Mini Thoughts
Hello, all!
Two of my favorite tropes are marriage of convenience and rivals-to-lovers, so I had a feeling I would enjoy this. I liked Sadie and Jonah. It was fun watching their bickering turn into something more, especially since Jonah was obsessed with Sadie from the beginning. It was a slow-burning romance, but I think that helped to build the tension between them. Not much happened plot-wise, but the romance was cute enough to keep me invested. While it's not a new favorite, I still enjoyed it and would recommend it.
I really enjoy Heath's writing. It's lighthearted and fun with just the right amount of drama and emotion to keep you invested. I loved our two MCs right from the start. Lottie was so quick-witted and untamed. I liked how she didn't care about acting like a “proper” lady. Guy was adorably grumpy, and it was entertaining watching Lottie get under his skin. They had this competitive banter thing going on that I couldn't get enough of. There was a lot of meddling by Guy's mother, and I didn't love how it culminated in the third-act conflict, but other than that, I enjoyed this.
I tend to go into cozy fantasies with low expectations since I'm not usually a huge fan of the genre, but this pleasantly surprised me. I found it so charming. I enjoyed all of the characters, but especially Violet. I liked watching her build this new life for herself and learn to accept her powers. I also adored her sentient-semi-murderous plant companion. The relationship between her and Nathaniel was sweet, and I liked the little back-and-forth bantering they had going with their chalk signs. The plot was a little simple but still enjoyable, and I'd recommend checking it out if you're in the mood for something whimsical and lighthearted.
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| Pub Date: 11-11-25 Adult - Romance |
An Academic Affair- Jodi McAlister: Sadie Shaw and Jonah Fisher met as undergrads thirteen years ago and have been rivals ever since. They've spent their entire academic careers trying to one-up each other, but their biggest showdown comes in the form of a highly coveted teaching position. Sadie needs financial stability, and Jonah needs to be closer to his recently divorced sister. When Sadie uncovers a loophole in the contract regarding partner hire, she proposes an outlandish plan that she and Jonah get married. It's a win-win situation, and all they have to do is pretend to like one another until the three-year probation period is up, and then they can go their separate ways. But the more time the pair spends together, the more they can't deny the attraction sparking between them, and soon their fake marriage is anything but.
Two of my favorite tropes are marriage of convenience and rivals-to-lovers, so I had a feeling I would enjoy this. I liked Sadie and Jonah. It was fun watching their bickering turn into something more, especially since Jonah was obsessed with Sadie from the beginning. It was a slow-burning romance, but I think that helped to build the tension between them. Not much happened plot-wise, but the romance was cute enough to keep me invested. While it's not a new favorite, I still enjoyed it and would recommend it.
Rating: 3/5
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| Pub Date: 6-24-25 Adult - Historical Romance |
Look Before You Leap- Virginia Heath: Lord Guy Harrowby was once a starry-eyed youth who believed in love, but after being publicly humiliated nine years ago, he's given up on that notion. Unfortunately for Guy, though his eyes are no longer set on matrimony, his mother still clings to the promise he made her years ago that he would be married with children by his thirtieth birthday. With that milestone quickly approaching, Guy's mother plans a house party where, unbeknownst to Guy, eligible debutantes will vie for his hand. Lottie Travers was a terrible governess and is proving to be a worse lady's maid. She would rather climb trees and race horses, but her family farm is in trouble, and she's in dire need of funds to help it stay afloat. Despite being surrounded by the belles of the ton, Guy can't help but feel a pull towards Lottie. The pair couldn't be more different, but the longer they're together, the harder it is to ignore their burning attraction.
I really enjoy Heath's writing. It's lighthearted and fun with just the right amount of drama and emotion to keep you invested. I loved our two MCs right from the start. Lottie was so quick-witted and untamed. I liked how she didn't care about acting like a “proper” lady. Guy was adorably grumpy, and it was entertaining watching Lottie get under his skin. They had this competitive banter thing going on that I couldn't get enough of. There was a lot of meddling by Guy's mother, and I didn't love how it culminated in the third-act conflict, but other than that, I enjoyed this.
Rating: 3/5
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| Pub Date: 11-18-25 Adult - Fantasy |
Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore- Emily Krempholtz: After the death of the fearsome sorcerer Guy Shadowfade, Violet Thistlewaite is determined to start over. She wants to shed her old persona of the wicked Thornwitch, a title that has never really suited her, and start over fresh, where no one recognizes her, and decides the small town of Dragon’s Rest is just the place to do so. Violet is looking forward to setting down roots and opening a flower shop, and the townspeople are quick to take her under their wing. All it seems but Nathaniel Marsh, the grumpy alchemist who shares Violet's shop. But when a mysterious blight begins plaguing the land, Violet and Nathaniel must team up to uncover the source, and their investigations threaten to dismantle everything Violet has worked so hard to leave behind.
I tend to go into cozy fantasies with low expectations since I'm not usually a huge fan of the genre, but this pleasantly surprised me. I found it so charming. I enjoyed all of the characters, but especially Violet. I liked watching her build this new life for herself and learn to accept her powers. I also adored her sentient-semi-murderous plant companion. The relationship between her and Nathaniel was sweet, and I liked the little back-and-forth bantering they had going with their chalk signs. The plot was a little simple but still enjoyable, and I'd recommend checking it out if you're in the mood for something whimsical and lighthearted.
Rating: 4/5
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