Phantasma(Wicked Games,#1)

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★

Caraval meets Throne of the Fallen in this spicy dark romantasy where a necromancer needs help from a dangerous phantom to win a deadly competition, only to find their partnership puts her at risk of breaking the game’s most vital rule: don't fall in love.

 
When Ophelia and her sister discovers their mother brutally murdered, there is no time to grieve: Ophelia has inherited both her powerful death-driven magic and enormous debt on their home. Circumstances go from dire to deadly, however, when Ophelia’s sister decides to pay off the loan by entering Phantasma—a competition where most contestants don’t make it out alive and the winner is granted a single wish.
The only way to save her sister is to compete. But Phantasma is a cursed manor, with twisting corridors and lavish ballrooms, and filled with enticing demons and fatal temptations. Ophelia will need to face nine floors of challenges to win... if her fears don’t overtake her first. 

When a charming, arrogant stranger claims he can protect and guide Ophelia, she knows she shouldn’t trust him. While Blackwell may not seem dangerous, appearances can be deceptive. But with her sister’s life on the line, Ophelia can’t afford to turn him away. She just needs to ignore the overwhelming, dark attraction drawing them closer and closer together. 

Because in Phantasma, the only thing deadlier than losing the game is losing your heart. 

 

 🌷

 
What a thrilling ride! 

I didn't expect to love it so much as I did. I quickly fell in love with the story and the characters, particularly Ophelia and Blackwell. I liked the chemistry between the two of them, but I felt they got too close too quickly, with no build-up in between. Their romance is unique because she is a necromancer and he is a phantom. That’s one romance twist that I haven’t read about before. Forbidden romance is one of my favorite romance tropes to read. I knew they shouldn't be together since it wouldn't work out, but I found myself rooting for them throughout the novel. Blackwell and Ophelia shared such an amazing bond that I couldn't help but root for them. 

Phantasma reminded me of the Caraval series, but darker. I had read a few books involving trials, which always captivated me. This was unlike the others I'd read about. I haven't seen the movie Saw , but I have heard about it, and this reminded me of that, but it wasn't as dark. Every trial left me wondering what the next one would bring and who would make it through. I began to wonder if Ophelia's sister was in Phantasma. I love romatasy genre. However, I haven't been reading as much fantasy as I once did, but I feel this novel will get me back into it. Blackwell and Ophelia have become my favorite characters, and I hope they appear in the next book. I’m curious to see what happened to them afterwards. 

I understand why I heard so much about this book now. When I finally picked up, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it. Dark romance doesn't always appeal to me. I had no idea what to anticipate. Phantasma took me by surprise in a lot of ways. I'm very happy I chose to read this book! I loved that there was some mental representation in this book. I love it when fantasy books include those. I do feel that the ending was a bit rushed. I couldn’t get enough of this story and am eager to read Genevieve’s story in Enchantra . If you love horror, gothic with some romance in the mix, I would check this book out!

When In Rome (When In Rome, #1)

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

Amelia Rose, known as Rae Rose to her adoring fans, is burned-out from years of maintaining her "princess of pop" image. Inspired by her favorite Audrey Hepburn film, Roman Holiday, she drives off in the middle of the night for a break in Rome . . . Rome, Kentucky, that is. 

When Noah Walker finds Amelia on his front lawn in her broken-down car, he makes it clear he doesn't have the time or patience for celebrity problems. He's too busy running the pie shop his grandmother left him and reminding his nosy but lovable neighbors to mind their own damn business. Despite his better judgment, he lets her stay in his guest room—but only until her car is fixed—then she's on her own. 

Then Noah starts to see a different side of Rae Rose—she's Amelia: kindhearted and goofy, yet lonely from years in the public eye. He can't help but get close to her. Soon she'll have to return to her glamorous life on tour, but until then, Noah will show Amelia all the charming small-town experiences she's been missing, and she'll help him open his heart to more. 

Amelia can't resist falling for the cozy town and her grumpy tour guide, but even Audrey had to leave Rome eventually. 

 

 🌷

 
In the last year, I'd fallen in love with the small-town romance trope. Something about it feels soothing. I've been hearing about Sarah Adams, especially since the third book, Beg, Borrow, or Steal, and couldn't help but be captivated by the author and the novels. I knew I'd need to start from the beginning to get to know the characters, especially if they appeared in the other books in the series. I’m so glad that I decided to check this book out. I was immediately captivated by Amelia and Noah's story. Something about Noah and Amelia's relationship made it impossible not to fall in love with them. From the beginning, I was rooting for the two of them. 

Despite Noah's refusal to admit it, I sensed he was immediately drawn to Amelia. Noah was trying hard not to get attached to her because he knew she would eventually leave. I understood his worry but realized it wouldn't be simple because they lived in the same house. I couldn't help but wonder how long it would be before they could no longer hide their emotions. I was curious which of them would fall first. Everyone in town already knew how they felt about each other. Noah reminded me of Luke from Gilmore Girls , mainly in his attitude. I couldn't get enough of their story and couldn't put it down until I knew how it ended. 

I loved Rome, Kentucky. It reminded me of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls. I loved the way that almost everybody looked out for one another. My favorite characters were Mabel and all of Noah's sisters, who added humor to the story, particularly Mabel. All of these made me laugh on multiple occasions. After reading When In Rome , I'm eager to read the remaining books in the series, especially because they involve Noah's sisters. I adored how Noah's sisters made Amelia feel welcome. All three of them will be good friends for many years to come. I disliked Susan more than any other character right away. She made me skeptical from the beginning. She seemed to have too much power over Amelia's life. I loved this book. There are so many other things that I loved about it. I can’t wait to read Annie and Will’s story in Practice Makes Perfect .

The Wedding People.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★

 

It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She's immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isn’t here for the big event. Phoebe is here because she’s dreamed of coming for years—she hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she’s here without him, at rock bottom, and determined to have one last decadent splurge on herself. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebe and Phoebe's plan—which makes it that much more surprising when the two women can’t stop confiding in each other. 

In turns absurdly funny and devastatingly tender, Alison Espach’s The Wedding People is ultimately an incredibly nuanced and resonant look at the winding paths we can take to places we never imagined—and the chance encounters it sometimes takes to reroute us. 

 

 🌷

 
I have heard about The Wedding People for a while. I couldn't help but wonder why this book was so popular. I had to wait for a while because my library had a long waiting list. When I first picked up the book, I had no idea what to expect; I was intrigued by the plot but unsure how I would react. It took me a few chapters to get into the plot, but it surprised me in several ways. It shocked me how such a heavy issue could become a story you couldn't stop thinking about. The story was not at all what I had expected from the novel. I adore books that surprise you. The Wedding People is a book you won't forget; I finished it a few days ago, and I'm still thinking about the story and the characters. 

When I first heard about the book, I wanted to know the story behind the The Wedding People title. The title will draw you in and want to pick up the book. Phoebe was a very special person who felt real; you couldn't help but love her. Everything Phoebe was going through was real, and it's something that many people go through at some point. I liked how the story was told from Phoebe's perspective while capturing the other characters' emotions. I loved how the characters were described; I could see them as I read the book. There were a few characters whom I initially disliked, but as the book proceeded, I became fond of them all, including the minor characters. 

Lila and Phoebe had a unique friendship, but that was just what they needed. There were moments when Lila frustrated me because of how she behaved, but her good traits made it difficult for me to dislike her. Some of the talks Lila and Phoebe would have had made me laugh out loud. Another of my favorite things about the book is the humor throughout the book, which made the story even more interesting to read. The book was a bit too long. In general, I enjoyed this book and going on this journey with Phoebe. I highly recommend checking this book out!

Every Summer After.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★

 

 

They say you can never go home again, and for Persephone Fraser, ever since she made the biggest mistake of her life a decade ago, that has felt too true. Instead of glittering summers on the lakeshore of her childhood, she spends them in a stylish apartment in the city, going out with friends, and keeping everyone a safe distance from her heart. 

Until she receives the call that sends her racing back to Barry’s Bay and into the orbit of Sam Florek—the man she never thought she’d have to live without.
For six summers, through hazy afternoons on the water and warm summer nights working in his family’s restaurant and curling up together with books—medical textbooks for him and work-in-progress horror short stories for her—Percy and Sam had been inseparable. Eventually that friendship turned into something breathtakingly more, before it fell spectacularly apart. 

When Percy returns to the lake for Sam’s mother’s funeral, their connection is as undeniable as it had always been. But until Percy can confront the decisions she made and the years she’s spent punishing herself for them, they’ll never know whether their love might be bigger than the biggest mistakes of their past. 

Told over the course of six years and one weekend, Every Summer After is a big, sweeping nostalgic look at love and the people and choices that mark us forever. 

 Six summers to fall in love. One moment to fall apart. A weekend to get it right.

 

 🌷

 
There are some books that you know you'll love from the first few pages. Every Summer After was one of them for me. Even after I turned the last page, this novel left me with so many emotions. I experienced every second of this novel as though I were with Sam, Percy, and Charlie in Barry's Bay. It made me wish that I were there. I had a strong connection to each character, particularly Percy and Sam. I read late into the night, unaware of how much time had passed. I was eager to see how Percy and Sam's story would end; I was rooting for them throughout. However, a small part of me didn't want to turn the last page because I didn't want to say goodbye to these amazing characters. 

One of my favorite aspects of books is the different timelines. It helps you realize how a single choice might impact your future. Carly's setup of the Every Summer After timelines is fantastic. I felt as though I had known Percy and Sam while growing up. The bond between Sam and Percy was my favorite; I adored how they began as friends and gradually evolved into something more. I thought their bond was real. I was hoping that Sam and Percy would eventually reconcile. When the two of them reunited, it was clear that those feelings from years earlier were still there. This book broke my heart many times, only to put it back together later. I still can’t get the story and the character out of my mind. My only regret is that I didn’t read this book sooner. 

I love the setting of the book. Barry’s Bay sounded magical. I love anything to do with nature, especially during spring and summer. When I lived in Arizona, we would travel to the Lake on hot days, and I loved everything about it. I could smell and feel the lake as I read Every Summer After. Every Summer After is Carley Fortune's second book that I have read. I read This Summer Will Be Different for my book club last year. However, at least now, Every Summer After is my favorite. I can’t wait to return to Barry’s Bay in One Golden Summer on May 6! I would highly recommend checking this book out.

The Story She Left Behind.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In 1927, eight-year-old Clara Harrington’s magical childhood shatters when her mother, renowned author, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, disappears off the coast of South Carolina. Bronwyn stunned the world with a book written in an invented language that became a national sensation when she was just twelve years old. Her departure leaves behind not only a devoted husband and heartbroken daughter, but also the hope of ever translating the sequel to her landmark work. As the headlines focus on the missing author, Clara yearns for something far deeper and more her beautiful mother. 

By 1952, Clara is an illustrator raising her own daughter, Wynnie. When a stranger named Charlie Jameson contacts her from London claiming to have discovered a handwritten dictionary of her mother’s lost language. Clara is skeptical. Compelled by the tragedy of her mother’s vanishing, she crosses the Atlantic with Wynnie only to arrive during one of London’s most deadly natural disasters—the Great Smog. With asthmatic Wynnie in peril, they escape the city with Charlie and find refuge in the Jameson’s family retreat nestled in the Lake District. It is there that Clara must find the courage to uncover the truth about her mother and the story she left behind.

 

 🌷

 
A mysterious, magical story about forgiveness, love, secrets, and family. 

I was captivated with The Story She Left Behind from the first page. I found myself transported from South Carolina to England. I loved his atmospheric language and descriptions; I could see myself in the Lake District, England, with Clara, Wynnie, and Charlie. I couldn't get enough of this story, wondering if Clara would ever find out what happened to her mother all those years ago. I found myself reading this book late into the night, eager to keep reading until I finished it. I'd probably finish it in a day if it weren't for studying. The Story She Left Behind is one of those stories that will make you question why you didn't pick it up sooner. I finished it last night and can't get it out of my mind; I've even recommended it to a few friends. 

This is my first book by Patti Callahan Henry, so I am new to her writing, but I have heard about her for a while. Even though I had heard a lot of praise for this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. One of the most beautifully written books I've read this year. I can see myself returning to this book and rereading it. I was intrigued that a real-life literacy mystery inspired this story. Those types of books have always been among my favorites to read. Each chapter expanded the mystery. I loved the characters, particularly Clara, Wynnie, and Charlie. Henry brought those people to life for me, which deepened the story's impact. I have a strong connection with each of them. However, I adored Wynnie the most; she was such a wonderful character, full of warmth, and you couldn't help but love her. 

I loved the mystery surrounding Bronwyn’s book and the invented language; reading about that was so much fun. If I were to read a book for the first time, this would be it. The Story She Left Behind is a historical fiction and mystery that also incorporates romance, adventure, and belonging. I loved Henry's description of the Great Smog in London; it was so vivid that I could sense Clara and Wynnie's terror. Now that I've read one of her books, I can't wait to check out the rest and see what adventures she takes us on!

Queens Of Crime.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

London, 1930. The five greatest women crime writers have banded together to form a Secret society with a single goal: to show they are no longer willing to be treated as second-class citizens by their male counterparts in the legendary Detection Club. Led by the formidable Dorothy L. Sayers, the group includes Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy. They call themselves the Queens of Crime. Their plan? Solve an actual murder, that of a young woman found strangled in a park in France who may have connections leading to the highest levels of the British establishment. 

 
May Daniels, a young English nurse on an excursion to France with her friend, seemed to vanish into thin air as they prepared to board a ferry home. Months later, her body is found in the nearby woods. The murder has all the hallmarks of a locked room mystery for which these authors are famous: how did her killer manage to sneak her body out of a crowded train station without anyone noticing? If, as the police believe, the cause of death is manual strangulation, why is there is an extraordinary amount of blood at the crime scene? What is the meaning of a heartbreaking secret letter seeming to implicate an unnamed paramour? Determined to solve the highly publicized murder, the Queens of Crime embark on their own investigation, discovering they’re stronger together. But soon the killer targets Dorothy Sayers herself, threatening to expose a dark secret in her past that she would do anything to keep hidden. 

 

 🌷

 
I became a fan of Marie Benedict after reading Carnegie’s Maid in 2020. Since then, I have read several more of her books. I’ve been anticipating Queens Of Crime since I learned she was writing a new novel. My favorite genres are historical fiction and mystery, so I was excited to get started on this book. I like the experience of the "Queens" and that it featured Agatha Christie as one of the characters, who happens to be my favorite mystery author. I was only familiar with Christie, so I wasn't unaware of Dorothy and the others until I began reading the book and enjoyed learning something new. I know it was fictional, but I adored the concept, especially the mystery. I enjoyed reading a book that featured Christie as a character rather than one written by her. 

However, Queens Of Crime didn't meet my expectations. It was not like her earlier novel, which I had read. This novel began strong and drew me in; however, it appeared to slow down in the middle of the book, and I felt there were unnecessary details. The only character development we saw in the novel was Dorthy's and possibly Agatha's. Dorothy has changed dramatically since the story starts by finding out the truth. I liked how the novel showed five powerful women determined to find the truth regardless of what others told them. 

The mystery surrounding May Daniels' disappearance was my favorite aspect of the story. I admired the five women's determination to discover what happened and why. It was fascinating how the five friends analyzed the clues, conducting interviews and imagining what the characters in their books would be like. The mystery was intriguing and kept me on the edge of my seat. I even found myself, along with Dorothy, Agatha, Ngaio, Margery, and Emma, attempting to figure out what had happened. I recommend this book, especially if you love historical fiction and mystery.

Five Little Pigs(Hercule Poirot,#25)

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beautiful Caroline Crale was convicted of poisoning her husband, but just like the nursery rhyme, there were five other “little pigs” who could have done it: Philip Blake (the stockbroker), who went to market; Meredith Blake (the amateur herbalist), who stayed at home; Elsa Greer (the three-time divorcée), who had her roast beef; Cecilia Williams (the devoted governess), who had none; and Angela Warren (the disfigured sister), who cried all the way home. Sixteen years later, Caroline’s daughter is determined to prove her mother’s innocence, and Poirot just can’t get that nursery rhyme out of his mind. 

 

 🌷

 
Agatha Christie has done it once again! There is something about her writing that has me coming back for more. I liked how the tale was divided into three parts, and just when I thought it couldn't get any more interesting, something unexpected happened. One of my favorite things about Christie's stories is the unexpected twists. Just when you think you've worked out what happened, Christie takes you in the opposite direction, leaving you guessing all over again. Five Little Pigs kept me wondering up until the very end. I struggled figuring out who the killer was. Only in the middle of the book did I begin to suspect who it could be, and it turned out to be someone far different than I had anticipated. 

During the second half, which was written from the perspectives of Philip Blake, Meredith Blake, Else Geer, Cecilia William, and Angela Warren, I began to wonder who the killer might be. It was intriguing to read from each of their viewpoints, and given that it happened across 16 years, they did a great job of relaying what they remembered. However, given how long ago it occurred, I questioned its accuracy. It seems that most of them believed Caroline was guilty of poisoning her husband, and based on the descriptions, I began to suspect that she did kill him. That was one of my favorite parts of this case is how old it was, and I was curious to see what Poirot would discover. 

The most unexpected was the ending, the reveal. I love Poirot reveal of what he observed and what he had learning, it shows how brilliant he is. As I read the novel, I couldn't help but watch and wonder like Poirot about the identity of the murderer and their motivation for killing Amya. I was captivated by this story from the start and didn't want to put the book down until the very end. I've read a few Hercule Poirot novels, and Five Little Pigs has become one of my favorites. I highly recommend it to Agatha Christie and mystery fans!

We All Live Here.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lila Kennedy has a lot on her plate. A broken marriage, two wayward daughters, a house that is falling apart, and an elderly stepfather who seems to have quietly moved in. Her career is in freefall and her love life is . . . complicated. So when her real dad—a man she has barely seen since he ran off to Hollywood thirty-five years ago—suddenly appears on her doorstep, it feels like the final straw. But it turns out even the family you thought you could never forgive might have something to teach about love, and what it actually means to be family. 

 

 🌷

 
I liked how this novel was largely on the relationships between families. I'd always enjoyed reading about family relationships. I was looking forward to this one after reading Me Before You earlier this year. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy the book; I liked most of it, but it wasn't what I expected; to me, the first ten chapters were slow, and I felt as if the plot was dragging on, but it was interesting enough for me to keep reading. It soon picked up, and I was glad I decided to stick with the story. I believe that writing the story with other characters, such as the grandfathers, would make it more intriguing. I enjoyed both Bill and Gene, and while reading the novel, I wondered what the two of them were thinking, especially since they lived in the same house. I was also wondering about Jensen's viewpoints. Gene, Bill, and Jensen were the characters I was most interested in and felt a connection with. 

It wasn't that I disliked Lila; rather, I questioned her decisions on occasion. I didn't have the same connection to the main character as I usually do, which could explain why I thought the story was slow. I adored her bond with her stepfather, Bill. It was obvious how much he loved Lila. I really enjoyed the romantic portions of the stories, particularly those including Jensen. I had an awful feeling about Gabriel from the start, perhaps because of the way he acted, which made me wonder what he was hiding. I loved reading from Celie’s perspective and would love if there was more from her perspective. She was one of the characters that I wondered what happened to her after the book ended. From all the characters in the book, I felt that Celie had the most character development. 

However, I liked reading brief excerpts of the novel Lila was writing. I wish those were mentioned more throughout the book. I loved Gene and Bill; they made me chuckle several times. I did feel that the book was too long, and that the last chapter wasn’t necessary. I thought the book was good overall, and the plot was engaging enough to keep me reading. I would suggest giving it a chance; you could like it more than I did.

Everything We Never Knew.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★

A dazzling and heartwarming novel from Emmy Award winner Julianne Hough and Rule author Ellen Goodlett . 

When the stars align, anything can happen. On stage at an awards banquet is the last place Lexi Cole expected to drown. But as she accepts the award for top-seller at her realty firm, something unusual catches Lexi's a man surrounded by a dark haze. Then she hears a woman screaming for help, and the taste of saltwater overwhelms her. Just as Lexi's throat begins to close, the man leaves the room and the sensation of drowning abruptly stops. Later that night, the man dies of an overdose, and Lexi learns about the traumatic boating accident that killed his sons and tore his family apart. 

Lexi wants to believe it's a bizarre coincidence. Any other explanation would disrupt the normal, comfortable life she's worked so hard to build. Lexi is an expert at denial, a pro at fitting in. But as more strange events unfold, Lexi can't deny the something is changing inside her. She feels other people's emotions, sometimes even glimpses their private memories. By embracing her new abilities, Lexi can help heal people―though not until she confronts the past she's spent a lifetime burying. But when a vision reveals her husband is in danger, Lexi must face her inner demons or lose the person she loves most. 

 

 🌷

 
I had no idea what to expect from Everything We Never Knew when I first came across it. Although I know Julianne Hough, the story's title and cover drew me in. was intrigued by the cover and title before reading the book blurb. It tells its own story. After finishing Everything We Never Knew about Lexi's transition, the cover and title made much more sense and went wonderfully with the story. My only regret is that I hadn't read this book sooner. This book received mixed reviews, but I decided to read it regardless, and I'm pleased I did. I can't stop thinking about this story; I never expected it to have such an impact on me. Everything We Never Knew. is not a story you can forget after reading. Part of me wants to re-read the book. 

This story's imagery was fantastic; I could feel every emotion Lexi was experiencing as if we went through it together. I couldn't help but adore Lexi, and I'm pleased she had some people who believed in her. I wanted to like Lexi's husband, and I did at times, but I despised how he treated her once she told him what was happening to her. A part of me understood why he acted the way he did and if there was a purpose. So much was happening in this book, and each page made it harder to put it down. I’m still thinking about Lexi’s journey. 

Everything We Never Knew is the best book I've read about self-discovery and transformation. Even with the supernatural themes in the plot, Julianne Hough & Ellen Goodlett made it feel real and made us go on the journey with Lexi. It was such a beautifully written novel that I am still thinking about it after finishing it last night. I had never heard of Saturn's return before reading this book, and after finishing it, I undertook my own research since I was so intrigued by it. I highly recommend checking this book out. A story that will take you somewhere you've never imagined.