Meet the Co-Founder of Caribu, The App That Lets Your Kid Read and Color with Friends and Family

Meet the Co-Founder of Caribu, The App That Lets Your Kid Read and Color with Friends + Family

Alright parents, are you ready for an absolute game-changer of an app? I can honestly say that Caribu has made such a huge impact on our lives during lockdown, and I know it will continue to be an essential piece of the kid puzzle long after we're out of quarantine. Caribu is an app that lets your kiddo read, color, and play games over a video call with friends and family, near and far. It's like FaceTime, Kindle, and MS Paint (remember?!) had a baby, and that baby can virtually babysit your kids.

Anjelika Temple here, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Brit + Co, and ride-or-die user of Caribu. Our family is scattered all over the country, and the world, and FaceTime with the grandparents was already a pretty regular occurrence in our household. The thing is, it can be hard to actually engage over FaceTime, and for your 3-year-old to know what to talk about. Enter Caribu — choose a book to read together, a coloring page to color together, and have a virtual playdate no matter where you are. For us, we use it almost-daily and it's usually a 20-30 minute session with one of Anokhi's grandmas reading to her while I put her baby sister Indira down for a nap, do the dishes, reply to work emails — you get the point. I was obsessing about Caribu over text with my mom buds and turns out one of them went to grad school with Caribu's Co-Founder Maxeme Tuchman!

So without further ado, read on for the inspiration behind Caribu, how they see the app continuing to evolve, and more about Max's journey as an entrepreneur, educator, and firm believer in the American dream.

Anjelika Temple: Oh man, Caribu has been SUCH a lifesaver for me. And I love how small the world is — it's great to connect with you! First off, for readers who aren't die-hard Caribu users like me, explain to us what Caribu is.

Maxeme Tuchman: You know how claps brought Tinkerbell back to life? Well, hearing parents tell me how Caribu has been a lifesaver for them and their kids is the equivalent for me. It gives me an extra 5 hours in my day, so thank you. :) Caribu brings families together through virtual playdates. We let kids read, draw, and do an activity with a trusted adult in a video-call. Instead of a boring video-call kids can instead be engaged, playful, and do something fun with someone who can't be there physically.

AT: What inspired you and your co-founder to create Caribu?

MT: The Caribu app was originally inspired by a picture of a soldier trying to read a book to his daughter on his shoulder through a webcam. You've probably done this while traveling. It honestly looks like the most painful experience for everyone involved. The parent can't see the child, the child can't see the text, and no one's really engaging. There's self-driving cars on the road and this is the best technology we have to read a bedtime story to your child!? Given the inspiration for our company and how grateful we are for their service, we partnered with Blue Star Families, the largest nonprofit focused on US military families, to donate free Caribu subscriptions to all currently serving service members.

AT: Was there a spark moment when you knew you were onto something big? Tell us more about that.

MT: Oh definitely. In the beginning, our Caribu users in 160+ countries mirrored the millions of family members like grandparents, traveling or divorced parents, and our U.S. Military who are separated by distance and wanted to use smartphones and tablets to stay connected. But in early 2019 we surveyed our power users to see what percentage of our customers would be devastated if Caribu ceased to exist. The goal is to get at least 40% of your users to say they would be very disappointed if Caribu went away tomorrow. We were surprised, but not surprised, when the results showed that 46% of our grandparents would be devastated if Caribu ceased to exist. It was very clear that we were on to something! So, enter Glamma. A Glamma, or glamorous grandma, is 50-70 years old, active, professional, and tech-savvy. She stays in touch with family on an iPad and wants to spoil her grandchildren silly! She's trying to build a relationship with them long-distance but FaceTime isn't cross-platform and Skype and WhatsApp calls are, again… not a great experience with young kids. Caribu is Glamma catnip. :)

AT: As you've taken on a flurry of new users in recent weeks, has your mission or north star changed at all?

MT: Not for one moment. Our mission has always been to give kids under 7 immediate and easy access to high-quality content and an interactive educational experience with a trusted adult no matter how far apart they are. The only thing that has changed is how our user base has grown to include more kids who want to have those educational and fun experiences with kids their age and we've seen older kids, between 8-12, who also want to do something fun with family that they now can't see. We've added new categories like Art Walks and Cooking to have high-quality content for the older kids now too.

AT: How do you hope Caribu will help people?

MT: Do you have tissues?? We've been getting some of the most amazing notes from families about how Caribu has been helping them in ways I never could have imagined. One family has the dad living in a garage because he's a doctor so they read a bedtime story each night technically in the same house but apart, a couple of people in hospital beds who can't see their grand(kids) use Caribu to still have interesting conversations and keep the child's attention, and we've had foster parents write in that their foster daughter has been using the app to create meaningful connections with her mom and grandparents during this time since they can't have physical visits. It keeps both her and her brothers attention and has built better communication between them and their family members. Oh did I mention the countless notes we get about parents just being able to take a shower while their child is engaged on Caribu with Glamma? The #1 priority for families right now is to stay safe. The #2 priority is to stay sane, and I'm really honored that Caribu has really been instrumental in that second priority.

AT: Before founding Caribu, what was your career path like? Have topics relating to kids + connection + education always been important to you?

MT: I'm a Jewban (Cuban-Jew), who is the daughter of immigrants, the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors and the first in my family to graduate from college. My family is the American Dream and I feel an incredible burden to pay it forward to them and to this country that has given us so much. Growing up, my family always said that when they fled from country to country, their education is the only thing they could take with them. No pressure. I live to make my family proud and to have a positive impact in the world so I've always been working on something education focused since to me that was the great equalizer. Before co-founding Caribu I was a public school teacher, Executive Director of Teach For America, and worked for the Gates Foundation, Mayor Bloomberg, and as a White House Fellow on education-related initiatives.

AT: And on that note, would love to learn a little more about you. Where did you grow up? Where do you live now? Root us in what roots you.

MT: I was born in the beautiful city of Miami, FL surrounded by a ton of diversity—socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and religious—and I was able to learn from everyone and every experience. While growing up, I saw how people who immigrated to Miami worked their way up to the top and into the C-suite. Miami inspired me to be whoever I wanted to be because I saw other people that looked like me doing it. I'm '305 ride or die' like Pitbull. I'm really proud to be from here.


AT: Given everything going on with digital curriculums and homeschooling in the midst of a pandemic, what *positive* things do you think may come of all this time spent at home and on screen?

MT: In 10-15 years, when kids today are thinking back on their time during the pandemic I hope that they remember all the positive aspects of being home with family. The fact that parents were always home, that they made memories building bedsheet forts, that their parents got more creative with how to spend time together, that they created new family rituals, had celebrities read aloud to them, made a concerted effort to get outdoors, played the longest game of tic-tac-toe against grandma on Caribu, built time capsules, and became creative chefs with whatever food was in the fridge.



AT: At my house, Caribu and Cosmic Kids Yoga are definitely family favorites. What are some other apps + series we should check out?

MT: Kinedu, Lost in Oz, Mundo Lanugo, Encantos, and Tinybeans.

AT: What are your top 5 favorite books to read on Caribu? Top 5 favorite coloring/activities?

MT: The books are like my former students, I love them all! But my top 5 would have to be:

Abbey & Axel's Guide to Adventure: It was written by Howie Mandel's daughter and she was one of the first authors to believe in what we were doing at Caribu. Also, getting to see Howie read a book about his grandchildren, to his grandchildren, on Caribu was magical. And no germs if it's a virtual playdate!

My Mommy is a Nurse/My Mommy is a Teacher: I just can't think of greater heroes right now. Written by a teacher and pediatrician, these two women could not have captured the impact of these two roles better, especially during COVID19.

The Rhino Who Swallowed A Storm: It's co-authored by LeVar Burton and it's a wonderful story about finding the light in the midst of dark times. 🦏🌪 So appropriate, right?

Dog Bird Makes A New Friend: This upcoming series is by the emmy-award winning creators of Lost in Oz and it's about a bird that knows she's a dog. She wants to learn about her friends so the book is chock full of questions and it makes for a really engaging read with kids.

Why Dogs Sniff Bums: Do I really have to explain why I love this one??

MT: My Top 5 Activities:

Oh So Good Oatmeal- Inspired by Jen Garner's #PretendCookingShow

Dots & Boxes

An Entrepreneur's Words To Remember Word Search

International Space Station Code Breaking Activity

Surprise Egg #8

AT: In just the month I've been using it, I've already seen changes to the app on an almost daily basis. What upcoming features do we have to look forward to?

MT: We've seen usage grow 10x so we felt responsible to keep the app updated, fresh and engaging for kids! We also publish new books to the app weekly and just added a Read Aloud Video section where kids can watch celebrities and authors read books to them in a much better read aloud experience. It looks like a Caribu Call so you can see the book and the reader at the same time. We already have LeVar Burton reading his book in honor of #MonthOfTheMilitaryChild and another big name celebrity starting a series of Read Alouds with a popular series of books this week! We're also working on a web app so our grandparents can use Caribu on a laptop which has probably been the #1 request we hear from them.

AT: Anything else you want to share?

MT: We're grateful to our partner AT&T who stepped in and helped us make Caribu free and unlimited for all families until May 24.

What are you waiting for? Download Caribu now and start scheduling virtual playdates for your little ones! For more stories of inspiring entrepreneurs and creative badasses, head to the Creative Crushin' archive.

Summer is just around the corner, and that means laying by the beach or the pool and getting lost in a good book. To kick off beach read season, we’ve rounded up some of the most-anticipated books coming to shelves this summer. From enchanted star-crossed lovers, romantic summer flings, and thrilling forbidden loves, these books should definitely be packed in your suitcase for any and all of your summer vacation plans!

Here are all the new books we can't wait to read this summer!

Amazon

Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria (May 27, 2025)

Ava Rodriguez is a divorced school teacher who meets the handsome Roman Vásquez, for a steamy one night stand – or at least what was intended to be a one night stand. But when Roman shows up as Ava’s cousin’s best man, things get complicated. Ava tries to hide her dirty little secret from her family, but Roman wants to be all-in. What started out as no strings attached has become much more complex.

Amazon

Tell Them You Lied by Laura Leffler (May 27, 2025)

Anna is beginning art school in New York and befriends Willow, a mysterious and moody art student who isn’t afraid to push boundaries. Five years later, Anna’s former muse Willow has turned into a shell of herself. When Anna tries to intervene in Willow’s life by staging a planned mugging, Willow goes missing on September 11th. Did Anna go too far, or did Willow play into Anna’s game all along? This thriller challenges the morality of revealing the truth when it may be better left unsaid.

Amazon

The Love Haters by Katherine Center (May 20, 2025)

Katie Vaughn’s career is sinking fast—so she takes a daring gig profiling Coast Guard rescue swimmer Tom "Hutch" Hutcheson. The problem? She can’t swim but pretends she can. Worse, Hutch is her coworker Cole’s estranged brother. In Key West, Katie gets caught in a whirlwind of secrets, swim lessons, and sizzling chemistry. With hurricanes, stolen kisses, and a chance to be truly brave, she must decide if facing her fears—including love—is worth the plunge.

Amazon

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (April 22, 2025)

Optimistic Alice Scott and Pulitzer-winning Hayden Anderson both land on Little Crescent Island to write the biography of reclusive heiress Margaret Ives. When Margaret offers a one-month trial, Alice is determined to win. She’s great with people, eager to impress her family, and, strangely, rattling Hayden. But Margaret shares only fragments of her story, and an NDA keeps Alice and Hayden from comparing notes. As tension rises and sparks fly, their own story—like Margaret’s—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad, depending on who tells it.

Amazon

Audre & Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams (May 6, 2025)

Audre, the junior class president and debate team captain, is spending the summer before her senior year writing her self help book, AKA her one-way ticket to Stanford. Bash, a mysterious new senior who everybody is crushing on, is spending his summer helping Audre complete her five wild dares to write about in her book. The scorching hot-summer leads to crazy chemistry the two friends can’t deny. Will Audre be able to maintain the friendship, or will she begin to fall for Bash?

Amazon

Love On Tour by Lee Adams (June 17, 2025)

Music executive Christine Matthews lives a quiet life until a broken heel sends her tumbling in front of country star Austin Garrett’s tour bus. When Austin realizes she pitched him his latest hit, he invites her to be his date at the CMT Awards, catapulting her into the spotlight. Suddenly, she’s facing cyberbullying, unwanted attention, and growing feelings for Austin’s tour manager, Matt. As past trauma resurfaces and threats turn dangerous, Christine must decide if chasing success and love is worth the risk—or if walking away is the only way to protect her heart.

Amazon

It’s A Love Story by Annabel Monaghan (May 27, 2025)

Jane Jackson, a former child sitcom star, is determined to make it as a Hollywood executive. Her mantra: fake it till you make it. But when she takes it too far and claims she can get popstar Jack Quinlan—her first kiss—to write a song for her movie, she’s in trouble. Now, she must turn to her old crush and frustrating cinematographer Dan Finnegan for help. Can Jane juggle her past and career, or will her lie unravel? This novel is perfect for those looking to escape the summer heat with an enemies-to-lovers romcom.

Amazon

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (June 3, 2025)

Joan Goodwin has been fascinated by space since childhood. When she gets the chance to join NASA’s first group of women scientists in the space shuttle program, she leaps at it. Training alongside a Top Gun pilot, a brilliant scientist, and a bold group of astronauts, Joan forms unexpected friendships and discovers a love she never imagined. As they prepare for their first mission, she begins to question her place in the universe—until one fateful moment changes everything.

Amazon

King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby (June 10, 2025)

Roman Carruthers returns home to find his father in a coma, his brother drowning in debt to criminals, and his sister struggling to hold their crematorium business together. When he tries to buy Dante’s way out, he learns the hard way that real gangsters don’t play fair. With no other options, Roman offers himself as collateral. As he’s pulled deeper into a dangerous game, Neveah searches for answers about their mother’s mysterious disappearance. But Roman isn’t as weak as they think—and he’ll do whatever it takes to protect his family.

Amazon

You Belong Here by Megan Miranda (July 29, 2025)

Beckett Bowery thought she had her future planned out: stay in Wyatt Valley, Virginia and study at Wyatt College, the college her parents taught at. But when a tragedy leaves two men dead and her roommate goes on the run, she vows to stay as far away as possible from Wyatt Valley. Later when her daughter Delilah receives a full ride scholarship to Wyatt College, she is forced to confront her lingering fears and the fact that her past isn’t the only dangerous thing in Wyatt Valley.

Amazon

The Enemy’s Daughter by Melissa Poett (May 6, 2025)

Thirty-seven years after the Republic fell, war rages between the five clans and the Kingsland. Isadora, an eighteen-year-old healer, saves lives—until she’s struck by a poisoned arrow from Kingsland assassin Tristan. Instead of letting her die, Tristan uses rare magic to save her, unknowingly binding them together. Their connection gives him access to her memories, the key to destroying her people. But Isadora can see into him too. To protect her clan, she must outmaneuver Tristan, and resist the dangerous pull between them, before he claims victory and her heart.

Amazon

Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston (June 17, 2025)

Joni Lark has a secret. She’s one of LA’s most coveted songwriters, but she can’t write anymore. Hoping to find inspiration, she returns home to Vienna Shores, North Carolina. But nothing is as she left it. Her best friend is distant, her mother’s memory is fading, and her family’s music venue is closing. Then Joni starts hearing a haunting melody and a stranger’s voice in her head. When the man behind the voice shows up in town, guarded and frustrating, they realize they must finish the song together or risk exposing their hearts and deepest secrets.

Amazon

No Man’s Ghost by Jason Powell (May 6, 2025)

Charles Davids is a rookie firefighter starting his first week with the FDNY, struggling to prove himself to his new team. The job is grueling, the training intense, and the pranks relentless—but the dangers are real. Across town, Alan Johnson, bitter and unhinged after being kicked out by his wife, begins reporting fake fires at her apartment every night. At first, it’s just a cruel joke. But soon, Alan wants more than revenge. As the calls escalate, Charles faces a trial by fire that could make or break him—and put lives on the line.

Amazon

Ride with Me by Simone Soltani (May 20, 2025)

After being left at the altar, Stella Baldwin dreads attending her cousin’s bachelorette party in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Formula 1 driver Thomas Maxwell-Brown is desperate for a break from his crumbling career and bad press. When a wild night ends with a ring on Stella’s finger and Thomas as her husband, they realize staying married might actually benefit them both. It’s impulsive, reckless, and maybe exactly what they need. Because sometimes, what happens in Vegas doesn’t need to stay there.

Amazon

Such Good People by Amy Blumenfeld (July 8, 2025)

During her freshman year of college, April’s life changed overnight. After meeting up with her friend Rudy one evening, he was arrested, she was expelled, and her future fell apart. Months later, she met Peter, a young attorney who helped her rebuild everything. Fifteen years later, April has a happy life, three kids, and Peter is running for local office. But when Rudy is up for parole and April’s past makes headlines, it threatens everything she’s built. Now, she must decide whether to protect her family—or the man who once saved her.

Amazon

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune (May 6, 2025)

Alice never expected to see Charlie Florek again. Years ago, she spent a magical summer at her grandmother Nan’s lake cottage, capturing a photo of three teens in a yellow boat that changed her life. Now a photographer who prefers life behind the lens, Alice returns to Barry’s Bay to care for Nan and find something she’s been missing. But when Charlie, now a charming and grown-up flirt, reappears, old feelings resurface. Long days on the water and stolen glances make Alice wonder if she’s finally ready to step into the frame or risk her heart again.

Amazon

Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray (June 3, 2025)

Blaze’s birth unleashed a deadly storm that killed thousands, branding her an outcast and stealing her magic. Hidden ever since, she’s shocked when she and her twin brother are invited to compete for the empire’s throne. Suddenly thrust into the Golden Palace’s dangerous court, Blaze faces deadly rivals, forbidden love, and the possibility of reclaiming her lost power. Torn between a captivating Crown Prince and a darkly alluring stranger, Blaze must decide if she’s ready to step out of the shadows and claim a destiny no one ever believed she could have.

Amazon

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna (July 15, 2025)

Sera Swan lost her magic, her status, and her place in the magical Guild after a spell gone wrong. Now she runs an enchanted inn with her resurrected great-aunt, a mischievous talking fox, and a houseful of quirky guests. When she discovers a spell that could restore her powers, she enlists the help of Luke Larsen, a reserved magical historian with no interest in her chaos—or her charm. But as they work together, unexpected sparks fly. Sera soon realizes that the magic she craves may not be as powerful as the family she’s built.

Amazon

Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous by Christine Stringer (June 10, 2025)

Charity Trickett arrives in Hollywood in 1997 determined to break into the movie industry. As an assistant to a blockbuster film director, she expects glitz and glamour but instead faces cutthroat coworkers, a failing love life, and a mistake that could cost the studio millions. Her bank account is running dry, and an FBI investigation threatens to derail her future entirely. With grit and heart, Charity must fight to keep her dream alive and avoid losing everything. Fans of Bridget Jones’s Diary will love this witty, behind-the-scenes Hollywood adventure.

Amazon

Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan (May 13, 2025)

Hendrix Barry has built a life most people dream of. With a successful business, amazing friends, and a loving family, she has everything except time for love. Caring for an aging parent and staying focused on her goals leave little room for romance, and she’s never met a man who could keep up. Until Maverick Bell. The charming tech mogul sees her in a way no one has before, but he’s off-limits if she plans to stay on course. When Maverick refuses to walk away, Hendrix must decide if love is worth changing her plans.

Amazon

What’s Yours is Mine by Jennifer Jabaley (August 5, 2025)

Valerie Yarnell is a devoted single mother who has always supported her daughter Kate’s dream of dancing. But it stings when Kate idolizes her best friend Colette’s mother, Elise, a former prima ballerina married to the man Valerie secretly loves. When Kate outshines Colette at a major competition, tensions soar. Elise’s pressure on Colette intensifies, and the rivalry between mothers and daughters reaches a breaking point. Then a shocking attack shatters everything, exposing dark ambitions and unraveling secrets. Soon, both families will learn just how fierce and dangerous competition can be.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations

Adding a new member to your family (and picking out the perfect baby name) is already a magical experience, so why not look to the stars for inspiration?

Astrology and constellations have been sources of wonder throughout history. And whether you're drawn to the beauty of celestial bodies, the mystique of zodiac signs, or just appreciate the night sky, there's a cosmic name fit for your little one. Here are some of our favorite stellar baby name options.

Scroll to see our favorite celestial baby names for 2025!

1. Aurora

Анна Иванова

Rooted in Latin, Aurora means "dawn," symbolizing new beginnings and endless possibilities. It evokes images of the breathtaking aurora borealis or the dazzling natural light display that can be seen near the Earth's poles.

In Roman mythology, Aurora was also the goddess of the sunrise, so this name carries an ethereal, almost magical quality. Perhaps that's why it was chosen for Disney's Sleeping Beauty.

2. Orion

Sheena Policarpio

Orion is a strong celestial name that has both mythological and astronomical significance. With Greek roots, it means "hunter" or "rising in the sky."

In Greek mythology, Orion was a hunter and the son of Poseidon, who was said to be placed among the stars by Zeus, creating the striking constellation we see today. As one of the brightest and most recognizable formations, Orion represents power and adventure.

3. Celeste

Foden Nguyen

This name exudes elegance and celestial beauty. Latin in origin, Celeste means "heavenly" and calls to mind the vast night sky, packed with shimmering stars.

It's a popular pick in French and Italian cultures and carries an air of grace. Celeste is well-suited for a little girl with a curious spirit, encouraging her to shoot for the stars.

4. Phoenix

I. Metodiev

Phoenix is a powerful gender-neutral name that embodies transformation and resilience. Greek in origin, it refers to the legendary bird that is reborn from its own ashes, representing renewal.

It also has celestial significance since Phoenix is a minor constellation in the southern sky and the name of a robotic spacecraft sent to explore Mars.

5. Lyra

Norman Milwood

Lyra strikes a perfect chord between mythology, music, and the cosmos. With Greek roots, the name means "harp player" and is closely tied to the legendary lyre of Orpheus, whose music was said to enchant all who heard it.

In honor of this mythical instrument, the Lyra constellation was placed in the night sky, adding a celestial touch to this melodic name. It's a beautiful choice for parents who appreciate both music and mythology.

6. Sirius

Foden Nguyen

Sirius has Greek roots and means "glowing" or "scorcher," a fitting tribute to the brightest star in the night sky. Known as the "dog star," it's part of the Canis Major constellation and has guided stargazers for centuries.

This name is bold and fiery and symbolizes leadership, ensuring your little one will stand out in the world.

7. Nova

Catalina Carvajal Herrera

With roots in Latin, Nova means "new," making it apt for a fresh start and a bright future. In astronomy, a nova is also a powerful stellar event where a star suddenly bursts into incredible brightness.

While it has been used as a given name since the 19th century, Nova has gained popularity in recent years, especially in Scandinavian countries. It has undeniable cosmic charm and can celebrate a child who brings light into your life.

8. Archer

Boko Shots

Last but not least is Archer, a dynamic name that signifies strength, precision, and determination. With roots in Latin, French, and English, it means "bowman" and was originally an occupational surname for skilled archers in the Middle Ages.

Archer is also linked to the Sagittarius constellation, which is depicted as a centaur wielding a bow. This name has both timeless and modern appeal and comes with adorable nickname options, like Archie.

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Love The White Lotus and wondering what to read after Season 3 wraps up? We’ve got you covered! Here’s a list of 12 books that capture the same mix of dark humor, intrigue, and biting social commentary that The White Lotus delivers so well. From upscale resorts with hidden secrets to complex characters tangled in webs of privilege and deception, these must-reads will keep you on the edge of your seat all in-between-seasons long.

Scroll to see which books you should read if you love The White Lotus!

Amazon

See How They Fall by Rachel Paris (April 29, 2025)

Skye thought marrying into the rich Turner family was a dream come true, but years later, she’s stuck in a world of secrets, trying to maintain a facade of normalcy for her daughter, Tilly. That fragile facade comes crashing down when the family patriarch, Sir Campbell Turner, dies unexpectedly, and an unknown heir shows up to claim his fortune. The Turners invite the newcomer to a weekend retreat at their stunning seaside estate, but what starts as a tense gathering quickly turns deadly. By the end of the night, one person is dead, and another is fighting for their life.

Amazon

The Ten Worst People in New York by Matt Plass (March 18, 2025)

The Ten Worst People in New York are dying one by one, and no one knows why. After a series of suspicious deaths — including a corrupt councilor and a real estate mogul — FBI Agent Alex Bedford is sure foul play is involved. Meanwhile, British filmmaker Jacob Felle arrives in the city to reconnect with his estranged sister but soon becomes a prime suspect in the case. As the two race to uncover the truth, they must confront their darkest fears and work together to stop the next death. This book is a thrilling ride full of twists, mystery, and murder.

Amazon

One in Four by Lucinda Berry (May 13, 2025)

A reality show about former child stars battling addiction spirals into chaos when a murder rocks the set, and therapist Dr. Laurel Harlow is thrust into the investigation. Amidst a mansion full of narcissistic stars, Laurel must navigate their secrets and her own buried past to find the killer. With each patient hiding something, Laurel races against time to uncover the truth — and face the demons she’s kept hidden. The stakes couldn’t be higher in this gripping tale of deception and suspense.

Amazon

Marguerite by the Lake by Mary Dixie Carter (May 20, 2025)

When lifestyle icon Marguerite Gray tragically falls to her death from a cliff, Phoenix, her young gardener, is thrust into a web of lies and danger. The affair between Phoenix and Geoffrey, Marguerite’s husband, began after Phoenix saved his life from a falling tree during a storm, igniting a forbidden attraction. But with Marguerite's sudden death, Phoenix becomes entangled in a growing mystery. As Detective Hanna and Marguerite’s sharp-eyed daughter close in on the truth, Phoenix must confront the consequences of her actions, navigating a dangerous path of deception and betrayal that could destroy everything she’s worked for.

Amazon

The Close-Up by Pip Drysdale

Imagine writing a thriller, only to have the most violent scenes reenacted against you by the stalker of your old flame. That’s Zoe Ann Weiss’s nightmare come true in The Close-Up. After reconnecting with her ex-situationship, Zach — the bartender turned famous actor — Zoe’s life takes a dark turn as Zach’s stalker begins mirroring the chilling events from her book. As the violent reenactments escalate, Zoe finds herself trapped in a twisted game where the lines between fiction and reality blur, and her life is on the line. Can she survive the horrors she wrote, or will the stalker make her story all too real?

Amazon

The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz (May 20, 2025)

Abby travels to Isla Colel, the tropical paradise where her fiancée, Eszter, tragically died, hoping to find closure. But what she uncovers instead is a web of secrets, lies, and danger lurking beneath the island’s idyllic surface. As Abby befriends a group of expats, she learns one of them knows the truth about Eszter’s death — only for that person to mysteriously disappear. Determined to uncover the truth, Abby dives deeper into the island’s haunting past, but the closer she gets to the killer, the more she realizes she might be the next victim.

Amazon

Our Last Resort by Clémence Michallon (July 8, 2025)

A siblings reunion at a luxurious desert resort takes a dark turn when a woman is found murdered, forcing them to confront a tragic past they’ve tried to forget. Once inseparable, Frida and Gabriel have grown distant after a life-altering trauma, but their bond is tested once again when their shared history in a fanatical cult comes back to haunt them. As the investigation unfolds and secrets from their past emerge, they must grapple with what they’ve hidden from each other — and themselves. With tension building between present and past timelines, Our Last Resort is a heart-pounding thriller that will keep you guessing until the shocking end.

Amazon

They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall

Miriam Macy is thrilled when she receives a surprise invitation to a luxurious private island off the coast of Mexico, joining six strangers for what’s promised to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, once they arrive, the group discovers they've been lured there under false pretenses, each person hiding a dark secret. With limited cell service and miles of ocean separating them from the outside world, strange accidents begin to unfold, and suspicions grow. As tension builds and danger closes in, Miriam realizes no one is safe — and one by one they all fall down.

Amazon

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger

Maverick Dillan, the charismatic daredevil, invites contestants to Falcao Island for the ultimate game of hide-and-seek — but no one expects it to turn deadly. What starts as a thrilling social media stunt quickly escalates into a life-or-death struggle for survival as a storm rages and a lethal threat stalks the players. Adele, a determined single mother, is caught up in the game, unaware that it has morphed into something far more sinister than anyone could have imagined. As the pressure mounts and the danger escalates, Adele must maneuver through the perilous island and stay alive — before time runs out.

Amazon

You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego

When Mila del Angél is invited by the mysterious J.R. Alastor to host a writing retreat for a group of thriller authors at a private island estate; she thinks it’s the perfect opportunity for revenge against a fellow writer. But what begins as a week of games and writerly tropes soon turns deadly when one of the guests is murdered — and it’s not the victim Mila had planned. Trapped on the island with a storm cutting off all escape, Mila must navigate a deadly web of deceit and misdirection. As the body count rises, she must outwit a killer who knows literally every trick in the book.

Amazon

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack

Bestselling author Eleanor Dash is ready to finish her Italian book tour and finally write the death of her main character, Connor Smith, in her Vacation Mysteries series. But when someone attempts to kill the real Connor — a charming but frustrating con man she can’t seem to shake off — Eleanor is pulled into a real-life mystery. Surrounded by literary rivals, obsessive fans, and an unexpected ex, Eleanor must sift through lies, betrayals, and old wounds to uncover who’s behind the crime. As the tour takes an unexpected turn, Eleanor realizes she may be the only one who can stop a killer from striking again.

Amazon

Saltwater by Katy Hays

Thirty years after Sarah Lingate’s mysterious death on the cliffs of Capri, the Lingate family returns to their villa to find a shocking discovery: the necklace Sarah was wearing the night she died. As the family gathers around, tensions rise and they are pushed to a breaking point. Helen, Sarah’s daughter, sees this as an opportunity to finally escape the suffocating control of her family, enlisting the help of Lorna Moreno, a trusted family assistant. But when Lorna disappears and the investigation into Sarah’s death is reopened, it becomes clear: someone in the family is hiding a deadly truth. As the Lingates’ carefully constructed facades crumble, Helen must confront the horrifying reality that the murderer has always been one of them — and not everyone will make it off the island alive.

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Millie Bobby Brown's name has been on everyone's lips between the premiere of TheElectric State and shutting down negative comments from body shamers. Plus, she's still been reveling in the new marriage glow with her husband Jake Bongiovi, and she didn't mind revealing why she didn't let age stop her from becoming his wife "so young." Her appearance on Alex Cooper's Call Her Daddypodcast left us buzzing with newfound respect for the actress because her charm and levelheadedness about her marriage confidently says, "I'm secure with my relationship status — are you?"

Scroll to see exactly what the Stranger Things actress said about what led to her marriage to Jake Bongiovi!

Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix

Listening to Alex Cooper's interview with Millie Bobby Brown was like hearing two besties catch up which is why Call Her Daddy is one of the best podcasts ever. They covered topics such as Millie's life as a child actor, her life with "25 farm animals," and her marriage!

Knowing what fans and listeners alike are curious about, Alex asked about the turning point in Millie and Jake's relationship that signaled the actress had found her forever person. "We're been together for four years, so I guess maybe when we moved in together," Mille said.

She also said, "We had dogs together, and we were taking care of our animals, and we started living this day-to-day life, and I thought, ‘Oh, I really don’t think I could ever see you as anything else. I don’t want to be with anyone else ever again. I don’t want to date, I don’t want to meet anyone, I want you.'"

To prove she wasn't looking at their relationship with rose-colored glasses on, Millie recalled things she and Jake aligned on. "When we started talking about politics and how we want to raise our kids...we started talking about really, really big things that I’d obviously never spoken about...But to be able to even think about those things, I was like, ‘S---. Okay, maybe I do want to be with him forever.'"

But she didn't know if Jake was thinking about her or marriage the way she was. "We talked about marriage, but I didn’t really know when it was going to be. And then, when he proposed, I was like, it makes sense. Everything aligned.”

Concerning their age, Millie opened up about her and Jake's parents. She said, "His parents got married really young — they’re high school sweethearts," before sharing her "parents got married really young...they were 19."

For the lovebirds, it didn't seem like an odd thing to do based on the examples they had. "We had really great role models growing up, so we didn't see any different. We didn't get jaded by all the other stuff, you know?”

Watch Millie Bobby Brown's Full 'Call Her Daddy' Episode

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- YouTube

This may sound biased, but we think this episode is golden and shows how great of a person Millie Bobby Brown is. We're already on our second listen so we think you should play it during the workday if you're in need of good vibes.

P.S. This episode is NSFW, so wear your headphones, please!

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If you're hunting for a new TV drama because you've already rewatched all of Brit + Co's best true crime documentaries, then don't you worry because Apple TV's new show is exactly the kind of thriller we've been waiting for — and it's perfect for true crime fans. But the best part is that Amy Adams is starring and executive producing! Here's everything we know about Cape Fear, coming to Apple TV+ soon...and The 10 Best True Crime-Inspired Books to hold you over until it premieres.

Keep reading for the latest news on Amy Adams' Cape Fear, coming to Apple TV+ soon.

Is there a Cape Fear remake coming out?

Amazon

Yes, we're getting a brand new Cape Fear, which is based on John D. MacDonald’s novel. This Apple TV show, which was greenlit in November 2024 and will have 10 episodes, will be led by Amy Adams, who will executive produce along costar Javier Bardem, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg. Nick Antosca will write.

The movie follows J. Lee Thompson's 1962 movie and Martin Scorsese's 1991 movie.

What is Cape Fear about?

Attorneys Amanda (Amy Adams) and Steve are happily married and enjoying their life together. But when a killer from their past, Max Cady (Javier Bardem), gets released from prison, his presence threatens the life they've built together.

Just like Only Murders in the Building is a comical, campy look at true crime, and Big Little Lies is a sensual, feminist approach to mystery, Cape Fear takes a Hitchcock angle (even though it's totally going to hold me over until Big Little Lies season 3). According to the official synopsis, it's "an examination of America’s obsession with true crime in the 21st century."

Who's in the Cape Fear cast?

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Amy Adams and Javier Bardem star in Cape Fear as Amanda and Max, respectively. Stay tuned for the full cast list!

Is Cape Fear on Apple TV?

Universal

The new Cape Fear show is coming to Apple TV soon (check back here for the official Cape Fear release date), but you can watch both adaptations of the novel on the streamer now.

Figuring out what to stream is never easy. Read up on The 8 Best TV Shows On Paramount+ This Month for some great ideas!