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Mindfulness in Reading: Meditations on Words & Wisdom by Ella Berthoud

US pub date - 11/5/24

Reading has long been a meditative experience for me and when I saw this title, I knew I wanted to read it.  I really wanted to love this book but much of it didn’t work for me and I found this to very much be a ‘take what you like and leave the rest’ book.

I hope other readers enjoy this more. 

Thank you to Leaping Hare Press and NetGalley for the temporary PDF 

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Witchcraft: A Graphic History : Stories of wise women, healers, and magic by Lindsay Squire 

US pub date - 10/15/24

Men have been terrified of women and their natural strength and power for millennia. 

Imagine just being yourself - you enjoy helping others from the bounty Mother Earth provides, with tinctures and remedies. You have opinions, and express them. Someone whispers to someone else and then men come. Imposing, stern men who accuse you of witchcraft, because you live your life as freely as possible. They take you from your family, your home, from everything. Then you’re put on trial… 

 Witchcraft: A Graphic History has captivating art that showcases the historical figure of Bridget Eileen ‘Biddy’ Early in this fictionalized account of her life and experiences of the time. 

Keep in mind however, that despite the overall aesthetic appeal of this, much of the information presented is not historically accurate. If you’re going to share this, or read it, be sure to have some factual information accessible. 

Thank you to Leaping Hare Press and NetGalley for the temporary PDF

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I’ll Be Waiting by Kelley Armstrong 

US pub date - 10/1/24

Huh. 

First half = awesome 

Second half = not so much 

I really enjoyed the first half of the story but wasn’t able to muster enough suspension of disbelief for the second half. 

I will continue to look forward to Ms Armstrong’s new books, but unfortunately this wasn’t a favorite.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the DRC

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The Forest Grimm (The Forest Grimm Duology, #1) by Kathryn Purdie 

US pub date - 3/25/25 - original pub date - 9/19/23

3.5 stars, rated up

I’ll admit - when I read the synopsis with the first line in the book I rolled my eyes and decided to not read it. However, I had loved reading my dad’s old hardcover of the Grimm Brothers fairytales as a kid (and beyond) so time softened my stance and when I was invited to read an advance copy for the paperback pub date, I figured I’d give it a try. 

I was up to chapter 13 before I realized how much time I had spent reading. 

The Forest Grimm pulled me right in.

*dark fantasy

*the forest is alive 

*atmospheric 

*fresh take on fairy tale retelling 

*slow burn friends to lovers, but low key

This was my first time reading Ms Purdie’s work - I’m looking forward to the second title so I’ll definitely be reading more 🙂

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the DRC

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Fall into Temptation (Blue Moon, #2) by Lucy Score 

US pub date - 9/10/24

This story pulled me in right away. It was my first time reading the author, and though this is number two in a series, I didn’t have a difficult time keeping up. 

She’s a single mom yoga instructor who’s just moved to town with her two kids, he’s the mayor. This small town romance was utterly enjoyable and I loved how real the characters came across. 

Blue Moon sounds like a fantastic place that I’d love to visit but since I can’t do that, I’ll definitely be reading the other titles in this series.

**this one is a reprint of the same title, published in 2016

Thank you to Bloom Books and NetGalley for the DRC

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The Baron’s Demons (Shadows of Deringham, #1) by Erin Elle 

US pub date - 10/25/24

*Marriage of convenience 

*age gap 

*miscommunication 

*possessive MMC 

*paranormal beings 

Though much of this fell oddly flat for me, I found it well written and will read more of Ms Elle’s future titles. 

Thank you to Stitching Grey Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

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The Secret War of Julia Child: A Novel by Diana R. Chambers

US pub date - 10/22/24

The richly vivid and detailed writing pulled me in right away and I really enjoyed learning more about Julia Child and her younger years (I grew up occasionally watching her PBS show in reruns and not knowing anything about her other than her cooking talent). The descriptions allowed me to visualize what I was reading with ease and I really appreciated that. 

A highly enjoyable historical fiction read and a definite recommendation. 

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the DRC

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Lazy Witchcraft for Crazy, Sh*tty Days (Easy Spells and Rituals for When You’re Stressed Out, Wiped Out, or Just Have No More Spoons to Give by Andrea Samayoa 

US pub date - 10/15/24

I’m a long time fan of witchcraft books, and ones that are 1) catered to spoonies, 2) on a proverbial shoestring, and 3) lazy? Count me in. 

I loved the spoons per recipe, and the layout was appealing, but this one didn’t really work for me. I don’t know if it was due, in part, to the awkwardly placed swear words, but I found it all a little cringe and wasn’t able to connect with the message (this isn’t anything against the book, it was me). 

Thank you to Fair Winds Press and NetGalley for the PDF 

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If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens

US pub date - 10/15/24

This sounded really cute and I was looking forward to it, but found that I wasn’t able to get into it at all once I started reading - not all characters need to be likeable but I cannot when main characters are emotionally manipulative and abusive, verging into physical. 

Penelope is toxic with a capital t - her gaslighting, physical assaults, and emotional abuse were a major turn off for me.

Added bonus /s - there’s zero character development - Penelope remains the same, showing zero remorse or personal growth. So yeah, this one really didn’t work for me and I’m sorry I gave it as much reading time as I did. 

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the DRC

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How to Help a Hungry Werewolf: A Novel (The Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures, #1) by 

Charlotte Stein 

US pub date - 10/1/24

The MFC is bullied in high school, her bullies included our MMC. His current behavior shows remorse and regret and that is one of the main reasons I was able to continue reading this story (*I personally felt that the FMC should have required more than what she got to fully forgive, but that’s me). To be honest, if I’d been aware of the bullying aspect I wouldn’t have wanted to read it in the first place - this definitely affected my enjoyment. 

Though you’ll definitely need to employ your suspension of disbelief for this, the story overall is a fun read. 

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the DRC 

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Duchess Material by Emily Sullivan 

US pub date - 11/19/24

*unexpected dukedom 

*bluestocking 

*mystery 

*second chance 

*chemistry / emotions

*character development 

*great side characters 

I adored Duchess Material - I found it very fun, highly enjoyable and I’m hoping this was a series starter and that we’ll get Phoebe’s sisters’ stories in the future! 

This was my second time reading Ms Sullivan’s work and I will definitely read more 🙂

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the DRC

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The Baron’s Return (The Rakes of Mayhem, #4) by Anna St. Claire

US pub date - 9/28/24

3.5 stars, 

The synopsis, in part, reads “He crossed an ocean to find her…” which reminded me of Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) when Gary Oldman’s main character says “I’ve crossed oceans of time to find you” which is one of my favorite lines of all time. Therefore, I was immediately interested in this. 

With mystery, danger, and action, this closed door romance kept my interest and kept me turning the pages. I adored Sin’s aunt Millie, her three cats, and Simon, Bobby, and their dog. 

I enjoyed this one a lot. 

Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

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Grumpy Billionaire Bossholes: A Six Book Bosshole Grump-Sunshine Billionaire Romance Boxset by Leslie North US pub date - 9/19/24

I’m definitely an outlier in my opinion here, so take my opinion lightly, but this really didn’t work for me - I didn’t enjoy the writing at all and found the storylines painfully formulaic. 

Thank you to Relay Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC 

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Christmas Is All Around: A Novel by Martha Waters 

US pub date - 10/22/24

*I had a difficult time with Charlotte’s character 

*Charlotte’s anger about being attached to a movie is kind of her entire personality 

*Charlotte’s issues with her niece are irrational 

The book’s title made me think of Bill Nighy as Billy Mack singing “Christmas Is All Around” in Love Actually and the song remained in my head during my reading. I was ready to love this but found I just wasn’t able to connect to the story. Other readers will likely love this, but it wasn’t a favorite for me. 

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the DRC

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A happy #pubday to The Beast Takes a Bride (The Palace of Rogues, #8) by Julie Anne Long 

US pub date - 10/22/24

Julie Anne Long is an auto request and auto-buy author for me - I love her books and The Palace of Rogues has been a perfect and enjoyable series, with each book full of longing, wit, character evolution, emotion, and a swoon worthy love story that slowly unfolds during reading. 

Avon made my dreams come true and approved my request for The Beast Takes a Bride, and, able to revisit the world of The Palace of Rogues and the terrific cast of regular characters in each (Dot and Mr Pike need to happen).  I ignored my other books and read this over two and a half days with a happy smile on my face. 

Estranged since the night of their wedding, Magnus and Alexandra have been apart for five years, when her actions prompt an in-person response by her husband. 

*troubled marriage 

*forced proximity

*yearning and longing 

*second chance romance 

I loved Magnus and Alexandra and their second chance while staying at the Grand Palace on the Thames. It was a very very enjoyable installment of this wonderful series and I’m specifically thankful for this eARC, as this is one of my favorite series. 

The author’s writing just gets better and better - the characters are fleshed out, the stories flow easily, with the plots such that the reader is defintely invested in the outcome. 

If you enjoy historical romance and haven’t read Julie Anne Long’s books yet, please allow me to strongly recommend them 😍

Thank you to Avon ❤️ and NetGalley for the DRC 

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One Night with the Duchess (Widows of West End, #1) by Maggie Weston 

US pub date - 10/22/24

A virgin MFC who needs to prove that her marriage was consummated appeals to a lord, infamous for past exploits, to bed her. 

When they next meet, she’s desperately trying to keep the consequences of their joining secret. 

I adored this debut series starter ❤️ - it was exactly what I wanted to read and I’m really looking forward to reading future works by this new voice in historical romance! 

Thank you to Harlequin Historical and NetGalley for the DRC

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The Cake Bible, 35th Anniversary Edition by Rose Levy Beranbaum; Woody Wolston 

US pub date - 10/22/24

I bake often, and have for years, due to food allergies. I’m certainly no professional but my family consider me a better than average home baker and I greatly enjoyed perusing this true tome of a cookbook. 

Observations during reading - 

*this book lives up to its title - very detailed, very in depth

*I do wish that the early reader copy had accompanying photos 

*I really like that the recipes all have ingredients listed in weight 

Note for vegan home bakers - the cookbook is not vegan, not even vegan friendly. I feel like many recipes could be veganized but I don’t always want to work that hard if I’m following a lengthy ingredient list and instructional steps.  

My kids and husband found a lot that appealed here, and agree that it’s a fantastic and wonderful cookbook for nonvegans. 

Thank you to William Morrow Cookbooks and NetGalley for the DRC