Author: Robin

Review: Iris Kelly Doesnt Date by Ashley Herring Blake

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

After two failed relationships in two years, Iris Kelly has sworn off love. But as all of her close friends have settled into long-term relationships and her upcoming romance novel has hit a dead stop, her stance on love and dating may need an upgrade. Luckily for Iris, a one night stand with a beautiful stranger is the tell-all cure. Unluckily, her meet-cute with a stranger in a Portland bar ends in disaster. Just when Iris cannot think it could get any worse her new role in a queer retelling of Much Ado About Nothing leaves her pitted against Stefania, the very stranger from the bar that night and her failed one-night stand. Caught in a lie, Stevie begs Iris to pretend their meet cute led to a relationship, and Iris agrees in an effort to infuse inspiration into her manuscript. But between rehearsals and fake dates, reality and fiction start to blur, and Stevie and Iris are caught in so much more than a mutually agreed upon lie, but real feelings.

Desperately seeking: a shy theatre nerd who’s literally a total softy at heart or a closed-off romance author who deep down just wants to be loved unconditionally. Ashley Herring Blake is back with a queer take on Shakespeare, fake dating, and disaster one-night stands as cynical Iris Kelly finally meets her match. Iris has always been an intriguing character who stole my heart from the sidelines whilst being an absolute riot to read. Her one-liners were some of the funniest moments from the first two books, and I eagerly awaited her story. With all the breadcrumbs laid since the start of the series, my hopes were high and my heart was ready to be changed by another romance from Blake.

Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date is a trope-filled romp that brings Iris’s struggles front and center while introducing us to her shy theatre nerd turned partner in crime Stevie, working through problems of her own. I really admire how Blake has been able to touch on so many issues across her series, with the time and care needed to truly explore each topic. Iris Kelly focuses on the struggles of living with anxiety and the fear of getting back out there after putting your life on hold. There’s plenty of wonderful moments of friendship, queerness, and chaos to keep the pace going as the romance unfolds and these issues come to light. I love a good disaster meet cute and this book gives a whole new meaning to the concept. Stevie and Iris had truly unhinged levels of chemistry from their very first meeting on page, despite their disastrous evening, and their flirty back and forth had me losing my mind. The lessons in seduction portion of the plot was an unexpected surprise and Blake kept it sizzling while focusing on consent and honesty between the two characters. I’m honestly so sad this series is over and I may or may not have cried a bit upon reaching the last page. This is by far one of my favorite romances out there. It’s hot as hell, especially vulnerable, and just so so lovely. I’m going to keep coming back to the Bright Falls trilogy now and forever.

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing this review copy.

Trigger warnings: anxiety, panic attacks, infidelity

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Review: A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

Effy Sayre is Llyre’s newest architecture student, but she’d much rather be studying English. Heading into her first term, Effy clutches onto her battered copy of the Angharad, an epic fable detailing the triumphs of a mortal girl over the Fairy King. Plagued by visions of her own in which the Fairy King takes center stage, Effy is desperate for an outlet and enters a contest to redesign Hiraeth Manor, the house of the Angharad’s author, Emrys Myrddin. Redesigning Hiraeth Manor is a chore beyond measure, as portions of the estate have fallen into disrepair and ruin, and the house is seconds from losing itself to the sea. When Effy arrives, she finds another point of contention in Preston Héloury, her academic rival who has taken up residence, intent on proving Emrys Myrddin a fraud. Although he is everything she stands against, Effy can’t help but be drawn to Preston’s quest. Because there’s something dangerous lurking on the estate, something that echoes her past, and Hiraeth Manor hides secrets that could very well drag them both down for good.

A Study in Drowning is a swirling tempest of hope, love, and finding a way forward against all odds. This their third novel, It’s clear that Ava Reid cannot write a bad one. Enveloped in folklore and set in a Welsh-inspired fantasy world, this book is a balm for every person who has been an outsider in their lives and for those still fighting to have their voice be heard. All of this is characterized in our protagonist Effy Sayre; a young woman in academia struggling to keep her head above water. As the only woman in her architecture college, unable to pursue the field of education she desires, and consistently mocked and preyed upon, Effy is adrift in every sense. The only thing holding her together is the novel The Angharad.

Across her works, Reid has emphasized the power of storytelling and it is A Study in Drowning that focuses on the readers that find themselves within stories. This fraught relationship between author and reader is investigated within the novel as the Angharad’s authorship is contested. We get glimpses of the Angharad, both the story itself and scholarly critique, and the ways in which the story mirrors the real world, one in which a Fairy King may rule still. As Effy seeks the truth at Hiraeth Manor she develops a connection with Preston, her academic rival and, similarly, an outsider. If there’s one thing I trust with Ava Reid, it’s delivering a phenomenal romance. Preston and Effy’s relationship is a deeply gratifying slow burn between two kindred spirits forging a way forward in a world that has consistently denied them. There is so much genre work going on here as well. It’s a romance, a gothic, a mystery, and a dark academia all at once. All of these are interwoven with startling prose and imagery. Hiraeth Manor – with its peeling water-stained wallpaper, portraits of days past, and floorboards glistening with seawater is a beautiful and haunting example. Reading A Study in Drowning is like slowly sinking into an unruly sea and welcoming it with the knowledge that someone will be there to pull you out. It’s about owning your story in a world determined to control the narrative and finding healing despite past abuses. A book I’ll be keeping in my back pocket to weather any future storms.

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger warnings: parental abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, misogyny, bullying, sexism

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Review: Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

On the edge of a small southern town, a house stands alone. Left to fester by the townspeople determined to move on from the town’s less-than-savory history, Starling House and its heir haven’t been seen for years. In a motel across town, Opal and her brother are just trying to survive Eden enough to one day leave it behind, but an innate curiosity keeps dragging Opal back to Starling House and its wrought iron gates. Opal can’t pull herself away, and one evening she finds herself at the gates of Starling House, only she’s not alone. The next day, she is given an opportunity that could get her brother out of Eden, but she will have to go back to the house. Opal returns to Starling House, where she explores its maze of rooms and discovers that all of the stories may have a kernel of truth to them. Outside parties are seeking entrance to Starling House as well, and they realize Opal is the way through. To stake her claim and build herself the home she has been longing for, Opal must return to Eden’s complicated history to discover what exactly lies buried underneath.

With Starling House, Alix E. Harrow captures a festering darkness in a small Southern town, and the strange house caught up in the center of it that refuses to let the past stay buried. It’s a gritty contemporary Southern Gothic that dragged me under from its very first pages. Now it should surprise no one that I’m an Alix E. Harrow enthusiast. I’ll read anything she writes at a drop of a hat and you’ll find me hunched over one of her books in my room for hours at a time until I reach the end of its pages. Her previous works drove me absolutely wild, so I shouldn’t have been surprised that her newest would inspire much of the same feeling. Starling House is a punishing gothic novel innately entangled with fairy tales and the undercurrent of truth that inevitably runs through them. Harrow ensnares readers in The Underland, a children’s fable depicting the monsters below the earth and one girl’s journey into the foul places below that ring more true than initially believed. Starling House is alive, a labyrinthian estate filled with twisting secrets and locked rooms that beg to be exposed. The house takes on a life of its own, much like the two focal points for this novel, Opal and Arthur. Harrow delivers a clever heroine and tortured heir, completely buried under the weight of their pasts, and unable to figure out how to drag themselves out of the surrounding dark. The romance is very much “we should rot in this old house together” and I was more than here for it. Starling House gives voice to two individuals who have just been trying to survive for so long that they no longer know how to do anything else but exist. The entire journey out of that is joyous, painful, and every emotion in between. Alix E. Harrow is a brilliant storyteller, reaching into those dark places that must be uncovered and exposing them to the light of day, all in her own time. Starling House feels like a reckoning as much as a journey toward healing and love, with a signature Harrow flair. This twisted story will drag you down into the depths of the earth where the truth lies, and leave you clawing for more. 

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing this arc to review.

Trigger warnings: blood, death, fire, grief

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Let’s Talk: New Romance Favorites

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All my latest obsessions compiled in one convenient list

This year is shaping up to be one of the best for romance novels and I’ve been blessed by the publishing gods with early copies of some of my most anticipated releases. The romance genre is the gift that keeps on giving and today I’m sharing some of my favorite unpublished and published romance novels of late in this post. Per my reading taste, this is a mix of contemporary romance and historicals. Whether you’re looking for a bodice ripper, a steamy friends to lovers, or a slow burn I hope you find some new anticipated releases below.

What I’ve Been Loving

You With a View by Jessica Joyce

I have officially found my new favorite book and summer romance all rolled into one with Jessica Joyce’s heartwarming debut novel. You, with a View seamlessly blends the travel narrative with a slow-burn romance that left me aching for new connections and an extensive summer road trip. There are so many feelings explored within this novel and it’s not lost on me how Joyce makes you feel every single one. You, with a View, is hands down one of the best romances of 2023. With magnificent tension and a profound emotional journey, Joyce has established herself as a stellar new voice in romance.

Trigger warnings: grief, death of a loved one

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Always Be My Duchess by Amalie Howard

A talented ballerina and a grumpy duke with a passion for piano initiate a fake engagement that threatens to become real amidst growing feelings. Amalie Howard made me swoon with this one. Effortlessly beautiful writing and the kind of unhinged yearning you can only get from a really good historical romance. God I just loved the main pairing here. Geneviève was so honest and the way she took charge had me dying. Lysander seemed really cold and aloof, but he’s exactly the opposite. This book was just lovely. Perfect for those looking to re-experience Bridgerton season two or in search of a new romance favorite.

Trigger warnings: death, emotional abuse, violence, infertility

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Better Hate Than Never by Chloe Liese

Better Hate Than Never is an exemplary hate-to-love romance surrounding the misperceptions that come from protecting ourselves and those we care about, and how we can break down those barriers and better ourselves. Part Shakespeare retelling, and all things hot and vulnerable, Liese’s tremendous talent for portraying personal transformation and vulnerability is at its height. Kate and Christopher truly are the moment, with an open communication that is worth angsting over and longing for. Liese will give you standards you didn’t even know you needed, like a man who makes you pasta at the drop of a hat. Better Hate Than Never is not only a fantastic love story, it’s Liese’s best work to date.

Trigger warnings: chronic illness, grief, panic attacks

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Iris Kelly Doesnt Date by Ashley Herring Blake

The final book in the Bright Falls series and my absolute favorite! Ashley Herring Blake is back with a queer twist on Shakespeare and fake dating with cynical Iris Kelly finally meeting her match. Featuring a disaster one night stand and a queer production of Much Ado About Nothing. This luminous queer romance had me from its very first pages. I love disaster meet cutes and boy did these two have one. By far one of my favorite romances of 2023. It’s hot as hell, especially vulnerable, and just so lovely. I’m going to keep coming back to this one now and forever.

Trigger warnings: infidelity

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Plot Twist by Erin La Rosa

Erin La Rosa is quickly becoming a romance author to watch and Plot Twist is proof. This one’s got the unconventional pairing I didn’t know I needed: a romance writer on a deadline and her neighbor, a former star out of the spotlight. Plot Twist packs in the tropes while managing to engage in meaningful commentary on sobriety, harmful family dynamics, and modern relationships. The tension is off the charts between Sophie and Dash from page one and this is without a doubt the hottest romance I’ve read this year. Go forth and read, you’ll thank me later.

Trigger warnings: alcoholism, stalking, death, addiction

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An Earl to Remember by Stacy Reid

A retelling of Overboard with a historical romance twist. Getting revenge on the callous Earl who fired you just got easier: he’s got amnesia and it’s become pertinent that you pretend he is your husband (bonus points: you can put him to work fixing up your deteriorating estate). Stacy Reid is the queen of historical romances with bonkers plotlines that somehow leave you in all the right feels. I don’t know how to explain it, but An Earl to Remember made me feel like these two WERE married and it made every part of their developing relationship cut that much deeper. It’s hard to pull off amnesia trope and Stacy Reid did, and made me fall completely in love with the Heyford family. This one is for all the “my wife” fans out there!

Trigger warnings: misogyny

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When the Marquess Met His Match by Laura Lee Guhrke

A notorious rake finds love where he least expects it in the respectable matchmaker he hired to find himself a wife. When the Marquess Met His Match is by far one of my favorite historical romances of this year. When I say this book had me giggling and kicking my feet in the air I mean it. Nicholas and Belinda served a deliriously slow burn and their back-and-forth made for the best chemistry. These two made me insane in the best possible way and I cannot wait to reread this when I need a good pick-me-up. Laura Lee Guhrke is known for her unique twists in the genre and this is her best by far!

Trigger warnings: death

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Knockout by Sarah Maclean

Pyrotechnics-obsessed Imogen Loveless and inspector Thomas Peck confront mystery and danger in this explosive addition to Sarah Maclean’s Hell’s Belles series. Maclean delivers a whip-smart dynamic between her two leads centered around a spirited group of women taking charge in bringing about justice. A deeply satisfying addition to the series that feels as chaotic as its main heroine. Knockout packs a punch and will leave you craving more from its author. Truly one of the best romances of the year!

Trigger warnings: violence, blood

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Review: You, with a View by Jessica Joyce

Robin2 Comments

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Unemployed and living with her parents, Noelle Shepherd’s life takes another unexpected turn when her grandmother dies. Adrift in her grief and desperate to connect with her, Noelle explores the pieces of her grandmother’s past, surprised to uncover a love letter and several photographs of Gram and a mysterious man from decades prior. In her desperate attempt to find answers, Noelle goes viral, leading her to connect with the grandson of the unknown man, none other than her high school nemesis, Theo Spencer. Despite her annoyance with having to face Theo, Noelle learns from his grandfather Paul that he and her grandmother had plans to elope, but were prevented, leaving their honeymoon road trip unfinished. The two form a plan to complete the honeymoon road trip, but not without Theo in tow. Between the picturesque landscapes and long car rides, the tension between Theo and Noelle escalates, and completing the long-lost road trip may mean admitting just how unfinished things between them actually are.

I have officially found my new favorite book and summer romance all rolled into one with Jessica Joyce’s heartwarming debut novel. You, with a View seamlessly blends the travel narrative with a slow-burn romance that left me aching for new connections and an extensive summer road trip. Noelle Shepherd’s search for connection after the passing of her grandmother leads her across the United States, where she reignites her passion for photography and finds a new link back to her family’s past. Not to mention a tension-filled relationship brewing with her handsome road trip companion. Joyce infuses this heartrending beginning with majestic landmarks and sweeping scenery that were visually stunning on the level of leaving me with an extreme case of wanderlust. With all that in mind, pretty much everything in this called out to me from the start. Noelle and Theo had far too much chemistry for me not to immediately adore everything about them and stay up all night trying to reach the conclusion of their love story. With my penchant for all the men down bad™ out there, Theo Spencer has certainly become one of my new favorite book boyfriends. There were several lines in particular that had me gasping out loud and fanning myself. Joyce gives us all the longing stares and forced proximity, that develops in the most satisfying way over the course of this novel. Something else I really appreciated in this romance is the way in which Joyce focuses on each character’s emotional arc. Both Theo and Noelle are in different stages on their journey toward healing and Joyce gave them their time to grow and process what they needed to. There are so many feelings explored within this novel and it’s not lost on me how Joyce makes you feel every single one. You, with a View, is hands down one of the best romances of 2023. With magnificent tension and a profound emotional journey, Joyce has established herself as a stellar new voice in romance. 

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger warnings: grief, death of a loved one

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Review: Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

A brilliant but overlooked sound editor, Montserrat’s work behind the scenes has soured of late. Her closest friend since childhood, Tristán, is a faded soap opera star who spends his days chasing the past. When Tristán discovers that his next-door neighbor is none other than the legendary cult horror director Abel Urueta, the three form a friendship. Many years prior, Ureta was involved in a film production that was rumored to involve imbuing a kind of magic into the silver nitrate film stock, but the film was never completed. Ureta claims this is the reason his career went downhill, and he implores the pair to assist him in completing the final scene. But as Tristán and Montserrat dig deeper, they are drawn into a complicated history of Nazi occultism – a shadowed figure stalks Montserrat, and Tristán is plagued by the appearance of his deceased ex-girlfriend. The more they seek to discover the truth of the lost film, the more likely that magic and sorcery are entangled with filmmaking than they ever could have realized, and they’ll have to break the cycle to survive the consequences.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia transports readers to the silver screen with a heart-pounding thriller that subtly blends the history of cinema with a deep dive into Mexican horror and Nazi occultism. Following two childhood friends as they attempt to unravel a decades-old curse while navigating strange new powers, Moreno-Garcia slowly entangles readers in an age-old struggle with occultism and the powers vying for control. When I first read about Silvia’s newest thriller, I was more than ready to navigate curses and brave new horrors to experience a new book from one of my favorite authors. Silver Nitrate gradually drives the knife in, with a slow-building narrative that never quite makes you feel on solid ground. There is something uniquely cinematic captured here, as we are taken deep into the history of silver nitrate film and the dark magic unfortunately caught up in it. What I’ve come to love about Moreno-Garcia’s work is the historical contexts woven into every one of her stories. Silver Nitrate explores everything from Mexican horror, to movie production, and occultism, and it was all so fascinating to follow. Silvia slowly envelops readers in this world and its characters, jaded sound editor Montserrat, and her childhood friend and soap opera star Tristan, as they delve deep into the past and find unexpected horrors. Montserrat is everything I love about women horror protagonists, a jaded introvert with an unexpected cutting edge. As always, there’s a tidbit of romance present that uplifts the story and plays into the cinematic feel. With her latest, Silvia Moreno-Garcia deftly plots a sound editor’s entanglement with a fabled nitrate film that reaps unintended consequences on all those involved. Silver Nitrate has all the feels of a cult classic with a unique historical context. It’s everything I love about Silvia and her best novel yet!

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing this arc to review.

Trigger warnings: blood, death, murder, drug abuse, racism, xenophobia

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Review: Happy Place by Emily Henry

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

College sweethearts Harriet and Wyn were the perfect couple for decades until one day they weren’t. Six months to the day since the breakup, the two still have yet to break the news to their best friends. The group’s yearly getaway to a cottage in Maine approaches and inevitably the two hatch an unwanted scheme: to pretend to be together for the length of the week, avoiding any inquisition from their friends and confrontation with one another. But the cottage is for sale, meaning this is the penultimate trip for the group, and may very well be the last time they are all together. Moreover, distance has not dulled the ache between Wyn and Harriet, and they walk a fragile line between everything they are pretending and everything they could be. Keeping up appearances will mean continuing to lie, not only to their friends and each other but to themselves.

Happy Place is absolute magic, bottled up and delivered in the form of saccharine summer days, happiness, teary moments, and newfound longing, and I loved every single second of it. With her fourth novel, Emily Henry extends upon the brilliance of her previous three works, both narratively and in scope of character. Its wonderfully unique friendships and signature blend of past and present merge to deliver a truly unforgettable romance. Through her first attempt at the second chance storyline, Emily Henry delivers a romance that completely altered my brain chemistry. An established history grounds the story and instills lingering tension that builds and builds as Henry swings us back and forth between the past and present day. It’s a romance that slowly crept up on me, as Henry takes a fragmented retrospect narratively, but nevertheless makes you feel every cutting moment and longing glance. Where this novel really sunk into my bones is the simultaneous developing and rekindling romance between Wyn and Harriet. There’s magic wrapped up in this love story and these friendships, centered around the changes in life that they have all weathered together. For that matter, Happy Place stands apart from Henry’s first three novels, specifically because of its friend group. Unresolved feelings run deep with our main couple, but close friends also harbor secrets. Couples deal with their own issues and losses, as Wyn and Harriet navigate their own. It feels very found family, particularly with Harriet shouldering a difficult upbringing with friends that have very much become her family. Various griefs and unresolved trauma intersect this renewed love story imbuing such depth into the second-chance romance. Wholeheartedly intimate, sensual, and vulnerable, Happy Place is an open window into the burdens we shoulder and the connections that give us strength. No doubt Emily Henry’s best romance novel yet and proof that she is only going to get better from here.

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing this arc to review.

Trigger warnings: grief, infidelity

My Blurb for Happy Place is an Indie Next #1 Pick

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Review: A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

Robin2 Comments

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Sam Montgomery pulls into her mother’s North Carolina Suburb with the knowledge that something is wrong, her brother’s forewarning that “mom seems off” lingering in her mind. When she enters the house her greatest fears are realized. The walls have been repainted, her mother’s signature flair abandoned, and deep in the recesses of the backyard buried in the dirt is a jar full of teeth. Worse, vultures fly overhead circling the property in ever-growing numbers. Her mother is fidgety, worried about something that couldn’t possibly be there, so Sam takes the couch in between her murder mystery binges and cataloging of various insects for her job. But something is entering the house in the night and whispering in Sam’s ear, shattering glasses and pulling down artwork during the daytime. The more strange occurrences she can’t explain, the more frightened her mom gets, until Sam is willing to believe the impossible and dig where she shouldn’t to set things right.

I’ve come to expect the weirdly bizarre and extraordinarily creepy from T. Kingfisher since diving deep into her backlist this previous fall. I read Nettle & Bone, The Hollow Places, and What Moves the Dead all in the span of a week and was left craving more weird stories. With that in mind, A House with Good Bones is the pinnacle of all the bizarre writing T. Kingfisher has achieved so far in her writing career. A chaotic combination of vultures, entomology, enchanted gardens, and one family’s hidden legacy with magic. Through the perspective of Sam Montgomery, an entomologist on leave, Kingfisher entangles the reader in a sinister struggle between the hidden powers below, and an unlikely pairing of people determined to stand their ground. Kingfisher establishes the plot superbly, with a sinister aura that becomes more fully grounded as we learn more about what’s going on in the house and its roots in the family history. It feels very similar to The Hollow Places, with a disquiet shrouded over the minds of all the characters each with their own fragmented understanding of the playing field, none of whom realize what’s truly at stake. Kingfisher does an excellent job untangling her strange web and placing readers directly in the path of her peculiar reality – pulling forth this world that lies above with what has been lying in wait below. It’s oddly fitting that this bizarre underbelly is uncovered by Sam, a scientist with a rational approach to every aspect of her life. Her first thought isn’t that ghosts or magic are responsible for the strange stuff occurring, but that there’s a logical explanation. Sam’s own transformation is surreal in its own way and adds so much to the developing storyline. Honestly, there’s not a thing I didn’t love about this one. T. Kingfisher crafts a suspenseful Southern Gothic horror novel draped in dread, with an underbelly that pricks sharper than any thorn. Whenever I’m yearning for the strange and otherworldly, there’s no doubt that Kingfisher will continue to deliver.

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review

Trigger warning: blood, fatphobia, racism, child abuse

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Lets Talk: My Favorite Books of 2022

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My top reads of 2022, are coming at you four months late, but as Harper Collins workers advocated for a fair contract these past several months, It was necessary to delay this. Looking back at 2022, I am left feeling like there were so many books that I didn’t get around to reading. Nevertheless, this year was very successful for me. I read a whopping 373 books which is the highest amount I have ever reached since I started documenting my reading, and a majority of these were 4-5 star reads. 2022 marked my deep dive into historical romance and fantasy, two genres I feel I had not been reading enough of prior to the start of the year, and as these were my two most prevalent genres in 2022, I can definitively say that went off without a hitch. Narrowing down my favorite reads of the year presented quite a challenge, but I managed to decide upon my top twelve. Given that I started bookselling this year I thought it would be fun to present them with the shelf-talkers I display at the store. It’s safe to say that there were many books I left out of this, but expect some romance and fantasy features in the coming month!

Top Reads of 2022

Joan by Katherine J. Chen

A revitalized look into the life and times of Joan of Arc, from her startings in Domrémy France, to her martyrdom and eventual rise to sainthood. Katherine Chen has created a version of Joan of Arc completely unheard of in our time, emphasizing the woman beneath the image, flawed and unyielding. With as much of a focus on the history surrounding the Hundred Years War as its central figure, this story slowly enraptured me. Joan is perfect for fans of historical fiction, or even readers wanting to take a stab at the genre. A brilliant novel for the ages.

Trigger warnings: blood, violence, war

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The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi

Roshani Chokshi breathes life into this gothic novel centered around fairytales, myth, and the treacherous secrets of a marriage. Wandering the halls of the crumbling House of Dreams, Chokshi spins her tale, interweaving fairy tales into the central narrative amidst broken promises and childhood dreams. Expertly crafted, with lush writing and an unsettling undertone, this is everything you could possibly wish for in a gothic novel. The way it slowly approaches the final act will leave you breathless in its downfall.

Trigger warnings: blood, death, violence, murder

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The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

In a secluded estate far removed from the conflict on Yucatans peninsula, Carlota Moreau lives an isolated existence. That is, until the arrival of two strange gentlemen dissolve her fragile world into chaos. Layering in themes of colonization, class, and subjugation, Moreno-Garcia examines possession and the relationship between creator and subject. This is her best work by far. Wonderfully romantic and intense in its resistance.

Trigger Warnings: violence, blood, abuse, death, gun violence, suicide, experimentation

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Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

Last of the true witches in all of Oblya, Marlinchen and her sisters spend their days tending to their clientele, and placating the unending appetites of their cursed wizard father. A chance connection spells freedom, but at a price that may be too monstrous to pay. Gorgeously gruesome and brutal in its design, Juniper & Thorn is a twisted gothic horror retelling of The Juniper Tree, imbued with memory, a poignant examination of abuse, and survivorhood in all forms.

Trigger warnings: violence, emotional abuse, gore, blood, death, murder, body horror, cannibalism, eating disorder (bulimia), vomiting (graphic), sexual assault, antisemitism, xenophobia, drug use 

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A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft

In an isolated manor on the edge of town, sharpshooter Margaret Welty lives alone. When she spots the legendary Hala in the woods one evening, she knows that the annual halfmoon hunt is about to commence. The only problem? She appears to be short a partner. Allison Saft’s sophomore novel is purely evocative, with hunts in a moonlight wood, an exquisite exploration of loneliness, and a rediscovery of love lost. Full of words that drown you in their depths and a striking fantasy atmosphere, I loved every second of this (Margaret + Wes forever have my heart).

Trigger warnings: blood, gore, emotional abuse, neglect, antisemitism, xenophobia, nationalism, animal death and injury, ableism, parental death (mentioned), PTSD

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Babel by R.F Kuang

What can I say about this extraordinary book that hasn’t already been said? Babel is one of those books that slowly leads you through a flawed world and characters seeking to make it better and then leaves you to grapple with its legacy. R.f Kuang explores the longevity of empire and whether or not violence and sacrifice have become the only translatable actions. Through the eyes of a translation student at Oxford and five acts, Kuang conducts her discordant symphony and four students’ slow descent into disillusionment. I needed a whole month to recover from this (as well as several scones) and you will too.

Trigger warnings: racism, racial slurs, death, murder, war, slavery, colonization

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A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross

There’s so much I could say about Rebecca Ross’s Elements of Cadence duology that would fall woefully short. This duology is a raging fire of community, belonging, love, and sacrifice that slowly rekindled my adoration for enemies to lovers and slow-burn fantasy. This series follows a suffering bard and his childhood enemy-turned-wife as they navigate clan wars, mysterious illnesses, and a world thrown out of balance. There’s so so much yearning and desperation to understand the world and our place in it. I’m absolutely obsessed with the main two couples in this book and I’m begging everyone to give this series a try.

Trigger warnings: blood, death, violence, grief

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The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri

Declared the rightful empress of Parijatdvipa by the prophet of the nameless god, Malini wages war to get back what was taken from her. Meanwhile, Priya faces an unsettling situation back in Ahiranya. This follow-up to The Jasmine Throne stole my heart and destroyed my soul with a slow and delicate grace. Intensely ruthless and brutal at its core, The Oleander Sword is an astonishing sequel that blooms with betrayal, romance, and unintended sacrifice. Tasha Suri’s Burning Kingdoms is an exemplary fantasy series, altogether epic and expansive.

Trigger warnings: death, violence, war, suicide

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The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi

In a world where the color of your blood determines your standing, two young women switched at birth to ignite a failed revolution reunite in an effort to achieve what they both desire. This is easily one of my favorite fantasy debuts of the whole year — ruthless and entirely ambitious. El-Arifi has poured her soul into this expansive story where loyalties are tested and history is not as truthful as it appears. Do yourself a favor and pick up this epic and queer fantasy debut.

Trigger warnings: blood, addiction, child abuse

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The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

When her father is discovered dead in his office at the New York Public Library, in possession of the very map that tarnished her reputation and destroyed their relationship, Nell Young is drawn into an investigation with greater consequences than she could have ever imagined. Peng Shepherd draws together an incredible narrative of belonging, secret societies, personal history, and magic. I flew through this in one afternoon and could not stop thinking about it for weeks afterward. This book is unexpectedly ingenious and I could not put it down.

Trigger warnings: death, grief, murder, violence

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Exes and O’s by Amy Lea

Amy Lea’s follow-up novel to Set on You quickly flew to the top of my radar. Romance novel obsessed Tara Chen has had more than her fair share of heartbreak. After an inspiring interview, Tara gets an idea: revisit all of her past romances and reevaluate them with the hope of securing the time-honored trope, the second chance romance. Amy Lea has written the romance heroine of my dreams and one of my all-time favorite friends-to-lovers romances. A true love letter to every romance aficionado out there, and funny as hell!

Trigger warnings: sexism, gaslighting

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Happy Place by Emily Henry

Happy Place is absolute magic, bottled up and delivered in the form of saccharine summer days, happiness, teary moments, and newfound longing, and I loved every single second of it. Its wonderfully unique friendships and signature blend of past and present merge to deliver a truly unforgettable romance. Prepare to fall in love with Wyn, Harriet, and a friend group together across the years. Emily Henry is the master of the romance novel and Happy Place is her best one yet!

Trigger warnings: death, grief, alcohol consumption

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And that’s a wrap on my favorite reads of the year. So many amazing reads marked my journey through 2022, and I can’t wait to see what I get to in the coming year. There were many of my favorite reads that did not make the final cut (gone but never forgotten) and I will be highlighting those in a future post or collection so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, I’d love to hear if any of these were on your list and what books really impacted you in 2022.

Review: The Fiancee Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

Bookish Tansy Adams has always found comfort in managing her family bookstore handed down after the passing of her late father, rather than the real-world romantic encounters she can’t seem to parse. When her family refuses to let up on the romance front, Tansy invents a girlfriend, Gemma, inspired by a gorgeous cover model featured on dozens of romance novels. Tansy’s lie is put to the test at a wedding, when in walks Gemma van Dalen, cousin of the groom, and the very person around whom she created her lie. Heir to the family’s newspaper empire, Gemma is on the brink of obtaining everything, except for the clause that says she must marry before the year is out or the inheritance defaults to her cousin. When confronted with Tansy’s lie, Gemma plays along, and a modern marriage of convenience is born. Tansy and Gemma make quite the unconventional couple, yet they have an undeniable connection that could lead to something real, provided they survive the family determined to oust their engagement as a farce.

Alexandria Bellefleur pens another effortlessly charming contemporary romance, harkening back to god-tier romantic comedies, and a multitude of Taylor Swift references. After falling head over heels for Count Your Lucky Stars this past winter and the entire Written in the Stars series, there wasn’t a force on earth that could stop me from sinking my teeth into Bellefleurs newest as soon as possible. I mean, an indie bookseller who agrees to a fake marriage with a newspaper heiress turned romance cover model?? I was sold. Bellefleur writes the romances I’ve dreamed of reading my entire life, and there’s a magic captured in her original trilogy that perfectly translates over to her newest novel. Reading The Fiancee Farce feels perfectly familiar, through its black sheep heroine taking desperate measures, and a bookstore on the verge of being sold, much to the chagrin of its owner. These are the tropes and storylines formulaic for countless romances, yet the proposed solution to the novel’s central problem is where Bellefleur makes her twist– through a queer modern-day marriage of convenience. Everything about this shines, through the open vulnerability between leads Gemma and Tansy, and the overbearing family intent on driving them apart. These two have such an honest chemistry that is only intensified against all of the meddling and disorderly plans that ensue. The little dates and domestic moments contained in the midst of it all only made me all the more smitten. From its impeccable setup, right up to its emotional conclusion, The Fiancee Farce is pure chaos combined with all the romantic tropes and twists I could ever yearn for in a romance novel. Bellefleur continues to outdo herself with every passing year and I’ll be anxiously awaiting anything that she does next. 

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger warnings: sexual harassment, slut shaming, death of a parent

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