Month: February 2026

Review of The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

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Synopsis:
Can there be any greater challenge to London’s Ambitious Mamas than an unmarried duke?—Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1813

By all accounts, Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend’s sister—the lovely and almost-on-the-shelf—Daphne Bridgerton. But the two of them know the truth—it’s all an elaborate ruse to keep Simon free from marriage-minded society mothers. And as for Daphne, surely she will attract some worthy suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable.

But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, it’s hard to remember that their courtship is a sham. Maybe it’s his devilish smile, certainly it’s the way his eyes seem to burn every time he looks at her . . . but somehow Daphne is falling for the dashing duke . . . for real! And now she must do the impossible and convince the handsome rogue that their clever little scheme deserves a slight alteration, and that nothing makes quite as much sense as falling in love.

Review:
“I don’t believe I have ever been condescended to by a woman before.”
She shrugged, “It was probably past time.” (Page 102)

I decided to give this book a shot as it was on kindle unlimited and I am waiting for the end of the fourth season of Bridgerton the television show to drop on the 26th. I was very pleasantly surprised as once I started I could not set this book down! I spent most of yesterday reading, finishing well into the early hours of the morning (thank goodness authors set their own hours and can sleep in!) The characters were so very different from the show, in good ways and bad. Violet has far more gumption and intention than her television counterpart; soft spoken about the marital act aside, she has whims and ways of controlling and manipulating the family that the children aren’t even aware of. The looks of the characters also very distinctly from the television show, with all the Bridgerton children having chestnut hair and various eye colours and Violet being fair haired with blue eyes. Simon himself also instigates more than the television show led one to believe. I loved the brotherhood of Anthony, Benedict and Colin and how Anthony was willing to go up against Simon all the time for his sister. I definitely hadn’t expected what actually happened at Lady Trowbridge’s ball, nor how Daphne actually learned more about the marital act.

I could write an entire compare and contrast of the two but in the end the most important thing to note is that the book absolutely enthralled me from the first page and I could not set it down. There was not any intimacy until deep within the novel which made it all the more alluring. Simon and Daphne had a far superior connection in the novel than the book, and I quite enjoyed the difference in Daphne’s personality and her understanding of men given her three older brothers. Daphne is far more witty and cutting than her television counterpart.

As with all things book to screen one has to almost consider them completely separate entities but this author will encourage you to read the first book in the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn, for if we are anything alike, you’ll be hooked.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Owl Take Thee by Leanne Leeds

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Synopsis:
Wedding bells are in the air for witch Astra Arden and her werewolf fiancé Lothian—not to mention her divine owl familiar Archie and his feathery bride-to-be Noctua. But when a guest turns up dead at their joint bachelor-bachelorette party, “till death do us part” takes on an entirely new meaning.

With both weddings just days away, Astra finds herself juggling seating charts, cake tastings, and a murder investigation that’s hitting too close to home. Even worse, the victims’s dying message points to someone in the wedding party as the killer. Could one of their nearest and dearest be harboring deadly secrets beneath their celebratory smiles?

As magical mishaps plague the wedding preparations and suspicion falls on their friends and family, Astra and Archie must race against time to unmask the murderer before they say “I do.” With wedding gifts arriving that seem more like threats and mysterious omens appearing at every turn, the path to matrimonial bliss is anything but smooth.

Can Astra solve the case and still make it down the aisle? Or will this wedding celebration end with a funeral instead of a reception?

Review:
“Bacon transcends tradition. It’s universal. Timeless.” (Page 5)

“… love isn’t about finding someone perfect but about finding someone whose imperfections fit perfectly with yours.” (Page 430)

This book had one of the most intricate and well done mystery plots I have read in a Leeds book in a while! For the first part of the book I found myself frustrated that nothing seemed to relate to Astra’s past in the military and specifically her pyrometry power but both of those things became integral to the plot of this novel! I do wish that there had been more mention of what type of owl Archie is, as I found myself at a loss at one point. I also wish that the cover more accurately portrayed what Astra’s wedding vision is, though perhaps this is the “Percy-ified” version with Blushing Bride pink.

I loved the layers to this mystery and how while certain fae may have been trying to help, they couldn’t outright do so. There were definitely many worries that the wedding would not happen in time, or that a curse would befall them for having to postpone. Though there was tension with Astra’s mother (as always) it was so sweet how much she wanted to be there for her daughter… though I’m sure the cost will equal another book’s adventure in the future. The ending of this book was absolute perfection, and all my love goes to Midnight the owl for being the best little boy he could be!

I recommend this series to anyone who loves cozy modern fantasy mystery and especially owls.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of The Wizard’s Cat by Nathan Lowell

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Synopsis:
It started with a dandelion.
Innocuous. Ubiquitous.
Who knew it was a warning?

After claiming his big bonus, things are coming up roses for Roger Mulligan. A job he loves. A house that feels like home. Money in the bank. A solid roof over his head and job security.

But when he finds a dandelion on the pristine grounds of Shackleford House, he starts down a twisted, garden path. Old man Shackleford says the fairies have a problem, the pixies keep falling down on the job, and the house seems to grow weaker by the day.

He’s soon tossed into a confusing mixture of fact and fantasy, accompanied by Shackleford’s cousin and – of all things – a stray cat. Surrounded by the fantastical, it’s hard to tell magic from mundane.

Review:
I loved how Barbara got to become front and center in this novel, and how Roger, while changed, has become more resilient than he ever thought possible. While following Roger was always amusing, it was clearly the cat who was the star of the show. I really enjoyed this novel, but in some ways I felt like it didn’t feel as extravagant and all encompassing as the first in the series. In the first novel there were a series of different things that Roger, the house and family had to overcome. In this novel, while there was technically more to be overcome, most of the discourse and nitty gritty of such things (Barbara’s turmoil, the company issues) were done off the page and only vaguely mentioned or referenced. I don’t feel like we are done with the Wizard, his Apprentice, or the Cat so I really hope there will be another book in the future.

I would recommend this series to anyone who loves the average guy using his wits to save a situation (especially the magically people involved), people stepping out of their comfort zones and finding their true place, and in the second book- cats!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Too Many Curses by A. Lee Martinez

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Synopsis:
The wizard Margle the Horrendous takes special pride in never killing his enemies. Instead, he transforms them into various accursed forms and locks them away in his castle. His halls are filled with his collection of fallen heroes and defeated villains, along with a few ordinary folk who were just unfortunate enough to draw Margle’s attention.

It’s Nessy’s duty to tend this castle. It’s a lot of work, but she manages, taking pride in housekeeping talents that keep the castle from collapsing into chaos. But when Margle suddenly dies, everything begins to unravel. Nessy finds herself surrounded by monsters, curses, a door that should never be opened, and one very deadly dark wizardess.

Nessy doesn’t have might or magic on her side; she’s just a kobold: short, furry, and sensible. Her allies aren’t much better: a voice without a body, an angry fruit bat, a monster under her bed, a wizard in a jar (or some of him, anyway), and a one-eyed, one-horned, flying, purple, people eater. It would be smarter to walk away, but taking care of the castle is Nessy’s job, and that’s just what she intends to do.

If only she could find time to polish the silver while beating back the forces of darkness.

Review:
This book was gifted to me for Christmas, so therefore counts towards the paper books read tally. I personally found the book a bit hard to get into, but then it wasn’t a book I would have picked up for myself. This book was interesting in that it dealt with a lot of neat Dungeons and Dragons adjacent creatures/effects. This was definitely a younger age book than I would have expected, though marketed for adults I really think 8+ could read and enjoy this novel. There were a lot of good moments of learning about one’s self and abilities and not being defined by a title you may have gained/have or what you are considered because of the station you were born into in life.

I would recommend this to any young readers into DnD that like adventure.

Star rating: ✯✯✯