Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!



Pub Date: 2-5-25
Adult - Contemporary

A Circle of Uncommon Witches- Paige Crutcher: Doreen MacKinnon comes from a long line of witches who were cursed to never fall in love. Three hundred years ago, a powerful male witch named Ambrose MacDonald fell in love with a MacKinnon witch, but the rest of her family forbade Ambrose from seeing her. Heartbroken, Ambrose cursed the family, and now Doreen must suffer the consequences. When Doreen discovers her family imprisoned Ambrose, she releases him, hoping he'll break the curse. Ambrose agrees, but he has ulterior motives-- he plans to use Doreen as bait to enact revenge on her family. As the pair set off, they're thrust into a series of trials that take them from a Scottish castle into the world beyond. Neither can deny their attraction, but can they put aside hundreds of years of animosity between their families for love?

I didn't know much beyond the blurb of this book before diving in. I was drawn in by the cover, but the synopsis sold me. I was hoping for a fun, witchy time, and sure, I got that to an extent, but it was pretty boring. I love anything with a trial element, so I looked forward to watching Doreen and Ambrose work their way through, but nothing about it felt exciting. I could feel my attention waning with every passing page. I probably should've DNF'ed it, but I kept holding out, hoping it would get better. The whole thing felt rushed. There was no build-up to the romance, so it felt forced. It had the potential to be a new favorite of mine, but the execution was lacking.

Rating: 2/5

Pub Date: 9-9-25
Adult - Contemporary

Ghost Business- Jen DeLuca: Sophie can't imagine living anywhere but Boneyard Key, Florida. She loves this small town with all its quirks and supernatural history, and has even made a living giving ghost tours to tourists. She loves leading walking groups throughout the town and sharing the history of this place she loves so much. It might not be the most lucrative career, but it makes Sophie feel as if she has a purpose. But when newcomer Tristan comes to town looking to set up a new location for his multicity ghost tour conglomerate, Sophie's thrown for a loop. Tristan only has a few months to prove to his father that his business is worth the hefty investment. When his and Sophie's showdown goes viral, the pair decide to enter into a not-so-friendly competition. Whoever has the most profit by the end of summer gets to stay; the loser has to pack it in. Soon, the tension grows into something more physical, but can the pair put their business rivalry aside for a shot at love?

I read the previous book in this series last year and was immediately charmed, so I was excited to dive into this one. My favorite aspect remains the setting. I wish Boneyard Key were real because I’d be a regular visitor. The paranormal touches woven throughout the town are delightful, and learning its history through Sophie made the story even more engaging. Sophie and Tristan's rivals-to-lovers tension was fun, and every time they clashed, I kept thinking, "Ok, now kiss" in my head. Though the third-act conflict was predictable, it didn’t bother me much. If you want a cutesy, spooky read for fall, I recommend checking out this series.

Rating: 3/5

*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 1-21-25
Adult - Contemporary

Give Me Butterflies- Jillian Meadows: Millie is an entomologist who works as a curator at a natural history museum. She loves sharing her passion for science with everyone and has her sights set on becoming the new director of her department. Millie is determined not to give in to any distractions during the interview process, but she can't help her thoughts straying to her grumpy coworker. Finn has a lot on his plate. He's the director of the museum's astronomy department, and after the recent passing of his sister, the caretaker for his two precious nieces, so he can't afford to lose control. But when he and Millie keep bumping into one another, sparks begin to fly. Millie opens Finn to feelings he's kept hidden, and Finn is unwavering in his support of Millie's accomplishments. But with Finn sitting on the interview committee for Millie's position, a relationship is the last thing on their minds, but it seems the universe has other things in mind.

This was a random cover pick-up for me, but then the synopsis sold me. It gave me Ali Hazelwood vibes with the STEM representation. I liked our two main characters a lot. Millie was charming in a way that you couldn't help but fall for her. Finn came across as this big grump, but it makes sense once you get to know him and the weight he's carrying around. That said, I would've liked it if he stayed grumpy for a little longer, only because I love the grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and he folded so fast. The relationship between the two evolved quickly but still felt natural. I loved how easily they both slid into each other's worlds, Millie with his nieces and Finn with her friends/family. Aside from the romance, I also just really enjoyed the museum setting since I am a museum girlie to my core. I can't wait to read the next book

Rating: 4/5

Comments

Popular Posts