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366 reviews
The Fox and the Bladesworn by Jay Dell
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
š³ļøāšRep: Sapphic MCs
šTropes/Themes: Swords & Sapphics, Adventure, Mutual Pining, Ancient Gods, Strangers to Friends to Lovers, Magic, Fated Mates
Oh my goodness! This was my first book by Jaydell but it most certainly will not be my last! The Fox and the Bladesworn was a quick and delightful read about a Foxkin (fox shifter) with no memory of who she is and a grieving warrior with a mission who end up on an adventure together after their paths mysteriously cross. Thereās magic and mischief and ancient gods plus a delectable sapphic romance mixed in. This novella will pull you in with its lyrical writing that makes even the landscape come to life. It invokes all your senses as you read and will leave you wanting more. It's a story filled with adventure and romance and has plot twists and turns you won't see coming. I was truly impressed with the amount of world building and storyline Jaydell managed to pack into this novella and I am beyond excited to find out what happens next in the story!
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Minor: Death
Beyond Her Manner by Emily Banting
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
š³ļøāšRep: 40+ Lesbian MC, 50+ Unlabeled Queer FMC (itās complicated lol)
šTropes/Themes: Celebrity Romance, Small Town, Coming Out, Slow Burn, Age Gap, Wealth Gap, Forced Proximity, Grief/Loss, Crafty Cat, Adorable Horse
Beyond Her Manner is a contemporary romance novel with a historical feel to it given the setting in a quaint English village that centers around the Kingsford Manor - which also happens to be the center of Gillian Carmichaelās existence. Gillian had a marriage of convenience that lasted 35 years until her husbandās death. It wasnāt her marriage that created her sense of identity - it was the manor itself. So when her husband dies and she finds out he squandered so much money that she has to sell her beloved home, it also means she will lose the only thing that has truly given her a sense of identity in her whole adult life.
I wouldnāt really call Gillian an Ice Queen. She was more salty than icy in my opinion. Her grief and anger over losing her home created a lot of animosity between her and the new owner for sure. But that animosity quickly turns into understanding as Gillian and Viola bond over their grief, Viola having just lost her mother whom she bought this home for.
It took awhile for Gillian to grow on me, but Viola I loved from the start. She was just looking for some peace and quiet in the country and had no idea that buying this home was akin to starting a new job. Ironically enough, it turns out the only time she ever seems to find that peace is with the prickly (but gorgeous) woman who is the only person in the village not excited to have her there.
I loved watching Viola and Gillian connect and bond. They got off to a rocky start but once they find common ground their connection is truly beautiful. Expect a very slow burn though in this story. Lots of pining from Violaās side, but Gillian has spent too long repressing that part of her to easily let it back out again. Gillianās backstory made my heart ache for her. This book was both a story about Gillian rediscovering herself again in her 50s and a story about two women finding love in the midst of grief.
I loved that both MCs were over 40 - as Iām almost 40 now myself I love seeing more stories with characters that are older in age. And I also love the play on words with the title! Very clever. Two of the real stars of the story though are Dudley, the horse, and Agatha, the conniving and crafty cat - who Iām pretty sure was trying to get these two together from the start! This was a very enjoyable and quick read filled with witty banter, interesting characters, plenty of drama, cute animals, and moments that capture your heart.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
šTropes/Themes: Celebrity Romance, Small Town, Coming Out, Slow Burn, Age Gap, Wealth Gap, Forced Proximity, Grief/Loss, Crafty Cat, Adorable Horse
Beyond Her Manner is a contemporary romance novel with a historical feel to it given the setting in a quaint English village that centers around the Kingsford Manor - which also happens to be the center of Gillian Carmichaelās existence. Gillian had a marriage of convenience that lasted 35 years until her husbandās death. It wasnāt her marriage that created her sense of identity - it was the manor itself. So when her husband dies and she finds out he squandered so much money that she has to sell her beloved home, it also means she will lose the only thing that has truly given her a sense of identity in her whole adult life.
I wouldnāt really call Gillian an Ice Queen. She was more salty than icy in my opinion. Her grief and anger over losing her home created a lot of animosity between her and the new owner for sure. But that animosity quickly turns into understanding as Gillian and Viola bond over their grief, Viola having just lost her mother whom she bought this home for.
It took awhile for Gillian to grow on me, but Viola I loved from the start. She was just looking for some peace and quiet in the country and had no idea that buying this home was akin to starting a new job. Ironically enough, it turns out the only time she ever seems to find that peace is with the prickly (but gorgeous) woman who is the only person in the village not excited to have her there.
I loved watching Viola and Gillian connect and bond. They got off to a rocky start but once they find common ground their connection is truly beautiful. Expect a very slow burn though in this story. Lots of pining from Violaās side, but Gillian has spent too long repressing that part of her to easily let it back out again. Gillianās backstory made my heart ache for her. This book was both a story about Gillian rediscovering herself again in her 50s and a story about two women finding love in the midst of grief.
I loved that both MCs were over 40 - as Iām almost 40 now myself I love seeing more stories with characters that are older in age. And I also love the play on words with the title! Very clever. Two of the real stars of the story though are Dudley, the horse, and Agatha, the conniving and crafty cat - who Iām pretty sure was trying to get these two together from the start! This was a very enjoyable and quick read filled with witty banter, interesting characters, plenty of drama, cute animals, and moments that capture your heart.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia and Alcohol
The moderate homophobia is internalized homophobia one of the MC deals with throughout the book.
Don't Fall in Love by Sally Brooks
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
š³ļøāšRep: Lesbian MC, Asian Bi/Pan LI, Nonbinary & Queer SCs
This was a quick and fairly lighthearted read considering some of the more intense themes underlying the story. Chrissie and Nisha used to be best friends. More than friends. But then everything went south and they never spoke again. But a couple decades later Chrissie still has no idea why. Nisha is also the last person she expected to see standing in the classroom as the new teacher she would be assisting that year. Chrissie has been trying to start over after she went through a very traumatic experience that completely changed her life. Now she lives by three rules: Donāt Fall in Love, Question Everything, Give Back. But can she stick to rules with her old flame back in her life?
There was a lot of backstory packed into this relatively quick read and the author did a great job of slowly filling in more details and gaps along the way. I enjoyed the relationship and connection between Chrissie and Nisha. Chrissie was a bit chaotic and messy - but with everything sheād been through it was easy to understand why. I was definitely rooting for them to work through their past and find a new path forward together. They could not deny the bond they shared even if they tried. They were just drawn to one other and their chemistry was undeniable from the moment they reconnected. It may have taken them a long time to find their way back to each other, but together is where they truly belong. I also really loved seeing Chrissie grow and learn to trust again. She was not the same person at the end of the story as she was in the beginning. She was finally ready to start living again, not just survive.
There were a few aspects of the story that I just couldnāt get on board with. Iām not sure if things are different in the UK than in America, but as someone who knows a lot of teachers and has worked with children and youth in a lot of different capacities - the bits about the school trip were just not jiving for me. I know itās fiction, but it was way too unrealistic for me. The trip came together way too fast. They got drunk at night while out of the country with 25 children and were more focused on hooking up than on chaperoning. If not for the school trip part of the story I probably would have rated this a bit higher. It just made it harder for me to connect and get pulled into the story when I kept cringing about their behavior on that trip.
I did not realize the second book in a series when I signed up to be an ARC reader, but while characters from book one make an appearance in this story, it can very much be read as a standalone. There are definitely some ties between the books (the MC in book one being the ex of the MC in book two) and Iām not sure how much of Chrissieās backstory was included as part of book one, but I didnāt feel like I was missing anything while reading this book.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
šTropes/Themes: Forced Proximity, Second Chance, Only One Bed, Friends to Lovers, Return to Hometown, Workplace Romance, Starting Over, Setting: UK/Paris
This was a quick and fairly lighthearted read considering some of the more intense themes underlying the story. Chrissie and Nisha used to be best friends. More than friends. But then everything went south and they never spoke again. But a couple decades later Chrissie still has no idea why. Nisha is also the last person she expected to see standing in the classroom as the new teacher she would be assisting that year. Chrissie has been trying to start over after she went through a very traumatic experience that completely changed her life. Now she lives by three rules: Donāt Fall in Love, Question Everything, Give Back. But can she stick to rules with her old flame back in her life?
There was a lot of backstory packed into this relatively quick read and the author did a great job of slowly filling in more details and gaps along the way. I enjoyed the relationship and connection between Chrissie and Nisha. Chrissie was a bit chaotic and messy - but with everything sheād been through it was easy to understand why. I was definitely rooting for them to work through their past and find a new path forward together. They could not deny the bond they shared even if they tried. They were just drawn to one other and their chemistry was undeniable from the moment they reconnected. It may have taken them a long time to find their way back to each other, but together is where they truly belong. I also really loved seeing Chrissie grow and learn to trust again. She was not the same person at the end of the story as she was in the beginning. She was finally ready to start living again, not just survive.
There were a few aspects of the story that I just couldnāt get on board with. Iām not sure if things are different in the UK than in America, but as someone who knows a lot of teachers and has worked with children and youth in a lot of different capacities - the bits about the school trip were just not jiving for me. I know itās fiction, but it was way too unrealistic for me. The trip came together way too fast. They got drunk at night while out of the country with 25 children and were more focused on hooking up than on chaperoning. If not for the school trip part of the story I probably would have rated this a bit higher. It just made it harder for me to connect and get pulled into the story when I kept cringing about their behavior on that trip.
I did not realize the second book in a series when I signed up to be an ARC reader, but while characters from book one make an appearance in this story, it can very much be read as a standalone. There are definitely some ties between the books (the MC in book one being the ex of the MC in book two) and Iām not sure how much of Chrissieās backstory was included as part of book one, but I didnāt feel like I was missing anything while reading this book.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
šTropes/Themes: Forced Proximity, Second Chance, Only One Bed, Friends to Lovers, Return to Hometown, Workplace Romance, Starting Over, Setting: UK/Paris
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Stalking, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Mentions/brief description of a cult, Divorce
Secret Spark by Kelly Farmer
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
Oh my gosh! This was such a fun read! Secret Spark is not your typical story about superheroes and villains. This story is a more of a satirical take on this common theme filled with lots of humor and snark and plenty of action! It also takes what you think you know about heroes and villains and scrambles it all up. The heroes in this story arenāt your typical heroes, and neither are the villains. Especially Spark, aka Joan. Joan wants to get out of the business and open a food truck with her twin brother and fellow Supervillain, Mark. I absolutely love the relationship between these two and their Supervillain father figure, Perry. A truly beautiful (even if a bit villainous) found family. Joan and Markās backstory is pretty powerful too and definitely makes my heart go out to them.
Meanwhile, Sadie is loving her job as a barista and dreaming about opening her own cafe one day. If only the Supers would stop destroying things all the time so insurance costs werenāt so outrageous! Sadie is obsessed with the Supers though. So when she suspects her new neighbor with the unreal amber eyes isnāt a norm like her, she assumes this very attractive woman must be none other than her Superhero crush, leading to a case of very mistaken identity. And Sadie is so used to falling for not good people, that she gets a little obsessed at times with her new paramour being one of the ultimate āgood guys.ā And Joan doesnāt correct her assumptions. She also doesnāt confirm her suspicions exactly either. She never flat out lies, and she even shares real parts of herself with Sadie, but she also withholds the full truth. Joan has to be careful about revealing too much for her own safety and Sadieās. But sheās also rather smitten with her new neighbor and scared of what will happen when she learns the truth. Especially knowing how she feels about Superheroes and Villains. But keeping the flames from igniting (literally and figuratively) is harder than she imagined.
I absolutely adored the connection between Sadie and Joan. They have so much chemistry it literally SPARKS! š„There is definitely some miscommunication around Joanās identity - but itās all very low angst. I love that Sadie even does some self reflection to realize the miscommunication was partly her own fault. These two definitely have an opposites attract and a bit of a grumpy/sunshine vibe going on, but their connection is truly palpable and their romance is incredibly adorable. Plus it heats up really nicely too! š„µ
This was a super quick and fun read and I am really looking forward to book two in the series and finding out what shenanigans happen next!
š³ļøāšRep: Pan MC, Lesbian MC, Gay & Nonbinary SCs
šTropes/Themes: Superheroes/villians, Mistaken Identity, Humor/Snark, Found Family, Low Angst, Opposites Attract, Adventure/Action, Be Gay Do Crime
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury
How Could You by Ren Strapp
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I was really excited for this graphic novel, but it unfortunately just didnāt hit the mark. There was so much amazing rep in this story, including several LGBTQ+ and POC characters as well as a cane user. And the artwork was amazing. I truly loved the graphics. But the story itself left a lot to be desired. There was so much going on in this story, but about 95% was just straight up drama. The characters were all very immature - they felt more like freshman in high school than juniors and seniors in college. There was also a character who I thought was nonbinary but their pronouns shifted midway and there was never any discussion around their identity - so I really have no idea. All the characters felt very shallow with little depth to who they were, even around some very big topics like identity that could have been explored in this story. This story was basically one big dumpster fire of drama and poor choices. Nothing got settled or resolved, and it basically just ended with a giant shoulder shrug.
š³ļøāšRep: Lesbian, Bi/Pan, POC, Nonbinary (maybe?), Trans (possibly - implied not stated)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
Waiting for Eternity by Alyson Root
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
The Loch and Key series by Alyson Root are quick, enjoyable books that put a new twist on vampires and vampiric lore that I absolutely gulped down! Itās important to read Risking Immortality first because Waiting for Eternity is a continuation of the story in book one and, while it could be read on its own, just wonāt have the same impact. (Warning - spoilers ahead if you havenāt read book one yet.)
Erin is a human. Or at least she was born as one. But her whole life and world turned upside when she met Amelia Loch - a vampire. Amelia and Erin are fated mates - destined for one another and now bound together for eternity. Or so they hope. But no one is certain what is going to happen once Erin turns 30. Will she transform into a vampire and become immortal? Or remain human? Before they have a chance to find out, changes begin happening to Erin that are even more unexplainable, creating more questions than answers.
The more these changes begin to take place, the more terrified Erin gets of who she is becoming. No one is certain what these changes mean or if they are good or bad. But as other events begin to happen, it seems there may be more to these changes. And the more Erin learns, the more secrets she uncovers. Erin doesnāt want to be a savior. She just wants to enjoy life with Amelia. But Erin doesnāt realize Amelia has begun to change too. And together is the only way they will get through whatever lies ahead.
I really enjoyed book one, but book two was even better! I love the world building Alyson has done with this series - the different backstory to who vampires are, the stories of fated mates and fallen vampires and ancient prophecies. It was a unique and fascinating story line that kept me hooked from the start. I stayed up late finishing because I couldnāt put it down and needed to know what happened! I also love the bond between Erin and Amelia and watching the ways in which that bond evolves and strengthens throughout this book. The love and desire they feel for each other is palpable any time they are in the same room, and even when they arenāt thanks to some new found abilities! They are the perfect mixture of sweet and spicy and there are plenty of both deliciously steamy scenes as well as tender heartfelt moments.
Risking Immortality was told from Ameliaās POV, so I really enjoyed getting to hear Erinās POV in this book. It gave me an opportunity to get to know and understand Erin better, especially as she began to go through all these changes. And without giving any spoilers - let me just say that this book will help you understand the title of the series and choice of color for the covers! And I cannot wait for book three to come out - I know itās going to be thrilling!
š³ļøāšRep: Lesbian
šTropes/Themes: Human/Vampire, Paranormal Romance, Established Couple, Adventure/Survival, Fated Mates, Femme/Femme, Family Relationships, Spicy, S3x Toys
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Blood
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Medical trauma and Murder
Moonstruck by Eija Jimenez
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
š³ļøāšRep: Black Bisexual MC, Filipino Lesbian MC, Nonbinary SC, Queer & POC SCs
šTropes/Themes: Witches/Magic, Adorable Dog, Small Town, Meet Ugly, Interracial Couple, Fall Festivities, Paranormal, Family Secrets, Grumpy/Sunshine, Femme/Femme, Canada
This was such a wonderfully witchy, sweet and spicy sapphic romance! I loved the world building and the backstory that Jimenez created for Moonstruck. It was a unique and interesting plot line that kept me hooked from the start.
Maya is a journalist working for one of those paranormal magazines writing stories about things like zombies and alien sightings that she doesnāt even believe in biding time until she can catch her big break. Then her boss finally gives her a story that seems like he might actually be something - thus begins her deep dive into the witches of Ravensglen. Ramona works in marketing. She also happens to be a witch. Her magic has been acting up lately and her new boss is a jerk, so she hasnāt been in the most stellar mood. And wellā¦letās just say that her and Maya do NOT get off to a great start. More like a meet ugly than a meet cute! But for some reason their paths keep crossing. And while Maya is very interested in getting to know the gorgeous grumpy woman, Ramona is a bit more reluctant. Especially when she finds out that this quirky, bubbly woman who has peaked her interest is a journalist investigating witches.
I absolutely loved the banter and the pining between these two. They were so adorable together and their connection was palpable. They truly belong together. Plus the way that Maya affected Ramonaās magicā¦ So wholesome. I was beyond excited when they finally kissed. The tension building up between them was explosive in all the best ways! š„µ
I also loved Ramonaās relationship with her sister, Stevie, and all of Stevieās sass! And Stevie and Amarieās relationship was definitely goals. Plus YAY for nonbinary rep! I think I might have to steal the term āauncleā now! And I canāt forget adorable little Tisha. Iām a sucker for a story with a cute dog.š„¹
I knew at some point things were going to go down and Maya would be caught between her job and her feelings for Ramona. I was not wrong about thatā¦but the way everything happened was also nothing like what I expected. And there was a plot twist I never saw coming! This was my first book by Eija Jimenez but it certainly will not be my last!
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
šTropes/Themes: Witches/Magic, Adorable Dog, Small Town, Meet Ugly, Interracial Couple, Fall Festivities, Paranormal, Family Secrets, Grumpy/Sunshine, Femme/Femme, Canada
This was such a wonderfully witchy, sweet and spicy sapphic romance! I loved the world building and the backstory that Jimenez created for Moonstruck. It was a unique and interesting plot line that kept me hooked from the start.
Maya is a journalist working for one of those paranormal magazines writing stories about things like zombies and alien sightings that she doesnāt even believe in biding time until she can catch her big break. Then her boss finally gives her a story that seems like he might actually be something - thus begins her deep dive into the witches of Ravensglen. Ramona works in marketing. She also happens to be a witch. Her magic has been acting up lately and her new boss is a jerk, so she hasnāt been in the most stellar mood. And wellā¦letās just say that her and Maya do NOT get off to a great start. More like a meet ugly than a meet cute! But for some reason their paths keep crossing. And while Maya is very interested in getting to know the gorgeous grumpy woman, Ramona is a bit more reluctant. Especially when she finds out that this quirky, bubbly woman who has peaked her interest is a journalist investigating witches.
I absolutely loved the banter and the pining between these two. They were so adorable together and their connection was palpable. They truly belong together. Plus the way that Maya affected Ramonaās magicā¦ So wholesome. I was beyond excited when they finally kissed. The tension building up between them was explosive in all the best ways! š„µ
I also loved Ramonaās relationship with her sister, Stevie, and all of Stevieās sass! And Stevie and Amarieās relationship was definitely goals. Plus YAY for nonbinary rep! I think I might have to steal the term āauncleā now! And I canāt forget adorable little Tisha. Iām a sucker for a story with a cute dog.š„¹
I knew at some point things were going to go down and Maya would be caught between her job and her feelings for Ramona. I was not wrong about thatā¦but the way everything happened was also nothing like what I expected. And there was a plot twist I never saw coming! This was my first book by Eija Jimenez but it certainly will not be my last!
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence and Stalking
Minor: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
Sleigh Bells Ring by Alyson Root, Tara Sullivan
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
š³ļøāšRep: Lesbian MC/LI, Queer SCs, SC w/brain injury
Alyson Root is one of those authors where I know that no matter what the story is about and what the overall atmosphere of the story is - Iām going to enjoy it! Sleigh Bells Ring was a truly delightful and fun story that has me pumped and ready for Christmas! This story has so many good things all packed into a fast and festive read. Itās got a sexy calendar photoshoot, ice skating, a Christmas market, family togetherness, sibling shenanigans, an adorable dog (and pet beaver too), plus sapphic pining, very athletic s3x, and a beautiful friends to lovers romance all set in a quaint small town in the UK.
I adored the whole Robinson clan, but especially loved the dynamics between Nic and her siblings, Beth and Liam, as well as her friendship with Tammy. I also loved the inclusion of a prominent side character (Liam) with an anoxic brain injury (and yes, I looked up the term for it). After an accident that deprived his brain of oxygen, he has permanent brain damage. āOperation Sleigh Bellsā started the year following Liamās accident. And the Robinsonsā siblings have spent nearly a decade trying to figure out the mystery of the sleigh bells. This tradition is part of Nicās yearly holiday plans to spend the entire month of December back home with her family.
But itās also the Robinson family Christmas traditions that have led to countless break ups for Nic. Now at number 17, Nic is not sure she will ever find someone whoās okay with her family traditions. But she also never planned for Niamh (pronounced Neev), or Nim as her best friend Liam calls her. Nic hasnāt seen her in a decade. And between her Irish accent, captivating looks, and flirtatious personality, Nic knows sleigh bells will be the least of her worries.
The attraction Nic feels for Nim is apparently not one-sided either. But Niamh is only looking to have fun after a bad relationship, no strings. And since Nic is done with crappy relationships and only in town for a monthā¦why not have a little fun while sheās there, right? šAnd it turns out the magic in the air might be bigger than just sleigh bells.
Sleigh Bells Ring has all the cheesy Hallmark Christmas vibes I love, plus a cast full of characters that endeared themselves to me from page one. Add into that Alyson Rootās humor and a sweet and spicy sapphic romance and youāve got a perfect holiday season read to warm you up and ring your bell! šš
I received an advanced copy from the author and this is my honest review.
šTropes/Themes: Femme/Femme, Return to Hometown, Sibling Relationships, Christmas Fun, Friends to Lovers, Small Town (UK), Sexy Firefighter, Low Angst, Humor
Alyson Root is one of those authors where I know that no matter what the story is about and what the overall atmosphere of the story is - Iām going to enjoy it! Sleigh Bells Ring was a truly delightful and fun story that has me pumped and ready for Christmas! This story has so many good things all packed into a fast and festive read. Itās got a sexy calendar photoshoot, ice skating, a Christmas market, family togetherness, sibling shenanigans, an adorable dog (and pet beaver too), plus sapphic pining, very athletic s3x, and a beautiful friends to lovers romance all set in a quaint small town in the UK.
I adored the whole Robinson clan, but especially loved the dynamics between Nic and her siblings, Beth and Liam, as well as her friendship with Tammy. I also loved the inclusion of a prominent side character (Liam) with an anoxic brain injury (and yes, I looked up the term for it). After an accident that deprived his brain of oxygen, he has permanent brain damage. āOperation Sleigh Bellsā started the year following Liamās accident. And the Robinsonsā siblings have spent nearly a decade trying to figure out the mystery of the sleigh bells. This tradition is part of Nicās yearly holiday plans to spend the entire month of December back home with her family.
But itās also the Robinson family Christmas traditions that have led to countless break ups for Nic. Now at number 17, Nic is not sure she will ever find someone whoās okay with her family traditions. But she also never planned for Niamh (pronounced Neev), or Nim as her best friend Liam calls her. Nic hasnāt seen her in a decade. And between her Irish accent, captivating looks, and flirtatious personality, Nic knows sleigh bells will be the least of her worries.
The attraction Nic feels for Nim is apparently not one-sided either. But Niamh is only looking to have fun after a bad relationship, no strings. And since Nic is done with crappy relationships and only in town for a monthā¦why not have a little fun while sheās there, right? šAnd it turns out the magic in the air might be bigger than just sleigh bells.
Sleigh Bells Ring has all the cheesy Hallmark Christmas vibes I love, plus a cast full of characters that endeared themselves to me from page one. Add into that Alyson Rootās humor and a sweet and spicy sapphic romance and youāve got a perfect holiday season read to warm you up and ring your bell! šš
I received an advanced copy from the author and this is my honest review.
šTropes/Themes: Femme/Femme, Return to Hometown, Sibling Relationships, Christmas Fun, Friends to Lovers, Small Town (UK), Sexy Firefighter, Low Angst, Humor
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
ā ļøTW/CW: mention of abusive relationship, mention of traumatic accident and resulting brain damage
Wolfpitch by Balazs Lorinczi
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
I loved Doughnuts and Doom so I was very excited to get an eARC of this graphic novel through NetGalley. This was a super fun read and I really enjoyed it. I meanā¦itās about a paranormal girl band competing in a battle of the bands AND it has an enemies-to-lovers sapphic subplot. I loved Izzy and Delilah and Geraldine. I also loved getting to see how their friendship, as well as their music, evolved and grew throughout the course of the story. The graphics and the coloring were also wonderful and this story just brought me a ton of joy. Plus it has amazing rep - queer, POC, and disability. Iām looking forward to seeing what Balazs Lorinczi puts out next!
Pumpkin Spice and Poltergeist by Ali K. Mulford, K. Elle Morrison
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
HOLY FREAKING SPOOKY CUTENESS!! I was super excited for this book and worried it was not going to live up to the hype or my expectations. But I absolutely adored this book and am SO GLAD itās the first in a series - because I need more books with these characters in this adorable paranormal town!
Halloweentown is one of my all time favorite movies and I watch the whole series at least once a year. So imagine my delight to find a queer book set in a town just like that! If I could go visit Maple Hollow I would be there this instant. Harlow, Jordyn, and Lou all had my heart from page one. I adored them all so much. Not because they were perfect, but because they were far from it!
Harlow is this chaotic, wonderful mess of a human being who I relate to so freaking much. She just wants to be seen and understood and loved. And when she finds out the town her sisterās cafe is located in is full of paranormal beings and that monsters and vampires and witches are realā¦she just rolls with the punches. Maybe a little too freely at times lol.
And Jordyn is this seemingly standoffish witch who owns an apothecary with her best friend, but just really hasnāt been the same since her ex died not long after she broke up with her. Then one night she stupidly decides to summon the spirit of her ex girlfriend to get closure, but then her exās ghost gets stuck there and she canāt pass on. I meanā¦talk about messy lesbian drama! š Lou was full of snark and sass and literally died in the epitome of lesbian attire and had me cracking up numerous times throughout the story. She had so many great one liners and was just always up to shenanigans.
And Harlow and Jordynās connection was off the charts. And I loved how at times they were both kind of hesitant and shy and uncertain and then other times just couldnāt contain themselves. It was adorable and also sexy AF.
I also love the way the narration was done for the audiobook. There were three different narrators - one for Jordynās parts, one for Harlowās, and one for all the male characters in the story. It was amazing and felt almost like a full cast narration at times.
The vibes alone in this book were top notch, but add into that the sweet and spicy sapphic romance, the snarky ghost ex girlfriend, the murder mystery sub plot, and all the various paranormal inhabitants of the town with all their unique personalities - I AM OBSESSED! I absolutely canāt wait for the next Maple Hollow book! šš»
š³ļøāšRep: Lesbian FMC, Bisexual FMC, Sapphic, Queer SCs
šTropes/Themes: Rom Com, Cozy Paranormal, Ghosts, Witches, Small Paranormal Town, Murder Mystery, Cute & Spooky, Sapphic Romance, Halloweentown Vibes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Murder