Book Review: Ruling Out Robyn (Men of the Isles #3) by Deborah M. Hathaway

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 350 pages
Author: Deborah M. Hathaway
Publisher: Draft Horse Publishing
Release Date: April 10th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Robyn Lane is sunshine embodied. Or so her fans call her. She really has it all—loving parents, protective older brothers, unfailing optimism, and millions of subscribers on YouTube. She also has a dream job that is about to become even dreamier.

Having fallen into the unpredictable world of crowdfunding, Robyn has found her calling in life by filming herself partaking in whatever her millions of fans wish her to do, whether that be skydiving, attempting to repair a 1933 Ford Roaster, or auditioning for every singing competition in America—all without being a singer.

And now? Well, now, she’s about to pack up all her belongings and live out an entire year on a dilapidated sheep farm in Snowdonia, Wales to see if she can revive the farm from the ground up. Does she know one thing about sheep or farming? Not even a lick. Is she even aware if Snowdonia is a real place? Well, she is now, thanks to Google. (It is real, BTW.) But she’s not concerned. She’s thrilled. Everything is going to be amazing. It always is for her.

And yet, running the farm is nothing like she expects. She finds herself falling short in every way—including fitting in with the locals, particularly with her neighbor on the adjoining sheep the surly, impatient, and insanely attractive Cedric Davies. Apparently, the guy used to be some famous soccer—oh, sorry, football—player for England, but after an injury, he chose live out the remainder of his days on this rainy, windy land like some crazy recluse. A recluse who isn’t afraid to express his disapproval with her filming her life from sun-up to sun-down.

Robyn can handle anything life throws at her—even this frigid sheep farm. And yet, when Cedric’s wind-tossed hair and scruff-covered jawline become more appealing than anything else, including her job…she isn’t sure what she can handle anymore.

This is the third book in the clean and sweet romcom Men of the Isles series by Deborah M. Hathaway. Although this dual POV, grumpy/sunshine, sports, and celebrity romance is a stand-alone novel, the books are best enjoyed when read in order as minor spoilers are given about previous characters.

SOFT AS SHEEP.

I continue to adore this series. I am 1000% obsessed with the setting. I loved the moody Wales atmosphere with the rain and small town and hills and vales, just all the things.

I struggled with Robyn as a content creator somewhat though I was grateful to see her character arc and journey through how she wanted to handle her page as time went on. I appreciate that she was respectful and mindful and able to go with the punches.

Cedric and Robyn were all the things I love about the grumpy and sunshine trope. I liked the banter and the slowly working together and the almost kiss?? Are you kidding me?? Honestly could have had more kisses. But boy do I love a slow burn.

And I appreciate the solid friendships, mental health conversations, and reconnecting with your passions in life. There were just many endearing and memorable moments and I’m looking forward to the last book!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: parental abandonment recounted, sports injuries

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Book Review: Spellwright by Heather Kassner

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Rating: ★★★.5
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Heather Kassner
Publisher: Atheneum/Simon Teen
Release Date: October 27th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A plucky writer of spells teams up with a frustratingly charming magician to uncover the secrets of a grimoire in this light academia young adult romantasy “that skillfully blends magic, mystery, and the spellbinding power of love” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson.

No one is allowed past the gargoyles guarding the doors of Thistledown Library. Spellwright Fia Ives should know—for months she’s hoped to be admitted inside to find a magic powerful enough to locate her late mother’s spellbook. One midnight, she finally breaks in, only to discover three mysterious figures already searching the forbidden stacks.

When the library announces the theft of a dangerous grimoire, suspicion falls on Fia. The only way to clear her name is to root out the thieves she spied that night. However, solving a magical theft isn’t easy while running her inherited spellshop alone. So Fia hires the first person who applies to help—the insufferably charming Penbrook Madbury, who is as sleepy as a cat and just as stubborn. Fia isn’t sure she can trust him with her reckless plan (let alone her beloved shop), but there’s something about the secretive magician that tempts her to try.

As a strange magic curls through town, Fia must risk her own heart to unravel a string of curses before they claim both her and Penbrook. And if some of those curses require kisses to break them, well, that’s just the whimsy of magic.

Thank you Simon Teen for the gifted ARC & Simon Audio for the gifted audiobook.

CHARMING STANDALONE.

This is one of those books that I can tell you is good and I’d overall recommend, but also don’t remember all that well. The pros are the fact that this is genuine young adult. There’s nothing intense in any realm: violence, romance, themes, etc. It is something I would feel comfortable letting a teen read. And those can be hard to find. I liked the characters and themes too.

I also really liked the audiobook. She was a fantastic narrator and brought a charming quality to the story telling. I highly recommend that format.

If you’re feeling something with a more cozy vibe I think this is something you should try. It’s got a soft atmosphere that feels whimsical and the perfect type of book to curl up with on a rainy day.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild

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Book Review: Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

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Rating: ★★★.75
Audience: Thriller
Length: 294 pages
Author: Alice Feeney
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Release Date: September 7th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Things have been wrong with Mr and Mrs Wright for a long time. When Adam and Amelia win a weekend away to Scotland, it might be just what their marriage needs. Self-confessed workaholic and screenwriter Adam Wright has lived with face blindness his whole life. He can’t recognize friends or family, or even his own wife.

Every anniversary the couple exchange traditional gifts – paper, cotton, pottery, tin – and each year Adam’s wife writes him a letter that she never lets him read. Until now. They both know this weekend will make or break their marriage, but they didn’t randomly win this trip. One of them is lying, and someone doesn’t want them to live happily ever after.

Ten years of marriage. Ten years of secrets. And an anniversary they will never forget.

Rock Paper Scissors is the latest exciting domestic thriller from the queen of the killer twist, New York Times bestselling author Alice Feeney.

KIND OF SORT OF SLOWWW.

I kept waiting for the other foot to drop and while it totally did, it took way too long to get there. The build up was good for a bit yet I don’t think I ever felt like it was thrilling. The audiobook is good and I liked that there were multiple narrators at least.

Now when things finally started twisting I was surprised by some of them. Others I called from the beginning. It’s fine. The inevitable fallout was dark and calculating. The snowy remote setting definitely lends the vibes to a great read for the -ber months.

I know it’s my usual refrain but spouses that cheat on each other for a thriller is over done. Maybe I’m picking up the wrong thrillers (please advise). The meta-ness of the plot line was intriguing and I was excited to get the answers of that story and how it fit into what was happening.

This is now my second book from Alice Feeney. Unsure if there will be more?

Overall audience notes:

  • Thriller
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: mentions of time together but nothing on page
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: murder, infidelity, attempted murder, loss of a parent (recounted)

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Book Review: Tempest (The Lyrian Sea #1) by Victoria Aveyard

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 686 pages
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: September 8th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Aveyard comes an epic adventure of love and betrayal, amid a brutal war for the high seas.

May the sea always sing for you

Cat Rose knows what it is to live in two worlds, in two times. Before—as Lady Catrine Rose of the Meridian Empire, chained to a loathsome lord with a dwindling fortune. And after—as the Widow Rose, queen of a pirate tavern in the Lyrian Sea, determined to be the master of her own fate.

But tides turn and winds change. The Meridian Empire looms on the horizon, the full weight of her navy falling on the Lyrian, bent on reclaiming the wealthy colonies and crushing the pirate republic once and for all. Ship after ship is captured, save for one, captained by a pirate who continually evades both noose and blade: the legendary Valerian Kane.

With his fearsome ship and uncanny connection to the song of the sea, Valerian is the only man who might rally the pirates who remain. The only man who threatens the Empire. And the only man Cat has ever loved, blazing in and out of her life like a star.

Desperate for victory, the Empire offers Cat a devastating choice: bring them Valerian or hang. In truth, no choice at all.

But Cat Rose is nothing if not a survivor.

A storm is rising on the Lyrian Sea—the question is, what will it leave in its wake?

Thank you to LibroFM for the gifted audiobook.

I’LL READ THE SEQUEL.

I really didn’t know what I was getting into when I picked this up. I think it would be prudent to point out now that it is not a romantasy. This is much more an epic fantasy with romance as a super small sub plot. Manage expectations before diving in. I don’t think it was marketed as a romantasy but it would be a disservice to the things I enjoyed about this book going in with the wrong hype.

As someone who’s always loved books at sea and involving pirates this was no different. I loved the swashbuckling tale and the FMC, Cat. She’s fierce and committed to her survival no matter the cost. The book rotates between flashbacks/present timeline and I do think it worked for this story line. Seeing the inevitable crash between the past and present widened my understanding of the world.

I do admit though I wish there had been a little more romance, or a strong friendship would have worked too. I think Cat was missing that kind of connection that would have leveled up the story for me.

The audiobook is great and highly recommend that format. I do think I would have found it much slower without the audio. I’ll definitely be reading the sequel.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: light innuendo
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: sexual assault, physical/weapons violence, murder, loss of life, domestic abuse

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