Cozy Fantasy

Pumpkin Spice & Poltergeist | Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
In the spooky town of Maple Hollow, apothecary witch Jordyn accidentally conjures the ghost of her ex-girlfriend. The snarky specter haunts her until she finds new love. Enter Harlow, the new girl in town, who’s just trying to survive working in her sister’s cafe. As romance brews between them, Jordyn’s ghostly ex threatens to ruin it all.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3ANfBOx

My Rating

I want to give a big thank you to the authors for granting me an eARC of this book. The first chapter dives right into the story, which I usually love, but I felt this book needed a prologue or an intro chapter. Still, I knew from the start that I was going to enjoy the story and its characters.

The book is told from dual perspectives: Jordan, who is haunted by the ghost of her ex-girlfriend, and Harlow, a new resident of Maple Hollow. Both girls are very likable, though somewhat similar. I never found myself preferring one perspective over the other, and I was sold on their relationship from their first interaction.

I loved the Halloweentown vibes in this book. Maple Hollow is literally a town where supernatural beings live, and the concept is amazing—it’s a place I’d want to visit and maybe even live in. I enjoyed seeing the different supernatural creatures interacting with each other and humans.

“We’re all different here. Maybe you just needed a little more magic in your life.”

While I loved the main characters and the town, the side characters were also likable, especially Harlow and her sister Willow. Their relationship felt real, like true sisters who love each other but sometimes lash out at one another. Willow cherished her life in this unique town, so she was hesitant about Harlow moving in with her, but she did love her sister. However, she could be a bit stuck in her ways and harsh at times.

This is a magical queer romance at its core, made even more complicated by the ghost of Jordan’s ex-girlfriend lingering around. However, I appreciated that the story was more than just a cute paranormal romance. The mystery plot was intriguing, and I wanted to find out what really happened to Jordan’s ex.

Overall, I enjoyed the plot, characters, and setting. While the ending wasn’t surprising, as I had a sense of where the story was heading, I could still see myself picking up more books by the authors. However, I felt the book was missing something extra to make it truly outstanding, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless. Thanks again to the authors for the ARC!

In the comments, let me know if you watch Halloweentown every fall. Don’t forget to like and share this post with other book lovers, and give my blog a follow before you go!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries // Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
Cambridge professor Emily Wilde, an expert on faeries, arrives in Hrafnsvik intending to focus solely on her research. She dislikes socializing and dislikes her academic rival, Wendell Bambleby. However, as she delves into uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones, she finds herself drawn into a mystery involving Wendell and her own heart.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4aulH2E

My Rating

This story captivated me right from the start, offering the perfect blend of enchantment and coziness. Despite the story unfolding in the fall and winter, I found myself immersed in its magic, even though I was reading it during spring—a testament to its timeless appeal that transcends seasonal preferences.

Emily, the main character, really intrigued me with her knowledge of mystical creatures, all while struggling to navigate social interactions. Seeing her grow and develop throughout the book was so satisfying—it really added depth to her character.

Emily and Wendell’s growing love story in the book was really nice. At first, they were like work frenemies, but then they became real friends and maybe even more than that. Wendell balanced out Emily’s character well, and it was cool that there was more to him than it seemed at first.

The world in the book feels incredibly real, like stepping into a dream where fairies exist. It’s an escape, perfect for someone like me who loves magic. Yet, amidst the excitement of meeting fairies, there’s a hint of nervousness, as if something mysterious and possibly dangerous hides in the shadows. This adds to the intensity and captivation of the reading experience.

“One doesn’t need magic if one knows enough stories.”

I think the author’s writing was captivating, effortlessly bringing the story to life for me. The inclusion of fairy folklore tales woven throughout the narrative enriched my reading experience. The journal-like format of the book added an extra layer of charm, and I loved how the author was able to immerse me into these characters’ story.

I really liked how the found family element fit into the plot and contributed to Emily’s character development. I think many readers will enjoy that aspect of the story too. Also, the romance didn’t take over the plot; instead, it enhanced it, which I think makes this book perfect for those who want a fantasy with a hint of romance.

Overall, the book truly exceeded my expectations as someone that isn’t typically a cozy fantasy reader. I eagerly anticipate delving into future installments of the series and embarking on more adventures with these captivating characters.

If this book isn’t already on your TBR list, I highly recommend adding it. Don’t forget to like and share this post, and if you enjoy bookish content, consider following the blog for more recommendations and reviews.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Legends And Lattes // Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time. The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success — not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3QIZgPa

My Rating

If you’re looking for a cozy fantasy with a not much depth to the plot than this book is for you. I had such a fun time reading this book and it put me in the fall mood. I can see people who don’t really like heavy fantasy stories enjoying this book. Also, Liking coffee isn’t a requirement of having a good time reading the book but I think it’s necessary.

The plot follows Viv, a newly retired orc bounty hunter, who decides to open a coffee shop in a small town. Along the way, she makes some friends, introduces people to the wonder that is coffee, and falls in love. The mix of fantasy and cozy charm in this plot was perfect.

The characters in the book were all great, and they all had their own unique personalities. I loved the found family aspect that this book had. Viv made real connections with these people, and they wanted to help her succeed. It was all very wholesome. But my favorite character was Thimble, who became the shop’s baker.

“Well, shit. Milky bean water. I’ll be damned.”

There is, of course, a romance that develops between Viv and Tandri, who practically becomes the assistant manager at the shop. It was so sweet, watching them go from coworkers, to friends, to more. Their relationship grew and developed very naturally, and I loved it. I also enjoyed that Viv listened to Tandri, and the other people that she trusted. She didn’t have an “I’m the boss” mentality, and was open to suggestions.

Of course, there is a fantasy plot, but it was honestly very minimal. I did feel like there wasn’t much to the action side of things, which I’m not sure I loved. However, I knew going into this book that the plot was more low-key and it really is just a cozy fall read. Still, the fantasy elements are there. Obviously, the story is about an orc, and we also have some other equally fantastical characters.

Overall, the writing was great, and the story was interesting. There is also the message that you don’t have to forget your past to start over or take a new path, which I really liked. I can see fans of fantasy video games, like World of Warcraft, The Elder Scrolls, or other similar games, really getting a kick out of this book.

In the comments, let me know if you enjoyed this book. Don’t forget you can follow me on Instagram and Facebook too! Before you leave, hit the follow button to get notified whenever there’s a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny