Book Review: Smoke in the Mirrors (Slanted London #2) by Jessica Scarlett

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fantasy Romance
Length: 451 pages
Author: Jessica Scarlett
Publisher: Oliver Heber Books
Release Date: February 24th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Some illusions save us. Others want us dead.

Dorothy St. James has three missions: slip inside the Rook’s circle, recover the stolen enchanted bracelets, and rescue her kidnapped father. But when whispers of a hidden map inside Buckingham Palace surface, everything shifts. Enlisting Ashley Gardner—the brilliant, backstabbing puzzle-solver she can never quite outsmart—might be her only chance of destroying him.

To Dorothy’s annoyance, her dangerous pull toward Ashley only grows, even as fellow Lightfoot agent Nicholas Hart offers a far safer path. Nicholas is steady and dependable, while Ashley is all secrets, sharp edges, and heartbreak waiting to happen.

But Ashley is running out of time. His mutating magic grows more sentient every day, and the final bracelet is the only thing keeping it from consuming him. Desperate, he agrees to help Dorothy hunt the hidden map, even though being near her threatens both his sanity and his survival. And as riddles twist into traps, he begins to fear that their fire may not be real at all—just another illusion his magic wants her to believe.

London’s smoke-choked streets are thick with danger. Where is Dorothy’s father? Who is the Samaritan? Why is the Rook kidnapping innocents? And who can she trust, when she can’t even trust herself?

A thrilling blend of mystery, magic, and simmering romantic tension, Smoke in the Mirrors deepens Jessica Scarlett’s richly imagined Slanted London. With razor-edged stakes and a heroine torn between duty, desire, and danger, this installment delivers atmospheric intrigue and emotional punch in equal measure—proof that in Scarlett’s hands, even the darkest illusions shimmer with heart.

AWESOME SEQUEL.

This absolutely did not have book two syndrome. I was intrigued with this from top to bottom and I need the conclusion!!

I love that this is multiple POV. All of these rotating views only increased my enjoyment. I think the balance of them was just right and I loved even more so that there’s a second romance too. Both of them have different vibes in the best ways making each POV easy to fall into.

The plot was mysterious and atmospheric. I love a gas lamp historical fantasy. The magic is artfully woven into the world building without info dumping and the insight established in this installment was exactly what I was hoping for.

I enjoy all of these characters, the betrayals and twists are good, and it’s just a book you want to pick up.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: loss of loved ones, murder, torture, attempted murder

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Book Review: In the Wake of the Ruined (The Siren Mage #2) by Kalie Cassidy

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: Kalie Cassidy
Publisher: Little, Brown
Release Date: July 7th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The realm has a new queen… and a new monster.

Imogen can no longer hide. She has claimed her ancestral crown, and now the corrupted bond she shares with the ancient deity Eusia is stronger than ever. Though she is determined to sever it, doing so is no easy feat. The threat of war looms. Shifting alliances, a hunger for magic, and her feelings for Theodore, King of Varya, attempt to thwart her at every turn.

Meanwhile, Theodore is battling the strain of his own crown and commitments. When Imogen suddenly appears on his ship, every dutiful resolution he’s ever made threatens to snap. As they draw nearer to ending Eusia, lurking dangers and their perilous desire for one another prove more insurmountable than they could have imagined.

Will the chaos, ruin, and death that Imogen was prophesied to usher into the realm be the end of all things, or the beginning?

WORKED FOR ME.

I’m going to be completely honest with you, I do not remember a thing from book one. Did that stop me from going ahead with this book? Nope. And it worked out. I think Kalie Cassidy did such a great job of bringing the energy in the first few chapters that I was locked in and really liked this follow up.

I wish there would have been more chapters from Theo though!! I liked this POV and getting more of his dynamic. There’s definitely a lot of longing and yearning and the push and pull of the story beats worked well. I loved the siren vibes and how that magic worked in this world. And I liked all of these characters a lot. The different types of relationships and the unlikely friendships were all great.

I’ll definitely be looking out for Kalie Cassidy’s next book!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: 3ish open door
  • Violence: moderate – high

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Book Review: Mate (Bride #2) by Ali Hazelwood

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Paranormal Romance
Length: 457 pages
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: October 7th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A Human hybrid and an Alpha Were claw against the bonds of fate in the highly anticipated companion novel to the New York Times bestselling Bride.

Serena Paris is orphaned, pack-less, and one of a kind. Coming forward as the first Human-Were hybrid was supposed to heal a centuries-long rift between species. Instead, it made her a target, prey to the ruthless political machinations between Weres, Vampyres, and Humans. With her enemies closing in on her, she has only one option left—if he’ll have her.

As Alpha of the Northwest pack, Koen Alexander commands obedience. His authority is so absolute, only a fool would threaten his mate. It doesn’t matter if Serena doesn’t reciprocate his feelings, nothing will stop him from keeping her safe.

But power-hungry Vampyres and Weres are not the only threats chasing Serena. Sooner or later, her past is bound to catch up with her—and Koen might be the only thing standing between her and total annihilation…

WELL.

Uh, Bride > Mate.

Honestly, I could leave the review at that sentence but I’ll continue a bit.

I DID LIKE THIS. It just didn’t have the same punch that Bride did and I will die on that hill. I love the fated mates trope and this worked for many scenes. But others? I kind of cringed a bit. The hyper focus on Serena and being in heat was not it. I’m sorry y’all. It was practically the only thing anyone could talk about ever and I just needed something more to the plot. Toss in a cult? Sure? I guess?

I loved seeing more of the friendship between Serena and Misery. They have a genuine friendship I can’t get enough of. And like I said, there were some great scenes between Serena and Koen. I just think the bones of the plot needed a different dynamic.

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 5+ open door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: loss of life, loss of loved ones, a cult, kidnapping

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ARC Book Review: The Land That Binds Us (Marien Vineyard #1) by K. Sinko

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Rating: ★★★.75
Audience: Contemporary Romance + Magical Realism
Length: 232 pages
Author: K. Sinko
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 15th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The prodigal daughter returns to the land and the magic that betrayed her.

After her mother said goodbye on her death bed, Alana Marien fled New York and her family’s vineyard. Three years later, without a penny left to her name, she finds herself back at Seneca Lake, tending her family’s vines and attempting to make peace with her father and two sisters after everything fell apart. In her absence, without her and her mother’s guidance, the family hired Leo Calliet, a winemaker from France looking to escape a past of his own. He lives in the guest shed across the field, and is growing suspicious of the land and its secrets.

Her father has made it clear that he wants Leo around, but Alana is wary. The last time an outsider learned the truth, it ended in tragedy, and it was all her fault. She attempts to keep her distance, but when outside forces threaten the vineyard and the Marien family’s legacy, they need to work side by side to save the land that has evidently bound them together.

As their lives tangle together like grapes on a vine, Alana must decide if she trusts the magic to finally take care of her, or if she should give it all up one last time and run.

The Land That Binds Us is a retelling of The Prodigal Son meets Practical Magic, set on a magical vineyard in New York’s wine country.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

GOOD START.

I have been a fan of K. Sinko’s books since the beginning and even though I struggled with this one a touch I’m still looking forward to the other books following two more sisters (especially the next one !! ).

As someone who’s never had a drop of alcohol I think a lot of the wine conversations went over my head. It was interesting to learn some of the processes towards creating it, but was a hard connection for me to find.

This book does have a touch of magical realism and while usually I don’t love the addition, I thought it worked great here. I think it worked beautifully with the plot and really brought those autumn vibes. This book is perfect for that season.

What it comes down to is that this book is only 233 pages and I feel like a lot was left out. I wanted a stronger understanding of the background with Alana’s family. I wanted a longer, slower burn for the romance and just more. I felt tossed into a story without quite knowing where I was supposed to be looking most of the time.

Also I’m really obsessed with this cover.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance + magical realism
  • Language: mild+
  • Romance: 1 brief open door
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: loss of a parent (recounted), loss of a friend (recounted)

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