You Make It Feel Like Christmas: Review

About the Book:

Title: You Make It Feel Like Christmas

Author: Sophie Sullivan

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Release Date: September 23, 2025

Pages: 320

Genre: Christmas, Romance, Holiday

Synopsis:

 

All bets are off when a single-minded photographer and a professional hockey player are forced to spend a week together on his sister’s Christmas tree farm, perfect for fans of Jenny Holiday and Maggie Knox.

Maisie Smart has a don’t-look-back policy–not on the choice she made to be a photographer (despite her family’s wishes) and not on the one-night stand she had six months ago. Sleeping with someone she barely knew was out of character; sleeping with a professional hockey player who bolted the morning after is a whole new level of embarrassing. Getting invited to spend the week at Tickle Tree Farm with her family this Christmas is a sure way to fill her with holiday spirit. Until the universe throws a Grinch in her festive plans in the form of the one man she hoped to avoid.

Nick King is a mess. After a significant injury lands him on the bench for every game for the rest of the month, he has more time to dwell on the one night stand he can’t get out of his head. With time on his hands, his anxiety hovering, and the holidays around the corner, he figures visiting his sister and nephew at their Christmas tree farm will be a good way to lie low and sort himself out. He’s in for a surprise when it turns out Maisie is staying at his sister’s and his attraction for her hasn’t lessened one bit in the last six months. Apparently, neither has her anger at him for bailing. But Christmas is the time for second chances, and the forced proximity may help Nick and Maisie unwrap feelings neither of them can walk away from twice.

Review:

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and the publisher for review. Thank you for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

This was such a fun and festive holiday read! I finished it right after New Year’s, so it was the perfect time for me. If you’re a fan of holiday romances and/or contemporary romances, I think you will enjoy this one. Honestly, this could be read and enjoyed at any time during the year. I also appreciated the anxiety rep that the author handled rather well throughout the story.

Maisie a photographer, and Nick a professional hockey player, had a one-night stand 6 months ago. They haven’t talked to each other since then. Maisie is invited to a Christmas Tree farm to take photographs of the farm and spend the holidays with her family.  The owner of the tree farm and inn winds up being the sister of Nick, and they are shocked at seeing each other. They are forced to spend a week together, as they are all there with family for the holidays. Will they get a second chance?

I definitely recommend!

About the Author:

SOPHIE SULLIVAN is a Canadian author as well as a cookie-eating, Diet Pepsi-drinking, Disney enthusiast. She’s written ten books for St. Martin’s Press, including Ten Rules for Faking It, Can’t Help Falling in Love, and the Rock Bottom Love series. She loves reading and writing romance in almost equal measure. She’s had plenty of practice writing happily ever after as her alter ego, Jody Holford.

Snowbound Regency Christmas: A Forced Proximity Historical Romance

About the Book:

Title: Snowbound Regency Christmas

Authors: Carla Kelly, Joanna Johnson, Samantha Hastings

Publisher: Harlequin Historical

Release Date: November 25, 2025

Pages: 272

Genre: Christmas, Historical Romance, Regency

Synopsis:

Three heart-warming forced proximity romance novellas to cosy up with this festive season

Three snow-kissed Regency romances

In one festive volume!

In A Christmas Houseguest   by   Carla Kelly, when a snowstorm stops their mail coach, Rosie offers a fellow passenger sanctuary at her farm. War-weary from the navy, Andy will find his Christmas angel hard to leave…

In Their Yuletide Reunion by Joanna Johnson, rejecting Lieutenant Fitzjames’s proposal is Jane’s greatest regret. Now, her future is in peril. Until an unexpected Christmas invitation leads to a second chance!

In The Christmas Husband Charade by Samantha Hastings, Devin finds himself snowed in with Julia—the woman who jilted his brother! When he is forced to masquerade as her husband, their mutual hatred evolves into an irresistible connection…

From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.

Review:

*I received a complimentary copy for review. Thanks to the author and publisher for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

Snowbound Regency Christmas is another collection of three stories that I really enjoyed and that got me in the holiday spirit. Each story revolves around a different couple that find love in the most unexpected of ways.

In A Christmas Houseguest, stuck on a mail coach, a soldier war-weary from the Navy is offered sanctuary on a farm during a snowstorm. There he meets a wonderful and caring family, including Rose, who may just save him. I really liked how PTSD was explored in this one.

The Yuletide Reunion was a story about second chances. Jane’s greatest regret has been rejecting Lieutenant Fitjames’s proposal. Her future is currently in peril, until an unexpected Christmas invitation may just change her life. Such a sweet story!

The Christmas Husband Charade finds Devin snowed in with Julia, the woman who jilted his brother! When Devin is forced to masquerade as Julia’s husband, their mutual hatred begins to evolve into something more. Enemies to lovers is my favorite trope, so I really loved this one!

All in all, a fun collection of heartwarming Christmas stories. I recommend!

About the Authors:

Carla Kelly-

Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America’s Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)

Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the “Fort Laramie stories,” which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty’s Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here’s to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.

The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian’s Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)

Carla’s husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, “Prairie Lite.”

Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let’s face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.

Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She’s never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.

Here’s another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion) and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.

Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is “to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you’re done.” He’s right, of course.

Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.

And that’s all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” in Latin.

Joanna Johnson-

Joanna Johnson lives in a little village with her husband and too many books. After completing an English degree at university, she went on to work in publishing, although she’d always rather, she was working on her own books rather than other people’s. This dream came true in 2018 when she signed her first contract with Harlequin and she hasn’t looked back, spending her time getting lost in mainly Regency history and wishing it was still acceptable to write a manuscript with a quill.
Samantha Hastings-
Samantha Hastings has degrees from Brigham Young University, the University of Reading (Berkshire, England), and the University of North Texas. She met her husband in a turkey-sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, having tea parties, and chasing her kids. She writes cozy mysteries under Samantha Larsen.

Fallen City (Fallen City Duology #1): Review

About the Book:

Title: Fallen City

Author: Adrienne Young

Publisher: Saturday Books

Release Date: November 4, 2025

Pages: 416

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Synopsis:

In the great walled city of Isara, political turmoil ignites a rebellion one hundred years in the making. But when a legionnaire falls in love with a Magistrate’s daughter, their love will threaten the fate of the city and the will of the gods.

Luca Matius has one purpose—to carry on the family name, maintaining its presence in the Forum once his powerful and cruel uncle dies. But his noviceship with the city’s Philosopher places him in the middle of a catastrophe that will alter the destiny of his people.

Maris Casperia was raised amidst the strategic maneuvers of the Citadel’s inner workings, and she knows what her future holds—a lifetime of service to a corrupt city. But her years of serving as a novice to the last Priestess who possesses the stolen magic of the Old War has made her envision a different kind of future for the city. When she meets Luca, a fated chain of events is set into motion that will divinely entangle their lives.

As a secret comes to light and throws the city into chaos, Luca and Maris hatch a plot to create a calculated alliance that could tip the scales of power. But when an execution forces Luca to become the symbol of rebellion, he and Maris are thrown onto opposite sides of a holy war. As their fates diverge, they learn they are at the center of a story the gods are writing. And even if they can find their way back to each other, there may be nothing left.

Review:

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley for review. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Fallen City sounded really amazing, and I love Adrienne Young, but this one unfortunately didn’t wind up a favorite.

I think the structure of the book really impacted my feelings regarding the story. The story is told in dual timelines and alternating points of view, between the main characters, Maris and Luca. I think the flip flopping between past and present became confusing at times. There are also gods and a magic system in the story that I feel needed to be more fleshed out.

The ending of the story winds up on a cliffhanger and I am disappointed in the direction that the two main characters seem to be headed. I still want to read the next book to see what happens, and hopefully the author will clear up some of the things that were confusing in the first.

 

About the Author:

Adrienne Young is the New York Times and international bestselling author of the Sky and Sea duology, the Fable series, and Spells for Forgetting. When she’s not writing, you can find Adrienne on her yoga mat, on a walk in the woods, or planning her next travel adventure. She lives and writes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

For information on release, appearances, ARCs, giveaways, and exclusive content, sign up for the newsletter at https://adrienneyoungbooks.com/

Instagram: @adrienneyoungbooks

A Season of Wishes (The Timeless Regency Collection): Review

About the Book:

Title: A Season of Wishes

Authors: Julie Daines, Samantha Hastings, Rachel Kelly Stones

Publisher: Mirror Press

Release Date: October 16, 2025

Pages: 356

Genre: Christmas, Regency, Regency Romance

Synopsis:

This Christmas, the best wishes aren’t found on a list.

The Trouble with Wishes by Julie Daines
Catherine Haywood is desperate to claim the affection of her long-time friend Frederick Milton, but Frederick only seems interested in courting the new young lady in town. Catherine makes a series of wishes, thinking that is the safer route rather than openly putting her heart on the line. But as each wish is fulfilled, she realizes getting what she wished for is not the same as getting what she wants.

We Wish You a Miserable Christmas by Samantha Hastings
Two secret pen fellows meet only to learn that they already know one another in this Christmas comedy of errors! Miserable Margaret resents Mr. Frank Warner and truthfully he is a little afraid of her. They are thrown together in a Christmas house party in London and spend the season skating, decorating, going to the theaters, and even dancing. Margaret discovers that she isn’t miserable after all. And Frank, with her help, finds the courage to believe in himself and work for his own happily-ever-after.

Pranks and Wishes by Rachel Kelley Stones
Elizabeth Quincy will do anything it takes to stop her childhood friend, Thomas Westin, from proposing marriage to her younger sister this Christmas. Thomas Westin has a plan. He’s determined to convince Lizzy to be his bride. Only, she keeps avoiding any conversation related to love. In this friends-to-lovers novella, Lizzy and Thomas must learn to trust themselves and each other to see if their feelings will be reciprocated.

Timeless Regency
AUTUMN MASQUERADE
A MIDWINTER BALL
SPRING IN HYDE PARK
SUMMER HOUSE PARTY
A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
A HOLIDAY IN BATH
FALLING FOR A DUKE
A NIGHT IN GROSVENOR SQUARE
ROAD TO GRETNA GREEN
WEDDING WAGERS
AN EVENING AT ALMACK’S
A WEEK IN BRIGHTON
TO LOVE A GOVERNESS
WIDOWS OF SOMERSET
A CHRISTMAS PROMISE
A SEASIDE SUMMER
THE INNS OF DEVONSHIRE
TO KISS A WALLFLOWER
BEYOND PEMBERLEY
A SEASON OF WISHES

From the publisher of the USA TODAY bestselling & #1 Amazon bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series in Regency A Season of Wishes is a Timeless Romance Anthology® book

Timeless Romance Anthology® is a registered trademark of Mirror Press, LLC

Review:

* I received an e-arc for review from the author. Thank you for the opportunity to review. All thoughts are my own*

This novella with three delightful stories was perfect! Each festive story pulled me in and gave me some Christmas cheer. They were all entertaining and quick reads, which are great during the holidays.  I definitely had a few laughs along the way. I felt that the plots, characters and stories were all unforgettable. Sometimes I just need something sweet and lighthearted, and this was it for me!

I highly recommend!

About the Authors:

Julie Daines is an award-winning and best-selling author. She was born in Concord, Massachusetts, and was raised in Utah. She spent eighteen months living in London, where she studied and fell in love with English literature, sticky toffee pudding, and the mysterious guy who ran the kebab store around the corner.

She loves reading, writing, and watching movies—anything that transports her to another world. She picks Captain Wentworth over Mr. Darcy, firmly believes in second breakfast, and never leaves home without her vervain.

Give Me A Reason: Review

About the Book:

Title: Give Me A Reason

Author: Jayci Lee

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Release Date: July 29, 2025

Pages: 352

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

A Korean drama actress gets her second chance at love with the man she left in order to save her family–if she can work up the courage to risk her heart on forever…one last time.

For ten years, Anne Lee told herself that Frederick Nam was her past. In order to save her father from bankruptcy, she left Frederick for an acting career in Korea. This was the only way she could stop him from following her and ruining his future. It was the best way she could love him.

After Anne left, Frederick spent years loving her, missing her, and hating her until he decided to live his life for himself. He followed his dream and became a firefighter in Culver City. He didn’t need romance. He had his work and his friends.

When Anne returns to Los Angeles, she and Frederick are thrown together in the same wedding—she as her cousin’s bridesmaid and he as his friend’s groomsman. Even though he is angry and distant with her, Anne can no longer deny that she never got over him. Not even close.

With so much hurt and uncertainty between them, Anne and Frederick suffer their love in silence. But all it would take is a single leap of faith to bring them together…

Review:

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley for review. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

This was such a sweet story! If you love Persuasion and second chance romance, then I think you will enjoy this one.

Anne is a Korean drama actress who gets her second chance at love with the man she left in order to save her family. She just needs to work up the courage to risk her heart on forever one more time.

Anne and Frederick were absolutely adorable! I enjoyed getting both of their POVs. I wish we had had a little more of their backstory included though. I really enjoyed the family dynamics and the friendships in this one. Overall, a unique retelling!

I recommend! I hope to read more from this author in the future.

About the Author:

Jayci Lee writes poignant, sexy, and laugh-out-loud romance featuring Korean American main characters. Her books have been in O, The Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, Hollywood Reporter, E! News, and Women’s World. Jayci is retired from her fifteen-year career as a litigator because of all the badass heroines and drool worthy heroes demanding to have their stories told. Food, wine and travel are her jam. She makes her home in sunny California with her tall-dark-and-handsome husband, two amazing boys, and a fluffy rescue.

Wild Reverence: Review

About the Book:

Title: Wild Reverence

Author: Rebecca Ross

Publisher: Saturday Books

Release Date: September 2, 2025

Pages: 527

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Synopsis:

Dear Matilda, I wrote.
I let the words flow for her.
And when the ink dried,
I gave my very heart
to the fire.

Born in the firelit domain of the under realm, Matilda is the youngest goddess of her clan, blessed with humble messenger magic she uses to carry words and letters through the realms. But the gods will kill for power, and Matilda holds a secret she must hide from even her dearest allies.

And there is a mortal who dreams of her, though they have never met in the waking world. Ten years ago, Vincent of Beckett wrote to Matilda on the darkest night of his life—begging the goddess he befriended in dreams to help him. His request went unanswered, and Vincent became a hardened, irreverent lord of the river who has long forgotten Matilda . . . until she comes tumbling into his bedroom window with a letter for him.

Matilda and Vincent were fated to find each other beyond dreams. But to rewrite the blood-soaked ways of the gods, Matilda will have to face something she fears even more than losing her magic: finally allowing herself to be loved.

Review:

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley for review. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

Solid adult debut! Rebecca Ross is one of my favorite authors, so I will read anything that she writes. Wild Reverence is the prequel story to the Letters of Enchantment duology. Her writing is just so vivid and sumptuous and pulls me into her stories.

Wild Reverence started out a little slowly for me, but once I really got into it, it was harder to put down. I really love Matilda and Vincent, and I appreciated how we got to know their characters over time and what really made them tick. They came up against so many challenges, and I loved how they persevered despite it all. The romance between them felt like a classic romance, and I loved this! The magic system and world building were spot on.

I recommend! Can’t wait to read more from Rebecca!

About the Author:

Rebecca Ross is the #1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of fantasy books for teens and adults.

She has written multiple highly acclaimed duologies, including LETTERS OF ENCHANTMENT, ELEMENTS OF CADENCE, and THE QUEEN’S RISING as well as two standalone novels: DREAMS LIE BENEATH and SISTERS OF SWORD & SONG.

When not writing, she can be found in her garden where she plants wildflowers and story ideas. She resides in Northeast Georgia with her husband and her dog. Find her on Instagram @beccajross or online at www.rebeccarossauthor.com.

Rebecca is represented by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary & Media.

A Land So Wide: Review

About the Book:

Title: A Land So Wide

Author: Erin A. Craig

Publisher: Pantheon

Release Date: September 9, 2025

Pages: 368

Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Historical Fiction

Synopsis:

From the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of House of Roots and Ruin, an irresistible blend of dark fairytale and romantic fantasy set in the beautiful but brutal Canadian wilderness.

Like everyone else in the settlement of Mistaken, Greer Mackenzie is trapped. Founded by an ambitious Scottish lumber merchant, the tiny town on the edge of the American continent is blessed with rich natural resources that have made its people prosperous—but at a cost. The same woods that have lined the townsfolks’ pockets harbor dangerous beasts: wolves, bears, and the Bright-Eyeds—monsters beyond description who have rained utter destruction down on nearby settlements. But Mistaken’s founders made a deal with the mysterious Benevolence: the Warding Stones that surround the town will keep the Bright-Eyeds out—and the town’s citizens in. Anyone who spends a night within Mistaken’s borders belongs to it forever.

Greer, a mapmaker and eccentric dreamer, has always ached to explore the world outside, even though she knows she and her longtime love, Ellis Beaufort, will never see it. Until, on the day she and Ellis are meant to finally begin their lives together, Greer watches in horror as her beloved disappears beyond the Warding Stones, pursued by a monstrous creature. Swiftly realizing that the stories she was raised on might be more myth than fact, Greer figures out a way to escape Mistaken for the very first time. Determined to rescue Ellis, she begins a trek through the cold and pitiless wilderness. But Greer is being hunted, not only by the ruthless Bright-Eyeds but by the secret truths behind Mistaken’s founding, as well as her own origins.

Playfully drawing from Scottish folklore, Erin A. Craig’s adult debut is both a deeply atmospheric and profoundly romantic exploration of freedom versus security: a stunning celebration of one woman’s relentless bravery on a quest to reclaim her lost love—and claim her own future.

Review:

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

I love Erin A. Craig, and her writing in this one is what drew me in! This was solid for her adult debut, drawing from Scottish folklore.

I absolutely loved the atmosphere she creates in the beginning of the story. It’s so romantic and gothic feeling. I definitely could relate to the character’s sense of being trapped within the town and feeling as though they had no idea what was out in the world. I did a buddy read for this one, and we both agreed that the events described in the synopsis did not really take place until about half-way through the book and felt as though they were already a given.

The story was well written overall, with the first half being very atmospheric and romantic. The second half of the book felt more rushed to me.

I recommend and can’t wait to read more from this author!

About the Author:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Erin A. Craig has always loved telling stories.

After getting her B.F.A. from the University of Michigan, in Theatre Design and Production, she stage managed tragic operas with hunchbacks, séances, and murderous clowns, then decided she wanted to write books that were just as spooky.

An avid reader, decent quilter, rabid basketball fan, and collector of typewriters, brass figurines, and sparkly shoes, Erin makes her home in West Michigan with her husband and daughter.

To find out more about Erin and the worlds she creates, follow @penchant4words on Instagram and Threads.

She is represented by Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord Literistic.

Season of the Witch (Toil and Trouble #3) : Review

About the Book:

Title: Season of the Witch

Author: Sophie H. Morgan

Publisher: Harlequin

Release Date: September 2, 2025

Pages: 368

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Holiday Romance

Synopsis:

It was a passion neither could forget—until he did.

Tia Hightower isn’t sure how she went from being a powerful witch to fake dating her ex at a winter house party.

For eight years, she has refused to speak Henry Pearlmatter’s name unless it has been to curse it. Now, with their family businesses merged, she and her insufferable ex must pretend to be together to secure a wealthy warlock’s investment. Sharing a room—and a bed—with Henry is bad enough. Even worse is that Tia might have had a small potion mishap…and accidentally erased Henry’s memories of her.

Henry might not remember his ex, but it’s clear there’s still something between them. Whatever went wrong in the past, he intends to figure it out. Faking feelings for Tia isn’t exactly difficult, but one thing’s for starlight carnivals and mulled-wine kisses can’t change history.

With the threat of Henry’s memories hovering over every stolen moment, their time together is running out. But a little bit of Christmas magic and the snow-melting heat between them have Tia wondering if it’s time to risk her heart once more, even if it’s with the warlock who once broke it…

Toil and Trouble

Book 1: The Witch is Back
Book 2: De-Witched
Book 3: Season of the Witch

Review:

*I received an earc via Netgalley for review. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

Season of the Witch is the final installment in Sophie Morgan’s Toil and Trouble series, and it did not disappoint!

Tia and Henry are exes that are forced to work together after the merging of their family businesses.  They need to secure a wealthy warlock’s investment. They must share a room and a bed, and there’s a catch. Tia accidently erased Henry’s memories of her with a potion. Henry can’t remember his ex, but there’s still definitely something between them. Henry is intent on finding out about their past history. It isn’t hard for Tia to fake her feelings, but what happened in the past can’t be changed.

Henry’s memories coming back threaten every stolen moment that they have together. Tia must decide if she wants to risk her heart once more.

I loved the banter and the laughs in this one! The romance was super cute as well. There were some fun and entertaining side characters that really added to the story. I also really enjoyed that this took place during the Christmas season, but it can be read any time of the year.

Can’t wait to read more from Sophie! She’s become one of my favorite romance authors.

 

About the Author:

Sophie H. Morgan is a romance author, repped by Cole Lanahan. She lives in crazy worlds, some concocted by her, some ruled by her spaniel.

You can usually find her on Instagram (SophiehMorgan), on Twitter (@SophieHMorgan) or through her website.

Happy Reading!

 

 

Debts of Fire (The Sunbolt Chronicles #3): Review

About the Book:

Title: Debts of Fire

Author: Intisar Khanani

Publisher: Snowy Wings Publishing 

Release Date: July 8, 2025

Pages: 396

Genre: YA Fantasy

Synopsis:

A hunted mage. A cursed land. An impossible debt.

When Hitomi first crossed the Burnt Lands to rescue her mentor from unjust imprisonment, the phoenix came to her aid. His price? Release the monster-riddled lands from the curses that have raged there for centuries—a fight more than a few mages have lost their lives to.

Now Hitomi is back, her magic bound within her and the High Council of Mages’ best rogue hunters on her heels. Luckily for the phoenix, Hitomi’s not about to let little details like that keep her from paying her debts.

But when an allied mage wreaks havoc with her plans, Hitomi plunges into a desperate race to stop the work she started. It will take every ally Hitomi can summon, and whatever tricks she has left up her sleeve, to divert the spells of the Burnt Lands before their cataclysmic power destroys everything—and everyone—in their path.

 

Review:

*Thank you to the author for sending me an eARC. All thoughts are my own*

This is the third installment of the Sunbolt chronicles and the further adventures of Hitomi. The story begins shortly after Memories of Ash. Hitomi begins to slowly deal with everything that has happened to her. She begins to deal with her grief, her disappointments, etc. I felt as though she was able to heal a little from the wounds of her past. What I really enjoyed about this book, was that it really explores Hitomi’s relationships with the characters. I love how it builds on her relationships with Hulda, the Phoenix, Val and others. 

Some parts of the book when Hitomi spent time in the wastelands and the desert dragged for me honestly. I felt as though the book could have been a little shorter without some of the descriptions of her training, etc. I did like learning about the different cultures that she encountered on her journey though.

I am excited to continue the conclusion of the series and see where Hitomi will go next! 

 

About the Author:

Intisar Khanani writes mighty girls in diverse worlds. Prior to publishing, she ran a student volunteer center, helped hospitals stay afloat, and developed projects to reduce infant mortality—which was as close as she could get to saving the world. Now she pens fantasy novels about young women motivated by compassion, empathy, and radical kindness taking on systemic injustice, facing down monsters, and forging the families they need.

Intisar is the author of The Sunbolt Chronicles and the Dauntless Path novels. Two of her books were Kirkus Reviews picks for Best Teen and YA Fantasy Novels of the Year. She is deeply honored to serve as the 2026 Writer in Residence for the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library.

To find out about new releases, giveaways, and so forth, subscribe to Intisar’s monthly author newsletter.

Murder at Donwell Abbey (Emma Knightley Mysteries #2): Review

About the Book:

Title: Murder at Donwell Abbey

Author: Vanessa Kelly

Publisher: Kensington Books

Release Date: November 25, 2025

Pages: 416

Genre: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Historical Fiction

Synopsis:

In this latest Regency-era mystery, Jane Austen’s clever Emma Knightley navigates shocking changes in her family—while meeting her match in a deadly adversary . . .

Emma’s spirits are elevated after she and husband George Knightley host a joyful holiday celebration at the Hartfield estate. But it’s instantly a bitter January when her father makes an unexpected announcement—he and Miss Hetty Bates have decided to marry. Not only must Emma relinquish her role as mistress of the household, but also accept the reality that the excitable Miss Bates will become her stepmother . . .

More unwanted news arrives during an extravagant betrothal ball at Donwell Abbey, the grand Knightley estate where Emma and George will soon permanently reside. Nearly every villager in Highbury revels in the dazzling affair—except Emma’s hardworking lady’s maid, Prudence Parr. To Emma’s horror, Prudence is found dead, sprawled across the stones of the library terrace . . .

The woman’s tragic fall is quickly ruled a terrible accident and whispers circulate around personal troubles leading up to her untimely demise. But Emma’s instincts tell her that something far more sinister is at play. Now, Highbury’s matchmaker-turned-sleuth vows to outwit a cunning criminal before an innocent man loses his freedom—or Donwell Abbey plunges into a darker mystery . . .

Review:

*I received an e-arc for review via Netgalley. Thank you to Kensington Books and Austenprose for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

4.5 rounded up to 5 

Murder at Donwell Abbey is book number two in the Emma Knightley Mystery Series. I was so excited for this book, and it did not disappoint! The story compelled me to read from beginning to end, and I had fun figuring out whodunnit. Perfect for Austen fans and fans of cozy mysteries! 

Emma and George Knightley host a fun holiday celebration at the Hartfield Estate. January begins with Mr. Woodhouse making an unexpected announcement-he and Miss Hetty Bates have decided to marry! Emma comes to grips with the fact that she’ll have to give up her role as mistress of the estate and that Miss Bates will become her stepmother.

During a betrothal ball for Mr. Woodhouse and Miss Bates at Donwell Abbey (where Emma soon will reside with George), something dreadful happens! Her lady’s maid Prudence Parr is found dead, sprawled across the stones of the library terrace! 

The woman’s tragic fall is quickly ruled an accident, but rumors begin to circulate about her personal troubles leading up to her demise. Emma’s instincts tell her that something far more dire has occurred. Emma decides to investigate and outwit a cunning criminal to save an innocent man.

I absolutely loved the witty banter in this one! Emma is one of my favorite Austen characters, and it’s so fun reading a “continuation” of her life and seeing her as a sleuth. It was also so fun to see her teaming up with her future stepmother, Miss Bates! Her nephew Henry was also an absolute delight! I of course loved seeing more of Emma and George working together as well. 

I highly recommend this one! I really hope that author Vanessa Kelly writes more in this world, as I’m definitely on board for more Emma on the case.

 

 

About the Author:

Vanessa Kelly is a bestselling author of historical mystery and historical romance. She has won multiple awards, including the prestigious Maggie Medallion for best historical romance. She is a USA Today, Barnes & Noble, BookScan, and Amazon bestseller several times over. To date, her books have been published in eleven languages. Vanessa also wrote USA Today bestselling contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels with her husband, under the pen name of V.K. Sykes.

After receiving her MA in English literature from Rutgers University, Vanessa spent several years in the Ph.D program at the University of Toronto, studying women authors of the 18th Century. She worked as a researcher for many years, and currently resides in Ottawa, Canada, with her husband.