My Review for Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood, read by Evie Hargreaves

“You see? We don’t bite,” Bronwyn added. “Unless you’re a biscuit, then I’m afraid you are in trouble.”

Rewitched was our October pick for #ThatIndieBookClub, and I absolutely loved it! From the very first page—well, the first chapter (I listened to the audiobook, so you know what I mean!)—I was completely hooked. 🙃

Belladonna Blackthorn… honestly, what a name for a witch! But despite sounding all dangerous and spiky, Belle’s actually not like that at all. She’s just a mostly normal girl trying to get by, deal with her nightmare boss, and figure out if this is really what adult life is supposed to look like. Spoiler alert: it’s definitely not. There are ups and downs, laughter and tears, a sprinkle of magic, and maybe even a dash of romance.

Belle’s mum was adorable. She’s wild, chaotic, and hilarious—half the time I don’t think she even knows which way’s up, but she’s adorable all the same. Between her, Ariadne (Belle’s brilliant bestie), and Rune—the “hot wizard” 🧙🏻‍♂️ as our book club lovingly nicknamed him—Belle’s got a solid little team around her. Rune took a minute to grow on me, but once he did, I was sold.

I’ll 100% be picking up the next book. I think we’ve even got it lined up for our 'Sequel Shelf' early next year, and honestly, I can’t wait to dive back into this world.

About the Book

Belladonna Blackthorn hasn’t lost her magical spark . . . but she hasn’t seen it in a while, either.

Balancing work at her beloved Lunar Books with protecting it from her toxic boss, who’s running it into the ground, and all the while concealing her witchcraft from the non-wicches around her – Belle is burnt out. Perfecting the potential of her magic is the last thing on her mind.

But when her 30th birthday brings a summons from her coven, and a trial that tests her worthiness as a witch, Belle risks losing her magic forever. With the month of October to fix things, and signs that dark forces may be working against her, Belle will need all the help she can get – from the women in her life, from an unlikely mentor figure, and even an (infuriatingly handsome) watchman who’s sworn to protect her . . .

With found family, slow burn romance and an uplifting message about self-love, this is the cosy, autumnal read that you've been waiting for.

About Lucy - by Lucy

Oh, hey! I’m Lucy, author of Rewitched, Uncharmed, and perhaps some other mysterious, magical projects bubbling away in the background. I’m originally from the Wirral, UK, but these days you’ll find me living in London, giant coffee in hand, probably being headbutted by my cat.

Being a bookworm has always been a fundamental part of my personality, and I found myself falling into the world of writing almost by accident. After happily stumbling into my first paid writing position for a teen website back in 2013, I've been lucky enough to write freelance for titles like Marie Claire US, Cosmopolitan UK, MTV and Metro amongst others. Since then, I’ve also popped up online to overshare across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, where you can expect to find me chatting about important things like books, writing, and snacks.

Rewitched and Uncharmed were both written to be cosy, comforting, joyful books that envoke the 90s witches I loved so much growing up. They’re soft, kind stories (full of absolutely terrible jokes) to lead you by the hand into spooky season and rewind your mind back to a precious, nostalgic time. 

Best enjoyed with a spiced latte and a cat on your lap

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My Review for Carmilla by J.Sheridan Le Fanu, performed by a BBC Radio Full-Cast

“but curiosity is a restless and scrupulous passion, and no one girl can endure, with patience, that hers should be baffled by another.”

Carmilla was an additional read/listen for October for #classiclitbookclub, and I loved it! Admittedly, the version I listened to was abridged and performed by a BBC Radio cast, but I think the gist of the story came through really well.

Carmilla reminded me of a cross between Dracula (well, it did inspire Bram Stoker) and, for some reason, a mixture of Daphne du Maurier’s novels. I think it was the gothic vibe—the characters wandering through the darkness. I wasn’t sure whether I was going to enjoy it; female vampires just don’t have the same draw as the male ones 😂. But actually, I liked Laura and her dad, even if I really didn’t like Carmilla—she was the essence of evil and manipulation: narcissistic and just plain creepy!

I’ll read the full version at some point, but I’m really glad it’s now on my radar.

About the Book

In an isolated castle deep in the Austrian forest, Laura leads a solitary life with only her ailing father for company. Until one moonlit night, a horse-drawn carriage crashes into view, carrying an unexpected guest – the beautiful Carmilla. So begins a feverish friendship between Laura and her mysterious, entrancing companion. 

But as Carmilla becomes increasingly strange and volatile, prone to eerie nocturnal wanderings, Laura finds herself tormented by nightmares and growing weaker by the day… Pre-dating Dracula by twenty-six years, Carmilla is the original vampire story, steeped in sexual tension and gothic romance.

About J. Sheridan Le Fanu

Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu was an Irish writer of Gothic tales and mystery novels. He was the leading ghost-story writer of the nineteenth century and was central to the development of the genre in the Victorian era. M.R. James described Le Fanu as "absolutely in the first rank as a writer of ghost stories".

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My Review for Dying to be Here by T.J. Emerson, read by Claire Storey and Karen Cass

'You’d die for a stay here. But would you kill for it'?

I joined a listen-along for this book back in July 2024 (it was called The Last Resort then), and apologies for the delay in posting my review!

I wasn’t sure what to expect—maybe a Death in Paradise style mystery—but what I got was a story full of dark secrets, a slow-burn mystery, and some truly sinister goings-on. I enjoyed learning about the history behind the retreat and the events of the past, though I could have done with less of the spiritual wellbeing stuff—that just isn’t my cup of tea.

The characters were fascinating, annoying, and downright awful in equal measures. Not awful in a bad way, but I definitely wanted to shake a few of them! Reviews for this book are mixed; it seems people either love it or hate it. It’s a slow-paced story with deep dives into each character, so give it a try if you enjoy character-driven mysteries—you might just love it.

Thank you to Boldwood for the opportunity to listen to and review Dying to be Here (The Last Resort) by T.J. Emerson. 

About the Book

As soon as you first see the House in the Hills, an old hotel in a picturesque enclave of the Cypriot hills, you know it's the perfect home for you – with breath-taking views, a refreshing pool, and peace and quiet, away the rest of the world. A place to recover and grow.

But paradise isn’t cheap, and as the debts mount, you could lose everything you've worked so hard for.

Until someone makes you an offer: to keep your home, you have to take a life.

But you could never do that… could you?

You’d die for a stay here. But would you kill for it?

About T.J. Emerson

As the daughter of a soldier, Tracey Emerson spent her childhood and most of her teenage years moving between army camps in the UK, Germany, the Middle East and the Far East. After a short stint in boarding school, she did a degree in Dramatic Arts at Bretton Hall College, University of Leeds. Not long after graduating, she moved to Edinburgh on a whim, intending to stay for six months. She has lived in Scotland ever since.

Before writing fiction, Tracey worked in theatre and community arts. As well as acting, she ran drama workshops in hospitals, focusing on adults with learning difficulties and mental health issues. After a period of poor health, she began writing as a way of reconnecting with her creativity. She started attending creative writing classes at the University of Edinburgh’s Lifelong Learning Centre and was lucky enough to meet the author Helen Lamb, who encouraged her to send in one of her first short stories to The Scotland and Orange Short Story prize. The story, ‘Our Big Day Out’, was a runner up in the competition, and this early success gave Tracey the confidence to keep writing. Other story publications in anthologies and literary magazines followed, and Tracey went on to study for an MSc in Creative writing at the University of Edinburgh. After completing this course, she received a scholarship to do her PhD in Creative Writing at the university, working on the novel that would eventually become her debut thriller, Mother’s Day.

Since then, she has continued to publish short stories and her feature writing has appeared in Stella magazine, Woman’s Own and The Sydney Morning Herald. In June 2021, she signed with Boldwood Books to publish her second thriller, The Perfect Holiday, under the name TJ Emerson.

As well as writing her own fiction, Tracey works as a literary consultant and writing tutor and is also the Creative Director of The Bridge Awards, a philanthropic organisation that provides micro-funding for the arts.

When not travelling, Tracey lives in the hills of Perthshire. She can often be found tramping around the countryside and, occasionally, braving a dip in the chilly rivers and lochs.

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My Review for Falling for You by Emily Maple, Read by Celeste Dring and Davis Brooks

“Go and live out your best Hugh Grant fantasy.”

Ohhhhh — Annie and Nate, I loved them so much! Although, Annie is a bit needy, right? It wasn’t just me who thought that? Come on, girl — it’s time to get out and explore a bit more; you can’t stay cooped up in a house with your besties forever! 😂

Falling for You is a cute, fast read (or listen!) that gave me all the autumnal, cozy vibes as I popped in my earbuds and strolled along the country lanes of Norfolk — chatting with the piggies and immersing myself in Annie’s hunt for Prince Charming after he disappears into the night without a backward glance.

If you’re a fan of autumn, The Holiday, or anything starring Hugh Grant, grab yourself a copy of this one. You won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to Libro.fm and Penguin Randomhouse Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review Falling for You by Emily Maple.

About the Book

I LOVE autumn. It’s my favourite season – the crisp October air, the smell of pumpkin-spiced lattes, wearing my bright red hand-knitted scarf and beanie. But most of all, I love the costume I made for tonight’s Halloween party. I’m going as a bat, with huge, pop-out wings.

I didn’t expect to impale someone with them though… Or to become so entangled I rip the shirt of the most gorgeously warm-eyed man I’ve ever seen. Or, in fact, to spend all night talking to him before he gets an emergency phone call and dashes off without swapping numbers.

I’ve fallen for a mystery man. Now I just have to find him again…

About Emily

Emily is a writer living in Berkshire with her partner and their occasional dog, Archie the boxer! Emily has worked in casting, marketing and education, but everything always ends up boiling down to her true love... writing! 

Emily is the international bestselling author of four novels under the name Olivia Beirne.

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My Review for The Awakening by Kate Chopin, read by Lisa Ross

“...but whatever came, she had resolved never again to belong to another than herself.”

The Awakening was another classic I listened to for #classiclitbookclub in 2024. Looking back, I think it’s one that would grow on me with rereads. Edna Pontellier was a woman way ahead of her time. She isn’t happy with her life, or with her role as a wife and a mother. Despite the expectations of society, she basically throws in the towel, sticks her fingers up to the world, and says: nope, I’m not doing this anymore. I’m going to do what I want from now on.

Some people aren’t meant to be parents, and some just don’t want to be. But in her time, Edna was married and a mother because that’s what was expected. Drop her in the twenty-first century and I don’t think she would have made the same choices. The climax of the book is heartbreaking, but I think Edna felt like she didn’t have another option.

I really enjoyed the rebellious side of The Awakening, and writing this review makes me want to read it next time instead of listening.

About the Book

First published in 1899, this revolutionary novel so disturbed critics and the public that it was banished for decades afterward. Now widely read and admired, The Awakening has been hailed as an early vision of woman's emancipation. Rooted in the romantic tradition of Melville and Dickinson, it is the story of twenty-eight-year-old Edna Pontellier, a surprisingly modern woman trapped in a dehumanizing marriage and in search of self-discovery. Turning away from convention and society toward her primal instincts for passion and freedom, Edna abandons her family to realize herself as an individual. But her quest leads to her destruction by a society that grants no place for those unfulfilled by marriage and motherhood.

About Kate

Kate Chopin (1850–1904) was an American author best known for her bold, ahead-of-its-time explorations of women’s inner lives. Writing in the late 19th century, she tackled themes like independence, desire, and identity in a society that often tried to silence women’s voices. Her novel The Awakening caused a stir when it was first published in 1899, but today it’s celebrated as an early feminist classic.

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My Review for The Accidental Rewrite by Milly Johnson, read by Colleen Prendergast

"Polly often wondered whether, if someone were to cut through Ward Hunt, they'd find 'greed' running through him like a stick of Blackpool rock."

Published in the UK in 2024 as The Happiest Ever After, this book has a brand-new US title—The Accidental Rewrite—and it's out today!

I absolutely adored listening to this. It was cute, sad, fun, and absolutely hilarious—I was giggling all the way through. Polly is awesome. She's put up with a lot, and now, finally, it's time for her to put herself first—though, of course, it doesn't quite go to plan.

I love books with UK references, like Mrs Bucket (Bouquet), Kew Gardens, and sticks of rock! I even had to explain to a US friend what a stick of rock is (candy found in seaside towns throughout the UK). Pink mint is the best, by the way!

Colleen Prendergast was brilliant narrating this one. With her gorgeous northern accent, her voice is still spinning through my head even as I write this review. I'm definitely going to look for more audiobooks she's narrated, even if I don't usually read that genre. 😁

I haven’t read enough books by Milly Johnson yet, but that will soon be rectified—back catalogue, here we come!

Thank you to Libro FM and Harper Muse for the opportunity to listen to and review The Accidental Rewrite by Milly Johnson.

About the Book

What if it was possible to start over again? To leave everything behind, forget all that went before, and live the life you'd always dreamed of?

Polly Potter is losing the plot of her life. At work, her jerk of a boss is making her days unbearable. At home, she's trapped in an unappreciated relationship with a man-child of a partner. She's left completely drained by always putting others first. Amid this chaos, Polly finds solace in one place: the pages of her novel, where she shapes the world of the fearless and triumphant Sabrina Anderson, a character who embodies everything Polly wishes she could be. And thus a plan is born: Polly Potter is going to stop writing the life she wants and start living it.

Just as she makes her move--quitting her job, leaving her partner, and embarking on a road trip to start over--fate turns everything upside down. A wild turn of events leaves her far from home along the Yorkshire coast, in the hospital, waking up from a concussion, believing her name is Sabrina Anderson. She doesn't know where she's come from, but she feels she could heal in that seaside town, with the fresh air, seagulls, and a few kind strangers who take her into their lives. And into the heart of their joyful, boisterous Italian family restaurant--run by Teddy, the warmhearted son of her new landlady. When the restaurant is threatened, she knows she has the skills to help--and as her memory slowly returns, she must choose between Sabrina's life or Polly's. With her identity in question, Polly wonders: what if this new life could truly be hers? What if she could rewrite her story with a happier ending?

About Milly - by Milly

Hello. My name is Milly Johnson and I’m an international novelist (Sunday Times bestseller – ahem. I would have been a number 1 and not a number 2 if Richard Osman hadn’t blocked up the top spot!), newspaper columnist, poet, after-dinner speaker, professional joke writer (and winner of a Come Dine With Me week!).

I come from Barnsley in South Yorkshire where I’ve lived all my life – apart from four years at University in Exeter doing Drama and Education (St Lukes in case you’re asking) and thirteen years in Haworth in West Yorkshire, where I went hoping to catch some Bronte writing magic. I married there, had my children before coming back to my OG home part of the county.

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My Review for The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake, read by Andy Ingalls, Caitlin Kelly, Damian Lynch, David Monteith, James Patrick Cronin, Munich Grace, Siho Ellesmore and Steve West

“The problem with knowledge, is it's inexhaustible craving. the more of it you have, the less you feel you know”

Chosen for September’s read for #thatindiebookclub, I’m still unsure how I feel about The Atlas Six. I listened to the audiobook, and since the story is told from multiple viewpoints, the full cast definitely helped keep track of the numerous characters.

The story was unlike anything I’ve experienced before—there was so much to take in and work out, and I got lost many, many times. Figuring out who each character was and what their magical power entailed was… complicated. I liked some characters, hated others, and felt ambivalent about the rest. I did like the plant lady—Reina, I think—but the voice of the plants was a bit sickly-sweet and weird (you wouldn’t get that if you’re reading the print version!).

There’s a lot going on, but at the same time, not much actually happens—yes, I know that sounds contradictory, but that’s exactly how I felt 😂. Will I read the next one? Probably, but I won’t be rushing. Hopefully it’ll be easier to follow now that I already have the world built in my head!

About the Book

The Alexandrian Society, caretakers of lost knowledge from the greatest civilizations of antiquity, are the foremost secret society of magical academicians in the world. Those who earn a place among the Alexandrians will secure a life of wealth, power, and prestige beyond their wildest dreams, and each decade, only the six most uniquely talented magicians are selected to be considered for initiation.

Enter the latest round of six: Libby Rhodes and Nico de Varona, unwilling halves of an unfathomable whole, who exert uncanny control over every element of physicality. Reina Mori, a naturalist, who can intuit the language of life itself. Parisa Kamali, a telepath who can traverse the depths of the subconscious, navigating worlds inside the human mind. Callum Nova, an empath easily mistaken for a manipulative illusionist, who can influence the intimate workings of a person’s inner self. Finally, there is Tristan Caine, who can see through illusions to a new structure of reality—an ability so rare that neither he nor his peers can fully grasp its implications.

When the candidates are recruited by the mysterious Atlas Blakely, they are told they will have one year to qualify for initiation, during which time they will be permitted preliminary access to the Society’s archives and judged based on their contributions to various subjects of impossibility: time and space, luck and thought, life and death. Five, they are told, will be initiated. One will be eliminated. The six potential initiates will fight to survive the next year of their lives, and if they can prove themselves to be the best among their rivals, most of them will.

Most of them.

About Olivie 

Olivie Blake, the pen name of Alexene Farol Follmuth, is the author of internationally bestselling speculative fiction for adults. She is a lover and writer of stories, many of which involve the fantastic, the paranormal, or the supernatural, but not always. More often, her works revolve around the collective experience, what it means to be human (or not), and the endlessly interesting complexities of life and love.

​Olivie tripped and fell into writing after abandoning her long-premeditated track for Optimum Life Achievement while attending law school, and now focuses primarily on the craft and occasional headache of creating fiction. Her New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling The Atlas Six released in 2022 from Tor Books, with The Atlas Paradox and The Atlas Complex rounding out the bestselling trilogy in 2024. The re-release of her viral literary romance Alone With You in the Ether was followed by backlist titles One for My Enemy and New York Times bestselling Masters of Death, with brand new titles Gifted & Talented and Girl Dinner to release in 2025. She has also been published as the writer for the graphic series Clara and the Devil and a variety of other adult SFF books. As Alexene, she is the author of young adult fiction.

Olivie lives and works in Los Angeles with her husband and son. She has trained in boxing for the last seven years and enjoys dinner conversation, art made by humans, and overindulging her sweet tooth.

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My Review for The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn by Valerie Bowman, read by Andi Arndt

“It’s not easy to say no to your ideal of success. But… sometimes your definition of success changes.”

Crisp autumn mornings, with the smell of fresh apples on the trees, cinnamon buns in the bakery, and pumpkin spiced latte to top it all off. The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn gave me Gilmore Girls vibes, along with snippets of all the other autumn books I've devoured this year. I loved it. 

The entire story is cute and heartfelt, romantic and full of humour. Ellie's ex-boyfriend is a complete knob-jockey who deserves to be pushed off the roof of the cute little inn. I'm so glad we didn't see a lot of him in the story. Pumpkin the pug was a huge hit, with me and with everyone who flocked to his Instagram account - there's just something about a dog in PJs! 😂

I felt that, despite living in the city for years, Ellie had a lot of personal growing-up to do, to realise that what she wants now, isn't necessarily the same as what she wanted when she was a kid. She found her place back in the small town on Long Island and I loved that she did.

This is a perfect read for anyone who loves cosy small-town romances with autumn vibes.

Thank you to Avon Books and Libro FM for the opportunity to listen to and review The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn by Valerie Bowman.

About the Book

Ellie Lawson’s city life was treating her just fine until a sour turn of events knocks her out in one fell swoop. Dumped by her boyfriend and fired from her event planning job, she is left with no choice but to return to her parents’ idyllic inn, nestled within a picturesque Honeycrisp orchard on Long Island. Anticipating a quiet hiatus in the attic apartment, she is instead met with Aiden, the stubborn, attractive son of the orchard owner who is currently occupying her planned refuge.

Forced together by circumstance, they find themselves not only roommates but also coworkers, when they’re put in charge by their parents of the orchard’s vital Harvest Festival, a lifeline for both the struggling orchard and the inn. Amidst the enchanting disorder of small-town life, Ellie and Aiden grapple with their conflicting values, burgeoning feelings, and an electrifying tension.

As Ellie discovers the unexpected charm of the life she left behind and Aiden learns there’s much more to Ellie than he’d first assumed, one fact the future of the orchard and the inn depends on their unlikely collaboration.

Embark on a captivating journey of rediscovery, love, and the irreplaceable magic of small-town life.

About Valerie

Valerie Bowman’s debut novel was published in 2012. Since then, her books have received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. She’s been an RT Reviewers’ Choice nominee for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter. Two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction.

Valerie grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English Language and Literature with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her mini-schnauzers, Huckleberry and Violet. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.

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My Review for The Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore, read by Savannah Peachwood and Sebastian York

"Annie was an on-kilter kind of girl."

Book number five in the Dream Harbor series, and finally we get to read about Annie and Mac's story. I need to say this though… am I the only one who, for some reason, thought that Annie and Mac were a senior couple?? Nope? Just me then! 🙈

Is it just characters in books who don't communicate and end up wasting months—sometimes years—of their lives? The Gingerbread Bakery was written from Annie and Mac's points of view, from both "then" and "now." I must admit I got a little lost sometimes as to what year we were in, but I soon caught up.

It was such a cute read, and I loved every minute—especially when we caught up with all the other characters from the previous books. Personally, I'd have liked to spend some more time in the actual Gingerbread Bakery and less time on the relationship, but that's just because I love cakes! The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore is still my favourite book, and Noah and Hazel are still my favourite couple. Perfect for anyone who loves small-town romances with plenty of sweetness. Now let's see what's in store for Daisy in the next book.

Thank you to Libro FM and HarperCollins for the opportunity to listen to and review The Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore.

About the book

As owner of her beloved Gingerbread Bakery, Annie Andrews should have a love life to match her business; sugary and sweet. But instead, she’s locked in a game of words with the irritatingly upbeat bar owner down the street.

Mac Sullivan has everything he wants, except the girl he dreams of. It’s easier to argue with Annie than get her to talk to him but with Jeanie and Logan’s wedding coming up, they're about to spend a lot more time together.

As the snowflakes fall and with romance in the air, will Annie see that the one she loves to hate might just be her perfect match after all?

About Laurie/Melissa - by Laurie

As Melissa McTernan, I write sweet and steamy fantasy/paranormal romance. I love grumpy heroes, sarcastic heroines, and grown-up fairy tales. I am currently working on The Wolf Brother’s series for One More Chapter (a HarperCollins UK imprint). The trilogy follows three werewolf brothers and their (maybe if they don’t screw it up) Mates.

As Laurie Gilmore (my pen name), I write steamy small-town romance. My Dream Harbor series is filled with quirky townsfolk, cozy settings, and swoon-worthy romance. I love finding books with the perfect balance of sweetness and spice and strive for that in my own writing. If you ever wished you lived in Stars Hollow (or that Luke and Lorelai would just get together already!) then these books are definitely for you.

When I’m not writing, I’m most likely reading or wrangling my kids as a stay-at-home mom. I live in upstate New York with my husband, kids, cats, puppy, and full bookshelves. I write romance to keep my sanity.

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My Review for Pan by Michael W. Clune, read by Michael Crouch

“Panic … isn’t a disease of death. It’s a disease of life.”

I’m not quite sure how I feel about this one. It’s very different to anything I’ve read—or listened to—before.

The fact it’s still on my mind probably means it struck a chord. I keep turning it over, wondering what the author wanted us to take from it. It was definitely unique, throwing us right into Nicholas’s mind and showing us how his panic attacks take hold, and how much they weigh on him.

Nicholas doesn’t have the easiest family life. His mum passes him on to his dad, and when he goes to live with his dad, he’s left alone because work takes priority. That pretty much leaves Nicholas to his own devices. His friends, too, don’t feel like real friends—they seem to use him more than support him.

I’ve noticed that other reviews of Pan highlight the philosophical nature of the story, the beautiful prose, and the intensity of teenage thought. That’s not really my style. If you’ve read my reviews before, you’ll know I focus more on how the story and characters made me feel.

So here’s my take: it was strange, it was different, and it was definitely a little weird—but not in a bad way. Would I recommend it? Yes, I think so. But I also believe that every single reader (or listener) will walk away with something different. For me, it was a story about a teenage boy worried about growing up and finding his place in life. I didn’t pick up on the rhythm of the words, the “beautiful prose,” or the artistic side of it—but that’s okay.

Thank you to Vintage Books for the opportunity to listen to and review Pan by Michael Clune.

About the Book

A strange and brilliant teenager's first panic attacks lead him down the rabbit hole in this wild, highly anticipated debut novel from one of our most distinctive literary minds

“I steal language and ideas from Michael Clune.” ―Ben Lerner, Pulitzer Prize-nominated author of The Topeka School

Nicholas is fifteen when he forgets how to breathe. He had plenty of reason to feel unstable He’s been living with his dad in the bleak Chicago suburbs since his Russian-born mom kicked him out. Then one day in geometry class, Nicholas suddenly realizes that his hands are objects. The doctor says it’s just panic, but Nicholas suspects that his real problem might not be a psychiatric maybe the Greek god Pan is trapped inside his body. As his paradigm for his own consciousness crumbles, Nicholas; his best friend, Ty; and his maybe-girlfriend, Sarah, hunt for answers why—in Oscar Wilde and in Charles Baudelaire, in rock and roll and in Bach, and in the mysterious, drugged-out Barn, where their classmate Tod’s charismatic older brother Ian leads the high schoolers in rituals that might end up breaking more than just the law.

Thrilling, cerebral, and startlingly funny, Pan is a new masterpiece of the coming-of-age genre by Guggenheim fellow and literary scholar Michael Clune, whose memoir of heroin addiction, White Out—named one of The New Yorker’s best books of the year—earned him a cult fan base. Now, in Pan, the great novel of our age of anxiety, Clune drops us inside the human psyche, where we risk discovering that the forces controlling our inner lives could be more alien than we want to let ourselves believe.

About Michael - by Michael 

I write about memory, literature, money, and music. Sometimes I work in creative nonfiction and fiction; some problems require academic methods. I believe that literary style isn’t decoration but a form of knowledge.

My creative books include a novel (Pan, forthcoming from Penguin in Summer 2025), and a work of creative nonfiction, Gamelife (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2015). The tenth anniversary edition of my memoir White Out: The Secret Life of Heroin appeared in 2023 from McNally Editions.

My most recent critical book is A Defense of Judgment (University of Chicago Press, 2021). Other monographs include Writing Against Time (Stanford University Press, 2013) and American Literature and the Free Market (Cambridge University Press, 2010).

My essays have appeared in Harper’s—where I am a contributing editor—Critical Inquiry, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The Atlantic, Best American Essays, PMLA, and elsewhere. My work has been supported by fellowships from the Guggenheim and Mellon Foundations, and my books have appeared on “best of the year” lists from The New Yorker, NPR, and elsewhere.

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My Review for New Arrivals at Hedgehog Hollow by Jessica Redland, read by Emma Swan and James Dryden

“To find a rainbow, you’ve got to have some rain and I’d certainly experienced one heck of a storm before I’d found mine.”

A gorgeous addition to the Hedgehog Hollow series, and this one focuses a lot more on Josh and Samantha's families and the past history which goes alongside. Thankfully, the two have each other, and it's lovely to see how supportive they are together. 

I loved that we see lots more hedgehogs in this book, and some with super-cool names, well done Jessica for coming up with those! I learnt lots about hedgehog rescue and actually, just how much work has to go into it, from staying up through the night to feed the hoglets, to mending them when they've been in accidents! As always, with Jessica's books, I came away from this one feeling happy and relaxed, she definitely always makes my mood so much better.

I was trying to decide what to do with some old towels I have. After writing the two reviews for the first two Hedgehog Hollow books, over the last few days, I decided that tomorrow I'm taking them to a local hedgehog rescue centre!

About the Book

With new arrivals comes new responsibilities. . . .

The sun is shining, wild flowers are blooming and Hedgehog Hollow is officially open for business.

For Samantha, the proud owner of this beautiful rescue centre, life has never been busier. But with an influx of new hogs and hoglets to take care of, not to mention a full-time job and ongoing family issues, can she accept the possibility that she has taken on more than she can handle?

Fortunately, she has the love of her life, Josh, by her side for support and encouragement. But Josh has his own family troubles to deal with. And soon he must decide if he's ready to do the one thing he swore he'd never do - forgive his father.

For both Samantha and Josh it's a season of change and for figuring out whether the past can truly be forgotten.

About Jessica - by Jessica

I write uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community set in stunning Yorkshire. My Whitsborough Bay books take readers/listeners to the North Yorkshire Coast and my Hedgehog Hollow books transport them deep into the countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.

My books are about real people living real lives. You'll find plenty of warm and fuzzy moments between the pages but you may occasionally find yourself tearing up and reaching for the tissues. I love my characters so, no matter how tough the going gets, I make sure they get their happy ending. Of course, with a series, it may take a few books to fully get there!

My favourite subject at school was English and I always loved the aspects of my day job in HR which involved writing but I never considered writing a novel until my manager told me that my business reports read more like stories and joked that I should write a book. As soon as a plot idea presented itself, that’s exactly what I did.

Buy on Amazon UK | Buy on Amazon US

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My Review for Finding Love at Hedgehog Hollow by Jessica Redland, read by Emma Swan

“The less you respond to negative people, the more peaceful your life will become. Find your peace”

Hedgehog Hollow was my first venture into Jessica's books, way back at the beginning of the summer of 2024 - yes I'm only just now writing my review! 🙊 What can I say? Life gets in the way!

Anyway, I'm here now and I adored it. I saw the word 'hedgehog' and I knew I'd love it. Samantha was so deserving of finding a new life in a new place and making new friends, after having so much taken away from her, and so many mean people in her life. I admired her stoicism and endeavours to open a hedgehog rescue centre and make Thomas's dreams come true.

Emma Swan was brilliant at narrating this, she drew me into Sam's life, hopes, and dreams and all the itsy, bitsy, cutesy hedgehogs. I've already listened to the second one in this series, which I loved just as much. 

Jessica fast became one of my favourite authors, and now I am looking forward to working my way through all her books. 

About the Book

As Samantha Wishaw watches the love of her life marry another woman, she’s ready to give up hope of finding her happy ever after.

But when a chance encounter leads Sam to find friendship in Thomas – a lonely, grumpy elderly widower living at derelict Hedgehog Hollow – her life is about to change forever.

Glad to have a distraction from family feuds and match-making, Sam vows to fulfill Thomas and his wife, Gwendoline’s, dreams of restoring Hedgehog Hollow to its former glory, and to open a hedgehog rescue centre.

Throwing herself into the task at hand, little does Sam realize that the keys to love and happiness may also be found at Hedgehog Hollow, when she least expects it…

About Jessica - by Jessica

I write uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community set in stunning Yorkshire. My Whitsborough Bay books take readers/listeners to the North Yorkshire Coast and my Hedgehog Hollow books transport them deep into the countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.

My books are about real people living real lives. You'll find plenty of warm and fuzzy moments between the pages but you may occasionally find yourself tearing up and reaching for the tissues. I love my characters so, no matter how tough the going gets, I make sure they get their happy ending. Of course, with a series, it may take a few books to fully get there!

My favourite subject at school was English and I always loved the aspects of my day job in HR which involved writing but I never considered writing a novel until my manager told me that my business reports read more like stories and joked that I should write a book. As soon as a plot idea presented itself, that’s exactly what I did.

Buy on Amazon UK | Buy on Amazon US

Follow Jessica on Bluesky | Follow Jessica on Facebook | Follow Jessica on Instagram

Jessica's Website

Read More