My Review by Witchcraft and Fury by T.T. Greenshaw

"She felt a surge of affection for all of them; to think that, just six months before, they had been at each other's throats, and now they shared friendships that she considered unbreakable."

I'm finally getting around to writing my review for Witchcraft and Fury by T.T. Greenshaw. I really enjoyed this one, and although it has a slightly slow start while the world-building settles in 🏗️, the pace soon picks up and I raced through the second half ⚡️.

Solar, our seventeen-year-old protagonist, is a witch-in-training who’s sassy, bold, and full of confidence ✨. Nothing and no one is going to stand in the way of her training or her dream of becoming the witch she’s always imagined—even if it once felt impossible. I loved Solar's adventures; the friends she made along the way became like family 💛, and by the end, they all had each other's backs. “All for one” and all that! 🧙‍♀️

Full of magic, potions, weird creatures 🧪🦑, and even a flying carpet 🪄, Witchcraft and Fury feels like the start of something wonderful for this series.

Thank you to Love Book Tours and T.T. Greenshaw for the opportunity to read and review Witchcraft and Fury.

About the Book

Solar Carpenter is the first girl to study magic in a hundred years. And maybe the last.

For over a century, only high-born men have wielded magic in Ashwood. The nobility’s youngest sons are taught by the kingdom’s wizards in roving magic encampments. Witchcraft is forbidden, and the women who practise it persecuted.

Yet change is coming.

Solar Carpenter, a girl providing for her family any way she can, is plucked from her life of menial work and petty theft to study at an elite encampment. Under the guidance of one of Ashwood’s greatest wizards, she will learn in the field as a witch-in-training, using her powers to protect the kingdom.

Or die trying.

But what if something other than destiny lies behind her rise to magical prominence? Is Solar merely a pawn in an intricate game of thrones and power? Or the greatest force for change in a hundred years?

About Theo

Theo grew up in Cheshire, England, with twin passions for fantasy novels and history. He followed the latter to study Ancient History and Archaeology at university, researching civilisations from Ancient Mesopotamia to Medieval England. He now works as a customer experience consultant, but satisfies his interest in the ancient world through consuming endless history podcasts.

His love for the written word has led him to write Chronicles of the Divided Isle, found the Leeds Fantasy Book Club, and learn foreign languages, including Mandarin. When not writing, Theo can be found playing the saxophone in various jazz bands, dreaming up new stories on hikes, or touring the nation’s cafes.  

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My Review for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, read by Tom Parker

“No, my friend. We are lunatics from the hospital up the highway, psycho-ceramics, the cracked pots of mankind."

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was November’s read for #classiclitbookclub, and I opted for the audiobook. I found a great copy on Libby narrated by Tom Parker, who absolutely nailed it 🎧.

I went in with zero expectations — classic me, never reading the synopsis 😜 — and it’s not a book I ever came across in school. So I was genuinely surprised when the opening chapters gave me The Green Mile vibes (I know it’s a book too, but I’ve only seen the movie!) 🎬.

The story was incredibly eye-opening. From what I understand, treatments like electric shock therapy, lobotomies, and simply locking people away for having mental health issues were all considered normal at the time ⚡🧠. Horrifying, honestly. And the wildest part is that it really wasn’t that long ago. We’ve come such a long way since then.

Nurse Ratched, though… wow. She should’ve been running a prison, not a ward. The level of control and cruelty she wielded was unbelievable 😳🚫.

I really loved Chief as the narrator. The fact that everyone assumed he was deaf and mute — giving him a front-row seat to everything — added such a clever layer to the story 👀.

I’d definitely like to watch an adaptation. One’s already been recommended to me, so I might give it a go soon 🎥.

About the Book

Tyrannical Nurse Ratched rules her ward in an Oregon State mental hospital with a strict and unbending routine, unopposed by her patients, who remain cowed by mind-numbing medication and the threat of electric shock therapy. But her regime is disrupted by the arrival of McMurphy – the swaggering, fun-loving trickster with a devilish grin who resolves to oppose her rules on behalf of his fellow inmates. His struggle is seen through the eyes of Chief Bromden, a seemingly mute half-Indian patient who understands McMurphy's heroic attempt to do battle with the powers that keep them imprisoned. Ken Kesey's extraordinary first novel is an exuberant, ribald and devastatingly honest portrayal of the boundaries between sanity and madness.

About Ken

Ken Kesey (1935–2001) was an American novelist and a defining voice of 1960s counterculture. He rose to prominence with One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, a novel inspired by his time working in a psychiatric hospital and participating in early psychedelic-drug studies. In the mid-’60s, Kesey helped spark the psychedelic movement through his cross-country trip with the Merry Pranksters aboard their wild, painted bus “Furthur,” hosting the legendary “Acid Tests.” Beyond his cultural impact, he wrote several other works — most notably Sometimes a Great Notion — and became known for blending rebellion, imagination, and storytelling into a uniquely American legacy.

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My Review for Peter Kay’s Diary: The Monthly Memoir of a Boy from Bolton, read by Peter Kay

"A good cuppa tea can solve most problems, and if it can't, you've probably got bigger issues than a biscuit can fix". 

Peter Kay is one of the UK's top comedians 🎤 and he's absolutely hilarious. In my opinion, he's one of the best at observational comedy 😂 in the business. I was lucky enough to see him on tour earlier this year, which was fantastic, and because I adore his Yorkshire accent 😍, I wanted to listen to his new autobiography so I could linger in those dulcet tones.

In this one, each chapter focuses on a month of the year 📅 — from January through to December. Peter picks a memory or two for each month and captivates the listener as he shares his humorous take on whatever he's talking about, whether it's summer holidays ☀️, Valentine's Day ❤️, or Christmas 🎄. In his own inimitable way, Peter draws you into his world and makes you feel as though you were right there with him.

Never do I laugh so hard as when I'm watching Peter Kay on tour, on TV, or listening to one of his books 🤣 — and this was no exception. I could listen over and over again 🔁, no matter how many times I've heard the stories.

About the Book

‘Think of this autobiography as a twelve-month subscription to my memories and meanderings across the calendar year. With each month reflecting a different phase of my life, complete with dodgy decisions, bizarre plot twists and more than a few laugh-out-loud moments.’ 

Peter Kay is back – and funnier than ever – with his most heartfelt and hilarious autobiography yet. Take a whistlestop journey through his life, in a year. From hitting the gym in January, falling in love in February and a nostalgic trip to Ireland at Easter, to buying his first house in May. Then it’s summer holidays at Butlins, a September wedding and, before you know it, he’s packing away the Halloween decorations and sipping a glass of Bailey’s in front of the Christmas telly.

With his trademark warmth and wit, Peter offers a unique take on the calendar year – in a way only he can – cementing his place as one of Britain’s best-loved comedians and a true national treasure.

About Peter

Peter Kay is an English comedian, actor, writer, and director, born on 2 July 1973 in Bolton, Greater Manchester. Known for his warm observational humor and nostalgic storytelling, he rose to fame with his stand-up routines and hit TV shows such as Phoenix Nights, Max and Paddy’s Road to Nowhere, and Car Share. His stand-up tours have repeatedly broken UK box office records, including The Tour That Didn’t Tour Tour… Now On Tour, one of the best-selling comedy tours of all time.

Kay is celebrated for his ability to find humor in everyday life, often drawing from his Northern upbringing. Despite periods away from the spotlight, he remains one of Britain’s most beloved and influential comedians.

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My Review for A Ferry Merry Christmas by Debbie Macomber

“I have tickets to the Nutcracker. Expensive tickets.” 

A Ferry Merry Christmas was my first venture into Debbie Macomber’s books, and off we trotted to Seattle for a ferry ride across the Puget Sound. The entire story unfolds over just a few hours, as we follow the passengers aboard a rather dodgy ferry ⛴️ that decides to break down mid-journey. 😬

Avery, Harrison, Virginia, James, Beth, Logan, and Olivia are our main characters, all stranded together. And in just a short space of time, each of their lives is going to change—naturally, for the better. 💛

I love how their stories intertwine, how Debbie weaves her Christmas 🎅🏼magic throughout the ferry, and how joy, forgiveness, understanding, and love ripple through every chapter. 💫

If you’re after a cute, Christmassy 🎁 read that will leave you smiling, definitely pick up a copy of this one. 😊

Thank you to Sphere, Little, Brown Book Group, and Hachette UK for the gifted copy of A Ferry Merry Christmas by Debbie Macomber. 📚✨🎀

About the Book

When the holidays don't go to plan, can love chart a new course?

Avery and Reed Bond might drive each other up the wall, but as siblings, they've always had each other's backs - through every triumph, every heartache, and every ill-advised attempt at matchmaking.

This Christmas is their first without their beloved Gram, the woman who raised them and made the season magical. Determined to honour her memory, they plan a holiday escape together. But when their ferry breaks down mid-journey, the festive spirit is in short supply.

Then Avery strikes up an unexpected connection with a dashing sailor who reminds her what magic really feels like. And Reed finds himself seeing his workmate in a whole new - and very unexpected - way.

As the snow falls and the Christmas lights twinkle, the Bond siblings discover that life has a funny way of surprising you. So, could a holiday hiccup turn into the season that changes everything?

About Debbie

Debbie Macomber is a renowned #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most cherished writers, with over 200 million copies of her books sold globally. Her novels beautifully depict meaningful relationships, celebrating family bonds and enduring friendships, and inspire readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s works have collectively remained on the New York Times bestseller list for more than 1,000 weeks, with fifteen titles reaching the top spot.

In addition to her captivating fiction, Macomber has authored bestselling cookbooks, adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction titles, and beloved children’s books. Known as “the official storyteller of Christmas,” her annual holiday tales are adored by fans, many of which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove series which was adapted into the Hallmark Channel’s first dramatic scripted television series, enjoying a popular three-season run.

Debbie and her husband Wayne are dedicated parents, grandparents, and recently great-grandparents. They reside in the Pacific Northwest—the charming area that inspired many of her books.

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My Review for Foxglove by Adalyn Grace

“When everything went to hell, at least she could always count on scones.”

I honestly wasn’t expecting to enjoy Foxglove more than Belladonna, but I did! Why did I wait so long to read this series?! 🤦‍♀️ We created a “sequel shelf” at #thatindiebookclub, and thank goodness we did. This one has been sitting there ever since we read Belladonna last year — such a good idea, because otherwise I know I’d never have picked it back up!

I also seem to be on a bit of a run reading about the undead 😁. First this one, and now I’m listening to Good Spirits. Apparently I’m leaning into a theme! I ended up switching between reading and listening to Foxglove because once I’d started, I didn’t want to take a break — but unfortunately real life insisted I get on with things 😅.

I still struggle with the whole “human getting it on with Death” situation 😂. Signa continues her very weird relationship with Death, but this time Fate throws himself into the mix — and what an arrogant twonk he is! (Google it if you’re not British 😆.) Without giving anything away, I thought Byron was a bit of an ass for most of the book 🙄, though fine… maybe he redeemed himself at the end.

I loved the dual points of view, switching between Signa and Blythe, and in this one Blythe definitely makes her mark in more ways than one ✨. More powers appear, more mysteries unfold, and that massive twist at the end will have you popping out to buy the next book immediately 📚💨.

About the Book

A duke has been murdered. The lord of Thorn Grove has been framed. And Fate, the elusive brother of Death, has taken up residence in a sumptuous estate nearby. He's hellbent on revenge after Death took the life of the woman he loved many years ago...and now he's determined to have Signa for himself, no matter the cost.

Signa and her cousin Blythe are certain that Fate can save Elijah Hawthorne from prison if they will entertain his presence. But the more time the girls spend with Fate, the more frightening their reality becomes as Signa exhibits dramatic new powers that link her to Fate's past. With mysteries and danger around every corner, the cousins must decide if they can trust one another as they navigate their futures in high society, unravel the murders that haunt their family, and play Fate's unexpected games—all with their destinies hanging in the balance.

Dangerous, suspenseful, and seductive, this sequel to Signa and Death's story is as utterly romantic as it is perfectly deadly.

About Adalyn

Adalyn Grace is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, IndieBound, and International bestselling author of the Belladonna series and the All the Stars and Teeth duology.

Prior to becoming an author, Adalyn spent four years working in live theatre and studied storytelling as an intern on Nickelodeon Animation’s popular series The Legend of Korra. 

Local to San Diego, Adalyn spends her non-writing days by watching too much anime, and by playing video games with her two dorky dogs.

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My Review for Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, read by Lauren Fortgang and Michael David Axtell

“Even alligators have parents, Dawes. That doesn't stop them from biting”

Ninth House 📚 was the book of choice for November's read for #thatindiebookclub. I didn’t really know what “Dark Academia” 🏛️ was all about when the theme for that month was revealed, and that’s exactly what I love about these book club reads—they push you to try things you might not have picked up otherwise! ✨

I decided to listen to the audiobook 🎧 for this one, and I really liked it. It was slow to start as we’re dropped into Alex’s Yale world—a world she was recruited into rather than earned through school achievements, all because she can see ghosts! 👻 The story is told across two timelines: Spring 🌸 and Winter ❄️. I’m still not entirely sure when Alex arrived at Yale and which timeline features Darlington training her versus after he disappears. But honestly, it doesn’t really matter—I don’t feel the need to understand every single detail to enjoy a story, and I absolutely did. 😄

I loved Alex’s ability to adapt to any situation. She fits in surprisingly well with both ghosts 👻 and humans 🧑‍🤝‍🧑, and she sets out to help solve everyone’s mysteries 🕵️‍♀️. I mean, who wouldn’t want to befriend a dead bridegroom 💀💍, right?!

It’s dark—very dark in places 🌑. Definitely read the trigger warnings ⚠️ before diving in, as it’s not suitable for everyone. Luckily, few things trigger me, and I was happy to lose myself in the secret societies 🏰 and mysterious goings-on 🔮 for a few days!

I’ll definitely pick up the sequel at some point 📖—I’m keen to read more about Daniel Arlington! 😉

About the Book

Galaxy "Alex" Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug-dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. In fact, by age 20, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most prestigious universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her?

Still searching for answers, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. Their eight windowless "tombs" are the well-known haunts of the rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street’s biggest players. But their occult activities are more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive. They tamper with forbidden magic. They raise the dead. And, sometimes, they prey on the living.

About Leigh

Leigh Bardugo is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Familiar, Ninth House and the creator of the Grishaverse (now a Netflix original series) which spans the Shadow and Bone trilogy, the Six of Crows duology, the King of Scars duology—and much more. Her short fiction has appeared in multiple anthologies including The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy. She lives in Los Angeles and is an associate fellow of Pauli Murray College at Yale University.

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My Review for Within the Space of a Second by Elise Helliwell

'I would let him take me anywhere. Past, present or future. I would give hours of my life to have seconds in his.'

OMFG this book was amazing — addictive, awesome, and such a delight to read. I need the next one right now. How am I supposed to cope until next year??!!

Within the Space of a Second is Elise’s debut novel and she has absolutely hit the ground running. I love a time-travel story (because it’s real, right? People can actually time travel? I just need to crack the method). I was fully immersed in Mariella’s world from page one, and when she starts realising her dreams are actually a form of time travel, I immediately decided that my own incredibly vivid dreams must mean I’m time travelling too. 😂

It’s a love story packed with fantasy, possibilities, choices, and so much more. It’s beautifully written, brilliantly edited, and one of those rare books I already know I’ll reread. I’ve even grabbed it on LibroFM so I can try the audio!

Buy it, add it to your Christmas wishlist, borrow it from a friend or the library — whatever you do, just read it and then tell me you didn’t love it as much as I did.

Thank you to Elise Helliwell, Atria Books, and Simon & Schuster for the gifted copy of Within the Space of a Second.

About the Book

Every morning, Mariella Adams wakes with a strange electrical energy buzzing beneath her skin. Terrified she has inherited her late mother’s mental illness, she tells no one. But when Mariella discovers her mother’s lost journals with an entry dated after her death, she’s desperate for answers.

The mystery only deepens when Mariella is approached by two strangers, Rose and Parker, who claim to be time travelers from the future. They say that interfering with the past – and Mariella – is forbidden, but they need her help to restore Parker’s ability to time travel before they’re caught in Mariella's timeline.

Shocked, Mariella agrees to help them. After all, they might hold the answers she’s looking for. And the more time she spends with them, the more she finds herself drawn to Parker. As she fights to uncover the mysteries of her past and the secrets of his future, will Mariella discover the truth before time runs out – and Parker disappears forever?

About Elise

Elise resides on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, with her husband and two young girls. An avid romance reader, Elise writes contemporary and sci-fi/fantasy romance, juggling themes of love, anticipation and emotional angst. 

Part time scientist/radiographer and full time hopeless romantic, Elise’s writing combines her love of science and the romance genre to produce suspenseful, swoon-worthy love stories that will keep the reader falling until the very last page.

When Elise isn’t parenting or writing, she’s either in her head watching characters and storylines come to life, or curled up at home with a glass of wine in hand, reading romantasy or contemporary romance.

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My Review for The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

“No sensible man ever engages, unprepared, in a fencing match of words with a woman.”

Huge thank you to #classiclitbookclub for picking The Woman in White for October, because it has officially become my new favourite book. Rebecca has been my number one forever, but nope—it's been bumped. 😂 Clearly the gothic vibe is my thing… it’s only taken me 52 years to figure that out!

I read the gorgeous clothbound copy while also listening to the audiobook, and switching between the two was so much fun. The creepy, psychological tension totally sucked me in. 🙊 Some of the characters are seriously twisted—they start off all lovely and then bam, the masks come off. And honestly? It’s wild (and pretty scary) to think people could just be thrown into an asylum back then with hardly any assessment.

It’s told through multiple POVs, and I did get a bit lost now and then, but it didn’t ruin anything for me. The writing is gorgeous and the story is brilliant. Now I’m off to find a pretty copy of The Moonstone!

About the Book

The Woman in White famously opens with Walter Hartright’s eerie encounter on a moonlit London road. Engaged as a drawing master to the beautiful Laura Fairlie, Walter is drawn into the sinister intrigues of Sir Percival Glyde and his ‘charming’ friend Count Fosco, who has a taste for white mice, vanilla bonbons and poison. Pursuing questions of identity and insanity along the paths and corridors of English country houses and the madhouse, The Woman in White is the first and most influential of the Victorian genre that combined Gothic horror with psychological realism.

About Wilkie

William Wilkie Collins, or Wilkie as he was known to his friends and readers, was born in London's Marylebone where he lived more or less continuously for 65 years. Today he is best known for The Moonstone (1868), often regarded as the first true detective novel, and The Woman in White (1860), the archetypal sensation novel. During his lifetime, however, he wrote over thirty major books, well over a hundred articles, short stories and essays, and a dozen or more plays.

He lived an unconventional, Bohemian lifestyle, loved good food and wine to excess, wore flamboyant clothes, travelled abroad frequently, formed long-term relationships with two women but married neither, and took vast quantities of opium over many years to relieve the symptoms of ill health. Collins's circle of friends included many pre-eminent figures of the day. He knew the major writers, particularly Charles Dickens with whom he regularly collaborated, as well as a host of minor novelists. His friends and acquaintances included some of the foremost artists, playwrights, theatrical personalities, musicians, publishers, physicians and society figures of the time. Collins's unorthodox lifestyle reveals a cynical regard for the Victorian establishment. This view is reflected in his books together with a sense of humour and a profound understanding for many of the then prevailing social injustices.

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My Review for House Party by Chloe Ford

'Still infuriatingly gorgeous, and still ridiculously off-limits.'

Another winner from Chloe — I adored it. Hattie and Sam as best friends were brilliant, and honestly, they made the book for me. Every year they spend their birthdays together — Sam on New Year’s Eve and Hattie on New Year’s Day — and every year they have so much fun.

Told over dual timelines, we travel back to when Hattie and Sam first met as teenagers at a party their parents were attending, as well as follow what they’re getting up to in the present day. Along with Priya and Sara, they make an awesome friendship group, and then, randomly, at a snowed-in cabin, Hattie’s cousin Dylan and Sam’s brother Freddie turn up too. Just what will happen between Hattie and Freddie — her old schoolgirl crush — remains to be seen.

I read this while lounging on my balcony on a Mediterranean cruise, so while I was soaking up the sun, I was reading about snow and freezing conditions! 😂

Thank you to Chloe Ford and Aria for the gifted copy of House Party.

About the Book

Hattie has spent half her life secretly crushing on Freddie – her best friend Sam's irresistibly gorgeous older brother. But Freddie? He's barely spared a glance for Hattie, the girl Sam befriended one fateful New Years' Eve when they discovered they were birthday twins. 

Fast-forward to Hattie finds herself single for the first time in years – just before the holidays. Enter Sam, who, in classic best-friend fashion, whisks her away to a remote cabin in the Forest of Dean to cheer her up. Snowy woodland views? Check. A crackling fire and a steamy hot tub? Check. Zero cell service, ravenous wild boars, and an incoming snowstorm of apocalyptic proportions? Also check.

And to make matters even more intense, Freddie joins them, unexpectedly. Still infuriatingly gorgeous, and still ridiculously off-limits. Except this time, he's actually noticing Hattie. But then again, maybe he's been noticing her all along. 

Fifteen years of longing. One night to change everything. This New Year's Eve, they're playing with fire.

About Chloe, by Chloe

I'm Chloe Ford. I write British set romantic comedies. I grew up in rural Sussex but am now based in Gloucestershire. I have an affinity with all things country, from riding horses to muddy walks. My love for writing began at secondary school when my English teacher would set a writing task for the whole hour. As an avid reader, I started sneaking Mills & Boon books out from under my mum’s bed as a teenager and haven't stopped devouring romance books ever since. 

Some of my all time favourite authors (who I will always recommend) include Lisa Kleypas, Emily Henry and Beth O'Leary. While I do love romance, as a reader, I will also venture into thrillers, historical fiction and huge literary masterpieces such as Barbara Kingsolver's Demon Copperhead.

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My Review for Dreams Come True at the Fairytale Museum by Jaimie Admans

'Today has been the draggiest day in the history of draggy days.'

I didn’t want to read this book. Not because I thought I wouldn’t like it — I knew I’d adore it — but because it’s the last book in a series I’m not ready to say goodbye to. 😢 Jaimie Admans’ Ever After Street series is one of my most favourite series ever. It’s cute, cosy and funny, and every time I read one of the books, I feel like I’ve been wrapped up in a great big warm hug — no matter which one it is — and Dreams Come True at the Fairytale Museum is no exception. 💜

I love Lissa’s enthusiasm for the museum she’s so lucky to be in charge of. All she wants is for her visitors to experience the passion she feels, as her exhibits bring joy to children and adults alike. But what she wasn’t expecting was the devastating news that it all might be taken away from her. Enter Warren! Unfortunately, I didn’t like him from the beginning because I knew a Warren at school who was a complete idiot with a stupid name (sorry to all the Warrens out there)! 😂 I can’t say he grew on me, if I’m honest — maybe he would have if he’d been called George, Brad, Tom or Hugh! Haha, I jest — he was okay really.

All the other shopkeepers on Ever After Street are amazing. They all look after each other, they have their own WhatsApp group, and I want to be friends with them all. They adore Lissa, and the things they get up to to try and help her make the museum successful are so sweet, kind and caring.

This is book six in the Ever After Street series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone — although honestly, you need to meet all the other amazing characters and read their stories too. I’ll miss them all a lot. Thank you, Jaimie, for bringing Ever After Street into my life. 💕

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Dreams Come True at the Fairytale Museum by Jaimie Admans.

About the Book

A BRAND-NEW joyously whimsical, utterly enchanting and totally heart-tugging tale of magic, mischief and modern-day fairytales. Perfect for fans of Sarah Addison Allen, Ali McNamara and Jenny Colgan ✨💕 A place where dreams come true...

Lissa's heart belongs to the Colours of the Wind museum, a charming haven where fairytale artifacts whisper tales of old. But her quiet magic is shattered when a sleek real estate firm buys the building, threatening to demolish her beloved museum. Lissa is devastated and ready to fight.

Enter Warren Berrington, the infuriatingly handsome developer whose modern vision clashes with her quirky world. He talks budgets; she dreams of wishing wells. Yet, Warren offers a three months to save the museum, and despite their fiery arguments, a curious spark ignites between them.

Then, true enchantment begins. Spinning wheels whir, glass slippers vanish, and enchanted objects embark on whimsical adventures, making the museum an overnight sensation. Lissa dares to hope her dreams are finally within reach.

But she can't shake the feeling Warren is playing games. Could he be orchestrating events for a clever ploy, or is Ever After Street weaving a new fairytale, one that might just involve her heart?

About Jaimie

Jaimie is a 38-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, watching horror movies, and drinking tea, although she’s seriously considering marrying her coffee machine. 

She loves autumn and winter, and singing songs from musicals despite the fact she’s got the voice of a dying hyena. She hates spiders, hot weather, and cheese & onion crisps. She spends far too much time on Twitter and owns too many pairs of boots. 

She will never have time to read all the books she wants to read.

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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 Soulslayers by Colin Sephton

"You are nothing more than a midge on the backside of a dung beetle."

Well, the ending of this was unexpected — but hang on, I’ll get to that!

Alongside Indigo and Ignatius, we’ve searched for The Book of Consciousness, The Book of Shadows, and now, in Soulslayers, the third book in the series, we’re hunting the Flaming Celestial Pearl and the secret it holds.

These two don’t lead dull lives, that’s for sure. Fancy travelling to the other side of the world — and it taking ten days by air! Personally, I think I’d rather go by luxurious cruise ship. 🛳

I really enjoyed Soulslayers, and having read the previous two books, I now feel I’ve got a firm grip on who the characters are and what their purpose is in the cosmos. The author has a fantastic imagination, and the story moves along at a great pace — there’s never a dull moment! I’d have liked a bit more of a battle at the end, though — violence is always good in a story, in my opinion! 😂

The Charon were definitely put in their place towards the end — serves them right, was my first thought!

And that ending… it’s been left wide open for another book, with a real cliffhanger. Here I was thinking this was a trilogy!

About the Book

Ignatius and Indigo find themselves struggling mentally to come to terms with the complex nature of the cosmos and their newfound supernatural powers obtained through their prior encounters with gods and demons. In their quest for another relic from the Creation, they are aided by the secretive thirteenth Chapter of the Union Jacks. In search of the secret of the Flaming Celestial Pearl, they must travel to Tibet in the great airship, HM Spirit of the Empire.

Pursued by fanatical knights sworn to protect the relic, they must reluctantly call upon the Charon, the seven merciless demons from the underworld to assist them. Piecing together the map that will lead them to a fabled city hidden deep within the Himalayas, they must defend themselves from air pirates, a previous foe from Oxford, mountain beasts and elementals.

Discovering the correct path through the mountains, Indigo realises her soul may never be the same again. Regardless, they enter the Great Void where using the Sword of Wisdom, they discover the truth about the cosmos.

About Colin

Colin was born in Coventry and worked in the automotive industry for over twenty years before becoming an Engineering teacher. Obtaining his first library card at the age of thirteen, he became an avid reader of Fantasy and the mysteries of the Universe. He has an inbuilt curiosity for lost knowledge and ancient texts that may help to unlock the secrets of consciousness and the universe. Living in Oxford for many years, he has now moved back to his home county of Warwickshire where he enjoys creating and working with his wife on their garden in which he writes and entertains their two grandsons. He has always been an artist and writer and is inspired by the worlds created by Robert E Howard and Michael Moorcock, with the artwork of Frank Frazetta.

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