*Trigger Warnings: book contains violence, depictions of alcoholism, the death of children, depiction of mental health struggles*

Two girls, a monster on the loose, and a town full of secrets. Marie and Ama are sisters, both of them are monsters in very different ways. While Ama turns into a beasts and kills, Marie marks and picks who is to be killed. Marie works hard to hide her sister’s secret while living in a small 18th century French town. However, it is getting harder and harder to hide when more dead children start showing up and people become paranoid about hunting down a beasts. The entire incident start after Marie and Ama’s father sold Ama to the town’s lord’s home to work as a maid.... except the lord and lady died and Ama returned home newly cursed with the ability to turn into a beasts and a bloodlust. Marie knows that Ama is delving closer and closer to the beast’s side and so decides that this is her only chance to find a cure for her sister. She pretends to know a cure to the current Lord Sebastian (a boy around her age, 17ish)’s younger brother Lucien ( a child) who suffers from consumption and infiltrates the household convinced that Sebastian’s mother was the one who cursed her sister and that there is a spell book she can use to undue it. But time is running out for Marie, as more dead bodies show up and her lies start piling up and the town is on the hunt for Ama. Now she must find a solution before everyone is at stake and she loses everything, including her feelings for Sebastian.

This story definitely fits into the gothic fairytale type. No one is truly good and everyone is a little bit messed up.

Spoiler

Ama literally kills people and eats them without feeling any remorse and thinks of it as a game while Marie brushes it off as killing “vagrants, travelers, and criminals” and essentially poisoned Lucien in order to manipulate Sebastian while Sebastian was keeping his sort of dead mom in the house and knew about Ama and Marie being cursed while Marie and Ama’s dad literally sold off his own daughter and was negligent, took money from them, and essentially left them to fend for themselves while he got drunk. The only actual likable character was Lucien, he didn’t deserve what was happening to him at all.

The romance between Marie and Sebastian seemed a bit off kilter for me considering the situation going on and I just couldn't find the chemistry between the two of them. Overall an okay read with an interesting take gothic fairytales. The characters are all morally grey as Marie was willing to do whatever to save her sister despite her sister being a beasts and killing and eating people while Sebastian was willing to do whatever to save his brother. The story wraps up everything neatly though and was an okay read.

*Thanks Netgalley and ABRAMS Kids for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A gorgeous curated guide to just the coolest spots in London! Filled with gorgeous photos, facts, instagram tips, and location guides, this is the ultimate guide to London! Seriously beautiful book and such an interesting read!

*Thanks Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

“If it is a devil you seek, then it is a devil you shall have!”

Set in Colonial New England, the story follows the journey of one woman in a society that is hell bent on destroying her and her fight until her very last breathe. Abitha is very against the puritan ways, but endures it since she was essentially sold off and wed to a gentle man named Edward. However Edward’s brother Wallace is determined to force Abitha to become his servant and steal back the land that is her husbands. After an incident Abitha finds herself newly widowed.... and suddenly she is given the freedom of owning the land and she will fight tooth and nail to keep it out of Wallace’s hands... except his greed goes beyond what she could imagine and soon his devious plans will become more dangerous until her own life is at risk. While this is all happening, a ancient spirit awakens in the woods, and the wildfolk call him Father, Slayer Protector, while the colonists call him Slewfoot, Devil, Lucifer... but he does not recall who he is and finds himself drawn to Abitha. Now Abitha and Father (or as she calls him, Samson) find themselves intertwined. Samson offers to make Abitha’s dreams come true and Abitha offers to help Samson recover his memories, and in their relationship they find true friendship and understanding between two people who are so lonely. However, in a society where a woman is so restricted, and even the slightest sense of will will cause her to be punished, Abitha will soon be faced with many challenges that maybe not even Samson can protect her from. This is a story of witchcraft, of pain, of will, and of endurance in a unforgiving world. I absolutely loved this story. I was so fully invested and my god did I enjoy it when Abitha finally gets her revenge. That ending was perfection. I absolutely loved the relationship between Abitha and Samson, their bond and friendship was just so endearing. I felt Abitha’s pain, her anger, her hatred, and the injustice she felt. She never backed down and stood her mark, regardless of what society demanded of her. She was resilient and strong, but kind and sweet. This was a story that I would absolutely recommend!

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

What happens when life doesn’t go exactly as planned? Tess Carter has had it rough. After coming home from a shift at the hospital she finds her longtime boyfriend sleeping with another man and dealing with the issue of her father abandoning her, oh and the voices in her head. Tess has two voices in her head, one voice is a talk show host who constantly belittles and demeans her while the second voice is Jane Austin who provides a more positive voice. Tess runs into a guy she had talked to at a party one time years back that she had felt a deep connection with when he brings in his mother at the hospital she works at, which deals with hospice. Said guy is named Edward Russell who is described as having a big job and a posh voice and regal. However the charming guy from the party doesnt seem to remember Tess and acts a bit rude and cold. *also warning, the book discusses Tess and her issues with bulimia, just in case anyone wanted to know before delving into the story* Personally I just could not find myself enjoying this story and the two additional voices in the story that were in Tess’s narration were a bit annoying to read. Overall, this one just wasn’t for me but may it is for you.

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Great Scot! by Suzanne Enoch (4/5)
Jane Bansil is determined to be a spinster and live a nice quiet life with just her books. After being fired for helping her cousin elope, she has taken a job as a companion and is currently stuck in Scotland spending time with her new lady and her cousin’s husband’s family. Brennan Andrews, a cousin to Jane Ansil’s Cousin’s husband, is an architect who is still reeling from the death of his wife and is spending time with the MacTaggerts in order to help them design homes. Jane and Brennan run into each other at the library and soon find that they share a connection that neither of them can walk away from.


Christmas at Dewberry Hollow by Amelia Grey (2/5)
Isabelle Reed has sworn off love and is determined to remain single and help her mother run their in. However wtih the arrival of Gate, the Duke of Notsgrave’s grandson, things might not be going according to her plan. Gate is determined to get Isabelle to acknowledge their connection and act on it while Isabelle is determined to deny it because, whats the point of starting something with someone who is leaving in a few days and has made no promises to actually come back?


My Mistletoe Beau by Anna Bennett (3/5)

Eva Tiding wants one thing for Christmas... and its to get back her father’s beloved pocket watch that was gifted to him from her deceased mother.... and then taken from him by the Earl of Frostbough. Eva decides the only way to obtain it is to break into his home and steal it back, too bad for her mid-heist Jack Hardwick catches her in the act and proposes a deal, if she pretends to be his fiancee so that his grandmother will be happy as she is coming to visit him, he will gibe her back the pocket watch. Jack and Eva can’t stand each other and the chances of catching feelings for one another is slim... or so they think. Soon Jack realizes that there is more here and now he has to convince Eva, a woman who can’t stand him, that there is something real between them.

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Enemies to lovers? Secret tunnels, dangerous smugglers, and feuding families? All of this and more in this delightful story about two childhood enemies who are reunited after years... and maybe the line between hate and love isn’t as clear as they thought. Madeline Montgomery grew up despising, while also secretly in love with the roguish Gryffud “Gryff” Davies. Gryff has just returned from fighting in the war and has just been given the title of Earl. The only thing keeping him going is the possibility of seeing Maddie again, he spent most of his days daydreaming about teasing her and just being near her again... and now that they’re finally face to face again, suddenly he can’t stay away. Gryff and Madeline discover a secret cave and Madeline is determined to explore it, her dream is to pursue archeology and Gryff proposes that they explore it together since it is between both of their lands... and they soon discover they are not the only ones using the cave as they discover a secret smuggling ring. Madeline is desperate to find a way to make money as her family is in bankrupt and the old lecherous neighbor has offered her father 2000 pounds for her hand in marriage and she does not want it at all. Soon Gryff and Madeline find that the more time they spend together the more they can’t resist one another. Gryff now has to find a way to persuade a girl who loathes him to actually see that him teasing her hasn’t been because he hated her as a child, but rather the complete opposite. Madeline must struggle between her growing feelings for Gryff and trying to solve her family’s bankruptcy, all the while avoiding being killed by smugglers and exploring a cave that might hold more treasure than they know. This was a sweet story told through both characters POVs and their banter was really sweet. This is the first book in the series and I can’t wait to read about more of the other characters and books!! I will definitely be reading the next couple of books!

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

After a terrifying home invasion Sydney wakes up in the hospital with no memory of what has happened, and the police are asking her if she was the one to brutally kill the home invader.Sydney has spent years trying to be a better person and get rid of her past as an addict. She wants to build a life for her son and remain sober. However after the home invasion... things begin to shift. She begins to feel like she is losing time... and that there is something more to this home invasion than just a regular home invasion.... and soon she discovers that there might be something in her waiting to get out. This is a story that deals with addiction, trauma, and family. Sydney struggles with sobriety but constantly wants the best for her son. This story definitely is in the horror genre and definitely had an interesting aspect of sci-fi(?) in it.

*Thanks Netgalley and Redhook Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

One girl, a tragic summer and bonds that will never give. The story follows Margaret Moore and her Deck Five girls, Rose, Flor, and Nisreen. They all summer at the Marshall Naval School. Each summer they come together and their bonds grow stronger and stronger. However, one summer, things go terribly wrong and now their bonds are tested. Margaret falls in love with a boy, a boy who destroys everything, and now she must live with the consequences. The story is told in an extremely lyrical format, and to be honest it did not work for me. I was not invested in the plot and found it difficult to get through till the end despite this being a short book. Reading in the lyrical format and deciphering the events that have occurred as well as Margaret’s narrative was just not working for me. I was initially intrigued by the premise of the story but after finishing it, it just felt a bit anti-climactic. There is a paranormal aspect to the story and even though its suppose to be a thriller... there really was no thrill. The whole story boils down to

Spoiler

Margareet falls in love with someone who is off limits and he gets her pregnant while seeing other girls the entire time, and then he nearly hits her with a car and then she tries to drown him.

*Thanks Netgalley andSt. Martin's Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Bluebeard meets the story of Adam and Eve and the Apple. Sophia was made for her husband. She lives in Arcadia Gardens where everything is perfect and she is happy. Everyone always asks her if she is happy. She is happy.... until... she finds a lock of hair that is not hers in a drawer, a bone in the knife board.... and soon so many other things. Soon she discovers that her husband is hiding many secrets and that her home in Arcadia Gardens is not as perfect as she had thought... and that maybe she is not happy.

Spoiler

Sophia essentially finds bodyparts of previous wives of her husband, who is named Adam, and she meets a snake who offers her an apple... and the best part? the previous wife Lilith escaped (go Lilith) the ending was sad since Sophia essentially dies for Eve to be born next. I hated Adam, and Sophia questioning why God would continue to allow Adam to make new wives while killing off the wives and keeping their bodyparts, why if God made both Adam and Sophia, only Adam gets to continue to do this and Sophia and the other wives have had to suffer. In the end Adam gets away with it again and onto another wife. Rip

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Violet’s family is in the undertaker business, from arranging funerals to burying bodies. Violet has always wanted to be more involved with the family business but since she is a girl, her family won’t allow it. One day when a boy who is suppose to be dead wakes up in the coffin, Violet’s life turns upside down. Next her father is accused of murdering people and arrested and now it is up to Violet and the newly awoken boy (Oliver) to find out what is really happening and free her father. Violet will have to do her own investigation about the mysterious woman in black who keeps appearing while also evading police watching her and navigating in a world where she is seen only as a “girl”. Along for the journey is her trusty sidekick Bones (her dog) and new friend Oliver. This was a fun and spooky mystery story perfect for middle grade readers! I had fun reading it and loved Violet as a protagonist. She was strong willed, never gave up, and continued to stay true to herself despite society telling her that she was only a girl.

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*