A very fun read! Are this story‘s fanfiction roots obvious? Definitely, but that doesn‘t stop it from being a great story. Rippling with narrative tension, fast-paced, and engagingly written, I really enjoyed this dark fantasy. And it is dark, particularly for women, so you know, don‘t go in if you‘re sensitive. Briony is a good storyteller, although I‘m not sure how reliable a narrator, and the book ends on a very satisfying reveal. Excellent!

The prettiest book mail today!! I don‘t often pre-order, but Julie Soto is a must-buy for me, and this edition is just gorgeous. Definitely perked up my day!

This is a cozy little read all about grief and how it manifests in our lives. Through the different characters, different reactions to loss and ways of dealing with it are explored. At times it‘s a little upsetting, but mostly it‘s like drinking a warm cup of tea on a quiet night. A few editorial issues, but they didn‘t really detract that much from the book or the story and feelings it tried to impart. A lovely read.

This was a sweetheart of a book. A trip to a magical place, but also a voyage to self discovery and revelation. Elsy is struggling with her identity after a difficult breakup, and a trip into the pages of her favourite romance series is just what she needs. I loved watching her rediscover herself, and the romance was lovely. The ending held a little surprise, as Elsy found she was strong enough to do the right thing for herself. A magical read!

Meh idk. The smut was okay, but there wasn‘t much else to it, really. The plot felt pretty forced in a lot of ways and I just didn‘t buy some of the conflicts. The characterizations weren‘t strong enough to carry the book alone. Probably won‘t bother with the follow up, although I guess im vaguely interested in knowing what happens…

I feel like this series just gets better with each instalment. The tension in this one was peak, with so many secrets and mysteries coming to fruition and being uncovered. Celaena/Aelin really comes into her own and claims the power meant to be hers; Manon struggles to find her true path; NOTHING is how it seemed at all. An excellent read , and SJM always ramps it up so much at the end so that you can‘t wait to get to the next book.

This book is so much better than the second in the series, and reminded me why I enjoy SJM. Such a rich depth of character building, from the ones we know the least right up to Celaena. Celaena really processes a lot of grief in this story, and comes to terms with who she really is — in a lot of ways, it‘s her coming of age. Meanwhile, plots and secrets churn all around, with an explosive ending that held lots of surprises. Keen to start the next!

Another journey story, this time for a new home, a safe place when the world you knew has ended and doubt is everywhere. I particularly enjoyed Rice‘s descriptions of the Ontario landscape and the way nature had crept back into previously man-made spaces. At risk from roving bands of mercenaries as well as Nature herself, this journey takes a weaving path to safety, and to home. Beautifully written and starkly lovely.

This was a lovely read, all around. A deep meditation on grief, loss, and family, and how to keep oneself whole in the face of the struggle. The main characters share the burden of anxiety, and the ways they choose to deal with it is a main theme, weaving through the story. The father-daughter relationship and journey is at the heart of the book, both emotional and physical. There‘s a solitary beauty to Robertson‘s prose that will stick with me.

Phew that was quite a read! So much happened that I‘m reeling a little, especially in the back third or so. Violent, bloody, and dark with magic, this world gets more and more complex as Celaena strives for freedom. Great characterizations, with quite a few surprises, and lots of plot twists to keep us guessing. Low key the pacing was a bit off, so I found it a bit slow going until quite near the end, but the payoff was pretty good.

Next up in June‘s #IndigenousReads! I love his kid‘s/YA stuff, so hopefully this will be a good one…

This is a beautifully told story of a mother and daughter, struggling to live in a world not their own, with restrictions and beliefs that keep their true selves at bay. The history and lifestyle of settlers of ‘New France‘ is vivid & compelling, and the book rings with truth and heartbreak. The fictionalized story of the author‘s own ancestors, it spans decades and weaves a portrait of a loving family, tangled in complications they cannot defeat.

Wow, this book is a sizzler! Lots of narrative tension, and a good backstory to balance out the plentiful smut, and appealing main characters, too. I especially liked that Lauren had a solid friend structure for support and reality checks. This felt darker in tone and more violent than the first book, but it sure was a compelling read. I‘m not sure I buy into Lauren‘s relatively easy forgiveness throughout, but other than that, a solid bit of fun.

What a lovely story. And very unique, despite its homage to The Secret Garden, and not just in place and character. Positioned with teens rather than children opens the door for romance, and Mary and Sophie are so sweet as they discover first love. Despite the horror and pain of the Craven storyline (no spoilers!) this book is largely a pretty picture of Ontario‘s North, with beautiful gardens, of course. I liked it quite a bit more than expected!

This was a fantastic read! Richly drawn characters, a complex, edge-of-your-seat plot, and a world full of mystery and hidden magic. Celaena is more textured in this book, and I liked her more, I think. There are some real stand out side characters — Nehemiah, please — and an enjoyably dark and gritty challenge to solve. Maybe a touch slow-paced at times, and I‘m definitely glad I read the prequel first, but overall definitely a win.

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

“Mary Craven didn‘t think about death until the day it knocked politely on her bedroom door and invited itself in.”

Next up! This all-female retelling of The Secret Garden with and Indigenous perspective has been on my TBR for too long. There‘s a queer element too, making it the perfect June read.

This was such a lovely book. Following along with Bird as he searches for meaning in a jaded world was both saddening and somehow hopeful. King drops shining moments of humour and insight into his writing that keep it from bogging down, and his characters are warm and empathetic. Bird is such a loveable grumpy old man that‘s is easy to forgive his idiosyncrasies, and Mimi is just a joy. The meandering journey they took is one I was glad to be in.

A bit of a slow start, but then I really got invested. Celaena is an appealing, if somewhat frustrating, mix of accomplished and naive, snobby and self-assured, yet vulnerable. Her quest for independence is a brave one, when I remembered how young she is. Her trials are engaging and the story is pretty gripping. I saw all the pitfalls coming miles away, but I think you‘re supposed to? Even though she does not. Great lead-in to a series.

Picked off the TBR for Canada‘s Indigenous History month — I think I‘ll make all my physical reads this month Indigenous-authored. Love King‘s work, so expect a good read with this one!

This was quite a fun read, full of sly humour and wit, with a tongue-in-cheek look at the tropes of classic fantasy. Gav, our hapless MMC, is struggling to find himself — literally and figuratively — and making a mess as he does so. A rumination on good, evil, and how one finds redemption when they‘re looking for it keeps the story from being entirely frivolous. A highly engaging and entertaining cast filled out the book really nicely.

This book started strong — lots of new fairy tale elements, angst, a quest or two. Evangeline‘s growth over the series is really rewarding, and the complexity of the plot as it progresses is really engaging. I will say that about two thirds through the book, things seemed to lose momentum, and the end felt a little rushed. Plus, lots of loose ends with side characters—although maybe they‘ll get books of their own? A soft pick, but a great series.

This fairy tale gets increasingly darker in this instalment, with curses and bad luck and all manner of lies and tricks and pitfalls. Evangeline and Jacks seem truly doomed, which surely means they‘ll get their ever after? Maybe eventually…Garber keeps the tensions very finely tuned in this book, which speeds along at a far clip. I loved Evangeline‘s growth as a person, and didn‘t anticipate that final twist. Jumped right into the next book…

I didn‘t particularly like Caraval, but I really enjoyed this one! A tale of seeking love with a slight Cinderella colour, with plenty of plot twists and an endearing anti-hero at its heart. The story is reasonably fast-paced and engaging, and Evangeline‘s voice is appealing and lively. The Magnificent North just oozes fairytale magic, and I‘m keen to see what happens next!

Patricia Briggs has a really compelling way of telling a story that I really appreciate — and this was no exception. An extension of the Mercy Thompson universe, this story hits the ground running and never really slows down. Werewolf politics, ancient history, dark witches, mysterious murders — it‘s all a rollercoaster that comes to a relatively satisfying conclusion. Will definitely read more in this series.

It took me a while to get into this book, which starts off with nothing new, really. But the characters grew on me, and the plot does take an interesting turn or two. The descriptions of the MCs home, Innisfree, are lush and lovely and cozy, and the romance — from enemies to star-crossed lovers — is very sweet. Not a lot of surprises, but a warm and largely peaceful read, with cheering elements of family, friendship, and love.

This was a sweet book, much like the jam it features. I loved the characters, especially Caz, and the warmth they brought to the story. And warmth is all through it, from the people to the setting to the conclusion — it‘s all like a warm hug. Themes of found family and finding one‘s true self run through the text, and there‘s a little adventure in there too. A wonderful escape into a lovely world. I mean, LOOK at that cover😍

Something soft and cozy for a cool and cloudy Sunday morning — and recovery from the Handmaid‘s Tale😅

This is a keenly incisive book, particularly striking as the narration has a sort of dreamlike quality, and the narrator herself is not entirely reliable. A dystopian world, but one not that far from ours—especially given the current state of politics. Looking at the US‘s Project 2025, it‘s even more striking. And terrifyingly realistic tbh. Certainly still a prescient and clever read, even so long after original publication—and a great reread.

This is a wonderful book, so beautifully written and evocative. Nature breathes in its pages with a subtle loveliness and vivid power. Our three MCs are fascinating, complex women, each with their own issues and challenges, but with a strong thread drawing them together over history. The question of power vibrates through the stories, and is reclaimed with a vengeance. I loved this evocative tale, and look forward to more from the author.

I love Ann Cleeves, but Inspector Ramsey was new to me. The tone of the book is definitely a bit dated, but the mystery is fast-paced and interesting, with Cleeves‘ usual key insights into human nature. She has such a masterful way of imparting a sense of place, with such evocative language, it really is impressive and always a good read. I wouldn‘t say I loved this book, but I did enjoy it. Soft pick.

Ah, this book was a delightfully creepy trip and a half. Following along with #Dracula‘s Lucy and #JaneEyre‘s Bertha, this book explores the real cost of immortality, and the lies and machinations of the men that trapped the two in eternal life. I‘m not much of a horror fan at all, but this book was gruesome at times and had a serious gothic feel, it felt more melancholy to me than anything else. Fast-paced, very well-drawn, and fascinating.

Wow, that was a LOT. So much happened and our MCs went through so much! I really enjoyed the depth Walsh brought to the characters, and the different types of relationships that were explored. Honestly, Johnny and Gibs‘ friendship is probably my favourite thing about these books, with all its charming, slightly crazed intensity. This was a great duology and I would definitely read more from this author.

Meh idk. I really enjoyed the first book, but this follow up left me wanting. The obstacles felt fairly contrived, and Persephone seemed more reckless and fickle than anything. Her emotions were all over the place and I never felt like we got a satisfying explanation. Hades was barely present, and his actions seemed even more arbitrary and confusing. I doubt I‘ll bother going any further, which is a shame, because I really did enjoy book 1.

What a chonker omg. But it didn‘t feel long — I got sucked right in to the angst and the longing and the confused teen silliness. This book is kept from absolute nonsense by a strong current of abuse (not between MCs) and its fallout, the search for family and a place to belong. It‘s a very engaging read, with a busy plot, lots of action, and a good quick pace. FMC Shannon whines maybe a bit too much, but it‘s not that bad. Gone right into book 2!

So this read like a cross between A Dirty Job and a Finlay Donovan mystery and I was totally here for it. A great mystery, engaging characters, and an interesting premise. What happens to the souls we leave behind is an old question, and this book doesn‘t try to answer it, but rather, thinks about the implications in a funny, tongue-in-cheek sort of way. Lots to love here.

This was such a sweet read — quick and simple, but enjoyable and emotional. Logan and Addie make a great couple, filling in each other‘s needs neatly and with fantastic chemistry. I don‘t love the third act break up, so it lost points there, but at least there was a solid reason for it and didn‘t feel forced or needless. Also, the spice was excellent.

Phew, that book went by in a flash! I felt right in tune with the universe almost right away, which was nice and not usual for me in a series. The characters are almost painstakingly well drawn, and the emotional storyline pulls you right in. Things get very complex very quickly, and I was reminded of classic sci-fi/fantasy themes. If I have one complaint it‘s that the story felt a lot like a set up for consequent books. But I loved it anyway!

This series continues to be fluffy and fun, sweet as a hot chocolate on a cold day. The power dynamic of a boss/employee romance is tricky to navigate, but I think Gilmore does a fair job of it. Archer and Iris both grow a lot over the length of the story, and watching them become a family with the lost Olive is very charming. A light read, but an enjoyable one.

This was actually my first Garth Nix, but I don‘t think it will be my last. This was a great adventure, with dips into British myth and legend, and another world hiding in the shadows of our own. You get a very good sense of the time period, too (the 8os). But really, it‘s the characters that make the book shine — beautifully drawn and lively and sympathetic, you really feel like their story is unfolding in front of you. Loved it.

This was a sweet and funny tale, with lots of ups and downs and a few shenanigans for good measure. It wasn‘t difficult to see where it was heading, but getting there was enjoyable. I didn‘t like it as much as Half a Soul, but the writing was good and the characters endearing.

I don‘t read a lot of nonfiction but this was a fascinating one. Thoroughly informative, but told in a clever and witty, almost conversational, manner, that makes the information really accessible and easily comprehensible. Definitely a good choice for an audiobook — thanks for the tip, @Gleefulreader — as the author‘s voice is perfect here: wry, strong, and funny. Highly recommend if you have any interest in myths and legends.

This book was a RIDE, and no mistake. A strong thread of Beauty and the Beast, with a heap of violence and an enemies to lovers trope that really works. Unfortunately, the book is hampered by lack of a strong editor. It could easily have been 100 pages shorter, and the frequent wrong words or phrases were distracting. That said, I‘ll still read the next one to see what happens, so the story is compelling enough? I‘m torn between pick and so-so…

This is an absorbing book, a wild tangle of love lost and found, faith and belief, the wrongs we do each other as people. Ostensibly about a magical hunt, this story is really about finding what you need, reaching for dreams beyond safety and survival, the strong roots of family and how they shape us. The characters weren‘t strictly likeable but were hugely sympathetic, and I rooted for them every step of the way.

Up next on my quest for all the cozy reads…

This mystery was so cozy, it centred around a coffee shop! I love the woodland vibes in this series, and the small town coziness of the creatures that populate it. Vera the vixen does not disappoint, get her paws into the latest crime to hit Shady Hollow — but nothing about it is what it seems to be. Not a difficult puzzle to solve, although some of the details were interesting, but it was a fun little read.

Switching from cozy fantasy to cozy mystery…still in that mood but looking for a little more plot!

This was a pretty little story, with just enough magic and mystery to give it depth. The representation was so naturally part of the story, it was top notch. I thought it very interesting to approach depression and other mental illnesses from a magical perspective. The ending was…not entirely satisfying though, which moves this from a firm pick to a soft one. But a fun read overall.

Apparently I am in the mood for soft and quiet right now…gentle does seem to fit spring, too.

I thought this was a beautiful book — inside and out. Whimsical in some ways, terrifying in others, thoughtful and thought-provoking. The imagery was bright and real, the journey engrossing, and Kei and Hana‘s developing relationship was lovely. I didn‘t see the final twist in the tale coming, and the plot moved at a good pace to a satisfying conclusion. But I‘m a sucker for a happy ending. Also, I loved folding the cover into a wee boat😍