Tag: adalyn grace

Book Review: Holly (Belladonna #3.5) by Adalyn Grace

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance Holiday Novella
Length: 384 pages
Author: Adalyn Grace
Publisher: Little Brown Books
Release Date: September 30th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

This Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition features an alternate jacket and case cover, full color endpapers, illustrations throughout, bonus content, and is printed in a festive colored ink!

A mysterious and magical holiday novella set in the romantic, Gothic-infused world of Belladonna, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace. Features a special endpaper design, a printed case cover, and colorful interior art!

Something strange is happening at Wisteria Gardens, the magical manor that Blythe and Aris call home. All they want is a peaceful holiday season with their family, but a group of restless spirits is determined to threaten their festivities. With a new mystery to solve, Signa, Death, Blythe, and Fate must uncover what happened to Wisteria’s ghostly inhabitants and help the spirits move on before it’s too late.

WHAT A DELIGHT.

Turns out, I’m charmed by fantasy holiday novellas (I’ve always bin a stan of ACOFAS so this tracks). There’s something delightful about getting past all of the nitty gritty that a dark fantasy takes you on to then read about your favorite characters in a lighter setting.

I loved seeing everyone again. I thought the plot was simple but effective. There’s a solid mystery that gets solved while also potentially setting up for another book? I would read about this cast all day so I’m sat.

It’s sweet, heated, a little emotional and I think if you’ve enjoyed the series you’ll like this installment too.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance Holiday Novella
  • Language: mild+
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: mild

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Book Review: Wisteria (Belladonna #3) by Adalyn Grace

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: Adalyn Grace
Publisher: Little Brown Books
Release Date: August 20th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace delivers a sensational conclusion to the deathly and decadent Belladonna trilogy, with dramatic twists and a seductive new romance that will set readers’ hearts ablaze.

Blythe Hawthorne has never let anyone tell her what to do—not society, not her overprotective father, and certainly not the man she’s bound herself to, no matter how rude and insufferable he is. In fact, she’s determined to be a thorn in his side for the rest of her days, even as he ensures that her life in his palace is anything but a fairytale. But as Blythe discovers a new side of herself linked to his past, she’ll have to decide if she’s willing to let an unexpected spark ignite…and to discover the truth about who she really is.

DON’T COME AT ME.

Four stars is totally a valid rating and it also hurts me to feel more inclined to give this one four stars rather than five. I did physically read this installment vs. audiobook like I did for the previous books. I don’t know if that changed my perception but it must have to some degree.

My issues that I noticed were around some of the plot aspects. I feel like there were a few holes and things that kind of sprung up out of nowhere.

But. That aside, I loved the enemies to lovers romance. It was top tier. I loved the slow build and growth between Fate and Blythe. I loved getting to see Signa and Death again. The story line was good in the grand scheme. I liked picking this up and reading. I look forward to whatever stories Grace writes next.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low-moderate
  • Romance: one vague open door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: loss of life, attempted murder

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Book Review: Foxglove (Belladonna #2) by Adalyn Grace

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 464 pages
Author: Adalyn Grace
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Release Date: August 22nd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The captivating sequel to the Gothic-infused Belladonna, in which Signa and Death face a supernatural foe determined to tear them apart.

A duke has been murdered. The lord of Thorn Grove has been framed. And Fate, the elusive brother of Death, has taken up residence in a sumptuous estate nearby. He’s hellbent on revenge after Death took the life of the woman he loved many years ago…and now he’s determined to have Signa for himself, no matter the cost.

Signa and her cousin Blythe are certain that Fate can save Elijah Hawthorne from prison if they will entertain his presence. But the more time the girls spend with Fate, the more frightening their reality becomes as Signa exhibits dramatic new powers that link her to Fate’s past. With mysteries and danger around every corner, the cousins must decide if they can trust one another as they navigate their futures in high society, unravel the murders that haunt their family, and play Fate’s unexpected games–all with their destinies hanging in the balance.

Dangerous, suspenseful, and seductive, this sequel to the story of Signa and Death is as utterly romantic as it is perfectly deadly.

THE PIVOT.

Y’all. This is how you do a middle book. I loved it! I took my time devouring every word and tabbing all of my favorite little moments. I love the lush, gothic vibes and how dark and devious everything is. This is painted in morally gray and I am here for it all.

I loved getting to see more of Signa and Death (and if I had to lodge one minor complaint I wanted more of them!!). A lot happens with their relationship, and with the addition of Fate, I honestly never knew exactly where this plot was going to go. I had a few ideas and when those started to come to fruition I was GIDDY. I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE NEXT BOOK IT IS UNFATHOMABLE.

Anyways, incredible mysterious plot. Some fantastically swoony moments. Twists and turns and all the things that I love about this series. I love Adalyn Grace’s writing style. This is not a book to miss!

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: one vague open door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: false imprisonment, loss of life, murder, attempted murder, near death experiences

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Book Review: Belladonna (Belladonna #1) by Adalyn Grace

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Upper YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 416 pages
Author: Adalyn Grace
Publisher: Little, Brown for Young Readers
Release Date: August 30th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace brings to life a highly romantic, Gothic-infused world of wealth, desire, and betrayal.

Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each more interested in her wealth than her well-being—and each has met an untimely end. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate both glittering and gloomy. Its patriarch mourns his late wife through wild parties, while his son grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation and his daughter suffers from a mysterious illness. But when their mother’s restless spirit appears claiming she was poisoned, Signa realizes that the family she depends on could be in grave danger and enlists the help of a surly stable boy to hunt down the killer.

However, Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side. Though he’s made her life a living hell, Death shows Signa that their growing connection may be more powerful—and more irresistible—than she ever dared imagine.

ABSOLUTELY LOVED.

Yess. This was everything I wash hoping it would be!! I loved the way the story was written. I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK.

We’ve got to talk about the romance first. Because it was glorious. I looooved Signa and Death’s push and pull. They had chemistry from the get go and perfectly placed banter. Every time he said little bird I MELTED. Give me all of them. I of course would have loved even more romance but I imagine that’s coming and I will impatiently wait for more.

The murder mystery was well crafted too. I tried not to make to many theories because I love being in the dark when I’m loving a read. It made it all the more fun when the answers started coming out and the darkness of others was brought to light. The plot had great pacing and I really couldn’t have asked for more.

It totally lived up to my expectations.

Overall audience notes:

  • Upper YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: one vague open door
  • Violence: med-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, poisoning, near death situations

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