Millennial Book Review

The Book Witch

The Book Witch is a 2022 cozy fantasy romance novella by Melanie Karsak. It was released in December 2022 by Love Potion Books. The novella is part of The Chancellor Fairy Tales series, though each entry can be read as a standalone.

A bookish witch struggling to tame her magic. A single father fighting to keep his business afloat. They say opposites attract, but there have never been two more opposite people than Stone Schneider and me. Stone, the brawny owner of the Chancellor Brewery and Biergarten, is my definition of nemesis. His noisy pub is a constant source of irritation. Where my bookshop brings beauty and stories to the world, Stone brings a Friday-night cover band. Even though Stone has the most adorable, bookish child on the planet, that handsome tapster and I cannot find a way to get along. If Stone could stop being annoying for five seconds, I might ask him out. But when Stone breaks yet another business agreement between us—just in time for the holiday season—all bets are off. Despite my coven’s warnings, it seems like just a little book magic would do the trick to bend things my way. But in Chancellor, magic has a mind of its own, and Lady Winter will have her way this Christmas season.

Given that this book is a novella, the plot isn’t overly complex. Paige owns a bookstore, Stone owns a brewery. The main conflict of the story centers around Paige and Stone arguing over an event Stone’s brewery is hosting, while fighting their attraction to one another. The plot is straightforward and unfolds in a way that isn’t hard to predict. It’s very reminiscent of holidays movies you might see on TV, which is exactly what I was looking for. A secondary plot centers around Paige struggling to control and properly use her magic, following a break-up. This story allowed for some surprises and funny moments, as well as giving the author the opportunity to be creative with the magic. My own nitpick with the plot would be the epilogue, which takes place an hour or so after the main story wrapped up. It felt disjointed for that section to be separate, and not simply the end of the previous chapter. All in all, the novella had a wholesome, cute story that felt comforting.

I enjoyed the characters in this book. Paige was determined, she was compassionate and seemed intent on doing the right thing, but not allowing herself to be walked all over. At the same time, she had some insecurities that held her back. Stone was a sweet guy, wanting to keep his business afloat and his son happy. He’s the source of the main conflict, though he’s conflicted about it, and even as he’s doing, or attempting to do, the selfish thing in the situation, he feels it’s his only choice. The pair had chemistry, though the story wasn’t quite long enough to fully develop it. Each character, on their own, mentions how attractive the other is, and the dynamic builds from there. I didn’t have an issue with how it developed, but I was hoping for a bit more foundation before the two started dancing around one another.

I thought the writing in this book was fine. The prose flowed easily and I quickly became immersed in the story. I haven’t read the other books in this series, so I can confidently say that this book is able to fully stand on its own, and is an enjoyable read independent of the other books.

The Book Witch was a cozy, witchy novella with a good mix of both romance and magic. It had a cute story and characters that were easy to connect with and root for. It was a nice change of pace, compared to the last few books I read which were more action-centric. It’s a great read for the holiday season, since it has a very relaxed plot and atmosphere, as well as some Hallmark Channel-esque rom-com elements.

Rating: 4 Stars

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November Wrap-Up

November is almost over, meaning there’s just over a month left in 2024. I read some, but not as much as I’d hoped to. Still, I have another month to complete some of my goals for the year. Without further ado, let’s go over what I read this month.

Please note, any book with an asterisk next to its name contains an affiliate link. If you click the link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

Posts I Wrote in November

Indie Releases You May Have Missed – A short list of book releases by independent authors from January of 2024 to mid-November of this year

December Indie Author Releases – A compiled list of December releases by independent authors that you may not be aware of

In-Depth Reviews I Wrote

The Call of Chaos* by C.M. Aragon – 3 Stars

The Hollow Places* by T. Kingfisher – 4.5 Stars

Motherly Stones by Merlina Garance – 4 Stars

Immortal* by Lauretta Hignett – 3.75 Stars

Books I Read, But Only Reviewed on Goodreads

The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman – 4 Stars (Goodreads review)

And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer* by Fredrik Backman – 5 Stars (Goodreads review)

Unshaken by Pauline Creeden – 1 Star (Goodreads review)

Genres Read

Fantasy: 3

Science Fiction: 2

Contemporary Fiction: 2

Figures
Number of DNFs: 0

Total Books Read: 7

Pages Read: 1,441 (Please note: for audiobooks, I used the page count for the eBook version of the book)

Average Rating: 3.61 Stars

What did you read in November? Any recommendations? Did you read any of these books?

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Immortal

Immortal is a 2022 urban fantasy novel by Lauretta Hignett. It was independently published by the author and was released in March of 2022. The novel is the first entry in the Imogen Gray series.

Immortality sucks. Just ask Imogen Gray – over two-hundred thousand years old and teetering on the edge of total insanity. All throughout history, she’s been hunted by an ancient creature who finds her and rips her to pieces every time she dares to access her deepest powers. But Imogen always regenerates. Slowly. Painfully. She’s on a mission to find answers. She’s almost found them. Unfortunately for her, there’s a delinquent psychic kid, a dangerously hot Vampire King, and a power-crazed blood witch hell-bent on bringing about the apocalypse standing in her way.

I loved the characters in this book. Imogen is hundreds of thousands of years old, so old that she doesn’t know her exact age for certain, and she’s tired. I appreciate reading about an ancient character who has seen it all, is tired and quite jaded. She was a bit of a misanthrope, she was unwilling to interact with people unless she had to, but it was clear to see where her desire to distance herself came from, and it wasn’t due to a genuine hatred of people. She was also funny, sarcastic and felt no need to filter herself. She was intriguing and easy to connect with. Leroy, the psychic kid who becomes attached to Imogen, was more nuanced than I expected a child character to be. He was naive in ways that made sense for his age and situation, but was also very mature in other ways, given his history. The other side characters were interesting as well, though only one or two of them stood out to me after I finished the book.

The plot of this novel was engaging and fun to follow. As the blurb above says, Imogen is searching for answers about herself, but becomes sidetracked due to a blood witch plotting to end the world. The “save the world” plot isn’t the only thing happening, but it’s the driving force behind the story and creates the main conflict of the story. That narrative is incredibly intriguing, as Imogen and her allies need to both identify who the blood witch is and figure out how to stop them, in a short span of time. For the most part, I enjoyed how this plot line unfolded, as there were plenty of suspects to investigate and twists and turns. The reveal of the blood witch’s identity was a great moment itself, though I was able to predict it ahead of time. It was still impactful, but I wish a little more had been done to make the moment truly surprising, and I admit, this could just be a “me problem”. Along with the main plot, the story also sees Imogen starting to make true connections for the first time in a long time, and that was a compelling side plot to follow. Given her character’s history, her hesitance to make friends or care about people is understandable, but seeing her soften to the idea felt rewarding. The ending of the novel was satisfying, and left plenty of things to explore in the rest of the series.

Overall, I enjoyed the writing in this novel. The prose was easy to digest and I was able to quickly become immersed in the story. There were points where the dialogue felt a little clunky, or conversations seemed repetitive, but those instances didn’t distract from my overall enjoyment. The novel is light on world-building, partially due to the story taking place in “our world” with a hidden supernatural world, and partially to leave room for expansion in later books. The world-building provided does its job, the exposition provided fits the story well, but might leave readers who really like lore and backstory a bit disappointed.

Immortal was an enjoyable read. It had a compelling plot, though some twists and turns felt a bit predictable. The main character was intriguing and complex, but some of the side characters weren’t as developed or likable. The writing itself was immersive, though it was clunky in places. The book overall was pretty good, but I’m not sure if I’ll continue reading the series.

Rating: 3.75 Stars

Purchase Link: Bookshop.org

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December Indie Author Releases

One of my goals this year was to celebrate and support independent authors more. While I still enjoy books by authors signed to large publishers, I think everyone knows that indie authors can easily get lost in the flood.

I posted on social media, asking indie authors if they had any upcoming releases they wanted to promote and got a lot of responses. Below is a list of upcoming indie releases for December

Please show these authors some support, if the blurbs seem interesting or intriguing to you.

Hadrian by Harlowe Savage

Genre: Romance

Release Date: December 1st

Blurb: Until Hadrian met Antinous, not a day went by that he didn’t feel the sting of loneliness that had plagued him for most of his life. Even surrounded by people, Emperor Hadrian spent his days keeping everyone at arms length. However, one day, when someone wholly unexpected stumbled into his life, suddenly the walls he’d spent years building up began coming down. Something about Antinous forced him to let down his guard and think about what he truly wanted, finally allowing him to have the romance of a lifetime.

A love that transcends all boundaries.

Links: Amazon

Addictive Contact by Ash Remington

Genre: Science Fiction

Release Date: December 2nd

Blurb: The first step is admitting you have an intergalactic problem

It’s 2036, and the heroes of the War Of Isolation find themselves splintered. Against Ranbir’s wishes, Malik and Alexis set out across the galaxy on a three-hundred-year journey to the Praxi-birthing planet Vocury hoping for a peaceful second attempt at first contact. The diplomatic mission quickly devolves into chaos as the explorers discover life on Vocury, but it’s not who they’re expecting.

Two years after their friends have left them behind, Maya tempts Ranbir with one final mysterious mission of their own. With little to go on, Ranbir is forced to navigate through dangerous hijinks and hijacks as Maya leads him across the cosmos while keeping the details of their deployment to herself. Maya is hiding something, and it’s a secret big enough to undo everything they’ve fought for.

Violence, addiction, war, and mystery await both pairings even as they’re separated by space and time. The future of mankind again rests in the hands of a group of misfits, and without each other to lean on, they’ve never been more ill-equipped to deal with what’s coming.

Links: Amazon

My Emerald Fire by Elm Jed

Genre: Romance

Release Date: December 2nd

Blurb: Secrets build as Leo and Autumn make a decision that will change the course of their lives—eloping in secret.

Autumn swears she’ll never regret her choices with Leo, but every night he doesn’t come to bed doubt creeps in. Attempting to remain hopeful in a world the strives to destroy it, she concentrates on the Italian Lily and the employees within, who give her grace and patience. The holidays are coming and the only one who seems to be missing is the man who holds her heart in his tender grasp.

Nothing prepared Autumn for the whiplash facing her ghosts, alongside the current shadows that creep upon her and Leo. The further they grow apart; the less of control Leo appears to have.
He’s slipping. And a trail of blood seems to follow him wherever he goes.

Autumn will do anything to protect the man she loves, whether from family or those who threaten to take her life. Even if it means she must play the final card hidden up her sleeve.

There’s a reason Sarah Marie was successful.
There’s a reason why Autumn buried her.

Will the ghost of Sarah Marie be the key to freedom? Or why Leo falls to his knees?

Links: Amazon

A Series of Rooms by A.J. Barlowe

Genre: Romance

Release Date: December 3rd

Blurb: On the night of his twenty-first birthday, a domino effect of unfortunate events leads Liam Cassidy to a chance encounter with a stranger. What he thinks will be nothing more than a moment of shared refuge in a bar bathroom takes a turn when Liam finds that same stranger waiting in his hotel room that night.

Jonah Prince is just trying to survive another night, same as he has done since his life derailed at seventeen. When his services are requested as a surprise for someone’s birthday, the last person he expects to see is the man from the bar who showed him kindness.

It doesn’t take long in a room together to see the cracks in Jonah’s facade. He’s afraid of someone, even if he can’t say it out loud. Hungry, guarded, and jumping at shadows, it’s clear he is in desperate need of a break, and Liam is in a unique position to grant him one—even if it’s just for a night.

Drawn together by their mutual need for escape, the two of them fall into an arrangement of weekly meetings inside the cheapest hotel rooms Chicago has to offer. The encounters are not sexual in nature, but an unexpected intimacy blossoms between them over time. For Jonah, it’s one night a week of guaranteed safety. For Liam, it’s the first real friendship he has ever known.

But soon, the circumstances that exist outside their private series of rooms begin closing in around them, reminding them that they can’t live in a bubble forever.

Links: Goodreads

Looks Real Good Now by Sophie Thomas

Genre: Romance

Release Date: December 3rd

Blurb: Some yeses are easier to give than others…

Alana Fitzpatrick should be spending Christmas in Aspen, but she ruined her own plans when her (ex) boyfriend got down on one knee to propose…and she didn’t say yes.

She is dreading going home to Westchester, New York for the holidays. Facing her parents and the small-town gossip amid her not-so-impending nuptials does not sound like a merry time. That is, until an old childhood friend, and the first boy she ever loved, runs into her at the airport.

Liam Mulligan is also dreading the holidays. When an old shoulder injury reared its ugly head, he called time on his professional ice hockey career. Then his girlfriend of five years broke up with him. He is tired of telling everyone he is okay and having no one believe him, even though it’s the truth. Mostly.

When he bumps into Alana at the airport, he sees an opportunity.

The proposition is simple. Alana and Liam tell their parents that they recently reconnected and started dating. Everyone will be so distracted, that there will be no mention of failed proposals and early retirements.

What isn’t simple is keeping the old feelings they both ran away from as teenagers at bay. Will Liam be able to hold onto the most important person in his life? Will Alana finally stop running and let herself fall for the one that got away?

Or will they both learn that some things are only for a season?

Links: Amazon

Brewing Up Christmas by Emily Campbell

Genre: Romance

Release Date: December 4th

Blurb: Eli, Bayshore’s charming bartender and notorious ladies’ man, has always shrugged off the holiday spirit. But when a mysterious woman strolls into his brewery, everything changes. What starts as a whirlwind night of passion quickly transforms into something far more magical when Eli finds himself at the center of a Christmas mission he never asked for.

Angelina isn’t just passing through—she’s Santa’s Chief Spirit Officer, tasked with restoring the town’s dwindling Christmas cheer. And now, she’s enlisted Eli to help her. With pointed ears and a magical Christmas spirit meter tracking his every move, Eli must decorate, spread joy, and reluctantly embrace the season if he ever wants to return to his old self.

As they deck the halls of Bayshore, sparks fly between Eli and Angelina, blending holiday cheer with undeniable attraction. But with each magical encounter, Eli finds himself questioning whether getting back to normal is really what he wants—or if Angelina has given him something far better than any gift under the tree.

Links: Amazon

Where the Heart Is by Jenni Simonis

Genre: Romance

Release Date: December 5th

Blurb: A desperate woman. An inheritance. A secret love.

Diane

When Diane Gates returns home after ten years, the last thing she expects is to be blindsided by the news that in order to receive her great-aunt’s inheritance, she must get married…in ten days time.

After locking away her heart so many years ago in an act of self-preservation, Diane must find a way to meet her family’s demands. Even if it means marrying her childhood best friend.

Devlin

After years of trying to rebuild his life, Devlin Connor finds himself at a crossroads when his former best friend shows up after ten years. With the stipulation Diane must wed to claim her inheritance, Devlin offers to help the only way he can…by marrying his former best friend. After all, platonic marriages happen all the time.

But as wedding bells ring, Devlin starts to realize there may be more than just bonds of friendship between him and Diane…

Can they put their past behind them? Or will the love they’ve fought against for so long finally come to light?

Links: Author Website

Lethal Infatuation by Isabella Amaryllis

Genre: Dark Romance

Release Date: December 11th

Blurb: What should’ve been just one night of surrendering to my desires turned into an endless stream of obsession. A deadly obsession. A sickening, mind-numbing obsession. She coursed through my veins, spreading rapidly like venom. She was my very own poison.

She was my savior and my downfall.

She was everything that I’ve ever dreamed of, everything I’ve ever wanted. Her taste lingered on my tongue, her scent haunted me every day, and her siren eyes were imprinted into my memory forever.

She shouldn’t have left me, she shouldn’t have created this insatiable craving that couldn’t be relinquished.

Despite her attempt at trying to run from me, there wasn’t a corner of this Earth that she could hide in because I’d always find her. Wherever she went, I’d be right behind her. Chasing her. Hunting her. Yearning for her.

Becoming infatuated with the seductress wasn’t on my agenda. I didn’t plan on being sucked into her world but here I was, on my knees for a woman who pushed me away every chance she got.

I burned for her and I’d burn the world for her. She controlled my heart, mind, body, and soul.

And the worst part was, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Links: Amazon / Goodreads

The Daughter of the Veil by Brittany Johnston

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Release Date: December 12th

Blurb: A Power

In a land divided between Fae and humans, an ancient wickedness threatens to plunge the world into chaos. Only Erissa Nierling—one blessed with the powers of the Creator and able to see the souls of those fated to pass into the Veil—will tip the balance of magic in strange and terrifying ways. But magic is outlawed in the city of Emberhold, and Erissa knows nothing of her birthright after a lifetime of being locked behind the spelled gates of her father’s keep. All she wants is her freedom, not this cursed magic. When she finally escapes the keep and runs into the blacksmith, Rhazien, he helps her flee the city of Emberhold, triggering a prophecy that reignites a long-dead war between the gods.

A Secret

Now hunted by Fae and humans alike, Erissa and Rhazien must avoid those seeking to claim her magic. But the world is much larger than Erissa thought. A disembodied soul keeps appearing with warnings, and Rhazien is hiding something, testing the bond of their relationship and the friendships she has found.

A Choice

As an ancient wickedness threatens to plunge the world into chaos, the Keeper of the Veil will stop at nothing to claim her magic. With Rhazien’s life on the line, dark truths force Erissa to make a damning choice, for what comes next will redefine realms even if it costs her very soul and the freedom she has always desired.

Links: Goodreads / Amazon

Saints and Silk by Haley J. Sharp

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date: December 21st

Blurb: Can the Kincades control their magic long enough to unravel the secrets that have been hidden from them their entire lives?

The first twins born to witches in centuries, Ignatius and Taffeta Kincade are each in danger simply because the other exists. Their magic is stronger and stranger than any child before, and their People begin to fear, not revere, the unparalleled power simmering in their veins.

Now twenty-two, with only a year before their control is tested by the Witches Order, Iggy and Taffy bring in a mortal swordsman, Seren, to bolster new skills. When the High Mage takes a special interest in their progress, Iggy’s once-reliable power erodes and the tension between Taffy and Seren swells.

The twins and their Familiars are forced to put differences and romances aside to delicately manage the machinations of the most powerful witch in their world or risk losing their magic.

After a lifetime on the outskirts, will Ignatius and Taffeta prove they aren’t a threat to their People’s secret existence? Or will they fully embrace that they are?

Links: Amazon / Instagram / Author Website

Warm-Blooded by J. Greene

Genre: Science Fiction

Release Date: December 21st

Blurb: Could you abandon your past, your family, even your own name for the chance to be a hero? Millions attempt to do just that by applying to East Technical Institute’s hero program, trying to earn the right to use the powers they were born with. After all, only licensed heroes can use their powers freely; if they are not accepted into the program, those caught using their abilities— even to save themselves— are branded villains.

Kirin has, in his opinion, only barely managed to grab one of these spots. He’s determined to make the most of the opportunity, doing his best to focus on the rigorous program itself. But, more and more, he’s drawn to his most standoffish classmate, a man who knows more about the secretive school than he should.

When disaster strikes midway through his first school year, Kirin and his classmates are thrown into the conflict of hero versus villain, as well as human versus superhuman. Battling prejudice and his own past, Kirin must decide what being a hero is worth and what he’s willing to sacrifice to become one. After all, in a world that treats most people with powers as monsters, it’s not easy to see the line between victim and villain.

Links: Goodreads

A Love That Doesn’t Hurt by Bhawana Chilwal

Genre: Romance

Release Date: December 25th

Blurb: “She once believed in fairy tales, where love conquers all. But her story was different—her prince turned out to be the villain of her dreams.”
He’s the man who shattered her heart, but little did she know, he was breaking his own in the process. For her, he’ll sacrifice everything, even if it means letting her go… until the day he takes her back.
Desperate to unravel the truth behind Viraj’s disappearance, she follows this stranger into a world she didn’t belong to. But the deeper she delves, the closer she is drawn back into Viraj’s orbit.
Will they find their way back to each other? Will she have the strength to confront his past, or will it pull her under?
Some loves are meant to break you before they heal you. Avipriya must decide if hers is one of them. Discover the heart-pounding romance that tests the limits of trust, love, and sacrifice.

Links: Amazon

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Motherly Stones

Motherly Stones is a 2024 paranormal fantasy novella by Merlina Garance. It was independently published by the author in October 2024.

Rish and Toni have been friends almost all their lives – despite Rish’s life long crush on her. When one day, Toni shows up excited to have been appointed to appraise the abandoned castle on Paicrich Island, off the coast by which Rish lives, he has a bad feeling and offers to go with her. Little did they expect the castle to have a life of its own…

Given how short this book is, the author made excellent use of the pages they had to build a compelling mystery. The eerie setting of Paicrich Island, along with the mystery of what secrets the castle may hold do a lot to drive the story, and create a slightly unsettling atmosphere. At its core, this novella is a romance with paranormal elements that become more prevalent later in the story. The romance is well-executed and I felt the author did a great job highlighting how romance and asexuality can overlap, as the asexual identity is often omitted or overlooked in romance. When the paranormal elements become more focused, they didn’t distract or reduce the significance of the romance either, but enhanced them. The novella has a straightforward plot overall, but there were still surprises and some shocking moments.

I enjoyed the characters in this novella immensely. Rish was the more pragmatic of the two, and the more cautious one, but he was willing to put himself at risk to help Toni and went to some extreme lengths to keep her safe by the end of the book. Toni was fearless, yet she rarely felt like a reckless person. Both felt grounded as characters, and developed, despite the novella not being able to dive heavily into either character much. The dynamic between the two characters was compelling and their banter was entertaining to read.

The writing in this book was pretty good. The author set the tone, and developed the atmosphere of the story perfectly. Their writing was immersive and really helped me envision the creepy, abandoned castle that serves as a setting for the story. It took me some time to get used to their writing style, but once I was accustomed to it, I found the novella to be a quick, enjoyable read.

Motherly Stones was a fun, yet spooky read. The characters were intriguing and balanced each other out incredibly well. The story was eerie and atmospheric where it needed to be, and the narrative was compelling all the way through. The novella had mystery, paranormal elements, and more than a few surprises. Reading it made me wish that Halloween hadn’t already come and gone.

Rating: 4 Stars

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Indie Releases You May Have Missed

We’re about midway through November at time of writing, and I wanted to highlight some books by independent authors that you may have missed over the course of the year (and one that releases soon).

Etched in Stone by Sarah Alserhaid

Genre: Magical Realism

Release Date: June 18th

Blurb: Imagine if who you thought you were wasn’t your true identity. That is what Jade and her sister Amber discover soon after inheriting their multimillion-dollar company from their late parents. Gathering clues to understand the strange coincidences and answer the questions left unanswered for years, they come across the truth and learn that everything is two-fold.

With knowledge comes consequences. The Parker sisters must navigate this new information while keeping their parents’ legacy alive and each other safe.

Etched in Stone is a harrowing and magic-rich novel that takes you on an incredible journey of self-discovery and teaches the power of heritage, choices, owning one’s gifts, and the ultimate lesson of forgiveness.

Links: Amazon

Letters to Olive by E.L. Wall

Genre: Romance

Release Date: July 7th

Blurb: One letter can change everything.

That’s exactly what it does for Olive Fournier.

After losing her parents in a car accident at the age of thirteen, Olive is raised by her grandparents, living on their farm and working at the family bakery.

By the time she’s nineteen, Olive feels like she can finally get her life on track, that is until she meets Mitch Murphy. Her muscled and brooding neighbor who always seems displeased with her presence.

As if feeling like an unwelcome guest every time she runs into him wasn’t enough, her grandfather suffers a heart attack.

Olive is left to search in an old trunk for the family Will, when she comes across an envelope of letters addressed to her… from the woman claiming to be her mother.

Feeling like her life is spiraling out of control once again, she turns to the one person she least expected to, Mitch.

As their relationship grows, Olive lets her guard down, allowing Mitch to see sides of her no one else ever has. The only thing she asks in return… that he never lie to her.

Seems like a fair trade until Mitch does the one thing he promised he never would.

Can Olive forgive Mitch and move on?

Will she find the answers she so desperately seeks and learn the truth of where she comes from?

One thing is definite, one letter can change everything.

Links: Amazon / Instagram

Somewhere Along the Line by Mallory Thomas

Genre: Romance

Release Date: October 22nd

Blurb: Their marriage of convenience was supposed to exist on paper. Can these strangers act convincingly in love when the pressure’s on?

Piper Paulson’s life is finally on the upswing. She has a new job, a BFF roommate, and a commitment to avoid dating after an ex cost her her peace—and her former career. She may not have two nickels to spare, but that’s another day’s problem.

James Newhouse doesn’t have time or energy to deal with… well, anything. A hotshot banker with a complicated family, he’s determined to keep people at arm’s length. His attraction to Piper isn’t part of the plan, and neither is adding her to a Family Fares commuter pass as his “wife” to save her money on train fare.

Too bad their judgment is speeding away faster than their shared train.

Thrown together by chance (and a handful of Elvis impersonators), James and Piper find themselves witnesses to an incident on their commute—“married” witnesses, who may be asked to testify if the crime goes to trial.

Can they keep up the charade to avoid being outed for their lie? And perhaps more importantly, can they protect their hearts in the process?

Exploring the journey to build a future when the path you planned no longer exists, SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE is a heartfelt strangers to lovers spicy romance with a guaranteed happily ever after.

Links: Goodreads

Five Stages of Love by Aridam S. Dojie

Genre: Poetry

Release Date: October 22nd

Blurb: FIVE STAGES OF LOVE marks a delectably powerful poetic debut by author and artist Aridam S. Dojie, blurring the line between poetry and picture book with its highly emotive visual narrative.

Each illustrated, black-and-white spread whispers a solemn secret as art weaves through words and rhymes caress ink, holding heartbreak prisoner while you witness a woman fall in love with her worst enemy, her nemesis — herself.

Grab a copy and dive into this deeply personal collection of equal parts poetry and art. You’re warmly invited — adult you and little you, together — to the FIVE STAGES OF LOVE.

————————————

Sitting with her grief, intellectualizing it, even as she forced herself to feel the pesky little thing through its five dreaded stages of denial, anger, bargain, depression, and finally, acceptance, brought the author face to face with another, far more formidable emotion that required processing in its own right: love

Surely, it must have its own logical stages too. Because how else do you even begin to process love through an intense, generations-old war, where it’s always you against you — your nemesis number one? And also because what is love but the other side of grief? Especially the love that blooms after it. The love that originally belonged to the despised child in a now adult body, abandoned for far too long for her to even be acquainted with the emotion anymore.

And so, this story begins at the end: a five-stage, slow burn, enemies-to-lovers saga in verse. You think you’ve hit rock bottom. But it gets darker, and it gets worse, before it gets better. But it does get better. Only, we need to process some stubborn sh*t first.

Links: Author’s Website / Goodreads / Storygraph

Two Weeks by Amy Storm

Genre: Dark Romance

Release Date: October 29th

Blurb: I’m not your typical hitman. I extort. I kidnap. I torture. But this new job has my heart in my throat while I question my life’s work. She’s beautiful. Beyond any beauty I’ve ever laid eyes on. But I’ve been paid to do a job. And this is the first job I’ve ever questioned. Is it worth it? Will she be safe where I’m told to take her? I know the answer is no. But why do I care so much?

I am to have her in my possession for two weeks before transporting her to the ones who hired me. This is nothing new. I’ve done this before. But this time… this time, it feels different.

She captivates me. I offer her protection. Without expecting it, she grabs hold of my heart, and at some point, I grab hold of hers. Then, when I finally have her, she’s out cold from the sedative I pumped into her neck. She doesn’t know that I took her. But when she wakes, she will know I deceived her.

Links: Amazon / Goodreads

Hearts Entwined by Scarlett Archer

Genre: Romance

Release Date: October 29th

Blurb: Hold onto the memories, they will hold on to you— unless you break free and leave it all in ruins.

Fiercely independent Myra Godfrey has always had her guard up and never entertained the idea of love after a disastrous past affair. But little did she know, seeing Noah Ledger for the first time will ignite the fire she hadn’t felt in a long time. Noah’s love knows no limits, just like he knows nothing about Myra’s past.

Their journey from hopeful beginnings to unexpected events showcases their spirit to keep their hearts entwined. But unbeknownst to them, the ghost of Myra’s past is coming to haunt them forever, threatening to shatter all their dreams, which they’ve seen together.

To know what faith has to offer Myra and Noah, delve into this heartfelt love story, woven with Taylor Swift references that will surround you throughout the book.

Links: Amazon

Fear Of The Unknown by Mary Kay Cunningham

Genre: Poetry

Release Date: October 30th

Blurb: Fear Of The Unknown is a poetry and mantra collection with bonus quotes… this book is all about fighting against the anxious thoughts and or fear of not knowing what could happen next. Sometimes these thoughts can make you feel as if you have lack of control when truth is a lot of the times that is just not the case. In these times you have to remind yourself that you are strong enough to get to the other side no matter what that looks like.

Links: Amazon

Starved by Naomi Kelly

Genre: Fantasy

Release Date: October 31st

Blurb: For years, local villagers have blamed the Dark Forest for their hardships. But Méabh knows the true enemy lies across the sea in Ravensland – the neighbouring island which has colonized their homeland, Carraig an Chroí, for centuries. When blight sweeps over the isle crops are decimated, and a devastating famine ensues.
Yet the Ravenish still demand their tithes from the starving.

Unable to pay the rent, Méabh’s cottage is burnt down. Having lost her family, her home and perhaps her sanity, she has nothing left to lose. On the brink of death, she stumbles into the Dark Forest, willing to give anything to survive – even her life.
There, she strikes a deal with the shadow-dwelling demon which will change her life quite literally forever.

Links: Amazon

Unbound by Midnight by Amanda Austen

Genre: Romantasy / Fairytale retelling

Release Date: November 12th

Blurb: Ella’s life has been a never-ending cycle of chores and torment since her fathers’ passing, leaving her under the strict thumb of her wicked stepmother. Her days are spent cleaning and seeing to the whims of her spoiled sisters. Until one day, a royal invitation gives Ella a spark of hope. She doesn’t care about dancing at balls, she just wants one night of freedom.

Enter Ella’s beautiful and mischievous fairy godmother, Seraphina, who sweeps in with a wink and a promise of pleasure. Ella finds herself spellbound—not just by fairy magic, but by the intoxicating magic of being seen for who she truly is. But as the midnight hour approaches, Ella must make a choice. Will she claim her own happily ever after, or will the shadows of her past drag her back into the depths of servitude?

Escape into this steamy, sapphic twist on the beloved fairy tale Cinderella, where magic, pleasure, and self-discovery collide.

Links: Amazon / Author’s Website

The Christmas Pic by Rena Sapon-White & Ella Schaefer

Genre: Romance

Release Date: November 15th

Blurb: Ava Garcia-Greene, a Fortune 5 CEO, has it all-power, prestige, and a swanky office in Silicon Beach. But beneath her icy exterior lies a heart yearning for something money can’t buy.

Jo Fisher, a GLAAD-card-carrying, carabiner-clipping, out-and-proud lesbian, is barely keeping her late father’s photo truck afloat in the queer haven of Harmony Springs, Michigan, where her love life is more Silent Night than Joy to the World.

When Ava’s Al Christmas card generator incites controversy, Jo’s heated call into a radio show leads Ava’s board to an ultimatum: save Jo’s business by Christmas or lose her corporate crown.

As they team up, Ava unexpectedly falls for Jo’s disarming sincerity, while Jo is cautiously intrigued by the pull she feels toward the supposedly straight Ava. With their careers on the line and Christmas around the corner, can their spark ignite a holiday miracle?

Links: Amazon

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The Hollow Places

The Hollow Places is a 2020 fantasy horror novel by T. Kingfisher. The novel was published by Simon & Schuster and was released in October 2020.

Pray they are hungry. Kara finds these words in the mysterious bunker that she’s discovered behind a hole in the wall of her uncle’s house. Freshly divorced and living back at home, Kara now becomes obsessed with these cryptic words and starts exploring the peculiar bunker—only to discover that it holds portals to countless alternate realities. But these places are haunted by creatures that seem to hear thoughts…and the more you fear them, the stronger they become.

While I described this book as “fantasy horror”, the book is primarily horror, with the fantasy elements taking a backseat. The fantasy is essential to the story and world-building, but the overall plot is horror-centric. As such, and because a lot of the power of the story is about the unknown and fear of the unknown, discussing the story overall is difficult. The plot of this novel gripped me right away. The story focuses on Kara’s experience exploring a mysterious bunker, and the alternate realities accessible through it, while trying to find her way home and recover from what she experiences. This description seems straightforward, but the story itself is far from being that simple. As the plot unfolds, Kara knows she may be in danger, but she doesn’t fully know what the danger is, which increases the tension, bit by bit, until the climax. This slow build-up leads into an exciting, dynamic and tense confrontation with the forces trying to get to her. The resolution was satisfying and cathartic in some many ways.

I enjoyed the characters in this novel. The book has a very small cast, with only a handful of characters appearing on the page, so there are only two main characters: Kara and Simon. Kara was an interesting character to follow, in that it took some time for me to connect with her character. It took some time for her personality to come through, at least to me. She was curious, she had strengths and hang-ups, she made mistakes, and sometimes did things that she knew weren’t smart. There was a clear determination within her to stop the threat she was facing. She felt like a real person, although one with a more muted personality. Simon was a more vibrant character, since his personality was evident from his first appearance. He’s a serious character, but he didn’t take everything seriously, and cracked jokes at times. The two characters played off one another very well as the story progressed and the stakes were raised.

I’ve enjoyed some of Kingfisher’s other novels, so I started this book expecting to enjoy the writing, and I did. Her writing draws you into the story right away, with vivid descriptions and immersive passages. She was a unique way of weaving horrific and fantastical elements together in a way that one compliments the other, and doesn’t offset its effects. The horror doesn’t rely on twists or jump-scares, but rather the uncomfortable feeling that comes with dealing with the unknown and being forced to confront it. There are quite a few unsettling scenes that are written and paced so well that I was scared of what came next, but was too invested to put the book down. The story does drag in a few places and there were some passages, during the climax, that were a bit confusing, but overall, it was a wonderfully scary story.

The Hollow Places was an enjoyably spooky read. The plot was engaging and gripped me from the very beginning. It had a compelling and enjoyable conclusion that left me wanting more. The writing blended together the horror and paranormal elements together perfectly, while also being incredibly immersive. The characters were nuanced and played off one another very well, though it took me some time to connect with them. All in all, it was a great horror story with some fantasy thrown in.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

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The Call of Chaos

The Call of Chaos is a 2024 fantasy novel by C.M. Aragon. It’s the first novel in The Lost Pantheon series. It was independently published by the author in October 2024.

A curious librarian. The mysterious Duke she works for. With a broody winged companion and a book that could change the world. Rue Umberwick is a curious woman with a seemingly insatiable thirst for knowledge. When she lands her dream job as a personal librarian for the handsome yet aloof Duke of Penrith, she doesn’t think her life can get much better. But the Duke’s private library and gallery are more than she expected. A collector of mostly ill gotten and supposedly cursed objects, the Duke has entrusted Rue to keep his secrets.
There is said to be a book containing incantations and rituals to bring upon the cataclysm that could destroy the world hidden among his collection. With the begrudging help of her disgruntled new winged ally Corvus, Rue finds herself tasked with finding the book and destroying it before it slides into the wrong hands. However, her unending well of curiosity pulls her into a world of chaos, upending her entire life as she once knew it. Can she complete her task before the darkness catches up to her? Or will she hold the responsibility of a cruel fate in her hands?

I’m torn when talking about the plot of this novel because the blurb doesn’t quite fit the contents of the story. By that, I mean that the order of events don’t follow what the blurb promises. Corvus enters the story later than I expected, and quite a few important plot beats happen before then, with Rue handling them on her own. I enjoyed the overall plot of this novel. The story itself has a really good mystery at its heart, regarding both the location of the book in question, and the motivations of those seeking it. The story also lags in parts, such as the time between Rue meeting Corvus and the climax. There was also a lack of tension going into the climax/final confrontation. The consequence of Rue and her allies failing was clear, but it didn’t feel like a genuine threat. The climax itself was exciting and engaging but it was missing the tension it needed to feel fully satisfying. The story had a few twists and turns, some of which were executed well, and some that weren’t. The few that didn’t quite land floundered because they didn’t have enough build-up. For example, one revelation relates to a character’s true allegiances, but this twist involved a character who had only been mentioned in passing up to that point. The book ends in a way that makes a sequel not only possible, but necessary. I found it to be a little frustrating, but I can understand the logic behind it.

The characters in this novel were fine, in my opinion. Rue was a relatable character, too curious for her own good, and that made her easy to connect with. As the story progressed, she grew to understand herself and her wants more. This put her at odds with both the person she used to be and the behavior that was “expected” of her. Her inner turmoil added to her complexity and made her an easy character to root for. Corvus was a bit harder to like. He was broody and mysterious, but that’s all he seemed to be for the most part. His past gave him some depth, but having a compelling backstory isn’t the same thing as being a compelling character. I liked aspects of his character, but on the whole, he didn’t seem very unique. Ryker, the duke Rue works for, was a character who’s motivations were clear from the first page, and I appreciated that. The author wasn’t trying to hide his true nature from the reader, even if Rue couldn’t see the truth. I appreciated the way he was written because he was easy to read, and there was no need for melodrama where he was concerned. He was manipulative and selfish, and it made him easy to dislike and fun to hate.

The writing in this novel was uniquely atmospheric. The author built a very unique world that was easy to become immersed in and it felt real. The prose was easy to digest and the world felt fully realized for the most part. There were some clunky bits of exposition and world-building, but those moments didn’t take me out of the world entirely. Elements of the world-building, particularly related to the old gods and their fate, were confusing but not overly complex. The story does rely quite a bit on the setting, which reminded me of Victorian England, to help flesh out the world, but allowed for its own quirks and traits.

The Call of Chaos was a book I had fun reading, but doesn’t stand out very strongly to me now that I’ve finished it. The plot, mainly the mystery at the center of the story, was compelling, but it did drag in places. Elements of the climax and a few plot twists didn’t quite work for me. I enjoyed the main character, Rue, and her growth as a character but other characters didn’t have the same degree of complexity or development. The writing was very atmospheric and it was easy to get drawn into the story. I probably won’t read the next book in the series, when it’s released, but I did enjoy this book for the most part.

Rating: 3 Stars

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October Wrap-Up

October is now over. I didn’t read as much as I was hoping to. Then again, I spent most of the month working on personal projects, unrelated to reading, and those took up quite a bit of time. Without further ado, let’s go over what I did in October.

Please note, any book with an asterisk next to its name contains an affiliate link. If you click the link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

Posts I Wrote in October

Quarterly DNFs – A breakdown of which books I DNF’d in the last three months (July – September) along with a brief explanation of why.

October Indie Releases to Check Out – A short list of book releases by independent authors that you may not have been aware of.

November Indie Author Releases Part 1 & November Indie Author Releases Part 2 – A list of upcoming releases by independent authors, specifically those being published in November

In-Depth Reviews I Wrote

The Stars Want Blood by Morgan Lawson – 4 Stars

Death Shall Bow* by Gemma Ashborne – 3.75 Stars

New Witch on the Block by Louisa West – 2 Stars

The Book of Witching* by C.J. Cooke – 4 Stars

Slewfoot* by Brom – 4.5 Stars

Books I Read, But Only Reviewed on Goodreads

The Last Scarecrow by Neil J Hart – 4 Stars (Goodreads review)

Genres Read

Fantasy: 5

Horror: 1

Figures
Number of DNFs: 0

Total Books Read: 6

Pages Read: 1,955 (Please note: for audiobooks, I used the page count for the eBook version of the book)

Average Rating: 4.45 Stars

What did you read in October? Any recommendations? Did you read any of these books?

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Slewfoot

Slewfoot is a 2021 fantasy horror novel by Brom. It was published by Tor and released in September 2021.

Connecticut, 1666. An ancient spirit awakens in a dark wood. The wildfolk call him Father, slayer, protector. The colonists call him Slewfoot, demon, devil. To Abitha, a recently widowed outcast, alone and vulnerable in her pious village, he is the only one she can turn to for help. Together, they ignite a battle between pagan and Puritan – one that threatens to destroy the entire village, leaving nothing but ashes and bloodshed in their wake.

It’s difficult to talk about the plot of this book without spoiling the best parts of the story. The plot is incredibly engaging, both in terms of the twists and turns the story takes, and in the way it it told. It was reminiscent of older folktales, and had the same dark and creepy atmosphere of older, original fairytales. The story centers around Abitha as she begins to ally herself with an ancient spirit, one she names Samson, and how that puts her at odds with people in her Puritan village, but the story is so much more than that basic description I’ve just given. The narrative built tension very well, and kept me guessing as I read. The climax of the story was compelling and kept me invested until the very last page. The story had a dark, but satisfying conclusion and felt cathartic in a way I didn’t expect, but was pleased to feel.

I loved the characters in this book. Abitha felt powerless and unsure of what to do at times, but she was determined not to give up, even when things seemed dark. Her goal was to survive, on her own terms, no matter the cost, but was aware that her actions could, and would, impact others. She was headstrong and stubborn, in a society that didn’t accept that kind of behavior from women, and refused to be cowed. Her character arc was compelling and intriguing. Samson was a very well-written character as well. The author really encapsulated how confused and unsure he was about himself, his history and his purpose. It was confusing at first, but soon became one of the best elements of the story. He was conflicted about his role in the world and what path he was meant to take, and I find conflicted characters to be some of the best characters. Even the antagonists of the novel are well-written. They had nuance and it was clear that, with only two minor exceptions, each of them firmly believed they were doing the right thing. The main antagonist wasn’t evil or cruel for the sake of it; his goals and beliefs were just in conflict with Abitha’s. His actions don’t excuse anything, but it made his villainy more believable and the story as a whole more realistic.

The writing in this book was great. Brom crafted an immersive story that had a great depiction of both the strictness of a Puritan village, and the strange magic of the wilderness surrounding the village. The descriptions were vivid and I found myself getting lost in the story from the first few pages. Dark and gory moments weren’t overly described, but were vivid enough to have weight within the story. It was an incredibly atmospheric story. The tension within the story built slowly, but it was never forgotten or allowed to be ignored. The writing style took some time to get used to, some of the first few sections from Samson’s perspective were a bit confusing, but it was an engaging story overall.

Slewfoot was a book I expected to enjoy, but not as strongly as I did. It told a compelling, dark tale with an engaging plot and an explosive, satisfying conclusion. It had nuanced and complex characters, who I didn’t always like but were easy to understand and connect with, even the antagonistic ones. The writing was deep and immersive, though it took some time to get used to the writing style. It was a wonderful read overall, and a perfect book to pick up right before Halloween.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

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