book-reviews – Page 8 – Jill's Book Blog

Review: The Queen of Thieves (The Moonwind Mysteries #2)

Title: The Queen of Thieves (The Moonwind Mysteries #2)
Author: Johan Rundberg, A.A. Prime (translator)
Genre: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Mystery
Publisher: Amazon Crossing Kids
Source: Firefly Books Distributed Lines
Format: Paperback
Release Date: March 5, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Mika will do what it takes to uncover a string of thefts in the city―and keep her fellow orphans safe. After a merciless winter, spring has sprung in 1880 Stockholm, and the city awaits the arrival of the SS Vega , the first ship to have sailed the Northeast Passage. Life is busy at the orphanage, but twelve-year-old Mika quickly notices that the older orphans are up to something―and it doesn’t look good. When Constable Hoff approaches her with information about thefts around the city, Mika becomes even more concerned about what the other kids are up to―and what they might be planning for the Vega celebration. The police will have no sympathy for orphans, and she’d hate to see her friends condemned to life in jail. But Mika soon finds herself in a bind she can’t get out of―one that could condemn her own life. Can Mika uncover who is really behind the thefts in the city and keep her friends safe, without getting caught? Find out in this breathless sequel to The Night Raven.

Review:

The Queen of Thieves is a story about orphans living in Stockholm in 1880. Mika solves mysteries involving the orphans she looks after. I was surprised at the twists and turns in the story. There were some heartbreaking parts, about the orphans wanting to be adopted and find their forever family. There are a couple of ongoing mysteries about Mika’s origin and a baby in the orphanage, so I’m looking forward to finding out more answers in the next book!

The Queen of Thieves is a great historical middle grade mystery!

Thank you Firefly Books Distributed Lines for sending me a copy of this book!

Content warnings: death of parent (off page), child abuse

Other books in the series:

The Night Raven (The Moonwind Mysteries #1)
The Lost Ones (The Moonwind Mysteries #3)

Have you read The Queen of Thieves? What did you think of it?

Blog Tour Review: Brewed with Love

Title: Brewed with Love
Author: Shelly Page
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Mystery
Publisher: Joy Revolution
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: January 14, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A cozy, contemporary romantasy about a teen witch who wants to keep her family’s apothecary from falling to the competition but can only do so with assistance from her first crush.

Plant witch, Sage Bishop, is determined to run her family’s old apothecary one day. She spends her time trying to invent the perfect tonic to put Bishop Brews on the map. And she’s going to need one quickly, too, because their biggest competitor is drawing away customers.

Short-staffed, her nana hires Ximena Reyes, Sage’s ex-best friend and first crush, who’s more of an unwelcome distraction than anything. Ximena has always dreamed of leaving their small town behind while Sage wants to tend to her roots. And during one of their first shifts together, someone breaks into Bishop Brews, stealing several tonics, including the one Sage has been working tirelessly on, the same one that wipes a councilmember’s kid’s memory.

To avoid being shut down by the sheriff, Sage decides to investigate. If so much wasn’t at stake, she’d do it alone. But with her grandmother’s legacy and her future on the line, she must partner with her ever smug and unfairly pretty new coworker. As Sage begins to fall for Ximena (again), she’ll have to decide if the comfort of the familiar is worth missing out on a chance at real happiness.

Review:

Brewed with Love is a sweet YA story. This story had romance and mystery. Sage was a witch, and their town was full of magic. There was another kind of supernatural condition in the story, and I would have loved to see that one explored more. I think there’s potential for more stories set in this world!

Brewed with Love is a cute YA romance!

Thank you Penguin Teen Canada, Joy Revolution, and Publicity Prose for providing a copy of this book!

Content warnings: death of parents (off page), poisoning, memory loss

Author Bio:

Shelly Page is a young adult contemporary fantasy romance and horror writer. By day, she’s a practicing attorney representing homeless LGBTQ+ youth. By night, she’s writing stories about love, magic, and mystery—all with the hope of providing genuine representation for queer readers of color. Shelly lives in Los Angeles with her dog, Toby, and a collection of half-dead plants. Brewed With Love is her debut novel. She can be found online at shellypage.com or @shelly_p_writes.

Giveaway:

5 winners will receive a finished copy of Brewed With Love by Shelly Page– We will select the winners and ship directly
The giveaway starts at 12:01am ET on January 13th and ends January 26th at 11:59pm ET- Rafflecopter giveaway link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/74cc7a8d5/?

Have you read Brewed with Love? What did you think of it?

Review: The Boy and the Man

Title: The Boy and the Man
Author: Terence Ang
Genre: Graphic Novel, Memoir
Publisher: Independently published
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Ebook
Release Date: September 2, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From the harrowing pages of A Cry in the Dark comes The Boy & The Man, a poignant graphic novel that delves deep into the extraordinary journey of Terence Ang. Once a dynamic leader at the pinnacle of his career, Terence’s life is abruptly derailed by a life-altering stroke. Stripped of his former abilities, he faces the daunting task of relearning basic skills and reclaiming his life from the shadows of despair.

As Terence grapples with his new reality, his mind conjures a vivid hallucination— a new “team” at his workplace. Each member, flawed yet eager, becomes a mirror of his own struggles. Terence feels an inexplicable drive to guide them, to push them towards success. Through their fumbles, failures, and eventual victories, Terence begins to see these figures for what they truly manifestations of his fears, his doubts, and his unyielding determination to move forward.

Every victory, no matter how small, brings Terence closer to reclaiming his voice, his strength, and his identity. The vulnerable boy within him—the one who trembles in the face of fear—begins to walk hand in hand with the man he is becoming. Together, they navigate this treacherous path, forging a way out of the darkness.

The Boy & The Man is not just a tale of survival; it is a raw, unflinching testament to the indomitable human spirit. It is a story of hope, resilience, and the incredible strength that lies within each of us. For anyone who has ever felt broken, lost, or on the brink of giving up, this novel serves as a powerful even in the face of unimaginable challenges, you can find your way back. You can rewrite your story.

Review:

The Boy and the Man is a powerful graphic novel memoir about survival and resilience. After his stroke in 2020, Terrence Ang had to relearn how to use his limbs. He didn’t give up, and this made him a stronger person. I loved how accessible this graphic novel is to more readers, especially younger readers. Terrence has turned his life around to become a successful author and an advocate for stroke survivors.

The Boy and the Man is a powerful graphic novel memoir!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Have you read The Boy and the Man? What did you think of it?

Review: Andarta: Book 1 (The Ascending Veil)

Title: Andarta: Book 1 (The Ascending Veil)
Author: Leanne Staback, Sloane Kennedy
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Page Turner Books Inc.
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Ebook
Release Date: November 29, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

When legends awake, darkness trembles.

In the pulsing heart of Seraphim City, twins Emilia and Clara Benning walk a path veiled in the shadows of myth. Raised on tales of their fierce Viking ancestors, they are unaware of the destiny awaiting them. As the modern world grinds on, unseeing, the sisters draw closer to a revelation that will ignite the ancient power slumbering within their blood.

The cruel blight of human trafficking festers in the city’s underbelly, claiming innocent lives in a relentless grip. It is a plague that yearns for a cure-a cure that only Emilia and Clara, human hosts to ancient deities Andarta and Eir – dare to provide. With the unwavering strength of the gods and the courage of warriors, they stand between the darkness and the light.

But the battle for justice demands a terrible price. In the chaos of a harrowing rescue, Clara is lost, and Emilia’s grief ignites a fury that heralds her awakening. The true powers of Andarta flare to life, a beacon of rage and retribution. As Emilia becomes the embodiment of a legend, survival hinges on her ability to harness this newfound might and confront the demons that threaten to consume her.

In the midst of battle, Andarta, her steadfast sidekick Ty, and a legion of spectral Viking forebearers converge for an epic showdown. Together, they must dismantle a vile web spun by the most depraved of minds, their every move haunted by the chilling echoes of evil.

Can they break the chains of torment and rise triumphant? Or will Emilia’s fury consume all that she has come to cherish? Will the echoes of ancient valor be enough to conquer the malice that lurks in humanity’s depths? Seek the answers within the pages of Andarta, The Ascending Veil, Book 1, where the battle for souls is timeless, and the might of legends endures.

Review:

Andarta is a fantastic start to this fantasy series. It began with multiple different storylines that seemed to be very different from each other. However, they all came together in an unconventional way. I liked that it followed the twins Emilia and Clara from their childhood to young adult age. I flew through this book, and I couldn’t put it down! I’m excited to see what happens in the next book!

Andarta: Book 1 is a great first book in this fantasy series!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: human trafficking, murder, gun violence

Have you read Andarta: Book 1? What did you think of it?

Review: The Wedding Witch (The Ex Hex #3)

Title: The Wedding Witch (The Ex Hex #3)
Author: Erin Sterling
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Fantasy
Publisher: Avon
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: October 15, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Bowen Penhallow has always been a loner, studying dark and ancient magic on a mountaintop in Wales. He prefers it that way, but when his friend Declan—who happens to be a ghost—asks him to attend a Yuletide wedding at a grand estate deep in the Welsh countryside, Bowen reluctantly agrees.

Tamsyn Bligh is not a witch, but she makes her living off of them. As a procurer and seller of magical items, Tamsyn’s business is not always above board, but she’s been trying to fix that (mostly.) Bowen is an occasional customer—as well as the star of several of Tamsyn’s dirtiest dreams—but she’s been around enough witches to know that, as a human, getting involved with one is not the smartest idea. She’s finagled an invite to the Witchy Wedding of the Century in the hopes of finally making a score big enough to retire. Just one priceless magical artifact from Tywyll House would set her up for life.

But Tamsyn isn’t the only one sneaking about in Tywyll House, and the mix of a very strong spell combined with a wedding mishap transports Bowen and Tamsyn into Tywyll House’s past, to the Yuletide Celebration of 1957. As Bowen and Tamsyn work together to get back to the present, they must also face off with the origins of Tywyll House’s haunting, the suspicions of their fellow witches…oh, and the fact that somewhere between the mistletoe and the bonfire, they might be falling in love.

Review:

This was such a fun holiday romance! I liked that it was quite different from the first two books. This one followed the third Penhallow brother, but it was set mostly in Wales instead of Graves Glen. The first two books were set in Graves Glen and had a similar type of plot, so it made sense for this book to take a different path. It also involved time travel which is one of my favourite things to read about!

The Wedding Witch is a fun holiday magical romance!

Other books in the series:

Have you read The Wedding Witch? What did you think of it?

Review: The Hotel Balzaar

Title: The Hotel Balzaar
Author: Kate DiCamillo, Júlia Sardà
Genre: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: October 1, 2024
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In a wise and magical follow-up to The Puppets of Spelhorst, Kate DiCamillo revisits the land of Norendy, where tales swirl within tales—and every moment is a story in the making.

At the Hotel Balzaar, Marta’s mother rises before the sun, puts on her uniform, and instructs Marta to roam as she will but quietly, invisibly—like a little mouse. While her mother cleans rooms, Marta slips down the back staircase to the grand lobby to chat with the bellman, study the painting of an angel’s wing over the fireplace, and watch a cat chase a mouse around the face of the grandfather clock, all the while dreaming of the return of her soldier father, who has gone missing. One day, a mysterious countess with a parrot checks in, promising a story—in fact, seven stories in all, each to be told in its proper order. As the stories unfold, Marta begins to wonder: could the secret to her father’s disappearance lie in the countess’s tales? Book two in a trio of novellas bound by place and mood—with elegant line art by Júlia Sardà—The Hotel Balzaar masterfully juggles yearning and belief, shining light into every dark corner.

Review:

Marta’s mother works at the Hotel Balzaar while Marta creeps around the hotel during the day, being quiet and not disturbing anyone. One day, a woman arrives with a pet parrot. She tells Marta stories that remind Marta of her father who has disappeared. She realizes that the answers to her father’s disappearance may be hidden in these stories.

This story reminded me of the Eloise books and movies, since Marta lived in a hotel like her. However, there was a more serious tone since Marta was always thinking about her missing father. The story takes place decades ago and the beautiful black and white illustrations reflected that.

The Hotel Balzaar is a beautiful middle grade story!

Thank you @penguinrandomca and @tundrabooks for providing a copy of this book. This book was gifted to me from Penguin Random House Canada as part of the Holiday Book Magic Campaign! The Holiday Book Magic books are a curated list of books that are perfect for gifting and enjoying all year long!

Have you read The Hotel Balzaar? What did you think of it?

Review: Matchmaking, Mistletoe and a Moat

Title: Matchmaking, Mistletoe and a Moat
Author: Kim Janine Ligon
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: December 2, 2024
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Greyford Parker is eager to see his twin sister and her family, but is dreading the matchmaking marathon she has planned at the two week Christmas party at Castle Winterhaven. As the unexpected Duke of Wallingford he must find a bride. Preferably one with a large dowry to help bolster the estate’s finances his older brother dissipated before his death.

Lady Emmeline Spenser reluctantly agrees to attend the “husband hunting” party at Castle Winterhaven, but only if her dear cousin, Eleanor Brown, can also attend. Emmeline is worried suitors will
love her large dowry more than they do her. Eleanor has a plan to allay her cousin’s fears. Do they dare try it?

Review:

Greyford Parker’s twin sister, Caroline, is planning a two week long Christmas party at her home, Castle Winterhaven. There are lots of eligible men and women who have been invited, so Caroline is hoping her brother will find a match. Cousins Emmeline and Eleanor have been invited to the party. Emmie is a Lady with a dowry, but Eleanor is an orphan without one. The girls look like twins, so they decide to pretend to be each other so they can find men who love them for who they are, not for money. It’s an eventful Christmas party that ends in more than one marriage!

This was a cute historical holiday romance. I loved the “Parent Trap” kind of switch Emmie and Ellie did. Their mothers were twins so they looked like twins and were able to successfully fool the guests into believing they were each other. It was a clever way to find out if the men who fell for them really loved them or their money. This was a low stakes romance with a happy ending!

Matchmaking, Mistletoe, and a Moat is a fun historical romance for the holidays!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press for providing a digital copy of this book for a paid campaign!

Have you read Matchmaking, Mistletoe and a Moat? What did you think of it?

Review: Make My Wish Come True

Title: Make My Wish Come True
Author: Rachael Lippincott, Alyson Derrick
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, LGBTQ
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: October 1, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A sapphic Netflix-esque Christmas movie meets How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days from the New York Times bestselling author duo of She Gets the Girl Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick.

Hollywood teen actor Arden James’ messy reputation is interfering with her career when a notoriously picky director won’t give her a role based on her party-girl image. So she and her publicist make up a lie – not only is she from a small town (true) but her childhood best friend Caroline, is her long-term girlfriend (false) and she can prove it when she goes home for Christmas.

Caroline Beckett hasn’t thought about her ex-best friend Arden James for years, focusing instead on her dreams about becoming a journalist. When Arden turns up on her doorstep and promises her an article in Cosmopolitan magazine on their twelve snow-covered romantic days together, Caroline agrees to play along.

But when old feelings start to bubble up, what will fall faster – Arden and Caroline or the Christmas Eve snow?

A gorgeous, heartwarming cosy romance – perfect for the holidays!

Review:

Hollywood teen actor Arden James has developed a reputation for partying. She auditions for her dream role, but the director won’t take her seriously because of her reputation. Arden decides to go back to her hometown and start a fake relationship with her childhood best friend and crush to show the public that she can have a wholesome image. Caroline Beckett was Arden’s best friend and first crush until she abandoned her to move to Hollywood. Caroline has focused on her dream to become a journalist since then. When Arden asks her to be in a fake relationship, she promises Caroline that she can write the article that introduces their relationship to the public. However, their staged dates stir up old feelings that both of them have, so they must figure out if they will confess their feelings to each other.

This was a fun holiday rom com! Arden and Caroline had a heartwarming romance without a lot of drama. I liked that Caroline was Jewish and they talked about celebrating Hanukkah as well as Christmas. Since their town had so many Christmas traditions, Caroline decided to start a Hanukkah celebration in the town too.

Make My Wish Come True is a cute sapphic holiday romance!

Thank you Simon Teen for sending me a copy of this book!

Have you read Make My Wish Come True? What did you think of it?

Review: The Christmas Tree Farm (Dream Harbor #3)

Title: The Christmas Tree Farm (Dream Harbor #3)
Author: Laurie Gilmore
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: One More Chapter
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: October 10, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From the author of the viral TikTok sensation, The Pumpkin Spice Café, comes the only spicy grumpy x sunshine Christmas romcom you need this year!

Kira North hates Christmas. Which is unfortunate since she just bought a Christmas tree farm in a town that’s too cute for its own good.

Bennett Ellis is on vacation in Dream Harbor taking a break from his life in California. And most importantly, taking a break from his latest run of disastrous dates.

After a run in with Kira in her fields, Ben has no intention of offering to help the grumpy owner set up her tree farm, despite the fact she’s clearly got no idea what she’s doing.

Kira knows she should stop being so stubborn, but her farm is not all cute and cozy like people always show on social media, it’s borderline dangerous with no heating, and she’d rather no one saw it.

But somehow fate finds Ben at Kira’s farm once more, and as Kira watches him swing an ax at the first tree, she finds herself appreciating his strength and questionning why she refused help in the first place..

The Christmas Tree Farm is a spicy romantic mystery for fans of Gilmore Girls with a HEA guaranteed!

Review:

Kira North moved away from her wealthy family in Georgia to Dream Harbor and bought the Christmas tree farm. It’s more run down than she expected, and she needs help since the heat isn’t working and the temperature outside is rapidly dropping. Bennett Ellis is visiting his sister, Jeanie, from California for the holidays. After an encounter with Kira on her land, he offers to help her fix up the house. Kira refuses his help at first, but then reluctantly agrees when she realizes they could have a Christmas fling. However, when their feelings become real, they have to figure out what will happen when Bennett eventually goes back home.

This was such a fun Christmas rom com. They were a grumpy/sunshine couple. There were still funny antics in Dream Harbor. The people in the town believed there was some dark secret at the Christmas tree farm, like the previous owner had murdered and buried his wife on the property. This is a really fun series, and I can’t wait to read the rest!

The Christmas Tree Farm is a cute Christmas romance!

Other books in the series:

Have you read The Christmas Tree Farm? What did you think of it?

Review: All by My Elf (Under the Mistletoe Collection #3)

Title: All by My Elf (Under the Mistletoe Collection #3)
Author: Olivia Dade
Genre: Novella, Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Format: Ebook
Release Date: November 12, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Secret crushes, spicy Christmas treats, heinous holiday traffic, and a fateful snowstorm bring good friends together in a funny, heartfelt short story by bestselling author Olivia Dade.

Nina and William are underpaid adjunct professors at the same university, where winter break is no break at all: ’tis the season to make extra money. When their holiday side hustle has them stranded by a blinding blizzard in the middle of nowhere, there’s nothing to do but cuddle up for warmth and play a game of Never Have I Ever to pass the time. But in the game of love, secrets never stay secret for long…

Olivia Dade’s All by My Elf is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.

Review:

Nina, William, and Claudia are adjunct professors who take a side job during the holidays driving a food-shaped truck and promoting pastries. Nina has had a crush on William since she started working at the university. Nina’s best friend Claudia and William seem to be getting closer so Nina thinks she’s lost her chance with William. However, when a storm traps Nina and William on the truck together, they have to cuddle for warmth and maybe confess their true feelings for each other.

I really enjoyed this novella. It was short at only 55 pages, but it was enough space to develop the characters, their relationships, and a steamy romance plot. My only criticism is that I don’t think the title really fits with the story.

All by My Elf is a cute holiday novella!

Other books in the series:

Cruel Winter With You (Under the Mistletoe Collection #1)
Merry Ever After (Under the Mistletoe Collection #2)
Merriment and Mayhem (Under the Mistletoe Collection #4)
Only Santas in the Building (Under the Mistletoe Collection #5)

Have you read All by My Elf? What did you think of it?