Whatcha Reading? February 2024

Magical libraries, estranged sisters, unexpected power and deadly secrets all come together in this awesome debut. We follow half sisters Esther and Joanna who come back together after years of separation after the unexpected death of their father - who died reading a book neither of them had seen before. 100% gripping, and I'm a sucker for books about books. Especially when said books are magical and deadly.

I've been slowly entering my manga era and with all the hype around One Piece lately I knew I had to add it to my list. I was warned that the series starts slow, but I LOVED this one! All around enjoyable, quirky, and charming. I read quite a bit of darker manga (I'm looking at you, Junji Ito), so it was nice to dive into something that was pure fun.

BookTok and Bookstagram made me read this and now you get my review. Is it the most polished book I've ever read? No. It it cliché? Delightfully. Does it have a 20 page glossary of mostly brand spanking new fantasy terminology? Yes. Does this cause you to struggle to read the first 150 pages because it needs to arrange it's world inside your head until the plot clicks? Also yes. However, if you get through those pages of world building you'll find a tidally locked planet searing on one end and frozen on the other. Beautiful auroras to mark the difference between the always days or nights, evil and righteous rulers, frigid wastes and sweltering jungles. Romantically spicy scenes, and dragons, who upon death, hurtle themselves into the sky - forever entombed as moons. So yea it's maybe a must read. You'll love it or you'll hate it, but I don't often steer you wrong.

As an avid historical fiction reader one thing I found most impressive about this latest haunting story from Arden, is that she was able to write about WWI in a way that felt entirely new to me AND meld in a fantasy storyline seamlessly. Reading a bit like a fever dream (but in a good way) and absolutely harrowing at times, with its unflinching portrayal of WWI scenes and horrors, The Warm Hands of Ghosts delivers a haunting story that doesn’t leave you fully without hope. This read will stay with me. 

Needing something lighter I turned to this delightful, cozy story on audio and was not disappointed. Here we follow Jenny, a septuagenarian, who rises to fame when she participates in the ever popular TV show, Britain Bakes. I’m always drawn to Great British Bakeoff style stories but they usually leave me wanting with their overwrought, saccharine storylines. Not here. Olivia Ford perfectly balances a sweet story, the just right focus on baked deliciousness, and a back story that provides balance to the levity. A really enjoyable audio escape! 

To avoid spoilers I won’t add a blurb here but this was a strong ending to the Crescent City books, will there be a fourth? Maybe! I personally love all the characters in the Crescent City books, especially Ruhn Danaan. His, followed by Bryce's storylines, were my favourite!

I finally got around to finishing off one of my favourite cowboy romances series! If you want light hearted, fluffy and spicy romances these are for you! This is a standalone interconnecting series.

Set of 6 novellas ranging from 40 pages to 200 pages all based around Valentines day, from bestselling romance authors like: Christina Lauren, Sally Thorne, Jasmine Guillory, Ashley Poston, Sariah Wilson and Abby Jimenez. All stand alone novellas but slightly interconnecting. (Free on Amazon Prime!)

Have you ever sat down with your party in a local tavern after a raid and just enjoyed each other’s company with your trusty dire wolf curled at your feet gnawing at the bone of the troll you took down on the raid? If you’re looking for that vibe without all the work of carrying the storyline yourself, settle in for an evening with this effortless cozy read.