bookish_selkie's Reviews (2.14k)

Pumpkin Spice & Poltergeist is a lighthearted, cozy sapphic romance. In the town of Maple Hollow, magical beings are real and coexist alongside humans. There’s everything from werewolves and witches to monsters. One night, Jordyn summons her ex girlfriend for some closure- only to realize she doesn't know how to banish her. Lou is convinced that she needs to see Jordyn move on before her spirit is fulfilled. When a new human girl comes to town, Lou tries to help Jordyn be brave. But what if there’s more that Lou needs before she can move on?

Pumpkin Spice & Poltergeist is such a fun read! The town of Maple Hollow will absolutely remind you of Stars Hollow and is a much-needed escape to fall. Jordyn and Harlow have a very sweet and lighthearted romance. Lou wants to see Jordyn happy, but starts to lose control of her powers when it comes to talking about her death. Jordyn must try and uncover if there was anything suspicious about how Lou died. Harlow’s relationship with her sister was great and I also enjoyed Jordyn’s friend Iris. I feel like Iris’s story might be next! Pumpkin Spice & Poltergeist is perfect for readers who love fall, magic, and sapphic romance!

Thank you to A.K. Mulford and K. Elle Morrison for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Whenever You’re Ready is a delightful slow-burn romance. Nia and Jade have always been best friends, along with their friend Michal. After Michal passes away from cancer, Nia and Jade reunite after years apart to take a road trip that they all planned. As they journey through the South, they are faced with painful history and bittersweet memories. Can Nia and Jade find their way back to each other? 

Whenever You’re Ready is a book about loss, friendship, and missed connections. I especially enjoyed how Rachel Runya Katz writes such depth in her characters. They feel relatable and deeply lovable. Jade and Jonah’s sibling relationship felt realistic and I liked how  their individual connections to Michal were portrayed. Nia and Jade are absolutely gone for each other but can’t quite realize this before the trip. The aspects of grief, anticipatory grief, and loss really hit hard for me. I also learned a lot about what it was like to be Jewish in the South, both historically and presently. This is a very important topic and period of time that is integral to the story. 

Whenever You’re Ready is a beautiful and heartfelt book about friendship, love, and searching for connection. Readers who enjoy slow-burn sapphic romance and friends-to-lovers should check out Whenever You’re Ready.  

Thank you to Rachel Runya Katz, St. Martin’s Griffin, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

The Gods Below is book one in Andrea Stewart’s new epic fantasy series. The Gods Below follows two sisters who are separated by a mysterious and deadly magic. One sister devotes all of her time and energy to reuniting, while the other must reckon with the changes forced upon her by the strange magic.  

I found it difficult to put The Gods Below down! It is a rich fantasy with excellent world-building. The characters are lovable and the sisters’ journey to reunite is compelling. The changes they went through in their time apart made for a complicated reunion. Thassir was such an interesting character and I’m excited to learn more about him! I loved how he didn’t want anyone to hurt the cats. 

Andrea Stewart always creates fascinating and intricate magic systems. The twist with the god gems was very clever and I’m looking forward to learning more about them. The Gods Below was a satisfying adventure into a brand-new fantasy world and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

Readers who enjoy epic fantasy, clever magic systems, and compelling characters should read The Gods Below. 

Thank you to Andrea Stewart, Orbit Books, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

I absolutely loved Fall for Him! Once I started, I could not put this book down. It’s funny, charming, and deeply relatable. The opening scene is one of the most creative meet-cutes that I’ve read; I love how Dylan fell quite literally. After an apartment flood accidentally caused by Dylan, he seems unlikely to get along with the neighbor below him. Derek is an ER nurse who is trying to hide his friend’s dog at his apartment. Dylan and Derek come to a reluctant truce. Derek will move into Dylan’s apartment while Dylan fixes the damage and keeps quiet about the dog. Comedic shenanigans and sweet romance ensue! 

Andie Burke writes characters with such excellent motivations, depths, and fears. Her characters feel like people that you’d like to be friends with. I appreciate how Burke uses her background as a nurse to educate about the abuse and injustices that nurses deal with. Dylan’s experience with ADHD seemed very genuine and authentic. The sense of humor in this book is very much my type, it almost feels like Gilmore Girls humor. The scene where Dylan’s sister Felicity unexpectedly comes to the house and has the cops called on her by an overzealous neighbor is comedic genius. I hope we get Felicity’s love story! Plus, Gus the dog is adorable. 

Readers who enjoy hilarious dialogue, queer love stories, forced proximity, and lovable characters should check out Fall for Him. I can’t wait for more stories from Andie Burke! 

Thank you to Andie Burke, St. Martin’s Griffin, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

The Crimson Crown is the enthralling tale of Ayleth, a witch in hiding. Though she is supposed to be her mother’s Heir, Ayleth lacks the power she needs. Ayleth sets out on a quest to seek answers at the dangerous White Palace. While there, she sees Jacquetta- the witch who she loved before a heartbreaking betrayal. As Ayleth and Jacquetta form an uneasy alliance, strange magical happenings begin to occur at court. Can Ayleth and Jacquetta accomplish their goals before being swallowed up by the treacherous court? 

The Crimson Crown is an incredible fantasy retelling that is difficult to put down. I love the story of the Evil Queen and it’s very hard not to empathize with Ayleth. Heather Walter does an impeccable job of creatively re-imagining villains. There are also echoes of Anne Boleyn’s story which are skillfully woven in. Ayleth deals with complex grief for her sister, her relationship with her mother, and Jacquetta’s betrayal. Their sapphic romance is bittersweet and I'm curious to see where it goes.

I was relieved to see that this is a duology! The ending left me eager for the story to continue, as Ayleth begins to seek revenge for all the wrongs done to her.  Also Ayleth’s pet cat Nettle was the cutest! Readers who enjoy clever retellings, sapphic romance, and wickedly good fantasy will love The Crimson Crown. 

Thank you to Heather Walter, Del Rey, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.