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Pub Date: 5-24-22
Adult - Historical Romance

The Bride Goes Rogue- Joanna Shupe:
 If it were up to Katherine Delafield, she'd be married by now. She's spent the last year betrothed to the son of her father's late business partner and real-estate tycoon, Preston Clarke, and now she's finally decided she's done waiting. When she ambushes Preston about wedding plans, he tells her in no uncertain terms that there's absolutely no way he's marrying her. Instead of wallowing, Katherine decides to sample all the New York nightlife has to offer and meets a mysterious stranger at a costume ball. The pair get on like a house on fire, but when the masks come off, Katherine is shocked to find it's none other than her ex-fiance. Preston never expected Katherine to be so alluring, and he can't seem to get his mind off of her and how she makes him feel. Is it possible this heard-hearted rogue is falling for his would-be wife?

Wowza, this book! It had everything I love in a historical romance. Witty banter? Check. A strong-willed main character? Check. A rogue with a squishy tender inside? Check. I enjoyed watching Katherine and Preston's relationship blossom from passionate trysts to forging a real connection. Katherine was so determined to take her life by the reigns, and I loved watching her put her dreams of opening an art museum into motion. Preston was one of those loveable anti-heroes who make many mistakes and bad choices, but you still can't help but root for them. Their chemistry was amazing, and they are probably my favorite couple in this series so far. I think the conflict at the end wrapped up a little too quickly (though I did love Preston's top-notch groveling), but other than that, I loved it. I can't wait for Nellie's book next!

Rating: 4/5

Pub Date: 10-20-20
YA - Fantasy

Among the Beasts and Briars- Ashley Poston: Growing up in Aloriya, Cerys was always taught to stay out of the woods. Dangerous creatures and diseases lurk in the forest, but the people are safe as long as they keep within the village limits. A hundred years ago, the first king of Aloriya struck a bargain with the Lady of the Wild, but as his land prospered, the woods deteriorated. After a brush with the forest took her mother and friends, Cerys knows all too well how dangerous the woods can be. But inside Cerys lives a tiny spark of the forest's magic, and when the creatures from the wood destroy her home, it's up to Cerys to try and stop them. She decides to seek help from the Lady of the Wild, and she's joined on her quest by a fox with secrets of his own, and a strangely powerful bear. Together the group must fight their way through the wood, but as they do so, they uncover even darker secrets lurking in its shadows.

I've had this on my TBR for ages, and I'm so glad I finally decided to pick it up. It was so much fun. Poston did such a wonderful job weaving together the world and characters. I loved the idea of this forest magic, and it was so interesting learning more about it and how it affects the people it infects, which was terrifying. I liked watching Cerys navigate through the woods, and the banter between her and Fox was great. I loved their playfully teasing dynamic, and even though I figured out who Fox was, I liked how it all came together. Poston's writing was lush, descriptive, and so easy to fall into. I flew through it, and read the majority in one day because I didn't want to put it down. The plot may have been a bit predictable and had many of the classic YA fantasy tropes, but I would still recommend it if you're looking for something entertaining that would be perfect for the fall.

Rating: 4/5

Pub Date: 7-21-22
Adult - Historical Fantasy

Ten Thousand Stitches- Olivia Atwater: Euphemia "Effie" Reeves has a big problem: she's fallen in love. Mr. Benedict Ashbrooke is a gentleman, and gentlemen don't marry their housemaids, but Effie can't help but dream of becoming his wife. But then she meets a faerie named Lord Blackthorn who is eager to help her fulfill her wish. Effie knows it's dangerous to enter into faerie bargains, but what harm can it do when her life is already terrible? The pair agree that Lord Blackthorn will help turn Effie into a lady, thus winning Benedict's heart within one hundred days, and in return, she'll embroider ten thousand stitches onto his favorite jacket. It sounds simple enough to Effie, but when Lord Blackthorn keeps accidentally mucking up the plan with his good intentions, she realizes that maybe her heart has belonged to another the whole time.

Given my love of regency romance and fantasy, you would think I'd eat this series up. Sadly, I can't help but feel completely underwhelmed by it. I enjoyed the first book but felt it was lacking something, and the same can be said for this one, too. It was as if the plot was never fully formed. Maybe it's because the length is so short, but everything felt glossed over. The characters were one-dimensional, the relationship between Effie and Lord Blackthorn was flimsy, and the plot was boring. Lord Blackthorn was like a dopey golden retriever, and it did make for some cute moments, but that was it. I enjoy the cozy vibe, but I think it would've benefitted by having more magic and a more cohesive plotline.

Rating: 2/5

Comments

  1. I'm so glad you also enjoyed Among the Beasts and Briars!

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