srivalli's reviews
1560 reviews

 4 Stars

Kit and Libby are sisters living with their single mother. When eleven-year-old Libby goes to the white tower to make a wish at midnight on Winter Solstice, her older sister, Kat, follows behind. Kat sees Libby fall into the void and realizes that every trace of her sister has vanished from the earth. Their mother doesn’t even remember Libby’s existence. 

Things are changing around her, with strange and untimely events occurring at odd moments. The seasons are messed up, and the world is no longer the same. A frantic Kit meets Story, a young boy and the only one who knows Libby. Together, they travel through time to bring Libby back and save the world. Can they do it? 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Kit and in the present tense. 

Well, what do I say? I love it but also want more from it! 

The book is more suitable for young adults and adults due to the high emotional content and the open yet hopeful ending. Kids who like neatly tied-up HEAs will be disappointed. Heck, even I’m a little disappointed that we don’t get more details. Right now, it seems to be a standalone, so can’t say if there will be a sequel. I would love one for sure (though I know this is right the way it is). 

Most of the story is dark with bits of hope and courage. While it has many heartwarming moments, this is not a lighthearted read with chuckles and laughs. It’s an introspective book that demands readers to think and feel. 

Family (real and found), friendship, bonding, bullying, courage, choices, and love are some themes dealt with here. Nature is the biggest theme and the focal point, though it doesn’t feel that way until much later. 

I wish we had more backstory about Kit’s family. Though the story works based on what we have, extra detail can only enhance it. 

The writing is beautiful. I love the descriptions and imagery. The friendship between Kit and Story, their emotions, the interactions, self-doubt, support, etc., are relatable and wonderfully done. ( there’s a bit of romance but it never controls the plot)

With Kit being a bird lover, we get several names mentioned throughout the book. It’s a good thing I read this on my computer and could google how each bird looked. Such beauties! There are some descriptions but nothing compares with a visual image. 

My favorite is the focus on the pagan past and the role of the ancient indigenous people in protecting nature and being one with it. The book also deals a little with how the new religion(s) have built their structures by destroying the sacred sites of our pagan ancestors. So many temples in India have been desecrated and plundered to build mosques and churches over the centuries. After 500 years of fight, we could reclaim one land! 

Each chapter starts with an illustration (charcoal I think). It’s a rough presentation of what’s to come. These add a little something to the narrative. Would the book feel different without the illustrations? Maybe a bit less appealing if you ask me. 

Not all themes get a proper closure, especially the bullying track. This is my main concern and a reason for rating higher. It’s a serious topic for the target age group. No doubt many would relate to Kit’s feelings. However, the lack of resolution may not give them the required encouragement to handle the situation. 

To summarize, The Twelve is a heartwarming and bittersweet story about a teen girl trying to find her little sister while fighting her personal demons and her friendship with a fellow teenager – a young boy with an old soul! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Pushkin Press (Chidlren’s), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheTwelve 

 

 3.5 Stars

One Liner: Nice… has some loose ends (first in the series)

 When the Gilchrist sisters inherit an old house in Provence, it allows Ellie to focus on something other than her grief. The old stone house and its messy garden ignite a tiny spark she thought she had lost forever. 

When Ellie meets her neighbor, Julien, it is not a meet-cute moment but still sends out some sparks. However, both of them are dealing with a sad past and are wary about letting another person into their lives. Julien cannot risk his three-year-old son, Theo, facing another disappointment. 

But Provence has something else in store for them. After all, it’s a place to hope for a brighter future. 

The story comes in Ellie and Julien’s third-person POVs. 

The plot development stays true to the genre but manages to throw in a couple of twists. Of course, I didn’t take this hoping for an intricate plot. 

For me, the setting is the focus. The book scores well in this aspect. The beauty of Provence comes alive on the pages without distracting from the plot. Ellie’s artistic talent (painting), her gradual growth, and the beauty of the setting blend seamlessly. 

The dual POV, though we get fewer scenes from the MMC, makes it easy to see his thought process and feelings. I liked how much he loved his little son (even if the kiddo doesn’t get a lot of space due to valid reasons). 

Animal lovers will be delighted to find two donkeys and a cute doggy in this one. They have names too! 

If I had known earlier about the series part (it wasn't updated when I read the book), I’d have gone in prepared for the family track to stay in the background without resolution. Since I didn’t, I was annoyed to see the book end with many unanswered questions. At least now I know these are likely to be answered in the next two books (Ellie has two sisters – Laura and Fiona). 

Quite a few elements are convenient and happen easily but that’s expected of the genre, so I didn’t mind. However, the aspects about grief, loss, moving on, second chances, etc., are done well (check TW at the end). At the same time, the writing is not so heavy that it feels overwhelming again and again but does enough to make you feel something. 

To summarize, Falling for Provence is a steady-paced and touching story about loss, hope, and finding love (and inspiration) in a beautiful location. 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

 3.7 Stars

Twenty-five-year-old Anna is a romantic at heart and longs for a happy future. Circumstances forced her to become a cleaner to support her mother and eight-year-old sister, Emme. She had been cleaning Max Barone’s house for three years and had been in love with him for almost as long. 

Max Barone is a thirty-something successful jeweler, running the family business with precision. He wants things to be uncomplicated and simple. He has no idea about Anna. 

One day, Anna made a wish for him to love her and for them to be married. It sounds harmless until she realizes that her wish has come true. Now, Anna and Max have been happily married for years. But is it love? Is this what she wants? What should they do? 

The story comes in Anna’s first-person POV, with the prologue and epilogue in Max’s first-person POV. 

This is my first book by the author. I’ve wanted to read her works for a while but the 400+ page counts were daunting. Wished is just over 300 pages, the perfect size for this genre. 

With a premise like this, I was curious to see how it would play out. There are so many factors to consider! I’m pleased to inform you that the execution was fun. I won’t reveal the details as it will dampen the effect. 

The prologue by Max puts the reader right in the middle of the plot. Then, we go back to the beginning and listen to Anna tell us how she ‘fell in love at first sight’ with Max and the rest of it. 

Anna is really sweet. Yeah, she does sound a bit dreamy and naïve at times but it suits her personality. She’s someone who wants to be kind and do what she can to help others be happy. 

I haven’t read the previous books in the series, so this is my first time meeting Max. He does take a wee bit of time to warm up to, but then I can see his side. However, I did wish the shift in his affections was a little more spaced out (or the previous one toned down). While I understand the change in viewpoints, it still feels a bit odd. 

The settings are my favorite! I love the description of the house and of the various places in Paris. Even the cramped home where Anna lives gets such a visual description. As a fan of settings, I love it when I can picturize the places easily. 

And yeah, this is an insta-love thingy, so it may not work for everyone. While they did have each other in their lives for three plus years, there weren’t enough interactions for a connection. So, everything happens quickly as we get into the main plot. 

Still, the book manages to discuss themes like bullying, dysfunctional and toxic family, etc. I like the discussion about the change in how things have been perceived over time (Freud) and that there’s always a choice to be a better person. 

The spice is quite high (seems most of my September reads decided to hit level 4). The author likes to use a lot of adjectives for descriptions. While it reads well, some of it feels excessive, especially during intense scenes. 

Naturally, there is a third-act breakup. It was supposed to happen, so I was prepared for it. And yes, we get HEA with an epilogue. I do have a few teeny questions but that’s me nitpicking. 

To summarize, Wished is an entertaining romance with a touch of magic realism. It needs suspension of belief and is insta-love, so not a book for everyone. However, if you want something fluffy and spicy read, grab this one. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC, and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 3.7 Stars

Triplets Anne, Beatrix, and Violet Quigley convert their home into a Tearoom after the untimely death of their parents. Their mother, Clara, was a witch who gave up her position for love and married a human. The teashop is what the triplets consider her legacy and a cozy place for people to find answers to questions in the tea leaves. 

With the Council of Witches expecting the sisters to take up a responsibility (with dire consequences) and an old curse being activated, they find themselves being pulled in different directions. Can the sisters retain their bond while exploring their individual identities or will the curse and the Council break them apart? 

The story comes in the third-person POV. 

Ever since I saw the book on NetGalley, I kept hoping it would be Read Now at least for a day. I wasn’t sure if the publisher would approve my request and didn’t want to risk it. Luckily, the book did become available for a week or more. 

Not sure why I thought it would be a contemporary witchy read. It’s a historical one (set in early 1900s). However, there isn’t much about the period. The story could be set anywhere and would still work. 

The house is my favorite part of the book. Imagine a building that can clean itself, do the dishes, dust the cobwebs, and repair everything on its own. I want a house like that! The tearoom setting is beautiful and chaotic. 

The writing is a bit prosey and has a lyrical touch to it in many scenes. While this can slow down the pace, I like how the words flow. 

The sisters have different personalities making it very easy to track their arcs. Though they are triplets, Anne sounds older and more stressed out almost throughout the book. This aligns with the character development as she has somehow become the older and more responsible one after their mother’s death. 

The POV is a blend of limited third-person and omnipresent. This can be a little hard to follow. 

The book drags in the middle as the miscommunication trope stretches on. This could have been trimmed a little. That said, I understand why it had to go on. A rubber band needs to be stretched beyond its elasticity to snap. The same theory applies here. 

The concept of using flavors and scents to talk about memories, truth, lies, etc., is lovely. If only we had such lie detectors in real life too! 

Each chapter starts with a symbol and its interpretation. This aligns with the content in the chapter and provides some knowledge about tea reading (if you can remember or make note of it). 

The ending is hopeful and sweet. It establishes the need for growth and change while showing how these things don’t have to affect relationships and family bonds. 

To summarize, The Crescent Moon Tearoom is a worthy debut dealing with important themes. While there are a few niggles, I like the overall vibe and feel. Will be happy to read more books by the author. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheCrescentMoonTearoom 

 3.7 Stars

Lady Evangeline Raine prefers animals to humans, especially the little ones she rescues and cares for in her animal shelter. Her young sister, Viola, wants nothing more than a season in London and marriage. However, the season will happen if Effie (Evangeline) is also willing to attend. 

Duke of Vale, Gage Croft, was happy being a Highlander until his brother’s death made him the duke and dumped a ton load of debts on his head. He needs to settle a debt and agrees to charm Evangeline to bring her to London. However, he soon realizes that the bargain could be costly indeed! 

Can Effie and Gage find what they want, or will the secrets tear them apart? 

The story comes in Effie and Gage’s third-person POVs. 

The book starts with a short content warning note by the author, mentioning the possible triggers (and their intensity) in the story. 

Right away, we are thrown into the drama around the main characters. Reading the previous book (Never Met a Duke Like You), made it easy to follow the FMC’s character arc. This should still work as a standalone read (the others make an appearance a few times). However, I did find all that talk a bit preachy. We know what the issues are, right? No need to repeat them so often. 

The MMC is quite easy to like even if some of his decisions are bad. But that’s necessary for the plot to progress, so can’t say much. 

This is a steamy romance (4.5ish), and there are a lot of sexual innuendos throughout the book. This may not suit everyone. I didn’t mind most of it. The writing style was fun (when not preaching, so it suited the tone). 

There’s a teeny mystery as well, though it is never the main focus. Acts like seasoning and helps bring things together in the climax. 

And yes, we have a third-act breakup. I knew it would happen very early in the plot (almost after the first chapter). Being prepared helps, folks! 

We have an epilogue (yay!) that not only gives us HEA but also hints at the next book. I am waiting for that, though I suspect the spice will be all-time high, based on what we know about the characters. 

Effie’s sister isn’t easy to like, but she manages to get to the right side and show decent growth. I like that there’s no drastic change, but shows a sign of improvement. I do wish to get to know William a little more. A nice guy! 

The pacing dips in the middle but picks up again in the last quarter. It didn’t really drag or feel boring. However, some scenes are a bit OTT and take to liberty, given the historical setting. While I no longer expect proper historical romances, this one could have toned it down a little. 

The author’s note is detailed and informative, providing a glimpse into her research, which supports her plotline and character arcs. 

To summarize, The Worst Duke in London is a fun read with a high dose of spice and many contemporary sensibilities. Read it if you want something light and fluffy. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheWorstDukeInLondon 

 4 Stars

Young George is excited to spend Christmas with his Dad and Grandpa at the rented house named Wintertide. When he sees a sudden light on the cliff and hears about a dead body found in the sea, George wonders if the events are connected. Isla, his cousin, seems to have the same doubts. Soon, the tweens band together to find out more and solve the mystery, not realizing that it could very well put their lives at risk. 

The story comes in George’s first-person POV in the present tense. 

Large families are what people in small families long for and people in large families long to escape. 

The book starts with a short prologue about a body drifting in and out of the sea in the third-person POV. Then, it switches to George’s first-person narrative in the present tense. The kid and his dad are traveling to meet their family for joint celebrations (Grandpa’s birthday and Christmas). 

There’s a bit of a mystery right in the beginning about some people arguing on the road. We slowly get more information about the family dynamics, new members, the boy’s favorite ones, etc. Since it is in his POV, we don’t always know much about the others. However, this slowly changes and the undercurrents become clearer. 

The setting is perfect for the mystery. Lyme Regis is a coastal town, a bit away from the mainline. It has high cliffs, an extensive beach, and beautiful streets. The weather alternates between windy, rainy, snowy, and chilly. Naturally, this makes the mystery more interesting. 

The other kid, Isla is sweet. George is a different kind of sweet. Both are easy to like and root for. Their contrasting personalities and the slowly budding friendship between the new cousins add a nice personal touch to the plot. Of course, there are many other personal elements since this is a family trip. 

The mystery blends archeology, history, action, adventure, danger, some attempted sleuthing, and all the things children would love. As expected, the kids get into situations that could be way dangerous in real life. At least, the adults here are not fully absent. They do try to keep the children safe, and the kids also realize they are getting into tricky stuff (even if it doesn’t stop them). 

The culprit is easy to guess thanks to the subtle (and not-so-subtle) clues scattered throughout. It should keep the young readers engaged and make them guess about the whos and whys. 

There’s some light humor sprinkled at random, making George an entertaining narrator. I like the subtle change in him as things change towards the end. 

The ending is heartwarming and sweet, just as how it should be for the target age group. There are some bittersweet moments too, but hope and love do triumph over everything else. 

To summarize, Murder at Wintertide is a steady-paced mystery with young sleuths solving a crime and discovering more than what they want. This is my first book by the author, and I’m curious to read more. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Nosy Crow, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #MurderAtWintertide 

 3.7 Stars

One Liner: Needs patience in the first quarter 

 

Dr. Rowan Thorpe prefers stories to humans and is content in collecting the old folklore to document them. She lives alone and spends most of her time in the tiny room behind the library in Yorkshire. 

The arrival of Professor Conner O’Keefe, a historian, doesn’t sit right with her. The charming Irish professor is unfazed by her rude behavior. As they get to know each other, both realize they are bearing the burdens of their past. Can they help each other heal? 

The story comes in Rowan’s first-person POV with a few short chapters from the past. 

Firstly, my thanks to a Goodreads author-cum-reviewer friend (Sally) whose review prepared me to give the FMC some leeway. It helped a lot since the book is from the heroine’s first-person POV, and she is annoying until we know why. 

I wish the reason was revealed sooner at least to the readers. While there are some subtle hints, none of them leads to a concrete presumption. 

I won’t call this romance though it does have some elements. This is more of women’s fiction with a focus on the characters learning to be something beyond their pasts. The past takes a long time to be revealed and then we wait more for them to start to move on, so the love story as much occurs only in the last quarter. (closed door/ fade out) 

I enjoyed the little random snippets from different timelines (though these seem like they don’t impact the plot, there’s a reason for their presence). Halfway through, I noticed the pattern and realized that the truth is something else (this is revealed towards the end). As someone who likes folklore and understands the importance of preserving the oral stories from the past, I know why it matters. 

Even when I disliked the FMC’s attitude, I empathized with her determination to not let the past be wiped out. We already lost so much (and much of it has been misappropriated by invaders who went on multiple conversion sprees). We cannot afford to lose more. 

For a short book, the repeated arguments about the Fairy Stane got a bit boring. I can see both their points and agree to an extent with Rowan. But the way she handled it didn’t make it easy to side with her. 

The MMC is easy to like almost throughout. I find his backstory quite interesting. Not something we often see in this genre, so it does feel refreshing. I also like how it’s tackled with sensitivity. 

I was quite surprised by the repeated mention of the MMC’s Catholic upbringing. Somehow, many elements were woven with this piece of information, so it ended okay. 

To summarize, The Start of the Story is a book about second chances, moving on, acceptance, and the importance of protecting our ancient stories. It’s not a heavy read but not super light either. 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

 3.5 Stars

The book is published by the Christian wing of the publisher, so God and faith get a mention more than once in the first two stories. (I saw some reviews saying they hadn’t realized this until it was too late, so putting it at the top.) 

This is a collection of three novelettes set around Christmas and feature Mistletoe in some form. Set in wintery small towns, each story has a couple that will fall in love and a community with all the cozy vibes. All stories are Hallmark-style and can be a little too sweet for some. 

TBH, I requested this book mainly to read Pepper’s The Mistletoe Prince. Prince Arran is Ellie’s brother, mentioned a few times in Loyally, Luke. I knew I had to read his story. The other two stories were a bonus. ;) 

Emmy Banks loves Christmas. After all, she lives in Mistletoe, Missouri. Kieran O’Neill has lived in Ireland, renovating a castle for over twenty-five years. He returns to Mistletoe for his mother’s seventieth birthday. Kieran is Emmy’s bestie’s older brother and a childhood friend. Renewing their friendship is easy. But what happens when they want more, and Kieran has to leave the town? 

The story comes in Emmy and Kieran’s third-person POVs. 

The characters are in their 40s, a good change from the younger romances. The setting is quite beautiful with the small-town vibe (where everyone knows everyone). The Christmas theme is also done well with an abundance of decorations, the winter fair, hot chocolate, etc. The romance is okay but I cannot help but wonder if it would have been better as a slightly longer piece. Even some 4-5 pages extra would have done the trick. It is still sweet, though. 

Prince Arran of Skymar has to spend three months in a small town in North Carolina, where his sister Ellie lives with her husband, Luke Edgewood. This ‘punishment’ is also a chance for Arran to become his former self and find out who he is if not a prince with a title. Charlie, Luke’s cousin and carpenter, is a tomboy hiding in plain sight and suffering from low self-worth. The Christmas fundraiser is her chance to prove her worth. Can the two broken hearts mend each other as the season works its magic? 

The story comes in Arran and Charlie’s third-person POVs. 

This is the longest story in the book, which means it has enough space for proper development and the traditional arc (including a sort of third-act breakup). Charlie and Arran are lovely characters and easy to root for. Luke has enough presence and adds charm to the plotline. Ellie and Penelope have a teeny scene each but that’s fine. The focus remains on the main characters and their growth. There’s a light touch of faith, similar to the other books in the Skymar series. Beautiful! 

Hailey Fairchild is a romance author whose love life is a mess, thanks to her Mistletoe weakness. Seems that she cannot resist men who kiss her under the mistletoe and learn her lesson late only to repeat the cycle. Of course, it all started with her crush on her brother’s best friend and the popular guy at school, Carwyn Davies. Back in her town for Christmas, Hailey is determined to break the cycle but life may have other plans for her. 

The story comes in Hailey’s first-person POV. 

This is the shortest and weakest story in the collection. While Hailey’s voice is quirky enough, I couldn’t connect with her. (Hard to when you end up calling the MC an idiot right at the beginning). There are quite a few tropes and with no space for exploration, the story feels underwhelming. It does deal with some important themes like bullying, lack of confidence, fears, etc., but the approach didn’t work for me. 

* 

Since it is a Christmas-themed sweet romance collection, I’m rounding it up to 4 stars (also coz I liked the story I wanted to read). 

To summarize, Mistletoe Season is a super sweet set of three novelettes with a Christmas theme as the central point. Check out others' reviews before you decide. 

Thank you, NetGalley, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, and Thomas Nelson, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #MistletoeSeason 

 4 Stars

The town of Starspill had been in Fog for over 140 years, ever since the Wolf ate the Sun. But why are the cats now intent on making Zac steal one of the three Embers of the Sun from the Museum? What will the cats gain from it? Why did they steal Zac's old Map to make him do the job? 

The story comes in the third-person POV (Zac’s). 

This is more of a tween book than MG fiction but it is clean (despite the darkness). 

The premise and the cover made me request a copy right away. It has fantasy, cats, atmosphere, and kids who need to be brave.  What’s not to like? 

The book has a slow start which makes sense we need some would-building and meet the characters. Right away, we can see cats will have a major role in the plot (yay!). 

The concept is terrific – a city named Starspill that has been enveloped by the Fog for centuries, ever since the Wolf ate the Sun. The residents get light from star-powered lamps made by Startsmiths (Zac’s family) or candles (Alys’s family). 

Zac and Alys should be around thirteen (I don’t remember reading their ages). While the boy is an introvert, Alys is a firebrand (the kind who will hit first and talk later). They make an interesting team. 

The atmosphere gets full marks from me. I love how real the Fog feels as if it seeps out of the pages and envelopes the reader. 

The main characters are well done but the side ones don’t get the same attention. This is a common concern in MG fiction. I’m still not sure what to think about Martha’s character. It seems to change as required for the story. 

The cats in the book can talk. Jinx is a little black kitten with high aspirations and self-confidence a thousand times its size! 

The stakes get higher as the story progresses. There’s enough danger and adventure for kids to stay hooked and turn the pages. However, I felt the conclusion in the climax needed a little more explanation. (Also, I needed more about the green star). 

The ending is satisfactory and heartwarming. The book is a standalone but it could very well become a series with the same setting and more adventures. 

The pacing is uneven but somehow works for the plot. As we get to the last quarter, it really ups the momentum. Yet, it doesn’t feel rushed or messy. There’s tension, danger, action, courage, and empathy. Loved that little moment in the climax which showed Zac’s character. Beautiful!  

To summarize, Starspill is a delightful middle-grade (and younger YA) fantasy with an atmospheric setting and an adventure of a lifetime. I wish it had some illustrations too! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Firefly Press, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #Starspill 

 3.5 Stars

Cassie Graves is heartbroken when her marriage of twenty-five years ends with the exposure of her husband’s affair. When her cousin Maria hits a dead-end in her ancestry research, Cassie decides to take it up. As an investigative journalist, she has a nose for stories, and finding the truth of her roots feels important when her future is uncertain. 

In Santo Stefano, Italy, Cassie starts to put together the stories narrated by her grandmother and the random clues provided by strangers. Seems the women in her family had power in their blood. If they were witches, what happened to them? Why did they move across the continents from Europe to the US? 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Cassandra (Cassie) and third-person POVs of Fiora, Violetta, and Isabella.  

The book starts with a prologue, showing a glimpse into the major events from the past in Santo Stefano. Then, we move on to the present where Cassie and her cousin discuss their family tee. 

The narrative is slow-paced with chapters alternating in both timelines. While there’s no confusion (thanks to the names mentioned with the chapter head and the difference in POVs), this book needed a graphical representation of the family tree. Quite many characters are mentioned as mother, father, grandparent, niece, sibling, etc., in both timelines. This makes it hard to track who is who. 

Cassie’s POV is done well, with a good blend of determination, maturity, vulnerability, anger, hope, confusion, etc. As a person in her late 40s or early 50s going through major upheavals in her life, she manages to make readers support her. 

There’s subtle magic, just enough to add to the witch vibe. However, the setting and the atmosphere are wonderful. I loved the changing weather in Stefano and how it felt as if the place belonged to the past era. 

There are animals too! Street cats, a large and fluffy herding dog, and two donkeys (my second book this month with donkeys in it). 

In a way, the blurb reveals too much. The spell book doesn’t even appear until the last quarter. Moreover, it acts as a diary to help Cassie fill the gaps. This feels like wasted potential for such a powerful book. 

The ending is rushed and weak as if we needed to wrap up everything in less than five pages. What was close to four stars until then crashed to 3.5 with the abrupt ending. A few things have been left hanging as well. Sustaining the momentum and adding another ten to fifteen pages would have elevated the story much more. 

This is my second book by the author and somehow doesn’t feel as good as the one I read. While it had a few flaws, the narrative was compelling, and the atmosphere was more tangible than this one. It could be my expectations too, which were quite high. 

To summarize, The Witches of Santo Stefano has a great premise and some good moments. However, it doesn’t reach its full potential, especially towards the end. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheWitchesOfSantoStefano