Tag Archives: Romance

The Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong

Book Review, , , , , , , ,
Overview
The Keeper of Magical Things : Leong, Julie: Amazon.com.au: Books

Title: The Keeper of Magical Things
Author: Julie Leong
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Cozy fantasy, LGBTQI, Romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2025

Thoughts

The Keeper of Magical Things was just as sweet, adorable and impossible to put down as The Teller of Small Fortunes. Julie Leong has definitely shifted right up there to one of my favourite cozy fantasy authors. Everything about this story was sweet and adorable. It was filled with so much love and felt like a giant cuddle with each and every page. This was a great story that was an easy read and departure from reality, something that I always enjoy in a good book.

This is a great opposites attract couple, and I love how they are both able to balance out each other’s short comings. They also accept each other for who they are, not trying to change each other or bring each other more into line. Both work well together to build a life, although both of them make mistakes that could cost them everything. Again, I love that this is a story in which both characters have short comings, both make mistakes, but ultimately, at the end, they both come together to create their own version of happily ever after.

I really love the idea of the library that they create at the end of this story. It’s all about giving back to the community and embracing a future where nothing is hoarded. After all, half the issues that occured in this story happened because power and powerful artifacts were only given to a few. A reminder that, no matter what, power should be used for the community, not just the few powerful. Plus, it’s a library, so I’m absolutely all there for that.

Everything about The Keeper of Magical Things is cozy, cute and gives you so much hope for the future. It is beautiful and sweet, in a way that all cozy fantasies are. I love that it is about community, life and finding your own happily ever after. There is a reason why cozy fantasies have become such a popular genre in recent times, and that need to depart reality for a joyful, kind read is exactly. Which Leong has managed to deliver yet again.

<- More Julie LeongThe Teller of Small Fortunes ->

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Bromantasy by Maire Roche

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Bromantasy eBook : Roche, Máire: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store

Title: Bromantasy
Author: Maire Roche
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Cozy fantasy, LGBTQI, Romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2026

Thoughts

Holy crap, this story was hilarious, adorable and with enough emotional angst to really hit home. Honestly, I had no idea what to expect, since it was a book I picked up as part of a reading challenge. But, it turns out that it was a completely unforgettable and irreplaceable part of my shelves now. Juniper and Mo are incredibly cute, find themselves on the most ridiculous of adventures, and were a whole lot of sweet and pleasant fun.

Juniper and Mo absolutely have issues, they are kind of both a calamity walking. And yet, I really loved how humorously they unravel their quest and selves throughout this story. They both have issues upon issues, and these frequently get in the way of their ultimate goals and happiness. It had me laughing out loud throughout the whole story. Yes, it was an emotional bit of growth, but it was also completely beautiful how they are able to overcome their issues and insecurities to find their happily ever after.

At it’s core, this is a cozy fantasy about two bros who are in love. They somehow adopt a dragon and find themselves in one after another set of hilarious calamities. I also love how they are able to piss off almost every person in this story. Mostly through accident, but sometimes on purpose. Each and every dumb moment had me laughing out loud, it hit me in all the positive feels.

I loved this book so much, it hit all of my happy buttons for a good cozy mystery. It was filled with laughter, light and just enough emotional angst to keep me absolutely hooked. I will most definitely be reading more Maire Roche in the future – I already have her other book lined up on my ereader.

<- More Cozy fantasyMore LGBTQI+ ->

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Imperfect Chemistry by Mary Frame

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Imperfect Chemistry (Imperfect Series Book 1)

Title: Imperfect Chemistry
Author: Mary Frame
Series: Imperfect #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2014

Thoughts

I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there is something about Lucy that I really liked. She was socially awkward, and didn’t necessarily make the best choices. But I found her kind of endearing. Yes, she did low key stalk Jenson, but yet, something about her was really likeable. Plus, I’m a bit of a socially awkward blunder at times myself, so it did make her a little bit more relatable – at least for me.

Jenson is nothing like what I expected from the beginning and the blurb. And I kind of love how I was constantly surprised at how this romance unfolded. Normally, I can pigeon hole the characters a little, but Imperfect Chemistry had me constantly guessing about how this story was going to unfold. And I really loved that. It’s why, even though I didn’t devour this romance like others, I’m actually quite keen to dive into Imperfectly Criminal – I can’t wait to be surprised again.

Although this was a romance, it was Lucy’s friendships with Freya, Bethany, Ted, and ultimately Clare that were brilliant. I may enjoy a good romance, but it is the side characters and friendships which always bring me pure joy. As someone who is admittedly a little odd at times, I loved how these four just… took to Lucy’s oddities and decided to keep her.

I read this at a point in my life when I wasn’t really in the mood for romances. And yet, this still managed to hit the spot. It wasn’t so romance heavy that it made me nostalgic for something I no longer had, but it had enough that it gave me constant hope for the future. I really enjoyed this and I’m glad that I have now got a new romance author to add to my bookshelves.

<- More Mary FrameImperfectly Criminal ->

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Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

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Overview
Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands: the charming light academia Sunday Times bestseller (Emily Wilde Series Book 2)

Title: Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands
Author: Heather Fawcett
Series: Emily Wilde #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Historical fiction, Romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2024

Thoughts

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands is a great follow up to Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries. It follows the same entertaining and engaging style. It draws you in from the very beginning. And it is absolutely impossible to put down. Plus, it expands on some of the revelations from Wendell at the end of the first book. Something that I was seriously looking forward to and greatly enjoyed.

I love how Emily is, again, able to use her knowledge of folklore and understandings of the myths to win the day. Her ability to move fluidly within the rules that govern the world of the fae makes her a surprising, but wonderful heroine. She is exactly the kind of unassuming heroine that I sometimes long for. I particularly like, that, even as the series unfolds, it becomes more and more obvious that Emily doesn’t have some hidden secret, she is exactly as human and lacking in power as she seems. Not the typical for a paranormal fantasy story.

Although I enjoyed the fact that there wasn’t much romance in Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, I also enjoyed that there was slightly more throughout the Map of the Otherlands. I did wonder a little at the conclusion of the first book in this trilogy if Wendell was faking his affection for ulterior motives. And, also how Emily would fit into a relationship with someone who is objectionably very sought after. It was fun to see how they settled into their love and affection for one another.

I honestly can’t get enough of this very unique take on the tales of the fae. Fawcett completely leans into the traditional tales of the fae and uses this to create not only a fantastic world, but one that mimics the traditional stories that anyone who is obsessed with folklore will recognise. It creates a story that is kind of familiar and predictable, but also entirely unique in the joy of the voice (and the mistakes made along the way).

Wendell is a fun counterpoint to Emily. Where she is very intellectual, ethical and struggles with emotions, Wendell is, well, her exact opposite. But, I also love that they love each other for exactly who they are. I also enjoy the fact that Wendell is actually genuine, he doesn’t pretend to be anything or anyone less than what he is, and he has found a woman who embraces him for who and what he is, not an idealised version that has been built up in her head.

<- Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of FaeriesEmily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales ->

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Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavours by Sonali Dev

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Overview
Pride, Prejudice And Other Flavors: A Novel: 1 : Dev, Sonali: Amazon.com.au: Books

Title: Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavours
Author: Sonali Dev
Series: The Rajes #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Retellings, Romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I wanted to love this so much more than I did. I definitely enjoyed it, but i suppose I’ve gotten a lot more picky about how quickly a book draws me in. I still read it, but found myself skimming the final chapters. Yes, retelling are predictable, and this one was brilliantly tailored, but I did find it a little bit slow.

Trisha and her challenges with her family and past were something that really drew me in. The original doesn’t go much into the Darcy side of things, beyond his letter, so it was fun to read about it as it unfolded. I also love that she was the Prejudice and privileged one. A great gender flip.

DJ, I get the pride. But then he started to be painful with it. Maybe because you got so much insight into Trisha, it started to be challenging at times and a bit repetitive how he focused on his past. But, still a very likeable and enjoyable male lead.

Overall, I really enjoyed how Dev was able to twist a classic in such a unique way. I also really enjoyed how she created such sympathetic characters that I think half my rush was to just get to the bit when they find their happily ever after. Will definitely read more of this series and author, but maybe not immediately.

<- More Sonali DevRecipe for Persuasion ->

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A Song for Summer ReRead by Eva Ibbotson

Book Review, , ,
Overview
A Song for Summer : Ibbotson, Eva: Amazon.com.au: Books

Title: A Song for Summer
Author: Eva Ibbotson
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Historical fiction, Romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 1997

Thoughts

For some reason, I didn’t love this reread as much as I’ve enjoyed the past reads of this book. Possibly because I just wasn’t in the right mood for it. I also find that this is one of the slower and longer Ibbotson books on my shelves, so I find it harder to get into the flow of things than some of my favourites. Yet, in spite of that, I still enjoyed this read through and remember why I frequently reread these romances.

One of the aspects of this story that I love is that it is about a woman who is strong and independent. But also, one whom conforms to gender roles. She chooses to embrace her femininity and a nurturing role, whilst still maintaining her sense of self and identity. And she does this as something that she desires and wants – not because she is asked to, and / or forced to.

Throughout this story, I kind of love the family that is created. Yes, the romance at the centre is sweet as they innocently fall in love. But, it is the love of the whole group and how they try their best to find safety in an uncertain world. The innocence, joy and love found in the relationships of this story create a perfect contrast to the back drop of war and horror that drives the action of the tale.

Although I didn’t absolutely adore this novel, I think that I will pick it up again in a short while. It will probably sit better at a time when I’m feeling a little more settled and calm in my life. It is a very specific kind of read, one that, whilst I enjoy, I need to be in the perfect, nostalgic mood for.

<- The Secret CountessMore Eva Ibbotson books ->

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Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Cinderella Is Dead: The TikTok sensation

Title: Cinderella is Dead
Author: Kalynn Bayron
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: LGBTQI, Retellings, Romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I really wanted to love this story. Everything about it drew me in. The premise, the storyline, the writing style. But, very quickly, something became a little same same for me about the reading. And, eventually, even though I kept on reading, I eventually got to a point where I wasn’t excited to open the book anymore and dive right in. Which is generally when I know this isn’t one of my favourite books.

Cinderella is Dead isn’t a book that I would suggest to others. I really struggled to love it as much as I wanted. And I really struggled to connect strongly with the characters and the overall story line. I have read so many amazing books lately, that this one just didn’t quite measure up.

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A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch by Sarah Hawley

Book Review, , , , , , , , ,
Overview
A Demon's Guide to Wooing a Witch: 'Whimsically sexy, charmingly romantic, and magically hilarious.' Ali Hazelwood (Glimmer Falls)

Title: A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch
Author: Sarah Hawley
Series: Glimmer Falls #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Cozy fantasy, Demons, Romance, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I absolutely adored A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon, there was something about the story that had me from the first moment, and made me fall for the characters. And, although I liked A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch, I didn’t love it quite so much. I might have still really enjoyed this paranormal romance, but it definitely wasn’t quite as good as the first book in the Glimmer Falls series. Not that that has stopped me from buying A Werewolf’s Guide to Seducing a Vampire. An enjoyable story, and one that I may reread, but not one of my favourites either.

One of the parts of this story that I really loved was the redemption arc of Astaroth of the Nine. I mean, he was an absolutely fantastic villain in A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon, but somehow, he made an even better hero. Particularly as there wasn’t all that much “heroic” about him. I mean, even though he’s falling in love and starting to turn to the “good” side of this story, his first instinct is still absolutely to just destroy everyone and everything in his way. Really, he felt a little bit like the inside voice we all have that is a little bit less than kind, and a whole lot chaotic.

Calladia, like Astaroth, wasn’t your typical “hero” type character. I mean, I related to her a lot and found her absolutely adorable, but, again, her first instinct is violence and mayhem. I also love that she is tough, strong and has this constant need to fight. It’s a somewhat neurotic tendency to respond to abuse in a very aggressive manner. Which, again, felt a little bit like the Inside Voice that is constantly needling me to make horrible choices that end in chaos. Plus, I just wish I was as good of a fighter / brawler as Calladia. Yet, partnering these two grey heroes together works perfectly. And, more than anything, I love that it’s the not-so-pure influence of Astaroth which finally lets Calladia take control of her abusive relationships and finally walk away.

As much as I enjoyed the chaos and insanity that was Calladia and Astaroth on an adventure, I really liked how they tried to restructure the whole of demon culture. There is an extra layer of world building within this story that wasn’t in A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon, and I really liked getting to know more of these nuanced factors. Plus, there’s the way that in becoming more like the mortals, Astaroth is able to figure out how to become less stagnated. I also love how it is those of us who live the shortest lives that are the most passionate, a great reminder to live each day as full as possible.

<- A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a DemonA Werewolf’s Guide to Seducing a Vampire ->

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A Duke in Shining Armor by Loretta Chase

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Overview
A Duke in Shining Armor

Title: A Duke in Shining Armor
Author: Loretta Chase
Series: Difficult Dukes #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

This was one of those few stories that I almost put in the DNF pile, but then decided to plod along. Normally, even if I do this, I find that I regret just not stopping. That was not the case with A Duke in Shining Armor. Once I got past that hurdle, about a third of the way through, I actually started to fall in love with this story. Not only did I find that the storyline picked up pace, but I also started to really and truly connect with the characters. It was at this point that I realised I wanted to know what was going to happen. And I really, really wanted a happily ever after for the main characters.

A Duke in Shining Armor was a fun historical romance with all of the typical social morales and expectations. It didn’t necessarily detour too far from the genre’s conventions, but I loved how well Chase slotted into this. There’s a reason I like regency / historical romances, and I love that Chase ticked all of my boxes for this genre. She was also able to use this lens to really highlight the difference in societal expectations for men and women. Although women may have more choice and freedom in the world today (at least where I’m from), but there is still a stark difference between the different pathways. Chase was able to not only reflect on today’s difference in expectations and societal norms, but also those of the past. And she did this so seamlessly that I kind of didn’t realise it was happening until I turned the final page. Potent, beautiful and gifted.

Although it took me a little while to engage with the storyline of A Duke in Shining Armor, I did love Olympia from pretty much the beginning. It takes a lot of courage to run out on a wedding in this day and age, so the fact that she does this in a regency romance? It was already going to show a very different character. Then, there’s the fact that she is fiery and independent, initially it seems to be due to alcohol, but it quickly becomes apparent that this is how she is. Plus, she is completely loyal and loving to her family. I love how much of a backbone she has and how willing she is to stand on her own two feet to do the right thing. I also love how truly exasperated she gets with the males of her species – because, honestly, who hasn’t been there before?

Where I immediately took to Olympia, Ripley was more “alright”. And possibly why it took me a little longer to warm to the romance. Probably because he wasn’t any of the things that I really enjoy in a literary man. Plus, he took a little too much joy in messing with his friends, without really thinking through the consequences. Honestly, most of the conflict throughout this story was simply because Ripley and his two best friends just refuse to actually think through the consequences of their decision making. But, ultimately, he decides on Olympia (eventually), and this made all of the mehness of his character kind of okay. It was, at least, enough for me to want to know what happens to his two best friends next.

<- More Loretta ChaseTen Things I Hate About the Duke ->

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Accidentally on Purpose by Kristen Kish

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Overview
Accidentally On Purpose by Kristen Kish

Title: Accidentally on Purpose
Author: Kristen Kish
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, Celebrity, Food, LGBTQI
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2025

Thoughts

I know of Kristen Kish from the Disney+ show, Restaurants at the End of the World, but I didn’t really know much about her beyond that. Which meant, that when her biography showed up on one of the Goodreads Challenges that I wanted to read, I couldn’t wait to dive in. It was also pleasant reading a biography about someone I knew I liked, but with no actual idea of any of her life. Everything about Accidentally on Purpose reminded me of the voice of Kish from her food documentary, but with an extra layer of honesty and integrity that I admired.

One of the parts of this memoir that I really loved is how Kish is able to incorporate multiple facets of the life that she lives. It starts pretty simple with Kish talking about her adoption and upbringing. But, the more she shares, the more she talks about how the different aspects of her personhood intersect. From being adopted, to being Korean, to being gay, Kish is honest and open about who she now is. But, also the struggles that she experiences to get there. And I loved how she talks about each and every part of her identity with raw brilliance.

Before reading Accidentally on Purpose, I knew nothing about Top Chef, beyond the fact that it was a TV show. Now, knowing that this is how Kish got her Celebrity Chef start, I’m a more than a little intrigued. The whole idea of the show and Kish’s love for it make me want to watch it. Then there’s the history behind it and the importance of representation which Kish touches upon. Again, all aspects of the story that make me really want to get to know more about Top Chef, and maybe watch a season or two.

Each memoir I read has some kind of life message or wisdom to impart that I enjoy. In the case of Accidentally on Purpose, it’s Kish’s openness to new experiences and just enjoying the path that you are on. She frequently shares how she just stumbled into lucky positions throughout her life, and took advantage of them. It’s a good reminder that sometimes we have to take advantage of the path we are on, and remember that the journey is absolutely more important than the destination.

<- Twas the Nightshift Before ChristmasPirate Hunters ->

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