Tag Archives: cozy fantasy

wormwood abbey banner

Book Review: Wormwood Abbey, by Christina Baehr

Leave a reply

I won a copy of Christina Baehr‘s Wormwood Abbey over on Instagram.

wormwood abbey cover

As a Victorian clergyman’s daughter, Edith Worms has seen everything — until a mythical salamander tumbles out of the fireplace into her lap. When a letter arrives from estranged relatives, Edith is swept away to a crumbling gothic Abbey in the wilds of Yorkshire.

Wormwood Abbey isn’t just full of curious beasts and ancient family secrets: there’s also a tall, dark, and entirely too handsome neighbour who is strangely reluctant for her to leave.

An unexpected bond with her prickly cousin Gwendolyn gives Edith a reason to stay in this strange world — especially when it turns out that Edith herself may have a role in guarding her family’s legacy.

But not all of the mysteries of Ormdale are small enough to fit in her lap…and some of them have teeth.

my review

I really thought this was marvelously cozy in a fantastical, historic England. I adored the gothic setting, classic literary references, kindnesses, humour, and the characters. I especially enjoyed Edith. I always appreciate a practical heroine, and she is very practical. No hysterics for her, even in the most dire of circumstances. I did think it a little slow, and some of the narrative, while stylistically appealing, was a bit vague on detail. I’d be more than happy to finish the series out, though.
wormwood abbey photo

Other Reviews:

Book Review: Wormwood Abbey (The Secrets of Ormdale #1) by Christina Baehr

Mates and Other Obstacles to Accidentally Saving The World banner

Book Review: Mates & Other Obstacles to Accidentally Saving The World, by Emma Eden

Leave a reply

I picked up an ecopy of Emma Eden‘s Mates and Other Obstacles to Accidentally Saving The World as an Amazon freebie, probably during a Stuff Your Kindle event.

mates and other obstacles to accidentally saving the world cover

All I wanted for my birthday was a cake. Instead, I’m a snake… on a quest.

Yep, an honest-to-scales, snake. Did I mention I hate snakes?

Apparently not everyone does, because when my birthday explodes along with the bar, I’m stolen by a smoking hot shifter to his bear lair against my will.

I was supposed to be keeping a low, low profile before heading back to my secret human village. Instead I’m on a magical quest with Ward who claims we have a Fated Mates situation.

A what now?

I didn’t sign up for that. Or the uncontrollable shifting. Or his Goddess spritzing a rampaging shifter problem across the realm. Somehow I end up the only person who can find her relics because I maybe, accidentally, ate the first one. Though I don’t think they’re in the one bed we end up in. Which is probably a good thing since they don’t seem to fix my snake problem, they only make me stranger.

The quest wouldn’t be so bad if the whole continent wasn’t determined to separate my soul from my body. Even if I don’t trust him, sticking with Ward is the only chance I have to not be a snake and stop the realm from being torn apart by claws and fangs. What choice do I have? I’ll need to find a whole bucket of courage with some trust on the side to try out this mate thing and maybe save the Harrowlands.

my review

Meh, I mean, I’ve read worse, but this one just didn’t do it for me. It’s trying to be silly like Kimberly Lemming’s books, but it didn’t manage the balance. Yes, it’s meant to be funny and lighthearted, but it too often leaned into humor when plot or character development would have served the story better (not every time, but maybe some more of the time would have been nice). Plus, it went on far too long, considering how little variation there is in events, dialogue, or internal monologues. Frankly, the bottom line is that I’m sure this will be great for the right reader. I thought it was cute the way the characters supported one another, but I was ultimately bored with the whole thing.

mates and other obstacles to accidentally saving the world photo

Other Reviews:

Book Review—Mates and Other Obstacles to Accidentally Saving the World by Emma Eden

dealing with a desperate demon banner

Book Review: Dealing with a Desperate Demon, by Charlotte Stein

Leave a reply

I won an ARC of Dealing with a Desperate Demon, by Charlotte Stein, through Goodreads.

dealing with a desperate demon cover

Nancy has just about given up on finding her special person when Jack Jackson—big, scary and the town loser—walks into her bookstore. He’s apparently even more desperate for help in the romance department than she is. And after a bit of gentle persuasion, he finally accepts her guidance in securing his dream girl. Practice dates, lessons in tenderness—you name it, she can teach it.

There’s just one his dream girl might have more than an issue with his dating skills. Because Jack isn’t just a little clueless; he’s actually the demonic son of Satan, from the deepest depths of hell. He’s spent his entire long underlife dragging evildoers to their fates, while really trying not to live up to his Dad’s expectations.

Now, it isn’t just about getting a date with his dream girl. He needs to become a better man to win over the woman he’s been cosmically bound to, in a Beauty and the Beast style pact. If he fails, everyone he cares for will face a terrible fate. Luckily for him, Nancy may well be the witch she’s always tried to pretend she wasn’t. She can save him, he knows it—and she’s starting to know it too. Even if every day spent with him is an agonising reminder that she isn’t the girl he’s fated for.

But as the deadline approaches she’s starting to wonder… Could it be that she’s finally found her Prince? Or is she about to lose her heart to hell?

my review

This was super cozy and sweet, somewhat ridiculous, but heart-warming. I think as long as you go into the book knowing that’s what you are going to get, and not expecting something else, this could be a big win. It was for me. Jack is a giant golden retriever marshmallow with a scary face. Nancy is just the nicest nice girl you can imagine. Watching her be kind to him and him learning to lean into that is lovely. There are no big surprises in the plot. It’s pretty apparent where the whole thing is going from page one. But go in for the feels. I dare you.Dealing with a Desperate Demon photo

Other Reviews:

@bbrittanylee

📚 just finished Dealing with a Desperate Demon by Charlotte Stein and I’m OBSESSED! I really loved how descriptive it was! ✨ awkward demon + fake dating + a talking truck? 🖤 so funny, spicy, and weirdly sweet only wish the FMC had more of a build-up before just rolling with the magic lol ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 – give me more chaotic cinnamon roll demons pls 🌶️.5 – spice level #charlottestein #BookTok #RomComReads #plussizebookrecs #SpicyBooks #ParanormalRomance #booktokfyp #CharlotteStein #BookishHumor #DemonLoveStory #WitchyReads #FakeDatingTrope #BookReview #DealingWithADesperateDemon

♬ original sound – Brittany📚✨🐝