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Review of Role Playing by Cathy Yardley

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Synopsis:
Maggie is an unapologetically grumpy forty-eight-year-old hermit. But when her college-aged son makes her a deal—he’ll be more social if she does the same—she can’t refuse. She joins a new online gaming guild led by a friendly healer named Otter. So that nobody gets the wrong idea, she calls herself Bogwitch.

Otter is Aiden, a fifty-year-old optimist using the guild as an emotional outlet from his family drama caring for his aging mother while his brother plays house with Aiden’s ex-fiancée.

Bogwitch and Otter become fast virtual friends, but there’s a catch. Bogwitch thinks Otter is a college student. Otter assumes Bogwitch is an octogenarian.

When they finally meet face to face—after a rocky, shocking start—the unlikely pair of sunshine and stormy personalities grow tentatively closer. But Maggie’s previous relationships have left her bitter, and Aiden’s got a complicated past of his own.

Everything’s easier online. Can they make it work in real life?

Review:
“I just dont’ think that you should get pushed into doing anything you don’t want to do. Period. Life’s too short, you know?” (page 161)

This book is very pop fiction, but also incredibly amazing. Everyone has a complicated past who makes them who they are, but Maggie and Aiden couldn’t be more different in how they act because of how they’ve been treated. Maggie is a strong female protagonist that, okay, may be a little too close to being a hermit when her son goes to school but she remains true to herself; doing what she likes, wearing what she likes, and not giving a crap what others in the small town she lives in may think about her. “If you can’t handle me in sweatpants, you don’t deserve me in stilettos.” (page 237) Aiden is soft. He’s a big teddy bear, and allows himself to be treated as such. There is a surprising amount of depth about knowing one’s self and accepting whatever it is one feels towards others, no matter orientation, involved in this book–as well as a large amount of acceptance and how wonderful that is to see/feel. This is the reverse grumpy/sunshine that you don’t realize you NEED in your life.

I absolutely love the lead up to Aiden and Maggie meeting IRL, but I did find the opening intimate scene to be a bit lacking. Despite perhaps not finding the intimate bits as appealing as other stories, the overall story more than made up for it. If you like romance, like pop fiction, like RPGs/MMOs then I’d recommend you give this a read.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Lady Avely’s Guide to Lies and Charms by Rosalie Oaks

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Synopsis:
A lady shouldn’t be seen to incite a duel… but Judith wasn’t even there when it happened.

Lady Avely doesn’t know what infuriates her more: that someone used her image to provoke the Duke of Sargen into killing a man, or that the duke actually believed it was her trysting in the maze that night.

Now she and the duke must concoct their own subterfuge to shake out the culprit. Otherwise, Dacian might be arrested for murder, or worse, the shadowy guardians of the Musing might inflict their own cruel punishment for the misuse of his Gift. Judith will need her most respectable mobcap, and unfortunately, the duke will need a false moustache.

With Judith’s ability to detect lies and Dacian’s now carefully contained power, they set out to uncover the truth – but their own hearts make them easy to manipulate. Facing a master of deception, as well as the duke’s renewed determination to win her, Judith will need a stiff drink of chocolate and the help of her cheerful, tiny vampiri companion before she can find her way out of the deadly tangle…

Can Judith and Dacian unmask the killer before more blood is shed? And how many different ways can one disguise a duke?

Review:
This book had everything; magic, sabotage, betrayal, good companions, a great mystery, and a cliffhanger ending that made me rant and rage to my poor husband! There are a slew of new characters introduced that show great depth and are quite enjoyable. Several times I found myself frustrated at the lack of communication between Judith and Dacian because you would think after all they’d been through in the past they’d know it’s best to air their grievances instead of potentially being caught up in someone else’s web of lies; especially if they are supposed to trust each other. Despite the communicative issues, I quite loved the story in whole, especially how far Judith was willing to go once she knew exactly what she wanted/cared about. I cannot wait for the next book to come out!!

*Warning that while this may be considered a “romance” it is chaste, and the biggest slow burn I’ve read to date.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Highland Hearts Holiday Bookshop by Tricia O’Malley

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Synopsis:
Delicious banter, bookstore magic, adorable puffins, and a heartwarmingly happily-ever-after makes this an enchanting Christmas treat.

The universe is playing a joke on me.

An unexpected inheritance has gifted me with the dream of a lifetime – owning a charming bookshop in small-town Scotland. Little did I know this gift comes with a surprise – Highland Hearts bookshop has been running an underground magical matchmaking service – and as new owner of the shop, I am expected to deliver on these matches.

As Christmas looms, and lonely hearts beg for love, I’m tossed into the world of magic and romance, aided by a meddling book club who seems more interested in romance than reading.

The problem is – I just don’t believe in love. Or so I thought.

It turns out there’s one local bird nerd and Scottish hottie, Alexander MacTavish, who has my heart all aflutter. While he’s more into puffins than paperbacks, I can’t help but notice he’s showing up at the bookshop to help every time something goes wrong. Maybe it’s my determination to have an adventure, or maybe it’s the magic, but every time tall, dark, and grumpy enters my bookshop, I find myself wanting to read up on birds just to catch his attention.

As my newfound magic falters, and the town enters my shop into a cutthroat Christmas window decorating competition, I find myself working side-by-side with Alexander, who seems just as determined to avoid love as I am.

With Christmas fast approaching, I must figure out if I can suspend my disbelief and make the match of a lifetime – my own.

Review:
Rosie was such a great heroine from the start; pushed out of her comfort zone and suddenly miles away from everything she knows and loves, partially due to a water bottle incident. It was great seeing a character who was trying to welcome change become involved with someone who doesn’t seem to want to take the plunge into new waters. Both Rosie and Alexander are fully fleshed out, and their backgrounds are quite well established/shown as to why they are the way they are. It’s awesome having a protagonist that is a regular girl with brown hair and glasses, and how she doesn’t have to change to be considered pretty–she already is. I love the play of Science versus Magic, and Alex is totally swoon worthy. If you like a hint of magic, a nice bit of spice, Scotland, and romance I’d highly recommend this book.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of A Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette

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Synopsis:
Two rival writers.
One prestigious publishing contract.
A bargain of hearts and desire.

They say never bargain with the fae. They also say don’t get drunk on fae wine. Yet romance author Edwina Danforth has managed a blunder with both on her first visit to the infamous faelands. Now she’s trapped in a magic-fueled bet she barely remembers with a man she’d be happier to forget. The terms? Whoever can bed the most lovers during their month-long dueling book tour wins a coveted publishing contract.

The win should be easy for Edwina. She’s known for penning scintillating tales of whirlwind romance. There’s just one problem: her imagination vastly exceeds her bedroom experience. But when failure means plummeting her career back into obscurity, losing isn’t an option.

Her handsome fae rival, William Haywood, poses an even greater challenge. Not only are his looks as aggravatingly perfect as his track record behind closed doors, but he has his own reasons for playing to win, and he won’t go down without a fight. Unless, of course, it’s a different kind of going down. In that case, he’s fair game.

Edwina and William clash in a rivalry of romance. But what happens when their objects of desire…turn out to be each other?

Review:
I was uncertain what to think of this novel and put it off for quite a time because I love Tessonja Odette and didn’t want to become sour of her if this book didn’t live up to the expectations I had from loving all of her other novels. That was a silly notion, because Odette did an amazing job putting a book tour through all of our favourite fairy tale haunts. I loved how there were plenty of bits of fairy tale magic without it being a direct retelling of any of the fairy tales. I absolutely adored the banter and connection between Edwina and William; no part of this book felt forced or out of place. This book certainly had me rooting for everyone, uncertain but hoping that somehow everyone gets exactly what they wish, want, and need. One of the things I adored about this book is that everyone is considered amazing just as they are; there is no desire or attempt to change things that might be considered unruly by human standards.

If it had been out at the time of finishing, I would have immediately started the second book in the series. This book is a no brainer for people who love romance and fairy tales and reading late into the night waiting to see if there’s a happy ever after on the horizon.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Wisteria by Adalyn Grace

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Synopsis:
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.

Review:
This book is where the series went downhill for me. I personally didn’t like Blythe from the other two books that much, and it was hard at first, having her as the main protagonist. This story didn’t have quite the same mystery and allure as the other two, and it may have had to do with the two characters it was set around. I very much disliked a certain female character that turns up later, but I do believe that was the intention. All in all, I loved the ending of this book, but it seemed as if everything took too long for the characters to figure out what seemed obvious, and while there was still a bit of Signa/Death mystery/appearances, if I hadn’t read this book I don’t feel like I would have really missed anything.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Foxglove by Adalyn Grace

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Synopsis:
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 palace nearby. He’s hell-bent 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 wrongful imprisonment, if the girls will entertain Fate’s presence. But the more time they spend with him, 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 whom they can trust 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.

Daring, suspenseful, and seductive, this sequel to Death and Signa’s story is as utterly romantic as it is perfectly deadly.

Review:
On one hand, I absolutely loved how there was a sudden murder that has to be solved by Signa and Blythe but on the other I found Fate to be quite insufferable at times. It was quite frustrating how Fate had the power to know and do and fix everything all along yet played a game to try to get what he wanted. While I somewhat suspected part of the twist, something hidden all along, I hadn’t expected who the murderer was! I did have an inclination what deal Fate would have sealed in the end, and while I wasn’t wrong, I still absolutely loved how this book ended. I immediately started the third when this was finished, and I’m quite glad I hadn’t started the series until it was complete.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

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Synopsis:
Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each one 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.

Review:
This book was the perfect gothic romance that I had read in quite a while. I absolutely adored Signa’s relationship with Death, both the “person” and how death effects her. Death is something that can be considered taboo, and everyone processes it differently, so it was a unique approach to see how Signa reacts to something that touches her deeper than many others. To any who lost a loved one before being old enough to truly know and understand them, this book did an amazing job at capturing what you thought a loved one might have been like, enjoyed, or even wanted from you–which all has to come from your imagination after losing them so early in life. I thought Signa’s abilities were quite unique and I hadn’t seen or read anything like it before.

This book was exceptional, and I, of course, had to immediately jump into the second–especially since there was a huge cliffhanger and I wanted to know how the next mystery is solved!!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore

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Synopsis:
When a secret message turns up hidden in a book in the Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, Hazel can’t understand it. As more secret codes appear between the pages, she decides to follow the trail of clues… she just needs someone to help her out.

Gorgeous and outgoing fisherman, Noah, is always up for an adventure. And a scavenger hunt sounds like a lot of fun. Even better that the cute bookseller he’s been crushing on for months is the one who wants his help!

Hazel didn’t go looking for romance, but as the treasure hunt leads her and Noah around Dream Harbor, their undeniable chemistry might be just as hot as the fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon buns the bookstore sells…

Review:
I wasn’t sure I’d like Hazel because she is very standoffish and, honestly, because she comes across as the stereotypical book nerd but since the first book, I’d hoped Noah would pluck up the courage and see what might happen between them. It was great to see Hazel come out of her shell, though I thought there were times that the intimate scenes were just a bit too long/overdrawn for me. All in all, a quick, cozy read if you like romance.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

What Comes of Attending the Commoner’s Ball by Elisabeth Aimee Brown

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Synopsis:
Hester Flanders went to the ball for the food. She didn’t expect a prince to follow her home.

If there’s one rule Hester learned during her country upbringing, it’s never accept a gift: that’s how the Folk get you. Although she’s left her farm behind, she can’t leave her superstitions, even if no one else in the capital city seems to care. Hardworking but hungry, she’s looking for loopholes, and the king’s annual Commoners Ball seems like the perfect way to get a free meal that’s not technically a gift—and it would have been, too, except a pesky prince took a shine to her.

Inglebert Lucas Chesingwick isn’t just the crown prince: he’s also practical, responsible, and very annoyed to see his younger brother causing a scene by flirting with a peasant at the ball. He can separate them for one night, but his mischievous brother is determined to see the poor girl again. And again. And for some reason, Lucas keeps running into her, too. If only there was some way he could help her …

The princes might mean well, but Hester knows better than to accept favors from anyone, even royalty—even if it’s cheese—and even if saying no breaks her heart. After all, just because the Folk have never been seen in the city doesn’t mean they’re not around …Cinderella meets Howl’s Moving Castle in this cozy fantasy romance from debut author Elisabeth Aimee Brown. Pick up your copy and whirl away into a whimsical story of glittering gaslamps, frisky Folk, and huggable hogs.

Review:
“People were meant ot rely on each other. Life is more than bargains.” (Page 193)

I LOVED this novel! The premise that it was like Cinderella meets Howl’s Moving Castle had me reaching out to grab a copy immediately, and that is very much exactly what the book read as. Hester was absolutely awesome from when we first meet her; plucky, with such sense of decorum and morals that seem completely out of place in the town she’s in. I loved both brothers, and Hugh very much is reminiscent of Howl in demeanor and eccentricity. I loved how Hester’s thoughts and morals from the superstitions where she grew up are so pivotal both in setting her apart from others in a bigger space, but also in her own safety from even the typical “owing” that is done between general friends. Hester has such good reasonings for what she’s doing and working towards, and all the characters had a truly great depth to them.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of How to Summon a Fairy Godmother by Laura J. Mayo

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Synopsis:
If a fairy godmother can get one sister into a marriage, getting another out of one should be easy… 

Lady Theodosia Balfour is screwed—with the Balfour estate on the verge of bankruptcy, and Theo’s royal stepsister spreading wicked rumors about her, Theo’s only path forward seems to be a forced betrothal a foul-tempered geezer who wishes only to use her as a brood mare. 

Desperate for help, Theo clings to the only thing that might save her: the rumor of a fairy godmother. And after discovering a way to summon one, Theo thinks her prayers have been answered. But the fairy she meets isn’t at all what she imagined. Drop-dead gorgeous and slightly devious, Cecily of the Ash Fairies is much more interested in smoking her pipe than providing charitable magic to . Now, Theo must prove she’s good to gain Cecily’s trust (and magic), but proving goodness doesn’t seem to be all that easy. In fact, it all seems to be rather ridiculous…

Review:
“Prove to me that inside that nasty exterior is a good person just waiting to come out and I’ll help you.” (Chapter 7, Page 98)

Another Theo-named heroine… or is she an anti-heroine? I absolutely loved this take on what one of the stepsisters was really like, and what really went down when Cinderella was granted a magical night by a fairy godmother–with no price attached! Theo knows what she’s considered, and she knows that only she can control her own actions. While many are often quick to blame everyone involved, the stepmother and stepsisters, this book does a great job of showing nature versus nurture, and why sometimes people might need a kick to be good. I adored Theo’s interactions with a certain fae male. This book had great characterization and the descriptions were breathtaking, lovely, and really drew you into the moment as if it was actually in front of you. One of the things I thought made this book great was how none of the characters were likeable, really, and yet you still started to care about them and wanted to learn more of what happened/happens to them.

I highly recommend this book to any fairy tale fanatics out there.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯