Book Review: One Last Thing (The Seddledowne #1) by Susan Henshaw

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 367 pages
Author: Susan Henshaw
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: May 1st, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

One shattered farm girl. The cowboy who’s always loved her. Ninety days under one roof.

After high school, Silas Dupree couldn’t put his hometown in the rearview mirror fast enough.

His hopes? That two thousand miles would be enough distance to make his stupid heart forget Clementine Shepherd, his sister’s best friend.

But a decade later, when his twin, Sophie, dies, Silas is forced to return home.

In true Sophie fashion, she couldn’t leave well enough alone, even dead. And when the will is read Silas and Clementine are shocked to find that Sophie left her teenage daughter to both of them.

With one stipulation.

The three must reside together, as a family, for ninety days before deciding on permanent custody. If they fail, a judge will decide Anna’s fate.

Can Clementine endure an entire summer with the quiet, closed-off man who ghosted her the minute they got their diplomas?

And can Silas keep his word to his new fiancé back in Wyoming while sleeping across the hall from the only woman he’s ever truly loved?

Perfect for readers who enjoy a sweet, slow burn. There will be hilarity and heartbreak, tears and tire-slashing. But always a hard-earned happily ever after.

WELL THAT TOOK A TURN.

This book left me a bit befuddled. I was really into it for the first half, even was able to roll with it until the last 30%ish. Then I thought that the drama went off the rails a bit and just didn’t seem all that necessary to get to the conclusion that was imminent.

I loved that Silas was a fall first, I have been in love with your forever, kind of man. I loved how he took care of Clementine and gave into the need and want that he had been holding back for years.

Clementine, I liked her. She had a few up and down moments for me but I did feel like she was truly trying her best with a handful of crappy situations. I’m not sure how I feel about one of the plot points used in this book and am just going to sit on the fence about it.

I can’t decide if I am going to read book two or not (I might just skip to three??) because of a few scenes in this book too.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content Warnings: miscarriage, cheating

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: September 2025

THE BER MONTHS.

I always love seeing these line ups because all of the covers together feel like a quilt of my reads. And I’m continually surprised at what I get through and all of the different genres and niches I fall into.

HAPPY READING!

  • Epics Etched in Echoes (Tales of Wonder and Woe #3.5) by Renee Dugan
  • If Not for My Baby by Kate Golden
  • Entreat Me by Grace Draven
  • Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
  • [ARC] An Echo of the Grave (Fallow Creek #4) by Claudia Cain
  • [ARC/ALC] We Met Like This by Kasie West
  • Last Night Was Fun by Holly Michelle
  • Mistress of Bones (Mistress of Bones #1) by Maria Z. Medina
  • House of Hearts by Skyla Arndt
  • The Silversmith (The Selvaren #1) by LJ Claren
  • Scorched Earth (Dark Shores #4) by Danielle L. Jensen
  • [ARC] It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard
  • [ARC] Fake Skating by Lynn Painter
  • Rose in Chains (The Evermore Trilogy #1) by Julie Soto
  • [Novella] Fearful (The Powerless Trilogy #3.5) by Lauren Roberts
  • [Novella] Pumpkin to Talk About by Allie Samberts
  • The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk (Crowns of Nyaxia #4) by Carissa Broadbent
  • Rookie Season (The Boys of Loft 3B #1) by Katie Bailey and Leah Brunner
  • Better Luck Next Time by Cara Bastone
  • The Crownless Queen (The Blood and Water Saga #4) by Cassidy Clarke
  • An Embroidery of Souls by Ruby Martinez
  • Love at Second Down (Boys of Ann Arbor U #2) by Gracie Graham
  • [Novella] Hot for Slayer (Scared Sexy Collection #1) by Ali Hazelwood
  • [ARC] Winterset by Tiffany Odekirk
  • [ALC] Overdue by Stephanie Perkins
  • [Novella] Falling (Scared Sexy Collection #2) by Christina Lauren
  • Playing for Keeps by Ranee S. Clark
  • Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor #4) by Jessica Townsend
  • [ARC] Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber
  • Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: August 2025

IT’S FOOTBALL SEASON. But also, here are all the books I read in August! I’m still on track to hit 400, just need to stay focused.

  • [ARC/ALC] For the Record by Emma Lord
  • [ARC] The Legacy of Ophelia (The Curse of Ophelia #5) by Nicole Platania
  • The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam (Hart and Mercy #3) by Megan Bannen
  • In the Veins of Drowning (The Siren Mage #1) by Kalie Cassidy
  • The Americana Playbook by Cathryn Carter
  • [Novella] Devotion of the Heart by Nichole Van
  • Problematic Summer Romance (Not in Love #2) by Ali Hazelwood
  • Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
  • [ARC] You & Me, For Real by Hayley Elliot
  • [ARC] A Sea View Christmas (On Devonshire Shores #3.5) by Julie Klassen
  • The Jasad Crown (The Scorched Throne #2) by Sara Hashem
  • Isles of the Emberdark (Cosmere) by Brandon Sanderson
  • A Promise So Bold and Broken (Compelling Fates Saga #2) by Sophia St. Germain
  • Glorious Rivals (The Grandest Game #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
  • A Summer Without You by Caitlin Moss
  • Accomplice to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain #3) by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
  • Between These Broken Hearts (These Hollow Vows #4) by Lexi Ryan
  • Anywhere With You by Ellie Palmer
  • Deadwood (Secrets of the Serpentine #1) by Karley Brenna
  • Wrath of the Dragons (Fear the Flames #2) by Olivia Rose Darling
  • A Beguiled Gentleman (The Bradley Brothers #1) by Audra Wells
  • Immortal Consequences (The Souls of Blackwood Academy #1) by I.V. Marie
  • One More Made Up Love Song (Midnight Rush #2) by Jenny Proctor
  • [ARC/ALC] Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson
  • [ARC/ALC] If Looks Could Kill by Julie Berry
  • The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold (Blonde Identity #2) by Ally Carter
  • [ARC] Darkness Births the Stars by Sarah Lee Wohn
  • [ARC/ALC] Wild Reverence (Letters of Enchantment #0) by Rebecca Ross
  • [ARC] Stuck With You (Cal’s Garage #1) by Stacy Williams
  • The Dragon Wakes with Thunder (The Night Ends with Fire #2) by K.X. Song
  • Love is a War Song by Danica Nava
  • A Love Most Fatal (Morelli Family #1) by Kath Richards
  • [Novella] A Churn in the Virtual Society (Into the Churn #3.5) by Hayley Reese Chow
  • [ARC] What Fury Brings by Tricia Levenseller

Book Review: The Rose in the Shadows (House of Hyrax #1) by Arcadia Rayne

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 425 pages
Author: Arcadia Rayne
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 11th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

“I was not created to back down”

When you’re the last Descendant of the most hated God in all the realms, who can you trust?

Theadora Moore, with no memories of her past life, arrives at the Athenian Palace with magic in her veins and a mark on her chest branding her the last living Descendant of Hyrax, God of the Dead. After seeing her as an opportunity to bolster his nations power, Prince Clayton Vail forces her into a role she never wanted. But when mysterious attacks plague the castle, it becomes clear that not everyone is thrilled about the return of House Hyrax.

To stay alive and uncover her past, Thea must master her powers, navigate treacherous court politics, and decide who she can trust in a castle brimming with the children of Gods.

In this world of magic and intrigue, friendships are fragile, and enemies lurk at every turn. As Thea and Clayton’s fates become increasingly entwined, their icy hostility starts to thaw, igniting a slow-burn romance that will change the realms forever.

The House of Hyrax series is an action-packed slow-burn romance filled with magic and political intrigue, perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash and Red Queen.

LOST INTEREST.

This started off well and I was interested in the story unfolding, but as the book went on I started to lose interest or care for anything happening. I feel like aspects such as the romance weren’t well developed and even though it is a slow burn, the couple didn’t spend enough time together for Thea to be declaring she was in love.

And the antagonists were plain. The “bad” king was lack luster and trying too hard. I liked when the meddling gods came into play because I felt like the stakes actually rose at that point. I didn’t mind Thea as the FMC, though the more I think about it, she did go along with everything so easily and I wish there was more pushback.

There’s some intriguing moments and there is a decent amount of action. It’s not unnecessarily long or drawn out, I just think different pieces could have used a little more. I don’t think I’ll continue this series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 1 almost open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content Warnings: assault, murder, near death experiences, torture

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