Edgewood A Novel by Kristen Ciccarelli Narrated by Caitlin Kelly

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I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher and a digital copy of the audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Ok first up this is billed as a YA which is sometimes used interchangeably with New Adult but I would specify that this is a New Adult book. When I think of YA I think of something like The Hunger Games, Twilight etc. A book that is more plot heavy, light on the romance and doesn’t include any real romantic interactions that involve much of anything below the waist. A book that can be considered PG or PG13 on the romance end. This is not that kind of book so I would categorize it as new adult which is more or less 18-early 20s and do engage in grown up displays of affection. It is more plot heavy and somewhat light on the romance but the romance is eventually of the 18 variety. 

Now to the plot, the feel of this fantasy is familiar and yet all new with the small town legends of what mysteries exist in the woods just out of sight. It was more suspenseful than I had anticipated and kept me on the edge of my seat trying to puzzle out how this would all work out. While I never spoil and won’t now this is the kind of book where I felt like I needed to debrief with someone afterwards. It’s been a few days and I’m still not sure how I feel about some of the resolutions and discoveries. However it was quite the ride regardless. There is a deep philosophical level at play considering the nature is connections, relationships and what we owe to one another. 

I was fortunate enough to read the book and listen to the audiobook. The narrator was exceptional. 

Trigger warnings abandonment, Alzheimer’s, hateful gossip, toxic work relationship.

5/5

Not the Witch You Wed by April Asher Narrated by Zura Johnson

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I received a digital audiobook arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This narrator was seriously earning her paycheck. There was so much distinction between the characters and such a wide variety of characters, different ages, genders, supernatural origins. Just amazing work. Excellent audiobook quality.

This is a contemporary second chance romance/enemies to lovers witchy but with a wider super natural world rom com. It was funny, sexy, insightful and touching. Our heroine is the oldest of a set of triplet sisters and she also has some amazing friends and an awesome boss witch gram.

She reconnects with an old flame who did her wrong at an event and they are thrown together frequently from there on. For me second chance romances are not generally my fave trope. They are incredibly frustrating to me unless the miscommunication/misunderstanding that took place in the past has a solid iron clad reason for not getting resolved. And this one does so I very much appreciated that. 

The world building here was fascinating and I look forward to seeing more of this world in additional books. There are witches, shifters, demons and angels. Open door romance. Trigger warnings - generational trauma/heavy family expectations, people who think they can get away with stuff because they have money. 4/5

The Rake Gets Ravished by Sophie Jordan

I received a digital arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Oh My. This book. Seriously. The passion between the leads is palpable. I loved Mercy. She is my kind of lady, she does what she has to do, she is hard working, loves her family, cares for her home, land and employees, has a side hustle orangery - therefore smells intoxicatingly of oranges. 

And when her irritating brother describes the lead as being “without mercy.” I see what you did there Ms Jordan. Yeah he is. He needs some Mercy in his life.

He is a big, hot, sexy, independent, I don’t need anyone, alpha England times businessman/casino owner but underneath that shell he is a big old cinnamon roll who loved and lost his momma and therefore has a special soft spot and respect for the ladies. 

This is a delicious and heartwarming read. Open door. Trigger warnings - parent death, remembered child abuse, selfish brother, gambling.

5/5

Heiresses The Lives of the Million Dollar Babies by Laura Thompson Narrated by Laura Thompson

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I received a digital audiobook arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who frequently reads historical fiction especially romance that often features made up heiresses this was a fascinating listen. Learning how things really happened in comparison with the plots and tropes I read was really surprising in that apparently reality was just as out there as what I typically read. Also I had no idea there were so many publicly known LGBTQIA relationships going on at the time. Seriously an enlightening read and valuable background reading for any dedicated historical romance fan.  

The book does get a little heavy and serious contemplating philosophies of life and death that can be extrapolated from these lives as they were led. Tons of trigger warnings - kidnap, black mail, forced marriage, divorce, suicide, uncaring parents.

The narration and sound quality were excellent. The only downside to this being an audiobook was that I was constantly curious about what everyone mentioned looked like and will have to get my hands on the book also. 5/5

Embroidery for Everyone Easy to Learn Techniques with 50 Patterns! by Kelly Fletcher

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I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Embroidery and a needlepoint are a craft that can be easily accessible to many. The detailing can make a unique addition to new and old items - to clothing or decorative items. This makes for a nice guide and example of options available to embroider as well as a how to. This will make an excellent addition to any public or home library. 5/5

Girls Before Earls A Rogues to Lovers Novel by Anna Bennett

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I received a digital arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

This book was so fun and unique. This is a historical romance that takes place mostly away from London, in a seaside town which lends a unique charm to the scenery. This is the first time I’ve read a book where the heroine was a headmistress of a girls school but what a great plot base to jump from. Hazel is such a fully demential determined lady trying to creat a family for girls that are missing theirs much as she missed hers after losing them. The earls niece and other school girls and towns people lend to the color and depth of the story and the growth that takes place is wonderful. I admire Hazels standing up for one of her students to the girls mother when her mother seems only to value making an appropriate marriage match but the girl is truly interested in learning. Overall this was a very touching book and a satisfying read. I would love to see some of these characters again to see how they go on from here. 

Trigger warnings, parent death, sibling death, past love betrayal. Open door. Significant amount of steam.

5/5

A Brush with Love A Novel by Mazey Eddings Narrated by Emily Lawrence; Vikas Adam

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I received a digital audiobook of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Ok first off trigger warning for fear of mental health treatment, perceived stigma  of seeking mental health treatment, anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks, compulsive behaviors as well as parent death. Props to the author for putting her own trigger warning front and center at the start of the book.

Now as a person who is currently taking SSRIs for my own anxiety/compulsive behaviors and has been to counseling - the whole time I read this I just wanted to pull this girl aside and give her the - normalize mental healthcare/ mental healthcare is self care speech. If you are experiencing untenable moods and thoughts - you do not have to go it alone, even if you do not have understanding friends and family there are understanding and helpful medical professionals that can help you find the right tools to support your mental health. Everyone’s different and may require different methods but seriously SSRIs can make such a difference when you find the right one. Ok Ted talk over.

On the one hand I liked how supportive and persistent and patient Dan was however there were a couple of times where readers who are very concerned about the clarity of consent might have some thoughts but it didn’t bother me personally because you’ve got her inner monologue and know she’s on board even though she’s constantly getting in her own way and struggles to recognize her wants vs needs and that it’s ok to want things that make you happy. 

Additionally one of her reasons for fighting the pull to Dan is the theory that if you don’t get close to anyone you won’t get hurt when they leave you because everyone leaves. Conversely she has a circle of three close lady friends she’s let in so far that they have a key to her apartment sooooo….. where’s the line? Is it men? She didn’t know her father but that isn’t really gone into about being a reason for this feeling. The writing was great. I just became frustrated on occasion with the characters when their main problems were of their own making. Additionally the male narrator was good but there was something about the way he did the high emotion or high steam times that made it feel a little cringey to me but I don’t think it would have been if I had been reading it in kindle/book form. Slow build, steamy, open door.  

4/5

How to Love Your Neighbor A Novel by Sophie Sullivan Narrated by Chloe Dolandis

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I received a digital arc of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This is Sophie Sullivans second book and while connected to her first book in that the male leads are brothers it’s not necessarily essential that you have read the other book first though it did increase my enjoyment as there were many characters present from the first book - 10 Rules for Faking it. 

Our heroine is a scrappy curvy focused and determined lady. She’s working hard to reach her goals. Our hero has many natural advantages but is struggling to find his way to a feeling of home, belonging and purpose. They both have manipulative self absorbed parents (trigger warning). Our heroine has never truly had a sense of home but is looking to make one in the home she has inherited from the grandparents she never knew. Next door our hero is trying to create a home for his remaining family that he hasn’t known since he lost his grandfather.  Part of his plan to create the perfect home is to buy the place next door to have room to put in a pool. Our heroine is not about to let go of her only link to the family she never knew. 

Through many neighborly interactions and home remodeling adventures they find that families can be made and homes are dependent on family. Great story. Super curious about the third brother now. Excellent audiobook. 5/5

A Letter to Three Witches by Elizabeth Bass Narrated by Emily Durante & Nick Mondelli

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I received a digital arc of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I am usually a romance reader and this book was categorized as romance. However I would consider it a romance in the same way I would consider the tv show Bewitched a romance in that it’s a comedy about a witch and her quirky family and there happen to be some romantic relationships that occur in the background. Really though the meat and potatoes of the story is about coming to terms with who you are in your family, who you want to be and what you want out of life. 

The book alternates between our heroine and a cat who is a witch familiar but not hers. Our main characters are technically witches but not allowed to practice due to reasons. So it’s not magic and spell craft all over the place if that’s what you’re looking for. Still a very fun read of inexperienced witches in a modern world trying to make it through life. The male love interest really takes more of a backseat and I wouldn’t even categorize him as a “hero” playing equal opposite to the heroine because it’s really more about her and her family. There is an HEA, no open door, not a lot of smooching, much more plot heavy. Light on the romance. Trigger warnings - generational stigma from relatives that goofed up big, loss of cultural identity, orphan/foster sibling/frenemy situation.

I never knew what to expect next, it frequently surprised me, quite the enjoyable read. 4.5/5 stars