Review: The Obsidian Tower by Melissa Caruso

The Tethered Mage has been sitting on my shelf for a while (I just haven't got round to it, ok!) but from reading The Obsidian Tower, I can really see why Melissa Caruso deserves to be a well-known and enjoyed author.

Review: To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers

I massively admire any author that can get across an impressive amount of detail, personal nuance and general backstory in a short novel. This is my first foray into Becky Chambers' writing and I definitely wasn't disappointed - and I expect it won't be my last.

Review: The Second Chance Hotel by Rachel Dove

I think we can all agree that a cosy romance novel is the perfect distraction for current times. And one of my really niche favourite reading topics is 'independent woman sets up her own business and does her best' (and romance is a nice bonus). Unfortunately, this book didn't give me much on the business, many feelings of genuine romance or even a coherent narrative ...

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Review: The Course of Love by Alain de Botton

Another review that I was approved for back in 2016 but was slow to pick up, despite hearing how good this would be ... and, of course it was. The Course of Love is a very rational approach to the idea of love, and to the 'conventional' relationship in the modern age.

Review: Camp by L. C. Rosen

This was a really cute 'coming of age' style story, that doesn't hold anything back regarding sexuality, attraction, or gender. This is a heartfelt and poignant gay rom com about being who we are.

Review: The Age of Witches by Louisa Morgan

This is the first book that I've read by Lousia Morgan, and I really enjoyed the combined feel of sorority and kinship, alongside something unobtrusively mystical.

Reviews: The Change #1, #2, #3 by Guy Adams

I'm currently having a powerful NetGalley clear-out and have had these three books sitting on my shelf since 2017 (2017! Back when things were so simple ...). I received them at the same time and they're three very short teen horror stories, so I thought I would group the three reviews together.

Review: Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett

I'm glad I read this. It's been sitting on my ARC shelf for a little while (read: slipped down the list when I requested too many books at once) and I just hadn't got round to it. It's very clear, incredibly diverse and parts are completely heart-wrenching. It didn't quite hit all the points for me personally but there was lots of the kind of raw emotion that makes you really feel for the characters.

Review: One Year of Ugly by Caroline Mackenzie

I've seen a few up and down reviews of this book - it's hard to write a dark comedy about illegal immigrants! - but I really needn't have worried. I was unexpectedly gripped by One Year of Ugly - the setting of Trinidad, the yearning for Venezuela, the foul-mouthed MC and her steamy romance with a criminal.

Review: Swipe Right by Stephie Chapman

Sometimes, a bit of romance is exactly what you need. A little distraction from the rest of the world and, when it all works out well in the end, then you know things will be okay. That's exactly what Swipe Right manages to do.