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Book Review: A Song of Thieves (Thieves of Felshan #1) by Jacqlin Guernsey

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 372 pages
Author: Jacqlin Guernsey
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 3rd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The kingdom of Felshan is at its breaking point. The death of the prince seven years ago left the country vulnerable. In their grief, the King and Queen have all but abandoned their duties, leaving their daughter to hold the pieces together. The last hope for a peaceful future rests with Princess Adalena, the new, albeit hesitant, heir of Felshan. When the princess is kidnapped, a secret few must find her before a power grab for the throne dismantles the country for good.

Ari is a commissioned thief and spy, her skills honed by the very palace she once despised. Being asked to save the missing princess brings her head-to-head with the last person she’d ever choose—Roan Montgomery. Roan is captain of the Royal Guard, working through his own misery and troubled past while attempting to keep the peace in a crumbling Felshan.

Ari wants to be free. Roan wants to forget.

This treacherous quest will push Ari and Roan to their breaking point, pulling the duo intimately together in the process. The fate of the realm rests with these unlikely allies, who discover along the way that they themselves might be the ones who need saving.

A Song of Thieves is Book 1 of the Thieves of Felshan series.

SOLID START.

I am here for this series and am committed to reading book two now.

A small rocky start for me because I really prefer a little more dialogue in my reads, but as the story progressed I got invested in the characters, romance and plot and found myself actually almost finishing this in a day.

I loved the multiple POV’s. It was done well and only enhanced the story. I am curious about even more world building aspects from this and actually really liked that this didn’t have a complex magic system, it didn’t need it.

The romances have my attention. Some fantastic slow burns are brewing right now and I can’t wait to see those continue. I love when a couple isn’t fully together in the first book, draw it out, make me want more, and this has made me want more.

A good (maybe slightly predictable) plot, characters you’ll love and a story I think can be enjoyed by a lot of people.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one, weapons violence, battle themes, kidnapping

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Book Review: Pleasantly Pursued (Bradwell Brothers #2) by Kasey Stockton

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 338 pages
Author: Kasey Stockton
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: September 7th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Thea Northcott cannot abide Benedict Bradwell, and the feeling is mutual. Or, is it?

Thea
I would do nearly anything to avoid the lecherous advances of an eager earl, including running away from my finishing school and finding employment under a false name. The work turned out to be harder than I expected, however, and the prospect of returning to a life of comfort and a significant reduction of welts on my hands and shadows beneath my eyes just might be a temptation I’m too weary to refuse. The problem: the invitation comes from Benedict, the ultimate tormentor of my youth and brief object of my infatuation—the latter of which he can never find out.

Benedict
When I found Thea working in the belly of a grand house and did my best to convince her to return home with me where my mother awaited her, I did not expect her to agree. Our years of quarreling had solidified the woman as my enemy, and traveling alone together was a prospect that both terrified and intrigued me. Thea had only been my friend for a brief time years ago, and I do not know why she turned us against one another. But now that we’re forced together again, I cannot help but renew my determination to find out. Because a woman who would hate me with such fire was bound to love with the same fervor.

LOVED.

I just have no complaints about this. Listening to it was wonderful. I adore dual POV narration and it was narrated fantastically. This is probably my favorite of the series right now. I loooved the way that Benedict truly kept pursuing Thea. It was sweet and fiery. I couldn’t get enough of him telling her that she was going to end up with him. It just WORKED. The enemies to lovers vibes hit perfectly, the banter had me swooning and I was in love with all of it.

There were even more tropes that are easily favorites of mine: one bed (but still sweet!) and ALL the forced proximity. Benedict never gave up and Thea started to truly realize her worth. I really enjoyed her journey and the love from those around her to help buoy Thea up and see the potential she already possesses.

It’s charming and full of delight. Must read for regency fans.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of parents

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ARC Book Review: Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Alexandra Kiley
Publisher: Canary Street Press
Release Date: March 5th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ready or Scot…

Globetrotter Addie Macrae always follows her wanderlust. As a travel consultant, she jet sets around the world—anywhere but Scotland. But when she’s sent on assignment to help a struggling family-run tour company in the Highlands—and save her own job—Addie packs away her emotional baggage and turns on the professional charm.

Rugged as the land he loves, Logan Sutherland’s greatest joy is sharing the beauty of Scotland’s hidden gems…even if it means a wee bit of red ink on the company’s bottom line. The last thing Logan wants is some American “expert” pushing tourist traps and perpetuating myths about the Loch Ness Monster—especially when Addie never leaves her desk to experience the country for herself.

As they wage an office war, Logan discovers Addie’s secret connection to Scotland: a handful of faded Polaroids of her late mother. Hoping for a truce, he creates a private tour to the places in the pictures to help Addie find closure and appreciate the enchantment in less-traveled destinations, never expecting the off-limits attraction sparking between them. But Addie’s contract is almost up, and magic won’t pay the bills. They can’t afford distractions, but how can Addie do her job if she hasn’t explored all Scotland—and Logan—have to offer?

Thank you to Canary Street Press and Harper Perennial for the free ARC.

LONG WINDED.

I wanted to love this, I was immediately smitten with the idea of Scotland. A man in a kilt? Heck yeah.

Well, I got that, but I also got a very long winded love letter to Scotland, which isn’t BAD, just not what I was after when I picked up a contemporary romance. I wanted some more romantic buildup, more opportunities for them to talk outside of work and the angst and tension I crave. I could have used a lot less of the tour aspects.

And then this made the romance feel very quick. I was surprised when the I love you’s showed up and was straight faced by the time the third act break-up happened. I wasn’t even mad at it, it was so expected at that point I had no emotions towards it. I felt like I didn’t get anything new.

This very much made me want to visit Scotland and find those off the beaten path places. There were some good moments between the main couple at least. I’d be curious to see what the author writes next.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2-3 open; moderate explicit
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of mother (recounted)

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Book Review: Drinker of Ink by Shannon Castleton

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 393 pages
Author: Shannon Castleton
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: January 11th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

California, 1991

“I only ever talk to this journal. Is there an alternate universe? Another planet? Please could you beam me up, Holy Father?”

Paris-born Vivienne Lebrun longs for a different life. One where she doesn’t attend college three thousand miles away from her family in New York City. A life where she is sophisticated and has kissed many men, both standing up and sitting down, like the lovers in Rodin’s sculpture. In that life, she would skip her final year of school and start writing books and working at a New York bakery. And her French mother wouldn’t (possibly, maybe) be dealing with the return of cancer.

In her real life, all Vivienne can do is obsessively catalog her longings in her journal.But as a new semester begins, she enrolls in a poetry class taught by Peter Breznik, a handsome Yugoslavian graduate instructor. In a heartbeat, she’s taken by his spell-casting blue eyes, his almost-smile, and his romantically-worn canvas satchel. Soon—though Vivienne suspects she’s stumbled into a dream—Peter is talking to her in chance library encounters about poems, future plans, and his violently unraveling country. And Vivienne is not just writing her fantasies, but wondering if she might (possibly, maybe) be singled out by the universe to live one.

Until struggles intensify for both their families—Vivienne’s mother’s health, Peter’s brother’s recklessness in war-torn Croatia—and they are pulled by demands beyond their control. Through distance and heartbreak, can Vivienne and Peter find one another and choose the life they had dreamed of together?

WELL.

I fear this may have been a case of over-hyped for me. Y’all I wanted to love this as much as everyone else I had seen read this before I got my copy and I tried. And while, I absolutely tabbed multiple places in my book and thought it got progressively better, I couldn’t quite give it five stars.

The first half was slowwww and I struggled with the family dynamics + Vivienne. There were things I could not find a way to connect to and while I understood the theme and setting of these choices, it was not meant to be.

The second half was much better. I adored Peter. Like I said previously, plenty of places to mark and swoon over. Writing wise, it was beautifully written. Poetry really isn’t my thing but I could appreciate the way it was used her. And who knew that I would actually really enjoy the 1990’s setting? Also wild to call that historical fiction in any context.

I really felt the depth in those later sections and seeing the growth of the characters too. A lot of raw and poignant moments that I’m grateful the book made it too. It was lyrically dramatic and my soul was caught up in this love story at last.

I love a good book written in journal entries. It’s different than what I usually pick up and I would love to read the author’s next book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: heated kisses
  • Violence: low-moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of war, loss of a loved one (multiple), a loved one with cancer

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