Category: Book Review

Book Review: The Arrow and the Alder by Barbara Kloss

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 460 pages
Author: Barbara Kloss
Publisher: Whimsical Publishing
Release Date: May 6th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Josephine doesn’t trust authority, particularly that of the immortal kith. They’re devious, cruel, and as far as she’s concerned, they deserve the curse that’s plagued their kingdom with mists and monsters. So when the High Lord visits Josephine’s village, looking for an enchanted coat—a coat she discovers buried beneath the floorboards of her home—she’s unwilling to hand it over. She wants answers the High Lord won’t give. When he threatens her family, she flees with the coat to protect them, accidentally stumbling into the cursed kith kingdom itself, and into the hands of a mysterious stranger.

The kith prince, Alder, has been imprisoned for two years, and only just escaped. He wants nothing more than to return home, but he’s a disgraced prodigal, and to show his face in the Weald Court again, he must earn back the queen’s trust. When he overhears the High Lord speaking of an enchanted coat that contains the very light stolen from their lands, he knows it’s his chance for atonement. But obtaining the coat from the mortal girl is proving more difficult than anticipated. She’s the only one who can touch it, but journeying with her could expose secrets he wants to keep hidden.
With the High Lord in pursuit, Josephine and Alder must work together, and the more Josephine learns about the coat, the more she questions everything she’s ever believed about her heritage, and the kith. Meanwhile, the curse is spreading into mortal lands, and if they don’t uncover how to release the coat’s power soon, there will be nothing left of either kith or mortal worlds.

THE ARROW AND THE ALDER is an upper young adult, closed-door romantic fantasy. This enemies-to-lovers tale features a rebel huntress, a fugitive prince, and a curse that will consume their worlds.

THIS WAS SO GOOD.

I’m a huge Barbara Kloss fan and have been impatiently waiting for her next book and once again, it absolutely delivers. I loved this one!!!! If you’re a standalone reader, PICK IT UUUUUP.

I loved the heated chemistry between Josephine and Alder. Good heavens they were MADE for each other. The glances and banter and protectiveness all coalesced into this beautiful romance that I was feral to read.

The pacing is on point and there’s never a dull moment. The rise and fall of different scenes created effortless movement. I couldn’t believe how much was packed into a less than 500 page fantasy. FLAWLESS OKAY.

I’m obsessed. This is easily one of my new favorite fantasies of 2025.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: Only in Your Dreams (The Mountains Are Calling #2) by Madison Wright

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 358 pages
Author: Madison Wright
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 27th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Finley Blankenship is tired of always coming up short. When her long time boyfriend dumps her because he isn’t ready to commit, only to announce his engagement to someone else months later, she’s had it. So when her now ex comes to her flower shop to check how she’s doing after hearing the news, she lies and tells him she’s moved on. Only for her brother’s best friend to walk in at the same time and get roped into her story. Committed to playing the part, she reluctantly agrees to pretend to be in a relationship with the one man in their small town that would never actually date her.

Grey Sutton has been in love with Finley for fifteen years, but he’s never thought he had a chance. After all, he’s an honorary member of the Blankenship family because his own is so dysfunctional. He has no idea how to give Finley what she wants. Especially since he was offered a job out of state, and Finley is as rooted in this town as the trees.

But as their relationship starts to feel less and less like a charade, it leaves them with more uncertainty than ever. Lines start to blur, and Grey and Finley have to decide if they’re willing to risk their hearts to have everything they’ve ever dreamed of.

SWOONY.

I love a man obsessed (and with a secret tattoo no less) and Grey’s dedication to Finley was everrrrrything. I loved their relationship. It’s a delicious slow burn with a lot of soft and heated moments throughout. I loved being back in this small town. There’s something really comforting about this writing style.

I did struggle a bit with Finley’s aspect of the third act. But that was my only issue. The book is short and the audiobook narration is great. I’m officially a fan of Madison Wright books and look forward to continuing her stories.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door

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Book Review: Heist Royale (Thieves’ Gambit #2) by Kayvion Lewis

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Mystery
Length: 311 pages
Author: Kayvion Lewis
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Release Date: November 12th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The high-stakes sequel to Thieves’ Gambit, for fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Ally Carter.

It’s been six months since the end of the Gambit. Instead of winning an impossible wish, Ross has the threat of her family’s execution hanging over her head. Devroe, the only person Ross thought she could trust, could wish the Quests into oblivion at any time. Shockingly, despite his betrayal, Devroe is still making a play for Ross’s heart as the two work together pulling jobs for the Organization. But Ross has learned her lesson: A Quest can only trust another Quest.

When Ross finds herself at the center of a power struggle within the Organization, she sees her chance to change her fortunes. As a new deadly Gambit develops for control of the criminal underworld, Ross strikes a risky deal to guarantee protection for herself and her family.

In this final clash, Ross will square off against a ruthless opponent who will stop at nothing to seize power, and in their corner will be not only Devroe but his mother, who wants to destroy the Quests at any cost.

The new Gambit takes Ross and her crew into the intoxicating casinos of Monte Carlo and across treacherous snow-covered slopes in Antarctica as Ross competes against Devroe in a fight for her life. Loyalties will be tested, backs stabbed, hearts broken. May the best thief win.

EXCITING FOLLOW UP.

I read this while making pies for Thanksgiving and it was the perfect addition. I loved the fast pace and short length because it really kept my attention and moved things along quickly. I liked being back with these characters and seeing where the story led from the dramatic aspects of book one.

The casino idea was super cool and read like a movie. I loved the way it was laid out and all of the hidden elements that went into those closing chapters. The teens in this book are insanely clever and there’s a good level of tension and survival mode aspects that made it all the more enjoyable.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Mystery
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: kissing; light innuendo
  • Violence: low

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Book Review: About Last Christmas by Rachel Scott McDaniel

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Holiday Romance
Length: 300 pages
Author: Rachel Scott McDaniel
Publisher: RSM Publishing LLC
Release Date: October 23rd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s trying to avoid a holiday disaster. He’s trying to earn his way off her naughty list. Both need a Christmas Miracle.

Greta Carlton is beautifully content running her antique shop in the snow-globe town of Silver Creek, sipping vanilla gingerbread lattes, and staying clear of drama. But a whirlwind encounter with a handsome stranger leads to a whimsical evening, stirring her heart to believe in movie-style romance. That is, until Leo disappears into thin (and snowy) air. Ten months later, he walks into her shop like the Ghost of Christmas Last, needing a favor.

She’s still mad.
He’s still charming.

Greta doesn’t have time for men with dimpled grins and the proclivity for vanishing. She’s got her own holiday project with an approaching deadline. Though the more she learns about Leo, the more she realizes he’s the only thing standing between her and a Christmas catastrophe. They agree to help each other reach their holiday goals. As they untangle feelings as stubborn as knotted Christmas lights, Greta wonders if second chances are like antiques—unexpected, imperfect, and everything you didn’t know you were looking for.

About Last Christmas is a sweet holiday romance wrapped in witty banter, heartfelt twists, and the dreamy thrill of finding love in the glow of twinkling lights.

SUPER SWEET.

Another book I can easily add to my holiday recs list. This was charming and full of all things small town. The quirky personalities, main street and the way the community rallies around each other.

I enjoyed the banter between Greta and Leo. They had a flirty and light vibe. If you love second chance and plenty of forced proximity this is worth the pickup.

And it was FULL of holiday magic. Which is a must for any wonderful holiday romance. After loving RSM’s historical romances I was so excited to see that this holds a magical story too.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: loss of a loved one (recounted), strained parental relationships

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