Teasing on a Wednesday - The Enchanted Greenhouse

 

That’s what they need to hear, Terlu realized. That they’re safe. Now she knew what to say, the same thing she would’ve wanted to hear.

(page 140, The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst (ARC))

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their  TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Enchanted Greenhouse - Release Day Book Review (repost/reread)

The Enchanted Greenhouse released today!

Go get it asap!

The Enchanted Greenhouse

by Sarah Beth Durst

What is it about:

New York Times bestselling author Sarah Beth Durst invites you to her new standalone novel nestled on a far-away island brimming with singing flowers, honey cakes, and honeyed love. The hardcover edition features beautiful sprayed edges.

Terlu Perna broke the law because she was lonely. She cast a spell and created a magically sentient spider plant. As punishment, she was turned into a wooden statue and tucked away into an alcove in the North Reading Room of the Great Library of Alyssium.

This should have been the end of her story . . . Yet one day, Terlu wakes in the cold of winter on a nearly-deserted island full of hundreds of magical greenhouses. She’s starving and freezing, and the only other human on the island is a grumpy gardener. To her surprise, he offers Terlu a place to sleep, clean clothes, and freshly baked honey cakes—at least until she’s ready to sail home.

But Terlu can’t return home and doesn’t want to—the greenhouses are a dream come true, each more wondrous than the next. When she learns that the magic that sustains them is failing—causing the death of everything within them—Terlu knows she must help. Even if that means breaking the law again.

This time, though, she isn’t alone. Assisted by the gardener and a sentient rose, Terlu must unravel the secrets of a long-dead sorcerer if she wants to save the island—and have a fresh chance at happiness and love.

Funny, kind, and forgiving, The Enchanted Greenhouse is a story about giving second chances—to others and to yourself.

What did I think of it:

*I read a digital ARC in February, then was gifted a print ARC and reread this book this month*

This is a standalone set in the same world as The Spellshop, but anyone who read and loved The Spellshop will recognize who Terlu is, and so needs to read this! New to this world? You can totally read and love this book without reading the Spellshop first, but believe me: you need both these books, they're both awesome!

I liked Terlu, and had a lot of sympathy for her, but then the grumpy gardener Yarrow was introduced, and just Wow! He and I have a lot in common I have to confess. From that point on I so rooted for the both of them,(maybe a little bit more for Yarrow) that they would succeed in saving the greenhouses.

And the talking plants! I fell in love with Dendy in particular, I will say.

I feared one of my least favorite tropes would happen in this book, and it did, but Durst managed to write it in a way that didn't make me want to puke like I usually do with this particular trope (which I will name the 'Shiny Happy People' trope to not spoil too much). 

So with a certain trope handled in the best way possible this was just as beautiful and emotional a read as The Spellshop. I loved reading about the wonders in the greenhouses, and learn more about the world Durst created. There's tons of beauty and whimsy, next to a really emotional story that also has lots to smile about.

You bet I will impatiently wait for the release and get my trotters on the hardcover to place it next to The Spellshop. And if there's to be more books: I'm going to hope it will be about certain characters who have a small role in this book.

Thoughts on rereading:

Still as amazing as the first read, and Yarrow is absolutely a kindred spirit.

Why should you read it:

It's a great, cozy Fantasy with a wonderfully grumpy gardener.

The Spellshop - Book Review (repost/reread)

The Enchanted Greenhouse is releasing tomorrow.

In anticipation of the release I reread both The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse (ARC)

The Spellshop

by Sarah Beth Durst

What is it about:

The Spellshop is Sarah Beth Durst’s romantasy debut–a lush cottagecore tale full of stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, sweet jams, and even sweeter love.

Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she and her assistant, Caz—a magically sentient spider plant—have spent the last decade sequestered among the empire’s most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city’s elite.

When a revolution begins and the library goes up in flames, she and Caz flee with all the spellbooks they can carry and head to a remote island Kiela never thought she’d see again: her childhood home. Taking refuge there, Kiela discovers, much to her dismay, a nosy—and very handsome—neighbor who can’t take a hint and keeps showing up day after day to make sure she’s fed and to help fix up her new home.

In need of income, Kiela identifies something that even the bakery in town doesn’t have: jam. With the help of an old recipe book her parents left her and a bit of illegal magic, her cottage garden is soon covered in ripe berries.

But magic can do more than make life a little sweeter, so Kiela risks the consequences of using unsanctioned spells and opens the island’s first-ever and much needed secret spellshop.

What did I think of it:

When Jeffe told me I should read this book, I was easily convinced as I absolutely love Sarah Beth Durst's The Queen of Blood (I'm so going to get my trotters on the new paperback once it releases, because: have you seen that new cover!). 

And this book is so going on my keeper shelves and will be hugged, treasured, and reread!

What a beautiful, touching read. If you need a cozy Fantasy read: look no further and get your hands on The Spellshop!

I loved Kiela from the start, and don't get me started on Caz, because I'll be singing his praises for hours.  I mean: an intelligent, talking, sarcastic spider plant!!

The story is so sweet, and I kept reading to see what happens next for Kiela and Caz. There's some danger to keep you on edge, but mainly this book was delightful and full of whimsy. It made me smile while reading.

So you bet I jumped on the chance to read an Advance Reader Copy of the next book set in the same world as The Spellshop.

Thoughts on rereading:

This is such a delightful read. I most certainly will reread this often. The world, the characters, everything just hits right.

Why should you read it:

It's a beautiful, cozy, and heartwarming Fantasy read.

Teasing on a Wednesday - Never the Roses

 

Even with Tristan's chatter, the essential quiet of the place had permeated everything, settling into the core of him. It made him believe in something, though he couldn't quite grasp what it would be.

(page 201, Never the Roses by Jennifer K. Lambert)

Never the Roses - Release Day Book Review

 

Never the Roses

by Jennifer K. Lambert

What is it about:

Genevieve Gornichec’s The Witch’s Heart meets Madeline Miller’s Circe in this epic and deeply emotional romantic fantasy debut by Jennifer K. Lambert. The hardcover edition features beautiful stenciled edges.

The Dread Sorceress Oneira has retired. She’s exhausted from fighting the endless wars of kings and queens, and has long accepted that her death is near. Alone at last but for a few uninvited companions―a near-mythical wolf, a goddess’s avatar, and a feline that embodies magic itself―Oneira realizes that she’s bored. On a whim, or perhaps at the behest of fate, she makes an unlikely trip to the most extensive library in existence: the home of her most powerful rival, the sorcerer Stearanos.

By recklessly stealing a book from him, Oneira inadvertently initiates a forbidden correspondence. Taunting notes and clever retorts reveal a connection neither has found―nor could ever find―in any other.

But Oneira soon learns that Stearanos, bound to a vile king, is tasked with waging war on the queen she once served. A relationship with him is far too dangerous to pursue despite their mutual desire―and yet, Oneira can’t seem to stay away.

A bond with Stearanos could alight the long-extinct flame of life within her… or it could destroy her entirely.

What did we think of it:

We read the first version of this story before it was sold to Bramble/TOR and loved it.

So when we received this gorgeous finished version of Never the Roses we had to do a reread of course.

(spoiler: it won't be our last reread)

This is such a wonderful and emotional story.

The writing is beautiful and haunting, from the first few sentences we were glued to the pages. 

Both Oneira and Stearanos are characters to root for. Oneira is tired of the life she's lived and is looking for either redemption or judgement without realizing it. Stearanos is still in the middle of things, but as bitter and grumpy as a sorcerer who's been used as a tool of war for most of his life can be.

We wanted to see both of them happy, loved.

The way they start connecting with each other through their correspondence, the way they reacted to it, was wonderful to read. 

Even with this being a reread we were totally engrossed, and this was yet another book we read in one long sitting, as we couldn't put it down.

If not for our TBR mountain glaring at us, we'd have done another reread immediately after finishing this one, it's that beautiful!

There will be a second book in this world, and hopefully many more, and we know it will be as amazing as this one, so we'll be (im)patiently wait for the release next year, while rereading this book once in a while when our TBR mountain isn't paying attention.

Why should you read it:

It's absolutely beautiful and amazing!

buy links

Caught Up - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

Caught Up (Into Darkness #2)

by Navessa Allen

What is it about:

I wanted this woman, and I was a man who always got what he wanted.

Nico 'Junior' Trocci knows Lauren Marchetti is off limits. She is sweetness and laughter, whereas Junior exists in a world of violence and depravity. Men like him don't get to have women like her. It's why he pushed her away back in high school and has kept his distance ever since.

But when Junior looks Lauren up online, he discovers the shy, bookish girl he remembers is gone. In her place is a strikingly beautiful woman whose social media is filled with scantily clad pictures of herself and a connection to a nearby play club. Junior's innocent curiosity quickly turns into a dark obsession. But watching Lauren from a distance isn't enough; he needs to make her his.

He's ruthless; a walking red flag. Good thing red is my favorite color.

Lauren is intrigued by the mystery man who keeps showing up at her club, who tempts her white-hot desires. But as their flirty online messages stir up a deeper form of connection, Lauren worries she's developing real feelings for this brooding stranger. As their combined desire ratchets up to a breaking point, who will seduce who? And will they survive the fall?

Caught Up is a fast-paced dark romance with a morally grey male lead. Some themes and scenes may be disturbing to readers. Please check the content warning at the beginning of the book.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

I had such a great time with Lights Out that I pre-ordered Caught Up, especially when I saw it was about Junior.

This book! 

It is so good!

It's not as funny as I thought Lights Out was, but the romance, the steam, Junior! I read this book in one sitting, it was too good to put down.

I already liked Junior in Lights Out, but I loved him in this book. I loved seeing him trying to be a better man, to move away from his old life, and to see him explore his sexuality. I need more books where the woman is confident in what she wants and the man is the one to discover he has desires he thought were not allowed. 

Lauren is such a great character as well. She knows what she wants and what she doesn't. Her caution where it comes to Junior is understandable, and I loved seeing the two of them growing closer and mending old hurts. I also loved Lauren's friends and how they were there for each other when needed.

All in all I loved this book even more than Lights Out, and I will most certainly try to get hold of the third book in this trilogy when it releases.

Why should you read it:

It's absolutely delicious!

Enchantra - Book Review

 

Enchantra (Wicked Games #2)

by Kaylie Smith

What is it about:

Ready or Not meets Throne of the Fallen in a spicy, enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance, where an Italian getaway turns deadly after a young woman is trapped in her host family's cursed game.

Ready or not, the game has begun.

Genevieve Grimm has felt adrift ever since her sister became the head of the family. So when a mysterious friend of their mother's invites her to Italy, she accepts. She arrives at his grand palace, expecting passion and magic, decadence and luxury... perhaps even a midnight ball.

She doesn't expect the owner's ruthlessly handsome son to slam the door in her face. Rowin Silver is tall, dark, and exceptionally rude, and invitation or not, he demands Genevieve leave and never come back. But Genevieve follows nobody's orders, especially those of arrogant rich boys. She slips inside—and immediately discovers her mistake.

Rowin and his family are caught in an insidious game of hide and seek, where only one can win. The rest will be trapped in Hell... until the competition begins again.

Genevieve must either join the hunt or forfeit any hope of escaping. But to her dismay, her best chance of survival lies with Rowin. Since lovers may play as a pair, Rowin and Genevieve agree to form an alliance under the guise of a fake courtship. However, as they race through the game's elaborate labyrinth, trapped among gleaming gold and shining marble, their loathing gives way to irresistible attraction. Only Rowin is keeping secrets, especially when it comes to his ruthless family, and Genevieve can't help but wonder if she's trapped in two treacherous games: Enchantra and the one Rowin is playing with her heart.

What did I think of it:

I loved Phantasma so I got my trotters on the second book in this series.

And although it has lots of good stuff, it didn't reach the heights of Phantasma for me sadly enough.

I didn't much like Genevieve and Rowin.

I did enjoy reading about the weird game that was going on in Enchantra, really liked some of Rowin's siblings, liked the overall storyline, but those two... I couldn't stand them to be honest.

I had expected to dislike Ophelia as older sister and love Genevieve as younger sister when I started on the first book, because usually I find the older sister meddling and tiresome while the younger is just trying to live her life without the older sister intruding. Yeah... 

Give me Ophelia and Blackwell over these two any day!

Genevieve is too impulsive and unthinking for her own good, and Rowin is 'older sibling' at their worst even though he might not be the eldest.

I actually liked the 'worst' of his siblings more than him.

That aside, I had a great time with the action storyline and Voodoo Bride enjoyed the steamier scenes if not the romance.

I will keep an eye out for the third book, hoping against all hope it will feature my two favorite side characters from the first two books.

Why should you read it:

It's got lots of cool action and suspense.