I really enjoyed the lively banter and quick wit of the main character, Ropa, as she navigates the ‘ghostly world’ of Edinburgh. The reason for the three stars is that I felt the story tended to drag a bit and even when there was a sense of urgency it was flat.

A re-telling of Puss in Boots. Check. Fantasy with shape-shifters and beings with magical powers. Check. A wee bit of romance that tried to be spicy. Sort of a check.

I enjoyed the book enough that I finished it in a day, but it left me a bit underwhelmed. I am not sure who the target audience for this book would be. The writing style leads me to believe it was aimed at YA originally, but then someone decided it needed some spice. Just a bit, but enough to fling it off the YA shelves and into adult. (Unless of course I’m not up on my YA reading, which I’m not.)

In the end, I think the story just got too convoluted trying to be too many things. Too many liars. No redeeming qualities in any of the characters. Too many repetitive sayings. I only need Celine said once with a ‘snake accent’. (Foreshadowing, perhaps? There are more books planned for the series.) If a theme with the characters is ‘I am the master of my own power’ then a few need to grow a spine. Frustrating.

All in all, not for me….

Thank you to NetGalley, One More Chapter, and HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️ I really thought this book would have been right up my alley with European History and magic. Marie Antoinette usually always gets high marks, but this book left we wanting a bit more of something.

The intrigue was there along with the magic in the most famous of European courts, but it felt a bit blah. A retelling of history with curious bits of magic added in.

I did enjoy the fact that the author chose to have the characters give up memories and feelings for the magic to work. And that the losses have a deeper impact on not just the main characters but the weaving of the story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book will be a stunning addition to your embroidery book collection. Every page is beautifully photographed and features monthly projects. I think there is a project in there for just about everyone, although true embroidery beginners might find the tasks a bit daunting.

In the back, there are quite a few reference photos, from stitches to knots, but you will still need some level above starter to be able to accomplish the stitches. .

All in all very inspiring and I will be thinking about making some of the patterns even after I close the book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Shambhala Publications, and Roost Books for the eArc in exchange for my review.

What a beautiful gardening book Allison Kostovick has created. I will admit at the beginning of my reading I felt like the writing sounded more like posts from a blog, but the more time I spent with the book I felt the writing was spot on.

Allison gives you a lot of pertinent information, but doesn’t overload you with things that you really do not need to know to get started gardening. The gardening tips, recipes, and craft ideas are easy to understand and I found myself writing quite a few of them down.

I should also mention the beautiful photography that went along with the seasons throughout the book. Just gorgeous.

All in all a very enjoyable read and it would definitely be a nice gift to give to a fellow gardener, herbalist, or nature lover.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.