3.7 Stars

Hecate Goodwin aka Kate lives in a cozy cottage near the Ipswich forest in the same compound as her family house, Goodwin Manor. As a hedge witch, she prefers solitude and the company of her black cat, Merlin. 

Suddenly, Kate is bombarded by nightmares, strange messages, her older sister Miranda, and Matthew Cypher, a man who once tricked her. Kate has to host the annual Halloween gathering while dealing with what would occur on her birthday (the same date). Matthew’s arrival complicates things as he comes from a coven that practices forbidden magic. 

However, Matthew may be the only one to help her when the truth of her dead mother’s dark magic practices comes to the front. Turns out, Kate’s mother hid many secrets. Whom should Kate trust? What should she do? 

The story comes in Kate’s first-person POV. 

Isn’t that an adorably cozy cover? Despite the word dark in the title, the book doesn’t get too dark or dive deep into scary elements. It has a few scenes and some danger but the overall vibe is pretty much comfy. 

The setting is atmospheric, be it the forest, the cottage, the manor, or the little bits of village we get to see. I could feel the mist and the darkness of the shadows lurking around and waiting for the FMC. 

A lot of space is taken up by routine activities like cooking, eating, etc. This is another reason for the cozy vibe. The story progresses a little during these scenes but not all readers will enjoy it. 

Kate’s arc is decent (she has her flaws) but the others are pretty straightforward. Matthew gets some sort of grey shades but then we know he is the hero, so it’s only Kate and others doubting his intentions. I do wish at least the main side characters had a little more depth. 

This is a romance with some paranormal danger thrown in. While I did like the possibly enemies-to-lovers (at least for Kate) trope, the love happens too fast and some of it feels unbelievable. 

The blurb calls this a celebration of the Halloween season, which is an apt description. Shaman is a big day for the witches, and the preparations start early. There’s a lot of pumpkin as well (carving, latte, etc.). 

The pacing is steady. It may feel slower at times but I think the momentum sustains pretty well. 

An epilogue would have been nice too. It was needed as I had a few questions about some motives, etc. 

There are recipes at the end (yay) for the various dishes mentioned in the book. I like a couple of those and might try them one day. 

To summarize, A Dark and Secret Magic is a cozy witchy romance with a touch of darkness and danger. It is a good debut work (and no kitchen sink). I look forward to reading more books by the author. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Alcove Press, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #ADarkAndSecretMagic 

 3.3 Stars (almost an outliner) 

1987 

Augusta Stern had to finally retire from her job as a pharmacist. She moves to Florida upon her niece’s advice. However, not having a busy routine makes her restless. Add to it the reentry of Irving Rivkin, the delivery boy she knew in her teenage years, disturbs her peace of mind. 

As a young girl in the 1920s, Augusta was proud of her father’s pharmacy and wanted to follow in his footsteps. Her great-aunt Esther’s arrival brings many changes in their lives, including the biggest one that leaves Augusta with many regrets. 

Sixty years later, can Augusta find a way to move on with her life and spend the remaining time in peace? What happened back then? 

The story comes in Augusta’s third-person POV in both timelines, with Irving and other POVs at random. 

I’m more of an outliner for this. I wish I could have liked it more. 

Firstly, there is no magic realism here. There’s possibly an attempt made but it is just fancy descriptions and wishful thinking. Every healer woman is not a witch nor does she work with magic even if people think otherwise. 

This is mainly a second-chance romance for characters in their 80s. While it is great to read books with senior citizens where they lead active lives, seeing the MCs act childish doesn’t really feel heartwarming. I did empathize with the FMC’s resentment to an extent. 

The side characters like Esther and Shirley could have had more development. Esther especially could have been a lot more than what she ends up here. It would have also helped create a more definite setup for magic realism. And a special yay to Jackie. Love her! 

I do like the topics chosen – women in medicine, gender bias, parental death, medical advancements, bullying, mafia, etc. However, when I realized the core of the plot rests on miscommunication (or the lack of communication), I lost interest. It’s bad enough to read 30 and 40-year-old characters making a mess of relationships. These people are in their 80s and still cannot have a decent conversation until the end! 

Also, the 1987 (present timeline) feels like it is set in the 2000s. My guess is that the age was calculated from the 1920s to decide when the present timeline should be. However, the rest of it feels more contemporary (like after 2010) except for the lack of mobile phones and social media. 

The pacing dips in the middle. Though we see both timelines, there isn’t much movement in the present one. 

Also, we get the first chapter from Irving’s POV around 35% or so. By then, I was sure this would continue in Augusta’s. The sudden change pulled me out of the story. We also get a few scenes from the omnipresent third-person. The changes should have been introduced earlier. For example, having the first Irving’s chapter at 10-12% would have set the pattern for the rest of the book. 

The Jewish rep is well done without providing too much detail but making it stand out just the same. 

To summarize, The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is a cozy read about first love, second chances, missed opportunities, misunderstandings, and women in medicine. I wish I liked it more but it is not a bad book by any means. Guess I wasn’t in the mood for it. 

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

 3.5 Stars

Tilly Farriday (with her dog, Smoosh) has camped in one of the properties her company deals with. Being recently divorced, broke, and out of home doesn’t help with Christmas around the corner. 

George Holloway wants nothing to do with the house inherited from a dead uncle. He arrives at the house to see what needs to be done to sell it. Moreover, George needs time away from his successful girlfriend, Vanessa, who is ready for a grand engagement. 

Tilly becomes the hidden resident of the house as George plans to stay back for a few days. What kind of Christmas miracle can help them? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Tilly and George. 

I’ve wanted to read the author’s works for a while, so this short story seemed like a good start. The main characters have some depth, which makes it easy to empathize with them. 

The story is split into day-wise chapters, with some development occurring each day. 

Since everything takes place in less than 50 pages and the initial setup takes around 35% of the book, the ending feels rushed. 

It appears to be a standalone, but I won’t be surprised if there’s a series with the setting. If there isn’t, it's time to write one, author! 

There is not much to say except that the story does what it should do. No romance as such, though. Just some banter. Squeaky clean. 

To summarize, Holiday Hideaway is a short and cute story about two people becoming unexpected housemates, even if one of them doesn’t know of the other’s presence. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #HolidayHideaway 

 4 Stars

Sixteen unlikely people are gathered and called the heirs of the elusive and eccentric Samuel W. Westing. However, they have to play a game of clues, questions, suspicions and lies to win the challenge and inherit the millions. Sam Westing will make sure he has the last word. 

The story comes in the third-person POV. 

Well, how can I resist a book with a mystery? My copy (printed 25 years after the first) has an editor’s note talking about her connection with the author. In this, she said the author didn’t write for children in adults; rather she wrote for adults in children. 

I can see why. While this is still a middle-grade mystery with a thirteen-year-old Turtle as the main protagonist, the others are also important. Moreover, there’s no explanation of things. We are shown the characters and left to make inferences and connect the dots. All characters are flawed in one way or another but also have some good traits. 

It has many themes like discrimination, racism, prejudice, etc., These are woven into the plot without any lecturing or preaching. It’s up to the readers to decide what they want. The book was written in 1978 or earlier and doesn’t feel dated except for the lack of technology. 

The mystery as such is intricate and well-plotted. The editor said the author never planned it but created the clues and puzzles on the go. Imagine that! It’s not a common talent for sure. 

The pacing is slow which cannot be helped due to the various characters involved and the complexity of the mystery. However, it never feels boring. Something keeps happening, even if it is Turtle kicking yet another person for daring to touch her braid. 

The writing style is funny but not comical. It has dry humor and witty observations with a touch of sarcasm and shows the underlying insecurities and vulnerabilities of the characters. 

The ending will appeal to readers like me who love a nice epilogue or two with HEA (and a touch of bitter-sweetness). 

To summarize, The Westing Game is a slow-paced yet intriguing mystery and a worthy winner of the Newberry Medal. I think it’s a book one will appreciate more as an adult or upon a reread. 

 3.7 Stars

The Silvers and Andersons of Tinsel, a small town in Michigan, have an intense family feud going on for decades. No one really knows the reason for the continuing feud. However, the younger generation is tired of it. 

When Amanda panic-blurts about being engaged to Dane Silver, the duo decides to continue the charade. Why not use a fake engagement to end the feud forever? 

It sounds great until things start to feel a bit too real for comfort and they have to make some major decisions. 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Dane Silver and Amanda Anderson in alternate chapters. 

The premise makes it clear that there will be some toxic family drama for the main characters to deal with. Some of them are quite decent and actually make an effort while others are idiots. Of course, the intention is to show the toxicity of the situation, so we have to have annoying but necessary scenes. 

While the dual POV helps know what the main characters think, having both in the first person makes it confusing at times. The voices are not always distinct. Also, I’m not sure of this new trend of addressing the readers at random or breaking the fourth wall. I’m tired of it already. 

Though the whole story takes place in a week, it is not really insta love, for one character. We know in the first chapter itself that the MMC had a crush on the FMC. Until around 60%, it is a question of what he’ll do about it and the growing awareness between the two. 

The small-town setting plays an integral part of the plot. Turns out this town sees high temperatures in summer and is a Christmas tourist destination with the festival being celebrated around the year. 

The side characters don’t get much depth. A couple of them are sweet. Everyone does what is expected of them, so the plot keeps moving. 

There’s a mystery too, about the feud and its origins. The varied reasons stated for it are hilarious and crazy, though the actual one might be a little serious. Is there anyone who even knows what it is? Why aren’t they revealing it? 

There’s a sort of third-act breakup which is not a breakup but you get what I mean. They need that space to sort things out in the head. 

The ending is HEA with a bonus epilogue from Chili’s POV. Chili is Dane’s dog, a super lazy one! So, the doggy’s POV adds a quirky touch and brings more smiles. 

To summarize, The Fake Wedding Project is a lighthearted read about family, relationships, small towns, and love. While it does have a few unsavory moments, these are essential for character growth. 

This is my first book by the author but I can see why she is popular in this genre. The writing style is easy to read, and the main characters are well-developed. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheFakeWeddingProject 

 3.5 Stars

A loose retelling of the love story of Manik Raitong and Lieng Makaw acts as the central point to weave a multitude of tales about people, community, culture, and nature in the Khasi region. 

Set in the past, the book brings together various socio-cultural, interpersonal, and earthly elements woven with an array of emotions. 

The story comes in the third-person POV. 

Unfortunately, not many of us know a lot about the cultural history and lore of the Northeastern part of India. So, when I saw this was based on a real story from the region, I searched for the original (links at the end). The actual story is quite small, so the 400+ page count here resulted in many questions. 

The author’s note at the beginning establishes the expectations from the book. He mentions that the book is more of a presentation of the ancient Khasi world with people and nature at its center. This helped adjust my expectations. I realized it would read like a collection of interconnected stories that make sense only when together. 

The omnipresent third-person POV acts as the storyteller’s voice, providing information about the local customs, rituals, conditions, etc. For someone who knew almost nothing about the setting (those 3-4 episodes of food shows don’t count), this detailing provided a wealth of knowledge. There are a few triggers, but none of these events are detailed. 

There’s a liberal use of local terms and phrases, and translation provided alongside. This may or may not work for everyone. I like it since it brings authenticity to the English narrative. (It’s only in recent times I realized how hard it is to present regional stories in English. The feeling is just not the same without the presence of native words.) 

However, the dialogues are a bit jarring. They are a strange combination of modern-day terms, semi-translation, and a sort of ancient vibe. It took more than a while to get used to this blend. 

The beginning is slow as expected. There is a lot to know and new characters are introduced often. Moreover, the main lead is nothing more than a random character until the first 150+ pages (part one). We spend all our time reading about others. 

The setting, Hima Mokkhiew, is a village in Nongboh of Ri Bhoi. The geographical elements are described on the first page. However, a map would have done a better job. All those routes, hills, forest lands, and flat lands in different directions can get confusing without a visual representation. [The Khasi lands are spread over Meghalaya and a part of Assam as well as Bangladesh (the neighboring country).] 

We finally get to our MMC’s story, and it presents a range of social and political situations. However, right when the plot thickens, we end up with ~60 pages of stories about animals by animals. I didn’t mind the first two or three stories but then my interest level crashed to the lowest. These went on for too long and pulled me out of the mood. I’d have preferred for the tales to be spread across the book instead of being dumped together. That way, we would have also seen the MMC’s past in tiny flashbacks. 

At last, the core love story begins… but ends up in a few pages! While I appreciate the backstories provided for the characters and the foundation for their love, I wanted more. We see two or three scenes of the couple interacting before there’s a time jump and drama begins. The actual part of their ‘love’ is not even shown. If only the other stories were trimmed to make space for at least another 10 pages of their interactions! 

The ending brings the different threads together and provides the necessary conclusions for each track. A little more about Nem would have helped. 

To summarize, The Distaste of the Earth has much to teach about the ancient Khasi culture while exploring the basic human traits and the power of love. However, I cannot help but wish for a better focus on the true and tragic love story that inspired this book. 

Thank you, Blogchatter and Penguin, for a copy of the book. This review is powered by the Blogchatter Book Review Program and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 4 Stars

Kit and Libby are sisters living with their single mother. When eleven-year-old Libby goes to the white tower to make a wish at midnight on Winter Solstice, her older sister, Kat, follows behind. Kat sees Libby fall into the void and realizes that every trace of her sister has vanished from the earth. Their mother doesn’t even remember Libby’s existence. 

Things are changing around her, with strange and untimely events occurring at odd moments. The seasons are messed up, and the world is no longer the same. A frantic Kit meets Story, a young boy and the only one who knows Libby. Together, they travel through time to bring Libby back and save the world. Can they do it? 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Kit and in the present tense. 

Well, what do I say? I love it but also want more from it! 

The book is more suitable for young adults and adults due to the high emotional content and the open yet hopeful ending. Kids who like neatly tied-up HEAs will be disappointed. Heck, even I’m a little disappointed that we don’t get more details. Right now, it seems to be a standalone, so can’t say if there will be a sequel. I would love one for sure (though I know this is right the way it is). 

Most of the story is dark with bits of hope and courage. While it has many heartwarming moments, this is not a lighthearted read with chuckles and laughs. It’s an introspective book that demands readers to think and feel. 

Family (real and found), friendship, bonding, bullying, courage, choices, and love are some themes dealt with here. Nature is the biggest theme and the focal point, though it doesn’t feel that way until much later. 

I wish we had more backstory about Kit’s family. Though the story works based on what we have, extra detail can only enhance it. 

The writing is beautiful. I love the descriptions and imagery. The friendship between Kit and Story, their emotions, the interactions, self-doubt, support, etc., are relatable and wonderfully done. ( there’s a bit of romance but it never controls the plot)

With Kit being a bird lover, we get several names mentioned throughout the book. It’s a good thing I read this on my computer and could google how each bird looked. Such beauties! There are some descriptions but nothing compares with a visual image. 

My favorite is the focus on the pagan past and the role of the ancient indigenous people in protecting nature and being one with it. The book also deals a little with how the new religion(s) have built their structures by destroying the sacred sites of our pagan ancestors. So many temples in India have been desecrated and plundered to build mosques and churches over the centuries. After 500 years of fight, we could reclaim one land! 

Each chapter starts with an illustration (charcoal I think). It’s a rough presentation of what’s to come. These add a little something to the narrative. Would the book feel different without the illustrations? Maybe a bit less appealing if you ask me. 

Not all themes get a proper closure, especially the bullying track. This is my main concern and a reason for rating higher. It’s a serious topic for the target age group. No doubt many would relate to Kit’s feelings. However, the lack of resolution may not give them the required encouragement to handle the situation. 

To summarize, The Twelve is a heartwarming and bittersweet story about a teen girl trying to find her little sister while fighting her personal demons and her friendship with a fellow teenager – a young boy with an old soul! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Pushkin Press (Chidlren’s), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheTwelve 

 

 3.5 Stars

One Liner: Nice… has some loose ends (first in the series)

 When the Gilchrist sisters inherit an old house in Provence, it allows Ellie to focus on something other than her grief. The old stone house and its messy garden ignite a tiny spark she thought she had lost forever. 

When Ellie meets her neighbor, Julien, it is not a meet-cute moment but still sends out some sparks. However, both of them are dealing with a sad past and are wary about letting another person into their lives. Julien cannot risk his three-year-old son, Theo, facing another disappointment. 

But Provence has something else in store for them. After all, it’s a place to hope for a brighter future. 

The story comes in Ellie and Julien’s third-person POVs. 

The plot development stays true to the genre but manages to throw in a couple of twists. Of course, I didn’t take this hoping for an intricate plot. 

For me, the setting is the focus. The book scores well in this aspect. The beauty of Provence comes alive on the pages without distracting from the plot. Ellie’s artistic talent (painting), her gradual growth, and the beauty of the setting blend seamlessly. 

The dual POV, though we get fewer scenes from the MMC, makes it easy to see his thought process and feelings. I liked how much he loved his little son (even if the kiddo doesn’t get a lot of space due to valid reasons). 

Animal lovers will be delighted to find two donkeys and a cute doggy in this one. They have names too! 

If I had known earlier about the series part (it wasn't updated when I read the book), I’d have gone in prepared for the family track to stay in the background without resolution. Since I didn’t, I was annoyed to see the book end with many unanswered questions. At least now I know these are likely to be answered in the next two books (Ellie has two sisters – Laura and Fiona). 

Quite a few elements are convenient and happen easily but that’s expected of the genre, so I didn’t mind. However, the aspects about grief, loss, moving on, second chances, etc., are done well (check TW at the end). At the same time, the writing is not so heavy that it feels overwhelming again and again but does enough to make you feel something. 

To summarize, Falling for Provence is a steady-paced and touching story about loss, hope, and finding love (and inspiration) in a beautiful location. 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

 3.7 Stars

Twenty-five-year-old Anna is a romantic at heart and longs for a happy future. Circumstances forced her to become a cleaner to support her mother and eight-year-old sister, Emme. She had been cleaning Max Barone’s house for three years and had been in love with him for almost as long. 

Max Barone is a thirty-something successful jeweler, running the family business with precision. He wants things to be uncomplicated and simple. He has no idea about Anna. 

One day, Anna made a wish for him to love her and for them to be married. It sounds harmless until she realizes that her wish has come true. Now, Anna and Max have been happily married for years. But is it love? Is this what she wants? What should they do? 

The story comes in Anna’s first-person POV, with the prologue and epilogue in Max’s first-person POV. 

This is my first book by the author. I’ve wanted to read her works for a while but the 400+ page counts were daunting. Wished is just over 300 pages, the perfect size for this genre. 

With a premise like this, I was curious to see how it would play out. There are so many factors to consider! I’m pleased to inform you that the execution was fun. I won’t reveal the details as it will dampen the effect. 

The prologue by Max puts the reader right in the middle of the plot. Then, we go back to the beginning and listen to Anna tell us how she ‘fell in love at first sight’ with Max and the rest of it. 

Anna is really sweet. Yeah, she does sound a bit dreamy and naïve at times but it suits her personality. She’s someone who wants to be kind and do what she can to help others be happy. 

I haven’t read the previous books in the series, so this is my first time meeting Max. He does take a wee bit of time to warm up to, but then I can see his side. However, I did wish the shift in his affections was a little more spaced out (or the previous one toned down). While I understand the change in viewpoints, it still feels a bit odd. 

The settings are my favorite! I love the description of the house and of the various places in Paris. Even the cramped home where Anna lives gets such a visual description. As a fan of settings, I love it when I can picturize the places easily. 

And yeah, this is an insta-love thingy, so it may not work for everyone. While they did have each other in their lives for three plus years, there weren’t enough interactions for a connection. So, everything happens quickly as we get into the main plot. 

Still, the book manages to discuss themes like bullying, dysfunctional and toxic family, etc. I like the discussion about the change in how things have been perceived over time (Freud) and that there’s always a choice to be a better person. 

The spice is quite high (seems most of my September reads decided to hit level 4). The author likes to use a lot of adjectives for descriptions. While it reads well, some of it feels excessive, especially during intense scenes. 

Naturally, there is a third-act breakup. It was supposed to happen, so I was prepared for it. And yes, we get HEA with an epilogue. I do have a few teeny questions but that’s me nitpicking. 

To summarize, Wished is an entertaining romance with a touch of magic realism. It needs suspension of belief and is insta-love, so not a book for everyone. However, if you want something fluffy and spicy read, grab this one. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC, and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 3.7 Stars

Triplets Anne, Beatrix, and Violet Quigley convert their home into a Tearoom after the untimely death of their parents. Their mother, Clara, was a witch who gave up her position for love and married a human. The teashop is what the triplets consider her legacy and a cozy place for people to find answers to questions in the tea leaves. 

With the Council of Witches expecting the sisters to take up a responsibility (with dire consequences) and an old curse being activated, they find themselves being pulled in different directions. Can the sisters retain their bond while exploring their individual identities or will the curse and the Council break them apart? 

The story comes in the third-person POV. 

Ever since I saw the book on NetGalley, I kept hoping it would be Read Now at least for a day. I wasn’t sure if the publisher would approve my request and didn’t want to risk it. Luckily, the book did become available for a week or more. 

Not sure why I thought it would be a contemporary witchy read. It’s a historical one (set in early 1900s). However, there isn’t much about the period. The story could be set anywhere and would still work. 

The house is my favorite part of the book. Imagine a building that can clean itself, do the dishes, dust the cobwebs, and repair everything on its own. I want a house like that! The tearoom setting is beautiful and chaotic. 

The writing is a bit prosey and has a lyrical touch to it in many scenes. While this can slow down the pace, I like how the words flow. 

The sisters have different personalities making it very easy to track their arcs. Though they are triplets, Anne sounds older and more stressed out almost throughout the book. This aligns with the character development as she has somehow become the older and more responsible one after their mother’s death. 

The POV is a blend of limited third-person and omnipresent. This can be a little hard to follow. 

The book drags in the middle as the miscommunication trope stretches on. This could have been trimmed a little. That said, I understand why it had to go on. A rubber band needs to be stretched beyond its elasticity to snap. The same theory applies here. 

The concept of using flavors and scents to talk about memories, truth, lies, etc., is lovely. If only we had such lie detectors in real life too! 

Each chapter starts with a symbol and its interpretation. This aligns with the content in the chapter and provides some knowledge about tea reading (if you can remember or make note of it). 

The ending is hopeful and sweet. It establishes the need for growth and change while showing how these things don’t have to affect relationships and family bonds. 

To summarize, The Crescent Moon Tearoom is a worthy debut dealing with important themes. While there are a few niggles, I like the overall vibe and feel. Will be happy to read more books by the author. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheCrescentMoonTearoom