Review: Big Little Spells: A Witchy Romantic Comedy (Witchlore Book 2) by Hazel Beck

Big Little Spells by Hazel Beck is wonderful addition to the Witchlore series, giving us an enchanting story to add to the witchy romcom genre. I'll be honest, I haven't dove into this genre before but this book has me wanting to stay. This story gives us mix of magic, romance and mystery.

Rebekah Wilde, the protagonist, is one of the characters that grabs your attention right away. She returns to her hometown after a decade of banishment due to the Joywood Coven and their politics. This sets the stage for some page turning drama that will keep your attention as it unfolds. Throw in the fact that The Joywood Coven oversee the magical world which heats up the plot, it actually makes things harder as she faces a death sentence unless she can prove that she and her friends are not a threat to witchkind.

Beyond the intended plot, other elements that blend in make the book more interesting to invest in. The supporting characters, her sister and her friends, their journey grows on you and makes them more likable. In particular, the charm and mystery surrounding Nicholas Frost and Rebekah was something worth rooting for. Considering the fact that he was the only one who knew how to stop the Joywood, the suspense and anticipation brought some fun to the book.

Overall, this was a nice read. Honestly, it was hard to initially get into because I'm not used to the creative elements in this genre but once I did and embraced the magical elements, it became a page turning experience. I enjoyed experiencing something new in this witchy romcom genre. I'm looking forward to catching up with the series and anticipating the third book coming out next year. It was a different but a welcomed experience that I hope to continue reading in the future.

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Review: The Shake Off by Lulu Moore

About the Book

My name is Ace Watson, and I’m having an existential crisis.

I finished last season as one of the league's best pitchers. Baseball’s smooth-talking boy wonder. The future of The New York Lions.

I'm starting this season as the worst.

And I don't want to sound dramatic, but the fault lies entirely with Payton Lopez.

She walked into my life with her mile long legs and dark brown waves, and threw me the curviest of all curve balls. Overnight my ability to pitch disappeared with my ability to charm, and I found myself riding a one way ticket to being the most expensive bench warmer in the M.L.B.

The only solution: to get Payton to fix what she broke, something she agrees to on one very easy condition.

Before long, what started as a way to get my pitch back, soon turns into any excuse I can find for us to spend time together.

Before long, I have everything I didn't even realize I wanted.

Now I just need to prove to her that while I exist without baseball, I can’t live without her.

Payton Lopez might have thrown me a curve ball, but I’m pitching it right back.

The Shake Off is a grumpy / sunshine, friends with benefits, sizzling TikTok sensation. Perfect for fans of Hannah Grace and Elle Kennedy

Review

The Shake Off could have easily been one of my favorite sports romances of the year. Unfortunately, the characters drag this book down. Let’s start with the MMC—Ace. I liked him well enough until too much time was spent with him. He came across as extremely immature, and honestly not a great communicator. After a terrible game, he storms Payton’s apartment and blames her for everything. It left a bad taste in my mouth.

As for Payton, I liked her a lot more than Ace. The problem is her relationship with Ace. Sure, there’s some great chemistry between them; however, the real genuine connection is missing. My feelings could be that way because often I felt Payton to be too good for Ace.

Another issue I had with the book is Payton’s friends— specifically Payton’s friend’s romantic partners. Their dedication to winning came at the expense of Payton. When it eventually came time to apologize, it felt rushed and weak. They said hurtful things to Payton; she should have not forgiven them so easily.

Final Analysis

The Shake Off is entertaining, however; it loses momentum with weak and frustrating characters. There are several apologies directed at the FMC and all of them seemed bland. As for the romance, it feels weak and relies heavily on attraction to sell it.

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Review: For the Gods’ Sake by Rory L. Scott

About the Book

For the Gods' Sake is a fake dating, reluctant allies fantasy romance novel. It is the third book in the Tempt the Gods series and can be read as a standalone, but it is recommended to read the recap at the beginning of the book.

A god and a princess. Working together.

The Greek and Roman gods have co-existed for over two thousand years until the unthinkable happens. Adrian Zeus Jupiter was born from the unexpected, scandalous love affair between his mother, Lady Zeus, and his father, Lord Jupiter. Now, close to three decades later, his birth has forced the gods to combine into one system. While most have accepted the change, there has been a conspiracy brewing—one that threatens Adrian's rule and life.

To save his line, Adrian turns to the one person who could eclipse his fame—Reyna Romulus. As the people's princess and the heir to the most powerful business in the Mediterranean, Reyna is the balm to Adrian's reputation he desperately needs to smooth things over while he dismantles the conspiracy. Little does he know, Reyna needs him just as badly.

As the threat against the gods mounts and their lives are threatened, Adrian and Reyna's arranged relationship will be tested, along with their promise to not fall in love with each other.

Review

Rory L. Scott was so kind to send me an ARC, a review wasn’t required; however, I read this book and knew that I wanted to rave about it. I had previously read the previous installments of this series. I loved them, and I loved For the Gods’ Sake. In fact, I think that Adrian and Reyna might be my favorite couple in this series. This series is the perfect blend of Roman and Greek mythology with entertaining romances. It’s easy to follow; the stakes are high. It has swoony-worthy men and incredible women.

This is Adrian and Reyna’s story, however, the two previous couples do contribute to the main plot within the series. Back to Adrian and Reyna. The two of them enter this fake relationship designed to get them specific results. Of course, along the way they begin to fall in love. Their love is passionate, and their dynamic is especially intriguing. Reyna isn’t a God, but Adrian is the God of Gods. Everyone is interested in their relationship, and it feels like they are the It Couple. I could absolutely read five more books about them.

Final Thoughts

Tempt the Gods is a must-read series. Every book keeps getting better and better. At this time, For the Gods’ Sake is my favorite within the series. There was something so magical about Reyna and Adrian and I very quickly fell in love with them and their dynamic.

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Review: The Mistletoe Bet by Maren Moore

Summary

Everyone says “there’s no place like home”… well not for me.

When I’m forced to spend the holidays at home with my family in Strawberry Hollow, I have no idea how I’m even going to survive the week, let alone make it through my least favorite holiday… Christmas.

That is until I run into my childhood crush, and my brother’s best friend, Parker Grant.

Now, he’s the sexy, off-limits doctor in our small town, and nothing like the man I left behind six years ago.

While I hate the holidays, there is nothing that he loves more.

Well, other than a good bet.

Which is exactly what happens when we end up together under the mistletoe.

A bet that changes everything.

Review

I struggled with how to put my feelings into words for this one. The Mistletoe Bet was simply fine to me. I don’t have any major positive or negative feelings regarding it. It’s exactly how it’s advertised.

It’s a low stake short romantic comedy that feels cozy like Christmas. It’s perfect for anyone wanting to dive into a quick Christmas novella. The main characters are forgettable; but in the moment their romance is entertaining—mostly. I enjoyed the premise of Parker wanting to bring Quinn’s Christmas joy back. There are a few bumps, and the ending felt a rushed to me.

Final Analysis

The Mistletoe Bet is a novella with strong Hallmark vibes. The characters don’t stand out nor is their romance groundbreaking. However, it’s solid and does provide some Christmas spirit. Bonus points that it’s quick and easy to read.

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Review: Bookmarked: How the Great Works of Western Literature F*cked Up My Life by Mark Scarbrough

About the Book

A poignant, funny, and timely memoir that marries the intimacy and the sexual identity themes of Boy Erased with My Life in Middlemarch’s interest in the way literature shapes and influences our lives, written in the authentic Southern voice, deeply incisive wit, and with quirky but erudite observations evocative of John Jeremiah Sullivan's Pulphead.

Mark Scarbrough has been searching for something his entire life. Whether it’s his birth mother, true love, his purpose, or his sexual identity, Mark has been on a constant quest to find out who he really is, with the great Western texts as his steadfast companions. As a boy with his head constantly in a book, desperate to discover new worlds, he can hardly distinguish between their plots and his own reality. The child of strict Texan Evangelicals, Mark is taught by the Bible to fervently believe in the rapture and second coming and is thus moved to spend his teen years as a youth preacher in cowboy boots. At college, he discovers William Blake, who teaches him to fall in love with poems, lyrics...and his roommate Alex. Raised to believe that to be gay was to be a sinner, Mark is driven to the brink of madness and attempts suicide. Hoping to avoid books once and for all, Mark joins the seminary, where he meets his wife, Miranda. Neither the seminary nor the marriage stick, and Mark once again finds himself turning to his books for the sense of belonging he continues to seek....

In the tradition of beloved titles like The End of Your Life Book Club, Reading Lolita in Tehran, and The Year of Reading Dangerously, Bookmarked tells a deeply personal story through the lens of literature. An examination of one man’s complicated, near-obsessive relationship with books, and how they shaped, molded, ruined, and saved him, Bookmarked is about how we listeners stash our secrets between jacket covers and how those secrets ultimately get told in the ways that the books themselves demand.

Review

As I was initially intrigued and drawn into the book based upon its title, I didn’t get the experience that I’d hoped based on that assumption. As I appreciate when people discover books and the impact literature has influenced their lives, I didn’t feel or see how it affected him to the degree as the title might have inferred. The obsession with some of the literature he referenced may have been congruent with his experiences but that was based on choices he made in his life that seemed independent of that.

In spite of this, what I enjoyed reading about this memoir was about him as a person. His story layered with insecurities, obstacles and a lifelong journey to find himself and his own voice is what kept me interested. I feel his obsession with the classics and books as with many readers who look to escape the realities of life seem to what might have been a positive rather than a negative.

I can’t imagine one’s experience being like his. He was adopted, raised by conservative evangelicals, and going through life having conflicting feelings trying to fit into a life where your story was meant to be told differently. It was courageous of his self discovery and embracing who he was meant to be later in life was a testimony in itself. As a consequence, living his best life, finding his authentic self and love wraps up a lifetime of trying.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about his life after finding his place and truly embracing and enjoying what life has to offer. So overall, I wasn’t sold on the concept that it ruined his life, but was pleased to see that today he’s living the best version of it.

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Review: Elves with Benefits by Jana Aston

About the Book

My name is Ryan Sheppard and I don’t care about Christmas. I’m only returning to my over-the-top Christmas-themed hometown to sell the house I inherited from my late uncle so I can get back to the city and the promotion I’m chasing at work.

Unfortunately, there’s a flaw in my plan.

Because according to the town Christmas cop, there’s a moratorium on selling houses during December. She says it’s bad for the aesthetic. She’s also slapping an alarming number of tickets on my front door. For being in violation of holiday décor. And I swear on Rudolph himself, one is for ‘unsportsmanlike Christmassing.’

To top it all off, this Christmas cop looks like a red-headed elf.

A sexy red-headed elf…

Warning: Christmas in Reindeer Falls is more naughty than nice. These stories are over-the-top festive with merrily-ever-afters guaranteed. Novella length for quick holiday binge reading. Enjoy!

Review

I finished this book and let out a deep sigh. This book was deeply frustrating. Firstly, the main character Maggie was a bit annoying. At times she felt like a parody with her over excitement for Christmas and her serious dedication to her job. I could not buy into her ridiculousness. Everything about Reindeer Falls was so magical and poetic to her. However, it didn’t feel magical at all. There were so many long descriptions of the town, and it felt like an infographic without any feeling.

I think the book needed a break from her POV because it was a lot at times. I would have preferred to get into the head of Ryan because I think if he had been fleshed out more, his character would have been a nice contrast to Maggie. However, in her POV his personality is lacking a bit except for him being anti- Christmas and needing a promotion. And it would have been nice to read his thoughts on why he did a complete 180 towards the end.\

Final Thoughts

Elves with Benefits is a disappointing holiday novella that rushed through the story without taking time to breath. The main characters had little to no chemistry, and I didn’t believe their attraction at all. They had one interaction and he’s already popping up randomly in her thoughts?

The characters either felt like a parody or were lackluster. Even the support characters felt a little bit off. There was a scene with Maggie and her friends, and their friendship didn’t seem supportive at all. As for the ending, it felt unsatisfying. I almost prefer it if the two characters never had gotten together.

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