At Once Upon a Book Club, we live and breathe books. Our team is always knee-deep in a fantastic story (or five), so sit back, relax, and get ready for a peek at what we’re currently reading! 

From magical pawnshops to supernatural detectives and Greek mythology retellings, our reading list is as diverse as our bookish obsessions. Whether you're looking for your next great read or just want to know what’s keeping us up past our bedtime, here’s a glimpse into the books we can’t put down!

 

Logan — Atalanta by Jennifer Saint 

“I've been on a Greek Mythology kick, and this one features a strong woman heroine which got me really excited!”

Left to die as an infant simply for being born a girl, Atalanta defies fate from the very beginning. Raised by a bear and guided by the goddess Artemis, she grows into a fierce huntress—faster, stronger, and more skilled than any man. But Artemis gives her one warning: marriage will be her downfall.

When the chance arises to join the legendary Argonauts on their quest for the Golden Fleece, Atalanta leaps at the opportunity, determined to prove herself among Greece’s greatest heroes. Facing monstrous creatures, treacherous seas, and battles that test her strength and spirit, she earns her place in history. But as she finds love in the midst of adventure, she’s forced to confront the one thing she’s always resisted—her own heart.

A powerful feminist reimagining of a forgotten heroine, Atalanta is a thrilling tale of courage, independence, and destiny. Jennifer Saint brings the legendary warrior to life, proving once and for all that some heroes refuse to be written out of history.

 

Tiffany — Water Moon by Samantha Soto Yambo

“It’s a beautifully written story about a pawn shop where people can sell their regrets!”

Water Moon is a spellbinding tale of fate, choice, and the price of rewriting the past. Perfect for fans of Japanese fantasy and lyrical storytelling, this is a journey you won’t want to miss.

Hidden in the backstreets of Tokyo lies a mysterious pawnshop—one that only the lost can find. Instead of valuables, it trades in life’s deepest regrets and the choices people wish they could undo.

Hana Ishikawa never expected to inherit this unusual shop, but on her very first morning as its new owner, disaster strikes—her father has vanished, and the shop’s most precious possession has been stolen. Enter a charming stranger who, instead of pawning his regrets, offers his help.

Together, they embark on a breathtaking journey through a dreamlike world—traveling through puddles, soaring on paper cranes, and navigating a night market hidden in the clouds—all in search of Hana’s father and the stolen choice. But as the mystery unravels, Hana must confront a secret of her own and face a decision that could change everything.

 

Teri — Live Like Legends by Allie Shante 

“This is the final book in the Living Legends trilogy, which follows a demon from Purgatory that has to go to Heaven to team up with some angels to save the entire realm. There's action and romance and a great cast of characters. I absolutely loved this whole series!”

Dani thought she had escaped the darkness, but after her time in Purgatory, she knows the battle for her soul isn’t over. While she’s ready to take on whatever the realms throw at her, Nicholas—the angel who holds her heart—would rather shield her from danger. But when a figure from her past resurfaces, threatening the fragile peace she’s built, Dani must face the question that haunts her: What if she’s not strong enough to keep the darkness at bay?

Nicholas is also struggling with his own demons. The truths his father revealed shake the foundation of everything he believed, and even with Dani by his side, old wounds refuse to heal. But when their happiness is put to the ultimate test, he must decide if love is truly the key to saving them both.

A heart-wrenching blend of romance, fantasy, and deep emotional struggles, Live Like Legends is a powerful story of love, resilience, and self-discovery. Perfect for anyone craving a fantasy that isn’t just about magic and adventure, but also the battle within.

 

Sydney — The Ferryman by Justin Cronin

“This is an interesting science fiction/dystopian novel about a group of survivors on a hidden island utopia! I'm halfway through and still not 100% sure what's happening but it's fun trying to figure out the mystery and the sinister things happening behind the scenes of this ‘utopia.’”

In the seemingly perfect island utopia of Prospera, citizens live long, fulfilling lives—until their health monitors dip below 10%. When that happens, they board a ferry to the Nursery, where they are “renewed,” their memories wiped clean before they start life anew. It’s an orderly system, one that Proctor Bennett has faithfully upheld as a ferryman, guiding others through their final journey.

But cracks are forming in this paradise. Proctor begins to dream—something that shouldn’t be possible. His own monitor levels are dropping faster than they should. And when he’s ordered to retire his own father, the old man whispers a cryptic message that shatters everything Proctor thought he knew. Meanwhile, unrest brews among the laboring Support Staff, and whispers of rebellion ripple through the island.

As the world around him unravels, Proctor is thrust into a reality far more complex than he ever imagined. Is Prospera truly a utopia, or is it something much darker? The Ferryman is a mind-bending, gripping exploration of power, memory, and the cost of perfection—perfect for those who love dystopian thrillers with deep philosophical undertones.

 

Nicole — Sherlock Holmes and Count Dracula by Christian Klaver

“It's a fun spin off for the original series that adds some magic into the world! I've loved getting to see how Dracula, Sherlock, and Watson get along and solve mysteries together!”

Sherlock Holmes is dead. Or so the world believes. But Dr. Watson remains, and with him, a secret cache of cases too strange, too supernatural, to ever be revealed—until now.

In The Adventure of the Lady’s Finger, Holmes and Watson encounter a case unlike any other: a victim whose body rejects silver, shuns sunlight, and whose blood behaves in ways that defy science. And then, an unexpected visitor arrives at 221B Baker Street—a Transylvanian nobleman with a desperate request. Count Dracula’s wife, Mina, has been taken, and only the great detective can bring her back.

As Holmes and Watson step into the eerie, shadowy world of the undead, they must unravel a mystery that stretches beyond logic and reason. Blending Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic sleuthing with Bram Stoker’s gothic horror, Sherlock Holmes and Count Dracula is a thrilling, atmospheric adventure that will delight fans of supernatural mysteries!

 

Tristan — The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune

“This one is battling for the top spot of my favorite book by this author! I love his writing so much. Every book is so entertaining, but also so tender, and they just make my heart melt.”

Heartfelt, gripping, and packed with humor and adventure, The Bones Beneath My Skin is a story of found family, redemption, and the power of love in the face of danger. This sci-fi-tinged tale will have you rooting for the underdogs and believing in the magic of human connection.

Nate Cartwright has hit rock bottom. With no job, no family, and no direction, he retreats to his family’s remote cabin in Oregon, hoping to figure out what’s next. But instead of solitude, he finds two strangers hiding inside—Alex, a guarded and mysterious man, and a ten-year-old girl who calls herself Artemis Darth Vader. And Artemis? She’s not just any child—she’s something extraordinary.

Soon, Nate learns they’re on the run—from shadowy government forces, dangerous cultists, and anyone who wants to control Artemis’s incredible abilities. With no time to question how he ended up in the middle of a supernatural road-trip thriller, Nate must decide: stay lost in his own pain or fight for a future that suddenly includes an unexpected family.

 

Ryan — Whisper Waves by Blake Black

“It's a "why choose" about a girl who has the gift to see the dead. It's cute, but very emotional, and deals with a lot of heavy topics, and it had me crying throughout the whole book.”

With a slow-burning romance, themes of healing and found family, and the pull of the supernatural, Whisper Waves is an emotional journey of love, loss, and learning to trust yourself again. Perfect for fans of paranormal romance with heart, this hauntingly beautiful story will stay with you long after the final page.

For most people, the dead are gone. For me, they’ve never been far away.

I’ve spent my life helping spirits move on and bringing peace to the loved ones they leave behind—until my gift got me locked away, leaving me broken and vowing never to speak to the dead again.

But running from the past leads me straight into the arms of a rugged fisherman with ocean-blue eyes—and a ghost with the same piercing gaze. His brother needs my help, but stepping back into the world of spirits means confronting the trauma I swore to leave behind.

Conclusion

There you have it—our current stack of reads, each one captivating us in its own unique way. Whether it’s a mind-bending dystopian thriller, a swoon-worthy fantasy, or a quirky supernatural mystery, we love discovering new worlds and characters that make us laugh, cry, and occasionally gasp out loud in public places.

Did you know our Adult Book Subscription Boxes include a newly released adult fiction novel plus 3-5 wrapped gifts to open only when you reach the specified page number? This is how all reading should be: rewarding. Fall in love with reading all over again.