Mar 30, 2026

#BookReview #Devout #DavidArchuleta #GalleryBooks

 

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

Devout

Losing My Faith to Find Myself

Foreword by Paula Abdul


A raw and powerful coming-out story from the beloved American Idol finalist traces David Archuleta’s journey from closeted Mormon teen to global pop star to openly queer man, revealing the hidden pressures of fame, the weight of religious expectations, and the courage it takes to live authentically.

At just seventeen, David Archuleta rose to national fame as the runner-up on American Idolseason seven, captivating millions with his angelic voice. Behind the scenes, however, he was struggling with a truth he feared would destroy everything: he was attracted to men—and a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In Devout, David takes you inside his deeply personal journey as a closeted Mormon teen turned international pop star, torn between faith, fame, and identity. From dealing with the pressures of being on a hit television show to a domineering father who controlled every aspect of his career—even being banned from the show’s set—David reveals the emotional abuse and inner turmoil that he says plagued his childhood.

This searing memoir reflects on David’s ventures with American Idol, a tour with Demi Lovato, and a two year sabbatical as a missionary in South America, charting his path through heartbreak, estrangement, three engagements, thoughts of suicide, and finally, his courageous decision to leave the Mormon Church in order to live authentically as a queer man. Featuring never-before-seen photos, Devout is a must-read for fans of pop culture, American Idol, and anyone deconstructing their religious upbringing, or who’s ever wrestled with who they are versus who they’re told to be.


On Season 7 of American Idol, David Archuleta made over 30 million television viewers swoon with his angelic voice, ultimately winning runner-up on the show at the age of seventeen. His journey has included turning out multiple platinum-selling hits, achieving global acclaim as a live performer, and emerging as an undeniable fixture on the pop-culture scene. Since his first single “Crush,” he has released eight studio albums, twenty-four singles, and twenty-one music videos. Hit singles “Crème Brulée” and “Hell Together” have marked a striking evolution and new chapter for David as an artist and creative entrepreneur while continuing to expand his audience globally. Having grown up as a poster child for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, David struggled to be his true self and didn’t come out as queer until 2021. He now advocates for members of the LGBTQ+ community. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

Social Media Links

https://davidarchuleta.com/

https://www.instagram.com/davidarchie/

https://twitter.com/DavidArchie

https://www.facebook.com/davidarchuleta/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC75d1FNP1qR0lCY1usRKQEw







DEVOUT EP

The Devout EP serves as a musical companion to his memoir, capturing the emotional in-between of deconstruction, healing, and self-acceptance. Stripped back and raw, the songs place David’s voice front and center as he takes us on the journey of accepting “you don’t have to be perfect and that you are human.”
Releasing 3.27.26

Devout
Losing My Faith To Find Myself
Written By David Archuleta 
Review By Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews 

David Archuleta has been incredibly brave to open up his heart sharing something so private with us readers in Devout Losing My Faith To Find Myself. Writing this has been very uncomfortable for him but yet very healing as well. When I learned that David was going to be writing his own memoir I knew this had to be put on my TBR list! He was one of my fan favorites on the original American Idol when he sang Crush! Oh how I remember that song being requested over and over on the radio! It still brings a smile to my face thinking of the song! 


I could not help but smile at the beautiful forward written by Paula Abdul to David! 


I admit I am a little starstruck reading this book hearing he was on Jenny Jones (there is a blast from the past) and sang for Natalie Cole. Oh and dropping the names of past Idol contestants that I adored. 


Reading Devout David opens up about his rocky relationship with Dad, his relationship with his Mom, you will be educated on what David went through with the Mormon faith, his journey in music to where he is now, etc. 


Included in this book you will find pictures of David, Jordan Sparks, his family, political figures, etc. 


Well, I never knew David was on Star Search!!! Loved reading about this section!!! 


Reading the section about the American Idol Season 7 finale seemed like just yesterday!! I totally remembered it!! I loved both Davids and wanted either of them to win that night!! 


One of the major reasons I wanted to read Devout was to read his coming out story!!! I can remember the day that he posted his instagram story that his came out! Being part of the LGTBQ+ community myself I was happy to see this. I knew his story was not an easy one to tell and I was happy to see that his friend Jennette McCurdy (who is an incredible writer and former child star) encouraged him to write this book. 


What upset me is the Elder kept insisting that David was molested to be gay. No..why does one always think that? Love is Love and you are attracted to who you are attracted to. Religion should stay out of it. 


David has learned a lot about himself looking within himself throughout this powerful journey. It is a book that every fan of his should read. 






Mar 27, 2026

#BookReview #DontLookBack #JJBurgess #InkubatorBooks #ZoolooBookTours

 


He saved her. Now he owns her.
Exhausted new mother Lucy is rushing her baby to hospital. Distracted by her sick child, she loses control of the car, and hits Roger, her elderly neighbor.

Terrified of being sent to prison and separated from her infant son, she makes a split-second decision and flees the scene.

Her boyfriend Ian realizes what she has done and helps her cover it up. Lucy is incredibly grateful, until she begins to understand that his kindness comes at a price. Small favors become demands. Demands become threats.
The bargain she has made is clear. If Lucy doesn’t do everything Ian wants, he’ll go to the police and she’ll go to jail, losing access to her child.
Meanwhile, Roger's wife Mary is circling closer to the truth and the police start asking questions. Lucy's world has become a suffocating prison with no hope of escape.

Unless… if something were to happen to Ian…

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/248163203-don-t-look-back

 

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/dontlookback-zbt

 

JJ Burgess has a degree in Economics and lives in Bristol with his wife and two sons. By day he is the Director of a greetings card company, by night he writes psychological thrillers that ask questions about the world we live in. When he isn’t writing, he is usually running through the woods around Bristol, thinking of new characters and dark plots.

 

Instagram

(formerly Twitter)




Don’t Look Back
Written By JJ Burgess 
Review By Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews

First, I want to thank JJ Burgess, Inkubator Books, NetGalley and Zooloo Book Tours for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review. 


Ohh JJ Burgess you had me in full blown panic attack mode in your latest psychological thriller Don’t Look Back! Yes, how could you not put yourself into Lucy’s shoes and not feel something?! Don’t Look Back is an extremely fast paced and incredibly addicting book that had me on the edge of my chair.  


Instantly, from the first few lines from the prologue I was hooked on Don’t Look Back! From there the book was fast paced and addicting. All the overthinking, fears and anxieties Lucy was having were so valid yet heartbreaking to hear/read!! I too would be scared if I was in her shoes. 


JJ has some major wicked twists from some of his characters that you never saw coming that will shock you! 


There have been so many great psychological thrillers out this year and Don’t Look Back is another one you must add to your TBR list! JJ Burgess is a creative genius behind this storyline that I’m surprised nobody has written about! He does not tell you yet shows you the personal, mental and emotional side of what someone goes through when they accidentally hit someone with a car. Not only that you knew the person too…your neighbor!! Can you imagine this happening to you? Keeping this secret that you did this? Knowing the loved ones' family that you killed? Can you imagine sitting through that funeral knowing what you did with all their friends and family around sharing stories? Like Lucy I would have ugly cried too!!! 




Mar 26, 2026

#BooksonTour #MyHusbandsStalker #NataliSimmonds #Bookouture #NetGalley

 

He says she’s obsessed. She says he’s a liar…


I have the perfect life. The perfect home with the perfect husband, who I still can’t believe chose me. The only dark blemish is her.

Cynthia started stalking my husband years ago. She’s obsessed – unhinged. And her behaviour is escalating: rocks through the window, warnings scrawled on our driveway.


But then the messages change. They used to tell him to leave me, but now they say my husband isn’t who I think he is. That I’m in danger. That I should run…


When I finally tell Dan, he acts like I’m making it up. Cynthia isn’t even in the country, so she can’t possibly be behind all these so-called threats. I can’t believe how cold he’s being.


I’m terrified of losing him, but I know I’m not crazy. If Cynthia isn’t the one stalking my husband, then who is?

And who should I believe? My caring, loving husband, or someone I’ve never met – but who seems to know more about the man I married than I do?


My Husband’s Stalker is an absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller that will keep you up turning the pages late into the night! Fans of The HousemaidThe Couple Next Door and The Perfect Marriage will be totally gripped.


Readers are loving My Husband’s Stalker:


Twisty, addictive, and impossible to put down… Hooks you in from the start… I was glued to the pages, real world forgotten, breathless until the very end!… You won’t be able to tear yourself away… First-class… A gripping rollercoaster… Don’t say I didn’t warn you… from the minute you start reading this book your time will not be your own!’ arcreviews_by_m, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Ummmmm hello? This book was FAB!… Right when I thought I had everything figured out BOOM I was wrong. BUT WAIT there was more!!! Obsessed with this book… I couldn’t put it down… So good!ktandherkindle, ⭐⭐⭐⭐


Delicious!… Everything about this is perfect – just everything… So exciting and so fast-paced… I finished this in a matter of hours, I just couldn’t put it down.’ booksbyyourbedside, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Wow! Wow!! Wow!!! Thrilling from beginning to end! Just when you think you have it figured out, another twist comes along… Loved it!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Wow!!!… Gripping from the beginning to the end… Will keep you on the edge of your seat… You will want to finish this in one sitting… Perfect.’ britreadsbooks83, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


So addictive… Will keep you turning the pages… You need to know how it plays out and just can’t put the book down until you do… Perfection.’ raisingrogers_books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


I absolutely loved… Gripping from start to finish… Kept me guessing the whole way through… Tension builds perfectly… The twists really caught me off guard. I couldn’t put it down and finished it so quickly!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


‘It’s been a long time since a suspense has gripped my attention like this… Thrilling right from the start… Just when you think you have it all figured out… BAM! Another twist.’ gothic_book_dragon, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Had me on the edge of my seat for 24 hours! Stayed up past my bedtime to finish… Twisty, exciting… Kept me wanting to turn the pages.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


I didn’t want to read a single word of anything else until I knew how this story would end… Kept me guessing… The twists didn’t just arrive; they kept arriving… Kept me on edge… Gripping, suspenseful… Keeps you hooked until the very last page.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐


What a great, twisty book!… I loved… Twists and turns I didn’t see coming… I couldn’t stop reading… WILD. Be prepared to keep reading until you finish… Packed a punch… Kept me thinking about it the rest of the day.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 


Natali Simmonds is a multi-genre fiction author and storytelling brand consultant, best known for her domestic suspense and thriller novels. Her debut,  Good Girls Die Last is being adapted for TV by STV, and the last book of her fantasy trilogy,  Children of Shadows,  was shortlisted for the 2022 RNA Fantasy Award. As a consultant Natali works with various creative and entertainment brands, has her own column in Kings College London’s  Inspire The Mind  magazine, lectures at London’s Raindance Film School, and she co-writes paranormal romance as Caedis Knight. Originally from London, she now divides her time between the UK and Spain. 



My Husband’s Stalker 
Written By 
Natali Simmonds
Review By Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews

First, I want to thank Natali Simmonds, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review. 


”YOUR HUSBAND ISN’T WHO HE SAYS HE IS” Natali Simmonds freaked the heck out of me in the first chapter of My Husband’s Stalker!! WOWZERS!! What a way to start her latest Psychological Thriller!! This was a fast paced, addicting, and twisted read!


I am a fan of both Psychological Thrillers and Emotional Reads. With Natali’s storylines I was able to get the best of both worlds. Natali pulled hard multiple times with the interaction of Freya and her father who seemed to have memory issues.  What made me tear up was hearing Belle’s story and what she meant to Freya. That whole scene was from a Hallmark Movie.


What I thought was comical is between all this stalker drama Freya and Dan were able to have some hot steamy moments! 


I got a total kick on how the kitten's name was Sushi. 


I couldn’t agree with Dan more on the point that grief and trauma don’t disappear after an allocated time. I totally felt the emotional pain Freya was going through with her tremendous loss of her best friend Harper! I fully understand what she goes through with her panic attacks and her anxiety. 


This is another twisted read to add to your TBR pile. 







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Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews (heidilynnsbookreviews@gmail.com) Published @ 2014 by Crossroad Reviews