Tag: books

Becoming His Bluestocking Countess: Review

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About the Book:

Title: Becoming His Bluestocking Countess

Author: Samantha Hastings 

Publisher: Harlequin Historical 

Release Date: July 29, 2025

Pages: 272

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance 

Synopsis:

Get lost in the lively world of The Scandalous Stringhams in this light-hearted Regency romance

How to woo a countess 

In fifty questions… 

Lady Rebecca Stringham is stunned when a beautiful man falls from his horse and practically into her lap! The notorious Earl’s reputation precedes him, so their instant bond must remain secret from her overprotective family.

Phineas has never danced to anyone else’s tune before, yet he’s entranced by Becca’s intelligence and wit—not to mention her curves! Could fifty courtship questions be enough to unravel her inner world? With each answer Becca gives, his feelings for her only deepen, but can he trust her with his secrets—and ask her the most important question of all?

From Harlequin  Your romantic escape to the past.

The Scandalous Stringhams

Book 1: Becoming His Bluestocking Countess

Review:

*I received an arc from the author and publisher for review. Thanks for the opportunity! All thoughts are my own*

I just loved this one! I have very much enjoyed following the Stringham family along on all their adventures. Becoming His Bluestocking Countess is about the youngest Stringham, Becca, and she’s an absolute delight! She’s been there since the beginning of the series, and I’ve loved her journey. I’m really hoping the series continues and that the oldest Stringham, Mantheria, may have her own story perhaps? I’m just not ready to say goodbye to the Stringhams yet.

Lady Rebecca Stringham is surprised at the park when an absolutely gorgeous man falls from his horse and almost into her lap! Lord Norwich’s reputation as a rake precedes him, and so their instant bond must be kept a secret from her very protective family.

Phineas has never met anyone like Rebecca before. He’s smitten with her intelligence and wit, and her beautiful curves. Could fifty courtship questions be enough to enter her inner world? With each answer that Becca gives, his feelings for her grow. Can Phineas trust her with his secrets and ask her the most important question of all?

I really loved seeing Becca’s relationships with her different family members explored. We were able to see the challenges she faced with her older sister, Mantheria. We also saw how deeply she cared for the Duke of Glastonbury and his partner even though they had caused her family pain. I loved that the rest of her siblings made appearances, as well as her parents. Becca has become an aunt to so many beautiful babies!

It was really cool to see Phineas’ journey throughout this story as well. We finally begin to understand him and his past.

Highly recommend to fans of this series, and to regency romance fans!

About the Author:

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.

A Poetic Pox (A Lady Librarian Mystery #3): Review/Audiobook Review

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About the Book:

Title: A Poetic Pox 

Author: Samantha Larsen

Narrator: Marni Penning

Publisher: Dreamscape First 

Release Date: July 22, 2025

Pages: 8 hours and 47 minutes

Genre: Historical, Mystery, Cozy Mystery 

Synopsis:

1786, England

It is the twelve days of Christmas, and Mrs. Tiffany Lathrop is happily juggling her duties as a new mother and a librarian to Catharine, the Duchess of Beaufort. Her employer receives a mysterious letter from an old paramour, the Marquess of Harwood, who is the biological father of Catharine’s son. He promises to leave his estate and fortune to Beau if he can see the boy before he dies.

Her elder son, Thomas Montague, has a terrible cold, so Catharine asks Tiffany to accompany her and Beau. When they arrive at the dilapidated abbey, they discover a dead body—only it isn’t the marquess, but his valet! Lord Harwood is alive, but unconscious with suspicious-looking pox marks on his hands. Tiffany wonders if the marquess is really dying, or if it is all poetic revenge? Especially when she discovers the secrets that haunt Rosedean Abbey.

Between breastfeeding and dirty diapers, Tiffany must discover who killed the valet and attempted to murder the marquess before anyone else dies.

Review:

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

So excited to dive back into this series after loving the previous two books! This time around I was able to listen to the audiobook while reading along, and it enhanced my reading experience. The narrator was a great choice! A Poetic Pox is an entertaining mystery, filled with twists and turns. If you enjoyed the previous books, or you enjoy historical mysteries, I think you’ll love this one too!

Mrs. Tiffany Lathrop is balancing her responsibilities as a new mother and also as the librarian to Catherine, The Duchess of Beaufort. During the 12 Days of Christmas, Catherine receives a letter from her son Beau’s biological father, The Marquess of Harwood. In this mysterious letter, the Marquess requests that his son come to visit at once and he will bequeath him his estate before he dies.

Catherine’s older son, Thomas Montague, has a bad cold, so Catherine asks Tiffany and her daughter to accompany her and Beau to the estate. When they arrive at the abbey they are shocked to see the deplorable condition of the home, and not only that, they come across a dead body! The body is not that of the Marquess, but his valet. Lord Harwood is still alive, but barely and he is unconscious with strange pox marks on his hands.

While breast feeding and changing diapers, Tiffany races against time to discover who killed the valet and attempted to murder the Marquess before anything else happens.

It was wonderful seeing Tiffany as a mother in this one and I appreciated the nursing mother representation. As a mother who nursed my babies, this was a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed getting to see Tiffany’s relationship with Catherine blossoming, as well as the sweet romance she shares with her husband. It was also interesting to learn more about small pox, and I always appreciate Samantha’s research.

Fans of historical mysteries don’t want to miss out on this wonderful series! I hope that the author will write more in this world.

About the Author:

Samantha writes cozy mysteries under Samantha Larsen and historical romances under Samantha Hastings. 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 four kids. She has degrees from Brigham Young University, University of North Texas, and University of Reading (UK). She’s the author of: The Last Word, The Invention of Sophie Carter, A Royal Christmas Quandary, The Girl with the Golden Eyes, Jane Austen Trivia, The Duchess Contract, Secret of the Sonnets, The Marquess and the Runaway Lady, and A Novel Disguise. Learn more at: http://www.SamanthaHastings.com

A Hopeful Proposal: Review

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About the Book:

Title: A Hopeful Proposal 

Author: Samantha Hastings 

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Release Date: June 24, 2025

Pages: 208

Genre: Historical Romance, Regency 

Synopsis:

Since her mother’s disappearance seven years ago, Lady Sarah Denham has remained resolutely at Manderfield Hall. She is certain her mother will someday return home, so when the estate is sold, Sarah can’t bear to let go of the house or the hope it symbolizes. There’s only one solution that will allow her to she must marry the new owner. But her impulsive proposal does not go as planned.

When Christopher Moulton takes over Manderfield Hall, the last thing he anticipates is an offer of marriage from the previous tenant. However, as a businessman, he can see one considerable benefit to the Sarah’s high rank in Society will secure advantageous marriages for the two younger sisters left in his care. A bargain is struck, and wedding bells soon chime for the virtual strangers, but for Christopher, the pain of the past is inescapable. How can a proper lady ever come to love a scarred and rough-mannered man like himself?

Review:

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

I adored A Hopeful Proposal! If you are a fan of Samantha Hastings, Regency romance, a slow-burn, found family and marriage of convenience, I think you will love it too! 

Lady Sarah Denham’s mother disappeared seven years ago, and she has been waiting for her to return home ever since. When the estate is sold due to her father’s neglect, Sarah can not bear to let it go and the hope that it symbolizes. She hatches up a plan to marry the new owner of the estate so that she doesn’t have to leave. Sarah herself proposes, and things don’t go according to plan. 

When Christopher Moulton takes over Manderfield Hall, he is not expecting a proposal of marriage from the previous tenant. As a business man, Christopher can see the benefit of marrying someone with a high rank in society that can help him secure marriages for the two younger sisters in his care. He agrees to the proposal and they are quickly wed. However, the pain of Christopher’s past comes to haunt him. How can a proper lady ever come to love him, scars and all? 

Lady Sarah and Christopher were such fun characters, and I enjoyed the banter between them. I am glad that they were able to help each other to heal from the past. There were also great supporting characters in the story, which really added to the charm. 

Highly recommend! I really hope that the author continues the story with Christopher’s sisters, Margaret and Deborah! 

 

About the Author:

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.

Den of Liars (The Devious #1): Review

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About the Book:

Title: Den of Liars

Author: Jessica S. Olson

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Release Date: July 1, 2025

Pages: 400

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Synopsis:

A young thief attempting a daring casino heist during a high-stakes tournament is torn between two warring brothers in Den of Liars, a thrilling YA fantasy romance by acclaimed author Jessica S. Olson.

Lola St. James is the world’s best kept secret. When her father’s loss in the Liar’s Dice Tournament–a high-stakes competition where players are forced to gamble with their deepest secrets–made her a target, she was rescued by the Thief, the notorious leader of the Tentacles. But the Thief’s kindness came with a Lola’s heart. In the years that followed, she and the Thief formed a bond like no other, able to feel each other’s emotions because of their shared heart.

Now, living under the pseudonym Astra, she is determined to prove herself and become a full-fledged Tentacle. But when a critical heist goes sideways, the only way forward is for Lola to compete in the Liar’s Dice Tournament herself. Lola is confident in her ability to pull off any heist, but the Thief’s mysterious brother, the Liar, runs the game and he turns out to be more than she bargained for. As her attraction for him grows and illusions run wild, she will be forced to confront the secrets of her past, the truth of the brothers’ shared history, and the lies she tells herself.

Review:

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

I have loved Jessica S. Olson since I read her debut Sing Me Forgotten, and her sophomore novel, A Forgery of Roses. I was ecstatic to read Den of Liars! I’m happy to say it did not disappoint, and I absolutely loved it. If you like unique magic systems, slow-burn romance, morally grey characters and high stakes competitions, I think you will love this one too!

Lola St. James has a target on her back since her father lost the Liar’s Dice Tournament. She is rescued by the Thief, the head of The Tentacles gang and has been living in secret. The price she paid for her rescue, is to share her heart with the Thief. Lola and the Thief forge a bond and are able to feel each other’s emotions through their shared heart.

Now living under the alias Astra, Lola wants to officially become one of The Tentacles. When a heist goes wrong, she finds herself having to enter the Liar’s tournament herself. The Thief warns her that the Liar is not to be trusted. She is confident in her abilities to pull off heists, but the Liar, the Thief’s own brother, turns out to be more than she could have imagined. Despite the Thief’s warnings, Lola finds herself attracted to the Liar. She will soon be forced to confront her past and the truth of the brothers history.

I really enjoyed Lola’s journey throughout this story. She started out as very naive and trusting of everyone, and grew into a character that started asking questions and trying to find out things on her own.

I can’t wait for book two, and will be eagerly awaiting it’s release. Highly recommend!

About the Author:

Jessica S. Olson claims New Hampshire as her home, but has somehow found herself in Texas, where she spends most of her time singing praises to the inventor of the air conditioner. When she’s not hiding from the heat, she’s corralling her four wild—but adorable—children, dreaming up stories about kissing and murder and magic, and eating peanut butter by the spoonful straight from the jar. She earned a bachelor’s in English with minors in editing and French. She is the author of Sing Me Forgotten and A Forgery of Roses.

Jessica is represented by Christa Heschke of McIntosh & Otis Literary Agency, and can be found @jessicaolson123 on Twitter and Instagram.

The Floating World (The Floating World, #1): Review

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About the Book:

Title: The Floating World 

Author: Axie Oh

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends 

Release Date: April 29, 2025

Pages: 368

Genre: YA Fantasy

Synopsis:

From Axie Oh, the New York Times-bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Final Fantasy meets Shadow and Bone in this romantic fantasy reimagining the Korean legend of Celestial Maidens.

Sunho lives in the Under World, a land of perpetual darkness. An ex-soldier, he can remember little of his life from before two years ago, when he woke up alone with only his name and his sword. Now he does odd-jobs to scrape by, until he comes across the score of a lifetime—a chest of coins for any mercenary who can hunt down a girl who wields silver light.

Meanwhile, far to the east, Ren is a cheerful and spirited acrobat traveling with her adoptive family and performing at villages. But everything changes during one of their festival performances when the village is attacked by a horrific humanlike demon. In a moment of fear and rage, Ren releases a blast of silver light—a power she has kept hidden since childhood—and kills the monster. But her efforts are not in time to prevent her adoptive family from suffering a devastating loss, or to save her beloved uncle from being grievously wounded.

Determined to save him from succumbing to the poisoned wound, Ren sets off over the mountains, where the creature came from—and from where Ren herself fled ten years ago. Her path sets her on a collision course with Sunho, but he doesn’t realize she’s the girl that he—and a hundred other swords-for-hire—is looking for. As the two grow closer through their travels, they come to realize that their pasts—and destinies—are far more entwined than either of them could have imagined…

Review:

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

I have been a fan of Axie Oh since her debut Rebel Seoul, and she has not disappointed me yet! The Floating World is her triumphant return to fantasy! I really enjoyed this one, and I love how it’s a reimagining of the Korean legend of the Woodcutter and the Celestial Maiden. The world building is amazing with The Floating World and the Underworld, and I am excited to explore that more in the sequel. The writing was whimsical, the romance was sweet, and the cast of characters were unforgettable.

This has been comped to Final Fantasy meets Shadow and Bone. I think if you’re a fan of either of those, or fantasy in general, you will find this up your alley.

I definitely recommend and I can’t wait for the sequel coming this fall!

About the Author:

Axie Oh is the New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, XOXO and ASAP, and the Rebel Seoul series. Born in New York City and raised in New Jersey, she studied Korean history and creative writing as an undergrad at the University of California San Diego and holds an MFA in Writing for Young People from Lesley University. Her passions include K-pop, anime, stationery supplies, and milk tea, and she currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her dogs, Toro and Leila.

What Happens in Amsterdam: Review

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About the Book:

Title: What Happens in Amsterdam

Author: Rachel Lynn Solomon

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: May 6, 2025

Pages: 384

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Falling in love with your husband is anything but convenient in this steamy romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Business or Pleasure.

Dani Dorfman has somehow made it to her thirties without knowing what she wants to do with her life. So when an office romance ends poorly and gets her fired, she applies for a job in Amsterdam, idly dreaming of escaping the mess she’s created, but never imagining she’ll actually get it.

Except she does. By the end of her first week in Amsterdam, she’s never felt more adrift or alone. Then she crashes her bike into her high school ex-boyfriend—and suddenly life is blooming with new opportunities.

Wouter van Leeuwen was a Dutch exchange student Dani’s family hosted, a forbidden love that ended in a painful breakup. Years later, there’s still sizzling chemistry between them, and okay, maybe a little animosity. More importantly, Wouter needs to be married to inherit a gorgeous family home on a canal—and when Dani’s job falls apart, she needs a visa. As the marriage of convenience pushes them together in unexpected ways, Dani must decide whether her new life is yet another mistake—or if it’s worth taking a risk on a second chance.

Review:

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

What Happens in Amsterdam has so many tropes I love all in one adorable book: second chance romance, forced proximity and a marriage of convenience! This story was so fun, and just what I needed when I read it. The characters are very likable, and I appreciated their vulnerability with each other. I absolutely delighted in the setting of Amsterdam, and it totally made me want to visit!

If you enjoy romance, sizzling chemistry and beautiful settings, then pick up this book now! I highly recommend. Also, if you’ve read and loved Rachel’s previous works, I hope you love this as much as I did!

About the Author:

Rachel Lynn Solomon is the New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Talk, Today Tonight Tomorrow, and other romantic comedies for teens and adults. Her books have been translated into more than fifteen languages and optioned for film. Originally from Seattle, she’s currently navigating expat life with her husband in Amsterdam, where she can often be found exploring the city, collecting stationery, and working up the courage to knit her first sweater. Connect with her on Instagram @rlynn_solomon.

The Beautiful Maddening: Review

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About the Book:

Title: The Beautiful Maddening 

Author: Shea Ernshaw 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

Release Date: June 3, 2025

Pages: 304

Genre: YA Fantasy, YA Contemporary 

Synopsis:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Shea Ernshaw comes a haunting romantic contemporary fantasy about a teen navigating her family’s love curse that blooms with their enchanted tulips every year.

Seventeen-year-old Lark Goode wants only one to escape her small town of Cutwater and the history of her family name. It’s a history that began during the Dutch tulip mania of 1636, when Lark’s ancestor stole the last remaining tulip bulbs and fled to America. But when the tulips bloomed on American soil, madness sprouted from their snowy white petals.

The madness was love.

Now, generations later, the Goodes remain cursed—the unnatural flowers outside their home causing locals to fall helplessly in love with anyone carrying Goode blood in their veins. While her brother embraces the strange power, Lark wants nothing more than to be free from it.

But when she meets a boy who seems unaffected by the family curse, Lark finds herself falling headlong into a feeling she’s spent her whole life trying to avoid. Yet, all curses and magic come with a price, and the town of Cutwater soon sinks into a dangerous sickness tied to Lark and the ill-fated tulips.

To save the town, Lark will need to sacrifice everything—even true love—to break the spell. Because in the Goode family, love has a way of destroying everything.

Review:

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

Shea Ernshaw is one of my favorite authors, and she continues to amaze me with her writing. I literally will read anything that she writes!  The Beautiful Maddening was magical, bewitching, and ethereal. I really enjoyed it! 

This story was inspired by the tulip madness and the main characters are a set of twins, Archer and Lark Goode. They are cursed to be loved by everyone. Archer seems to like the attention the tulips bring, while Lark resents it and tries to keep everyone at a distance. 

Lark meets someone who seems unaffected by the family curse and finds herself falling headstrong into a feeling she’s been spending her life trying to avoid. Like all magic, the magic of the tulips comes with a price. The town of Cutwater falls into a sickness that’s tied to Lark and the tulips. 

To save the town, Lark needs to sacrifice everything, even true love. Will she be able to do it?

I took off one star as the ending wasn’t quite as satisfying as I had hoped. Other than that, it was a great read!

I definitely recommend for fans of YA and fantasy! 

 

About the Author:

Shea Ernshaw is the #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Indie Bestselling author of THE WICKED DEEP, WINTERWOOD, A WILDERNESS OF STARS, LONG LIVE THE PUMPKIN QUEEN, and A HISTORY OF WILD PLACES. Her novels have repeatedly been chosen as Indie Next Picks and A HISTORY OF WILD PLACES was a Book of the Month selection. She is also the winner of the Oregon Book Award.
She often writes late, late, late into the night, enjoys dark woods, scary stories and moonlight on lakes.

 

What Wakes the Bells: Review

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About the Book:

Title: What Wakes the Bells

Author: Elle Tesch

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Release Date: March 11, 2025

Pages: 332

Genre: YA Fantasy

Synopsis:

Inspired by an ominous Prague legend, What Wakes the Bells is a lavish gothic fantasy by debut author Elle Tesch.

Built by long-gone Saints, the city of Vaiwyn lives and breathes and bleeds. As a Keeper, Mina knows better than most what her care of Vaiwyn’s bells means for the sentient city. It’s the Strauss family’s thousand-year legacy―prevent the Vespers from ringing, or they will awake a slumbering evil.

One afternoon, to Mina’s horror, her bell peals thirteen times, shattering the city’s tenuous peace. With so much of the city’s history and lore lost in a long-ago disaster, no one knows the danger that has been unleashed―until the city begins to fight back. As the sun sets, stone gargoyles and bronze statues tear away from their buildings and plinths to hunt people through the streets. Trapped in Mina’s bell, the soul of a twisted and power-hungry Saint festered. Now free of his prison, he hides behind the face of one of Vaiwyn’s citizens, corrupting the city and turning it on itself.

Time is running out, and the only chance Mina has to stop the destruction and horrific killings is finding and destroying the Saint’s host. Everyone is a suspect, including Mina’s closest loved ones. She will have to decide how far she’ll go to save her city―and who she’s willing to kill to do it.

Review:

 

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

Beautiful and atmospheric, I thought this was a great debut by Elle Tesch! This gothic fantasy was such a unique concept. The city that the story takes place in was built by Saints long ago, and it lives, breathes and bleeds. The main character Mina and her family are in charge of the Vesper bells which protects the city from the Bane. Mina’s worst nightmare comes true when the bell rings 13 times and shatters the city’s peace. The clock is ticking, and Mina must stop and destroy the Bane’s host.

I loved how this story explored Mina’s relationship with her mother which has been tenuous since the passing of her father.

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

About the Author:

Elle Tesch has lived just east of Vancouver, British Columbia her entire life. Surrounded by forests and mountains, it was inevitable that she would daydream about what might lurk in those trees. She twists places she loves and writes what she knows best: hungry monsters, casually cruel villains, and ace-spec girls in the stories they deserve.

Elle is the author of the forthcoming novel WHAT WAKES THE BELLS, publishing March 11, 2025 from Feiwel & Friends.

When not writing, Elle can be found reading whatever she can get her hands on, wrestling with her current cross-stitch project, or re-watching Pride & Prejudice (2005) for the 72nd time.

Our Cursed Love: Review

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About the Book:

Title: Our Cursed Love

Author: Julie Abe

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Release Date: December 12, 2023

Pages: 304

Genre: YA fantasy, YA Romance, YA Contemporary

Synopsis:

Julie Abe’s OUR CURSED LOVE is a magical 50 FIRST DATES meets LOVE AND GELATO set in Tokyo, Japan―about destiny, the impact of the choices we make, and the magic of true love.

Six days to remember.
Love or lose him forever.

Remy Kobata has always wished she was destined to be with her best friend, Cam Yasuda. All the way from being neighbors from birth to mixing up magical prank potions together to their “just friends” homecoming date during their senior year in high school, nothing’s a secret between Remy and Cam―except for how much she is in love with him.

Remy is trying to work up the courage to confess her feelings during their winter break trip to Japan, when she gets selected for a mystical tea leaves reading and it reveals that they’re not meant to be together. After they stumble upon a secret magical apothecary in the back alleys of Tokyo, Remy and Cam are offered an ancient soulmate elixir, created before all love potions were banned by the magical government. They each have their reasons for wanting to take it, but what could go wrong with finding your soulmate a little earlier?

Except, after they drink up, their senior year trip flips into the worst vacation Cam has forgotten who Remy is. If she can’t help Cam remember her by midnight New Year’s Eve, they’ll both be cursed to forget each other. To unravel their past and rewrite the future, Remy and Cam must travel through Tokyo to rediscover Cam’s memories and make new ones―and maybe even fall in love all over again.

Review:

 

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

After reading and enjoying The Charmed List, I was excited to read this one. This is a contemporary romance, while also being a magical fantasy. I loved how these two elements were combined. I loved the setting as well.

One of the main tropes of this books is friends to lovers, which is one of my favorite tropes. Unfortunately, this book didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I tried to connect with the main characters Remy and Cam, but I just didn’t feel the emotions that usually come in a friends to lovers romance. It just kind of foundered for me. I kept putting the book down and picking it back up and it took me a long time to read it, as it wasn’t really holding my interest very well.

About the Author:

Julie Abe is the author of the EVA EVERGREEN, SEMI-MAGICAL WITCH middle grade fantasy series; the middle grade fantasy ALLIANA, GIRL OF DRAGONS; and the young adult novel THE CHARMED LIST. She has lived in Silicon Valley, spent many humid summers in Japan, and currently basks in the sunshine of Southern California with never enough books or tea, where she creates stories about magical adventures.

The Bone Above (The Bone Below: #2): Review

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About the Book:

Title: The Bone Above

Author: Sylwia Koziel

Publisher: Conquest Publishing

Release Date: February 25, 2025

Pages: 325

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Synopsis:

As tensions rise, will Nelka be able to handle it all, or will she finally make the ultimate choice that prioritizes her?

Nelka has now been crowned Queen of the Nidora-Lecit Commonwealth alongside her husband King Andrius. However, he views her as nothing but her pet, making her a prisoner with no autonomy once again.

After learning of her husband’s harrowing plans, Nelka knows the peasants need her more than ever as they prepare to rebel against the nobility. Nelka is forced to use the few allies she has made in her time at the castle to get her foot through the door, so when she ultimately kills Andrius, the people trust her to rule on her own.

What she doesn’t expect is for her sister, Olesia, and her once-secret lover Eva—a local lord’s daughter—to arrive at the castle as honored guests. Everything becomes even more complicated when Kazimir ends up on the castle premises, desperate to be with her no matter the cost.

In the sequel to The Bone Below, Nelka is tested. Expectations of her are at an all-time high as she tries to please her family, her people, and her heart.

Review:

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

I thought this was a great conclusion to the duology! I loved the political intrigue, the characters, and how the author brought everything together with the dual timeline. I enjoyed watching Nelka grow throughout the story. She started out as a really sweet character, but she is forced to hone herself into the sharpest of blades due to the circumstances she finds herself in.

I definitely recommend this duology and I’m excited to see what this author writes next!

About the Author:

Sylwia is a born and raised Chicagoan, spending her days exploring the city, one train stop at a time. She currently works as a media planner at a large media agency where she daydreams of the day when a slack notification no longer makes her heart jump in fear.

Sylwia writes all sorts of genres that have strong romantic subplots. She enjoys character driven stories where the main character is on a journey of discovering themselves and learning to let go of the expectations weighing on them.

On top of publishing her debut duology, The Bone Below and The Bone Above, with Conquest Publishing, she is also in the early drafting stages of self publishing a series of novellas under her pen name KC Silver.

The Bone Below, a first installment of The Bone Below series, will hit shelves in April 2024.