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

Hard Check Holiday (North Oak: Book 8.5) by Ann Hunter

Publisher: Rebel House Ink

Date of publication: December 1st, 2023

Genre: Christmas, Horses, Young Adult, Romance

Series: North Oak

Born to Run—Book 1 (review here)

Yearling—Book 2 (review here)

Morning Glory—Book 3 (review here)

To Bottle Lightening—Book 4 (review here)

Far Turn—Book 5 (review here)

Dark Horse—Book 6 (review here)

Against the Odds—Book 7 (review here)

Ride for Glory—Book 8 (review here)

Hard Check Holiday—Book 8.5

Hard Boot—Book 9

Inquiry—Book 10

Purchase Links: Kindle | B&N | Kobo

Goodreads Synopsis:

Taking place between the events of Ride for Glory and Hard Boot, this Christmas special visits North Oak over the holidays. A happy one- finally!
At least that’s how it seems on the outside.

Inside, 17-year-old Alexandra Anderson is struggling with her heart, both physically and emotionally. She is ready to commit to a relationship with Dejado Augustun, until a minor accident with best friend Carol changes everything.

Forced to do a hard check on her life, Alex realizes chances only come once. Can she pull herself together in time to start the racing season?
Or will heartache and heart trauma hold her back?

The Triple Crown & Tiara are on the line.

HARD CHECK– definition (verb), when a jockey is forced to restrain his mount at speed to avoid catastrophe.

First Line:

Laura came home for Christmas. But no one told seventeen year old Alex.

Hard Check Holiday by Ann Hunter

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace: The pacing of Hard Check Holiday was medium-paced, with the book amping up to a fast pace in certain spots. There was some lag towards the end when Alex chose between Dejado and Carol. But it was nothing that disrupted the flow of the book or my enjoyment of it.

POV: Hard Check Holiday is told from Alex’s 3rd person point of view.

Series: Hard Check Holiday is a holiday book in the North Oak series. It is 8.5 and comes after Ride for Glory but before Hard Boot. You can read this as a standalone. But, I recommend reading books 1-8 to understand Alex and other characters’ relationships and backgrounds.

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

  • Rape (minor, off page)
  • Abandonment of a child (minor, off page)
  • Anxiety & Anxiety Attacks (moderate, on page)
  • Miscarriage (minor, off page)
  • Death of parent (minor, off page)
  • Transphobia (minor, on page)

Sexual Content: There is no sexual content in Hard Check Holiday. Alex and Dejado kiss a couple of times, but it stops there.

Language: There is mild swearing in Hard Check Holiday. There is some mildly offensive language used to describe a trans girl getting kicked off the basketball team when she told her coach she was transitioning.

Setting: Hard Check Holiday is set entirely on the grounds of North Oak (a racing barn) in Kentucky.

Tropes: Afraid to Commit, Emotional Scars, Orphan, Friends to Lovers, Found Family

Age Range: I recommend Hard Check Holiday to anyone over 16

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

It is Christmas, and Alex is praying that this Christmas will be the first non-drama-free one in the four years she has lived at North Oaks. And, for the most part, it is. Alex is forming a relationship with her sister, Gina, and her relationship with her adoptive parents and sister is stronger than ever. She also has two essential races to look forward to in the New Year.

But, some things are preventing Alex from thoroughly enjoying her holiday. The main issue is that she has feelings for Dejado and Carol. Alex is ready to start a relationship with Dejado, but her feelings for Carol keep getting in the way. Alex needs to make a choice and ensure it is correct. Because the more she waits, the more she risks losing Dejado and Carol. Who will Alex choose, and will that choice be the right one?

Main Characters

Alexandra Anderson: I liked seeing this noncompetitive, vulnerable Alex. In the other books, she is always on the go and involved in various things around the barn. But seeing her slow down a little in this book was nice. Her eye was still on the upcoming races, but Alex was able to unwind a bit and enjoy Christmas. The only issue I had with her was her treatment of Gina. But, considering that Gina was sprung on her, I didn’t blame Alex for how she acted. And she had every right to be angry with Gina after what Gina said to her in the barn.

My review:

I went into Hard Check Holiday thinking this would be another racing book set over Christmas and New Year’s. I was wrong. I didn’t expect the author to leave out the actual racing (there were mentions of the upcoming races, and the horses had cameos). So, it was different from her other books, and you know what, I liked it!

Hard Check Holiday’s main storyline follows Alex as she celebrates Christmas with her family and friends. It also followed her as she came to terms with her feelings and then chose who she wanted to be in a relationship with. It was well written, and it got emotional during parts of the book. But overall, Alex made the choice that she felt was right. My question now is, how will her friendship with the other person be affected?

As I stated above, I liked seeing Alex being more relaxed. It made her seem like a normal seventeen-year-old. However, she did have her issues, and the author addressed several of them in the book. As someone who suffers from severe anxiety, I felt for her during her panic attack scenes (the one Gina caused was awful).

Alex’s sexuality has been a big topic during the last few books. I liked how the author approached and portrayed her feelings for Carol and Dejado. I did get somewhat angry during this angle, and it was because of what Gina said. I have a very mouthy ten-year-old, and that little girl pushed the limits there. But, in a way, it pushed Alex to open up to Laura about her feelings and paved the way for Alex to make her own decision.

The author also handled Alex’s reactions to any sexual touch in a way that was appropriate for a rape victim. Dejado was gentle and respected her boundaries. He never pushed her past what she was comfortable with and ensured she was OK with anything he did, mostly kissing.

I was surprised by the end of the book. Alex’s choice was surprising because she kept going about the other person. I wonder if her decision will affect her friendship with that person (and I stated that above). I guess I’ll have to read the next book to find out.

Many thanks to Ann Hunter for allowing me to read and review Hard Check Holiday. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

Other books by Ann Hunter:

Deceptive Silence (Haley Arquette Murder Files: Book 2) by Reily Garrett

Publisher:

Date of publication: October 1st, 2023

Genre: Mystery, Paranormal

Series: Haley Arquette Murder Files

Perfect in Death—Book 1 (review here)

Deceptive Silence—Book 2

Unlikely Justice—Book 3

Purchase Links: Kindle

Goodreads Synopsis:

Hailey Arquette found the ultimate photo opportunity deep in the Texas bayou, a pair of playful panther cubs. Before she can capture the shot, she witnesses a different type of shoot that lands in the crosshairs of a vicious killer.

FBI agent Trenton Briner has long known the coastal waters of Texas are ripe for the opportunity for smuggling. His current investigation leads him to a mouthy teen with an uncanny knack for landing in the thick of trouble at every turn.

When another body turns up, the trio must untangle the mystery before the smugglers find their target.

First Line:

Before the sun peeked over the horizon’s rim to separate the lush greens, golds, and browns that would comprise the best picture in Haley’s portfolio, misty gray held the bayou’s secrets tight within its obscure and deadly grasp.

Deceptive Silence by Reily Garrett

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace: The pace of Deceptive Silence is fast. It starts with a bang (with Haley witnessing a murder) and ends with a bang. The book had little to no lag, which is rare because books with faster storylines have some lag.

POV: Deceptive Silence is told from Haley, Casper, and Trenton’s 3rd person point of view.

Series: Deceptive Silence is the 2nd book in the Haley Arquette Murder Files series. While you can read this book as a stand-alone, I suggest reading the first book. There are references to events in the previous books that might confuse you.

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

  • Blood (graphic, on and off page)
  • Dead Bodies and Body Parts (graphic, on and off page)
  • Mutilation (moderate, off page)
  • Death (graphic, on and off page)
  • Captivity and Confinement (moderate, on and off page)
  • Gang Violence (graphic, on and off page)
  • Kidnapping (moderate, on page)
  • Murder (graphic, on and off page)
  • Attempted murder (graphic, on and off page)
  • Gun Violence (graphic, on and off page)
  • Assault (graphic, on and off page)

Sexual Content: There is no sexual content in Deceptive Silence. Haley does lust after Dante, but it goes no further than that.

Language:  There is moderate swearing in Deceptive Silence. There is also some offensive language used by the Jackals (the gang) during interactions with Haley and Casper.

Setting: Deceptive Silence takes place in and around Hamchet, Texas.

Tropes: Found Family, Dark Secret, No Romance, The Red Herring, Twist Ending, Surprise Turncoat

Age Range: I recommend Deceptive Silence to anyone over 16.

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

Haley is out in the bayou, photographing panther cubs for her portfolio, when she witnesses the murder of an undercover ATF agent. After speaking to his spirit, Haley is determined to find out who murdered him and why. With the help of Casper, a teenager who has her reasons for being in Hamchet, Haley starts looking into the murder. When another person is murdered, Haley and Casper must work quickly to figure out who the killer is. Because if they don’t, they could become the next victims.

Main Characters

Haley Arquette: I liked Haley, but I felt that she did take unnecessary risks when it came to investigating both the Jackals and the ATF agent’s death. She kept putting herself in harm’s way and risking exposing her growing powers. I liked how she handled everything and how her powers grew throughout the book. I can’t wait to see what Haley will do in the next book.

Casper: I enjoyed seeing more of her character in Deceptive Silence. She was a favorite of mine in The Guardians series, and I was happy that the author chose to include her in this book. Her skills (and those of her family) did add an extra oomph to the storyline. I enjoyed her mouthy quips and comebacks to Trenton (the interrogation scene had me giggling). But, most of all, I liked that she was a true friend to Haley. She had Haley’s back no matter what.

My review:

I have been reading books by Reily Garrett for a while, and I have come to expect certain things from her books. There should be a lot of action, well-fleshed-out characters, a well-written plotline, a great mystery/thriller, and a good romance. So, when she approached me to review Deceptive Silence, I immediately agreed. This book delivered on everything that I outlined above except the romance. But, with everything going on in the book, it would have been too much if she added romance to Haley’s plate.

There are two storylines in Deceptive Silence. Both are well-written and kept my attention throughout the book. I liked seeing characters from The Guardian series (and maybe the Mind Stalkers series) show up in the book. It was those added details that made me enjoy the books even more.

The first storyline in Deceptive Silence follows Haley as she tries to solve the murder of the ATF agent. This storyline is entrenched with the storyline, making it hard to follow. But it didn’t affect how much I liked the storyline or how surprised I was with the twists that came with it.

The second storyline is a carryover from the first book. It follows Haley as she investigates the disappearance of a former gang member. This storyline does get a little gory and gross. At one point, Haley ends up in a mausoleum. I liked that Haley became more aware of her powers in this storyline. I am also very interested in who Dante was and why he was untraceable. There could be a romance there, but I don’t know.

The mystery angle of the book did take me by surprise. I was not expecting how the ATF agent’s death and the missing gang member were connected. Now that I read the book, I see slight foreshadowing throughout. But at the time I read it, I was shocked.

The end of Deceptive Silence was interesting. The author merged the two main storylines with a surprising connection. However, the epilogue caught my attention and made me want to read Book 3.

Many thanks to Reily Garrett for allowing me to read and review Deceptive Silence. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to Deceptive Silence, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Reily Garrett

Sister of Starlit Seas (Virdian Deep: Book 3) by Terry Brooks

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Del Rey

Date of publication: November 14th, 2023

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Series: Viridian Deep

Child of Light—Book 1

Daughter of Darkness—Book 2

Sister of Starlit Seas—Book 3

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

Goodreads Synopsis:

A rebellious young heroine begins a voyage of self-discovery in the third novel of an epic fantasy series set in the world of Viridian Deep, from the legendary author of the Shannara saga.Auris’s adoptive sister Char has always been the baby of the family—a position that grates on Char, especially when everyone insists on telling her exactly what to do and how to do it. But Char is certain that her headstrong, impulsive behavior, the quality her family sees as her greatest weakness, is actually her greatest the willingness to instantly brave danger and leap to the rescue when anyone she loves is threatened. Char knows she will never grow into the woman she was meant to be under her family’s loving but repressive eye, so a month before she turns fifteen, she runs away and joins a Human pirate crew in the warm southerly regions of her world. Then, three years into her pirate career, her captain—the man she is convinced she loves—is captured by the leaders of the slave trade he has been fighting. When Char leaps in to rescue him, she finds herself thrust into an adventure that will uncover secrets she never suspected about herself, one that will maybe, finally, teach her to look before she leaps.

First Line:

In the late-night hours of the second day of the full moon, I slip from my concealment to begin my latest mission.

Sister of Starlit Seas by Terry Brooks

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace: The pacing of Sister of Starlit Seas varies throughout the book. It started at a medium pace, slowed down while Char was discovering her Merrow side, picked back up during her journey back home, and stayed at a medium fast pace until the end of the book. Usually, I wouldn’t like it when the pace changes up like it did, but in this case, it worked.

POV: Char tells Sister of Starlit Seas in the first person point of view.

Series: Sister of Starlit Seas is the third book in the Viridian Deep series. You can read this book as a standalone. But, as I always do, I suggest reading the first two books before picking this one up. That way, you can understand Char’s relationships.

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

  • Slavery (graphic, on and off page)
  • Depression (minor to moderate, on and off page)
  • Boating Accident (moderate, on page)
  • Bullying (minor, on page)
  • Violence (moderate to graphic, on and off page)
  • Death (moderate to graphic, on and off page)
  • Grief (moderate, on page)
  • Stillbirth (minor, off page)

Sexual Content: There is no sexual content in Sister of Starlit Seas. There are a few kissing scenes, but it doesn’t go beyond that.

Language: There is no swearing or offensive language in Sister of Starlit Seas.

Setting: Sister of Starlit Seas takes place in The Kingdom of Man and The Kingdom of Fae. There are also underwater scenes in the Merrow territories.

Tropes: Chosen One, Orphan, Good vs. Evil, Magic, Growing Up, Mythical Beings, Self-Discovery

Age Range: I recommend Sister of Starlit Seas to anyone over 16.

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

At the age of fifteen, Char ran away from her family. A headstrong girl, Char left her family because she felt smothered. Traveling south, Char eventually joined a pirate crew headed by a Human and lived what Char thought was her best life. Everything was fine until one night, on a daring solo mission to rescue the captain of the ship she was on (who she thought she loved). Char was captured. Tortured by repeated and prolonged dunks in the ocean, Char is amazed when she changes into a fabled being called a Merrow. She is immediately taken in by the Merrow community living in the sea. But her changing brings her more questions than answers. The only two people who could answer those questions were her adoptive mother and biological mother. With her adoptive mother dead, Char realizes that she will need to find her birth mother. She also realizes that her journey must start where she left- her home. Can Char get answers to her questions? Will she find her biological mother?

Main Characters

Charlayne (Char): I will not lie; I found Char annoying and immature for over half of the book. But I also liked her. She was loyal, tried her best to keep her promises, and was, for the most part, a good friend (she had to be reminded at specific points about being a better friend). I enjoyed seeing her character grow throughout the book. By the end of Sister of Starlit Seas, she was a little more mature, less annoying, and definitely less reckless. She learned a few life lessons in her travels that stuck with her.

My review:

I got very excited when browsing NetGalley and seeing Sister of Starlit Seas. See, I loved Terry Brooks in high school and had read The Sword of Shannara so many times that I did have passages memorized. Seeing that it was on Random House and it was a wish, I decided to do it. I had a 50/50 chance of getting it. So, I was thrilled when I got the email saying it had been granted. I couldn’t wait to read this book.

The main storyline in Sister of Starlit Seas centers around Char and her quest to find answers. It was a well-written storyline. I liked that Char wasn’t perfect and had the same issues as a late-age teenager (unrequited love, hormones all over the place, self-involved, and annoying). If I am to be honest, she reminded me of a combination of my sixteen and eighteen-year-old. I liked that the storyline changed as the book went on. It went from an answer about who she was to why her adoptive mother made her forget to a search for her mother to the end game (I can’t say what because of spoilers). The author did that seamlessly.

I loved the fantasy angle of Sister of Starlit Seas. The author took the Merrow myth and incorporated it into the storyline. I was like Char; I thought Merrow and mermaids were identical. Nope, they are not. The use of magic was very understated. I can only think of one scene where magic could have been used. But that didn’t bother me. To me, fantasy isn’t all about magic. It is about the world and beings in that world, too.

The end of Sister of Starlit Seas was a little bittersweet. I was very upset over some of the things the author did, but at the same time, I understood why he chose to write that way. I also saw a little hint that maybe another book will feature Char.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Del Rey, NetGalley, and Terry Brooks for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Sister of Starlit Seas. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to Sister of Starlit Seas, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Terry Brooks

Mister Lullaby by J.H. Markert

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Date of Publication: November 21st, 2023

Genre: Horror, Paranormal, Fantasy, Fiction, Thriller, Supernatural, Adult, Mystery, Suspense

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

Goodreads Synopsis:

From J. H. Markert, the author Peter Farris calls the “clear heir to Stephen King,” Mister Lullaby brings our darkest dreams and nightmares to life.

In the vein of T. Kingfisher and Christopher Golden, the boundary protecting our world from the monsters on the other side is weakening—and Mister Lullaby is about to break through.

The small town of Harrod’s Reach has seen its fair share of the macabre, especially inside the decrepit old train tunnel around which the town was built. After a young boy, Sully Dupree, is injured in the abandoned tunnel and left in a coma, the townspeople are determined to wall it up. Deputy sheriff Beth Gardner is reluctant to buy into the superstitions until she finds two corpses at the tunnel’s entrance, each left with strange calling cards inscribed with old lullabies. Soon after, Sully Dupree briefly awakens from his coma.

Before falling back into his slumber, Sully manages to give his older brother a message. Sully’s mind, since the accident, has been imprisoned on the other side of the tunnel in Lalaland, a grotesque and unfamiliar world inhabited by evil mythical creatures of sleep. Sully is trapped there with hundreds of other coma patients, all desperately fighting to keep the evils of the dream world from escaping into the waking world.

Elsewhere, a man troubled by his painful youth has for years been hearing a voice in his head he calls Mr. Lullaby, and he has finally started to act on what that voice is telling him—to kill any coma patient he can find, quickly.

Something is waking up in the tunnel—something is trying to get through. And Mr. Lullaby is coming.

First Line:

Deputy Sherriff Beth Gardner had only been on the job for two weeks when Simple Simon walked inside the station with a chainsaw.

Mister Lullaby by J.H. Markert

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace: Mister Lullaby’s pace is fast. The book takes place within a week of Gideon’s arrival home after being honorably discharged from the Army. I was iffy on the pace. The author threw a lot of information at me at the beginning of the book. I had to reread specific chapters. If the pacing had slowed down a little, started at a medium pace, and then amped up, I could have processed the information better.

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

  • Mental Illness (graphic, on and off page)
  • Violence (graphic, on page)
  • Murder (graphic, on page)
  • Gun Violence (graphic, on page)
  • Rape (graphic, on page)
  • Grief (graphic, on page)
  • Fire (moderate, on and off page)
  • Bullying (moderate to graphic, on and off page)
  • Racism (minor to moderate, off page)
  • Alcoholism (moderate, on and off page)
  • Anxiety and anxiety attacks (moderate and off-page)
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (moderate to graphic, on page)
  • Blood (graphic, on page)
  • Gore (graphic, on page)
  • Body Horror (graphic, on page)
  • Coma (graphic, on page)
  • Dead bodies and body parts (graphic, on page)
  • Loss of autonomy (graphic, on page)
  • Homophobia (moderate, on and off page)

Sexual Content: There is sexual content in Mister Lullaby. It is not graphic.

Language: There is graphic swearing in Mister Lullaby. There is also offensive language used in various parts of the book.

Setting: The Before part of Mister Lullaby is set between Harrod’s Reach, Nebraska, and Lalaland. The Then part of Mister Lullaby is set in Harrod’s Reach and wherever Teddy drove the bus.

Tropes: Chosen One, Emotional Scars, Reluctant Hero, Dark Lord, Good vs Evil, Childhood Friends, Monsters, Humans Can Be Evil

Age Range: I recommend Mister Lullaby to anyone over 21.

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

The night Gideon arrives home, his younger brother, who has been in a coma for three years, wakes up and starts shouting names. Why he shouts out names confuses his family until Maddy shows up in town. Her explanation is crazy: Sully is trapped in a nightmare land called Lalaland. There, he is struggling, along with other coma patients, to keep the monsters inhabiting that world from bleeding into this one. But something is wrong, and the king of these monsters, Mister Lullaby, is trying to break through. While trying to process the information he has been told, Gideon and his best friend, Beth, are stunned when prominent figures in the community start showing up brutally murdered. Can Maddy be believed and trusted? What is happening in town? Can Gideon and Beth protect their loved ones and the townspeople from the evil trying to come through? Or will they fail?

Main Characters

Deputy Sheriff Beth Gardner: I didn’t know how to feel about Beth. On one hand, she was a great police officer and rose to the job when the Sheriff was attacked. But, on the other hand, her personal life was a mess. She was friends with Gideon and Jax. But her friendship with both was not equal, and it showed. She sided more with Jax (who was awful in the flashbacks and the present day) than Gideon. Even during the storyline, she didn’t treat Gideon like an equal. The use of his nickname, Giddey Up Gideon, was used as a way of putting him in his place. But she was determined to protect Sully at any cost when push came to shove. What she did at the end of the book was very selfless.

Gideon Dupree: I liked him, but he was so damaged that I thought his character wouldn’t rise to the occasion. He was bullied relentlessly throughout school and beyond (Giddey Up Gideon referenced how he ran). He blamed himself for Sully’s accident even though he had nothing to do with it (it did happen while he was watching him, though). And his Army career left him with even more scars. But, by the middle of the book, I saw something shift in his character. It happened when Maddy came to town, and it evolved. By the end of the book, even though he was still damaged, Gideon had come into his own.

Theodore Lomax (aka Teddy): Teddy’s character sent chills up and down my spine. He was a serial killer who had a very troubled and trauma-filled childhood. He had a voice in his head, called Mister Lullaby, that was instructing him to kill coma patients. Teddy also killed other people for fun. But Teddy realized the voice wasn’t a figment of his imagination until he bought a bus (which he named the Lullaby Express) and started picking up random people. It was real. His end game was to go to Harrod’s Reach and set those random people loose while he searched for the name at the top of his list, Sully Dupree. He was evil personified, and I couldn’t think of a better antagonist for this book.

Maddy Boyle: I liked her character. But I did wonder what her connection to Harrod’s Reach would be and what would happen once she got there. I liked how she was like an envoy to Lalaland (having been there herself). She was able to convince Gideon and then Beth about the dangers that were coming out of the train tunnel.

Simple Simon: I went back and forth on including him as a significant character. I decided to have him as a central character because of his actions in the book’s second half. Simon knew a lot about what was going on with Lalaland bleeding through, and he was a massive factor in the events that went down at the end of the book.

Sully Dupree: The whole storyline is centered around Sully. He was still a powerful force even though he never woke up and talked. I can only get a little into what happens with him because of spoilers.

My review:

Mister Lullaby was one of my most looked-forward-to-read books. I had seen it featured on other blogs and was thrilled when Crooked Lane Books sent me the widget. So, when it was finally time for me to read it, I dove right in. I finished the book liking it but was disappointed by it simultaneously (thus the star rating).

Mister Lullaby has various POVs. Not only that, but the author also split the chapters into Before and Now. The author labeled each chapter with who it focused on and whether it was Now or Before. But I got lost while reading. I would backtrack to determine when the chapter occurred (the who part was obvious). It frustrated me but not enough to DNF.

The main storyline of Mister Lullaby is good, and I find it fascinating. I liked that the author tied his previous books into this one. It made for an interesting read. But, sometimes, I lost sight of the storyline (Sully, the train tunnel, Teddy, Gideon, Beth, and Maddy). There were so many secondary storylines thrown in (some I feel were to fill in empty plot holes) that my head was turned around. Did I need to know why Jax was such a dick? Or why did Beth marry him? Not really (even though it was sad). That stuff could have been left out or mentioned in passing. Another example was the chapter with Chimp and the weird fish. My head was spinning by the end of the storyline, and I couldn’t keep everything straight.

The storyline with Teddy and his collection of serial killers was interesting. Unlike the main one, this storyline was tight and kept to just the storyline. The only time it deviated was toward the end of the book, but even then, it was all right.

The horror angle of the book was well written. I want to warn everyone that it is bloody and violent. I did jump during some scenes, and in others, I had to read gagging.

The end of Mister Lullaby did disappoint me. It seemed very rushed. The final battle was almost anticlimactic (compared to what was happening around them). I also needed clarification on why Beth did what she did. There were storylines left in the air. I also have not received a resolution about what would happen to the town or the aftermath. They might have plans for another book in this universe (or even a sequel). I also have an answer as to why the book’s ending was the way it was. The author explains everything in the acknowledgment section after the end.

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books, NetGalley, and J.H. Markert for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Mister Lullaby. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to Mister Lullaby, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by J.H. Markert

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord (Lady Petra Inquiries: Book 1) by Celeste Connally

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books

Date of publication: November 14th, 2023

Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Historical, Regency, Mystery Thriller, Cozy Mystery, Adult

Series: Lady Petra Inquires

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord—Book 1

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

Goodreads Synopsis:

Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie in Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord, a dazzling first entry in a terrific new Regency-era mystery series with a feminist spin.

When Lady Petra Forsyth’s fiancé and soulmate dies just weeks ahead of their wedding, she makes the shocking proclamation—in front of London’s loosest lips—that she will never remarry. A woman of independent means, Petra sees no reason to cede her wealth and freedom to any man now that the love of her life has passed, nor does she intend to become confined to her country home. Instead, she uses her title to gain access to elite spaces and enjoy the best of society without expectations.

But when ballroom gossip suggests that a longtime friend has died of “melancholia” while in the care of a questionable physician, Petra vows to use her status to dig deeper—uncovering a private asylum where men pay to have their wives and daughters locked away, or worse. Just as Lady Petra has reason to believe her friend is not dead, but a prisoner, her own headstrong actions and thirst for independence are used to put her own freedom in jeopardy.

First Line:

“May I remind you, my lady, that daughters of earls are not normally dressed by their lady’s maids amongst the saddles and bridles of a harness room?”

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord by Celeste Connally

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace:  The pace of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord varies throughout the book. It starts slow (which allows the author to explain backstories and build up the world), goes to medium towards the middle of the book, and then amps up to fast.

Series: Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord is the first book in the Lady Petra Inquires series.

Trigger/Content Warning: Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord has trigger and content warnings. If any of these triggers you, I suggest not reading the book. They are:

  • Forced Institutionalization (graphic, off and on page)
  • Confinement (graphic, off and on page)
  • Emotional Abuse (moderate, on page)
  • Mental Illness (minor to moderate, on and off page)
  • Misogyny (moderate to graphic, on and off page)
  • Gaslighting (moderate and graphic, on and off page)
  • Death (moderate, off page)
  • Domestic Abuse (minor, off page)
  • Homophobia (moderate, on page)
  • Physical Abuse (minor, off page)
  • Kidnapping (moderate, on page)
  • Murder (minor, on page)

Sexual Content: There is sexual content in Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord. It is not graphic, and the author doesn’t linger on it.

Language: There is mild swearing in Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord. There is also offensive language used in Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord. But, the offensive language is appropriate for the era. The book takes place in Regency England, where women were property and homosexual relationships were illegal.

Setting: Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord is set entirely in London, England.

Tropes: Sworn Off Relationships, Friends to Lovers, Love/Hate Relationship, Reunion Romance

Age Range: I recommend Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord to anyone over 21.

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

After the death of her fiance, Lady Petra Forsyth declared to Society that she would never remarry. Five years later, she has kept her word. But, when her former best friend, Duncan, returns to London, Petra starts feeling things she hasn’t felt in years. But she doesn’t get time to explore her feelings when she finds out that a friend had passed away from melancholia a few weeks before. Not believing what she heard, Petra starts looking into her death. What she uncovers shocks her to the core. Her friends are being sent to a private asylum by their husbands and left there under the care of a cruel doctor. The more she investigates, the more she uncovers. But Petra is also in danger. Her independent actions and headstrong ways have her in the sights of the doctor. Can Petra find a way to free her friends and keep herself out of the asylum? Or will she end up locked in there?

Main Characters

Lady Petra Forsyth: I liked her. Her character was a breath of fresh air in the Regency romance genre. She didn’t even bother trying to fit into the mold that Regency women were forced to conform to. She was opinionated and headstrong. She was also scandalous because she intended to stay single. I loved it! Once she realized something nefarious was going on, she decided to see her investigation through to the end.

My review:

I enjoyed reading Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord. Mysteries and Regency romances are my two favorite genres to read. So, when I realized that this book combined the two, I was thrilled. I was hooked once I started reading this book and got a grasp of Lady Petra’s character. Lady Petra was very unconventional for the era, and as I said above, she was a breath of fresh air.

The main storyline of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord follows Petra as she investigates the “death” of a friend and, ultimately, the forced institutionalization of her friends by their husbands. The author did take some liberties with how accepting the ton was and with a few historical events surrounding Prinny. None of those bothered me, and the author did include an explanation in the author’s note. I liked how the mystery unfolded and how Petra solved it.

The romance angle was very subtle at first. Petra was very angry with Duncan for various reasons, mainly because they argued shortly after her fiance’s funeral, and he left. But the more Duncan showed up, the more Petra noticed him. As the book went on, her feelings grew, and she realized they were there all along. But the author was wise in keeping all the lovey-dovey stuff until the end of the book. That way, the focus was on Petra and what she looked into.

The mystery angle was well written. I liked that the author did lay all of her cards out at the beginning of the book. We knew who the bad guy was and about the husbands forcing their wives into asylums. But the author only connects the two in the middle of the book, and then it was a race to find the asylum, free the women, and figure out why the bad guy did what he did. I was delighted with how the author wrapped up this storyline. What happened after the paper printed the girls’ names was very fitting.

The end of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord was interesting. The author wrapped up the romance and the mystery angles in ways I enjoyed. But there was an exciting twist that raised my eyebrows. The author cleverly wrote this twist into a cliffhanger. While I was irritated with the cliffhanger, I loved the twist. It got me wanting to read book 2.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and Celeste Connally for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord, then you will enjoy these books:

Other books by Celeste Connally