This is a joyful and heartening queer love story. I was completely unprepared for the way A Lady for a Duke grabbed hold from page one and refused to let go. It quickly became one of my favorite books of 2022 and easily my new favorite regency romance. Gracewood and Viola are a scalding slowburn, a slow song that builds in intensity. This book gave me ALL the feels, while doing so with humor and beautiful writing. The yearning is on the level of Mr. Darcy’s hand flexing after touching Elizabeth’s hand in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film.

But to back up a bit, it feels so wonderful to have a historical romance which involves LGBTQ+ characters who are allowed to have joyful love stories. It goes beyond painful “historically accurate” portrayals of what it meant to be trans or queer during that time or books that focus only on the utter misery of not conforming to a highly gendered society. Alexis Hall is one of my favorite writers and he absolutely smashes the assignment, creating a book that I know I will be endlessly re-reading. A Lady for a Duke has it all- hilarious lines, well-researched historical details, and stunning descriptions. 

Alexis Hall has my favorite type of humor- clever, dark, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it, intensely sarcastic. I CACKLED with laughter at the witty nonchalance and seriously comedic dialogue. Viola, Gracewood, Mira, Lady Louise are all spectacular characters who are very dear to my heart. They are nuanced, flawed, and deeply caring. Watching Viola and Gracewood come together was an unforgettable experience. Alexis Hall does an incredible job with creating compelling supporting characters who are just as much fun to follow as the main characters.

While A Lady for a Duke stole my heart- I also want to take a moment to talk about Alexis Hall’s writing. Want a masterclass on romantic tension? Hall does an exemplary job of answering the all-important question in a romance: “But why can’t they be together NOW?” Many writers rely on cringeworthy miscommunication and gloriously there’s not a hint of it to be seen here. Instead, Hall builds a complex romance that deals with queer identity, class divides, and heavily gendered societal roles and expectations. I am in awe of Alexis Hall’s fearless writing.

There is heavy material here- PTSD, body dysmorphia, using a mobility aid, demisexuality, bisexuality, and a transgender heroine. Yet, Hall manages to handle everything with care and integrity while including humor, witty banter, and acceptance. Each touch (every breath) between Viola and Gracewood is pulsing with electricity and yearning tension. This is the type of book where their fingers graze and you’re ready to scream and throw the book across the room. Hall’s writing is tender, vulnerable, and achingly loving. Gracewood is the sweetest cinnamon roll and I love how he accepted and loved Viola. I loved how Viola was so true to herself and refused to ask anyone’s forgiveness for living her life. This book is a beautiful queer love story. 

Alexis Hall has absolutely ruined me for other historical romance books at this point and really all books in general. A Lady for a Duke will give you the worst book hangover and I couldn’t be more pleased about it. I hope we get many more books in this world, as I feel there are several people who have more stories to tell. This book better get all the love it deserves, because I want to see fanart!! 

Read A Lady for a Duke if you like the slowest of burns, mutual pining, outstanding LGBTQ+ rep, sweet cinnamon rolls, and achingly romantic queer love. I highly recommend A Lady for A Duke for fans of A Marvellous Light, Evie Dunmore and Cat Sebastian. Thank you to Alexis Hall, Forever, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Brace for Impact follows queer roller derby athlete Gabe Montesanti. This was such a heartfelt and raw memoir. Gabe struggles to deal with the rejection and disinterest of her birth family in her identity as a queer woman in a relationship with another woman. When she finds roller derby, she discovers that there is a queer found family ready to embrace her and lift her up. Roller derby does not come without danger and Gabe deals with serious injuries and strain on her relationships. However, perhaps the hardest work that Gabe has to do is mental: unlearning the toxic patterns of thought that she faced growing up, especially in relation to food and exercise.  

Gabe’s strength and grace throughout the novel is amazing to see, even when she cannot see it herself. She truly embodies her derby name, Joan of Spark, with her fierce determination and passion. The road to derby is not easy and there are some painful scenes to read, such as when Gabe’s mother comes to visit while she is recovering from a broken leg. I think many readers will see aspects of themselves in Gabe’s triumphs and struggles. Gabe’s writing is beautiful and vulnerable, never flinching, and I felt like I knew her by the end of the memoir. Gabe is so open and honest that by the end you will want to give her a hug and also get dinner with her. 

I learned so much about roller derby!! I knew the bare minimum about roller derby and halfway through I was googling videos of jams with Scald Eagle and Bonnie Thunders. What an incredible sport! I was in awe of the powerful and queer athletes in this book. Beyond their athletic prowess, I felt moved to happy tears by the LGBTQ+ inclusivity and found family. Throughout the pages is such a clear sense of support, pushing each other to be their personal best, and warm camaraderie. I had no idea that the sport was such a haven for queer athletes. I think any reader will be eager to see a bout after reading Brace for Impact! I feel so fortunate that I was able to read an ARC and really look forward to reading whatever Gabe Montesanti writes next. 

Thank you to Gabe Montesanti, The Dial Press, Random House Group, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

 The Stardust Thief was everything I hoped it would be and more. It follows Loulie, a criminal who finds and sells illegal magic. When she draws the eye of the sultan, she is set on a perilous quest with her bodyguard, a thief, and a prince. From the first chapter, I loved the style of writing. Abdullah has such a smooth and flowing style, communicating a lot of information about world-building without making it feel overwhelming. The writing itself is beautiful, painting a stunning picture with lots of sensory and visual details. 

 

I loved the characters so much, especially Loulie! Watching her journey of growth was very satisfying and I can’t wait to see where her adventures take her next. The Stardust Thief is a fantastic read with morally gray characters, deep secrets, and mysterious magic. The magic behind the relics was so imaginative and interesting to learn about. The world-building is rich with stories and lore seamlessly woven into the main tale. Readers who seek a dangerous quest, an unlikely crew teaming up, and gorgeous writing will love The Stardust Thief! I would also recommend this book for fans of S.A. Chakraborty and Hafsah Faizal. 

 

I’m so excited to find out what happens next; The Stardust Thief left me eager for the sequel! Abdullah is an extremely talented writer and I’m looking forward to reading more from her. Thank you to Chelsea Abdullah, Orbit, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Primal Animals is a slow-burn horror that will leave you thinking about it long after the last page. Arlee Gold is a legacy at her new summer camp. A summer camp where she will have to face bugs- a fear that sends her into a paralyzing panic. But after a tough year, Arlee is determined to conquer her anxieties and connect with the camp that meant so much to her mother. Her mother is infamous at the camp, yet no one will tell Arlee why. As the tension builds, Arlee begins to search the shadows and discover the haunting secrets of the camp. Arlee must confront her fear of insects, her anxiety, and the brutal truth about the girls of Camp Rockaway. What does it mean to really protect the girls?

I read this in close to one sitting, because I had to know what happens next! I loved how the beautiful cover made even more sense as the story went on. I enjoyed Rubin’s Trouble Girls and this book left me with a similar feeling- contemplative and disturbed. Rubin’s goal isn’t to leave her characters with a happy ending or a joyful ride off into the sunset. Instead, she takes the risk of unreliable narrators, morally gray choices, and deeply twisted secrets. She nails it and as the story unravels, it becomes impossible to look away.

You’ll never think of summer camp the same way again! Readers looking for a mesmerizing and eerie contemporary horror would enjoy Primal Animals. I would also recommend Primal Animals for fans of These Deadly Games and She’s Too Pretty to Burn. Thank you to Julia Lynn Rubin, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

First Time for Everything is the chaotic and joyful story of a man on the brink. Danny is not having a good time. This holds true for most of the book. From discovering his partner hasn’t been monogamous (as he assumed), a brush with illness, and desperately needing a new housing situation- Danny is about to implode. He may make it through, but only with the help of his best friend Jacob, their flatmates, and a new therapist. 

This is a book with a breakneck pace, not in terms of plot, but humor and dialogue. So much of it is blink and you’ll miss it! I do see the comparison to Bridget Jones, though this led me to believe there would be more of a focus on romance. And there is, but Danny primarily goes on a journey of self-acceptance towards himself and identifying as a gay man. I loved the wisdom laced through pages, about the work queer people must do to acknowledge their trauma and in many cases their privilege. 

First Time for Everything is a book that pulls no punches, yet successfully balances heavy content with lots of tongue-in-cheek humor. I would recommend this for readers who enjoy lots of witty banter, found family, and fabulous LGBTQ+ characters. And of course, Dolly Parton fans. Thank you to Henry Fry, Ballantine Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

4.5, The Ghosts of Rose Hill is a haunting and cinematic read. It had a bit of a slow start, but I felt fully invested once Ilana arrived in Prague and the city began to work its magic. Romero builds off well-known myths into an original tale all their own. The writing style beautifully captured the ominous sacredness of cemeteries. I loved that Romero used their experiences restoring Jewish cemeteries for this book; this added details which really shone through. I would recommend The Ghosts of Rose Hill for those who love myths with a twist, exploration of diaspora, and lyrical prose. 

Thank you to R.M. Romero, Peachtree Teen, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.