Peasreads: Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai

 

Tesia Tsai has woven a story so beautifully that I read it in two days. A story about duty, honor, love, letting go, and holding on. Fighting for what you love and knowing when to let go is best. Siying is a priestess who is tasked with guiding the deceased to their resting places. She lives in a kingdom that is in the midst of war. She takes on a job to bring a soldier to his home across the border. The soldier turns out to be the missing crown prince. When she reanimates him, he comes to life. Though not completely, she soon finds out that he needs qi to actually stay alive. They set off on a journey to bring him home, gathering purified qi along the way.

I do hope @illumicrate it @fairyloot will do a special edition of this one I can't wait to have a copy on my bookshelves.

Description

A sweeping debut inspired by the Chinese folk practice of necromancy, Deathly Fates is perfect for fans of Descendant of the Crane, The Bone Shard Daughter, and A Magic Steeped in Poison.

As a priestess paid to guide the deceased home, Kang Siying has never feared death. But when her beloved father collapses, Siying realizes that even she is not free from the cruel grasp of mortality. Desperate to provide her father with the medical aid he needs, Siying accepts a dangerous job that promises a generous commission, and travels to a hostile state to retrieve the corpse of a missing prince.

But the moment Siying places her reanimation talisman on the dead prince's head, rather than make the corpse obedient to Siying's commands, the talisman brings the prince back to life. Worse, he won't stay alive for long—not unless he absorbs enough qi, or life force, to keep his soul anchored to his body.

In return for a reward worth twice her original commission, Siying agrees to aid the frustratingly handsome prince in finding and purifying evil spirits for their qi. But as they journey across the countryside, encountering vengeful ghosts and enemy spies alike, they gradually uncover dark secrets about the prince's death—secrets that could endanger both Siying's father and their entire kingdom.

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I received this egalley from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books I was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are my own. 

Peasread- Kill the Beast by Serra Swift

 

I wanted to love this book so much.  The whole premise, the story, the world the author built, those were amazing. Side characters were great.  Alderic was great. I'm torn, there is so much that could have been so amazing.  If you can read it without having to like the main character and still enjoy the story, then yes. It's a good read.

 Trigger warnings: Suicidal ideation, self-harm and harm to a pet are fairly big factors in the story.

This book is not wholesome or cozy, which I have seen people describe it as. 

I had an issue with  Lyssa, the main character. I understand that her circumstances were bad. Being abandoned by her dad. Bad. Trauma bad. Seeing her brother murdered by the Beast as a child. Very Bad. Loads of trauma is bad. I understand the anger. However, her default was rage and violence. Physical harm to anyone and everyone present, even the innocent.  After 10 years, or 13, that was still the default. There was no growth. No regret later. She just couldn't seem to think beyond that violence. I could like and root for a character who was growing through rage, violence, and loss. I could understand deep grieving.  Despite having those by her side who gave her the opportunity for growth. She simply dug her heels in and continued. I am not saying she should forgive the people who caused trauma in her life or stop grieving.  There was no maturity.  No thought to her killing- just rage. She was a flat, one-dimensional character until we met Alderic, when we find out that she's also mean and hateful. She makes fun of how he dresses and his hobbies. Even when he reveals his character to her throughout the story, she doesn't grow. 

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I received this egalley from NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group | Tor Books I was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are my own. 

Peasreads: Life, and Death, and Giants A Novel by Ron Rindo

This is a book about Gabriel Fisher a boy who was born an orphan. The events surrounding his birth are scary, and it is mystery who his father is. He is lovingly cared for by his older brother and the town vet. He has a way with animals and is growing at an alarming rate. He is clearly a unique child. He grows up alongside the Amish community that shunned his mother and brother. His mother was put under the ban for not disclosing who the father of her children is.  
While this story is about Gabriel's life, it is also about the family that you choose and the family that you're born into. It is about community, love, loss, and as the description says, everyday miracles. It isn't a religious book. 
I thoroughly enjoyed this book even though it made me cry. 

Trigger warnings- Sexual asault, self harm, addiction. 

Description

A heart too big for this world. A life that changes everyone.

"Life, and Death, and Giants is an intriguing and alluring novel from beginning to end. The events are startling, sad, amusing, invigorating, and informative. Reading it is like meeting a family that you never knew existed and becoming close friends in a few weeks. Highly recommended." --Jane Smiley, author of Lucky and A Thousand Acres

Gabriel Fisher was born an orphan, weighing eighteen pounds and measuring twenty-seven inches long. No one in Lakota, Wisconsin, knows what to make of him. He walks at eight months, communicates with animals, and seems to possess extraordinary athletic talent. But when the older brother who has been caring for him dies, Gabriel is taken in by his devout Amish grandparents who disapprove of all the attention and hide him away from the English world.

But it’s hard to hide forever when you’re nearly eight feet tall. At seventeen, Gabriel is spotted working in a hay field by the local football coach. What happens next transforms not only Gabriel’s life but the lives of everyone he meets.

Life, and Death, and Giants is a moving story of faith, family, buried secrets, and everyday miracles

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I received this egalley from NetGalley and St. Martin's press. I was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are my own. 

Peasreads: Maid for Each Other by Lynn Painter

 

3.75 stars! 

When I first saw this book, I thought, "meh, another billionaire trope". It'll be entertaining if nothing else. The thing is, it WAS entertaining. It was fun. and funny at times. Was it just too much of a coincidence that Abi just happened to have the same name as Abby? Sure. Let's face it though: how else do these stories start? Two people have a dilemma; they can both help each other out, and so they do. You know they will get together in the end so it's about the journey. This journey was cute. The only thing is that when it did end, I wish there was some explanation as to how they got together to their family and friends. 

Description

A millionaire and a house cleaner are a match maid in heaven in this sparkling new romantic comedy by Lynn Painter, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Happily Never After.

As a professional cleaner, Abi Mariano never thought her apartment would have any sort of infestation, but because of a building-wide outbreak, she now needs somewhere to stay for a week. As a part-time student with two jobs, she doesn’t have many options. Then the solution presents itself: the owner of the penthouse she cleans is out of town for the week. She normally wouldn’t consider it, but he’s literally never around (she hasn’t even met him). It goes great…until one morning she finds two strangers in the kitchen. They’re the parents of the penthouse owner and they seem to think they’ve heard all about Abi—not as their son’s maid, but as his girlfriend.

Declan Powell has always put his career first, working his way up to become an executive at his company, but he still has his sights set on the next level. When his parents mention that they met his girlfriend, “Abby,” he all but chokes on his escargot. As wonderful as it sounds that she was just darling, he doesn’t actually have a girlfriend—he made her up to get everyone off his back. When Dex finds out who Abi really is, he makes her a proposition: pretend to date him, and he’ll provide everything she needs during their little arrangement. What harm would it do? It’s purely business, no pleasure…right?

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I received this book from NetGalley for this review. I was under no obligation to give a positive review. All opinions are  my own. I am disclosing this per the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Peasreads: The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei

 I had so many emotions while reading through this book. It was such an emotional ride. The hardships of family, the breaking and healing of hearts, loss and gain. I couldn't put it down. I read straight through. 

I believe this is a debut author. I can't believe it. I suspect this book will be much talked about in 2025

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this e galley. All opinions are my own.

From the publisher.

In this dazzling debut, Stegner Fellow Jemimah Wei explores the formation and dissolution of family bonds in a story of ambition and sisterhood in turn-of-the-millennium Singapore.

Before Arin, Genevieve Yang was an only child. Living with her parents and grandmother in a single-room flat in working-class Bedok, Genevieve is saddled with an unexpected sibling when Arin appears, the shameful legacy of a grandfather long believed to be dead. As the two girls grow closer, they must navigate the intensity of life in a place where the urgent insistence on achievement demands constant sacrifice. Knowing that failure is not an option, the sisters learn to depend entirely on one another as they spurn outside friendships, leisure, and any semblance of a social life in pursuit of academic perfection and passage to a better future.

When a stinging betrayal violently estranges Genevieve and Arin, Genevieve must weigh the value of ambition versus familial love, home versus the outside world, and allegiance to herself versus allegiance to the people who made her who she is. In the story of a family and its contention with the roiling changes of our rapidly modernizing, winner-take-all world, The Original Daughter is a major literary debut, rife with emotional clarity and searing social insight

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I received this book from NetGalley for this review. I was under no obligation to give a positive review. All opinions are  my own. I am disclosing this per the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Peasreads: The Enchanted Greenhouse- Sarah Beth Durst

 

I was enchanted by SarahBeth Durst's world and writing from The Spellshop. The Enchanted Greenhouse is a standalone book that takes place in the same world as. It tells the story of a librarian, named Terlu Perna. Terlu uses a spell to create a friend, a certain sentient spider plant named Caz from the first book. The spell is harmless but there is a problem. All magic is forbidden unless you're a sorcerer. The punishment was both swift and harsh as Terlu is transformed into a statue. The story picks up after a brief history of that incident to when Terlu awakens from her punishment in a strange place she's never been. There she meets the caretaker of enchanted greenhouses. He's the only person on the island and he doesn't really have any answers. Just questions of his own to a pretty big problem. The Enchanted Greenhouses are failing. One by one. He needs a sorcerer, but Terlu isn't one. Is there a way she can still help though? She is willing to take the risks as she and her new friends tackle the problem. 

I fell in love with The Enchanted Greenhouse and all its amazing rooms. I want to go back to this world. I hope we all get the chance to. This is the kind of cozy Cottagecore we all need for 2025.

From the publisher:

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.

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I received this book from NetGalley and Macmillan/Bramble publishers. I was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions are my own. I am disclosing this per the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Peasreads: Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan

 Each time I read a Sue Lynn Tan book I'm memorized that written text can be so colorful, rich, and saturated with beauty. Just from the descriptions of the settings, the clothing, the food. Everything pops off the page. Immortal is no exception. Set in both the human world and the Celestial Kingdom the story is about a mortal, Liyen who is ruler of the Tianxia kingdom. All she wants is freedom from the gods who once protected her kingdom from a threat that is no more. Unlike the rulers before her, Liyen's grandfather has given her a bargaining chip. Something that the immortal queen desperately wants that he stole. After the death of her grandfather Liyen must pledge her kingdoms loyalty to the immortals. However she has a different plan. To win her people's freedom. 

I highly recommend this book. It's beautifully written. The story is exciting and the characters are amazing. 

From the publisher

 A stunning, standalone romantic fantasy filled with dangerous secrets, forbidden magic, and passion, of a young ruler who fights to protect her kingdom, from bestselling author Sue Lynn Tan and set in the breathtaking world of Daughter of the Moon Goddess.

What the gods did not give us, I would take

As the heir to Tianxia, Liyen knows she must ascend the throne and renew her kingdom’s pledge to serve the immortals who once protected them from a vicious enemy. But when she is poisoned, Liyen’s grandfather steals an enchanted lotus to save her life. Enraged at his betrayal, the immortal queen commands the powerful God of War to attack Tianxia. 

Upon her grandfather’s death, Liyen ascends a precarious throne, vowing to end her kingdom’s obligation to the immortals. When she is summoned to the Immortal Realm, she seizes the opportunity to learn their secrets and to form a tenuous alliance to safeguard her people, all with the one she should fear and mistrust the most: the ruthless God of War. As they are drawn together, a treacherous attraction ignites between them—one she has to resist, to not endanger all she is fighting for.

But with darker forces closing in around them, and her kingdom plunged into peril, Liyen must risk everything to save her people from an unspeakable fate, even if it means forging a dangerous bond with the immortal… even if it means losing her heart. 

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Harper Voyager for this e galley. All opinions are my own

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I received this book from NetGalley for this review. I was under no obligation to give a positive review. All opinions are  my own. I am disclosing this per the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Peasreads: The Book Swap Tessa Bickers

 

This is such a fun refreshing read. I liked the writing style. The story is unique. Each of the characters grew with the story. The care that was taken to address trauma. The love for books and writing. 

Thank you Tessa Bickers for sharing this one with the world. I've already recommended it to do many of my reader friends. 

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.

 

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I received this book from NetGalley for this review. I was under no obligation to give a positive review. All opinions are  my own. 

Peasreads: The Ghost Cat by Alex Howard

This book is such a fun read. I loved seeing through a cat's eyes. Alex Howard tells the story of Grimalkin and his witnessing life in a 120 year span. There are beautiful touching moments and funny moments. I love the footnotes sharing the history of the times. I would recommend this book to cat lovers, dog lovers (me), anyone who likes historical fiction with a touch of magic and whimsy 

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC. All opinions are my own and I was under no obligation to leave a review.

 

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I received this book from NetGalley for this review. I was under no obligation to give a positive review. All opinions are  my own. I am disclosing this per the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Peasreads: A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang

I received this book from NetGalley. Like all the other books I have read from NetGalley, I am not obligated to write reviews. I liked this book so much I preordered a copy for my shelves. 

It is inspired by one of the famous Four Beauties of Ancient China. 

Readers who enjoy historical fiction, strong female, and male characters, slow burn clean romance, Ancient China, and Chinese legends will love this book. It is about what it means to be a woman, a person. Where your value and worth lies. It is also about duty, war, revenge, and seeing both sides of a coin.

I truly enjoyed it.

Peasreads: The Spellshop

 My thoughts: 

The Spellshop is such an enchanting, funny, entertaining read. I loved it! It is categorized as romantasy but it's so much more. I didn't feel like romance was the main theme. Which was refreshing.

This story is about loss, belonging, found family, love, friendship, and the power of community. Set in a world where magic is outlawed to everyone but the sorcerers appointed by the empower. There is a revolution to take back knowledge. MC Keila a librarian and keeper of Spellbooks flees the capitol city as revolutionaries burn the library down with as many books as she can save. Afraid of what might happen if she's found with the books Keila hides them in her childhood cottage. Her plan is to hold on to them until she can return to the city. In the meantime, she plans to keep her head down and speak to as few people as possible. Her hometown however is not as she remembered it. It is run down, the weather is completely unpredictable and dangerous due to magic being misused in the capital. Keila wants to help the town, but in doing so she may risk the discovery of the books.

Peasreads: The Silent Prince- CJ Brightley

 

The Silent Prince can be found on Amazon in

Paperback

on Kindle

My thoughts:

CJ Brightley writes a great retelling of The Little Mermaid. The prince is arrogant but not uncaring. He is also very much in a new to him world when he becomes a human. It is delightful seeing him discover new fun things. Sometimes it's downright funny. 

There is a fake relationship trope to this story but it isn't full of sexual tension like some of those tend to be. This is a clean read. 

If you like reimagined stories, fantasy, mermaids, magic, loyalty, and bravery, this book would be a great read for you. I really enjoyed it and it made me laugh out loud several times.

If you're looking for more noblebright clean reads check out the Phoenix Crate sub.

Peasreads: Puggleton Park by Deanna Kizis

 

HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!

(This review has spoilers.)

My thoughts:

This book (and number two in the series) is written by Deanna Kizis with fun illustrations by Hannah Peck is a cute book for dog lovers and early readers. The story is about a Pug during the Regency era that gets lost in a London park. He is eventually rescued by a lady who tries to find the Pugs owner. It's adventurous and fun. However both the Pug and the rescuer start to form a bond. They both struggle with knowing they will have to be apart once the original owner is found. 

Spoiler: they end up finding the original owner. She left a letter saying that she had to go take care of a sick family member who was allergic to dogs and she hoped that a new owner would take the Pug in. I only mention this spoiler because I know that many people might read this as abandonment. So just a heads up. 

Peasreads: Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier

 

Dragonfruit

Dragonfruit is a Pacific Island mythology inspired tale. It has dragons, pirates, magic, and mystery. I absolutely enjoyed reading this story. The description says romance, it has a little romance which to me was not the focus and that made it great. It is so much more. This is such a great story about family, friendship, belonging, forgiveness, and strength.

The main characters were likeable. I wanted them to succeed.  The word building beautiful and lush 

It is a clean read. Great for YA and Teens also.

Description: 

From acclaimed author Makiia Lucier, a dazzling, romantic fantasy inspired by Pacific Island mythology.

In the old tales, it is written that the egg of a seadragon, dragonfruit, holds within it the power to undo a person's greatest sorrow. An unwanted marriage, a painful illness, and unpaid debt...gone. But as with all things that promise the moon and the stars and offer hope when hope has gone, the tale comes with a warning.

Every wish demands a price.

Hanalei of Tamarind is the cherished daughter of an old island family. But when her father steals a seadragon egg meant for an ailing princess, she is forced into a life of exile. In the years that follow, Hanalei finds solace in studying the majestic seadragons that roam the Nominomi Sea. Until, one day, an encounter with a female dragon offers her what she desires most. A chance to return home, and to right a terrible wrong.

Samahtitamahenele, Sam, is the last remaining prince of Tamarind. But he can never inherit the throne, for Tamarind is a matriarchal society. With his mother ill and his grandmother nearing the end of her reign, Sam is left with two choices: to marry, or to find a cure for the sickness that has plagued his mother for ten long years. When a childhood companion returns from exile, she brings with her something he has not felt in a very long time-hope.

But Hanalei and Sam are not the only ones searching for the dragonfruit. And as they battle enemies both near and far, there is another danger they cannot escape...that of the dragonfruit itself.

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I received this book from NetGalley and Clarion books. I was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions are my own. I am disclosing this per the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Thank you NetGalley and Clarion books for this galley. All opinions are my own, I was not expected to give a review. 

Peasread: A Spartan's Sorrow (The Grecian Women Trilogy, #2) Hannah Lynn

 

A Spartan's Sorrow (The Grecian Women Trilogy, #2) 

My thoughts:

This retelling of the life of Clytemnestra and later in the book her son, Orestes. The focus is on Queen Clytemnestra's life during the Trojan War. The King, Agamemnon, her husband is away with many of the men in the kingdom. Many await the return of their loved ones, and Clytemnestra hopes the King never returns. Agamemnon does the unthinkable and sacrifices their oldest daughter to a goddess. Clytemnestra is determined to keep her remaining children safe. 

This is a story about a mother's love, revenge, and obligation. I am a fan of Hannah Lynn and this subgenre. This is a great retelling. There is depth and complexity to the characters. If you liked Circe you'll love A Spartan's Sorrow.

Peasreads: Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice A Thai Comic Book Cookbook

 

Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice

A Thai Comic Book Cookbook

by Christina de Witte; Mallika Kauppinen

This is a fun comic book style Thai cookbook written by two people. their stories of childhood food memories make the book fun to read. Easy-to-follow recipes have some substitutions or resources for harder to find Thai ingredients. It has fun drawings. Not all of the recipes have photos, I do wish there were more actual food photos, but then again how many photos can you add to a comic book?  All in all a charming book that I would gift to a fellow foodie.

Description

An approachable, fun comic book cookbook tour of Thai culture and cuisine with 50 recipes and stories from the country's main culinary regions

Peasreads: The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim

One of my favorite reads so far this year!

This story about a Korean diety (Seokga)

who has lost everything and is sent to the moral world to earn his powers and position back. His job is to catch demons that tried to help him take over as top god. He is on the hunt for a notorious gumiho. 

The Gumiho, Hani is a nine tailed fox. She is powerful, witty, smart, funny.  She inserts herself into the investigation to throw Seokga off her trail. 

These two characters are fun, snarky, smart, and determined. It's a battle between two strong characters both with everything to lose. Will they risk it all in the end? 

The flow of this book is a good steady one with some twists. In the end I was surprised. I cannot wait for the second installment.  If you like folklore, mythology, kitsune\gumiho, Asian stories read this book! I will definitely add this title to my personal library.

 

Publisher description. 

They'll do anything to outsmart each other. Anything, except fall in love.

In this delightful Korean contemporary fantasy, a fallen trickster god must pair up with a coffee-slinging, shapeshifting fox to track down a demon of darkness before it devours the mortal world.

Kim Hani - the once-terrible gumiho known as the Scarlet Fox - spends her days working at a café and trying not to let a certain customer irk her.

Seokga - a trickster god thrown from the heavens for his attempt at a coup - spends his days hunting demons and irking a particular gumiho.

When a demon of darkness escapes the underworld, and the Scarlet Fox emerges from hiding before quickly vanishing, Seokga is offered a chance at redemption: kill them both, and his sins will be forgiven.

But Hani is prepared to do anything to prevent Seokga from bringing her to justice, even trick her way into his investigation. Anything, that is - except fall in love . . . 

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I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are my own. I am disclosing this per the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Peasreads: Escape to the Rome Apartment by Kerry Fisher

 

Escape to the Rome Apartment

A heart-warming and emotional romantic page-turner

by Kerry Fisher

My thoughts:

I've never read a book my this author before. This is a part of Kerry Fisher's The Rome Apartment trilogy but it is a stand alone read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's about friendship, letting go of the past, unlearning who you aren't and finding yourself again, boundaries, and bit of romance.

I could have highlighted most of this book. It's refreshing to read books about older mature women who are still living life. Learning, exploring. Letting go of expectations, even though there is some reluctance to let go of what's comfortable and live fully. Getting second chances, whether at love or life in general. Kerry Fisher's writing is so thoughtful.

I liked this book so much I put the other two in this series on my to be read most.

#EscapetotheRomeApartment

Description

Sara’s eyes fill with tears as she reads the letter, her last words from her dearest friend: ‘I’m buying you your freedom. You don’t need to ask your husband’s permission and you have to put yourself first for once. Have an incredible adventure before it’s too late for both of us…’

Sara has lost her zest for life. Trapped sharing a house with her soon-to-be-ex-husband, with grown-up children who still need her but take her for granted, working in a job where her boss bullies her, the final straw is the heartbreak of losing her beloved best friend Lainey.

But Lainey’s death could be the beginning of Sara’s new life… as the last gift Lainey gives to her friend is a sum of money and a request: that Sara travels to Italy, the scene of the pair’s youthful adventures, and scatters Lainey’s ashes on the beach at Portofino.

For once, Sara decides to be brave. She quits her job, tells her family they can manage without her, and sets off on the trip of a lifetime. Swept up by new friends and relishing the freedom of being away from home in beautiful Florence, Sara finds herself drawn to Carlo. Handsome and charming, he is everything Sara finds it so hard to be: carefree, impulsive, living in the moment without worrying about the future.

And then Sara sees something she shouldn’t… and discovers a secret about Carlo that makes her question everything she thought she knew. Stuck at a crossroads in her life and her travels, she can’t face returning home yet, but nor is she brave enough to continue the challenge that Lainey set her. And then she meets an English woman who tells her about an apartment in Rome, that could just be the answer to everything…

Return to the sunny streets of beautiful Rome with this heart-warming and romantic story about discovering your true path in life. Perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Elin Hilderbrand and Sheila O’Flanagan.

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I received this book from NetGalley and/or the publisher, Bookouture. I was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions are my own. I am disclosing this per the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Peasreads: Women of Good Fortune- By Sophie Wan

My thoughts:

Crazy Rich Asians. A risky heist. Friendship. Love. Betrayal. Societal expectations. Healing family trauma. Women of Good Fortune has it all.

During the first 2-3 chapters of this book, I wasn't sure if I would like the characters. As I continued to read I saw their weaknesses, their flaws, and their strengths. I began to see the character development. Seeing how their upbringing and societal pressures shaped who they were and how they reacted to different situations. This book is a fast-paced page turner, and in the end, I wanted to read it again. Congratulations to Sophie Wan on her debut novel!
Find it on Amazon.

Description:

Peasreads: Fathomfolk (Drowned World, #1) by Eliza Chan

Folklore, mythology, magic, mystical creatures, East and South East Asian vibes. This book is a great read if you like all of these things. It is the first in the Drowned World series. Fathomfolk live in the depths of the Ocean that has become polluted by humans, and some of them live among the humans. Fleeing the polluted waters as refugees. They are seen as less and looked down upon. This story touches on classism, racism, and how different people deal with living in these conditions. Mira the half-siren tries to do things "by the book" though she is well aware that the humans are oppressing all Fathomfolk. Nami the dragon is a little hot-headed, she wants change, and she knows the source of her people's pain. She joins an extremist group. 

Both will have to decide if change is worth the price they each will pay. Stakes are high, lives are lost. Freedom the goal.

Such a fantastic book! I highly recommend it.

 Description

Revolution is brewing in the semi-submerged city of Tiankawi, between humans and the fathomfolk who live in its waters. This gloriously imaginative debut fantasy, inspired by East Asian mythology and ocean folk tales, is a novel of magic, rebellion and change.