The Final Curtain (Kyoichiro Kaga: Book 10) by Keigo Higashino, Giles Murray (Translator)

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books

Date of publication: December 12th, 2023

Genre: Mystery, Japan, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Crime, Detective, Japanese Literature, Novels, Asian Literature

Series: Kyoichiro Kaga

Books 1-3 and books 6-7 do not have English translations.

Malice—Book 4

Newcomer—Book 5

A Death in Tokyo—Book 6

The Final Curtain—Book 7

Purchase Links: Kindle | Audible | B&N | AbeBooks | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

From the acclaimed author of Malice and Newcomer, a confounding murder in Tokyo is connected to the mystery of the disappearance and death of Detective Kaga’s own mother.

A decade ago, Tokyo Police Detective Kyoichiro Kaga went to collect the ashes of his recently deceased mother. Years before, she ran away from her husband and son without explanation or any further contact, only to die alone in an apartment far away, leaving her estranged son with many unanswered questions.

Now in Tokyo, Michiko Oshitani is found dead many miles from home. Strangled to death, left in the bare apartment rented under a false name by a man who has disappeared without a trace. Oshitani lived far away in Sendai, with no known connection to Tokyo – and neither her family or friends have any idea why she would have gone there.

Hers is the second strangulation death in that approximate area of Tokyo – the other was a homeless man, killed and his body burned in a tent by the river. As the police search through Oshitani’s past for any clue that might shed some light, one of the detectives reaches out to Detective Kaga for advice. As the case unfolds an unexpected connective emerges between the murder (or murders) now and the long ago case of the missing mother of Detective Kaga.

The Final Curtain, one of Keigo Higashino’s most acclaimed mysteries, brings the story of Detective Kaga to a surprising conclusion in a series of rich, surprising twists.

First Line:

Despite decades having passed, Yasuyo Miyamoto could still recall that day with absolute clarity.
The Final Curtain by Keigo Higashino

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace:The pace of The Final Curtain was slow-paced.

POV: The Final Curtain is told from a 3rd person point of view. It is told from Kyoichiro Kaga, Shuhei Matsumiya, and Hiromi Kadokura (aka Hiromi Asai)’s POV.

Series: The Final Curtain is the 10th book in the Kyoichrio Kaga series. You can read this book as a standalone.

Trigger/Content Warning: The Final Curtain has trigger and content warnings. If any of these triggers you, I suggest not reading the book. They are:

Murder
Sexual Assault
Abandonment
Statutory Rape
Foster Care
Adult-minor relationship (a teacher has a years-long affair with a student, who is one of the main characters)
Depression
Abortion
Dead Bodies
Death of a parent
Grief & Loss Depiction
Strangulation

Sexual Content: There is sexual content in The Final Curtain.

Language: The Final Curtain has mild swearing in it. There is no offensive language.

Setting: The Final Curtain is set in and around Tokyo, Japan.

Age Range: I recommend The Final Curtain to anyone over 21.

Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):

Called to help with the investigation of a strangulation case, Kaga is surprised to discover the victim is an old schoolmate of his. While he is investigating that murder, another murder happens, and he is surprised to find the two are connected. But there are few clues, and the one person who could have answers is not talking. It is up to Kaga to wade through decades of lies and misdirections to find out the answer. And in doing so, Kaga might finally get an explanation about the death of the mother who abandoned him decades earlier.

Main Characters

Instead of listing the main characters and giving my opinion, I will share my overall view of them. The Final Curtain didn’t have a set main character. The book flowed from one character to another. If I had to pick out three characters that stood out the most, they would be:

Kyoichiro Kaga
Shuhei Matsumiya
Hiromi Kadokura (Hiromi Asai)

These characters (well, all of the characters) were well-written and multi-faceted. I was surprised by this, seeing that this is the final book in this series and the first time I have read any book by this author. It was a pleasant surprise and added to my enjoyment of the book.

My review:

I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading The Final Curtain. I was a little iffy about it because it was book 10 in the series, and I figured I would have difficulty getting into it. Not in this case. My only complaint was that it was slow in spots. But, in my eyes, that slowness added to the overall ambiance of the book. It also allowed the author to build up the storyline and tie everything together without looking rushed.

The author did something clever at the beginning of the book. He added a cast of characters. I was thrilled that he did that. I usually go through my Kindle to find names while writing my review. I didn’t have to do that in this book.

The main storyline in The Final Curtain is centered around the murder investigation of Michiko Oshitani and the homeless man. The storyline was well-written and well-fleshed out. A few red herrings were thrown out that had me thinking that Kaga would never solve the mystery (the bridges angle was fascinating). The twist at the end and how the author tied everything together were well done. I was left shaking my head at who the killer was and why that person did what they did.

The end of The Final Curtain was a little bittersweet. I liked how the author brought everything together and wrapped up the storylines. I also liked that there was a finality to the storylines. Seeing that this is the end of the storyline, the author ends the book in a way that clarifies that there will be no more after.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, NetGalley, Keigo Higashino, and Giles Murray for allowing me to read and review this ARC of The Final Curtain. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to The Final Curtain, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Keigo Higashino

Flower and Thorn by Rati Mehrotra

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books

Date of publication: October 17th, 2023

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Young Adult Fantasy, Romance, Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Magic, Historical Fiction, Historical

Purchase Links: Kindle | B&N | Kobo

Goodreads Synopsis:

One girl. One boy.
A promise broken.
A magic stolen.

Irinya has wanted to be a flower hunter ever since her mother disappeared into the mysterious mist of the Rann salt flats one night. Now seventeen, Irinya uses her knowledge of magical flowers to help her caravan survive in the harsh desert. When her handsome hunting partner and childhood friend finds a priceless silver spider lily–said to be able to tear down kingdoms and defeat an entire army–Irinya knows this is their chance for a better life.

Until Irinya is tricked by an attractive imposter.

Irinya’s fight to recover the priceless flower and to fix what she’s done takes her on a dangerous journey, one she’s not sure she’ll survive. She has no choice but to endure it if she hopes to return home and mend the broken heart of the boy she’s left behind.

First Line:

The man had been dead for a while, as was obvious from the stench.
Flower and Thorn by Rati Mehrotra

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace: Flower and Thorn has a medium to medium fast pace.

POV: Flower and Thorn is told from Irinya’s 3rd person POV.

Trigger/Content Warning: Flower and Thorn have trigger and content warnings. If any of these triggers you, I suggest not reading the book. They are:

Gore
Violence
War and War Themes
Classism
Poverty
Sexism
Indentured Servitude
Drugging
Dead Bodies
Death of a Parent
Grief & Loss Depiction
Captivity & Confinement
Knife & Sword Violence
Murder & Attempted Murder
Physical Assualt

Sexual Content: There is no on-page sexual content in Flower and Thorn.

Language: Flower and Thorn had no swearing or offensive language in it.

Setting: Flower and Thorn is set in 16th-century India.

Age Range: I recommend Flower and Thorn to anyone over 21.

Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):

Since her mother disappeared when she was five, Iriniya wants to be a flower hunter. Flowers in India are magical, and because of that, they are increasingly rare. So, when her best friend shows Irinya where he found one of the rarest flowers, a silver spider lily, she promises to him to let it be. But, when Iriniya meets a handsome young man who claims to be working for the general fighting the war against the Portuguese, she feels compelled to tell him about the flower and get it for him. Soon, she discovers his promises are lies, and she has shattered the trust of her kul and best friend. Determined to win back their trust and set things right, Irinya starts a journey from the salt flats of Rann to the capital city of Ahmedabad. But, along the way, she attracts the attention of the Grand Wizer, Ishman Khan, and becomes embroiled in palace intrigue. Can Iriniya right the wrong she did?

Main Characters

Iriniya: I liked Iriniya. She made some pretty big mistakes at the beginning of the book (trusting the wrong guy, destroying the trust her best friend and kul had in her) that had tragic consequences. I agreed when she decided to right the wrongs against herself and her kul. Iriniya had some tremendous character growth throughout the book. The Iriniya portrayed at the end of the book was not the Iriniya at the beginning. I also liked how she handled adversity. She could think on her feet and anticipate what was asked of her. I only saw her hesitate when she had to leave the camel (her uncle’s prize possession). But, even then, she talked the time he could stay in the stable up from what the wizer initially said.

My review:

I have been looking forward to Flower and Thorn since I saw several blogs post early reviews. Not only were the reviews excellent, but I loved the cover. So, I was thrilled when St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books sent me a widget. Then, life happened, and I got behind on my reviews. Flower and Thorn kept getting pushed back on my schedule until this month (way past the publication date). I don’t want that to happen, but it does. Usually, my desire to read the book has faded by that point, but in this case, it didn’t. I was excited to read Flower and Thorn, and this book exceeded my expectations.

The main storyline in Flower and Thorn is centered around Iriniya and her quest to find the silver spider lily. The storyline was well-written and kept me on my feet reading it. I had no problem focusing on her adventures, even with all the background noise (the war with the Portuguese and the power play in the palace). The focus stayed on Iriniya and her quest for the entire book. The secondary storylines outlined in the book added to her storyline.

I loved the use of the flowers in Flower and Thorn. The author took everyday things we take for granted and added a mystical feel to them. Adding that these flowers are becoming an endangered breed and that levies were placed on flower hunters just added to the story. The flower’s uses were just as intriguing. They are

White Jasmine—cure sickness
Bloodread Hibiscus–mind-control
Sunflower—to find things
Bluestar—a cure for the hibiscus
Green Rose—used for communication
Silver Spider Lily—used to win wars
Chrysanthemum (Chrys in the book)—used to open strange doors (aka not real ones)
Sacred Lotus—Unknown (never really said in the book)

Almost all of the flowers (except the sunflower) were used in the book. Again, this was fascinating and frightening. The lengths that people were willing to do whatever (including murder) to get the last three flowers was scary.

I liked the bit of romance that the author threw in. Iriniya’s love interest wasn’t clear (at first, I thought she didn’t like girls or guys). But that wasn’t the case. It was more of her being so single-minded that she blocked anything romantic out. I won’t say who she ends up with at the end of the book, but I will say that I wasn’t surprised.

The end of Flower and Thorn was interesting. I liked that Iriniya’s backstory was almost fully explained (I did have some questions about who her father was). The author did leave enough of the storylines open for me to wonder if there will be another book. I would love to know more about certain storylines and people.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, NetGalley, and Rati Mehrotra for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Flower and Thorn. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to Flower and Thorn, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Rati Mehrotra

A Million Little Choices by Tamera Alexander

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Focus on the Family

Date of publication: November 7th, 2023

Genre: Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction, Contemporary, Adult, Clean Romance, Contemporary Romance, Inspirational

Purchase Links: Kindle | Audible | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sometimes secrets just won’t stay hidden . . .
From USA Today bestselling author and Christy Award Hall of Fame inductee Tamera Alexander comes the story of two women from different centuries living in the same house who share strikingly similar journeys.

Claire Powell’s life is turned upside down when her beloved husband admits to a “near affair.” But when Stephen accepts a partnership with an Atlanta law firm without consulting her and buys a historic Southern home sight-unseen—it pushes their already-fractured marriage to the breaking point. Claire’s world spirals, and she soon finds herself in a marriage she no longer wants, in a house she never asked for.

In 1863, Charlotte Thursmann, pregnant and trapped in a marriage to an abusive husband, struggles to protect her unborn child and the enslaved members of her household. Desperate, she’s determined to right the evils her husband and others like him commit. But how can one woman put an end to such injustice? Especially if her husband makes good on his threat to kill her?

Both Claire and Charlotte discover truths about themselves they never realized, along with secrets long hidden that hold the power to bring God’s restoration—if only they choose to let it.

This Southern historical fiction novel includes:
Dual-timeline plot
Thought-provoking treatment of the themes of difficult relationships, infidelity, forgiveness, and trust
Discussion questions—you’re all set for book club!

First Line:

Surely I’d misunderstood. Stephen wouldn’t do this to me.
A Million LIttle Choices by Tamera Alexander

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace: The pacing of A Million Little Choices is medium-paced.

POV: A Million Little Choices is told from 1st person POV (Claire and Charlotte). There are journal entries written by Claire (and, towards the end, Nettie) that are in 2nd person.

Trigger/Content Warning: A Million Little Choices has trigger and content warnings. If any of these triggers you, I suggest not reading the book. They are:

Sexism & Misogyny
Slavery
Rape
Infidelity
Domestic Abuse & Violence
Divorce
Alcohol Consumption
Involuntary Pregnancy
Miscarriage
Stillbirth
Childbirth
Blood
Death of a child
Death of a spouse
Grief & Loss Depiction

Sexual Content: There is no on-page sexual content in A Million Little Choices. There are scenes where rape is implied, and there is a scene where Claire finds out her husband sexually cheated (nothing graphic).

Language: A Million Little Choices uses no swearing or offensive language.

Setting: A Million Little Choices mainly takes place in Atlanta, Georgia. The first few chapters are set in Denver, Colorado.

Age Range: I recommend A Million Little Choices to anyone over 21.

Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):

When Claire’s husband, a successful attorney, announces he is taking a job in Atlanta, Georgia, Claire is upset. She gets even more upset when she finds out he purchases a historic Southern home without her knowledge or permission. With her marriage already rocky due to her husband having an emotional affair, the move and the house purchase push it to the brink. The final blow comes when her husband confesses to a sexual encounter with the same woman he had an emotional affair with. Forced to divorce, Claire questions if God is steering her in the right direction and prays for His guidance. But, when she discovers the house she now unwillingly lives in, it could be the guidance she has sought.

Charlotte Thursmann is living a hellish existence. Forced to marry when her beloved husband died a couple of years earlier, she deals with an abusive husband. As a stop on The Underground Railroad, she is committed to helping enslaved people escape their abusers and have their freedom. Pregnant and her beatings becoming an almost daily thing, Charlotte is determined to get her servants out of the house. She is also determined to get herself out. But that is easier said than done. Will Charlotte save herself, her servants, and her child? And how does Charlotte’s story tie into Claire’s? Will Claire be able to forgive her husband?

Main Characters

Claire Powell: I didn’t like Claire. She acted like a spoiled brat when it came to Stephen taking the job in Atlanta. And when they were house hunting, she was awful. Now, I did feel bad for her when it was revealed that Stephen had an emotional affair and again when he confessed to sleeping with that same woman. But, simultaneously, I felt that she had brought it all on herself. Oh, and blaming him for the death of their three-year-old was the biggest thing for me. It was an accident. It would have happened regardless of whether she had been home, and to punish Stephen (and their daughter) was out of line. She did not deserve the ending that she got. I wanted Stephen to sign the divorce papers and be happy with someone other than her. But, since I knew it wouldn’t happen, I had to settle for what I got.

Stephen Powell: I liked Stephen, and I liked that he was willing to rock the boat so he could get ahead. Taking the job and buying the house weren’t the most brilliant things to do, but he did them with Claire in mind. Also, cheating on his wife wasn’t that smart either. But in this case, Claire pushed him into doing it. Claire blamed him for things out of his control and punished him for years. All he wanted was to be treated with love and affection, and he got it from the woman he cheated with. I did like that he fought to win back Claire (not that she deserved it). But, as I said above, I would have rather him find true happiness than work things out with that shrew.

Charlotte Thursmann: I wish more chapters were written from her perspective. Despite the living hell she found herself in, she was a sweet woman. The scenes where her husband beat her were some of the more awful scenes in the book. But she was strong, and she was determined to not only protect her child but do the right thing for the enslaved people in and around her house. And she did, right up until her storyline ended.

My review:

I do not usually review Christian books. I often struggle with relying on God to help out with life issues. Also, I am not very religious (more spiritual/agnostic) and find that most Christian books do lay it on very thick with the religious angle. So, I was surprised when I started reading A Million Little Choices and realized it was a Christian romance. I had skimmed over the blurb before accepting the widget, so there’s that (note to self: read the blurbs more carefully!)

The main storyline of A Million Little Choices revolves around Claire, her husband, his cheating, and the discovery she made. While I didn’t like Claire, I thought the storyline was well-written and well-fleshed out. The author did a great job of bringing many dynamics into how Claire and Stephen’s relationship fractured. It was messy and honest, and I enjoyed reading it.

The storyline with Charlotte, her pregnancy, and her drive to help her enslaved people escape was raw. There were times when I thought that Charlotte’s husband killed her, only for her to recover. I also worried about the baby. I was heartbroken at the end of that storyline. It gutted me. But I liked how the author used that to tie Charlotte to another character in the book. I honestly can say I didn’t see that coming.

The author did lay the religious angle on the book a little thick. But, surprisingly, the author didn’t shove it down my throat. The author made the case of the main characters being reborn (or Redeemed) in the eyes of God. But in no way did she suggest that everyone had to do it. I liked that, and honestly, I don’t find much of that in Christian-based novels.

The end of A Million Little Choices was interesting. I liked how the author resolved everything (even if I disagreed with it).

Many thanks to Tyndale House Publishers, Focus on the Family, NetGalley, and Tamera Alexander for allowing me to read and review A Million Little Choices. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to A Million Little Choices, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Tamera Alexander

The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books

Date of publication: December 5th, 2023

Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Gothic, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Historical, Thriller, Suspense, Adult

Purchase Links: Kindle | Audible | B&N | AbeBooks | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

An atmospheric gothic mystery that beautifully brings the ancient Cornish countryside to life, Armstrong introduces heroine Ruby Vaughn in her Minotaur Books & Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award-winning debut, The Curse of Penryth Hall.

After the Great War, American heiress Ruby Vaughn made a life for herself running a rare bookstore alongside her octogenarian employer and house mate in Exeter. She’s always avoided dwelling on the past, even before the war, but it always has a way of finding her. When Ruby is forced to deliver a box of books to a folk healer living deep in the Cornish countryside, she is brought back to the one place she swore she’d never return. A more sensible soul would have delivered the package and left without rehashing old wounds. But no one has ever accused Ruby of being sensible. Thus begins her visit to Penryth Hall.

A foreboding fortress, Penryth Hall is home to Ruby’s once dearest friend, Tamsyn, and her husband, Sir Edward Chenowyth. It’s an unsettling place, and after a more unsettling evening, Ruby is eager to depart. But her plans change when Penryth’s bells ring for the first time in thirty years. Edward is dead; he met a gruesome end in the orchard, and with his death brings whispers of a returned curse. It also brings Ruan Kivell, the person whose books brought her to Cornwall, the one the locals call a Pellar, the man they believe can break the curse. Ruby doesn’t believe in curses—or Pellars—but this is Cornwall and to these villagers the curse is anything but lore, and they believe it will soon claim its next victim: Tamsyn.

To protect her friend, Ruby must work alongside the Pellar to find out what really happened in the orchard that night.

First Line:

There are three things a girl wanted after the night I had.
The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace: The Curse of Penryth Hall had a slow to medium pace.

POV: The Curse of Penryth Hall is told from Ruby’s 1st person POV.

Trigger/Content Warning: The Curse of Penryth Hall has trigger and content warnings. If any of these triggers you, I suggest not reading the book. They are:

Death
Infidelity
Murder
Suicide
Violence
Blood
Alcohol
War
Gore
Toxic Relationship
Grief
Injury/Injury Detail
Mental Illness
Death of a parent
Death of a sibling
Pregnancy
Classism
Suicide

Sexual Content: The Curse of Penryth Hall has minor sexual content.

Language: There is minor swearing in The Curse of Penryth Hall. There is also language used that people might consider offensive.

Setting: The Curse of Penryth Hall is mainly set in Cornwall. Some scenes are set in Exeter, and some are flashback scenes to Ruby in the United States and France (for The Great War).

Age Range: I recommend The Curse of Penryth Hall to anyone over 16.

Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):

When The Great War ended, Ruby was happy to return to England and work at a bookstore selling rare books. When her roommate (and co-worker) asks her to run a parcel of books to a remote village in Cornwall, Ruby refuses. Initially, Ruby wants to avoid taking the books. Her dear friend (and former lover), Tamsyn lives there with her husband, Lord Edward Chenowyth, in a foreboding manor called Penryth Hall. But she eventually agrees and makes the journey. When she arrives, what she encounters surprises her and piques her interest. Within a day of her arrival, Lord Edward is murdered by what the locals call a curse. According to them, Tamsyn and her son are next. Ruby vows to find Lord Edwards’s killer but is met with resistance from the townspeople and their local Pellar, a handsome man named Ruan Kivell. The closer she gets to the truth, the more the lines between normal and paranormal are blurred. Will Ruby discover who killed Lord Edward and protect Tamsyn? Or will she end up with another causality of the curse?

Main Characters

Ruby Vaughn: I liked Ruby. She was bright, bold, and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. Of course, those traits did get her in trouble at various points in the book. I liked that even though she and Tamsyn were estranged, she was willing to look into Lord Edward’s death and protect Tamsyn (and her son).

Lady Tamsyn Chenowyth: I wasn’t initially sure what to think of her. She still wanted Ruby but was afraid to act on it. But she was a devoted mother. Once I got past my initial dislike of her, I saw her as a woman who was forced to conform to what society wanted from her instead of doing what she wanted. It made me feel a little sad for her because of that.

Ruan Kivell: He was a mystery wrapped in an enigma. It took me forever to realize what a Pellar is (fun fact: a Cornish sorcerer). He did have an otherworldliness about him that made me wonder if what the villagers thought was true. I liked how he dealt with Ruby and how their relationship evolved.

My review:

I am an anomaly in the reading/blogging world. I try not to read and review anything Gothic. The layers that those books have are difficult to discuss. And when I do, I realize I am leaving something important out. I was surprised when I accepted the review request from St. Martin’s Press for the above reasons. I was also surprised that this book was easy to discuss (layers and everything).

The main storyline in The Curse of Penryth Hall centers on Ruby, her investigation into the death of Lord Edward, and the curse that haunts his family. I found the storyline to be well-written. I also loved the layers to this story. Once one was peeled back, another appeared, and another connection was made. I loved that I couldn’t tell if the curse was human-made or supernatural. The author kept that under wraps until the end of the book. Even then, when it was revealed, I still had my doubts.

The storyline with Ruby and Tamsyn, their relationship, and Ruby’s investigation into Lord Edward’s death was interesting. While the author didn’t come out and say that Ruby and Tamsyn were ex-lovers, the behaviors of both cemented my questions. Ruby’s investigation went in circles and, at times, did point to Tamsyn. But, like her, I thought it was too convenient, and I was glad when she decided to press on. Of course, Tamsyn’s behavior didn’t help her with that.

The storyline with Ruby and Ruan Kivell and their investigation into Lord Edward’s death was one of the better storylines I have read this week. I loved how Ruby and Ruan pulled and pushed at each other, but at the same time, there was respect. Their relationship transcended everything in the book, and I looked forward to their interactions. I liked how Ruan’s Pellar status came into play at the end of the book.

The mystery angle of The Curse of Penryth Hall was excellent. I had zero clue who the murderer was, and the author had quite a list of suspects. I was also taken by surprise by the murder weapon. It was mentioned in the middle of the book and brought back up at the end, which surprised me. There was also a twist regarding Lord Edward and heirs. Now, that twist was super convoluted and did confuse me in places. But when the murderer confessed, that person also explained the connection. Which, again, surprised me.

The end of The Curse of Penryth Hall was fantastic. The author wrapped all the storylines in ways that I loved and believed. I was saddened by specific events (including what happened to the murderer and why that person did what they did). I was left with questions about Ruan and Ruby’s relationship and whether it would deepen if the author wrote other books.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and Jess Armstrong for allowing me to read and review this ARC of The Curse of Penryth Hall. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to The Curse of Penryth Hall, then you will enjoy these books:

Yours for the Taking by Gabrielle Korn

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Date of publication: December 5th, 2023

Genre: Science Fiction, LGBT, Fiction, Queer, Dystopia, Lesbian, Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Feminism

Purchase Links: Kindle | Audible | B&N | AbeBooks | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

The year is 2050. Ava and her girlfriend live in what’s left of Brooklyn, and though they love each other, it’s hard to find happiness while the effects of climate change rapidly eclipse their world. Soon, it won’t be safe outside at all. The only people guaranteed survival are the ones whose applications are accepted to The Inside Project, a series of weather-safe, city-sized structures around the world.

Jacqueline Millender is a reclusive billionaire/women’s rights advocate, and thanks to a generous donation, she’s just become the director of the Inside being built on the bones of Manhattan. Her ideas are unorthodox, yet alluring—she’s built a whole brand around rethinking the very concept of empowerment.

Shelby, a business major from a working-class family, is drawn to Jacqueline’s promises of power and impact. When she lands her dream job as Jacqueline’s personal assistant, she’s instantly swept up into the glamourous world of corporatized feminism. Also drawn into Jacqueline’s orbit is Olympia, who is finishing up medical school when Jacqueline recruits her to run the health department Inside. The more Olympia learns about the project, though, the more she realizes there’s something much larger at play. As Ava, Olympia, and Shelby start to notice the cracks in Jacqueline’s system, Jacqueline tightens her grip, becoming increasingly unhinged and dangerous in what she is willing to do—and who she is willing to sacrifice—to keep her dream alive.

At once a mesmerizing story of queer love, betrayal, and chosen family, and an unflinching indictment of cis, corporate feminism, Yours for the Taking holds a mirror to our own world, in all its beauty and horror.

First Line:

The Inside Project started with the best intentions.
Yours for the Taking by Gabrielle Korn

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace: The pace of Yours for the Taking held steady at a medium fast pace.

POV: Yours for the Taking was told in 1st person, 3rd person, and 2nd person POV.

Trigger/Content Warning: Yours for the Taking has trigger and content warnings. If any of these triggers you, I suggest not reading the book. They are:

Transphobia
Confinement
Grief
Death
Emotional Abuse
Mental Illness
Misogyny
Suicide
Medical Trauma
Death of a parent
Pregnancy
Gaslighting
Classism
Ableism
Bullying
Panic attack/disorders
Self-harm
Rape
Slavery
Toxic Relationships
Violence
Forced Institutionalization
Medical Content
Kidnapping
Lesbophobia
Pandemic/Edemic
Body Horror
Suicidal Thoughts
Abandonment
Refugee Experiences
Workplace Harassment
Depression
Drugging
Eugenics
Loss of autonomy
Climate Change

Sexual Content: Yours for the Taking has moderate to graphic sexual content.

Language: There is moderate to graphic swearing in Yours for the Taking. Also, terminology and language will be offensive to most readers.

Setting: Yours for the Taking is set in a dystopian New York City.

Age Range: I recommend Yours for the Taking to anyone over 21.

Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):

In 2050, the world is ravaged by climate change. When a reclusive billionaire/women’s rights advocate decides to build climate-safe, domed cities, it is a ray of hope for most people. Ava is one of those people, and when she is selected to live in the Manhattan Inside, she is thrilled. But, when her girlfriend, Orchid, isn’t selected, Ava is forced to journey to The Inside alone. Once settled, Ava learns of a program that will guarantee her better meals and rooms. But, doing this program would mean doing something she never planned–becoming a mother.

Jacqueline Millender is the reclusive billionaire/women’s rights advocate who pitched the idea of The Inside Project to donors. She wants to make a perfect world where women and men run equally. Or does she? There are secrets hidden from her donors and the people who run the day-to-day administration of The Inside Project. These secrets can make the project (and Jacqueline’s lifestyle) crash and burn.

Shelby is a young, bright transwoman who wants to make an impact in the world. Horrified by the effects of climate change, she hears about Jacqueline and her life as a women’s rights advocate. So, when Shelby becomes Jacqueline’s assistant, Shelby jumps at it. But Shelby soon learns things aren’t all sunshine and roses with Jacqueline or what she wants to be with The Inside Project.

Olympia is a promising medical student on the verge of graduating when Jacqueline offers her a job as the head of her health department. When she is forced to accept, Jacqueline shows her a different side of The Inside Project than what is projected to the world. Only Olympia’s actions prevent Jacqueline from doing something that could ruin the project. But Olympia can only stall for so long.

How will Shelby, Ava, and Olympia unite to bring down Jacqueline? What is so horrible that they will lose everything to prevent a more significant catastrophe?

Main Characters

Ava: I liked Ava the best of all the main characters. Her core values at the beginning of the book were the same at the end. She was sweet, and she loved her daughters. But, she knew, deep down, that something wasn’t right with The Inside. She was my favorite character in the entire book.

Jacqueline Millender: I liked what she initially put forward at the beginning of the book. She was building safe havens for people during the climate crisis that they were experiencing. But, slowly, cracks started to show in her facade and what she was doing. By the middle of the book, she disgusted me (what she had Olympia do to Ava and the other Inside residents was criminal). By the end of the book, I pitied and didn’t like her. I want to believe she was drunk on power, but with everything revealed about her family and herself, I think not.

Shelby Silver: Shelby rated second on the characters I liked. She went into the job with Jacqueline with rose-colored glasses. Even I could see how she was treated as early as the chapters where Olympia got recruited. Once she got on the ship (after the bedbug debacle), she was treated as less than a person. In the end, she is the one who brings about Jacqueline’s downfall.

Olympia: Olympia, for me, was a morally gray character. She followed Jacqueline’s orders until she started to develop a conscience. But until then, Olympia was willing to do whatever it took to cover up what Jacqueline was doing in that Inside facility. I liked that she finally found her backbone, stood up to Jacqueline, and ended what was happening. What Jacqueline suggested and what Shelby found out was the straw that broke her.

My review:

I am going to be very blunt here: If you do not like feminist books that are centered almost entirely on queer, lesbian, and trans people, then this book might not be the book for you. The author laid the “men destroyed everything, so the women need to fix it” on very thick in this book. But, you know, in a way, she’s right. Our climate is changing, and the powers in charge sit there, twiddling their thumbs. And yes, they are 85% men. I’m not saying that an entirely matrical society would be different, but anything that will slow climate change would be welcome.

The main storyline is wrapped around the four main characters, climate change, and takes place over twenty-two years. It was well written. As mentioned above, I found it very heavy-handed with the “men are destroyers” angles. I also wasn’t expecting it to go the way it did with any of the main characters. The author interconnected everyone, and she did it very gradually.

The storyline with Ava, The Inside, and her daughters brought tears to my eyes. I felt so bad for her, and I wanted at least something to go right for her (at the beginning of her storyline). The way Orchid left her was horrible. Then she went through the added trauma of bearing children, going through pre and post-natal depression. She was happy while Brook and July were with her but lost when they left.

The storyline with Jacqueline brought a terrible taste to my mouth. I didn’t like her initially, but I figured she was building these safe havens for people. But then, the author took her character and added these layers to it that made me disgusted. Over the twenty-two years that she ruled over her fiefdom (and yes, it was that), she suggested such horrible, vile things that I truly hoped Olympia wouldn’t listen to her. She got everything that was coming to her and then some.

The storyline with Shelby was sad. She adored Jacqueline and would do anything to help her. It broke my heart to see how she was treated, not only by Jacqueline but by other people. She was so sweet. I was also in awe of Shelby’s resourcefulness. She, along with Olympia and July, worked together to bring Jacqueline down.

The storyline with Olympia was sad, but I felt that she made her bed for most of the book. At the beginning of her storyline, she was forced into the position (someone doxxed her). But, after that, she participated in everything Jacqueline asked or wanted. It wasn’t until the death of one of Brook and July’s friends and the coverup that she realized that maybe what she was doing wasn’t good. I mentioned that Olympia was more of a morally gray character, and I believe she was. Olympia starts acting like the human and doctor she is by the end of the book. And that began by fessing up to Ava about what was going on.

There isn’t a happy ending in Maybe Once, Maybe Twice. The book ends with a maybe. I’m not too fond of books that end with a maybe. I need to know what happens to people. I hope they end up where they are going, but the implications could be better.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and Gabrielle Korn for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Yours for the Taking. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to Yours for the Taking, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Gabrielle Korn

Maybe Once, Maybe Twice by Alison Rose Greenberg

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin

Date of Publication: October 3rd, 2023

Genre: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Adult, Adult Fiction, Jewish, Music

Purchase Links: Kindle | Audible | B&N | AbeBooks | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

Filled with the romance and angst that defines the years you come to know yourself, with a shifting timeline covering two decades and ratcheting up the tension, Maybe Once, Maybe Twice is a novel of second chances and finding your own way.

You know that old saying, “if we are still single when we’re 35, we should get married?” Well, Maggie Vine made that vow with two different people, at two very different stages of her life.

And they both showed up.

Maggie Vine’s life is going extra-medium. At 35 she’s pursuing her dreams of being a singer and being a mother—though neither is successfully panning out. So when Garrett Scholl—stifled hedge fund manager by day but electrifying aspiring rock singer by night—comes to her 35th birthday party with the intention to kiss Maggie senseless, it feels like one piece might click into place. Except he’s engaged to someone else, and Maggie knows she won’t fit into the cookie-cutter life he’s building for himself.

Enter Asher Reyes. Her first boyfriend from summer camp, turned into heartthrob actor, he’s lived a successful yet private life ever since he got famous. When a career-changing opportunity is presented to Maggie after her reconnection with Asher, it feels like everything—music, love, family—will fall into place. But her past won’t let her move on without a fight.

First Line:

I shifted on my barstool, faraway eyes watching my best friend, Summer, float past the neon exit, her four-inch heels barely touching the ground, a mauve silk duster moving behind her model frame.
Maybe Once, Maybe Twice by Alison Rose Greenburg

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace: The pacing of Maybe Once, Maybe Twice is medium.

POV: Maybe Once, Maybe Twice is told in 1st person POV (through Maggie’s eyes).

Trigger/Content Warning: Maybe Once, Maybe Twice has trigger and content warnings. If any of these triggers you, I suggest not reading the book. They are:

Sexual Assualt (graphic, on and off page)
Death (moderate, off page)
Infertility (moderate, on and off page)
Attempted Rape (graphic, on page)
Toxic Relationship (graphic, on and off page)
Grief (graphic, on page)
Toxic Friendship (graphic, on and off page)
Infidelity (moderate, on page)
Suicide (moderate, off page)
Anxiety & Anxiety Attacks (minor, on and off page)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (moderate, on and off page)

Sexual Content: Maybe Once, Maybe Twice has moderate to graphic sexual content—ranging from simple kissing scenes to intercourse.

Language: There is moderate swearing in Maybe Once, Maybe Twice.

Setting: Maybe Once, Maybe Twice is set in a few places—New York City, Boston, San Diego, and Atlanta.

Age Range: I recommend Maybe Once, Maybe Twice to anyone over 21.

Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):

At 34, Maggie Vine was floating through life. Her hopes and dreams of a successful music career are just out of reach. Her best friend/unrequited love interest is getting married, and her other best friend is starting a family with her wife. She is also hearing her biological clock ticking. But things began to change on the night of Maggie’s 35th birthday party. A promise of “If we aren’t married by 35, we should get married” is remembered by her male best friend. He shows up at the party to kiss her senseless. But, years earlier, Maggie made the same promise to her summer camp crush/teenage boyfriend, who became a famous actor. He also has the connections that Maggie needs to make it in the music business finally. But, as the summer goes on, Maggie realizes she must choose who she wants. Is it the friend who has always been there for her? Or will it be the actor who can boost her career? Or will it be neither, and she will choose herself?

Main Characters

Maggie Vine: When the book started, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Maggie’s. I felt, for thirty-five, that she was immature and couldn’t reach her goals (not from a lack of trying). She felt floaty (if that was a description). But, as the book went on and I got to know Maggie better, that initial impression was thrown out. Maggie’s character growth was tremendous. Her character growth figured into her decisions during the last half of the book.

Summer Grove: I liked Summer. She was direct and wasn’t afraid to push Maggie. Her storyline was sad, but I was happy she stuck by how she felt instead of doing what her wife wanted. She deserves her own book!!

Garrett Scholl: Garrett was a problematic character for me to like. On one hand, I liked that he was such a good friend to Maggie and supported her in whatever she did. But on the other hand, I wanted to strangle him. He wanted Maggie but was too chicken to go all in. Instead, he attempted to cheat on his fiancee with her numerous times. It drove me up the wall to read those scenes.

Asher Reyes: Asher was a complex character to get to know. Mainly because, until about the halfway mark, he was only viewed as a hormone-driven teenager. But I liked the adult Asher. He worshipped Maggie and was willing to do anything to help her with her music career. But I also liked that he set boundaries with her (unlike Garrett). Some things were a hard no for him, and he had no issues letting her know. By the end of the book, I was Team Asher all the way.

My review:

I started reading Maybe Once, Maybe Twice and didn’t like it. Maggie rubbed me the wrong way, and I couldn’t understand her choices. But this book is an excellent example of good things coming to those who wait. The second half of the book was phenomenal.

I wasn’t a big fan of how the chapters were set up. They were assigned by age and bounced around. One chapter could be Maggie at 24, and the next be Maggie at 15. But, because the POV is only Maggie, the chapters worked. But, if the author had thrown in another POV, then it would have been a freaking mess.

The main storyline centers around Maggie and her choices at various times. The storyline was well written and, after the middle of the book, well fleshed out. Maggie’s choices were sometimes painful and other times amusing, but they all resonated with me.

As I mentioned above, I enjoyed Summer’s storyline. I liked that she was truthful with her wife about how she felt and dealt with the aftermath. I also loved that she was like an avenging angel for Maggie at the end of the book. It was her contacts that got the ball rolling in taking down that person.

Garrett’s storyline was intriguing and complex. The history he shared with Maggie as lovers and as friends was deep. But Garrett had issues with boundaries and, if I am going to be completely honest, self-control. He also couldn’t stand up to his father and was miserable. I did feel bad for him, but he should have left Maggie alone. The debacle of his engagement party was proof of that.

Asher’s storyline was the opposite of Garrett’s. His was pretty straightforward, and how he reconnected with Maggie was interesting. What I liked the most about him is that you got what you saw. The author didn’t focus on his fame; instead, she used it as a backdrop to highlight their relationship (intimate and working).

The romance angle of Maybe Once, Maybe Twice was interesting. Instead of building a romance, the author showed Maggie in various relationships at different points in her life. But it always came down to Garrett and Asher. The author did build up the sexual tension between Maggie and her men. So, when they did have sex, it was explosive.

I wasn’t surprised by the end of Maybe Once, Maybe Twice. I had a feeling that what happened would happen. It was just a matter of who and when. I liked that Maggie got her HEA and ran with it.

If you enjoy reading books similar to Maybe Once, Maybe Twice, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Alison Rose Greenberg

The Sisters by Ruth O’Neill

Publisher:

Date of publication: October 6th, 2023

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Purchase Link: Kindle

Goodreads Synopsis:

In a web of deceit, escape is just the beginning.

Ava Cressman’s life takes a twisted turn after her divorce from Spencer. Seeking comfort, she falls into the arms of a mysterious man named Joel Carney, a former college acquaintance. However, when Joel meets Ava’s sister, Tanya, an unsettling connection sparks between them.
Tanya, seemingly innocent, invites Ava and her twin sister, Belle, on a secluded trip to a remote lodge. From the moment they arrive, an ominous atmosphere hangs in the air, hinting at a hidden darkness beneath the surface.
As shocking truths emerge, will Ava find a way to expose the tangled labyrinth of secrets before it’s too late?
The Sisters is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the depths of manipulation, betrayal, and the darkest corners of the human mind. As Ava fights for her freedom and tries to untangle the lies, she also must face her own demons and find the strength to outsmart those who want to control her life.

First Line:

The wind blew strongly through the trees, the leaves rustling and swirling, a thousand tiny dancers.
The Sisters by Ruth O’Neill

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace: The pacing of The Sisters was all over the place. In some places, it was fast; in others, it was medium; in others, it was slow. The switch-up of the pacing made this book a little tricky to read.

POV: There are several POVs in The Sisters, but it always stays in the 3rd person. This book is told mainly through Ava’s POV. There are several chapters from Spencer’s POV and a couple from the DI in charge of the case.

Trigger/Content Warning: The Sisters has trigger and content warnings. If any of these triggers you, I suggest not reading the book. They are:

Bullying (moderate, on and off page)
Child Abuse (minor, on and off page)
Cheating (moderate, on and off page)
Divorce (minor, off page)
Anxiety & Anxiety Attacks (moderate, on and off page)
Depression (minor, off page)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (moderate, on and off page)
Alcohol Consumption (minor, on page)
Drugging (moderate, on and off page)
Hospitalization (moderate, on page)
Captivity & Confinement (moderate, on page)
Cults (moderate, on and off page)
Gun Violence (minor, on page)
Kidnapping (minor, on page)
Murder & Attempted Murder (moderate, on page)
Loss of Autonomy (moderate, on page)
Medical Treatment and Procedures (moderate, on page)

Sexual Content: There is sexual content in The Sisters. There are sex scenes that are nongraphic.

Language: There is moderate swearing in The Sisters.

Setting: The Sisters are set in Bath and Cumbria, England.

Age Range: I recommend The Sisters to anyone over 21.

Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):

After going through a painful divorce, Ava isn’t ready to date again. But that changes when a friend request from an old college friend, Joel, turns quickly to romance. But Ava is cautious after Joel meets Tanya, her older sister. There is a familiarity between them that makes Ava uncomfortable. Ava is already careful with Tanya. Twenty-three years earlier, when Ava was twelve, Tanya did something horrific to her. But Ava doesn’t let her uneasiness give up a chance to reconnect with Tanya and Beth, Ava’s twin sister. Tanya has booked them a weeklong trip to a lodge in Cumbria, and Ava is looking forward to it.

But, the minute they set foot in the lodge, something feels off. Ava soon finds herself facing her worst fears and old demons. Can Ava get to the bottom of what is going on? Or will the betrayals of past and present be enough to destroy her?

Main Characters

Ava Cressman (Bateman): I wasn’t sure what to think about Ava when the book started. She came across as childish and needy. But as the book went on, I saw that she was damaged by what Tanya did to her. But, by the middle of the book, my opinion of her changed. I still viewed her as needy and childish, but I also saw her as someone trying to overcome the past. I kept that opinion of her until the end of the book.

Tanya Bateman: I didn’t like Tanya. My inner warning bells went off every time she appeared in the book. She was almost too invested in Ava and Joel’s relationship and kept pushing for that trip together. By the middle of the book, my dislike of her intensified, and I thought she was shady. Those opinions stayed the same by the end of the book. And honestly, I felt that she got what she deserved.

Belle Bateman: Like Ava, I didn’t form an immediate opinion of her when the book started. She did come off as upbeat and tended to side with Tanya regarding Ava. In the middle of the book, as she got more page time, my opinion did change. I felt that she was foolish and easily led. She also brushed everything Ava said off until it was almost too late.

Joel Carney: I didn’t like him from the start. It was so convenient that he immediately friended Ava on Facebook (after Tanya signed her up). I also thought that he pushed for everything too soon. And don’t get me started on his blatant and poorly concealed attraction to Tanya. I won’t go into his character much more except that he got what he deserved.

Spencer Cressman: Out of all the characters in the book, I pitied Spencer the most. His behavior drove Ava to divorce him, and he knew it. It was slightly controlling when he kept calling Ava. But it also proved to be life-saving. There is a twist with him that I didn’t see coming and didn’t fit with who the author presented during the book’s first half.

My review:

I was excited and eager to start reading The Sisters. I love psychological thrillers, and this one seemed right up my alley. And in a way, it was. But, I was put off by the characters, their actions, and how the storyline kept jumping from past to present.

The main storyline of The Sisters centers around Ava, her sisters, her divorce, Spencer, Joel, and the trip. I did like the storyline and thought it was intriguing. But I had some issues following it. The author would jump from past to present on a dime. During the book’s first half, it hindered me from reading it because I couldn’t keep track of everything. But, in the end, it worked.

The storyline about the cult (towards the end of the book) was interesting. It added some much-needed depth to Ava’s, Joel’s, Tanya’s, and Spencer’s characters. There was also a massive twist to that storyline that I didn’t see coming. It surprised me because it came out of left field. I also liked how the author tied this storyline to what Tanya did to Ava when Ava was twelve.

The suspense and thriller angle of the book was good. The author did a great job of building apprehension before and during critical scenes. It was the thriller and suspense that kept me reading the book.

The end of The Sisters was interesting. There were a couple of twists in the storyline that I didn’t see coming. I wasn’t a massive fan of how the book ended. It didn’t fit in with the rest of the storyline. Don’t get me wrong, it was lovely, but I couldn’t see past what one of the characters did and what that character hid.

Many thanks to Ruth O’Neill for allowing me to read and review The Sisters. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to The Sisters, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Ruth O’Neill

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books

Date of publication: November 28th, 2023

Genre: Romance, LGBT, Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Queer, Lesbian, Historical, Retellings, Fiction

Purchase Links: Kindle | Audible | B&N | AbeBooks | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

Heartstopper meets A Knight’s Tale in this queer medieval rom-com YA debut about love, friendship, and being brave enough to change the course of history.

It’s been hundreds of years since King Arthur’s reign. His descendant, Arthur, a future Lord and general gadabout, has been betrothed to Gwendoline, the quick-witted, short-tempered princess of England, since birth. The only thing they can agree on is that they despise each other.

They’re forced to spend the summer together at Camelot in the run-up to their nuptials, and within 24 hours, Gwen has discovered Arthur kissing a boy, and Arthur has gone digging for Gwen’s childhood diary and found confessions about her crush on the kingdom’s only lady knight, Bridget Leclair.

Realizing they might make better allies than enemies, Gwen and Art make a reluctant pact to cover for each other, and as things heat up at the annual royal tournament, Gwen is swept off her feet by her knight, and Arthur takes an interest in Gwen’s royal brother. Lex Croucher’s Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is chock full of sword-fighting, found family, and romantic shenanigans destined to make readers fall in love.

First Line:

When Gwen woke up, she knew she’d had the dream again-and that she’d been loud.
Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace: The pacing of Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is medium-paced. The book does pick up towards the end, but the pacing for the rest is medium.

POV: Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is a 3rd person, dual POV storyline. The book is told through Gwen and Art’s POV.

Trigger/Content Warning: Gwen & Art Are Not in Love has trigger and content warnings. If any of these triggers you, I suggest not reading the book. They are:

Violence (moderate to graphic, on and off page)
Death of parent (moderate, on and off page)
War (moderate to graphic, on and off page)
Injury/Injury Detail (moderate to graphic, on and off page)
Death (graphic, on and off page)
Homophobia (minor to moderate, on and off page)
Blood (moderate to graphic, on and off page)
Alcohol (moderate, on and off page)
Alcoholism (moderate, on and off page)
Murder (minor, on page)
Emotional Abuse (moderate, on page)
Misogyny (moderate, on and off page)
Sexism (moderate, on and off page)
Grief (moderate, on and off page)
Religious Bigotry (moderate, on and off page)
Hate Crime (minor, off page)
Classism (moderate, on and off page)
Mental Health Struggles (moderate, on and off page)
Child Abuse (moderate, on and off page)

Sexual Content: There is sexual content in Gwen & Art Are Not in Love. There are sex scenes, but the author uses the fade to afterward, and they are not graphic.

Language: There is mild swearing in Gwen & Art Are Not in Love. There are also some scenes that people might find offensive.

Setting: Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is set in Camelot, England.

Age Range: I recommend Gwen & Art Are Not in Love to anyone over 16.

Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):

Hundreds of years after King Arthur pulled Excalibur from the stone, his namesake, Lord Arthur, is betrothed to Lady Gwendoline. At odds with each other since they were toddlers, both were surprised when their fathers announced that a wedding would be happening after Camelot’s annual royal tournament.

Within hours of Art arriving, Gwen finds him kissing another boy. And, to her horror, Art finds her hidden diary. Her longing for the kingdom’s only knight, Bridgid Leclair, is written in that diary. But, when events make them realize they are better allies than enemies, Art and Gwen vow to cover for each other. But, with the tournament heating up, Art recognizing he is attracted to Gwen’s older brother, and cultists poised to try and overthrow the king, can they both uphold their pact? Or will everything they have worked to hide be out in the open?

Main Characters

Princess Gwendoline: I might be the odd one out on this, but I didn’t care for Gwen. Her attitude and inability to decide didn’t endear her to me. She was unbelievably waspish towards Art (even though he did deserve some of it) and Agnes (she didn’t deserve that at all). But, by the middle of the book, I did see her change. It was when she accepted herself that she started to become likable. She still had her moments, but her character changed for the better overall.

Lord Arthur Delacey: I liked Art right away. He comes off as a drunken fool in the book’s first few chapters. He delights in needling Gwen (his opinion of her was spot on). But, as the book went on and his backstory was revealed, I started to see how horrible his life at home was. I was a little surprised at his attraction to Gabe, but it didn’t surprise me. Also, what didn’t surprise me was the battle scene and what he did.

Prince Gabriel: Out of everyone listed here, I didn’t have an opinion of him. He had a lot to deal with. Gabe was the heir to the kingdom and came across as stern and cold. But his true nature shone through during the scenes where he was one-on-one with Gwen and Arthur. Gabe was a nerd. All he wanted to be was a scholar and hide within the library.

Bridgid Leclair: I thought he had a thankless job. He was Art’s babysitter (aka bodyguard). He did a great job protecting Art when Art didn’t shake him off. He was Art’s wingman and the closest thing to a true family that Art had. Sidney fell head over heels for Agnes (which cracked me up). During the last half of the book, he did a couple of things that surprised me. But it went hand in hand with his character. His actions showed what a great and loyal person he was.

Sidney: I thought he had a thankless job. He was Art’s babysitter (aka bodyguard). He did a great job protecting Art when Art didn’t shake him off. He was Art’s wingman and, if I am going to be honest, the closest thing to true family that Art had. He fell head over heels for Agnes (which cracked me up). During the last half of the book, he did a couple of things that surprised me. But it went hand in hand with his character. His actions showed what a great and loyal person he was.

Lady Agnes: I felt bad for her at first. She was one of Gwen’s ladies in waiting. That meant she got the sharp edge of Gwen’s temper and tongue. But she dealt with it all with a grace that I know I wouldn’t have had. She had the same reaction to Sidney that he had to her. It was funny to see them making out all over the castle. When she finally stood up to Gwen, I almost cheered!!

My review:

The main storyline in Gwen & Art Are Not in Love focuses on Gwen, Art, their pseudo engagement, love interests, and the events during and after the tourney. It was well written. While it wasn’t historically accurate, I could have cared less about that. I was more interested in the storyline and seeing if Gwen and Art would get their HEAs.

I was intrigued by the main storyline in Gwen & Art Are Not in Love. The storyline focuses on Gwen, Art, their relationship, their love interests, and, eventually, the events at the end of the book. As stated in the Main Character section, I liked seeing Gwen’s character growth. Even though I didn’t like her, she did become somewhat likable. I also liked seeing Art’s character growth and his healing.

I liked the romance angle of Gwen & Art Are Not in Love. I liked seeing Art/Gabe and Gwen/Brighid’s relationship flourish. I thought they both were sweet. I loved seeing Art’s gradual realization that he had feelings for Gabe. Gwen’s feelings for Brighid weren’t as hidden, but seeing that relationship bloom was still sweet.

The last half of the book did take me by surprise. Looking back, hints dropped about what was going to happen. I didn’t notice them. So, when the shit hit the fan, I was shocked. There were a couple of scenes that broke my heart. In a warning, this is the most graphic part of the book and the saddest. But it explains so much and sets up for what happens ultimately.

The end of Gwen & Art Are Not in Love was bittersweet. I loved that the characters got their HEAs, but there was a considerable price that I am sure none of them wanted.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, NetGalley, and Lex Croucher for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Gwen & Art Are Not in Love. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to Gwen & Art Are Not in Love, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Lex Croucher

Once Upon a Christmas (Blackhawk Security: Book 9) by Margaret Watson

Publisher: Dragonfly Press

Date of Publication: October 3rd, 2023

Genre: Romance, Suspense

Series: Blackhawk Security

With One Breath—Book 1 (review here)

Once Removed—Book 2 (review here)

Once Burned—Book 3 (review here)

Fool Me Once—Book 4 (review here)

Just This Once—Book 5 (review here)

Once and Always—Book 6 (review here)

Once a Killer—Book 7 (review here)

Trust No One—Book 8 (review here)

Once Upon a Christmas—Book 9

Purchase Links: Kindle

Goodreads Synopsis:

Someone wants Mackenzie Stone dead.After four attempts on her life, the Stone Foundation hires her a bodyguard – Diego Lopez, the man who’d thwarted the most recent attack.Mackenzie suspects the threat is coming from inside her organization, so Diego poses as a college friend researching foundations. Their 24/7 forced proximity only intensifies the attraction simmering between them.As their need for each other begins boiling over, they struggle to focus on the growing threat. And when they visit Diego’s family for Christmas, Mackenzie is torn by conflicting emotions – celebrating the holiday she hates while fighting her need for Diego.As the threats spiral out of control, Mackenzie is backed into a corner. Can they unravel the mystery of the attacks before the shadowy danger engulfs them both?

First Line:

Mackenzie stepped out of the Waterwheel bat into the Seattle night and took a deep breath.
Once Upon a Christmas by Margaret Watson

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace: The pace of Once Upon a Christmas varies from medium to fast. The book starts quickly (with an attempt on Mackenzie’s life), slows down to medium during the investigation, picks back up to fast for the climax, and finally slows back down to medium for the end of the book.

POV: Once Upon a Christmas is a 3rd person POV book. The POVs are focused on Mackenzie and Diego.

Series: Once Upon a Christmas is the 9th book in The Blackhawk Security series. You can read this as a standalone. I recommend reading the first eight books to understand the series.

Trigger/Content Warning: Once Upon a Christmas has trigger and content warnings. If any of these triggers you, I suggest not reading the book. They are:

Classism (moderate, on page)
Bullying (minor, off page)
Workplace Harassment (moderate, on and off page)
Physical Injuries (minor, on and off page)
Hospitalization (minor, on page)
Death of a Grandparent (minor, off page)
Kidnapping (moderate, on page)
Knife Violence (moderate, on page)
Attempted Murder (graphic, on page)
Toxic Family (moderate, on page)

Sexual Content: There is moderate to graphic sexual content in Once Upon a Christmas.

Language: There is moderate swearing in Once Upon a Christmas. There is no offensive language.

Setting: Once Upon a Christmas is set in Seattle, Washington. There are a couple of chapters set in Chicago, Illinois.

Age Range: I recommend Once Upon a Christmas to anyone over 21

Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):

When Mackenzie is attacked and injured, Diego is there to subdue her attacker and provide aid to her. When he finds out that this is the 4th attack she has endured, he suggests hiring him as a bodyguard. Taking his advice, she hires him, and they begin investigating who is behind her attacks. When the evidence points to the employees at the foundation she inherited, Diego poses as her college friend who has come into money and is looking into starting his foundation. Mackenzie and Diego didn’t expect the intense attraction they had for each other. As the attacks continue and pick up, Diego needs to find out who is behind them and why. Mackenzie’s life is at stake, and he isn’t going to risk it. Will they find out who wants Mackenzie dead and why?

Main Characters

Mackenzie Stone: I liked Mackenzie. She was a little reserved for a character at the beginning of the book. But, once the author explained her backstory, I understood why she was so reserved. She had a horrible childhood. It also explained why her relationship with her family was so strained. Add in that she inherited the family’s foundation instead of her mother, and it became almost unbearable. She dealt with the attempts on her life pretty well (excluding that one scene where she drank Scotch and dry-humped Diego). I also liked how she dealt with her employees (including the unruly ones). But, her true strength showed at the end of the book. She dealt with everything (and I mean everything) like a boss. Her speech at the jail was spot on.

Diego Lopez: I liked Diego, but I wish the author had been more forthcoming with his background. I wouldn’t say I liked waiting until halfway through the book to find out who and what he was. Other than that, he was perfect for Mackenzie. Diego was very good at his job, and he gave Mackenzie excellent advice about looking into the foundation’s financial records (and the records of the list of suspect employees Mackenzie had). His actions and reactions at the end of the book were outstanding. I liked how he stood beside Mackenzie and supported her through everything.

My review:

Once Upon a Christmas was a great book to read. Its fast-moving, well-written storyline kept me glued to the book. I got invested in Mackenzie and Diego’s romance. Once Upon a Christmas is an excellent book for those who enjoy romantic suspense.

The main storyline centers around Mackenzie, Diego, the foundation, and the attacks on Mackenzie. The author didn’t hide who was behind the financial crimes (the embezzling). It was self-evident from how that person acted. But I had an issue figuring out who was behind Mackenzie’s attacks. I was surprised to find out who it was. That did take me by surprise. That was a neat twist the author put in at the end of the book.

The romance angle was well-written. I liked that Mackenzie and Diego fought their feelings until Chicago. There was a slip-up that involved Scotch and dry humping.

The mystery angle was terrific. As I stated above, I did figure out half the mystery (the embezzling part). But I was surprised by who was behind her attacks and why. It made sense when Mackenzie had that confrontation at the police station.

The end of Once Upon a Christmas was enjoyable. I liked how the author wrapped everything up. But she left me wondering if there would be a book 10.

Many thanks to Margaret Watson for allowing me to read and review Once Upon a Christmas. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to Echoes of Ballard House, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Margaret Watson

Echoes of Ballard House (Simone Doucet Series: Book 3) by E. Denise Billups

Publisher: Next Chapter

Date of publication: November 6th, 2023

Genre: Paranormal, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller

Series: Simone Doucet Series

Tainted Harvest—Book 1

Wicked Bleu—Book 2 (review here)

Echoes of Ballard House—Book 3

Purchase Links: Kindle

Goodreads Synopsis:

HIDDEN SECRETS. UNEARTHED TRUTHS.

Simone Doucet returns in this chilling novel to uncover the sinister truth behind a series of murders within an opulent mansion in the heart of New Orleans’ Garden District.

Simone yearns to escape the confines of her New York City brownstone. She jumps at an opportunity to house-sit in a gorgeous Queen Anne Victorian home in her cherished New Orleans Garden District.

Upon her arrival, the walls whisper like ancient voices. The owner’s parrot mimics an eerie nightly tune, and elusive footsteps echo through the floorboards. Simone quickly discovers she is not alone in this majestic house.

Tackling the afterlife alone, Simone becomes entangled in the narratives of three tormented souls caught in a web of greed, hatred, and infidelity. Their deadly secrets converge in a bone-chilling tale of murder.

Yet, within the grandeur of Ballard House, Simone is far from alone. The peril she faces extends beyond the spectral world, and she will soon confront evil from both the living and the dead.

What dark secret lies hidden within the walls of Ballard House?

First Line:

Strike fear in their filthy, selfish hearts. Make them beg for their lives. Blood pulses through my veins like kerosene, liquid fire propelling me from the Model T, the hatchet firm in my vengeful grip as seething rage, concealed behind a black balaclava, drives me toward Ballard House, burning to fill their night with terror.
Echoes of Ballard House by E. Denise Billups

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace: The pacing of Echoes of Ballard House was fast-paced. It started fast and only let up at the end. There was a slight lag when the two storylines (past and present) merged.

POV: The 1st person POVs consist of Jensen in 2018 and 2020, Colin, Joseph, Rebecca, and Corinne in 1919 (before and during the murders), and Simone in 2020. There are brief 3rd person POV that showcase the ghosts and how they are trying to communicate with Simone. The author has those chapters labeled as Whisperings.

Series: Echoes of Ballard House is the 3rd book in the Simone Doucet Series. This book can be read as a standalone. I recommend reading the first two books to understand the relationships and backstories talked about in the book.

Trigger/Content Warning: Echoes of Ballard House has trigger and content warnings. If any of these triggers you, I suggest not reading the book. They are:

Classism (graphic, on page)
Racism (moderate, on and off page)
White Supremacy (moderate, on and off page)
Incest (moderate, on and off page)
Cheating (moderate, on and off page)
Childbirth (moderate, on and off page)
Amputation (graphic, on page)
Blood & Gore Depicton (graphic, on page)
Body Horror (graphic, on page)
COVID-19 (moderate, on and off page)
Dead Bodies & Body Parts (graphic, on page)
Decapitation (graphic, on page)
Dismemberment (graphic, on page)
Death of a child (moderate, on page)
Death of partner & spouse (graphic, on and off page)
Death of a sibling (graphic, on and off page)
Grief & Loss Deception (graphic, on and off page)
Knife, Sword & Axe Violence (graphic, on and off page)
Murder & Attempted Murder (graphic, on and off page)
Physical Assault (graphic, on and off page)

Sexual Content: There is sexual content in Eches of Ballard House. It isn’t graphic.

Language: There is mild swearing in Echoes of Ballard House. There is also some language that people might consider offensive.

Setting: Echoes of Ballard House is set in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Age Range: I recommend Echoes of Ballard House to anyone over 21

Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):

Simone wants to leave the confines of her New York City brownstone, where she is staying while under mandatory quarantine during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, when invited to house-sit a historical mansion in the Garden District, she immediately accepts. But, she soon finds out that there is an alternate reason the owner wants Simone to house-sit. The house is the site of a brutal, unsolved triple murder and is rumored to be haunted. The owner wants Simone, known in certain circles for her ability to communicate and see the dead, to see if she can solve the mystery. Simone doesn’t know that there is more to this story than anyone knows. Can Simone solve this mystery?

Main Characters

Simone Doucet: I enjoyed following Simone’s character during this book. I one hundred percent understood her jumping at the chance to leave New York City. Quarantine wasn’t easy, and she was going stir-crazy. Her excitement over staying in this house (featured in the previous book) was soon dampened by events that started after the owners left. I did like her commitment to figuring out why the ghosts had stayed on. She was a well-rounded character who kept my attention to the book (along with all of the secondary characters).

My review:

I like a good paranormal mystery. So, when the author emailed me the request to review Echoes of Ballard House (seeing that I had enjoyed Wicked Bleu), I accepted it. I am glad I did because this was a great mystery, and I loved the paranormal aspects of it.

What made this book so good for me is that the author laid out the murders (who and how) at the beginning of the book. That was a jumping-off point for her to go in-depth into the victim’s lives, what other people thought of them, the circumstances surrounding the murders, and ultimately, why they were killed and who killed them. Interwoven was Simone’s story of housesitting for her cousin in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and her investigation.

What I liked about this book was how the author presented the POVs and the storylines. Even though there were several POVs, the author clearly labeled the beginning of each chapter with who, where, and the date. I never had any issues following any of the storylines. I did not have to backtrack or get names/dates confused. The author broke up the storyline with the murders into three separate sections, each from the perspective of one of the victims. It made for a compelling, surprising, and sad read.

The mystery angle of the book was well written. I had zero clue who the killer was or what that person’s reason was. I did know for sure who it wasn’t. So, I was surprised and horrified when it was revealed. There was also an addon to that storyline that broke my heart. The present-day mystery was pretty cut and dry. Pretty early in the book, I figured out who was stalking Simone. The why part was vague until Simone talked with the neighbor across the street and Jensen. It was then that I figured out who it was.

The end of Echoes of Ballard House was enjoyable. What was revealed broke my heart, but I was glad to see the closure it gave. While the storylines in this book were wrapped up, I was left feeling that others weren’t. It made me wonder if there was going to be a book 4.

Many thanks to E. Denise Billups for allowing me to read and review Echoes of Ballard House. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to Echoes of Ballard House, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by E. Denise Billups

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