Book Review: Gilded in Vengeance by Lyssa Mia Smith

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Historical Fantasy
Length: 384 pages
Author: Lyssa Mia Smith
Publisher: Storytide
Release Date: November 4th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Revenge meets The Gilded Age in this thrilling YA fantasy set among the glittering magical elite of late-1800s New York society, from Revelle author Lyssa Mia Smith.

Two girls attended a magical ball, but one was never seen again.

At least that’s what those who betrayed her believed.

Two years after being framed for fraud by the Society of the Charmed, an exclusive club of New York’s wealthiest—and most magical—citizens, Emmy Vallillo wastes away in prison, utterly alone.

Until her cell wall explodes, revealing Jack Fontaine, one of the Society’s favorite sons, now imprisoned for a crime he swears he didn’t commit. They make a deal: He’ll help Emmy escape if she helps destroy those who’ve wronged them.

Using Emmy’s magic to transform their appearances, the two break free and, unrecognized, soon become the Society’s new darlings. Now their enemies want to dine with them. Attend lavish balls with them. Marry them. But ruining lives requires Emmy to trust Jack with hers, despite his dark secrets—and the infuriating attraction between them.

When another betrayal brings their enemies to their doorstep, Emmy must choose: complete their revenge, or give up the money, the magic, and her safety in this cutthroat world for the most treacherous thing of all—love.

OMG GO READ IT.

Y’all know I’m always on the hunt for those hidden gems and HERE’S ONE FOR Y’ALL. I loved this book. I loved that it was rooted in vengeance but that the FMC had such a great character arc and learned and took in new things as the story went on.

The vibes were fantastic. I loved the gilded age setting and the balls and intrigue and all the things. The found family group was solid and I loved how they looked out for each other.

And the romance? Swoony and the perfect level of slow burn for a standalone. There was also another element I was rather obsessed with and the reveal sent me into orbit.

So please consider this my plea to try out this book! I will definitely be on the lookout for this author’s next story.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Historical Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: Seeing Miss Heartstone by Nichole Van

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 315 pages
Author: Nichole Van
Publisher: Fiorenza Publishing
Release Date: November 1st, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Miss Belle Heartstone—heiress and savvy businesswoman—needs a husband. Immediately. As in, yesterday would not have been soon enough. Her mother’s attempts at matchmaking have been disastrous. So Belle decides to solve the problem her way—survey the market and purchase the best groom available.

Colin Radcliffe, Marquess of Blake—debt-ridden and penniless—needs a large infusion of cash. Desperately. Preferably cash that does not come with a wife attached. It is no surprise, then, when he receives Miss Heartstone’s brazen proposal—her cash, his title, their marriage—that he politely declines.

But before he leaves her, Blake suggests something truly radical: Maybe before finding a husband, Belle should find herself.
His simple words send them both on an unexpected journey, spanning continents and years, entwining their lives in ways neither could have foreseen. Can two lonely souls move past societal expectations and forge a unique life together?

LOVED THE CONCEPT.

I am on a quest to finish Nichole Van’s backlist and I loved checking this one off. The premise is unique and crafted beautifully. Those starting chapters were a hoot and there was an easy dynamic between Colin and Belle. I enjoyed the progression through letters and seeing Belle really own herself and what she wants in a time period where that wasn’t always possible.

The chemistry was undeniable and I loved all of the moments that Colin and Belle found to be together. It’s one of those slowww burns that brings out all the feelings of JUST KISS ALREADY.

The audiobook is great and I had some minor quips about some plot things but otherwise, a lovely regency romance that brought the swoon I was looking for.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Content Warnings: loss of a parent (recounted)

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Book Review: A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Magical Realism Mystery
Length: 275 pages
Author: Adrienne Young
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: January 7th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A woman investigates her brother’s mysterious death while coming to terms with her own haunting past in this atmospheric novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Unmaking of June Farrow

The only thing James and Johnny Golden have ever had is each other. For as long as she can remember, James’s deep connection with her twin brother, Johnny, has gone beyond intuition—she can feel what he feels. So, when Johnny is killed in a tragic accident, James knows before her phone even rings that her brother is gone and that she’s alone—truly alone—for the first time in her life. 

When James arrives in the rural town of Hawthorne, California to settle her brother’s affairs, she’s forced to rehash the ominous past she and Johnny shared and finally face Micah, the only person who knows about it. He’s also the only man she’s ever loved. 

But James soon discovers that the strange connection she had with Johnny isn’t quite gone, and the more she immerses herself into his world, the more questions she has about the brother she thought she knew. Johnny was keeping secrets, and he’s not the only one. What she uncovers will push her to unravel what happened in the days before Johnny’s death, but in the end, she’ll have to decide which truths should come to light, and which should stay buried forever.

I WAS BORED.

I miss the YA fantasy days of Adrienne Young. There’s nothing wrong with trying out new genres and whatnot, but I am just not connecting as well with these adult mysteries as I was with her fantasy books.

And also, THIS IS NOT A FANTASY BOOK. I don’t know why it’s getting tagged as such but at most this is a mystery with a touch of magical realism. That is it. And while some of the aspects were intriguing and the mystery was somewhat engaging, I just never got INTO the book.

I loved the audiobook narrator and it is a short read so time wasn’t totally wasted. The atmosphere is good and haunting too which fits well. I can’t decide if I will keep reading these though.

Overall audience notes:

  • Magical realism mystery
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: gun violence, murder, loss of life, loss of a loved one

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Book Review: The Tempest Blade (The Bridge Kingdom #6) by Danielle L. Jensen

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 26 hrs
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Publisher: Audible Originals
Release Date: October 9th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The heart-pounding finale to the USA Today bestselling Bridge Kingdom series.

A fugitive on the run, Ahnna has one return to Ithicana with warning of the greatest threat her homeland has ever faced. But as she escapes into the wilderness, it is with the man who broke her heart hunting at her heels—and James wants more than justice. He wants revenge.

Desperate to prove his loyalty to his family, James ventures into dangerous territory to capture his father’s killer. But the longer he follows Ahnna’s trail, the more his certainty of her guilt is tested—and the more the passion they once shared reignites.

As schemes twist tighter and war brews, Ahnna and James discover that the enemy isn’t each other—it is the masterminds manipulating them both in pursuit of power. Yet their greatest obstacle remains, because their loyalties are to opposing sides in the battle to come. As the storms of the Tempest Seas lower their defenses, James and Ahnna must choose where their hearts on the battlefield, or in each other’s arms.

BEST DANG CONCLUSION I COULD HAVE IMAGINED.

Tis no surprise, I am a DLJ stan. Easily one of my top five favorite fantasy authors WITH GOOD REASON Y’ALL. The first two books in this series are a duo I reread practically every year and I can declare that this is number three on my favorite list for this series. BECAUSE OMG.

I’m so happy that we got all the POV’s!!!! It felt epic and enhanced and getting every nuanced angle from all of the powerful players of this series was exactly what the ending needed. I was shocked that I barely noticed this book was 26 hours long. Every page has depth and is packed with action and longing and begging for everything to end up okay.

DLJ writes fantastic twists and intense scenes. The emotions I am forcibly put through are exactly what my dreams are made of when I pick up a book like this. MAKE ME FEEL SOMETHING.

Anyways, I’m obsessed with every character, every love story, and literally every single thing about this book. DO NOT PASS THIS SERIES UP. IT IS COMPLETE. YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE NOW.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3-4ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: war themes and loss of life, a baby nearly drowns, near death experiences, animal attacks

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