The Thief and the Traitor Bride
V.L. Bovalino
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: September 29, 2026
Series or Standalone: The Hand and the Heart #2
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: Violence; blood; imprisonment; references to pregnancy loss/miscarriage 

As soon as I finished The Second Death of Locke, I RAN to NetGalley to grab The Thief and the Traitor Bride as I could not wait for the second installment of The Hand and the Heart series by V.L. Bovalino. 

I really enjoyed this book, but it didn’t immediately hook me like The Second Death of Locke. This book felt like much more of a slower build, both in terms of the plot and the relationship between Nore and Cas. In The Second Death of Locke, I was immediately swept up in the story, but this one was much more of a slow simmer. But if you like Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibes in your romances, this book will be perfect for you. 

While you could read The Thief and the Traitor Bride as a standalone, I think you will get a lot more enjoyment out of the book if you’ve read The Second Death of Locke first. This book really expands the world as we spend more time in Lindan – a country that we hear referenced in The Second Death of Locke, but never visit. It also greatly expands the magic in this world, introducing us to multiple different types of magic systems. That part could easily get confusing if you don’t have the context from The Second Death of Locke, especially as they converge at times. And the magic of Locke still plays a really big role in the main plotline. However, I do think Bovalino does a good job of establishing the difference between the systems so that it is not too hard for new readers to follow. 

And don’t worry – all your favorite characters from The Second Death of Locke make an appearance! My favorite scenes were definitely the ones spent in Idistra with Grey and Kier and the whole gang, as I loved seeing how things have changed since we left them. While this book isn’t a direct sequel, it does a good job advancing the story of Grey and Kier in a really satisfying way. 

I definitely feel like this book leans more fantasy than romantasy, as it is very plot-heavy, but the romantic relationship is more prominent and felt like more of a major plotline than it did in The Second Death of Locke. I did like all the layers of political intrigue in this story – it’s very much a story centered on spies, lies, and deception. And I loved how Bovalino was able to connect the story to that of Locke. The plot is a slow build, with lots of layers and multiple different story arcs. There were a few times when I felt it drag just a tad, but overall, I really enjoyed watching all the pieces come together slowly over time.

The romance between Cas and Nore was really well done. It’s very much Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibes, as they’re basically dueling spies who end up betraying each other in more ways than one. When they’re forced to work together on a mission, they have to learn to address the betrayals from their past while trying to fight their lingering attraction. There is a lot of history between Cas and Nore, and it does take a while to unravel all the different pieces that contributed to their marriage’s downfall. I so desperately wanted to know what the cause behind their fracture was (truly my favorite part of a second-chance romance) – Bovalino teases it out perfectly so that when the reveal happens, it hits you in the emotions. I really loved the progression of their relationship. It was a slow build, but you could feel all the emotions – the hurt, the pain, the love – that were still there between them. And watching them build their relationship back and learn to trust one another again was just beautiful. 

Nore is so different from Grey. Her world and identity are really built around information gathering and being a spy. She’s not one for a fight, as her brain tends to gravitate more towards strategies and deception. Nore’s definitely someone who is looking for validation – particularly from Dove, the Duchess Celestine, who is the spymaster in Lindan. She’s given up everything for her role as Finch, including the person she loved the most – Cas. I loved seeing her growth throughout the story as she comes to realize that her job might actually be as noble as she thought it was. I loved how by the end of the book, she seemed to find confidence in herself and do what is right, not just do what she is told. 

While Nore is the type of person to hang back in the shadows unnoticed, Cas is full of charm and charisma. They make great spies as they both have very different strengths. I found Cas a really fascinating character, especially his role as an amalgamate, where he can work in multiple different magic systems. His love for Nore also runs so deep. Despite all the hurt and betrayal, you can FEEL this man’s love for Nore still after all these years.

While this book didn’t elicit as strong a reaction in me as The Second Death of Locke (that book is god-tier to me), I still really enjoyed it. I loved how Bovalino expanded this world with Cas and Nore, giving us a very different romance than book one. While the books have a different feel – The Second Death of Locke is more focused on war and grief, while The Thief and the Traitor Bride is more focused on political intrigue and betrayals – they complement each other really well. I’m excited to see how Bovalino continues to expand and play with this amazing world she created in The Hand and the Heart series in future books, as I’m hooked! 

Thank you to Forever/Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts, ideas, and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Second Death of Locke
V.L. Bovalino
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: September 23, 2025
Series or Standalone: The Hand and the Heart #1
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: War, death, violence, grief, blood

Please go read this book. I BEG YOU.

I am kicking myself for not listening to everyone else and reading it sooner.

I was seriously counting down the hours each day until I could get back to reading it. It’s truly that good.

The Second Death of Locke ended my nearly two-month reading slump as it delivered the perfect epic fantasy filled with top-tier YEARNING. I’m seriously in AWE.

V.L. Bovalino does a fantastic job building this fantasy world, explaining the magic system where mages can only wield power through their Hand, who act as the well for power. The world sucks you in immediately and you get wrapped up in all the twists and turns of the story.

While this book seamlessly blends the fantasy and romantic elements, it really delivers on the epic fantasy front in a way that most romantasy novels fail. It truly felt like a welcome change of pace. The main plot revolves more around the lost isle of Locke and explores themes of power, freedom, duty, grief, and love beautifully. It’s gritty, dark, and doesn’t shy away from the realities of war and bloodshed. 

But wrapped around that is a truly beautiful romance between Grey and Kier. Grey is a Hand, a knight, a healer, and the Well to her mage Kier, who draws power from her on the battlefield and has quickly risen in the ranks of their nation’s army. Despite both being in their late-20s, they feel so much older, having lived through so many battles together over the years and suffering so much heartache and loss from an early age. They’ve known each other forever, growing up first as childhood friends and neighbors, before becoming a fierce pair on the battlefield where they truly understand each other better than anyone else. 

Grey and Kier have this bond – one that Grey feels is just due to her role as his Hand and the power she provides him. Sure, she knows he cares for her, but she thinks it’s only in the way you would love someone you’ve spent your whole life with side by side. But she wants it to be so much more. The YEARNING! The slow burning! Ugh, it nearly killed me. Their magical connection, which is strengthened by physical touch, adds to that yearning. And it just grows and grows with each little passing touch, each moment of flirty banter. Bovalino captures the feelings of unrequited love so well as we see the story through Grey’s POV (but thank goodness it’s in third-person!). But their relationship is truly so beautiful and real. They care so much about each other. As that relationship grows and transforms, it wraps around your heart.

But then, Bovalino also knows how to stab you in the heart. Just when you think everything is fine and dandy, it’s wham, bam, thank you, ma’am, with the heartache and plot twists. I cried more than once while reading this (okay, I actually was SOBBING at one point), especially as you get into the story’s final act. You cannot help but feel Grey’s grief, her burden, her regret. You get wrapped up in the story, in the emotions, and it won’t let you go.

I also really appreciated the LGBTQ+ representation in this story and how it’s just an acceptable part of this world. Grey is bi, and we have characters who are non-binary, trans, lesbians, and it’s just part of who they are without needing to focus on or dwell on it. It was lovely to see it fit so seamlessly into this story without being the defining features of the characters. It’s just part of who they are. 

The Second Death of Locke was truly everything. With epic fantasy vibes coupled with a slow-burn romance and a story that draws you in from page one, what is not to like? And I’m already counting down the days (okay, hours, as I did go immediately grab the ARC of book 2) until I can return to this world, as I’m so excited for book 2. 

So don’t be like me and ignore everyone saying to pick up this book. TRULY PICK IT UP NOW. Sorry, not sorry to your TBR, but it truly is worth bumping to the top of the list.

Long time no see. 

I did not intend to take a nearly 6-month break, but here we are. 

So what happened?

Well, I was creatively burnt out. Reading started to feel like a second job. I started to dread the idea of picking up a new book and having to sit down afterwards and review. And then life just got hectic. 

So I took a step back.

And honestly? That was probably for the best.

I needed a break, as I’ve been reviewing books pretty consistently for about 5 years (a fact that is actually so wild to me). 

Now, I’m ready to tip my toes back in a bit.

However, I don’t want to put heavy expectations on myself. I don’t want to fall back into reviewing feeling like a job.

One of the big things I want to step back from is accepting new ARCS. While I love being able to read books early, sometimes it feels like a chore. As a mood reader, I felt like I was forcing myself to read a book that I wasn’t craving at the moment because of a deadline. 

Now that won’t mean you won’t see any ARC reviews.  I currently have a massive backlog of ARC reviews to get through – some dating back to early 2025 – that I want to work my way through. And there are a few books on my radar that I desperately want to read that I have grabbed ARCs. 

But I think slowing down and being more selective in what I choose for ARCs will help bring the joy back to this hobby. As it is a HOBBY, after all. And I want to have FUN doing it. 

If you are still here after this unexpected hiatus, I just want to say thank you! I truly love sharing book recommendations with others. There truly is no better feeling than someone telling you, “I picked up this book because of you.” 

So let’s see where this road takes us. I’ll probably be popping up randomly here and there with posts until I can try to get back into more of a rhythm. But let’s just see how it goes and have fun with!

Dani 

Despite February going by in a whirlwind, plus lots of snow for us in New England, I still felt like I had a rather productive reading month! 

I’m still on track to hit my reading goal of 100 books for 2026. I’ll count that as a major win, as I don’t think that happened at all last year. 

Here are the seven books I read this month:

February 2026 Reads

Veronica Speedwell Series #6-9 by Deanna Raybourn

In preparation for A Ghastly Catastrophe publishing on March 3, I finished up my reread of all the previous books in the Veronica Speedwell series. 

Since November, I’ve been hosting a readalong of both Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julia Grey and Veronica Speedwell series to prepare for Veronica Speedwell book 10. It’s always a treat to revisit my absolute favorite series.

On every reread, I notice something new in the writing or the mystery and have a deeper appreciation for these characters. And this time was no exception! I love how much Veronica has grown over the books, and you really see a change in her over this chunk of the series in particular. 

If you have never read the series, check out my post on 4 Reasons to Read Veronica Speedwell Series! Then go check out my reviews for these four books:

• An Unexpected Peril (Veronica Speedwell #6) by Deanna Raybourn
• An Impossible Impostor (Veronica Speedwell #7) by Deanna Raybourn
• A Sinister Revenge (Veronica Speedwell #8) by Deanna Raybourn
• A Grave Robbery (Veronica Speedwell #9) by Deanna Raybourn

An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgerton #3) by Julia Quinn 

In prep for Bridgerton series 4, I wanted to revisit Benedict and Sophie’s book as it has been AGES since I last read it. I remembered all the overarching elements of the story, but not the specifics. 

My memory was vague on how I felt about it – I remember not hating it, but not loving. And I think I still feel the same. It’s definitely not my favorite book from the series, but it’s also not my least favorite. It falls very squarely in the middle. 

It’s a pretty traditional Cinderella retelling for historical romance, which I definitely remembered. Benedict does make some CHOICES and handles things not always the best, but I still overall enjoy this story. It’s FUN! 

Season 4 of Bridgerton took all the best elements of this book and made it even better through adaptation. The newest season felt like the closest to the book (and I’m so glad I reread before watching!). They removed some of the more problematic elements but really let Benedict and Sophie shine. I was so happy with the changes they made and think it was the best season of Bridgerton yet!

The Halifax Hellions by Alexandra Vasti

We have been ASKING for a print edition of The Halifax Hellions for years, and we finally have it! 

In prep for getting my hands on this stunning print copy, I had to reread Margo and Matilda’s stories. Safe to say – these still are phenomenal. In Which Matilda Halifax Learns the Value of Restraint always slightly edges out In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation as my favorite of the two novellas – I think I just love a grump stoic man like Christian, plus their flirting via letters is my favorite. But both are still fantastic short stories in their own right! 

I so hope one day we will get the last story, In Which Winnie Halifax is Utterly Ruined, in print to round out the collection! 

If you missed my review of The Halifax Hellions by Alexandra Vasti, now is the perfect time to check it out! 

Riftborne (Esprithean Trilogy #1) by Bree Grenwich and Parker Lennox

Riftborne was the pick for my in-person romantasy focused bookclub this month, and I was actually so pleasantly surprised by it! 

I had never heard of the book before it was selected, and I went in utterly blind. Didn’t read the synopsis. Didn’t read reviews. Didn’t do anything. Literally picked up the audiobook and hit play.

What a treat this was! It does start a little slow, and I still have lots of questions about the world, but it really picks up in the end. During the last like 30%, I felt like I was racing through to see if my theories would prove correct, and the action really starts to pick up. It ends on a cliffhanger, and as soon as I finished, I was like “I want to read the next one!” 

I absolutely loved the audiobook of this as well. Adriene Acre did a fantastic job with the performance and I was deeply engaged the whole time while listening. While I have no idea how to spell any of the character names (a flaw of listening to a romantasy book on audio), I didn’t care as the narrator did a great job differentiating them through her performance.

If you like books like Fourth Wing or A Court of Thorns and Roses, I think you’ll like this book.

I know it’s being republished traditionally by Penguin this year, so I’m not sure if anything is changing with the narrator or contents, but this was a pretty solid 4-star read for me! 

And that’s everything I read this month! See any of your favorites?

A Ghastly Catastrophe
Deanna Raybourn
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: March 3, 2026
Series or Standalone: Veronica Speedwell #10
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVIEW

Veronica and Stoker’s TENTH adventure is finally here – and what an adventure it is for such a big milestone! This might be the first mystery of theirs where I really did NOT know where it was going. I mean, hello, vampires?!? 

I’m so, so, so grateful that we have gotten TEN of these stories already, and I hope we get many more, as I am not ready to let these characters go. (I am in deep denial that I will one day have to say goodbye to them, but today is not that day!). The Veronica Speedwell series is my favorite – one I revisit in its entirety nearly every year – and I truly think everyone should read it as it has some of the best characters, engaging mysteries, witty dialogue, and one of my favorite slowburn romance ever.

When I saw that A Ghastly Catastrophe was going to feature a crossover event with Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julia Grey series, I literally screamed. Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane, in many ways, feel like an early prototype for Veronica and Stoker. Sure, there are some big differences, but having recently revisited the Lady Julia Grey series, you can see the similarities in the overarching elements of the characters, especially in The Dark Enquiry. While they play a small, yet surprisingly important, part in the overarching story, seeing Veronica and Julia interact was a highlight for me. Veronica, who does not take to other women quickly, found a fast friendship with Lady Julia, given their shared habit of murder – the sleuthing, not the committing of it. I hope we see more of the Brisbanes in future books, as I think it would be SO FUN to see them team up on an adventure together (even though Stoker does not want to encourage a friendship between Veronica and Julia due to them being too alike and his own childhood memories of the Marches, an eccentric bunch to say the least). 

The mystery in A Ghastly Catastrophe was one I was not expecting, but I loved it! Despite the disclaimer from Veronica at the beginning about Dracula, my brain totally forgot that and did not make the connection that this was a fun spin on a classic vampire story until I said the name Von Hilsing outloud. And what a fun little homage this was! I literally did not know where this mystery was going or who the main culprit was until the end – something that does not happen often to me – so I had a blast trying to put all the pieces together. I’m a sucker for a good secret society at the center of a mystery, and this one had a fun one!  I also love how the supernatural elements were incorporated into the story and given their own very natural twist. 

I’m also so happy with where Stoker and Veronica’s relationship is now. Much like in A Grave Robbery, we see them being true partners and in love. The endearments of “my beloved” and “my dearest” that Veronica slips into conversations with Stoker show how far she has come. They’re so causally affectionate toward each other in this, and I was just eating it up! Sure, they still love to rile each other up and get into arguments, but if that didn’t happen, I would be worried, as it’s so central to their relationship. I feel like some of Veronica’s fear over being “domesticated” has subsided a bit, as I think she’s realized that with Stoker by her side, there is never a day they won’t end up tangled in some sort of adventure together. 

I’m also so glad we get to see more of J.J. and Mornaday! The opening scene with them is so funny and also immediately hooks you into the story. I’m happy to see them again playing a role in the investigation, and I personally would love to see a spin-off or even a novella centered on them!

As with every book in the Veronica Speedwell series, I absolutely adore the writing style. Raybourn perfectly balances the mystery with the whimsy through Veronica’s journal-style narration. And sure, Veronica is not the most reliable narrator when it comes to her own reactions and feelings, but her tells are obvious at this point, and it makes it fun to see when she’s trying to brush over certain emotions she’s claiming not to feel. I love how Raybourn, through Veronica, can make me laugh at a subtle turn of phrase or a truly unexpected reveal (like with Stoker’s secret commission). 

Unlike with A Grave Robbery, where it felt like that could be Veronica and Stoker’s last adventure with all the callbacks to earlier tales, A Ghastly Catastrophe left me feeling like there are still so many adventures left for Veronica and Stoker to embark on. The mystery felt so different than any they have tackled thus far. Murder can get stale after a while, and it is hard to constantly up the stakes. But I feel like Raybourn did just that with this book! I had so much FUN reading this, and I am already looking forward to revisiting it to pick up on all the little things I didn’t notice on first read. 

A Ghastly Catastrophe is another fantastic addition to the Veronica Speedwell series. It’s engaging, mysterious, funny, and romantic – all the things I adore about the series, executed perfectly. Fans will be deeply engaged in trying to figure out, alongside Veronica and Stoker, the mystery of the vampire, and fans of Dracula will enjoy the little winks and nods along the way. 

And now comes the worst part of finishing a new Veronica Speedwell story – the waiting for the next one! I’m already eagerly anticipating their next adventure, and I hope we get many more for years to come, as I will continue to eat them up for as long as Deanna Raybourn writes them!

Thank you to Berkley/Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts, ideas, and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Halifax Hellions
Alexandra Vasti
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Publication Date: February 17, 2026
Series or Standalone: Halifax Hellions #1 & #2
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVIEW

You have no idea how LONG I have been waiting to get my hands on a print copy of Margo and Matilda’s stories! I absolutely fell in love with Alexandra Vasti’s writing through her novellas, which she originally self-published through her newsletter back in 2022. 

Thankfully, the St. Martin gods heard all of us shouting about how much we LOVE these novellas and gave us a beautiful print edition featuring the first two novellas in The Halifax Hellions, including a brand new epilogue! 

Whether you’re a new fan of historical romance or an old one, these novellas are a pure delight! Vasti’s writing is just as sharp, witty, and sexy in novella form as it is in her full-length novels. And if you missed out on grabbing these novellas when Vasti originally shared them, now is the perfect time to pick them up! I’m so excited for more readers to have these stories in their hands!

Check out my full reviews on each of the short stories contained in The Halifax Hellions below! 

In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation

In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation was such a cute and spicy little novella that managed to cram a great romance in a short amount of pages! I’m not usually a big reader of novellas, but I saw everyone raving about this on Instagram, so I had to pick it up! 

Margo and Matilda, better known as the Halifax Hellions, are London’s most scandalous, outrageous, ungovernable ladies. But when Matilda runs off to elope with a dangerous aristocrat, Margo must stop her sister before Matilda can say, “I do.” For help, Margo turns to her brother’s best friend, starchy solicitor Henry Mortimer. The only problem is Henry’s been harboring a secret in his otherwise buttoned-up life: he’s been in love with Margo for seven wonderful, agonizing years. Hopefully, he can survive a road trip to Scotland with her sitting just feet away. But their road trip does not go to plan, with the elements constantly forcing Margo into Henry’s arms.

This story gave me all the emotions – I was laughing, swooning, happy and sad at different points while reading. The plot was tight and concise, yet Vasti managed to cram a lot into it without the pacing feeling rushed. And I was shocked at how sexy this was! I always expect novellas to have less sexy times since there is limited space to tell the story, but Vasti gets it done, and it works perfectly!

The characters shine in this – particularly Henry. My lord, I love Henry. This starchy, buttoned-up man has been pining after Margo for years but keeps all those feelings bottled up inside. He would do anything for Margo, and I love watching a man who holds his emotions close to his chest come undone by the woman he loves. He really steals the show in this novella.

I liked Margo, but some of her decisions made her feel a little childish, even if I could understand where she was coming from. But she can admit and own up to her flaws, which made me like and sympathize with her. Plus, I can relate to her because I, too, would bring money, a book and cheese with me on a long carriage journey.

I also really liked Vasti’s writing style. Her characters’ voices came through immediately, helping form a quick connection to Henry and Margo, which is important in a novella. The dialogue flowed naturally, and I loved all the little bits of humor woven into the story. Vasti also crams a ton of fan-favorite romantic tropes into this, and because of her strong characters and plotting, it works perfectly! None of the tropes feel forced, and the romance shines. I was so invested in Henry and Margo’s relationship incredibly quickly, and I wanted Henry to get his happily ever after with Margo so badly!

If you’re looking for a short, engaging historical romance novella, look no further than In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation. I loved Vasti’s writing style, so I will definitely be checking out more things she writes in the future!

In Which Matilda Halifax Learns the Value of Restraint

CW: BDSM elements; references to sexual assault; infidelity; death of a spouse

If there were a perfect novella, In Which Matilda Halifax Learns the Value of Restraint would be it (and I am tough on novellas, so that is high praise!). I loved this one so much, as everything from the romance to the characters captured my heart. I could seriously read a whole book about Christian and Matilda. I loved them so much!

Matilda Halifax and her twin sister have always been the most scandalous ladies in London. But by accidentally selling erotic drawings of the notorious, brooding Marquess of Ashford, she may have ended up over her head. Since Christian de Bord, Lord Ashford, was accused of murdering his wife, he’s withdrawn from society and determined to protect his younger sister Bea from the gossip. But when his face appears in a salacious pamphlet, he’s thrust back into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Matilda is determined to make things right, even if that means stepping in as Bea’s new painting teacher and being stuck in a carriage with Christian and his scowls for days on end. But it takes a Halifax Hellion to turn Christian’s life upside down and show him that love may be worth the risk.

Hello, Christian, my new book boyfriend. My god, I loved this man from the moment he showed up on the page. This poor, broken man needs love so much. Everyone thinks he’s a monster, but he’s a man who’s been hurt badly by someone close to him. I liked that he has a wicked side and isn’t ashamed of it. He also clearly cares deeply for his sister, even if he doesn’t know how to express it adequately. Watching him go soft around Matilda was my favorite as he tries to be so gruff and tough, but he cannot say no to Matilda, no matter how much he thinks he should.

If I had to choose a Halifax Hellion to be friends with, I would choose Matilda. I connected with her instantly (and maybe I loved her a little more as she’s a vegetarian like me). She feels quieter and more reserved than her sister, and she’s incredibly empathetic as she puts others before herself. But she’s also bold, courageous, and confident. She’s very emotionally complex, and I loved that about her.

The romance in this novella is absolute fire and my favorite part. From Matilda and Christian’s first meeting, the chemistry is there, and the sparks jump off the page whenever they’re around each other. I loved watching them circle each other and struggle to fight the feelings that were bubbling to the surface. This was the perfect age-gap romance for me as I liked that Christian was a bit older in their relationship and appreciated that the power dynamics were very balanced. I also adored Vasti’s spin on the only one-bed trope involving a very pissed-off wet cat named Angelica Kauffman (a true scene stealer).

Also, this was so SEXY. I think this might be the sexiest novella I’ve ever read, as Vasti definitely one-upped herself with the sex scenes in this. For a novella that is less than 200 pages, it gives us multiple sexy scenes, including some with light bondage, that deliver the heat!

I truly adore Vasti’s writing style, as her characters have such distinct voices that they feel like they jump off the page. The dual POV helped ratchet up the sexual tension and move the story along. I also loved how Vasti weaves humor into her stories. Both with this novella and Margo’s novella, I found myself giggling at a witty turn of phrase and a funny situation her characters would get into.

I could go on and on about this novella, which is impressive as it’s only around 150 pages. If you’re looking for a sexy, romantic historical romance, In Which Matilda Halifax Learns the Value of Restraint is the perfect story.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC. All thoughts, ideas, and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Taking a step back did mean I never recapped my December reading, so let’s tackle that today, as well as recap my January reads! 

I closed 2025 off strong with my best reading month all year, finishing nine books. Luckily, that momentum also carried over to 2026 as we ended January reading nine books as well. And I’m not mad about that since nine is my favorite number! 

December 2025 Reads

Dark Road to Darjeeling (Lady Julia Grey #4) by Deanna Raybourn

December saw the wrap-up of the Lady Julia Grey readalong, including the few books I had not previously read from the series! 

I was a bit worried about Dark Road to Darjeeling, given Lady Julia and her husband Nicholas Brisbane would be heading over to India, and how the elements of colonialism would be handled. And honestly, that was not handled the best, but I also know that Lady Julia, as a daughter of the British nobility, would not concern herself much with the implications of colonialism, so I can understand why. Plus, the book is nearly 15 years old (wild!), and attitudes have changed drastically even in the last few years on this topic. 

I do think this book was one of the darkest and most depressing books in the series. The murder mystery ends in one of the most devastating and tragic conclusions. I had to put the book down to fully process the implications of everything. And then you throw in everything that happens with Jane and Portia, and it’s just overall a very dark and sad book. 

The Ever King (The Ever Seas #1) by LJ Andrews

In between Lady Julia Grey novels, I listened to The Ever King by LJ Andrews for my in-person book club!

The Ever King is the kind of book where you don’t hate it, but you don’t love it. It’s a perfectly good read – enjoyable even. But it also feels like a book you’ve read before. It has so many tropes and hits a lot of beats that other romantasy novels have now that it doesn’t really stand out as being unique. I did enjoy it enough to be intrigued to want to check out the sequel, but I have yet to do so.

The audio was an…interesting experience. It has dual narrators, which I think makes perfect sense for the story. However, I far enjoyed the female narrator over the male narrator. No shade to the male narrator, but his voice just felt way too old and gruff for the character! It was jarring every time we switched back to him, and I felt his performance was So. Serious. I also was not the biggest fan of his female voice performance, whereas I felt the female narrator did a better overall job with performances. 

The Dark Enquiry (Lady Julia Grey #5) by Deanna Raybourn

After how dark the Dark Road to Darjeeling felt, The Dark Enquiry felt like it had a totally different tone. This book felt the most like Deanna Raybourn’s writing in the Veronica Speedwell series (my favorite!), but it felt like SUCH a departure from what I had grown used to in the Lady Julia Grey series. 

Lady Julia felt like a whole new person in a weird sort of whimsical way. It felt odd, since these books have always been more serious and darker with the mysteries. I also found it so weird that Julia just…forgot about the main murder at the center of this for a few months before coming back to it. That doesn’t seem like her, especially in this book! 

I’m glad Brisbane and Julia realized they need to be honest and TALK to each other – took long enough after five books. I feel like he really was softened in this book, and I’m a little sad it was the last full-length novel, as you really start to see the potential of them together in a trusting relationship. 

Overall, this was probably my least favorite book in the series, as it felt so different from all the others. Raybourn made some interesting choices with the characters as well as the plot that left me kind of scratching my head. It’s definitely not a bad book by any means, but just a deviation from what I had come to expect. 

Lady Julia Grey Novellas (Midsummer Night; Silent Night; Twelfth Night; Bonfire Night) by Deanna Raybourn

To close out the Lady Julia Grey readalong, we tackled the five novellas Raybourn wrote to tie up some of the loose ends at the end of book 5, but not all of them. I also really enjoyed the novellas that showed us some of the off-page events of the series, like Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane’s wedding. 

My biggest question after reading these was if Raybourn thought she would have the opportunity to write additional installments of the series, but the publisher passed on them. There were definitely some threads that were never fully resolved! 

I am interested to see how Lady Julia and Brisbane play into the next Veronica Speedwell novel, as they will be making an appearance in A Ghastly Catastrophe. 

The Anatomist’s Wife (Lady Darby Mystery #1) by Anna Lee Huber

I have really been on a Lady Detective kick recently, so of course I joined a readalong for another Lady Detective series – the Lady Darby Mystery series! I have read a handful of these in the past and really enjoyed them, but it’s been ages, so I felt it was the perfect time to revisit. 

And boy am I glad I did, as I really loved The Anatomist’s Wife upon re-read. The characters are really what make this story shine, and I absolutely love all the depth to Kiera and Gage. Plus a hint of a slow burn romance? Yes, please. 

If you haven’t read this one yet, check out my full review of The Anatomist’s Wife by Anna Lee Huber to see why you should pick it up!

The Christmas I Stole a Viscount by Alexandra Vasti

We closed out 2025 with the most perfect of Christmas novella! Now, my iPhone somehow ate all my notes from when I read this (a TRAGEDY!), so sorry for the vague details that are about to come, but I loved this. 

Alexandra Vasti is SO good at writing these short stories. She manages to pack so much emotion and relationship development in such a short amount of time, delivering the big swoonworthy feelings EVERY TIME. It’s truly amazing, as so many novellas feel rushed, but this one never did. 

This novella, a newsletter subscriber exclusive, had all the hallmark elements of a Vasti story. The characters were amazing, it made me laugh, and the romance was swoonworthy! Truly a perfect historical romance Christmas novella in every way!

January 2026 Reads

Veronica Speedwell Books 1-5 by Deanna Raybourn

I think you all know how much I LOVE the Veronica Speedwell series by now. It was the whole reason I got back into blogging and launched my Instagram! So, in preparation for the release of A Ghastly Catastrophe in March, I’ve been rereading all the books as part of the Veronica Speedwell Readalong I’m hosting. 

It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve read these books – and I’ve read these a LOT – I still find new things to enjoy! And I am still so in love with them as I was when I first read and reviewed them ages ago.

For my full thoughts on each of them, check out my original reviews below on each of the first five books:

• A Curious Beginning (Veronica Speedwell #1)
• A Perilous Undertaking (Veronica Speedwell #2)
• A Treacherous Curse (Veronica Speedwell #3)
• A Dangerous Collaboration (Veronica Speedwell #4) 
• A Murderous Relation (Veronica Speedwell #5)

Mortal Arts (Lady Darby Mystery #2) by Anna Lee Huber

I’m still slowly but surely making my way through the Lady Darby Mystery series. I really had to take my time with Mortal Arts as it nearly broke me. This story is so heavy, but also so beautiful. 

My heart was hurting for so much of the story as it deals with some heavy topics – PTSD, depression, and forced institutionalization being some of the biggest. It was not an easy read, but it felt like such an important one. By the end, I was full-on sobbing along and experiencing the grief alongside Kiera.

I hope to write a review of this story, but I don’t know if my words can do it justice. It’s a beautiful, yet heartwrenching story that leaves a lasting impact.

AI Snake Oil: What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What It Can’t, and How to Tell the Difference by Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor

Switching gears, I decided to listen to this book on AI, as I had heard good things from others who had listened to it. And the title perfectly sums up what this book is focused on. 

Personally, I am very anti-generative AI for a plethora of reasons that I won’t fully go into here, and I did like how this book looked at all the different types of “AI” companies are offering to separate hype from reality. If you’re not well-versed in the different types of AI, how they work, and what they actually are, I think this did a really good job breaking it down and explaining some of the use cases.

I don’t 100% agree with the authors on everything – I think they have a too rosy impact on the economic realities of AI and gloss over some of the ethical issues with AI – but I did enjoy hearing their perspectives, research, and insights on the topic.

Tears for the Forsaken (Spencer & Reid Mysteries #5) by Cara Devlin

The way I RAN to grab the latest in the Spencer & Reid Mysteries series when it was published last month! I am absolutely obsessed with this series – it’s another great Lady Detective series – and this book was another fantastic entry! 

Devlin writes incredibly compelling mysteries, and this one was no exception! I also loved seeing Leo investigating a mystery on her own and proving just how capable she is.  

As a slowburn romance fan, this book made me so happy as we finally see payoff in that slowburn between Leo and Jasper. My heart was so happy at the ending! 

Full review to come, but I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves Veronica Speedwell, Lady Sherlock, or Miss Scarlet! 

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst 

For my January in-person book club, the theme was “cozy fantasy,” and that is exactly what The Spellshop delivered. I also discovered that cozy fantasy is not my vibe. No shade to this book, but it did make me realize I like stories with higher stakes and emotions.

But if you’re looking for something that delivers cozy cottage-core vibes, The Spellshop ticks that box perfectly. With a hint of romance, a talking spiderplant, and plenty of jam, this book delivers on the light-hearted, cozy vibes with a happily ever after for everyone involved. 

And that’s everything from December and January! See any favorites?

The Anatomist’s Wife
Anna Lee Huber
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: November 6, 2012
Series or Standalone: Lady Darby Mysteries #1
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MY REVIEW

CW: blood; gore; death of an infant; infertility; infidelity; pregnancy; sexism

It’s been ages since I’ve read The Anatomist’s Wife, the first book in Anna Lee Huber’s Lady Darby series, and I am so glad I’ve decided to go back and revisit the series! I am a sucker for a lady detective story, and Lady Darby blends so many elements of the genre I love, yet is still incredibly unique.

Lady Kiera Darby has been ostracized after her husband’s death revealed the role she played in his anatomist work. While everyone thinks she’s unnatural for using her artistic talents to support her husband’s work, little do they know the truth behind her unwilling participation. However, her unusual skill set and experience observing dead bodies came in handy when her brother-in-law asked her to assist private inquiry agent Sebastian Gage in solving a murder at a house party. 

I loved the character in this so much. They’re incredibly complex and layered, and I honestly cannot wait to learn more about Kiera and Gage as the series unfolds. Poor Kiera – my heart aches for her so much! She suffered so much at the hands of her husband, and it feels like we’ve just scratched the surface of what a terrible man he was! She’s been demonized by others for things she had no say in, but I loved watching her find her voice and strength over the course of this book. There’s a heavy sense of loneliness and sadness about her, and I was so grateful that she has such a supportive sister in Alana, who will defend and protect her. 

Sebastian Gage was so interesting to me as well! His father is truly the esteemed inquiry agent, but he claims he assists in the work. I felt like he’s not as experienced as he thinks he is, as he’s got a bit of an arrogance about him during the investigation. While Kiera would make an easy suspect for the murder given her history, he was willing to hear her out and was (mostly) open to her contributions and expertise. Kiera views him as a rake and is determined not to like him, but as they spend more time together, she comes to realize he’s someone she can trust and rely on. 

While romance is not at the center of this, Huber is clearly setting up a slow burn between Kiera and Gage. And let me tell you – I AM OBSESSED! It’s really just a tease in this book, but you can feel the foundational elements being set up and a hint of deeper feelings (though Kiera would love to deny that). And oh my goodness, the YEARNING at the end of this! I was both living for it and frustrated at the same time, but I loved every second of it. I cannot wait to dive into Mortal Arts, book 2 in the series, to see where this goes. 

The mystery in this was fantastic. I could vaguely remember who the murderer was, but it is definitely not easy to guess. But there are subtle clues throughout that you can pick up on if you know where to look. 

But given the nature of the murder, this is not an easy read. I’ve put the content warnings above, as some elements connected to it could easily be triggering for some folks. I read a lot of murder mysteries, but even I felt like I needed to take a breather at times. Huber, rightly so, conveys the heaviness of the murder. It’s fascinating to see how it affects each character, including the suspects, in different ways. It’s heavy but also incredibly compelling. You feel as invested as Kiera and Gage are in solving it so justice can be served. 

The pacing of this felt spot on. Despite having to do a lot of groundwork as the first book in the series, the story never felt like it dragged. There are a lot of characters to juggle, and a lot of plot to manage, but I felt invested the whole time. Action picks up toward the end, but it didn’t feel rushed. Instead, it felt like the perfect climax to the story. 

I’m excited to revisit Mortal Arts, book 2 in the Lady Darby series, as I truly remember absolutely nothing about it. The ending of The Anatomist’s Wife left me wanting more, and I cannot wait to see what Huber has in store next for Kiera and Gage! 

Silent in the Sanctuary
Deanna Raybourn
Publisher: Mira
Publication Date: December 28, 2007
Series or Standalone: Lady Julia Grey #2
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MINI REVIEW

CW: murder; violence; classism; racism/racial slurs

It’s been ages since I read Silent in the Sanctuary, and it was so funny what I remembered and what I didn’t.

But I really liked this one! Despite it having a very slow pace – the murder doesn’t happen until 40% – I think Deanna Raybourn does a fantastic job setting up the story, including introducing us to so many different characters at the March family house party. I also love the premise of a murder in a snowed-in house party, as you’re limited in suspects, and the motive always becomes way more important. The mystery had a lot of elements that I really loved as well.

One of the things I really appreciated in this story is the growth of Lady Julia. She’s not the most likable character, but I think that makes her human. I loved the journey she goes on, as I feel like she has finally discovered who she is and is finding her voice. In Silent in the Grave, it’s clear Lady Julia really lost her identity during her marriage. In book 2, she’s figured out who she is and what she wants. I appreciated that she’s still not a great investigator – some of her assumptions felt out of left field and were so wrong – but it felt so genuine for someone who stumbled into solving murders.

When I first read this, I remember loving the romantic progression between Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane. I still really enjoy how the romance is slowly progressing, but I also am like, “Brisbane is a bit of an ass.” However, I love the added element of him showing up with a fiancée. And I’m sorry, Lady Julia, no matter how many times you said you weren’t jealous, I don’t think anyone was buying it.

I’m so excited to dive into book 3, Silent on the Moor, even though I remember nearly nothing about it besides some random elements of the mystery.

Silent in the Grave
Deanna Raybourn
Publisher: Mira
Publication Date: March 1, 2007
Series or Standalone: Lady Julia Grey #1
Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph
Rating:

MINI REVIEW

CW: terminal illness, racism/racial slurs, classism, infidelity, drug use, homophobia, fire

It’s been ages since I’ve read this, so I had forgotten nearly everything. This book has a very different feel from Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series and has much slower pacing. Raybourn spends a lot of time introducing us to Lady Julia, Nicholas Brisbane, the March family, and other supporting characters.

Julia is definitely a different character from Veronica. Unlike Veronica, Julia is really discovering who she is after her husband’s death, while Veronica is much more sure of herself. Where Veronica craves adventure, Julia is reluctant to even admit she’s intrigued by it.

Growing up in a big family (she’s one of 10!) that has a reputation for marching to the beat of its own drum, Julia has pivoted a bit too much to avoid anything that would draw attention her way. She’s very much a well-to-do lady of the upper crust of the British nobility, and that comes across in many ways in the story, including some ways that may make her seem unlikable.

This also has some heavy classism and racist tropes of the Romani people. It did come out in 2007, so we’ve come a long way since then in terms of representation. Raybourn’s more recent work handles some of these issues much better, so I’m inclined to see it as just a reflection of when it was written, and I think she would handle things differently if it were published today.

The mystery is slower than Veronica Speedwell, but it has some fun twists along the way. I definitely was NOT expecting the murder weapon to be what it was.

The slowburn romance is slow burning! I forgot how Raybourn does not reveal all the details of the romance as they happen in the moment! Instead, she sprinkles the details in later on as Julia reflects on what happened, showing the full extent of her complicated feelings towards Brisbane.