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Book Review: The Memory of Glass by Brenna Lauren

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense/Gothic Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Brenna Lauren
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 24th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sensual gothic romance meets “are you afraid of the dark?” in this decadent story about a cursed Savannah glass heiress, her southern mansion haunted by vengeful ghosts, and her marriage of convenience to the broody, mysterious man standing between her and ruin.

“Break the curse, Whitney Darling, before it breaks you.”

If I return to Savannah, to Darling House – I’ll die there. Either the curse I accidentally unleashed on my family will catch up with me, or I’ll flatline at the sight of the man I left behind – Ephraim Callaghan.

But when my grandfather’s cryptic will leads to an arranged marriage, Ephraim and I are trapped together in Darling House, my ancestral haunted mansion by the sea. As our passion rekindles, we must overcome the past and decode a dark family secret surrounding the glass, a century-old murder mystery, and the restless ghosts that remain. To put their souls to rest will not only save our lives, but the Darling’s legacy – and grant me and Ephraim a second chance at the love we thought we’d lost forever.

The Memory of Glass is a stand alone, slow burn, sensual romance set against the backdrop of a fast-paced ghost story adventure in a Lowcountry haunted mansion. It’s ideal for gothic romance readers who loved Karen White’s The House on Tradd Street series, BELLADONNA, and Grove Hollow. Readers who enjoyed Evie and O-Connell’s dynamic from the film, The Mummy, will also enjoy this gothic adventure.

HAUNTING DEBUT.

When a book has less than 20 reviews on Goodreads (at the time of me writing this), I feel like it’s a big leap to the bookish world to give it a go, but lo and behold, this one absolutely held up. I will, without a doubt, be reading the next book (note: this is a standalone with more books in this world).

MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE. That’s probably the only line you need here.

I loved the dynamic between Ephraim and Whitney. It was intense and heated and had that all consuming, I’ve never forgotten you, kind of vibe. It really fit the atmosphere of the whole novel and I grew to love what they had going.

This book had that creepy factor that made it difficult for me to read in the dark (and this is a compliment, though also, I’m easily spooked). I loooved the intrigue and mystery and the whole whodunnit. I liked having the historical flashback chapters that added to the puzzle. I desperately wanted to put all the pieces together to see wrongs righted and the curse lifted. There’s just the right amount of paranormal aspects that just made this book sing.

I had some small balance issues in regards to the plot and where time was spent. And that was really my only main complaint. I thought this was an amazing debut and I look forward to reading more books in the future.

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic Suspense / Gothic Romance
  • Language: a little strong
  • Romance: vague open/fade to black
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, attempted murder, multiple murders, miscarriage

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Book Review: Unleashed Holiday by Victoria Schade

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Holiday Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Victoria Schade
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: September 26th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When an old rival reappears right before the holidays, a professional dog trainer must decide if the melting frost between them can make up for their ruff past, from the USA Today bestselling author of Dog Friendly .

Chelsea Higgins is doing just fine. She’s heading into the holidays at the helm of a thriving dog training business, and she’s got a mellow senior dog at home to keep her warm at the end of the day. What more could she need? Enter certified gym bro Andrew Chelsea’s former nemesis, and now the newest neighbor in her business complex, who also wants to expand into the vacant space Chelsea’s been eyeing for months. Who cares if it’s the season of joy? Let the turf war begin.

When an unfortunate (and literal) run-in with Andrew’s lawless dog leaves Chelsea with a bum wrist, the two strike a Andrew will help Chelsea rehab the injury if she’ll work with him to train his adorably uncivilized boxer.

Their typical bickering soon turns to bantering, and Chelsea finds herself inexplicably drawn to the man she thought she had nothing in common with. As she gets to know Andrew and his parents, she realizes she needs to refocus on her own family, especially with a milestone Christmas speeding toward them. But Chelsea can’t help wondering if she and Andrew are training for keeps, or if this unexpected Christmas gift is just too good to be true.

ALL THE DOGS.

It’s been a low state of affairs for trying to find some 2023 holiday romance releases, but this was a good one!!! I thought it was really charming, had a little bit of spice, all of the dog content and some good holiday cheer.

I liked the journey that Chelsea went on. She was holding on to a lot of pent up emotions surrounding her father and a lot of misconceptions about Andrew. I loved Andrew’s views on his career and thank heavens Chelsea started to realize how much she had missed. There’s some good second chance romance vibes too. The only thing I couldn’t quite understand was the text situation?? That seemed far fetched.

The dogs (and goats) were super cute. I liked the holiday aspects and it’s a quick audiobook. I’d recommend this for the holidays if you need something great to read by the fire.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 2-3 open door
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent (cancer, recounted)

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Book Review: Keeper of Enchanted Rooms (Whimbrel House #1) by Charlie N. Holmberg

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction/Fantasy Romance
Length: 347 pages
Author: Charlie N. Holmberg
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Rhode Island, 1846. Estranged from his family, writer Merritt Fernsby is surprised when he inherits a remote estate in the Narragansett Bay. Though the property has been uninhabited for more than a century, Merritt is ready to call it home—until he realizes he has no choice. With its doors slamming shut and locking behind him, Whimbrel House is not about to let Merritt leave. Ever.

Hulda Larkin of the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms has been trained in taming such structures in order to preserve their historical and magical significance. She understands the dangers of bespelled homes given to tantrums. She advises that it’s in Merritt’s best interest to make Whimbrel House their ally. To do that, she’ll need to move in, too.

Prepared as she is with augury, a set of magic tools, and a new staff trained in the uncanny, Hulda’s work still proves unexpectedly difficult. She and Merritt grow closer as the investigation progresses, but the house’s secrets run deeper than they anticipated. And the sentient walls aren’t their only concern—something outside is coming for the enchantments of Whimbrel House, and it could be more dangerous than what rattles within.

I LIKED IT.

I consider this a soft four stars. Some miscommunication popped up that made me want to shake a few people, but otherwise this was a pretty delightful and enchanting read.

The plot was a fantastic idea. I loved the idea of a sentient house (with secrets of its own) and a whole society dedicated to taking care of those situations. There’s reverse grump x sunshine here that also worked so well. I adored Hulda and Merritt’s dynamic. It was charming, a bit humorous and sweet.

I don’t think the extra chapters following an antagonist really changed anything? That could have been covered in a sit down between characters and the pace would have been a bit more steady.

It’s a cozy story and the audio narration was great. There’s a good mix of action and intrigue and I liked how things came together in the end. I liked the whimsical nature and I’m curious to see where book two will go.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical fiction / Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: brief mentions of child abuse, murder, physical injuries

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Book Review: A Winter in New York by Josie Silver

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Josie Silver
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: October 3rd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A young chef stumbles on a secret family recipe that might lead her to the love—and life—she’s been looking for in this stunning novel.

When Iris decides to move to New York to restart her life, she realizes she underestimated how big the Big Apple really is—all the nostalgic movies set in New York she’d watched with her mom while eating their special secret-recipe gelato didn’t quite do it justice. 

But Bobby, Iris’s best friend, isn’t about to let her hide away. He drags her to a famous autumn street fair in Little Italy, and as they walk through the food stalls, a little family-run gelateria catches her eye—could it be the same shop that’s in an old photo of her mother’s?

Curious, Iris returns the next day and meets the handsome Gio, who tells her that the shop is in danger of closing. His uncle, sole keeper of their family’s gelato recipe, is in a coma, so they can’t make more. When Iris samples the last remaining batch, she realizes that their gelato and her gelato are one and the same. But how can she tell them she knows their secret recipe when she’s not sure why Gio’s uncle gave it to her mother in the first place?

Iris offers her services as a chef to help them re-create the flavor and finds herself falling for Gio and his family. But when Gio’s uncle finally wakes up, all of the secrets Iris has been keeping threaten to ruin the new life—and new love—she’s been building all winter long.

IN MY FEELS.

I didn’t expect this book to take over my entire day, but this audiobook and I hung out until I was finished because it was SO GOOD. I loved this book!! If you’re looking for something a little bit heavier for a holiday romance, this could be it.

Iris and Gio really just hit me over the head with the feels. For a fast paced romance, the chemistry was there. I genuinely enjoyed them as a couple and seeing how both were working through some dark moments of their past and allowing this light to shine between them. The little bit of flashback chapters squeezed my heart and helped bring a better understanding to the present day plot.

My one little gripe was that I felt Iris could have been open about a few things sooner and would have saved some of the unnecessary drama. I didn’t totally mind how it has handled after the fact which led me to feel positive about the whole situation. Especially some of those ending scenes as Iris was finally able to lock the door on who was haunting her past.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: fade to black/vague open door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: abusive ex (recounted), loss of a spouse (recounted)

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