Srivalli Rekha (Semi-Hiatus)'s Blog, page 4

The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain, Jane Aitken (Translator), Emily Boyce (Translator) - Book Review

Publication Date: 01st July 2025 (first published in March 2014) 

Genre: Social Drama, Contemporary Fiction 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Interesting! 

Bookseller Laurent Letellier finds an abandoned handbag on a Parisian street. He picks it up, intending to return it to its owner. However, the bag has no contact information, except for a little red notebook where the owner wrote her thoughts. As Laurent reads the book, he feels connected with her and wants to meet her. But he knows neither her name nor her address. Can he find the owner of the red notebook in the large city? 

The story comes in the third-person POVs of multiple characters. 

My Thoughts: 

This is the English translation of a French novella. The setting is the beautiful Paris with its cafes, bookstores, and lovely streets, which aren’t devoid of dark elements like thieves. 

The book starts with a graphic mugging incident. If this is a trigger, skim through the first two pages. The rest is fine. 

Though this is a kind of romance, it is not your typical one. I’d rather call it general fiction with a sprinkling of rom. 

Considering the premise of the MMC trying to find the bag’s owner, the book veers into stalking territory at times. That cannot be avoided. However, the author handles it with care and doesn’t make the reader feel uncomfortable. The MMC is aware of how his actions might seem and does his best not to act like a creep. It helps that he is not a bad guy. 

The POV mostly jumps between the FMC and MMC, though we also get a few scenes from other characters. I wish the ARC were better formatted since these changes occur even in the middle of a paragraph, which is confusing and annoying. 

I don’t want to reveal more since this story is best enjoyed without prior knowledge. Go where the book leads you! It’ll be an entertaining ride! 

We also meet two cats and a couple of authors. There are a few discussions about writing and books, too! 

The book ends on a hopeful note. It is a happy ending, of course, but the slice-of-life kind. I like how everything gets rounded up. 

To summarize, The Red Notebook is a short yet sweet, poignant, and heartwarming story. It touches upon various themes and ends on a positive note. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Pushkin Press, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheRedNotebook

Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon - Book Review

Publication Date: 01st July 2025

Genre: Romantasy, Cozy 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Insta-lust, peeps! 

Guinevere, the daughter of an ambitious merchant knows she has to marry into a noble house of the Dwendalian Empire and be his obedient wife even if what she wants is a life of adventure and freedom. 

However, when her caravan is attacked by bandits, she is left stranded on Amber Road and has to travel with Oskar, a half-orc who saved her during the attack. Grumpy Oskar has a soft side that intrigues Guinevere. 

Soon, they have to decide where to go on separate paths or fight for their HEA. 

The story comes in Guinevere and Oskar’s third-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

First, let me clarify that I had no idea what Critical Role was supposed to mean. I thought it was some new series or a multi-author series in making a set in the same fantasy world. But… it is a setting from the famous Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) game. If you already know this, good for you. If you are like me, hi-five! 

Since the page count was less than 300, I knew the book wouldn’t have a lot of development. Still, I love that cover, so I had to read this. 

The beginning is quite good in a way that we start right in the middle of the said bandit attack on the FMC. Starting with action is a great choice, though this won’t work for everyone. Some prefer to have a bit of an intro before launching into fights. 

However, we get enough backstory in bits and pieces, which is how I prefer it to pages of info dump. The idea is clear almost right away. The FMC is sheltered, naïve, and pretty much squished under her parents’ thumb. The MMC is poor, hardworking, and Grumpy… yes, with a capital G. 

The magic elements were great, and I really wish they were explored in greater detail. For non-DnD peeps like me, a bit more description of the setting and worldbuilding would have helped (a lot). You can go with the flow, though. 

Insta-lust starts a bit too instantly, though given the page count, I should have expected it. No probs. This could have worked better if the plot was a little more complex. It’s rather thin and straightforward with no real surprises, so the whole thing loses its charm in the second half. It becomes yet another romantasy with smut. 

The ending is as you would expect it from the genre, though it leaves me with some practical questions about livelihood and stuff. Let’s be honest, you can’t survive on air and love for long. 

The FMC has violet-colored eyes, and I rather liked the range of comparisons the author came up with to describe her eye color at different times. From lilac to amethyst, we go from flowers to gemstones. (Mind you, this may annoy some readers but I found it cute.) 

To summarize, Tusk Love is a lighthearted romantic fantasy set in the world of DnD. Despite the uneven pacing, I didn’t find it boring at any point. It could have been better, yes. But it wasn’t bad. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Worlds, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #TuskLove

Matriarchs, Cows and Epic Villains: New and Selected Fables and Poems by Suniti Namjoshi - Book Review

Publication Date: 24th Mar2025

Purchase Link (India): https://www.amazon.in/Matriarchs-Cows-Epic-Villains-Selected/dp/819425339X/

Genre: Short Story Collection

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Interesting!

The book is a collection ofshort stories, fables, lyrical poems, and observations (commentary) based onHindu epics. It has several pieces, including abridged versions of her twonovellas and two books from the Ravana trilogy – Shupi’s Choices and Kumbh.

The book begins with aforeword about the author, her writing, and storytelling style etc.

The first set is a bunch offables based on Indian and other folklore. These are short and crisp retellingswith a feminist twist. However, unlike most feminist works I’ve read so far,the fables don’t preach or rant. They simply present a different perspective onthings. This really cuts down the drama and fluff, leaving the reader to thinkabout what the author wants. It’s an effective storytelling style.

There are some poems scatteredbetween the fables. These have a surreal and abstract vibe despite the briefnotes provided by the author. I like how they sound, though I can’t explain themif you were to ask (and before you wonder, I’m a poet too).

It’s amazing how some of thesepieces have been written in the 1970s. They do have a timeless quality. Theauthor mentioned P.Lal in one of her notes (he published two of her poems). I’massuming it’s the same Prof. Purushottama Lal who translated the completeMahabharata into English in verse. Well, if he gave his approval for her works,I’d be more than happy to read along! 

After the short pieces, we getfour novellas of sorts:

The Conversations of a Cow (abridged)

The Mothers of Maya Diip (abridged)

Shupi’s Choices (part of the Ravana trilogy)

Kumbh (part of the Ravana trilogy)

The Conversations of a Cow isdivided into five parts (it has an author’s note and an internal content page).The author, a lesbian and a feminist, takes on the lesbian feminist movementusing herself as one of the main characters. The genres are a blend of magicrealism and bizarro fiction, if you ask me. There’s no gyan or preaching. Just aconfused woman trying to figure out who she is while being thoroughly stressedout by so many definitions, labels, and the behavior styles a person labeled assomething should follow.

The Mothers of Maya Diip isdivided into three parts and is a take on how things would be in a matriarchalsociety. Kinda dystopian. There isn’t enough world-building to support theplot, so you need to wing it and go with the flow.

Shupi’s Choices and Kumbh haveoverlapping content since both belong to the same trilogy (they didn’tinclude the third book). The stories deal with Shurpanaka and Kumbhakarna(Ravana’s siblings) and how they adjust to a modern-day world. As with mostretellings, this one also shoves modern-day caste and empowerment into thebygone era and pretty much eliminates the nuances of the epic. Luckily, thesehave only a minor role. Most of the plot is set in the future timeline(current-day scenario of sorts), so it has something unique to offer (whilealso ticking off a checklist). As you can guess, these are my least favoriteentries in the book. However, I still chuckled at a few scenes, so all is notlost!

I love how the book has beenstructured and formatted. It is so neat, with clear author’s notes for sectionsand internal ToC (table of contents). Jojy Philip did a great job typesettingthis book.

To summarize, Matriarchs, Cows and Epic Villains is a collection ofpoems, fables, and stories with women and feminism as the central theme. Mostof them are non-preachy, crisp, and thought-provoking.

My thanks to Blogchatter andPenguin Zubaan for a copy of the book. This review is powered by the Blogchatter Book ReviewProgram and contains my honest opinions. 

The Girl from Normandy by Rachel Sweasey - Book Review - Blog Tour

Publication Date: 27th June 2025

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/GirlfromNormandy

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220707309-the-girl-from-normandy

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Dual Timeline

3 Stars

One Liner: Interesting premise!

Book Blurb:

Paris, 1940: Marie-Claire steps into the Gare de Lyon,not knowing it will be the last time she'll see her husband and son. Fleeingoccupied Paris, she travels into the countryside of Normandy and stumbles upona chateau near Caen and a growing resistance movement. Soon, Marie-Claire findsherself working in a cafe in the quiet village of Sainte-Mère-Église, where shetries to come to terms with all she has lost – but little does she realise thather presence in Normandy will change the course of history…

1998: Half a century later, Esther is returning to theNormandy village she visited as a teenager, seeking a break from her monotonouslife. Back then, she'd fallen in love with a rustic farmhouse and the familythat lived there – not least the charming eldest son, Jules Joubert. But now,when Esther discovers an old annotated cookbook in the family kitchen, shebegins to realise that the place she holds so close to her heart may hide moresecrets than even the Jouberts realise...

What stories does the area carry? And could this tripchange Esther’s life forever?

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Esther,Marie-Claire, and a couple of other characters.

It has been a long time since I read WWII fiction,that too with the popular dual timeline setting. This one sounded good as Icould explore another region of France, Normandy.

The premise is solid. There’s no denying that. Thealternating chapters for each track also work well to bring some suspense andkeep the reader hooked.

However, both timelines have so much going on thatneither gets a chance to be fully explored. Everything happens in 4x speed; oneevent after another.

Though you’ll want to slow down and feel the emotions,the narration (which is mostly ‘telling’) doesn’t give you that chance. We seehow the Nazis were, what they did, et al. However, we cannot fully experiencewhat the characters are going through.

The setting is, of course, lovely. I did enjoy theglimpses into the places mentioned. Some of the events in the book are based onreal ones. That’s a bonus.

A couple of developments were strange, like an awkwardkind. I couldn’t really understand the reasons, TBH. That said, the book endson a happy/ hopeful note, which I appreciate.

The side characters were lovely, especially the onesfrom the historical timeline. I liked them all.

To summarize, The Girl from Normandy is a decent readif you want a lighter version of WWII fiction. I finished it sooner thanexpected, so no complaints.

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

#NetGalley

***

About the Author – Rachel Sweasey

Rachel was born to English 10-pound-pom parents insub-tropical Brisbane, Australia, and when the family moved back to Poole,Dorset, she was just 5 years old. She then grew up against the stunningbackdrop of Poole Harbour where she sailed and played on the beaches ofBrownsea Island and Studland, and walked across the Purbeck Hills, all of whichinspired her imagination and provided the setting of her debut historicalfiction novel set in WWII. Since then, Rachel has moved back to Brisbane,Australia.

Follow the Author:

Facebook: @RachelSweaseyAuthor

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/RachelSweaseyNews

Bookbub Profile: @rachelsweaseyauthor

***

This has been a stop on the #TheGirlFromNormandy blogtour by Rachel's Random Resources (@rararesources).Thanks for stopping by!

A Terribly Nasty Business by Julia Seales - Book Review

Series: Beatrice Steele #2

Publication Date: 24th June 2025 

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Mindless fun but with important themes 

After solving a murder (in the previous book), Beatrice Steele feels like things are finally falling into place. She relocated from Swampshire to London with her trusted chaperone, Miss Bolton. Beatrice and Inspector Drake start their detective agency, D.S. Investigations. However, the elusive Sir Huxley is still considered the only real detective in the city. 

When a string of murders put her and her investigating partner in the middle of a mess, Beatrice must survive the threats on their lives, the disturbances in their partnership, the pressure from her mother to marry well, and a lot more! 

The story comes in Beatrice’s third-person POV with snippets like news articles, letters, notes, etc. 

My Thoughts: 

Well, in a way, it’s not different from the previous book. But it becomes a bit darker. I would recommend starting at the beginning. This series is an OTT farcical blend of Austen and Christie’s works. So, you have a P&P-type set-up with a murder mystery. 

The writing style is quirky, satirical, and fun. Maybe not as fun as book one, but it is still good. I laughed out loud many times at the deliberate absurdity of the situation. 

Since the FMC moved from Swampshire to Sweetbriar in London, frogs have been replaced by… flying squirrels. Not as fun, sadly, but deadlier! 

I like the themes, though. Suppression of arts and artists, the noblemen trying to control society with restrictions, banning arts, gender bias, vehemently opposing women’s freedom, etc., are central to the plot. However, the book doesn’t feel preachy or heavy, thanks to the lighthearted writing style. 

The mystery starts on an interesting note. Since it is a cozy book, you can easily figure out the twists and reveals before the main characters. But the pacing is good, so you don’t have to wait long for them to catch up. 

Beatrice seems uncertain and tentative in the new setting. While it aligns with the plot changes, I did miss her spunk from book one. Luckily, she gets back on track towards the end. 

There’s the dreaded love triangle, which wasn’t too bad due to the lingering comic presence. It seems to have been sorted to an extent. I can only hope there won’t be a curveball in the next book. 

That ending is a perfect bait for book #3! I’m so curious about what will happen. As long as there won’t be unwanted complications in the love track, I’ll be eager for the next installment. 

Oh, the comedy quotient is a bit less in the second half as the seriousness increases. I never thought I’d say this, but I miss Mary (we get updates about her, don’t worry)! We still don’t have any explanation, though there are many clues. 

To summarize, A Terribly Nasty Business indeed deals with a terribly nasty business of murders, control, and infuriating men with a generous dose of silliness and fun. Rounding up since it was entertaining. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #ATerriblyNastyBusiness

A Cornish Winter's Kiss by Jo Bartlett - Book Review

Publication Date: 02nd July 2025

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/CornishWintersKiss

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/230120586-a-cornish-winter-s-kiss

Genre: Contemporary Romance

4 Stars

One Liner: Heartwarming

Book Blurb:

It's the most wonderful time of the year...isn't it?

Emily Andersonadores romance—both in books and in real life (though her own love life is more‘tragic subplot’ than ‘happily-ever-after’). As an audiobook narrator, shespends her days bringing love stories to life, convinced that one day, her ownperfect romance will come true.

Jude Cavendish thinks romance is a fairy tale for fools. A crime author with a serious case ofwriter’s block, he’s horrified when his publisher asks him to add a love storyto his latest novel. He knows murders, mysteries, and mayhem—not grand gesturesand stolen kisses.

Desperate forhelp, Jude reluctantly turns to Emily, whose sunshine personality is thecomplete opposite of his grumpy cynicism. She’s determined to show him thatlove is more than just fiction, and he’s determined to prove her wrong. But asChristmas magic sparkles over the Cornish coast, Jude starts to wonder… what ifEmily’s right?

Could the festiveseason bring them both the plot twist they never saw coming?

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Emily and Jude’s third-person POVs.

Is it time for Christmas reads? Who cares? I see abook with a snowy cover and title, and I grab it. ;)

I love that the book is dedicated to Emily, theauthor’s editor. It’s a sweet gesture.

The first chapter could also be a prologue since itshows the FMC’s career growth. This is a good way to share the backstory andestablish her character without a ton of info dump.

It is a small book, but it is on the slower side.However, the story doesn’t drag much. It’s not exactly a love story and blendswith women’s fic, which works in its favor.

The romance is also a bit of a slow burn and closeddoor, which again, aligns with the plot. It is a proper cozy read despite a fewheavy themes.

As you can guess, the book touches upon the hot topicof the popularity of the romance genre, the disdain against it, etc. It alsohighlights how the right audiobook narrator can elevate the emotions and takethe book to the next level. I read this often in my friends’ reviews.

The MMC is a proper grump, but he manages to show hisvulnerability enough for readers not to hate him for some of his comments. Heslowly learns, so that’s good.

The FMC is sweet, optimistic, and kind. It’s easy tolike her. We are told she’s only five feet and one and a half inches tall. Butthis aspect doesn’t play into the plotline after the initial mention. Even onthe cover, you don’t see this. The guy would have to be 5’3” or so for them tolook like that couple (unless the FMC has four-inch heels to walk in the snow).I am someone short (but taller than the FMC), and I prefer for short people'srepresentation to be more than just a mention.

The setting is beautiful, with the added charm of snowand Christmas decorations. The side characters (FMC’s family and friend, MMC’sstepmom, etc.) shine in their limited roles. They are supportive, friendly, andgood people.

The dogs, Rufus and Gary, are bonus sprinklers on hotchocolate. They lighten up the mood quite a few times.

To summarize, A Cornish Winter's Kiss is aheartwarming and cozy book about family, friendships, love, and hope. It shouldmake for a good autumn read, too.

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and BoldwoodBooks, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinionabout the book. 

#NetGalley

***

About the Author – Jo Bartlett

Jo Bartlett is thebestselling author of over nineteen women’s fiction titles. She fits herwriting in between her two day jobs as an educational consultant and universitylecturer and lives with her family and three dogs on the Kent coast.

Follow theAuthor:

Facebook:@JoBartlettAuthor

Twitter: @J_B_Writer

Instagram:@jo_bartlett_author

NewsletterSign Up: https://bit.ly/JoBartlettNews

Bookbub Profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jo-bartlett

***

This has been a stop on the #ACornishWintersKiss blogtour by Rachel's Random Resources (@rararesources).Thanks for stopping by!

A Body at the Book Fair by Ellie Alexander - Book Review

Series: A Secret Bookcase Mystery #6 

Publication Date: 16th June 2025 

Genre: Small Town Cozy Mystery 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: The finale… 

Annie and Fletcher, the new co-owners of the Secret Bookcase and private investigators, attend the annual book fair in Santa Clara. Their plan is for Annie to finally solve the mystery behind her best friend, Scarlet’s, death all those years ago. However, Annie ends up becoming a part of another case when an industry colleague dies in front of an audience, and it is clearly a murder. 

Can Annie, with help from her friends, solve both cases and come out alive? 

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

My Thoughts: 

This is the concluding book in the series. While the first two chapters provide the necessary backstory to make this a standalone, I think readers might enjoy it more if they read at least the previous two books. That shouldn’t take long since these are short books and can be finished in a couple of hours or so. 

Here, the main mystery is about the death at the annual book fair. The other is not a mystery since the FMC figured things out in the previous book. This is more of a confrontation/ conclusion part, but not without risks, of course. 

Technological advancement is the central theme, focusing on the use of tech in the publishing and bookselling industry. Would you like a VR (virtual reality) device that ‘shows’ a book’s setting, characters, story, etc., or do you prefer to imagine it yourself? I fall into the latter category. While VR sounds fun, I don’t want technology to replace my imagination! 

We also get some insight into the cut-throat world of publishing, like how stressful the auctions for popular authors’ manuscripts are, how not everything is ethically done, and so on. 

There are some mentions of coffee and food, too. On that note, can anyone tell me what a progressive Indian restaurant is supposed to mean? I thought most Indian restaurants in the West don’t serve traditional dishes (even if they say they do) like we have them here (and anyone willing to try avocado raita? Not me!).  

Anyhoo, the mystery is solved, and the overarching plot is also handled pretty easily. There’s a bit of danger, but since someone in the FMC’s team is actually sensible, everyone is safe and alive. 

There’s a surprise for series readers at the end. Don’t miss the author’s note (it’s a short one anyway). If you enjoyed the books so far, you’ll be happy with the update. 

To summarize, A Body at the Book Fair is the final book in the series and keeps the pacing, plotting, and character development aligned with the previous books. Since the series has been a steady 3.5 stars for me, I think it’s only fair to round up this time. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #ABodyAtTheBookFair

No More Yesterdays by Catherine Bybee - Book Review

Series: The Heirs #3 

Publication Date: 17th June 2025

Genre: Romance 

4 Stars 

One Liner: This was good! 

Never did Alex Stone think she would take over her father’s company. But now, as the CEO chair at Stone Enterprises, Alex puts all her energies into rebuilding the empire while dodging the attempts on her life and business, with support from her half-sibling. 

Hawk Bronson is Alex’s bodyguard and determined to protect her. With his own past, he cannot afford to get close to her and increase the risk. However, this is easier said than done with their undeniable chemistry. 

Alex and Hawk have to face their past, their family secrets, and threats to have a future together. 

The story comes in Alex and Hawk’s third-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

After enjoying the previous book in the series, I was excited to read this one, where the story concludes and the loose ends are tied up. 

However, the focus is on Alex (Alexandra), the only single Stone sibling since her brothers now have partners. The FMC is strong, independent, and determined, but as the MMC says, she has zero situational awareness. 

Like the previous book, this one has a steady pace. Though it is 400 pages long, it never feels stretched out or slow. In fact, I finished it in two days flat. 

The MMC is easy to like despite his grumpy exterior. He isn’t afraid to be harsh to make the FMC see the extent of danger she is in. However, he is also very protective and caring.  

There are quite a few twists and developments as the story progresses. We can pretty much guess who the actual culprit is, but that’s okay since this is marketed as romance and not a mystery or suspense. 

The romance track is nice and has a bit of steam. The supporting characters are a highlight and continue to enhance the storyline. The bonding between the siblings and their partners is lovely to read. No unwanted drama here. 

While this still works as a standalone, I think I enjoyed it more since I read at least book #2. The central plot starts in the first book, so if you are particular about details, add all three to your TBR. It won’t take long to finish them anyway! 

There’s an epilogue that nicely rounds up everything and gives a solid ending (HEA) to the entire series. 

To summarize, No More Yesterdays is a fast-paced romance with a good dose of suspense and a touch of danger. It is a worthy entertainer with a bit of everything to keep you hooked. I’ll be sure to read more books by the author. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #NoMoreYesterdays

Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge by Alison Sherlock - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: The Inn on the Lake #1

Publication Date: 20th June 2025

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/MapleTreeLodge

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217965087-coming-home-to-maple-tree-lodge

Genre: Small Town Romance

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Sweet and cozy; low-stakes romance

Book Blurb:

A family and hotel in desperate need ofhelp…

Maple Tree Lodge has been the home of the Jacksonfamily for over a century. But the hotel has never been a success, and following the sudden loss of his father, architect Ben Jackson soon discoversthe hotel is close to financial ruin. Ben has to make some tough decisions ifthe hotel is to survive and his family are to keep a roof over their heads.

With the hotel in urgent need of a renovation, Ben’ssister calls on the talents of her best friend, interior designer Lily Watson.Cash-strapped Lily needs a successful project to prove to herself and herhigh-achieving parents that she can carve a successful career and Maple TreeLodge sounds like just the place for Lily to showcase her talents. However,Lily’s vision for a cozy, country Cotswolds hotel is the complete opposite towhat Ben has in mind for a minimalistic, modern makeover and fireworks ensue!

Can they work together to save Maple Tree Lodge?

Can Lily help Ben and his family find a futuretogether?

And can Ben show Lily that there's more to life thanwork?

As autumn at Maple Tree Lodge begins to weave itsmagic spell, perhaps Lily will discover somewhere to finally call home and areason to stay...

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Lily and Ben’s third-person POVs.

Since I enjoyed the previous series by the author, Iwas excited to read this one. It is set in the same region, a fictional settingin the UK countryside, close to London. A few characters from the other seriesmake a guest appearance here. Only one of them has a slightly prominent role…Dodgy Del! Yeah, though here, he seems to be less prone to causing trouble.

This is a low-stakes romance with very little angst ordrama. If you are into intense love stories, this may not work for you. But ifyou want something hopeful, lighthearted, and cozy, you will enjoy the book.

The writing is mostly ‘tell’ with very little ‘show’.Also, there’s an infodump right at the beginning (this seems to be the author’swriting style). Still, the book has a good pace. I could finish 70% in a singlesitting.

Though we have some heavy themes like the death of aparent, tensions in the family, a heroine with reinforced walls, financialconcerns, etc., they don’t feel overwhelming. The feel-good vibes are strongand ensure there’s a sense of hope from start to finish.

Family and friendships are the core of the plot. Iloved all members of the Jackson family as well as the friends of the MCs. Twopairs for the next books have been hinted at, and there’s one person left.We’ll have to wait and see how that goes. So, this is also bound to be afour-book series set in the beautiful Maple Tree Lodge.

The remote setting of the lodge nestled in the woodswith a lake close by and hundreds of ancient trees feels like the best place tobe! I enjoyed the descriptions of the interiors of the lodge and the naturearound it. Since the story happens over four-six months, we can see theseasonal changes as well.

To summarize, Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge is acozy and heartwarming story about finding your place in the world and having asupportive family. It works well as a breather between heavier reads.

Thank you, Rachel’s Random Resources and BoldwoodBooks, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinionabout the book.

#NetGalley

***

About the Author – Alison Sherlock

Alison Sherlock is the author of the bestselling WillowTree Hall books. Alison enjoyed reading and writing stories from an early ageand gave up office life to follow her dream. Her series for Boldwood is set ina fictional Cotswold village.

Follow the Author:

Twitter: @AlisonSherlock

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AlisonSherlockNews

Bookbub Profile: @AlisonSherlock

***

This has been a stop on the#ComingHomeToMapleTreeLodge blog tour by Rachel's Random Resources (@rararesources).Thanks for stopping by!

Breaking His Law by VH Nicolson - Book Review

Series: Billionaire Hart Boys #1 

Publication Date: 10th June 2025

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Insta lust, but the story gets better 

Arianna wants revenge. She joins the law firm that represented her family’s killer to dig into their secrets and expose their cover-up. Of course, meeting Nathan Hart, head of the firm, puts a small spanner in her plans. 

Nathan Hart doesn’t have time for commitments. However, when his one-night stand walks into the office, he is angry at the deception and excited to get to know her. The chemistry is evident, but what will the truth of her past do to him and their growing closeness? 

The story comes in Ari and Nathan’s first-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

So, the premise makes it clear that the book will have insta lust and a third-act breakup. Since I was prepared for both, I enjoyed this spicy (4 peppers) read for what it was. 

After a prologue from the past, we jump right into the central plot. There is a lot of internal dialogue, which serves the purpose of providing the backstory and maybe adding a bit of depth to the characters. Some of this gets repetitive, but it works in the context. 

The dual POV is easy to track. Though there’s a mention under the chapter head, I didn’t always need to look at it to figure out whose POV it was. The voices were distinct enough. 

The side characters, especially the brothers and the mother (and Joseph too!), were good. The three remaining brothers will get their own books (hopefully soon). They have definite personalities, so no confusion about who is who. 

Despite the spice, the book gives us a few sweet/ adorable scenes. This slows down the whirlwind romance a little bit and establishes a deeper connection between the characters. And oh, this is an age-gap romance (he is 44, she is 29). 

The third-act breakup is done well. It aligns with the central premise and gives a good conclusion. While a particular scene could have been a bit more detailed since it is crucial, the rest is decent. We get an epilogue, too! 

I do wish the FMC’s backstory had more information. A few scenes with her family, etc., would have added more emotional depth to the narrative. 

The dynamics between the Hart brothers are awesome, though. The family clearly loves each other. It adds an extra layer to the story and prevents it from being too shallow. 

Goat yoga? Seriously! The kind of shit West does to traditional indigenous knowledge makes me want to puke all over the billion dollar industry. Not a minus point for the book since it only uses what’s already there in the society. 

To summarize, Breaking His Law is a steady-paced spicy romance with banter, secrets, and drama. It should work well as a light beach read or a buffer between heavy books. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #BreakingHisLaw