Lucy Checks In was a relaxing and lighthearted read. After a professional scandal, Lucy cannot get a job in any hotel in the United States. When an opportunity to go to France comes up, she leaps at the opportunity. However, the job is not anything like she thought it would be. It requires work she’s never done before- painting, hauling furniture, and completely redesigning everything from the ground up. Along the way, Lucy builds connections and enjoys life in France more than she ever thought she could. 

Lucy Checks In would be the perfect book for anyone who enjoys home renovation, remodeling, or the idea of building a boutique hotel from scratch. A majority of this book is the nitty gritty of dealing with the hotel. While there is a vivid cast of supporting characters, the romance is pretty sparse and the focus is truly on the hotel. I loved that Lucy is an older heroine (late forties) and the atmosphere of being in France was beautiful. The pacing is relatively slow, so I would recommend this as a relaxing read for when you want to escape to France and remodel a hotel. 

Thank you to Dee Ernst, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Second Spear is the fantastic sequel to The Border Keeper. In this latest installment, an enemy returns to challenge Tyn and her chosen family. As Tyn grapples with the revelations about herself that were unveiled in The Border Keeper, she must decide what family means and whether she still holds the same convictions. Tyn must choose what she will fight for and who she wants to be. 

I devoured Second Spear; I couldn’t put it down! Kerstin Hall beautifully draws readers into a world where vengeful gods and goddesses exist and political tensions are sky high. I loved learning more about Tyn and getting to see her point of view. She is a fiercely loyal and devoted character with strong convictions, which are tested throughout her journey. The world-building is extensive for a relatively short book. The magic and secrets of Mkalis are fascinating and I look forward to seeing what Kerstin Hall writes next! Readers who enjoy Seanan McGuire (Every Heart A Doorway) and Neil Gaiman (Neverwhere) should check out this series!

Thank you to Kerstin Hall, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.