Category: Book Review

Book Review: A Sea View Christmas (On Devonshire Shores #3.5) by Julie Klassen

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Holiday Romance Novella
Length: 238 pages
Author: Julie Klassen
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: September 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The holiday stirs up excitement as fondly remembered guests come to stay and acquaintances grow into more. . . .

With a promise to her youngest sister, Sarah Summers declares that this year’s Christmas at Sea View will exceed all expectations. But an upcoming trip to Scotland–and the prospect of becoming reacquainted with dashing widower Callum Henshall–blows a flurry of doubts into her mind. Sarah had discouraged his attentions before yet soon finds herself once again torn between attraction and duty as alluring thoughts of a second chance at love weave their way into her practical heart.

Meanwhile, seventeen-year-old Georgiana eagerly anticipates the exciting Christmas of her dreams after last year’s dull, disappointing holiday filled with endless chores. She enjoys all the promised parties, music, and dancing, but is taken by surprise when young love comes knocking. Does the festive romance of a Sea View Christmas hold the key to a happily-ever-after for both sisters?

Spend the holiday season with the Summers sisters on the charming Devonshire coast, where family bonds are strengthened, love is rekindled, and Christmas joy abounds.

Julie Klassen’s heartwarming Christmas companion to the On Devonshire Shores series holds themes of friends to more, sisterhood bonds, and matchmaking that will fill you with holiday spirit. This novella can be read separately or along with the series and will appeal to fans of Jane Austen, English Regency romance, and Downtown Abbey.

Thank you to Bethany House for the gifted copy.

IT WAS SWEET.

I’ve really enjoyed this series from Julie Klassen. And this little novella was just as sweet as the rest. It touched on a lot of good themes and topics that brought about moments for growth and realizing that you’ve got to adapt to move forward.

I adore all of the sisters and how close they have become over each book. Getting to see them all together celebrating the holidays was tender and made for an easy read. I love reading close relationships between family members.

There’s a little bit of romance too!! I liked the slow burn and swoony moments too. Callum was such a great love interest and I adored Effie and Cora too. Truly this whole cast was a delight. It’s a heartwarming story perfect for the holiday season.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Holiday Romance Novella
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Content warnings: mentions of suicide, loss of a loved one

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Book Review: Songbird of the Sorrows (Mythos of the Empyrieos #1) by Braidee Otto

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 416 pages
Author: Braidee Otto
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 18th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ask no questions. Obey your orders. Respect your masters. But most of all… Love no one.

Born without breath, Aella’s life began with a solemn promise etched in fate. Ousted from the Palace of Sorrows and gifted to the Aviary at a young age, she was shaped to fit the mold they made for her.

Spy. Thief. Princess. Songbird.

After Aella completes her training and passes the Naming ceremony, she is assigned to the prestigious Alpha Flight, led by none other than her former flame. Everything about Raven calls to her. He is brave, loyal, and lethal. But love is forbidden within the Aviary.

When Alpha Flight is tasked with infiltrating the eastern kingdom’s royal trials to seek a weapon hidden deep within its court, Aella struggles with the expectations placed on her.

As old sparks reignite and the harsh realities of the realm reveal themselves, she must decide whether to follow orders or defy them.

SO MANY THOUGHTS.

I’m kind of bouncing all over about this one so this review might read a little more chaotically than usual.

The first half of this book I enjoyed. I felt pretty engaged with what was happening. I liked the trajectory and the main character + side characters. All good things.

And then, something felt off about the second half and I don’t know how to describe it. I wasn’t in love with everything happening and the romance had a forced spice aspect that didn’t click with me either. They were kind of a second chance moment? But with no great background on that first chance they were feeling a lot more chemistry than I ever was.

The ending did have a few interesting aspects that almost have me wondering if I should try the second book. I might wait for reviews though before I try it out.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3+ open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content Warnings: blood/gore, PTSD, sexual assault, substance abuse, torture

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ARC/ALC Book Review: Wild Reverence (Letters of Enchantment #0) by Rebecca Ross

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 544 pages
Author: Rebecca Ross
Publisher: Saturday Books
Release Date: September 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Born ​in the firelit domain of the under realm, Matilda is the youngest goddess of her clan, blessed with humble messenger magic. But in a land where gods often kill each other to steal power and alliances break as quickly as they are forged, Matilda must come of age sooner than most. She may be known to carry words and letters through the realms, but she holds a secret she must hide from even her dearest of allies to ensure her survival. And to complicate matters . . . there is a mortal boy who dreams of her, despite the fact they have never met in the waking world.

Ten years ago, Vincent of Beckett wrote to Matilda on the darkest night of his life―begging the goddess he befriended in dreams to help him. When his request went unanswered, Vincent moved on, becoming the hardened, irreverent lord of the river who has long forgotten Matilda. That is, until she comes tumbling into his bedroom window with a letter for him.

As Fate would have it, Matilda and Vincent were destined to find each other beyond dreams. There may be a chance for Matilda to rewrite the blood-soaked ways of the gods, but at immense sacrifice. She will have to face something she fears even more than losing her magic: to be vulnerable, and to allow herself to finally be loved.

Thank you Saturday Books for the eARC and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook.

EXACTLY WHAT I HOPED.

If you’ve ever thought about what a Rebecca Ross adult debut fantasy romance would look like, this hit all of those markers. I was entranced from the get-go. BUT KNOW, this is a slow build, heavily character driven story that takes you on a beautiful journey of Matilda from her youth to her destiny.

I was captivated by the writing style and the romantic atmosphere throughout. It felt like I was reading about Greek gods sitting in the Parthenon and all of the drama and chaos that results from meddling in the lives of others.

Alongside the meddling was an intensely passionate romance between Matilda and Vincent. I loved the long ago connections and the way they fought for each other over and over again. The plot was steady and well paced with action and tenderness and seeking more. The whole book just felt deeply intimate.

Overal audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: vague, focused on emotions open door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: abusive relationship, whipping, war themes, loss of life and loved ones

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ARC/ALC Book Review: Falling Like Leaves (Bramble Falls #1) by Misty Wilson

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Misty Wilson
Publisher: Simon Teen
Release Date: September 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Gilmore Girls meets Jenny Han in this autumnal teen rom-com about a city girl stuck in a quaint small town who must confront her future and her old flame while the town prepares for an annual fall festival.

Ellis has a lot of expectations for her senior year, but moving from Manhattan to Bramble Falls, Connecticut is not one of them. Yet in the wake of her parents’ separation, that’s exactly where she and her mother are headed.

Bramble Falls might be charming, but it’s also full of distractions. Like local barista Cooper Barnett, Ellis’s one-time best friend—and first kiss—who has not only majorly glowed up but wants nothing to do with Ellis.

Then there’s the Falling Leaves Festival, a month-long tourist attraction run by Ellis’s aunt—celebrating everything autumn. The festival seems nice and all, but Ellis doesn’t have time to be roped into her aunt’s enthusiastic planning. Dragged to each event, she can’t stop bumping into Cooper, the one person she’s hoping to avoid.

But the longer she stays in Bramble Falls, the harder it is to pretend she’s not falling for this town and the people in it. As her return to Manhattan gets pushed further and further out, Ellis is forced to confront exactly what she wants for her future—and what that means for her present.

Thank you to Simon Teen for the gifted eARC and Simon Audio for the audiobook.

JUST RIGHT.

I haven’t read a young adult contemporary romance in a hot minute because I often feel like I’ve just aged out of enjoying these stories but then I get sucked in by a super cute cover that screams FALL and I had to read it. And I genuinely enjoyed it!!

I liked that this was a true YA book. The language was low and it stayed at kisses only. And as I mentioned earlier, there were so many fall things and I loved them all. The small town atmosphere surrounded by apple picking, horse carriages, pumpkins and more, set such a beautiful scene. I could not get enough.

The romance was great. Relatable and full of growth and learning after mistakes. Ellis has been sitting in a blind spot for so long it took her a bit to come to terms about the box she’d been sitting in. I appreciated her willingness to apologize and try to do better next time attitude. It gave Ellis a sense of realism that I think is what’s needed for a younger audience too. Cooper was just super cute too which made their interactions very endearing.

I would absolutely read another book from Misty Wilson.

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult contemporary romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: none
  • Content warnings: parents who are separating (with infidelity as part of the reason)

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