Book Review: Where the Library Hide (Secrets of the Nile #2) by Isabel Ibanez

March 18, 2025November 29, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: NA Historical Fantasy Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Isabel Ibanez
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Release Date: November 5th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The stunning conclusion to the story that started in What the River Knows. A lush immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt filled with adventure, and a rivals-to-lovers romance like no other!

1885, Egypt

Inez Olivera is left reeling from her cousin Elvira’s murder, and her mother’s betrayal, and when Tío Ricardo issues an ultimatum about her inheritance, she’s left with only one option to consider.

Marriage to Whitford Hayes.

Former British soldier, her uncle’s aide de camp, and one time nemesis, Whit has his own mysterious reasons for staying in Egypt. With her heart on the line, Inez might have to bind her fate to the one person whose secret plans could ruin her.

ENDING SAVED IT.

OOOO do I love a dramatic and action packed ending. Bless this book for having one because I felt off kilter at the start. I thought the plot got lost initially and even though I loved seeing the development between Whit and Inez, there wasn’t much else happening until a quarter of the way in.

I did love all of the historical aspects and how those have been combined with fantasy elements. I love love love books in this sub genre and this hit the spot for those perfectly.

One of the main antagonists was extremely obvious and was a bit of a let down, BUT I will say I was surprised by one of the reveals and that helped balance out. It led to the chaos that was the final few chapters and I loved seeing how it all went down.

This duology really worked well as a duo. It was not drawn out, there’s good action and endearing characters. I adored Inez and Whit and the audiobook narrators for them did a great job. I can’t wait for more books from this author.

Overall audience notes:

NA Historical Fantasy Romance
Language: mild
Romance: vague fade to black
Violence: moderate – high
Content Warnings: gun violence, murder, non-consensual drugging, near death experiences

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Book Review: Tales of the Celestial Kingdom (The Celestial Kingdom #2.5) by Sue Lynn Tan

March 17, 2025February 17, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance Novella
Length: 176 pages
Author: Sue Lynn Tan
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: February 6th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sue Lynn Tan’s highly acclaimed, bestselling Celestial Kingdom duology is expanded with this new compilation of stories from before, during, and after the events in Daughter of the Moon Goddess and Heart of the Sun Warrior, all from the perspectives of beloved characters and illustrated by Kelly Chong.

Return to the Immortal Realm, a world of gods, magic, and legendary creatures—and embark upon new adventures of valor, danger, and love.

Tales from the Celestial Kingdom collects nine spellbinding stories—two previously published, seven original, including the epilogue to the duology—set in the enchanting world of Sue Lynn Tan’s stunning debut. Filled with magic and mythology, friendship and love, these stories intertwine through the past, present, and future of the two novels, told from the perspectives of multiple characters, including Chang’e, Shuxiao, Liwei, and Wenzhi.

With beautiful illustrations from Kelly Chong throughout, these wondrous tales make the perfect complement to Sue Lynn Tan’s breathtaking series.

LOVED BEING BACK.

A nice quick review of a world I love so dang much. I loved all of these novellas and how they were broken up. I would have even purchased this purely for the beautiful artwork throughout. I about squealed every time I turned the page and saw a new picture of all of my favorites.

The epilogue alone is also worth picking this up. It is EVERYTHING you could want from this series and the conclusion I know many of us wanted to read.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance Novella
Language: none
Romance: kisses

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ARC Book Review: One More Wish (Sugar Valley #2) by Lindsey Lanza

March 16, 2025February 12, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 357 pages
Author: Lindsey Lanza
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 18th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Always be careful what you wish for.

Maya Bloom has a secret.
For as long as she can remember, all her wishes have come true. One quick plea to the universe, and whatever she wants is hers. The they always backfire.
Which is why Maya is done wishing. Well, until her wedding day when she’s in desperate need of the truth.
And when it feels like her whole life is imploding, she makes the split-second decision to run to Vermont and be with her best friend, Ellie.

Liam Harley has a problem.
He’s been living his best single dad life in small town Vermont, but he can’t seem to forget the past. Not his last job as a Michelin star chef, not his night owl lifestyle, and especially not that night two years ago when he met Maya Bloom.
When Maya shows up in his new haven of Sugar Valley, he wonders if he’ll get a second chance with the woman who’s been haunting his dreams.
Unfortunately for him, she has no idea who he is.

One More Wish is a small-town romance about the power of found families, the magic of finding your soulmate, and believing in the impossible.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

SWEET & SPICY.

I love the way Lindsey Lanza writes romances y’all. And even though they are spicy, I love the way that is approached too. It feels genuine to the romance and progression of the story and I love how close it brings the characters together. I adored this tender romance. It doesn’t have a big complicated plot, it’s just two people who found each other…again.

The magical realism aspects were just right. I’m hit or miss on them and I liked the little dash Maya’s ability gave this story. And I appreciated how it connected with life and all of its ups and downs. The chronic illness representation is, as always, amazing. It’s eye opening and raw. Combining that with a beautiful and strong support system really squeezes my heart.

I looooved Liam. He’s a walking green flag. I loved seeing his growth, as well as Maya’s. I loved how they approached hard conversations, worked together, and did their best to communicate big emotions. I clearly am in love with every character in this series and it was great being back in Sugar Valley.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: mild – moderate
Romance: 3-4 open door
Violence: low
Content warnings: chronic illness (lupus, type 1 diabetes), pregnancy complications (side character)

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Book Review: The Rose Bargain (The Rose Bargain #1) by Sasha Peyton Smith

March 15, 2025February 14, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★☆
Genre: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Sasha Peyton Smith
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: February 4th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Cruel Prince meets The Selection in this captivating duology opener brimming with heart-pounding romance, vicious competition, and beautiful, cruel fae, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven, Sasha Peyton Smith.

Every citizen of England is granted one bargain from their immortal fae queen.

High society girls are expected to bargain for qualities that will win them suitors: a rare talent for piano in exchange for one’s happiest childhood memory. A perfect smile for one’s ability to taste.

But Ivy Benton’s debut season arrives with a shocking twist: a competition to secure the heart of the Queen’s fae son, Prince Bram. A prize that could save Ivy’s family from ruin… and free her sister from the bargain that destroyed her.

Yet every glittering fae deal has a rotting heart—and at the center of this contest is a dark plot that could destroy everything Ivy knows.

Sweepingly romantic and deceptively enchanting, this alternate history romantasy will enthrall readers of Holly Black, Stephanie Garber, and Adalyn Grace.

YO, WHAT.

This book had one moment where I absolutely shouted WHAT in my car and I love that for me. Bring me a book that has a shock factor and I am your girl. I adored this book a lot. The audiobook was great and this reminded me of why I enjoy fantasy romance so much. I will say it definitely leans into the new adult category over young adult if you were curious.

I loved the setting. I can’t get enough of historical fantasy and liked the twist that this one had. The bargains and fae and competition all aligned with the coup in progress and I enjoyed the betrayals and twists throughout. I don’t mind a love triangle involving brothers and this one had the right plot edge that I knew something else was going on and was excited to figure out what that happened to be. I do think one of the brothers was a little flat for 90% of the book but now I think that has opened up a lot more for book two.

An absolute gem in my mind. Fantastic book, can’t wait for more.

Overall audience notes: