Review: Give Me a Reason by Jayci Lee

After a run of science fiction, fantasy, and horror reading that leaned towards the dark and dystopian, a modern-day Korean retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion felt like the perfect palate cleanser.

Anne Lee broke Fredrick Nam's heart when she left America to become a K-drama actress. It's ten years later when she returns, only to find the boy she left behind is a man she can't get out of her head.

I'll be honest, the plot of Persuasion is not one I remember well. but a skim of the plot shows that this book is more faithful than I initially thought. Nonetheless, the setting update to modern-day LA and the tweaks to various characters serve to disguise the inspiration quite handily. 

Apart from the events of ten years ago and a shared inability to spit it out, both Anne and Fredrick seem almost too good to be true - a self-sacrificing K-drama star and a respected firefighting captain. Their chemistry is sparking from the first page and I couldn't wait for them to fall into each other's arms. 

I personally found the Korean-American update really effective in explaining some of the dynamics between characters and I enjoyed Anne's journey out of self-denial, but I do wish this got a bit more of a conclusion and perhaps something more satisfying around her more selfish family members. I also loved the delicious pining in this book as both Anne and Fredrick realise that beneath the hurt, regret, and anger, love remains - but the tension seemed to melt away partway through in favour of a persistent misunderstanding that just got frustrating and seemed to be resolved in-story by a deus ex.

I couldn't put this book down and was rooting for the happy ending, but I can't help but wish for a little more out of the ending. 

If Austen retellings or second chance romances are your jam, I think you'll enjoy this as much as I did.

Give Me a Reason is available now in ebook or hard copy

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via Netgalley; all opinions are my own. 

Review: The Retired Assassin's Guide to Country Gardening by Naomi Kuttner

A cosy mystery set in NZ by a Kiwi author? Deadly force restrained by cosy vibes? I knew I had to read this immediately and I'm glad I did.

Dante's anonymous retirement is almost immediately scuppered by his choice to settle in a small town - which any small town resident or reader can tell you is the opposite of anonymous. It's further disrupted by faux affable blackmail, expensive fireworks, and a dead woman. His involvement in the resulting murder investigation lands him in an unlikely alliance with a stately older woman and his nervy young gardener - and all while keeping an eye on the rare corpse flower in his greenhouse.

I found the mystery quite straightforward and there were a couple of investigative holes that irked me, and the paranormal aspects felt a little unnecessary, but the characters and overall vibe of the book is extremely charming - not to mention Dante's recovery support group.

If any of the above sounds good to you, pick this up and enjoy!

4.5 stars, rounded up for national pride

Review: Wildflowers by Kylie Scott

Once again, Kylie Scott - first known to me as author of the excellent Stage Dive rock star romances - has spun the genre wheel of fortune and somehow I'm reading a post-apocalyptic romance. And I'm digging it. This is fluffy cracky wish fulfillment that I ate up with a spoon and it all starts when Astrid is kidnapped by her hot neighbour Dean.

Hear me out.

Dean has word of another pandemic, only this one is far more infectious and a lot more deadly. Thanks to his enforced isolation, him and Astrid survive and set out to build a new life from the ruins of the old. Yes, the premise is traumatic and has shades of dubcon, but there's something intoxicating about a man who risks everything for you specifically, and the chance to start the world anew in a tight knit community based on mutual aid.

Some people might find this story triggering, some might quibble with the romance - but for some, this is going to hit the spot as a cathartic and surprisingly lighthearted take on the end of the world as we know it.

If this sounds like your catnip, Wildflowers is available in now

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher; all opinions are my own.

Review: Text Appeal by Kylie Scott

Update: check out the gorgeous new cover!

Text Appeal is classic Kylie Scott. Riley is new to town, but she's barely settled in when hew new phone number puts her right in the path of its old owner. Connor has had enough of his on-again, off-again ex and she's coming back for their high school reunion, so he enlists Riley in a scheme to convince the town that the relationship is through, by claiming he's fallen madly in love with Riley. Of course, feelings ensue, as parents choose sides and what seems like the entire town get hilariously invested.

Somewhat surprisingly for a book with an ex-girlfriend, Ava manages to become my favourite character. It becomes obvious their relationship was toxic not from lack of love, but from two people who want vastly different things - and part of me wants the story where they manage to work through that. This is not that story but Ava manages to charm me just the same. In fact, this entire book is full of people I would want to hang out with, especially Connor's sneaky grandma!

Overall, this was an enjoyable, low stakes romance, with attractive and likeable leads. If you've enjoyed Kylie's recent books, this will feel like a warm hug.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Valentine PR & Literary Management; all opinions are my own.

Review: Take Back Magic by Casey Blair

Take Back Magic is the first in a new urban fantasy trilogy about magic, demons, and how far people go for power. In structure, it is a typical first book, but the characters grip you quickly and haul you along for the action-packed ride.

I'll be honest, at first glance this sounded like a working title - but Casey Blair is fast becoming an author I trust to give me a good time, with a fantasy novel steeped in fascinating worldbuilding and intriguing characters.

We start in a world very much like our own - one that could well be our own, for the vast majority of the population have no idea that magic exists because it is siphoned out of our world "for our own good" by magi of another realm and the few students they plucked from our world. Sierra was one of them, one who studied longer and worked harder for the chance to stay, and yet was abandoned back in our world at the ripe old age of seventeen.

This has left her a trifle bitter.

I adore Sierra. She is incredibly skilled and focussed on her goal, knows magecraft and strategy inside out, and while she'd be stressful to know in real life, she makes a fascinating point of view character. Her love interest is a perfect match for her while maintaining an air of mystery, and their blossoming partnership and mutual fascination is a delight.

There are a number of supporting characters with promising arcs and I hope they show up again in following books, especially as Low Earth reacts to the events of this book. It's not exactly a cliffhanger, but I'm definitely left wanting to read more!

Overall, this was an enjoyable start to what looks like a promising trilogy. The author has promised all three will be released this year and I look forward to reading how this story plays out (and watching Grand Magus Evram get his comeuppance).

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author, all opinions are my own.

Review: Can't Help Falling in Love by Sophie Sullivan

This is a surprisingly emotional fake relationship romance that also deals with themes of grief, family, and the weight of expectations.

Lexi's life took a turn for the dramatic a few years ago and she feels like she's barely holding it together as she scrambles to take care of a grieving mom, an aging house, an almost there degree, all while juggling two jobs. She is full of grit and determination, but her self esteem is at an all time low, and at the ripe old age of 25 she feels like life has passed her by.

If that sounds a little ridiculous to you, you're not alone, but push through and you remember how overwhelming it all felt to be mid twenties when it looked like everyone else has their life together. Once you slip back into that mindset, this book comes together like a comfortable old friend.

We have a handsome hero, his pushy parents, his meddling siblings, and supportive friends on both sides. We have lies and half truths and the (somewhat) slowly dawning realisation that this fake relationship doesn't feel that fake. We have a heroine who rescues herself and the man who gives her the push to do so. (We also have a bit of insta love, some loose plot ends, one glaring continuity error, and a boatload of sage wisdom just when Lexi needs it most)

If you enjoy fake relationships with just a little more emotional heft, I think you'll like this book. I know I did!

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

Review: Mage Assassins & Other Misfits by Annette Marie &Rob Jacobsen

Holy rising stakes, Batman!

This isn't a great place to jump in - at the very least, go back one book to Warped #4 (Stolen Sorcery), or even to Warped #1 (Warping Minds) to meet Kit - better yet, Spellbound #1 (Three Mages) to understand the whole Guild Codex universe. Many of Kit's previous stories filled in the blanks and behind the scenes at the MPD for both Spellbound and Demonised, but Warped #4 revealed the big bad of Kit's whole series - and they're BIG.

For those who are following along, this is EPIC. Yes, we get more Darius (and Blythe) backstory (and it's just as tasty as you could hope) but this is Kit's show. He's a little bit less snarky than previous books, mostly due to the overlay of tension, but he has the same good heart. I loved seeing him stretch himself magically as he's come a long way since KCQ. Zak once said Kit was the most powerful mythic alive - as of this book, I can believe it.

What I loved: amazing characters from both the MPD and C&H, slow-burn relationship development, magical heists, badass magic fights

What I'm not going to love: waiting for the next book because there's just a teeny little cliffhanger leading into Kit's finale! I have no idea how Kit's going to get out of this whole situation, but if there's one thing I've learned, it's that I can trust Annette with the characters she's made me love.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher; all opinions are my own