A Murder for the Books by Victoria Gilbert

Romance, murder, and a small town librarian

Can I start off by saying that Amy will resonate with anyone who has worked in a library in the last twenty years? If you have any experience with that, any fond (or exasperating memories), then this book is worth a look for that alone.

Once we are introduced to Amy’s work at the library, we are quickly introduced to the twin mysteries at the heart of the book: the murder of an elderly resident in the library archives and a decades-old murder that brings Amy in close contact with her handsome new neighbour. There’s a nice layering of the two (of course it all ends up connected) and while it starts out confusing it does tie together nicely at the end.

I enjoyed reading this book – it’s a solid cosy mystery with an interesting theme that actually helps solve the murder.

Four archived stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Undercover Attraction by Katee Robert

Dangerously sexy and addictive

Two years ago, I read the first in this series, then completely missed the next three until this one came up for review (it is Book 5). I’m now eager to fill in the gaps because I forgot how good these were. Book 1 (the Marriage Contract) detailed the start of the splintering of the O’Malley siblings but in Undercover Attraction, we get to see the family start to rebuild bridges that were burnt when I wasn’t watching.

I don’t know how much of the back story came up in other books but I found it easy enough to follow along. Charlie is an ex-cop who was framed for accepting bribes then abandoned by everyone she knew. Aidan O’Malley is the head of the O’Malley crime family, willing to do whatever it takes to protect his family – even faking an engagement with the daughter of a fed.

I loved how Charlie built relationships with the O’Malley siblings and her utter fearlessness in calling Aidan out in a way no-one else can or would. Her relationship with Keira is particularly lovely to see unfold. Aidan was a bit more of a puzzle, but his determination to do what was best for the family as nicely tempered by his love for his siblings.

Katee Roberts successfully manages to make crime lords sympathetic and blurs the lines between right and wrong for both Charlie and the reader. Her characters are flawed but vibrant, their conflicts often deadly. Undercover Attraction can be read as a standalone but I now want to read all the others in the series, especially the upcoming Book 6.

Five criminal stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Once Upon a Time Travel by Sariah Wilson

Hilarious and romantic slow burn

Emma Damon falls in love with a painting then falls into the past to meet the man himself. He’s handsome, annoying, and seriously weakening her resolve to get back to the 21^st Century.

Jaxon, Earl of Hartley, is trying his hardest not to fall for his brother’s mail order bride (it makes sense in context) as he tries to make her acceptable to polite society, but her unconventional ways are making it difficult and it seems like his entire family are bent on playing matchmaker for the wrong brother.

This book is hilarious. I laughed out loud at several pieces of dialogue, from walking into the linen closet to kicking over an urn. Emma is so delightfully awkward and perfectly made to drive Hartley up the wall. I did feel that the constant dissection of modern slang got a little wearying, especially when it didn’t seem that obscure (seriously, a 21^st Century co-worker would understand ‘hang out and hook up’, even if she’s British, right?).

I loved how the relationship grew from a mutual attraction to a genuine connection over time; the scene where Hartley is praising Emma to his brother is really sweet. While I don’t normally go for jealousy as a dating tactic, it was handled deftly enough to be endearing than infuriating.

The mystical element came a little out of left field, but hopefully there will be more books to explore it a little further. Hartley certainly has enough siblings for a series and we see just enough of them to be interested. Aunt Charles is also, hands-down, the best, even if her matchmaking was so blatant it makes Hartley look oblivious.

Five timey-wimey stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Romancing the Scot by May McGoldrick

Star-crossed Regency with a sprinkling of intrigue

Judge Hugh Pennington, Viscount Greyneil, pries open the crate of his new hot air balloon to find a crumpled figure inside. Grace Ware, daughter of a Napoleonic general, feigns amnesia when she realises where she is. I’ve never read a Regency with a French-aligned heroine, so this is a nice change. Of course, the two of them fall in love, but Grace’s secret and shadows from her past threaten to drive them apart. The intrigue adds a nice layer to the novel without feeling forced.

Despite seeing through Grace’s eyes, I don’t feel like I really got to know her over the book – we see people react to her and grow to love her, but we don’t really see why. Hugh, meanwhile, I found a lot more fleshed out and proactive.

All in all, it’s a good Regency romance and I am keen to see Hugh’s sister Jo find her own happy ending.

Four forgetful stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Dance with Me by Alexis Daria

Sexy, funny, and emotionally satisfying

When I reviewed Take the Lead, the first book by Alexis Daria, I mentioned hoping Tash would get her own book. Not a month later, Dance with Me hit my inbox and it’s even better than the first. It’s the story of friends-with-benefits who don’t realise the other also wants more from the relationship, but it’s also the story of self-worth and following dreams.

Tash’s insecurity and desire to prove herself really resonated; it was awesome to see her reach out for help, even as I wanted to toss a book at her head to make her do so. Dmitri was totally-swoonworthy: talented and hot, but the primary goal of looking after his family? It almost makes up for his terrible foot-in-mouth syndrome. Their physical attraction is off the charts so the book focused on emotional intimacy, where they help each other reach for the stars and find love along the way. I loved reading this book and I suspect you will too.

Five glittering stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Cherish Hard by Nalini Singh

Adorable but emotional contemporary romance

I loved this book. I loved Sailor and Isa, I loved meeting their messy families, I loved that there was no big misunderstanding but there was a big damn declaration of love. There was a great cast of characters and conflict that didn’t rely on a villain. The business ideas were really interesting and I would love to see Sailor’s dream come to life for real.

It’s so refreshing to read a contemporary where the leads actually talk to each other to work through their problems together. There are many roadblocks to Sailor and isa’s love that are mentioned and dealt with – class differences, age differences (though interestingly, no race gap, which I think speaks to the New Zealand setting). The main problem is the one on the cover blurb – different life goals – and its resolution leads to this gem of dialogue that had me swooning:

“I love you, Ísalind Rain. You are the most important part of my dream.”

I don’t want to give away spoilers but that entire conversation had me holding my breath.

If I had one quibble, it would be that there are so many characters, it got a little messy. I wanted dramatis personae, a family tree, and like a hundred other books to see them all get a happy ending, starting with Nayna and Raj. Nalini has created a world full of people who I want to know and I can’t wait to read more.

Five down-to-earth stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Irredeemable Billionaire by Lexxie Couper

Childhood enemies to lovers

Life hasn’t been good to Grace. She’s survived an unexpected pregnancy to become a paramedic, but the death of her husband has left her completely off-kilter and beaten down.

Sebastian is a successful movie director who doesn’t expect his community service to put him back into contact with the girl he spent their teens clashing with. She’s now a widowed single mother and he’d do anything to put that spark back in her eyes.

I loved Seb. His dialogue was hilarious and it was great to see him realise what a jerk he had been, then work to make up for it and be a better person.  Grace was awesome and the little details about her job – the exhaustion, the despair, but also the drive to help others – made it real and intriguing. Cody (Grace’s son) was irrepressible and totally believable.

The snappy dialogue was hilarious and the fast-paced plot kept me up past my bedtime. If you’re looking for a fun billionaire romance, this one is a great choice.

Four richly-deserved stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Framing Fan Fiction by Kristina Busse

Fascinating Collection of Papers

As a fan involved in fandom and with many online friends who do the same, I found this collection of papers absolutely fascinating. I enjoyed the melding of academic literature and exemplary fanfic from a wide variety of styles and fandoms. Of course, some chapters appealed to me more than others – the middle section on Canon in particular, as well as chapter 9 on the Geek Hierarchy.

Given the ever-changing nature of fandom, it is unsurprising that some of the content feels a little dated, but the conclusions are still robust and applicable to modern times. The academic style of these papers did make them quite heavy reading, but no more so than any other academic paper. I would recommend these to anyone with more than a passing interest in fanfic, literature, media studies, or any combination or derivative of the above. Fanfic as a field is varied and interesting, and as diverse as this collection is, it makes clear there is still so much more to study.

Four fannish stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe by Melissa de la Cruz

Let’s start with the positives, shall we? A genderflipped Pride and Prejudice is an interesting idea, as is swapping around the names of the guys from Pride and Prejudice so they still go by Darcy (now female) and Bingley (still a guy and gay). The Bennet boys are now Luke, Jim, Kit, and Lyle, and Darcy has three brothers who I’ve already forgotten because they don’t matter.

Bingley and Jim Bennet are adorable. They get a meet cute and fall head over heels, moving very quickly which is both noted and hand-waved in text. Unfortunately, their relationship disappears about the halfway mark and is only mentioned once after that.

The writing is not the best… grammatically, it’s mostly okay, apart from perhaps too many long sentences and that time when Darcy “power-walked clumsily to the bed". There is a tendency towards telling rather than showing, and the middle of a kiss is not the appropriate time to internally monologue about Christmases Past. However, it’s the editing where it really falls down. There are continuity issues, inconsistent characterisation and backstory, characters reacting to things that hadn’t actually been said, and a minor twist is revealed only retrospectively at 96%. The author even gets her parents’ names wrong once.

I’m very much not a fan of the main character, Darcy Fitzwilliam. She received a well-deserved smackdown at 50% and instead of learning from it, everyone around her falls over themselves to convince her that it was undeserved and she’s like the best person ever. Even said smackdown-er apologises at least twice. The whole point of the Lizzie Bennet Smackdown (tm) is that it's right! And Darcy learns! And apologises! Not the other way around. She really is a terrible person who strings her high school sweetheart along for about twelve years afterwards "as a constant ego booster" and thinks buying her assistant a Christmas gift makes her not selfish! Her declaration of love comes when both of them are engaged to other people! Her own father acknowledges that she’s selfish and entitled but that’s okay because it’s a family trait. She doesn’t learn anything! Ever!

There’s also a bit of internalised misogyny as she is ashamed to like Britney Spears and Gilmore Girls, calling Kate Middleton a “social climbing puppet”. She constantly asserts that she doesn’t need a guy to be happy and then is unhappy until she gets the guy. This has the unfortunate implication that even if you’re happy and successful alone, you’re secretly not happy and would be happier with a husband and child, which… no.

Overall, this book was a great idea but has inconsistent editing and a selfish main character. Its only redeeming point is a cute side couple who disappear too quickly. I can’t really recommend it.

Two prejudiced stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Coattails and Cocktails by Rumer Haven

A clever whodunit set in the Roaring Twenties

It’s the old story: a dinner party in the country, clashing personalities, and a body in the library. Tensions rise as the remaining guests must work out whodunit and why. There’s no detective present, just five scared people and a whole lot of alcohol.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable mystery with plenty of twists; I thought I knew where it was going several times, and each time had the rug pulled out from under me. Despite this, it’s no deus ex machina. There were several red herrings but everything you need is right there in front of you.

It was a bit of a slow start but it really drew me in. The characters were thorny and flawed but interesting, the setting labyrinthine but I eventually got the hang of where everything was. I liked the ending as well: not too pat, but with a hope for the future.

If you want an atmospheric murder mystery, please pick this book up.

Five twisty stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through ReadingAlley in exchange for an honest review.

Sweet Christmas Romances 2017

Right what it says on the tin

Are you looking for some sweet romances this holiday season? Then look no further than this collection of five stories. Each is chock-full of Christmas cheer and enough sweetness to make your teeth hurt! As a bonus, each one ends with a recipe that featured in the story and I can’t wait to try some of them out.

 My favourite story was Analeigh's Christmas Cupcakes by Jennifer Conner about a cupcake baker who suffers a hit and run on the way to a wedding that could make or break her business. I adored how the hero was a down-to-earth tow truck driver and how he helped Analeigh – not just with a ride but in the kitchen! I have a soft spot for guys who enjoy domesticity without being showy. My other favourite was Margie's Magic Cookie Bars by Laura Strickland about a couple of unrequited crushes. I absolutely loved when Margie finally realised what a tool her crush was – it was super satisfying to read.

The other stories were also fun, though I’m not a huge fan of insta-love or love triangles. Still, if light and fluffy is what you want, I’d definitely recommend this anthology.

Four sugary stars

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Scandal in Battersea by Mercedes Lackey

Magical Victorian Mystery

It’s Sherlock Holmes with Magic!... sorta. This book is number 12 in the Elemental Masters series and the second to feature the Great Detective as well as a cast of recurring characters. The little hints to prior books prick the interest without being intrusive and it works well as a standalone if you so wish. Overall, it was a fun read with all the right ingredients: magic, friendship, an amoral magician, and a creeping evil.

It’s not without its problems. There was a focus on virginity which had some unfortunate implications and some unexpected sexual content on the part of the villains. Title notwithstanding, there wasn’t much Holmes in the book except as the token sceptic so he seemed almost unnecessary. Series notwithstanding, there wasn’t much Elemental Magic in the book except as passing mentions. There wasn’t much closure at the end – I would’ve loved to see some of the other victims rescued (or even acknowledged by the main characters), and the magician’s fate was annoyingly ambiguous.

Looking over that list, I’m making the book sounds worse than it was. It was a solidly enjoyable book that will please fans of Nan and Sarah. The problem is that I’m comparing it to the earlier books which had that added fairytale-retelling layer. The Sherlock elements seemed rather incidental and pasted on, rather than being woven in as the fairytales were. If that doesn’t bother you, then I recommend this book.

Four foggy stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh

Dark and exhilarating as two prickly souls find each other

Wow-ee. I feel like I just scoffed down a dark chocolate cake – a really rich one with ganache and maybe a bit of raspberry. I wanted more of it just so I could glory in its beauty. This is book 10 in Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series and it’s a cracker.

Venom and Holly have great chemistry. They’ve been striking sparks off each other for a few books and their constant banter is a delight to read. The entire book is a delight to read, come to think of it. I loved the growing feelings between the two; the scene where we finally get under Venom’s skin? Amazing. Nalini has taken one of the more reserved, unreadable characters and shown the heart he’s been hiding for so long.

The pain and beauty of this series lie in the evaluation of time – what you do with it and what happens when you have more of it than the people you love. Once again, this book hits those themes right in the feels.

For some background: this series is a combination of romance and fantasy, so some books introduce new couples while others return to the main couple. This book introduces a new couple, though the characters have both appeared previously. As such, it’s one of the better entry points to the series – there are a lot of characters to keep track of, but the plot is relatively self contained. I’d still recommend starting at the beginning, but it that’s not available, this one’s good, as long as you don’t mind some spoilers. My only complaint is the amount of exposition at the start. I felt like we didn’t need to know all that detail and it seemed a little heavy-handed – contrast Honor’s story for background drama that didn’t require infodumps.

I loved this book and cannot wait to read more in this series, particularly about Illium and Aodhan, though their time is yet to come. I also want a meet-the-parents scene, because that got teased a couple of times and I think that’d be delightful.

Five poisonous stars (because between these two, poison is totally a compliment)

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Take the Lead by Alexis Daria

A playful, steamy romance set in the world of competitive dancing.

I love Dancing with the Stars. The drama, the contrast of celebrity and talent, the glitz and glamour and sparkly dresses. With Take the Lead, we get to go behind the curtain with a dancer who’s desperate to win and her reluctant partner, a wilderness expert.

I loved Stone and Gina. They were both realistic, well-rounded characters fighting against the roles that society had decided for them. They did fall into that time-worn trap of miscommunication but they each had understandable motives and worked to make things right as soon as they realised how badly they screwed up. There is a satisfying scene where they both get their grovel out and hash out their issues. Better yet, Stone doesn’t ask Gina to give up her dream for him and doesn’t give it up. In the end, they both win.

The start of the story did seem a little slow but I enjoyed how the dances showcased the slowly growing relationship between Stone and Gina. I feel like the wealth of characters added depth but slowed down the plot - but if they get their own book (and I especially hope Tash does) it will all have been worth it. I understand the conflict being the show itself and the desire for ratings, but I was slightly put off by both the antagonistic characters being fame-hungry women with boundary issues.

I enjoyed reading this book and if you like a slow burn romance against the backdrop of fame, I definitely recommend giving this a go.

Four quickstep stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Just One of the Boys by Leah and Kate Rooper

Holy shmokes, I want to hug this book.

It’s a modern retelling of Twelfth Night - with hockey. Alice Bell knows she’s good enough to play for the Chicago Falcons and there’s no rules against a girl playing - she’s checked. But when she takes off her helmet, her brother is given her place on the team. When she gets the chance to play in his place, she grabs it with both hands. She never expected to fall for the star player, troubled Hayden Trembley.

I loved the characters - they’re all flawed, all selfish in their own way, but this little deception gives them all the chance to learn and grow. Alice learns to embrace all of herself and to find a world that isn’t all about her and hockey; Hayden learns to let people (mostly Alice) in and that he is more than his perfect brother’s shadow.

There was a plot thread with Maddy that I would’ve liked to see a little more of - and Xander, for that matter, but maybe that’s set up for another book. I liked there was no ‘gay panic’ on Hayden’s part (the ‘oh noes, I think I’m in love with my best friend am I GAY?’) because his relationship with Al in his eyes was just a really good friendship.

The hockey metaphors were fun and totally appropriate and while I would love to read more, the book finished in a good place. Go Falcons!

Five soaring stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

Sexy paranormal mystery with colourful characters

Charley Davidson sees dead people. It’s gotten her into trouble more than a few times, so she’s learnt to keep her mouth shut and feed anonymous tips to her police detective uncle. She also sees a mysterious dark figure who has saved her life a few times and might be entering her dreams – and she’s definitely not telling her uncle about those.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a madcap whirl as Charley juggled several cases, survived on coffee, and generally failed to avoid getting beaten up. The plot was all over the place, full of twists and turns that in the end, mattered less than those precious moments between characters as Charley helps the dead find peace. She’s smart-mouthed and terrible at self-preservation, but she’s so upfront about it, you can’t help but love her anyway. The supporting cast is great as well, my particular favourites being her best friend Cookie and Cookie’s adorable daughter Amber. It did feel like it was setting Charley up for a series, introducing heaps of characters and dropping dark hints, so I’ll have to track down the next ones.

If you like your paranormal romance with a side of ass-kicking mystery, take Charley Davidson for a ride.

Four ‘grim’ stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Moonlit Waltz by Kathleen Collins

Cinderella with a twist or two

I thought I knew what I was getting into with this book - girl named Ella with a widowed father? Cue the pumpkin! But from the beginning, it is clear there are a few twists. First of all, they are werewolves. Second, Ella isn’t alone - she has a brother, and neighbours next door who care about her, and that’s just the start of things! There were enough little changes that I honestly didn’t know how the story would end. You would think this was worrying, but I trusted the author to get us to a happy ending as I was not disappointed.

I would’ve liked a little more about the werewolf side of things, perhaps an ending that wasn’t so pat given the twists to get there, but that may have spoiled the clean lines of a charming little tale.

If you want a fairytale retelling that is a little different but still has that dreamy fairytale quality, give this book a go

Four and a half moonlit stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Pink Lock Picks and Sequined Witch Hats by Carla Rehse

Magical romp with a poor little rich girl

I don’t know how I feel about this book. One the one hand, it’s a fun fantasy romp in the vein of the Mortal Instruments that hurtles along so fast, you miss the plotholes. On the other, it’s the story of a spoiled rich girl who mobilises her considerable resources and talents only for her own benefit - or to ‘help’ whichever boy she fancies herself in love with.

She always knows best, even when it’s obvious that she doesn’t, and I can’t bring myself to care about her. The other characters all dance around her or are obstacles for her to complain about. I’d like to think she’s learnt some compassion by the end, but I doubt it.

It was a fun enough read, but there are enough similar books out there that I probably won’t pick up the sequel.

Three sequinned stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Retrograde by Kat Hauser

When Helena is hit by a truck, estranged husband Joachim takes advantage of her amnesia to try their relationship again. He thinks they’ve been given a second chance but Helena can tell that something is wrong.

This was an interesting book with evocative prose. Unfortunately, the feeling this evokes is bleakness. Helena is at first dazed by her accident then unsure how to work out this tangle that Joachim has put her in. Joachim has convinced himself that he can win Helena back but isn’t even sure that he wants to.

It wasn’t always clear what Helena remembered and Joachim’s gaslighting really creeped me out, but my main problem was that the story didn’t go anywhere – I was surprised when it got dark, but then it never went deeper than a murky grey. It doesn’t have much of a climax – the story tails off, and like the characters, you’re left wondering what happens next. Perhaps that’s the point, but it’s not what I look for in a book.

Three grey stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Magic in her Eyes by Donna Dalton

This book opens with a woman talking to a tree.

No, really.

Her name is Meredith Talbot and she is in charge of an orphanage for children with special abilities, each of them with abilities that could get them labelled a witch. Their only safety is in their distance from the prying eyes in town. When the handsome Preston Booth moves them to the fort for protection from a marauding band of Indians, all their secrets risk being brought to light.

This is a pretty good book. The main characters are interesting, each with their own problems, and both grow to be better people through knowing the other. The children make an engaging supporting cast and without giving too much away, the true villains of the piece are the narrow-minded and the greedy. I liked that the author played with expectations.

The story felt a little rushed at times and I would’ve liked it a little longer, but it’s definitely worth a read, especially as it’s not your typical romance setting.

Four prescient stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through ReadingAlley in exchange for an honest review.

Tougher in Texas by Kari Lynn Dell

I know nothing about rodeo (and to be honest, I still know nothing about rodeo though the author does her best to make it understandable). What I know are books, and this one is a good ‘un.

I loved the main characters. Cole has a big heart, an inability to express himself, and a stubborn will that is akin to a bolder rolling downhill. His autism has made relationships difficult, though we are more told than shown this.

Shawnee is feisty and smart, a cancer survivor who knows that cancer doesn’t go away, it just goes into hiding. She is wary of long-term relationships because she doesn’t want anyone else hurt when the other shoe drops. She is prickly and sweet and so wonderfully real.

Their slow burn romance was satisfying and funny, and for a nice change, Shawnee did not double back from pursuing her dreams at the last moment. She kicks ass and gets the guy, and does not forgo kicking ass to get the guy, either. I really appreciated this.

Not having read any of Ms Dell’s earlier books, I did not understand the initial animosity between the two, nor could I really keep track of the rather large list of characters, most of whom only appear for a scene or two. I could tell some were from past books and others were possibilities for future ones, but all in all it was a bit much. This is a failing of longer romance series but this one is only the third book so there isn’t so much of an excuse.

Despite this, it was an enjoyable read with two fantastic leads and I might track down other books by the author. If rodeo / road trip romances are your thing, or slow burning enemies to lovers, or well-written people with flaws who still come out on top, then give this book a go.

Four fightin' stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia McKillip

An enchantress lives in a castle in the mountains, alone but for her menagerie of mythical creatures. To the people below, they are barely-remembered beasts of old tales and she is not much different. Her solitude is shattered when a man knocks on her door with a baby in his arms.

This is a beautiful book, mystical and magical. There is romance, but it is not a romance – it is more of a coming-of-age as Sybel leaves her mountain home and discovers the world outside her gates. She is at once powerful and fragile, scheming and naïve. She is ill-used and makes mistakes, but rises above like the Liralen, the legendary bird she has never been able to call.

The setting is fantastical and familiar, a typical agrarian kingdom with a touch of magic on the side; the prose is powerful and dreamlike, timeless in its simplicity. Normally I rate books on how much I want to read more, but the ending was so perfect it defies this. If you enjoy fantasy beyond heroic quests and sword fights, please read this.

Five magical stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Faerie Fruit by Charlotte English

Barren fruit trees begin bearing beautiful fruit as magic seeps into a small town. Something is wrong in Faerie and the town of Berrie-on-the-Wyn is somehow caught in the middle.

I liked this book, unconventional as it is. The prose is old-fashioned but once you get used to it, strangely hypnotic. The characters are varied (and a bit hard to keep track of) but give the book a delightful small-town feel. There are no huge surprises in store but the little ones keep it interesting.

The climax of the book was a little confusing and it veered between over-explanation and leaving the reader hanging. I might need to do a full reread to see what I missed, because even now, the finer details leave me a little uncertain.

There was no big conflict, no sense of tension in this book, but the writing is beautiful and I enjoyed reading it, and in the end that’s all you can ask of a book.

Four jewelled stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through ReadingAlley in exchange for an honest review.

All Things New by Lauren Miller

An uplifting story of brokenness and hope

I will admit I was apprehensive picking this book up, but I found myself pleasantly surprised. This isn’t the lightest of books, but it is relatively short and ultimately uplifting.

Jessa has anxiety. Until the car accident, she could hide it behind a pretty face. Now she can’t hide it, she moves in with her dad and starts at a new school. Over time she learns to accept her brokenness and find hope in reaching forward – something we could all benefit from doing.

There’s a slight mystical element that may not suit everyone but I found it didn’t interfere with the overall feel. It’s not all happy-clappy. It’s not a story of quick fixes or easy answers. It’s a story of faith and friendship.

This is also the story of Jessa’s new friends, fraternal twins Hannah and Marshall. The relatively small cast let them be well fleshed out. They each have their own problems and Hannah in particular resonates strongly with me. I would’ve also liked to see more of Sophie and the support group, but that is a minor quibble.

It’s not perfect, but I finished this book feeling better than I started, so I count it as a win. Four hopeful stars.

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ensnared by Rita Stradling

I like reading fairytale retellings. There’s something fascinating about a new spin on an old favourite. On picking up this book, I thought it looked promising – a near future version of Beauty and the Beast. Alainn goes into captivity in place of an android named Rose to keep her father out of prison. Honestly, after finishing the book, I reckon she shouldn’t have bothered.

The first half of the book wasn’t bad, as it chronicled the growing relationship between Alainn and Lorcann, a scarred billionaire recluse with a phobia of germs and other humans. An android is therefore the perfect companion, in his eyes.

It was just about 51% of the way through that I got seriously squicked. There’s something off about two people falling in love and having sex when one is still under the impression that the other is a robot. There’s a level of dishonesty there that is later handwaved but I can’t get past. I avoided throwing my iPad across the room but put the book down for at least two weeks.

When I did, I found the novel took a left turn from romance to techno-thriller. It all seemed sudden and unnecessary, especially the Cara plotline, and like an excuse to avoid the honest communication that the first half lacked. The only bright spot was Colby taking his sister to task for steamrolling over a girl’s anxiety.

While this wasn’t a badly written book, spelling and grammar-wise, something about its handling of mental illness left me uncomfortable, and the resolution felt rushed and unsatisfying. As such, I can only give it two robotic stars.

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Silver Silence by Nalini Singh

Sometimes I feel like my rating system is broken. I found myself drawn into this book and thoroughly enjoyed reading it, but as I measure it against the others in this fantastic series, I rated it four stars when there are five-star books I did not like nearly as much.

Anyway, I found this a great romance as usual. The characters are unique and interesting; the bears delightful. The backing plot felt a little weak in this one - perhaps a result of so many happy couples working together, thwarting the bad guys at every turn - but there are some tantalising hints about what might turn up in the future and I eagerly await whatever comes next.

Four (or should that be five?) fantastic stars

Down Among the Sticks and Bones be Seanan McGuire

Some people shouldn't have children.

Almost more a character study than a novella, this is an evocative look at parents and choices. It's simple and moving to see Jacquline and Jillian grow from their parents' creations into the familiar figures of Jack and Jill on the freedom of the Moors. 

I didn't love this as I loved the first book, but that is more personal than on its own merits - this will no doubt speak more than the first to other readers. I would've enjoyed an epilogue, but perhaps that is an entirely new story as this one is perfect on its own.

Five free stars

Enchanters by K. F. Bradshaw

Too much for one book

Enchanters is an epic fantasy spanning a magical world where magic is in short supply. The premise is interesting, but unfortunately the execution is lacking.

There are too many characters in this book. I didn't know enough about most to care about them and the ones we did know, I didn't like because both. Kept. Whining. Some of the side characters were interesting but only got a scene or two every few chapters - enough so you'd know what was happening, not enough to really know or root for them. There were so many interpersonal relationships that had promise that ultimately went unfulfilled.

Plot-wise, a lot was happening as well. The path to the final conflict was littered with multiple barriers and events that could have taken a book on their own. I just felt like a lot was stuffed in but then almost sped through to get to the next.

This isn't a bad book, but with so much in it, I felt like some good editing and rewriting could've elevated it to a great one.

Three stuffed stars

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through ReadingAlley in exchange for an honest review.

Donn's Hill by Caryn Larrinaga

Cosy mystery with a side of creepy 

It's an old story - the new person in town seeking a fresh start, a murder that casts everything into question. The twist in this particular tale is Mac’s psychic powers and they add a delightfully creepy edge, especially at the beginning. 

Aside from that, the book is well written, the supporting cast varied and interesting, the mystery fast paced, the answer not easily obvious, and the overall effect extremely promising. 

Five psychic stars

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author via ReadingAlley in return for an honest review

A Little of Chantelle Rose by Cristina Hodgson

Fun escapist fantasy

There's something alluring about a book that throws reality of the window and dives straight into the story line we all secretly wish we have. Film stars, pet dolphins, pretty dresses, hot guys at every turn. Chantelle starts with nothing and ends up with - well, a lot more, let me tell you. It's a roller-coaster of improbable events.

Unfortunately, this fun is undermined by the main character. For a book like this to be effective, you gotta be able to identify with the lead - or at least like them. It's not as satisfying otherwise. Chantelle is naive (goes into contracts blindly), rude, paranoid (assumes everyone is out to get her), and far too quick to a) fall in love and b) assume the worst of both men she falls for. Besides that, she's the only fleshed out character in the book.

I think I would have quite enjoyed this but a little of Chantelle Rose was quite enough for me. 

Three exasperating stars

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author via NetGalley in return for an honest review

Learning to Love by Sheryl Browne

Tragedy and charity: a recipe for happy families 

I enjoyed reading this book. It is a sweet character-driven romance with a large cast of interesting characters, from harried mother Andrea and her unsupportive husband/fiancé/boyfriend Jonathan to awkward neighbour David and his uncommunicative son Jake. The author has a talent for large casts, to not only keep them straight, but imbue all of them with life and heart. 

I loved seeing the families blend together and especially how Ryan grew up to help Jake deal with the recent upheavals in his life. The best parts of the book were as they all adjusted to living together as an large but wonderful family. I was less enamoured of the love triangle subplot and the cheating undertones, no matter how despicable one party is. In particular, I felt the triangle could've been dropped entirely. There was enough going on, both plot-wise and relationship-wise, without it. 

The romance at the heart of the book felt natural, even if the two of them were by turns clueless and terrible at communication. The end felt like a 'well-finally' for all involved, including me. 

Four family stars

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author via NetGalley in return for an honest review

Dream Me by Kathryn Berla

Intriguing premise with beautiful prose and a confusing ending

The only way to describe this book is dream-like. The prose is evocative of that perfect summer’s day on the beach, where everything is so real and so surreal at the same time. It is easy to get swept away in this story, though the feeling doesn’t last past the end of the book.

The premise is interesting: at the end of the world, Earthlings are leaving in hope of finding a new planet but some choose to go back in time, not physically but mentally. Zat chooses to inhabit Babe’s dreams and they fall in love.

The characters were interesting and varied, especially the supporting cast. I really liked LeGrand and Alonso and felt they both deserved a little more page time – I want to know if this summer changed their lives or if it was an idyllic blip they would both leave behind.

For me, the main romantic plot was a bit of a letdown as it started with insta-love and ended in – well, I don’t really get how it ended. Dreams are confusing and by the end, I wasn’t exactly sure what was real and what wasn’t. I was left vaguely unsatisfied and still can’t work out why. I much preferred the subplot of Babe making friends at the Country Club.

The other issue I had with this book (and it’s a minor one but bear with me) is Babe's attitude to the rich kids, especially Mattie Lynn. She assumes they’re all spoiled and shallow, and though LeGrand dispels those stereotypes for himself, Mattie Lynn doesn’t get enough time on the page to do the same. I think we are supposed to infer there is more to her than meets the eye, but Babe’s disparaging point of view does not help matters at all. It comes off very ‘pretty + rich = mean’ which is a tired old path by now.

I wanted to love this book, but I only loved the writing, not the whole.

Three surreal stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Find Her by Elisabeth Rose

Romantic thriller builds to non-stop finale 

This book reads much like a movie script. It sets the stage, introduces the characters, makes things go wrong (more than they were), and then as the mystery gets solved, makes more and more things go wrong. I really enjoyed the little touches that built the characters, especially the bits of Jax being a teacher. 

There were a few moments that annoyed me; mostly the characters being too stupid to live and the police being particularly obtuse at times. The second half went way faster than the first – a lot was packed in but it felt a little repetitive. 

I felt this was more thriller than romance but both led to a satisfying conclusion. 

Four full-speed stars

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author via NetGalley in return for an honest review

Behind the Mask: A Superhero Anthology

Stunning smorgasbord of super stories 

These stories are bite-sized and range from light-hearted to heart-breaking. The superhero genre is an old one by now, but these authors each manage to put their own spin on the people behind the masks. Some of them made me uncomfortable with the angsty 'reality' that superheroes would bring, others were a total mind-screw. My favourites were those that kept the optimism of the genre alive, but through a different lens. 

Standouts for me – though others can and will like others – were Madjack by Nathan Crowder (a Bowie tribute), Eggshells by Ziggy Schultz (about asking and needing help), and Salt City Blue by Chris Large (slice of life with sudden superpowers). 

Great to dip into or to plough through in a sitting, will almost certainly make you rethink that desire for superpowers. 

Five super stars

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author via NetGalley in return for an honest review

It had to be you be Melissa Kate

Enemies to a fake second chance romance 

It might sound like a lot to fit into one story but it works. This is a fast-paced, fun read. Sometimes it seems as if the entire cast are trying to get the main characters together which is very entertaining. Some of the dramas that Oliver goes through seemed a bit improbable but if you can suspend your disbelief it'll go down just fine. 

Unfortunately, the book could definitely have done with more editing. While the spelling and grammar were fine, multiple phrases were used incorrectly and one character was called by the wrong name (made especially jarring by the right name being used three sentences later). 

I enjoyed this book and it had all sorts of catnip for me, but the mistakes detracted from the final experience. 

Four flawed stars

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author via NetGalley in return for an honest review

The Language of Flowers by Christina Rose Andrews

A sweet but meaningful second chance romance 

While reading this eBook on my tablet, I was told they had never seen someone concentrating so hard on a tv show. Once I corrected their misapprehension about my choice of entertainment, I was SO INVESTED I cut the small talk short to get back to the story. 

I'll be quick: I enjoyed this book. It mixes some classic elements (second chance romance) with some less common ones (male point of view). The characters drew me in; they are both realistic and flawed. Both have plenty of baggage and miscommunication, but wonder of wonders, they actually (minor spoiler) GO TO COUNSELLING and hash it out. It was one of the most cathartic scenes I have ever read. The backing cast are interesting and numerous, each with a story I think I’d like to hear - but they don’t detract from the romance at the heart of this book.

The first-person, train of thought style took a few chapters to get used to, but I stopped noticing within a few chapters. I perhaps might have liked the teaching to be more than a background thing, but the story was still well-fleshed out so I didn't feel the lack terribly. 

Overall, this is a sweet and satisfying read with enough meat to make it interesting. Go and give it a try. 

Five floral stars

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this story from the author in return for an honest review.

The Prophet of Marathon by Bob Waldner

The Prophet of Marathon is an offbeat thriller about a lazy everyman from a good family bumming around in Florida. He meets a disgraced evangelist, thoroughly loses his way, and ends the book without the girl but with a new sense of purpose.

Reading this book felt like sliding down a gravel hill on a piece of cardboard. It starts off interesting, but once the initial fun wears off, it gets a little bumpy. There’s an odd sense of inevitability about the ending, probably because the author drops hints almost from the start. I couldn’t predict the exact twist, but I could see its general outline from half the book away. I wasn’t disappointed by the end, but it left me no sense of catharsis or closure.

It’s a good thing the book places inside the main character’s head because it’s hard to have any sympathy for him otherwise. He starts by blaming the government for the whole mess, which is a bit of a reach. His internal monologue is sometimes overly analytical but his actions do feel believable as he makes them. It doesn’t help that 100% of his character growth happens over a few paragraphs in the last chapter.

Despite all of the above, this isn’t a bad book. It’s well-written, with flawed but believable characters. It just felt a bit predictable and ended up not being my cup of tea.

Three swindled starts

I received a copy of this story from the author through ReadingAlley in exchange for an honest review.

Edge of Yesterday by Sue-Ellen Welfonder & Tarah Scott

Atmospheric Time Travel Romance

Cailean Ross has come to the Scottish Highlands to be part of the most famous historical re-enactment around. His skill with a blade lands him at the head table – and then in the past.

I found it a nice twist, for the man to be sent back in the past. Rather than knowledge of the future, his skill with the sword is what sets him apart. Handily, he’s good enough that it saves his life multiple times, but the historical re-enactment makes it harder for him to accept he’s in the past. It takes quite a while for it to click. Therein lies the biggest problem with the book.

It’s so long. The writing is beautiful and atmospheric, but everything takes forever. The plot is so drawn-out that it seems quite insubstantial. There is conflict but it seems unfocussed and open-ended, as if it is part of a larger, longer story. I’m all for multi-book arcs, but each book should have its own standalone plot. I can’t help but feel a good editor could’ve cut it down into a first-class novel.

The romance is nicely paced but has too much outside plot to be the focus of the book. Julianna is interesting and her attraction to Cailean develops believably. The rest of the characters are well-written and charming, but the background cast is almost too extensive to keep track of. Again, a ruthless editor or a persona dramatis could have done a lot to alleviate this.

Overall, this is an interesting romance with flair, but it’s a bit too long to reach its full potential.

Four Scottish Stars

I received a copy of this story from the author through ReadingAlley in exchange for an honest review.

Geekerella by Ashley Poston

Holy fangirling, Batman! I LOVED this book. It has everything I want in a story – it’s cute, funny, and well-written to boot. If you have been part of any fandom in the last 20 years, READ THIS BOOK. I’ve never read a book exactly like it, and yet part of it feels like coming home.

Full disclaimer here: I’m a fangirl. I spend a good 80% of my free time on the internet, immersed in pop culture and fandom. I have read fanfiction until the sun comes up, squealed over trailers with people from other continents, other timezones. In fandom, I found a diverse range of people who still find something in common. Never before have I read a book which captures this so well.

Geekerella is a love letter to fandom dressed up in a Cinderella dress. It hits all the notes of the retold fairytale, swapping the ball for a cosplay competition and the fairy godmother for a green-haired workmate with a knack for fashion design. Beyond that, it echoes You’ve Got Mail through anonymous text messages. Their public interactions even have shades of a gender-flipped Pride and Prejudice, with Darian proud of his nerdy background and Elle prejudiced against him for his soap opera beginnings and screaming fangirls. Neither character is perfect, but they learn and grow as the story goes on.

The rest of the characters are fully fleshed out, as well. Even Catherine, the evil stepmother, has a human side. Instead of some one-dimensional caricature, she comes across as a shallow woman with a deep resentment of the fan culture that makes up the backbone of the story. Not because she’s shallow, but because she feels her deceased husband loved it more than her.

Geekerella is also peppered with fandom references and outright name-dropping, from Lord of the Rings to Doctor Who – all the big name fandoms of the last 15 years save Harry Potter and Twilight (though the former gets a shout out in the acknowledgements – let’s hear it for AVPM!). They all feel natural, inserted with great care because the author loves them and not just the main characters do.

Elle’s final confrontation with Catherine also has a lovely monologue on the power of fandom, how it’s not the subject matter but the community that is built around it. There also is an awesome takedown of the ‘fake geek’ mindset and celebrity culture, and validation of all sorts of fans – even those who liked Val Kilmer’s Batman. The author gets it.

I could gush about this book for a lot longer. It’s not perfect – the story is mightily predictable and I sometimes wished both characters would stand up for themselves a little more – but I enjoyed every word. If fandom means anything, has ever meant anything, to you, go read Geekerella. Please.

Five fangirling stars.

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Swords & Stilettos by Kristen D. Van Risseghem

Sturgeon’s Law states that 90% of everything is crud. Too often, I’ve picked up a YA book with high hopes, only to find myself reading the same old tired tropes and bored out of my head. I was delighted to find Swords & Stilettos bucks the trend falls solidly into the good 10%. It’s full of tropes, chock-a-block with clichés – and it all works.

There’s a love triangle, mean girls, werewolves and fairies, angels and demons locked in a cosmic war, and one seemingly normal girl caught in the middle. In a different book, this could all be a mess of tortured tropes, but in this one, it’s a blast to read.

Apart from the mean girls (whose mean motivation is hinted at, but never fully revealed), there’s no sense of “not like other girls” that haunts too many YA novels. Zoe enjoys shopping and fashion and spending time with her girl friends. In fact, I would’ve liked to see her interacting with them some more, especially at the beginning, as their friendships seems a little more informed than realistic.

Otherwise, her relationships are sweet and believable, especially Kieran struggling with but accepting his love is unrequited. I’m sick of the love triangle taking over a story and am so glad it is used and then discarded. Zoe does dip into TSTL sometimes, but that’s more an offshoot of her protective streak than thoughtlessness.

My only disappointment is that title is Swords & Stilettos, but while the former played a significant part, the latter were rather lacking. I would personally have liked more ass kicking in high heels, but that’s probably just me.

If you want realistic, walk on by, but if you are looking for a solidly well-written story with likeable characters, pick this book up and enjoy. I’m certainly looking forward to the next one.

Five troperiffic stars.

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

All Who Wander by April Alieda

I wanted to enjoy this book. I expected to enjoy this book. Cosy small-town romance with magic pies? Sign me up! Alas, twas not to be. Alex and Duncan’s story just wasn’t what I wanted.

The most interesting character in this book was Aunt V, hands down. I didn’t really get a feel for any of the other characters, even the main ones. What they were feeling and thinking, sure, but not who they were as people. Even the magical Miss Sadie could have done with more page time.

Still, for the majority of the book, I thought I would give it a 4-star rating. The slap-kiss-slap-kiss romance was nicely sweet and fluffy, and not totally predictable. Unfortunately, the editing really let it down. The stream-of-consciousness narration was impaired by slippages from third-person to first, and from past tense to present. Even from the beginning, there were little inconsistencies and questions that could have been smoothed over with a single line of explanation, like: “Two parents with Blood Type A would only have children with the same.”

Speaking of the adoption storyline, it felt very shoe-horned in (don’t even get me started on the divorcee part). It’s used as an excuse for Alex to come to Anastasia, batted around a bit, then pretty much forgotten until her family turn up for a chapter or two. Then they disappear and are never mentioned again. It all seems very inconsistent, but I was willing to overlook it.

The kicker came at 88% when a character already labelled as BAD refers to Alex as a “g*psy sl*t”, except “slut” was the only word that was censored. For the uninformed, “g*psy” is a slur; to see it uncensored when “slut” was asterisked-out BOOTED me out of the story. It felt ridiculously harsh for such a sweet book so far, as if someone has said, “this guy isn’t bad enough, we need to make sure the audience hate him”. Well, mission accomplished.

So to recap, four-star story, losing one star for poor editing and another for a totally unnecessary and oddly censored slur. It’s really a pity, because the author and the series show such promise, too.

Two uncensored stars.

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.