October 2025 – Page 2 – Jill's Book Blog

Review: Survival (The After #2)

Title: Survival (The After #2)
Author: J. Taylor
Genre: Middle Grade, Dystopia
Publisher: Friesen Press
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Physical book
Release Date: January 24, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In the wilderness of Nova Scotia, Charlotte and Anna confront the formidable challenges of survival such as finding food, building a shelter, and establishing a new life. Their bond is tested, however, when an unknown individual enters the scene, potentially driving a wedge between them. As tensions rise, a catastrophic event further complicates their situation, leading to a separation that leaves them struggling to reunite.
Book Two of The After Series explores themes of resilience, friendship, and the harsh realities of survival, highlighting both the strength of Charlotte and Anna’s connection and the obstacles that threaten to tear them apart.

Review:

This is the second book in The After series. Charlotte and Anna are on their own trying to survive. This story had a few heart wrenching moments. It reminded me of The Last of Us in the way that the girls were on the run, looking for ways to survive.

Survival is an intense and heart wrenching story.

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: death, fire

Other books in the series:

The After (The After #1)
The Invasion (The After #3)

Have you read Survival? What did you think of it?

Review: Oh, Canada

Title: Oh, Canada
Author: Abby Lawrence-Valeriani
Genre: Children’s, Board book
Publisher: Taffy Tales
Source: Publisher
Format: Board book
Release Date: November 4, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Oh, Canada! – Interactive Look and Find Lift-the-Flap Board BookCelebrate the beauty and diversity of Canada with Oh, Canada!, the newest title in Taffy Tales’ best-selling Look and Find Lift-the-Flap series. This vibrant, interactive board book invites young readers to explore Canada’s landscapes, wildlife, and landmarks while discovering hidden surprises under every chunky flap. From the icy tundra of the North to the lush forests of the East, children will meet iconic animals like moose and beavers, spot famous landmarks like the CN Tower and the Rockies, and learn fun facts about Canada’s provinces and territories.

Review:

This is a fun board book about Canada. The book takes the reader on a journey across Canada, showing landmarks and different animals. There were questions in each section, encouraging kids to think about what they’re reading and interact with the book.

Oh, Canada is a great board book!

Thank you Taffy Tales for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Have you read Oh, Canada? What did you think of it?

Review: The After (The After Series #1)

Title: The After (The After Series #1)
Author: J. Taylor
Genre: Middle Grade, Dystopia
Publisher: Friesen Press
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: October 10, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Despite the deadly virus that caused borders to close and governments to fall ten years earlier, fourteen-year-old Charlotte and her family have lived a challenging yet relatively peaceful life, isolated on their acreage in rural Nova Scotia. However, when Charlotte discovers that an interloper has infiltrated their property, she must decide between keeping the potential threat a secret or embracing the potential for companionship that the intrusion represents. As the chaotic world that lurks outside the fence surrounding her farm disrupts Charlotte’s life even further, she must reach deep within herself and find the courage to become the mature young woman she claims to be—or risk losing everything that she and her family have worked so hard to build.

Review:

This is a postapocalyptic middle grade story. A virus killed many people, leaving Charlotte’s family to live isolated on a farm. The virus reminded me of Covid, but it was much more destructive. This story shows what could have happened if we didn’t have a vaccine. There were some sad parts, that go along with a deadly virus. I’m curious to see what happens in the rest of the series!

The After is a great dystopian middle grade story.

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: death, death of animal, virus

Other books in the series:

Survival (The After Series #2)
The Invasion (The After Series #3)

Have you read The After? What did you think of it?

Review: The Heart of Valor

Title: The Heart of Valor
Author: Connie Y Harris
Genre: Fiction, Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: September 8, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

After an early retirement from the Marine Corps, Kacie O’Shea finds herself at a crossroads, feeling adrift. When an opportunity arises with Valor Security Systems, she’s determined to prove herself. Her first assignment is successful, but unravels a sinister revenge plot targeting her client.
Trevor Marlowe is a single parent whose sole focus is protecting his young daughter, Emma. Impressed by Kacie’s credentials, he hires her as a bodyguard, but their professional relationship takes an unexpected romantic twist.
Faced with a crisis of conscience, Kacie requests a replacement, ends the affair and returns home.
Then, the unthinkable happens—Emma is kidnapped. Kacie vows to get her back, knowing the mission will push her to her limits as she returns to the treacherous streets of Mali, where her Marine career ended abruptly.

Review:

This was a short, sweet, and steamy military romance. Kacie and Trevor made a really cute couple. I liked the way that Trevor’s daughter, Emma, loved Kacie. There were fairly low stakes in their romance which made it a light and quick read. There were a few fun steamy scenes too.

The Heart of Valor is a short and steamy military romance!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign.

Content warnings: death, kidnapping, robbery (mentions)

Have you read The Heart of Valor? What did you think of it?

Review: Construction

Title: Construction
Author: Elena Sturgess
Genre: Children’s, Board Book
Publisher: Taffy Tales
Source: Publisher
Format: board book
Release Date: October 7, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

Construction is the newest title in Taffy Tales’ best-selling Fun Flaps series! This interactive, chunky board book takes young readers step by step through the exciting process of building a home. From clearing the land to the final coat of paint, children will discover how houses come to life with the help of workers, vehicles, tools, and materials.

Follow along as kids meet excavators, builders, window installers, painters, and landscapers—each crew revealed through sturdy flaps that hide fun surprises, including playful details like a mouse visiting drying cement! Young readers will learn the names of tools, vehicles, and the tasks each crew performs, all while exploring colorful, engaging illustrations.

Review:

This is an adorable board book about a construction site. The illustrations show how a house is built, from clearing the land to putting the shingles on the roof. There are fun flaps that can be lifted to see more fun facts about construction underneath. I think any kids who are interested in construction or tools will love this board book.

Construction is a fun board book!

Thank you Taffy Tales for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Have you read Construction? What did you think of it?

Review: Stones River

Title: Stones River
Author: M.F. Jones
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Fieldwood Books
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: September 26, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

When Jessie Gibbs meets Lemuel Sanders, she thinks she has finally found her ideal man—until she discovers that he is the ghost of a Civil War soldier. For 144 years, Lem has kept vigil at his unmarked battlefield grave, seeking someone to complete a personal mission so he can go to his final rest. As love grows between them, Jessie is torn. If she succeeds in fulfilling Lem’s wish, she’ll lose him when he passes into the afterlife. But if she fails and he remains in the world, she’ll never be free to find intimacy with a living man. A riveting story of faith, passion, and selfless devotion, Stones River shows the power of love to overcome all obstacles—even death itself.

Review:

This is a beautiful story about love and loss. Jess falls in love with her perfect man, but he turns out to be the ghost of a soldier from the Civil War. I liked this supernatural romance. I was rooting for Jess and Lem, even though it seemed impossible for them to have a future. This story was fast paced and exciting!

Stones River is a beautiful story.

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign.

Content warnings: war, death, cancer

Have you read Stones River? What did you think of it?

Review: The Wheels on the Ice

Title: The Wheels on the Ice
Author: Elena Sturgess, Sakshi Mangal
Genre: Children’s, Board Book
Publisher: Taffy Tales
Source: Publisher
Format: Board book
Release Date: October 7, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

Wheels on the Ice takes the classic nursery rhyme you love and gives it a hilarious hockey twist! From the creative minds at Taffy Tales and everyone’s favorite storyteller, Mother Moose, this playful board book brings the rink to life with Zambonis, players, and all the excitement of game day—set to the tune of Wheels on the Bus.

Review:

This board book is a twist on the song “The Wheels on the Bus.” Instead of the bus, this book is set at a hockey rink and the wheels on the ice are on the Zamboni which cleans the ice. It is a clever twist on the traditional rhyming song. I think families who love hockey will love this book!

The Wheels on the Ice is a fun board book!

Thank you Taffy Tales for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Have you read The Wheels on the Ice? What did you think of it?

Review: Ten Teeny Fingers and Teen Teeny Toes

Title: Ten Teeny Fingers and Ten Teeny Toes
Author: Elena Sturgess, Katya Zolina
Genre: Children’s, Board Book
Publisher: Taffy Tales
Source: Publisher
Format: Board book
Release Date: October 7, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

This heartwarming board book cherishes all the tiny joys of babyhood―from soft skin and chubby cheeks to the sweetest little toes. With gentle, rhyming text and adorable illustrations of a cuddly koala parent and baby, it’s perfect for snuggly read-aloud moments. Ideal for bedtime, playtime, or quiet bonding, this book helps parents and caregivers savor every precious detail of their little one.

Review:

In this board book, a mother koala tells her baby all the parts of him that she loves. The koala illustrations are adorable. I can imagine parents reading this book with babies or toddlers and acting out the phrases as they read.

Ten Teeny Fingers and Ten Teeny Toes is a cute board book!

Thank you Taffy Tales for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Have you read Ten Teeny Fingers and Ten Teeny Toes? What did you think of it?

Review: The Quantum Revelations

Title: The Quantum Revelations
Author: Stuart Heinrich
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Endless Tree Books, LLC
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 31, 2025
Rating: ★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

This book explores advanced scientific and deep philosophical concepts through the narrative structure of a mystery/thriller. No particular science background is required of the reader.

The world is on the brink of an apocalyptic climate crisis and quickly spiraling out of control into a dystopian nightmare. As everything collapses around them, two scientists struggle for relevance in their quest to build the world’s first practical quantum computer. They discover so much more: a mystery of physics that goes deeper than they could have ever imagined…

Review:

This book is a thriller about scientific and religious discoveries. There were a lot of technical scientific discussions, so readers who have an interest in science and physics would probably enjoy this book. There were many relevant themes to today, such as global warming, AI, and the high cost of living.

The Quantum Revelations is a creepy dystopian thriller.

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: death, fire, suicide

Have you read The Quantum Revelations? What did you think of it?