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jess_justmaybeperfect's reviews
769 reviews
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Am I four years late to this book? Yes.
Do I still want to talk about it though? Yes.
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow is a novel about sisters, women, love, gender, race, class, history, protest, police violence, family, and witches, so many wonderful witches.
Set in 1893 New England, The Once and Future Witches tells the story of sisters Juniper, Agenes, and Bella. Estranged by the emotional and physical violence of their father they are reunited in a moment of stunning witchcraft that sets the stage for the rest of the book.
As the women come back to each other, forgive each other, and work together to learn their history and protect their new community, the violence, misogyny, and general terror of the world outside begins closing in. Together with new friends, new loves, and growing powers, the sisters fight back.
Harrow presents a queer, interracial, progressive, and powerful community of women (and the men who support, even swear fealty, to them).
The world building is stunning.
It’s got some super terrifying moments.
And, the witchiness is gorgeous. The tools, smells, familiars, tastes, spells (many of which you’ll recognize), and imagery are really something else.
The Once and Future Witches is a book about witches and a book about women and what women have to do to hide and protect their power.
I loved it.
Do I still want to talk about it though? Yes.
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow is a novel about sisters, women, love, gender, race, class, history, protest, police violence, family, and witches, so many wonderful witches.
Set in 1893 New England, The Once and Future Witches tells the story of sisters Juniper, Agenes, and Bella. Estranged by the emotional and physical violence of their father they are reunited in a moment of stunning witchcraft that sets the stage for the rest of the book.
As the women come back to each other, forgive each other, and work together to learn their history and protect their new community, the violence, misogyny, and general terror of the world outside begins closing in. Together with new friends, new loves, and growing powers, the sisters fight back.
Harrow presents a queer, interracial, progressive, and powerful community of women (and the men who support, even swear fealty, to them).
The world building is stunning.
It’s got some super terrifying moments.
And, the witchiness is gorgeous. The tools, smells, familiars, tastes, spells (many of which you’ll recognize), and imagery are really something else.
The Once and Future Witches is a book about witches and a book about women and what women have to do to hide and protect their power.
I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
A Thief in the Night by KJ Charles
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A progressive, lighthearted, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, workplace, consent forward, hot, funny, romantic, and quick but complete love story between Toby, a thief, and Miles, an Earl.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual content
Minor: Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and War
The Gift by Julie Garwood
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Married at 14 and 4 (yes) in a bid for peace by their King, Nathan and Sara return to each other, through a romance reasons series of events, 14 years later.
He’s a pirate. She’s a starry eyed innocent.
This story had promise for me but unfortunately I found Sara’s naïveté and walking disaster personality borderline offensive
Plus it was frankly a bit boring, despite the fact there is an international conspiracy, a runaway aunt, a secondary love story, and pirates! Oh well.
He’s a pirate. She’s a starry eyed innocent.
This story had promise for me but unfortunately I found Sara’s naïveté and walking disaster personality borderline offensive
Plus it was frankly a bit boring, despite the fact there is an international conspiracy, a runaway aunt, a secondary love story, and pirates! Oh well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, and Violence
A Scot in the Dark by Sarah MacLean
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Not even my fave MacLean but still so good.
In this guardian/ward, “ruined” woman, scandal, reluctant aristocrat love story we get an HEA for Alec (King from book 1’s best friend) and Lily, a lonely young woman, lonely no more.
I love the secrets they share, their heat, the dog dress, and the sightings of many a MacLean main character, Sesily really shines in this book.
In this guardian/ward, “ruined” woman, scandal, reluctant aristocrat love story we get an HEA for Alec (King from book 1’s best friend) and Lily, a lonely young woman, lonely no more.
I love the secrets they share, their heat, the dog dress, and the sightings of many a MacLean main character, Sesily really shines in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, Violence, and Classism
The Ice Princess by Elizabeth Hoyt
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This novella is the love story of Coral Smyth (an ice queen/badass sex worker/masked brothel madame) who plays a major role in the Raven Prince and Captain Issac Wargate whose distain for Coral’s business is quite clear. Or is it?
After winning 7 nights with Coral in a game he never wanted to play but absolutely crushed the competition in, Issac realizes her mask hides so much more than her face.
They play draughts, tell secrets, have G Rated sleepovers, finally get physical, and then (panicked) she leaves him. He’s determined to find her and find her he does.
This novella is a quick read, sweet, sexy, and Coral getting an HEA is supremely satisfying.
After winning 7 nights with Coral in a game he never wanted to play but absolutely crushed the competition in, Issac realizes her mask hides so much more than her face.
They play draughts, tell secrets, have G Rated sleepovers, finally get physical, and then (panicked) she leaves him. He’s determined to find her and find her he does.
This novella is a quick read, sweet, sexy, and Coral getting an HEA is supremely satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
The Duke Gets Even by Joanna Shupe
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The loyal daughter, devoted friend, contraception activist, free thinking, anti marriage, sexually liberated, fiery red head, Ms. Eleanor “Nellie” Lucinda Young and the thrice jilted, American heiress hunter, His Grace, The (eighth) Duke of Lockwood, Andrew Talbot, finally get their story.
The fourth book in Joanna Shupe’s The Fifth Avenue Rebels series is, IMO, the ⭐️ of the set.
It starts at a midnight swim during a house party you’ll recall if you’ve read the other books. What follows is a series of awkward moments, hurt feelings, bruised egos, bar fights, laughter, what best friends really mean, a Teddy Roosevelt cameo, secret 🥵 meetings, public dinners, facing fears, honesty about health, political movements and intrigue, a perfect declaration, a deliciously scandalous tattoo, and of course, a moving love story.
Come for the banter and VERY VERY HOT sex, stay for the thoughtful discussion about loving with a terminal illness, reproductive freedom advocacy, and history lessons.
This book’s author’s note is a must read.
Eleanor and Andrew’s love story is fun, romantic, sexy, daring, and emotional.
The fourth book in Joanna Shupe’s The Fifth Avenue Rebels series is, IMO, the ⭐️ of the set.
It starts at a midnight swim during a house party you’ll recall if you’ve read the other books. What follows is a series of awkward moments, hurt feelings, bruised egos, bar fights, laughter, what best friends really mean, a Teddy Roosevelt cameo, secret 🥵 meetings, public dinners, facing fears, honesty about health, political movements and intrigue, a perfect declaration, a deliciously scandalous tattoo, and of course, a moving love story.
Come for the banter and VERY VERY HOT sex, stay for the thoughtful discussion about loving with a terminal illness, reproductive freedom advocacy, and history lessons.
This book’s author’s note is a must read.
Eleanor and Andrew’s love story is fun, romantic, sexy, daring, and emotional.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Police brutality, Medical content, Death of parent, and Alcohol
The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
After knocking her BIL into a pond at a party when she discovers him with another woman, Lady Sophie Talbot (who hates her title and the ton) decides she’s had enough and flees.
Unfortunately her escape lands her in (on) a carriage she thought was headed to Mayfair but is decidedly not.
The carriage belongs to Aloysius Archibald Barnaby Kingscote “King,” Marquess of Eversley, Future Duke of Lyne (LOL), a first rate rogue and ruiner of ladies (for reasons).
Mutually suspicious and antagonistic, Sophie and King, after a series of curricle races, meddling friends (new and old), highwaymen, gunshot wounds (yup), and false professions of marriage end up on a road trip to her childhood home and his family seat.
As their journey progresses their feelings change. Their relationship becomes physical. Mistakes, tons (mostly his), are made. Families get (unhelpfully) involved. Secrets are exposed. Love is expressed. Hearts are broken. A wedding happens. She leaves him. He realizes his errors. Forgiveness is begged and eventually given. And he buys her a bookshop.
I love MacLean.
Unfortunately her escape lands her in (on) a carriage she thought was headed to Mayfair but is decidedly not.
The carriage belongs to Aloysius Archibald Barnaby Kingscote “King,” Marquess of Eversley, Future Duke of Lyne (LOL), a first rate rogue and ruiner of ladies (for reasons).
Mutually suspicious and antagonistic, Sophie and King, after a series of curricle races, meddling friends (new and old), highwaymen, gunshot wounds (yup), and false professions of marriage end up on a road trip to her childhood home and his family seat.
As their journey progresses their feelings change. Their relationship becomes physical. Mistakes, tons (mostly his), are made. Families get (unhelpfully) involved. Secrets are exposed. Love is expressed. Hearts are broken. A wedding happens. She leaves him. He realizes his errors. Forgiveness is begged and eventually given. And he buys her a bookshop.
I love MacLean.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual content, Blood, and Classism
A Grave Robbery by Deanna Raybourn
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This installment of the Veronica Speedwell series finds our main characters, Veronica and Stoker, safely back in London hard at work at their day job.
Unfortunately (or fortunately), their benefactor’s latest acquisition is not entirely what it seems. The discovery of a perfectly preserved dead woman starts another Speedwell adventure.
As Veronica and Stoker investigate they discover mad scientists, sibling betrayal, rescue a victim of domestic violence, reunite with old and make new friends, survive attacks and explosions, and (if a bit reluctantly at first) accept help.
As a romance fan, I found this look at Veronica and Stoker’s relationship extremely satisfying. There are multiple, if brief, wildly romantic moments. Veronica and Stoker’s mutual respect and love is evident in every conversation. Their commitment leaps off the page. While there isn’t a wild gesture like book 4, the love story is crucial to the rest.
Loved this.
Unfortunately (or fortunately), their benefactor’s latest acquisition is not entirely what it seems. The discovery of a perfectly preserved dead woman starts another Speedwell adventure.
As Veronica and Stoker investigate they discover mad scientists, sibling betrayal, rescue a victim of domestic violence, reunite with old and make new friends, survive attacks and explosions, and (if a bit reluctantly at first) accept help.
As a romance fan, I found this look at Veronica and Stoker’s relationship extremely satisfying. There are multiple, if brief, wildly romantic moments. Veronica and Stoker’s mutual respect and love is evident in every conversation. Their commitment leaps off the page. While there isn’t a wild gesture like book 4, the love story is crucial to the rest.
Loved this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
The Serpent Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Violence
The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Widow and widower
Class differences
Dislike to lovers
Lord and his secretary
Hidden identity
Sex club
Progressive FMC who cares for (and becomes friends with) sex workers
Really dumb villains who absolutely get what’s coming to them
So hot
Possessive and stuck up MMC who I would absolutely run from in real life but gets absolutely destroyed by his FMC
A duel!
A reread and I understood Edward better this time around.* Plus I liked Anna even more somehow.
I love Hoyt.
Once again Quirk nails the narration.
*recognizing he is a fictitious person and nothing about him has changed since the first time I read it
**ugh because Anna is “barren” until Edward. 🙄
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Violence