Category: Book Review

Book Review: Yuletide Bride (Regency Christmas Brides) by Kasey Stockton

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 245 pages
Author: Kasey Stockton
Publisher: Golden Owl Press
Release Date: November 18th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When a marriage of convenience becomes inconveniently complicated…

Mercy Caldwell, the vicar’s eldest daughter, has watched her younger sisters march down the aisle while she remains resolutely on the shelf. When a chance at matrimony arrives mere hours after her youngest sister’s engagement, Mercy seizes the opportunity—and the man she’s secretly admired for years.

Colin Birchall’s grand estate is crumbling, and his aunt’s generous inheritance comes with one he must be married by Twelfth Night. In Mercy, he finds the perfect candidate to meet his aunt’s exacting standards. It seems an ideal arrangement—until they’re forced to actually live together.

From differing views on marriage to clashing Christmas traditions, Mercy and Colin discover that convenience and compatibility are two very different things. But when Colin’s aunt arrives unannounced demanding proof of their love, they must convince her—and perhaps themselves—that their hastily forged union is more than just a festive facade.

Can Mercy and Colin turn their paper marriage into a love match before Twelfth Night? Or will their convenient arrangement crumble faster than Colin’s ancestral home?

Book three in the Regency Christmas Brides series,Yuletide Bride is a heartwarming holiday romance that proves love often arrives in the most unexpected packages—no bow required.

A DELIGHT.

I loved this book. I loved how fast pace it was and that it was just the right length to convey a full story and make for a quick read during a busy season. I haven’t read a regency in a minute and this reminded me of why I love them.

The holiday charm was in full swing and I love all of the historical aspects of those moments. And y’all know I’m a sucker for marriage of convenience so I knew I had to pick this one up. I looooved Mercy and Colin. They had a lot of differences to work through and I appreciated them learning how to communicate and be friends as that turned into love.

I appreciated that the aunt was eccentric but not overly dramatic. She provided the little spark for Colin and Mercy that really got the romance swinging and I loved all of the little tender moments and the slow burn on the kissing scenes brought the tension. You won’t regret picking this one up.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Christmas Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: none

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ARC Book Review: The Bodyguard Affair by Amy Lea

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: Amy Lea
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: December 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A secret romance writer discovers that the hottest story of summer might just be the one happening between her and the Prime Minister’s bodyguard, from the international bestselling author of Set On You.

Andi Zeigler lives a double life. By day, she’s the no-nonsense, steadfast personal assistant to the Prime Minister of Canada’s wife. By night, she slips out of her heels and writes romance novels under a top-secret pen name. But when her steamiest book, The Prime Minister & Me, unexpectedly becomes a bestseller, rumors of a real-life affair between her and the PM start swirling out of control.

Enter Nolan Crosby, the PM’s new close protection officer (aka bodyguard) – and Andi’s failed one-night stand from three years ago. Nolan’s in town very temporarily to care for his mother, who’s battling early-onset Alzheimer’s. But when the scandal erupts, Andi ropes him into a fake-dating plan.

As loyal employees, they’ll pretend to date for the summer, just long enough to put the scandal to bed and save their boss’s reputation. In an unexpected plot twist, Andi and Nolan discover that keeping their romance strictly fictional might be easier said than done.

Thank you Berkley Romance for the gifted eARC.

I JUST ADORED THIS.

I’m an easy to please reader when it comes to Amy Lea’s books. I love the way she crafts stories. The main characters (duel pov y’all!!) are genuine and effortless and seeing the plot unfold always makes me feel something.

I thought the plot was engaging and covered a variety of topics well. While some heavier content is present the overall mood is hopeful and Nolan and Andi are meant to be. i could not get enough of Nolan’s constant support. It was endearing in all the ways. I thought the plot > spice which is always a pro for me.

I genuinely binged this in a day. I just couldn’t get enough. It’s sensual and swoony and full of heart. All of the hallmark romance moments were there and each one made me giddy [not to mention, no out of pocket third act nonsense either!!].

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: mild-moderate
  • Romance: 3-4ish open door
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: a parent with Alzheimer’s

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ARC/ALC Book Review: Dawn of the Firebird by Sarah Mughal Rana

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 480 pages
Author: Sarah Mughal Rana
Publisher: HarperCollins / Hanover Square
Release Date: December 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

For fans of The Poppy War, She Who Became the Sun and The Will of the Many, a breathtaking fantasy novel about the daughter of an overthrown emperor from an exciting new voice

Khamilla Zahr-zad’s life has been built on a foundation of violence and vengeance. Every home she’s known has been destroyed by war. As the daughter of an emperor’s clan, she spent her childhood training to maintain his throne. But when her clansmen are assassinated by another rival empire, plans change. With her heavenly magic of nur, Khamilla is a weapon even enemies would wield—especially those in the magical, scholarly city of Za’skar. Hiding her identity, Khamilla joins the enemy’s army school full of jinn, magic and martial arts, risking it all to topple her adversaries, avenge her clan and reclaim their throne.

To survive, she studies under cutthroat mystic monks and battles in a series of contests to outmaneuver her fellow soldiers. She must win at all costs, even if it means embracing the darkness lurking inside her. But the more she excels, the more she is faced with history that contradicts her father’s teachings. With a war brewing among the kingdoms and a new twisted magic overtaking the land, Khamilla is torn between two impossible vengeance or salvation.

Thank you Hanover Square Press for the gifted eARC.

LOST MY ATTENTION.

I really really wanted to love this book (hello beautiful cover). But gosh, something was just missing. And I don’t know how best to explain it all. At the core are solid themes with a complex world and a good amount to ponder. I initially was interested in the happenings and then at some point I realized my mind just kept drifting.

I did see some growth in the FMC and I liked how her rage combined with her convictions took her on a journey of self discovery and learning how to best take the next step forward. Some of the side characters were interesting and I think I’d like an even stronger sense of found family. Not that every book needs a romance, but I feel this was lacking in any strong relationship bonds (of any variety).

I believe this is a standalone which connects back in to the pressing issues. The ending did not feel fully resolved and I think the entire plot would have been better if stretched out and allowed time for more connection. The amount of montage fight scenes got to be repetitive.

If you’re on the fence, I will say this did not turn me off from trying another book by this author. Sometimes the debut isn’t the gem and I’d be curious to see what comes next.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: The Princess Knight by Cait Jacobs

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Rating: ★★★.5
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 512 pages
Author: Cait Jacobs
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: October 14th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A princess desperate to win back the prince who broke her heart follows him to his kingdom’s prestigious military academy—and in doing so, falls in love, saves the realm, and continues to look fabulous in this delightful debut fantasy.

Domhnall and Clía are an ideal match—or so everyone says. They are prince and princess of neighboring kingdoms. An alliance the gods will smile on. Until Domhnall ruins everything by refusing to propose.

Heartbroken but determined, Clía makes the perfect plan: Follow Domhnall to Caisleán Cósta, the military academy he’s attending. Show she can protect her kingdom. Secure the betrothal. Sure, the castle has a brutal reputation. But how hard can dueling really be?

Warrior Ronan promised himself he’d never lose his focus. He fought and sacrificed for his place at Caisleán Cósta, and he has no time for blonde princesses who waltz intro arenas like they’re attending a ball. Even if she and her otter-like pet are…well, cute.

He doesn’t want to be intrigued by Clía. But her hunger to prove herself is something he understands. He tells himself there’s no harm training her. Even if his heart does race around her. Even if Domhnall is his best friend.

But as they say, love is a battlefield—and unfortunately for them all, a very real war is looming on the horizon. It’s a fight that will threaten all their kingdoms…and test all their hearts. 

Thank you to Harper Voyager for the gifted copy.

IT’S GOT SOME CHARM.

I will say the best part of this book was noticing all of the Legally Blonde moments woven into a fantasy setting. I thought that concept worked out really well here and was fun to see.

Where it kind of let me down was the length. It just felt long. And I think some of the pacing could have been tightened up (or more romance added in) and the balance would have been a bit more even. I liked Clia well enough and that she really put herself into a new atmosphere and learned a lot.

I would have loved more swoon with Ronan. They had a sweet friends to lovers dynamic that needed some oomph.

It was a good debut though. I would read another book from this author!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate

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