Book Review: "The Dragon's Rose" by Tati R. Alvarez

“The Dragon’s Rose” by Tati Alvarez is the first book in the Grym Hollow series. “The Dragon’s Rose” follows leading lady Rose Briar in her quest to save the younger sister who betrayed her, while also trying to get away from a painful past.

Rose finds herself seeking the help of The Guardian, an elusive, magical figure who lives on the fringes of her small community and assists those in need - for a price. Rose’s deal for an escape from her current reality leads her to Mescos, a magical realm filled with dragons, krakens, shifters, and more - and straight to the castle of the Dragon King, Malix, whom she’s agreed to marry as part of her deal. 

Now, the novel wasn’t horrible. Apart from the grammatical errors that littered the ARC, the story was interesting enough to keep me reading. I enjoyed the premise of a bargain for a new life, with all the twists that came with it. I would have loved to see some more development of Rose and Malix’s relationship - it felt superficial at best and the romance fell flat of what I’d expect from a romantasy. The dual POV also left much to be desired; I felt the voices weren’t distinct enough from each other to tell much of a difference between one and the other. 

That being said, I would love to see where the author takes this series - as there were definitely hints at what a sequel might hold in this first book. I enjoyed Alvarez’s writing and think with more editing, the next book could be a hit.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Book Review: "Making Her Theirs" by Lily Manning

“Making Her Theirs” by Lily Manning is a fast-paced, lust-filled adventure that sees Georgia Presley Henry across the Atlantic and into the pub below her newly rented flat, as she travels to Edinburgh on business, after recently securing a new promotion at work. 

A self-proclaimed numbers/math nerd who shelters her own insecurities about love and worth, Georgia finds herself swept up and in the arms of Scottish brothers Knox and Finn after some heavy flirting at the bar. She ends up in the bed of the third and final brother, Lachlan, by the end of the evening thanks to a faulty keypad on her flat’s door. 

The story follows Georgia and the ten days that follow as she spends more time with the three very distinct brothers. Knox, the family protector and guide, is possessive, intense, and knows exactly what he wants. Finn, the charming, sweet, bartender who shares his kitchen favorites with Georgia. And Lachlan, the brooding, quiet “fixer” of the bunch who knows almost immediately he wants to take care of Georgia. 

The whirlwind romance was almost break-neck in speed and I felt there could have been more character development between all of the spice (which comes a-plenty in this book). I love that the female lead character is smart, intelligent, and kind of a nerd - but that she’s able to connect with and find something she needs in each of the three brothers. I’m not sure how realistic the love arc is, considering she’s only supposed to be in Scotland for 10 days…but hey. If I were in her shoes with three insanely hot brothers in the enchanting land of Scotland, steeped in history and lore, I could very well fall in love in less than a week too, I think. And let’s just say the spice was…consistent and explosive throughout the entire novel. 

If you’re looking for your next quick and dirty (and I mean that in the best way possible), why-choose romance, check out “Making Her Theirs” by Lily Manning.

Book Review: "A Fragile Enchantment" by Allison Saft

Allison Saft crafts a Regency England-inspired fantasy world, reminiscent of Bridgerton, with her new book, “A Fragile Enchantment.” With a love story as devastatingly romantic as Kate and Anthony’s, readers will be enchanted with protagonist Niamh and her spell-binding creations in this YA fantasy romance. 

Niamh, a popular seamstress/dressmaker who imbues enchantments in all of her wares, is hired by the Prince Regent and commissioned to complete wedding wear for his younger brother, the groom, Prince Kit Carmine, and his betrothed, Infanta Rosa. Niamh quickly finds herself getting acquainted with court politics, as tensions are brought to a head between Machlish staff and the Prince Regent, who is desperately hiding something from his brother and the rest of the court. Niamh is propositioned by Lovelace, an anonymous gossip rag writer (again, reminiscent of Lady Whistledown) to help uncover the intentions of the Prince Regent and groom. Amidst the broiling pressures of an impending conflict between Machlish workers and the Crown, Niamh finds herself drawn to Prince Kit, despite her efforts to stay away. 

Saft crafts a bewitching novel that delivers on tropes romance readers crave: enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, and forbidden love. Saft’s lyrical writing adds an additional layer of whimsy to this tale, that it’s difficult not to get swept away in this story of longing and intrigue. (Niamh’s final creation - the groom’s wedding cloak - and all of her intentions that were weaved into it had me misty-eyed!) The author also expertly intertwines themes of mental health, addiction, systemic oppression, and familial trauma, while never losing focus of the love story between Niamh and her prince.

“A Fragile Enchantment” is a must-read for Bridgerton fans and romance readers alike who are looking for a heart-felt, magical tale about love overruling duty.

Book Review: "The Good Part" by Sophie Cousens

In this contemporary romance by author Sophie Cousens, readers are introduced to Lucy Young, a twenty-six-year old junior researcher, working tirelessly in a role where she’s constantly under appreciated and undervalued and living in a flat outside of London with three roommates, broke and contemplating her life choices after poor dating app encounters.

After one such swipe and meet-up, Lucy finds herself stranded at a convenience store with an elderly Scottish lady who encourages her to “make a wish” on an old-time arcade game machine.

Reminiscent of 13 Going On 30, Lucy wakes up 16 years into the future, with a house, husband, and two young children in tow. Now working as a co-founder to a new independent production company, Lucy grapples with her new reality as she strives to make sense of what happened - did she time travel to the “good part” of her life? Or has she experienced a bout of amnesia that has her forgetting an entire chunk of her adult life?

Having no memories of the last sixteen years, Lucy struggles to find her place in her life as a forty-two year old career woman. Thrown into motherhood and marriage, Lucy discovers the joys and heartbreak in both as she begins to assume her role in this new reality. In scenes that reminded me of The Vow, Lucy begins to fall in love with her husband again and had me clutching my heart strings. Lucy’s interactions with her children were endearing and made me cheer for her, as she both struggled and succeeded in the feats of motherhood (something my mom heart could totally relate to). (The scene where she helps a fellow mom in need had me in tears because as a mother, I’ve been there - motherhood is HARD.)

In the end, Lucy has a choice - remain in the present and remember or get sent back to the past (to her 26-year-old self) and forget. Her choice is everything!

If you enjoyed movies like 13 Going On 30 or The Vow, you will definitely appreciate Sophie Cousens’ latest.

[Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC of The Good Part by Sophie Cousens in exchange for my honest review.]