Little Ettie gets ready and lies in her bed, afraid of the dark. She tries to sleep only to see stardust entering the room. Curious, she explores the stardust and traces a bear by connecting the star dots. Viola! Magic! The bear comes alive to meet her. 

This is a lovely book with barely any text. Only two pages have text, that too, no more than 8 words in total. The rest of the story is told in a series of illustrations. Some pages have multiple images arranged in neat boxes. 

Kids can easily understand the context by looking at the illustrations. The expressions are clear and apt. Curiosity, delight, hesitation, fear, eagerness, anticipation, and many other emotions can be grasped just by looking at the pictures. The color scheme is beautiful in shades of greenish-blue, reddish-orange, and sparkling silver stardust. 

To summarize, Moon Bear is a perfect bedtime story for kiddos and will give them a happy sleep filled with dreams of magic and furry friends! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#MoonBear #NetGalley 

In Time is the story of a little girl who is impatient for time to fly at high speed and realizes the beauty of letting each second linger the way it does. From waiting for the clock to tick and tick, she understands the need for things to grow and develop in their own time and space. 

This is a short and super cute book that teaches kids to savor each moment and find comfort in idleness and stillness. The book starts with the contrast between her mom’s busy life and her dragging life at school. However, as the day progresses, she sinks into a lucid dream where nature shows the truth of things. 

I love the idea and the execution (though little ones should not walk into forests without adult supervision). Each page has only a few words of text, making it easy for kids to read. It is prose-poetry, which works for the theme and creates a nice sing-song rhythm to set the mood. 

The illustrations are so, so beautiful! They are whimsical, colorful, and messy but also soothing and appealing. I think the illustrations are a blend of crayons and pencil colors. The textures are amazing! The girl and her mommy have two cute dogs as well. Another plus! 

To summarize, In Time is a beautiful book showing the need to slow down and value each moment instead of rushing through life. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book 

#InTime #NetGalley 

Lady Georgiana’s wild side has often gotten her into trouble. But she doesn’t realize just how bad things could be until she is invited to a clandestine masquerade party. When a mysterious stranger offers help, she accepts it. 

A few weeks later, Georgiana and her aunt attend a house party at a Yorkshire castle. The gathering is a way to find a bride for Duke Gabriel, the notorious rake. Georgiana is happy to be a regular guest with no intention of vying for his attention. However, the Duke turns out to be none other than the mysterious stranger. Now, what will these two do? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Georgiana (more) and Gabriel. 

My Thoughts: 

Firstly, why is this not marked as a series? Turns out, The Runaway Heiress is the first book of the series. This is the second. What the Lady Wants will be the third. While it works as a standalone, I couldn’t see the need for some details until I realized it was a part of a series. Then, it made sense. 

The premise is interesting. The book starts great. However, the narrative is weighed down by some fluff and continues to be slow throughout. Lighthearted reads aren’t supposed to be this slow! 

Georgiana is a contradiction. Some elements make her appealing. But she can also get on your nerves. Gabriel is relatively better, though I wouldn’t have minded a bit more depth. 

Note that the book is very much a light read. I liked this aspect. The bits and pieces of humor elevate the story, especially when Georgiana rambles on. 

I also like that the characters communicate even if they talk in circles. There is still some presumption, but no unwanted drama. They can sit and talk, which is a plus. It’s okay if what they say doesn’t always make sense to the other person. The important aspect is that they are willing to share it. 

There’s no third-act breakup, another plus. Of course, there is some drama and attempts to cause a rift between the couple, but it is handled the way it should be. I like that it serves as a basis for another plot development. 

There’s an unwanted chapter towards the end, which could have been shortened to a couple of paragraphs. Once the reader the end, they don’t want more fluff. They just need a nice rounded ending with an epilogue. We have an epilogue, but I could have done without the gossip and rumor chapter. 

The book is promoted as a steamy romance, and it is. I’d put it around 3.5ish steam. Think of Lisa Kleypas or Stephanie Laurens (though Laurens would be min 4). Never mind that the author calls Georgette Heyer her inspiration. 

To summarize, A Duke of One’s Own is an enjoyable read with a stronger second half. It would have been a 4-star with some of the clunks toned down. Still, I cannot deny that I was entertained by the book and am willing to more from the author. 

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

 3.7 stars

Archibald Fielding-Burton, the Earl of Harcourt, calls himself lucky for having two best friends who would do anything for him. Simon and Effie are his dearest friends and partners in crime. The trio plans an all-men trip every year and calls it the Earl’s Trip to unwind from the pressures of daily life. 

That year was no different until Archie got a letter from Sir Albert Morgan, an old family friend, begging for help. His daughter Olive has eloped with someone. His other daughter, Clementine, has rushed to rescue Olive. Now, Archie has to rescue them both and bring them back safely. 

Archie and Clem go back a long way. They were always good friends, but Archie finds the grown-up even more alluring. When Clem shares a proposal, Archie knows he would accept it. But where will this lead? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Archie and Clementine. 

As the premise suggests, this is a fun book that deals with some serious topics. However, the overall tone is lighthearted and entertaining. 

The beginning is slow but in no way boring. We get enough laughs as the characters are introduced and established. At the same time, we get a glimpse of the deeper emotions these characters feel. 

Dementia/ early memory loss, found family, sibling relationships (between sisters), loss of a parent, dysfunctional families, etc., are some themes explored in the book. Not all of them are prominent, though. A few more tropes are modernish, but it has almost become a norm, so I won’t complain. 

Archie is surprisingly easy to like. He is lively, friendly, mischievous, understanding, supportive, and fun. Yet, he has his pain, uncertainties, vulnerabilities, and doubts. Clem is nice, though not as much as Archie. He is a gem. 

While it is good to have Regency FMC as a vegetarian, even if it doesn’t seem realistic for the period, Clem comes across as a bit too judgmental about others. (I’m a vegetarian, too, but I don’t go around wrinkling my nose at meat eaters). Moreover, she doesn’t seem to make the same effort to understand Archie the way he tries to get to know her thoughts and takes them seriously. 

The relationship takes time to progress. This gives space for enough scenes and conversation between them. Things don’t feel rushed, despite what the blurb states. 

The side characters are developed enough to go beyond what’s initially defined for them. There’s more than what meets’s eye applies here. Olive’s arc is very good. I did like her more than the FMC sometimes. 

The repetition slows down the pacing, which could have been trimmed a little. The chapter length also contributes to the slowness due to the extended length (I like short chapters). 

The book has some steam, though I don’t know why it changed toward the end and skipped over the scene (which was important). Didn’t make sense to me, but maybe they had a page limit to work with (?). 

To summarize, Earl’s Trip is an entertaining book with a loveable male lead and worthy side characters. It works well as a standalone. The last chapter could be considered a lead for the next book, which I would love to read. 

Thank you, Edelweiss+ and Kensington Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 3.5 stars (rounding up coz I want the ARC for the sequel when it’s available) 

E. sends a letter to renowned scholar Henerey Clel after she spies an intriguing aquatic animal outside her window. Soon, they correspond regularly and fall in love. However, life in the underwater world has its risks. When the duo uncovered a mystery, they didn’t know it could destroy E.’s home. E. and Henerey vanish, presumed dead. 

A year later, E.’s sister Sophy begins to archive her articles. She contacts Henerey’s brother Vyerin, and they begin to go through the letters and notes to discover more about their siblings and the mystery.   

What happened and why? How does the truth change their lives? 

The story comes in the form of letters, news reports, and other snippets shared by different characters. 

Firstly, a huge thanks to Sarah Grace for her early review. It helped me go into the book with the right expectations (ultra-slow pacing, almost non-existent plot, and a cliffhanger). I’m sure I enjoyed the book more because I knew what it was going to be. 

The beginning is intriguing but soon dissolves into a lengthy character-building exercise. While the idea of showing character development only through letters and journal entries is a great idea, it cannot come at the cost of the plot. 

I continued to read and read and read and finally, after 70%, saw a ray of hope. Maybe if the letters were shuffled to provide two tracks – one to get to know the characters and another to follow the mystery, we might feel better involved in the book. 

The underwater setting is ambitious. It takes time to understand the whole thing, so wing it until you get a hang of it. There are enough details to picture the setting, so it shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Moreover, the technology and stuff used can be compared to what we have, making it even easier to create parallels. 

There’s no denying E.’s arc. It is indeed beautifully done. Sophy and others are well done, too, but E. shines just as she should. Henerey is equally adorable. My only grouse is that the plot and pacing needed to be sacrificed for this. 

The letters are formal, with many post scripts, dashes, and parentheses. Do I mind it? Nope! That’s how they are supposed to write. It aligns with their professions and backstories. However, I wish the voices were a little more distinct. Giving them each a quirky trait might have helped. On a side note, I have no idea how this would work on audio. 

The last section is truly where things start to come together. But it shouldn’t have been left until that point. Strengthening the threads from the midpoint would have worked even better. 

Also, sorry, but E. Cidnosin sounds a bit too close to e coli (at least to my brain). It’s a me thing, but I had to mention it. Her full name, though! Poor girl. I understand why she preferred E. 

To summarize, A Letter to the Luminous Deep is a character-driven book that sets the stage for the next book while providing snippets of information. Whatever is revealed is my kinda stuff, so I would love to read the next book and see where it goes. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Little Brown Group (Orbit), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #ALettertotheLuminousDeep 

 3.7 Stars

One Liner: Heartwarming
 

Abi is worried when her twelve-year-old daughter Chloe wants to go on a summer holiday to an Italian island with Abi’s ex, Alex, and his fiancée Marisa. Cherry, Abi’s friend, persuades her to go on a holiday to the same place, Procida. What does this trio have in store for Abi? 

Loretta was a teenage swimming sensation until she left Capri with a broken heart and vowed never to return. Now, in her sixties, she is the proud owner of Hotel Paradiso (where Abi is a guest) but finds no peace with the nightmares from the past. Can she find a way to heal and get some peace? 

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Abi and Loretta, with a couple of sections from Flavia and Chloe’s POVs. 

I grabbed this book mainly for the setting and am happy with the results. The Italian island, Procida, comes alive on the pages; be it the alleys, the artwork, the summer sun (eek!), the food, or the sparkling waters surrounding it. With the characters exploring the place, it is easy to join them on a virtual tour and visualize the elements while reading about the local history. 

The characters are decently done. Chloe is pretty much a tween; a kid but not a kid. Kind of mercurial like most kids of that age. Abi’s growth is well done, though I wouldn’t have minded a little more. Loretta shines throughout! I really enjoyed the scenes with her and how she manages the hotel. 

Bill and Alex are a bit 2D. What you see is what you get. That’s okay since they do their job to keep the story going. Bill has a better arc and more space, which is a good thing. And oh, I have to mention Cherry. Everyone needs a friend like her! 

The stories run in parallel, and a couple of minor threads open midway. One of those could have been handled better. It was summed up in a line later. 

The main tracks give us both stories. We see how Abi and Loretta have to do something different than what they are used to and heal from the past to move on and find happiness. There are quite a few secrets, too. 

The book has (squeaky) clean romance, which is more of a natural progression of the plot rather than the primary focus. The priorities continue to be clear from start to finish, making it easy to enjoy the story. 

Things do get worse before they get better, so in a way, we have the third-act breakup and disturbance on multiple levels. They get resolved one by one and it comes together in the final chapter. 

There’s a short epilogue to tie up everything into a neat bow. I like epilogues and wouldn’t mind if it was longer and a bit more detailed. 

To summarize, Invitation to Italy is a heartwarming and steady-paced read with a wonderful setting. It’ll make a good beach read you can finish in a couple of sittings. 

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

 3.5 stars (4 stars as a standalone; 3 stars based on the tags in the blurb) 

Aya has always been fascinated by the stars. But she doesn’t expect to get struck by one! However, she discovers that the star somehow gave her magical powers, and Aya needs to use these to defeat the evil Abnus. Can Aya learn to control her magic and fight Abnus? 

The story comes in Aya’s third-person POV. 

I think it helped that I went into the book without rereading the blurb. I forgot it was supposed to be some sort of retelling and read it as a standalone piece. 

The book starts slowly but picks up pace after the first quarter. The relationship dynamics between Aya and her mother and Aya and her friend are very good. We can see Aya’s situation and empathize with her. We (adults) can also see her mother’s point. 

Silver, the horse, is a sweetheart. He has a lovely role in the book. 

The setting, Alferra, could be any small town. There are Islamic elements, but not so much that the readers will be confused. In fact, the story has a global appeal rather than belonging to a specific region. I liked this aspect (since that’s how I write). 

But the blurb called it a retelling of a Bengali folklore and promoted it as some South Asian myth-based piece. Except for the ‘bhootni', which you can call a scary ghost, there really isn’t anything South Asian (or whatever it means). The skin tone alone wouldn’t be enough, IMO. 

I also don’t know which folktale has been retold (I tried to find it but couldn’t). So, I can’t say which elements of the original were used and how different the book is from the inspired source. 

My brain kept changing Abnus to Anubis. I wondered what Abnus meant and googled to find that it is a Persian name meaning ebony. This shouldn’t be an issue for other readers (but if you are like me, knowing the name’s meaning will help. Think of it as ebony). 

The book has elements of danger and action in the last section. It can be a bit scary for little kids, but it is not a dark read. Aya is ten, so kids of her age are likely to feel the way she does. I wouldn’t call it a gothic read, either. 

A couple of reveals are easy enough to guess. The kids will enjoy it, though. I wish we had a few scenes of Aya learning to control and utilize her magic. That would have made the climax even better. Still, we have a HEA and a sweet ending, so all ends well. 

The illustrations are cute and in black and white. They tend to mess up the formatting on Kindle. I went through the PDF on the computer and liked it much better for the illustrations. 

To summarize, Aya and the Star Chaser works better as a standalone than a retelling or a region-based book. Let it have a more universal appeal while retaining the Islamic elements of the characters. 

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

#NetGalley #AyaAndTheStarChaser 

 3.5 stars

Charlotte knew she was different. She was happy in her father’s stationery store and had no dreams of marriage or motherhood. When Flora Dalton walked into the shop one day, Charlotte couldn’t help but be mesmerized by her. 

However, women had many restrictions and social norms defining their lives. When a devastating event led to Charlotte’s grief, she was shifted to the Kew Lunatic Asylum for her own safety. Soon, Charlotte realized that the many women in this place were not lunatics but were declared to be for whatever reasons. 

Charlotte is determined to get away from the place and create a future she wants. Can she do it? Will they let her? 

The story comes in Charlotte’s third-person POV. 

The book is 416 pages long and has a super slow start. The lengthy chapters and the writing style further weigh down the pace. The overall pacing is uneven, making it seem like a much longer read. 

The scenes at the asylum are definitely better handled. There’s detail, but not so much that it feels like misery porn. There are many characters, but the women manage to retain their individuality. The blend of hope, fear, trauma, healing, etc., works well. Even when nothing seems to happen, we know there’s some change in the characters. 

While I liked a few (later) scenes between Flora and Charlotte, some of them were way too dramatic. Combined with the historical setting and the writing style, I couldn’t help but compare it with the black-and-white periodic dramas with OTT dialogues and actions. It doesn’t help that Flora feels surreal in many instances. 

There’s also quite a lot of repetition about Charlotte being plain and different and Flora being beautiful. I get it. I don’t need so many reminders! 

The last section is pretty solid and has the most action. Charlotte and Flora also grow up a little, which makes their interactions more relatable. And oh, the romance is slow burn and fade-to-black. 

The ending is positive and hopeful. Not a perfect HEA (which would have been odd), but the kind of conclusion to call it a bittersweet and heartwarming read. 

To summarize, House of Longing has some worthy themes and touches upon important topics. However, it could have been around 30 pages shorter and crisper to be more impactful. 

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

#NetGalley #HouseOfLonging 

This is like an abridged version of P&P, but with a few tweaks. 

The major difference is how Lizzy and Darcy communicate well and act rational. This eliminates the need for high drama and a third-act breakup. A relief if you ask me. ;) 

Of course, we still have Mr. Collins and Mr. Wickham to try and make things hard for the dear couple. 

Mrs. Bennet is the same, though we get to see her in full action only once. The focus is more on getting Darcy and Lizzy together for as many scenes as possible. 

Now, I’m not sure why we needed the steamy up there with the title. It does have a bit of steam, but not to the point where it should be highlighted. 2 max on the scale of 5. 

To summarize, Tolerable is quite tolerable and enjoyable (better than I hoped, IMO). It’s a super light time-pass read. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Decadent Darcy Press, and Victoria Editing Co-op, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

 3.2 Stars

The Spriggan Travelling Theatre Company arrived in Seal Bay and is all set to perform the Cornish version of King Arthur. Morwenna and the townsfolk are excited. 

The stage is set, and the play is in progress when the actor and director, Daniel Kitto, falls dead for real. Turns out that Daniel has many enemies, and his death could benefit many actors from the theatre company. 

Though the police have closed the case, calling it a natural death, Morwenna is determined to find the truth. Soon, her investigation takes her on dangerous paths. Can the sexagenarian librarian and amateur sleuth expose the killer without getting killed? 

The story comes in Morwenna’s third-person POV. 

The book starts a few months after the end of the previous one. It should work as a standalone, though there are a few references to that case. Nothing that connects with this mystery, though. 

There are many characters to track (villagers and the actors), so it might be better to read book #1 first (not that I remember all of them, but I could get into the flow without difficulty). 

The pacing is slow, which I expected. However, there is some sort of plot development to keep the story going. We also have Morwenna’s personal track to follow, so the story doesn’t drag. 

The mystery is well done and keeps the reader guessing. There are a couple of red herrings and twists, though everything falls into place by the end. 

I enjoyed the family dynamics in the first book. This had similar elements, though I didn’t find it as endearing as before. It could be due to some decisions Morwenna takes, which seem odd. Don’t want to reveal any spoilers, but the general vibe I get from her is of someone who is bored despite her active lifestyle and wants to latch on to this mystery. She seemed a bit too possessive about the case (this is MY case vibes). 

PC Jane doesn’t get much space, which is another issue for me. I like her stability and determination. The police have almost no role until the end. While this is not uncommon in the genre, there are enough instances for the police to be involved, and Morwenna can still solve the case. 

I love how the FMC is a 60+ woman who bikes her way through the hills and Seal Bay roads. However, I don’t particularly like her indecisiveness. Yeah, it is necessary for the subplot. Yet, I can’t help but say that if she allotted 10% of her sleuthing time to truly explore her feelings, things would be a lot better. This is a personal preference. I’m not a fan of indecisive characters. 

Elowen is a treat to read. She is 6+ in this book and knows her mind (learn from her!). The kid wants a dog, a Labrador, and will take every opportunity to ask for one. Such an adorable sweetheart! 

 Lamorna, Tamsin, and the side characters are well done. Some are not rounded, but that’s fine. They do the job. We still have the ghost subplot as strong as ever. I will read book three if it deals with the ghost. I hope it does since we have a lead here. 

To summarize, Bloodshed on the Boards is a nice mystery with interesting characters and a great setting. The story has its merits, though I have the same feeling as I did with book one. 

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

#NetGalley #BloodshedOnTheBoards