Dark Earth is a well-researched and interesting story about two sisters in Dark Ages Britain. When Blue and Isla’s father dies, they are abruptly thrust into peril. Isla has been working in her father’s forge for some time, which is believed to be against the gods’ will. Only Isla knows the secret of forging the mythical swords known as firetongues. This is a valuable skill that the men from the settlement would kill her for. To hide their father’s death and escape from their island, the sisters must work together to find sanctuary.

While reading, I felt like I learned so much about the time period and customs of the Dark Ages. I appreciated that the author focused her story on voices from an era that are traditionally overlooked by historians and publishing. Dark Earth grounds itself in true facts while incorporating a touch of fantasy. Healing powers, seers, and spirits of the dead create an intriguing addition to Blue and Isla’s fight for survival. I loved that in some ways, this story is built around the real-life discovery of a brooch and what could have brought it there. Dark Ages weaves together historical facts and fantasy, with a strong emphasis on sisterhood and fighting against patriarchy. I enjoyed the subtle queer representation and would have liked to see more about it, especially from a historical perspective. I would recommend Dark Earth for readers looking for well-written historical fiction and character-driven books.

Thank you to Rebecca Stott, Random House, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Violet Made of Thorns is a fantastic tale of heroes, villains, and seers. After saving the life of Prince Cyrus, Violet Lune finds herself swept into a life she could only have dreamed- or seen in her visions. Violet and Cyrus soon clash, a Seer and Prince at odds. When strange beasts begin roaming the kingdom, the people fear that an ancient prophecy has been set into motion. Cyrus is tasked to find a bride and Violet races to understand the meaning behind her ominous visions. As Violet and Cyrus navigate the bitter and tangled emotions between them, the dark prophecy looms and they must work together to have any chance of saving the kingdom.

I loved Violet! She is such a strong and fierce character, unwilling to follow court nonsense and always standing up for what she believes is right. Violet’s magical powers as a Seer were fascinating. I enjoyed seeing Violet explore her powers and learn about her magical strengths. Gina Chen’s characters feel complex and multifaceted. Readers who look for morally gray characters will love Violet Made of Thorns. 

The banter and battles between Cyrus and Violet was delightful; I absolutely can’t wait to see how their journey continues! Chen uses many familiar fairy tale threads and then weaves them into a more nuanced and intriguing tale. The pacing was excellent; I didn’t want to stop reading. Violet is a character for the girls who never identified with the charming princess and instead wondered about the wicked witch in her tower. Needless to say, I loved it! 

I would highly recommend this for fans of Heather Walter (Malice duology) and Alix E. Harrow (A Spindle Splintered). Violet Made of Thorns is a riveting and unique fairy tale. Thank you to Gina Chen, Delacorte Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Laurel Early is back on her family farm after dropping out of college. She returns to a life of tobacco farming and taxidermy. Along with neighborhood boys Ricky, Garrett, and Isaac, Laurel is set to have another boring summer. Until her pile of discard bones walks away and manifests into a creature from a nightmare. Laurel soon realizes that she is being haunted by an ominous being that knew her mother. It will take the help of the town witch, her crew of friends, and the clues her mother left behind to escape with her life and the farm intact. 

Wake the Bones is a delightful gothic tale of mothers and daughters, twisted magic, and found family. I really enjoyed this debut from Elizabeth Kilcoyne and found it to be a bone-chilling and unputdownable read. At the heart of this tale is found family, chosen people who know us in a way that biological family may refuse. Kilcoyne does an excellent job with sensory details that will send shivers down your spine. I particularly enjoyed Garrett and Isaac’s relationship and the complexities they were dealing with. Readers who enjoyed Summer Sons (Lee Mandelo ) or The Raven Boys (Maggie Stievfater) will definitely relish this horrific walk through the woods. 

Thank you to Elizabeth Kilcoyne, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Aja and Walker meet in the frozen food aisle of the Piggly Wiggly as Aja is having a panic attack. From the beginning, I immediately loved Aja's personality. She is a very warm, sweet person who is constantly working on anxiety and avoidant behavior. For her mental health, she finds herself in the small town of Greenbelt. Meanwhile, Walker feels stuck in the town he swore he’d never return to, so he can help care for his grandma when she breaks both arms. He has many bad memories about the town relating to his complex PTSD, childhood trauma, and anger. When they meet again in a bingo hall, a friendship is struck. Bet On It follows Aja and Walker as they forge a connection and later attempt to see a future for their relationship. 

This is a great debut from Jodie Slaughter, showcasing positive plus-size rep and incredible mental health rep. At times, this made the material pretty heavy to read and I would advise anyone who is concerned to check out the trigger warnings. With that said, Slaughter handles it very well and it always felt realistic. Bet On It shows the positives and negatives of small town life, living in the South, and the importance of both found and biological family. It would be a mistake to think this is a lighthearted romance, since Slaughter goes deep into Aja and Walker’s respective mental health journeys. I would recommend Bet On It if you are looking for a nuanced, reflective romance with lots of steamy scenes and important mental health discussion. 

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

Lord Lysander happens upon the beautiful ballerina Nève in dire straits. Blacklisted from the ballet after an interaction with an odious patron, Nève is desperate. Lysander requires someone to be his fake fiancée in order to seal a land deal. While Nève is initially skeptical, her desire to send money to her injured sister prevails. As Nève and Lysander get to know each other, what happens when their feelings become real? 

Always Be My Duchess is a charming and witty romance. Nève is a fantastic heroine; she has an extremely strong backbone and is unwilling to allow rank to dictate her actions. I also loved the inclusion of the Hell’s Kitties, a group of women that befriend Nève who I’m sure we will see in future books. Nève and Lysander are a delightful couple, bringing out each other’s true personalities that hide behind society masks. This was a fast-paced, fun romance and I’m looking forward to seeing what Amalie Howard writes next. 

Always Be My Duchess would be a great book for those who love the Bridgertons, the twisted world of ballet, and fierce heroines. Thank you to Amalie Howard, Forever, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.