Review of Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
Guy Shadowfade is dead, and after a lifetime as the dark sorcerer’s right-hand, Violet Thistlewaite is determined to start over—not as the fearsome Thornwitch, but as someone kind. Someone better. Someone good.

The quaint town of Dragon’s Rest, Violet decides, will be her second chance—she’ll set down roots, open a flower shop, keep her sentient (mildly homicidal) houseplant in check, and prune dark magic from the twisted boughs of her life.

Violet’s vibrant bouquets and cheerful enchantments soon charm the welcoming townsfolk, though nothing seems to impress the prickly yet dashingly handsome Nathaniel Marsh, an alchemist sharing her greenhouse. With a struggling business and his own second chance seemingly out of reach, Nathaniel has no time for flowers or frippery—and certainly none for the intriguing witch next door.

When a mysterious blight endangers every living plant in Dragon’s Rest, Violet and Nathaniel must work together, through their fears, pasts, and growing feelings for one another, to save their community. But with a figure from her previous life knocking at her door and her secrets threatening to uproot everything she’s worked so hard to grow, Violet can’t help but wonder…does a former villain truly deserve a happily-ever-after?

Review:
“Goodness wasn’t something you could just be; it was something you did.” (Page 322)

I loved how Violet works to reinvent herself and is always wondering whether or not she can be something other than how she was raised. There were so many times that I wished people would just communicate with each other in this book! Given how very long it took Violet and Nathaniel to get along, I had expected more than his frantic and quick blow up on her at the first sign (for him) that she was more than just some girl who grew flowers. There were so many twists and turns between the townspeople and Violet’s history at the very end that it seemed almost an abrupt- ah, she was capable all along! I do understand why it wasn’t revealed sooner, but most of which I had figured out throughout the reading (though clearly Nathaniel didn’t). Although the premise would make it seem as if it would be far darker, this read as a cozy fantasy romance.

This book, while original, didn’t draw me in enough to want to continue the series.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
When you lose your way in life, the Elsewhere Express just might find you. Step on board the train that may take you to your life’s purpose in this wistful, Ghibli-esque fantasy from the bestselling author of Water Moon.

You can’t buy a ticket for the Elsewhere Express. Appearing only to those whose lives are adrift, it’s a magical train seeming to carry very rare and special cargo: a sense of purpose, peace, and belonging.

Raya is one of those lost souls. She had dreamed of being a songwriter, but when her brother died, she gave up on her dream and started living his instead.

One day on the subway, as her thoughts wander, she’s swept off to the Elsewhere Express. There she meets Q, an intriguing artist who, like her, has lost his place in the world.

Together they find a train full of wonders, from a boarding car that’s also a meadow to a dining car where passengers can picnic on lily pads to a bar where jellyfish and whales swim through pink clouds.

Over the course of their long, strange night on the train, they also discover that it harbors secrets—and danger: A mysterious stranger has stowed away and brought with him a dark, malignant magic that threatens to destroy the train.

But in investigating the stowaway’s identity, Raya also finds herself drawing closer to the ultimate question: What is her life’s true purpose—and is it a destination the Elsewhere Express can take her to?

Review:
“Acting brave was easy as a stand-in, but much less so without the costume of someone else’s dream.” (Page 41)

Is this book Ghibli-esque? Yes. Will it leave you wondering what the heck actually happened and where did things end? Also yes.

This book encompasses what finding oneself may look like–the introspection, the different paths one could go, the different interests one has and how they could have developed if they were nurtured. One decision could change your entire life. This book is a wonderland type adventure where you’re never sure what may lie ahead or whether or not you’re really there. This is very much a story of magical realism where the reader must make judgements about things that may never be stated in full. Maybe your life would be an entirely different way if…

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Blind Date with a Book by Emily Kerr

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
A brand new Oxford-set summer romance inspired by Pride and Prejudice from award-winning author Emily Kerr.

For fans of enemies to lovers, forced proximity and book lovers!

Molly Bramble thought running a bookshop on a narrowboat would be a dream come true – until her biggest challenge turned out to be her new neighbour, Jack, a former city trader with a penchant for crashing boats and hearts.

When a “Blind Date with a Book” night goes awry, Molly finds herself reluctantly paired with Jack and his lack of literary knowledge. Will their rivalry over mooring fees and a missing sign lead to a sinking ship – or a love story with a plot twist?

As Molly and Jack navigate the choppy waters of romance, sabotage, and the occasional dog rescue, will their blossoming romance prove that sometimes the best stories are the ones we never see coming?

Review:
“It’s a truth universally acknowledged that first impressions shouldn’t necessarily be trusted.” (Page 355)

This was a perfect book to read as a few friends and I decided to read Pride and Prejudice this summer. The connections made throughout the book with Pride and Prejudice are absolutely fantastic, especially as they are meta. Molly and Jack are both easy to care about and want to see succeed, even if we spend most of the time looking from Molly’s perspective. Molly does come across as quite immature and lacking business sense/a business plan in a way that makes the reader, while wanting her to succeed, wonder if perhaps she isn’t cut out for being an entrepreneur. Hilda is absolutely lovely and the star of the show; I loved how much she matters to Molly, and how much others care for her as well. Liam definitely was infuriating and I was glad there was no true Lydia situation. While the female protagonists often seem to be very in need of saving and not stable on their own, I do quite like Kerr’s works.

All in all, I thought this was a delightful cozy romance retelling of Pride and Prejudice, and even gifted this to a friend for her birthday.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Cruel Angel by Rebecca Kenney

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
There was a time I felt lost and alone…until I met them, and together our souls took flight: My gentle Raoul and our deadly Angel of Music.

Haunted by the violent death of her parents, Christine Daaé longs to find solace in music, but debilitating stage fright keeps her firmly in the shadows. All she can hope for is a few stolen moments singing to herself in the mournful silence of the backstage stairwell…until one night, the shadows sing back.

In exchange for complete devotion, her mysterious Phantom promises to teach her everything he knows—and with his praise boosting her confidence, Christine is finally able to take center stage…catching the eye of her sweet childhood friend turned something more, Raoul.

But her mysterious mentor is as obsessive as he is demanding, and he will not share Christine with anyone—not unless he can have them both in a bargain that is as dangerous as it is seductive. Light and shadows, gentleness and raging passion, the three of them should not fit so perfectly together. Yet as a supernatural force looms, ready to tear them apart forever, Christine must decide if love can truly exist in the space between beauty and madness…and whether she’s finally ready to fully embrace the music of the night.

An addictive and truly original spicy New Adult retelling of The Phantom of the Opera with a magical twist.

Review:
“I am always searching for new music, for a song that will perfectly express everything I feel… and for the perfect voice that will serve as the balm to my wretched soul.” (Page 9)

This book, like the others in the Gilded Monsters series, needs to be considered a separate entity to the book it is a retelling of. This book was very intriguing and original in the way the “opera house” and apartments within operate. I loved the backstory of Christine’s family, though it is very far from the original. In many ways, the only connection between this novel and Phantom of the Opera is a stage shy girl who wants to sing, and someone who can give her the ability to develop her voice. Despite that, I think the story stood very firmly on it’s own with the hints of Phantom of the Opera in the background. The way in which our “phantom” comes to be good at things is quite genius and I very much enjoyed seeing him learn so much of the world that he didn’t get to experience. I also really liked Raoul’s connection to Erik. The why choose aspect of this novel was great, however, there was a lot of intimate moments that just didn’t jive for me personally. All in all, I did like this book, but it isn’t my favourite of the series.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
Below the streets of London, a secret network of magical bookshops has existed for millennia. But they’re slowly disappearing, and no one knows why. Only one dishonored bookseller can uncover the truth and rewrite her story—in this spellbinding fantasy novel from the author of The City of Stardust.

If you want a story that will change your life, Chiron’s bookshop is where you go. For those lucky enough to grace its doors, it’s a glimpse into a world of powerful bargains and deadly ink magic. For Cassandra Fairfax, it’s a reminder of everything she lost, when Chiron kicked her out and all but shuttered the shop. Since then, she’s used her skills in less ethical ways, trading stolen books and magical readings to wealthy playboys and unscrupulous collectors.

Then Chiron dies under mysterious circumstances. And if Cassandra knows anything, it’s this: the bookshop must always have an owner. But she’s not the only one interested. There’s Lowell Sharpe, a dark-eyed, regrettably handsome bookseller she can’t seem to stop bumping into; rival owners who threaten Cassandra from the shadows; and, of course, Chiron’s murderer, who is still on the loose. As Cassandra tries to uncover the secrets her mentor left behind, a sinister force threatens to unravel the world of the magical bookshops entirely …

Review:
“Because no one–thief, owner, millionaire, mortal–is infinite.” (Page 353)

This book was an amazing read. Cassandra doesn’t know who she is, but she knows who she has been willing to become. This book had so many layers of depth to all of the characters involved. Once I was into the book it was near impossible to set down. I loved everything about Cassandra’s different aspects, to her relationship with Lowell and their connection. Trying to measure yourself up to what someone who is gone might have wanted you to be is impossible, but both Lowell and Cassandra find themselves stuck in the what they should do versus what others wanted of them. I was definitely irked by the ending, though it was fitting for the book.

Had I reviewed this book closer to when I read it I recall having many prolific things to say, however, life happens and at least the review is up now!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of The Magical Matcha Teashop by Natasha Bache

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
Welcome to Lavender Hollow… your next small town romance obsession!

Grace fled London with a broken engagement and a wedding dress she still hasn’t paid for. Max returned home with secrets of his own, and a painful past he’d much rather leave behind.

But neither expected to find magic hiding in a cup of matcha. Because in the sleepy village of Lavender Hollow, something unusual is brewing…

As Matcha Made in Heaven’s newest employee, Grace soon realises she has an extraordinary gift when customers start crying over their lattes and spilling secrets they never meant to share.

In the warmth of the cosy teashop, will Grace and Max discover that the best recipe for love might be one brewed together?

For fans of cozy fantasy romance, The Magical Matcha Teashop serves up the perfect blend of small-town charm, found family, spicy romance and just a sprinkle of magic.

Review:
“Maybe it’s not about what people think they want. Maybe it’s about offering them something they didn’t know they needed.” (Page 20)

“Sometimes, freedom comes disguised as a setback.” (Page 43)

This book was absolutely lovely. The way the matcha was really a star of the show made this book stand out; it wasn’t just a typical girl moves home to work at a local coffee shop book but something magical- in part due to the supernatural aspects. There were definitely sometimes that I found it very hard to resonate with Grace because she seemed very juvenile and unwilling to “adult”. The same could be said of Max and his lack of communication at times however I absolutely loved everything about Max and Grace; how they came together, and how their backgrounds both led them back to Lavender Hollow. One thing I, as an obvious bibliophile and book lover did not love was their bookshop rendezvous. The poor books! This book was a great blend of romance with past relationship drama mixed with a hint of paranormal that made my usual fantasy/romantasy self very happy. Grace and Max both have to really find themselves and what they want from their lives before they can have any sense of personal fulfilment and the ending was absolutely perfect.

There are many reminiscent feelings in this to the Dream Harbor series by Laurie Gilmore, though this series features supernatural whereas that is not. So if you want small town romance where everyone knows everyone, but you aren’t into magic, give that series a shot. If you are game for anything so long as there is some romance, read both!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop by Takuya Asakura and translated by Yuka Maeno

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
As the last petal falls, the final page is turned…

Welcome to The Cherry Blossom Bookshop, a haven for book lovers that only appears during the fleeting cherry blossom season. Nestled amidst the bloom of delicate petals, you’ll find a sanctuary for those burdened by regrets and past sorrows. Here, Sakura, the mysterious young owner, and her wise calico cat, Kobako, patiently await the arrival of souls in need of solace and healing.

Told over four seasons, each visitor to the bookshop holds a book that bridges their past and present, guiding them towards understanding and acceptance. Within the antique charm of the shop and the soothing aroma of freshly brewed coffee, Sakura and Kobako help their guests confront their lingering sadness through the power of stories, enabling them to move forward with renewed hope.

Review:
“Words hold such immense power. A book is a door to the unknown; it warmly welcomes those who step inside and transports them to all sorts of times and places.” (Page 175)

I am not sure exactly what I expected with this novel, but it wasn’t quite this; multiple interlocked but mostly unconnected stories featuring sadness and loss, entwined with information about various stories. In many ways, this book features the reading choices of Asakurasan, with lots of random tidbits about books that they have likely spent a lot of time reading/rereading. I think that the book may have been more enjoyable had I been more familiar with all of the works spoken of within. In many ways I found myself pulled out of the fictional story by the short historical lectures Sakura gives at the bookshop. I found the first story perhaps one of the most interesting in that it explained bits of Japanese (death) culture that are not commonly known. While the ending did somewhat bring the stories all back together, I couldn’t help but wonder if part of the disconnect I found in this novel was lost in translation.

Given the multiple mentions of cats in Japan usually being short haired, I can only imagine what the Japanese would make of my Morticia- who had to have a haircut because three inches of long tuxedo cat fur are too much for a hot Canadian summer.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Owl is Calm by Leanne Leeds

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
A wellness retreat for the magically exhausted.
A guru floating in a sensory tank.
A “relaxing” weekend that’s anything but zen.

After fighting an elf for the soul of her sister, Astra Arden is ready for a nap. Her sister Althea, fresh from a dimensional kidnapping, needs serious R&R. The solution? A girls’ weekend at Serenity Springs. It’s supposed to be all lavender mists, crystal grids, and silence… until that silence is shattered by a scream.

When the retreat’s charismatic guru is found floating face-down in a sensory deprivation tank, the “no stress” policy is officially void. Trapped behind wards that dampen their magic to ensure “deep healing,” Astra and her sisters must root out a killer among the zen-obsessed guests without their usual powers.

With Lothian trying to smuggle in contraband caffeine and Archie engaging in a turf war with the retreat’s peacock mascot, Astra has to find the truth before her relaxing getaway becomes a permanent vacation.

Review:
Someday the Arden family is going to have a reprieve; but this wellness retreat is not that day. This book did great at giving a good mystery that I personally figured out quite early on but despite that, I was more concerned with the people. Having experienced life without magic for the first time ever, the Arden sisters are forced to consider what and who they are if they cannot rely on magic. It can be easy to take something that you had innate talent and wonder if you actually are good at it or if you were just lucky, but as the Arden family discovers, what you can do is very much linked to how you spent your time honing the skills around those talents. A quick an easy read, missing only the sass of our favourite bacon loving owl. Would recommend to anyone looking for a cozy mystery with no spice.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Unveil by Greer Rivers

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
A dark Swan Lake retelling where the ‘villain’ steals the girl, set in a world of secret pacts, feuding families, and primal obsession.

He’s her curse, but she’s his salvation, and he’ll do anything to keep the ones he loves safe.

Rebellious ballerina Luna Bordeaux may be the darling of the New Orleans elite, but she’s destined to dance in her parents’ shadows. Her twenty-second birthday was supposed to be her escape. One last performance, one necessary breakup, then? Freedom.

Except her white knight of a boyfriend just proposed on stage.

And now her masked stalker has crashed the engagement party…

Orion Fury has protected Luna for years, counting the seconds until he can claim his future wife, honoring a vow made between their fathers decades ago. His discipline has only ever slipped once, but his enemy just crossed the line. All bets are off, and a night that began with a party ends in kidnapping and murder.

Now Luna is a stolen bride with blood on her slippers and a target on her back, trapped in the wilderness with the man who hunted her. But Orion isn’t the only predator in these woods, and the men coming for her will do anything to stop the Fury-Bordeaux alliance.

Her villain may be the one person she’s determined to hate, but is he the only one dangerous enough to keep her alive?


Review:
“Once again, I blame dark romance books, and maybe the fact this so-called “meet-cute” runs in the family.” (Page 122)

This book had me from the very beginning. Greatly paced with lots of action–both dangerous and dangerously romantic. I loved the Swan Lake tie in and the ballet, and how Luna wants to set herself apart from her mother. There are so many intricate thoughts and feelings of someone trying to find their place and not see themselves through another’s eyes or in another’s shadow that is very relatable. This book also touches on the serious topics of parental loss and mental health disorders, in a respectful and believable manner. As with previous Greer Rivers novels, I absolutely love Masque and that sort of masked connection–masterfully done. A mixture of Phantom of the Opera and Appalachian mountains/being in the outdoors was pure perfection. That being said, while this is a dark romance, there were some aspects that I didn’t personally resonate with regarding certain red bodily fluids. There was also a bit less build up/connection between Orion and Luna than most Tattered Curtain couples have, leaving a little too much potential Stockholm Syndrome. Regardless, a fabulous book, and great seeing the Tattered Curtain couples with their families a bit later in life.

I would recommend this book if you’d like a dark romantic Phantom of the Opera retelling, entwined with ballet (Swan Lake), mixed with the mafia where the villain gets the girl.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Night Maze by Helen Harper

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
It’s one thing to be dealing death. It’s quite another to deal with the undead.

Kit McCafferty has never been fond of vampires but she can’t refuse the opportunity to learn more about their kind. When she is invited into the clandestine underground world of the Understream to investigate the mysterious disappearance of some giant worms, she soon discovers there is far more to the fanged creatures than she’d ever realised.

Danger, secrets and mysteries abound in every dark, twisting tunnel. Is there anyone in the depths who Kit can trust? Or will she have to rely on her wits – and her cats – alone?

Review:
“He might look like the winner on paper—but life wasn’t lived in ink and books.” (Page 107)

This book was a wonderful whirlwind from start to finish. Kit, despite her intentions, continues revealing more and more of herself beyond cat lady to preternaturals. There was a great mystery to be solved, and it is great to see that Kit has begun to see a new world for herself beyond just being in early retirement as it’s obvious she was used to keeping busy. All of the relationships had great depth; it is always especially amusing to see what happens with each new cat Kit has to engage in hair giving adventures. I absolutely loved the tie in between this Cat Lady Chronicles adventure and Squib. I cannot wait to read more in this universe.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯