Book Blitz & Giveaway - Stalled Descent by Kel O'Connor

Stalled Descent

(DAG Team Series, #4)

Author: Kel O’Connor

Publication Date: August 25th 2025

Genre: Adult Romance / Suspense / Thriller

Book Description:

A man forced to work for the enemy and a woman on the run from her past…

For years, ace pilot Archie McKinley has been living a double life. Now that his role as a mole within DAG has been exposed, he has one chance to make things right: take down Elliot Essa, the man who’s held him captive with threats and manipulation for over a decade.

To infiltrate the impenetrable Red Winter compound, Archie needs help from the team he deceived and the one person who truly knows him—Meret Shahid, his childhood partner-in-crime turned photographer. The girl who once earned the nickname “the Imp” in their small Iranian village might be his only shot at redemption. But Meret has her own demons from Red Winter, and returning to the organization she barely escaped could cost her everything.

As Archie grapples with guilt over his betrayal and his growing feelings for Meret, they must navigate new threats, uneasy alliances, and shocking revelations. The mission is clear: destroy Red Winter’s empire and free the innocent families trapped within it.

But the price of redemption may be higher than either of them is willing to pay.

This book is a full-length romance with a happy ending. It is part of a 4-book interconnected series where each book features a different couple.

This is a steamy romance for readers 18+

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Protopia by John Calia

Protopia

Author: John Calia

Publication Date: May 15th, 2025

Genre: Adult Dystopian Thriller

Book Description:

America’s cultural divide turns deadly.

When lifelong friends Olivia and Alexandra find themselves in opposing camps, the bonds of their friendship are tested like never before.

Olivia seeks solace in a socialist utopia that promises protection and belonging, but at what cost?

Meanwhile, Alexandra chases freedom. But can she survive in a community with few, if any, rules?

As their worlds collide and tensions escalate, secrets and lies threaten to destroy the foundation of their relationship.

Can they bridge the gap between them, or will their differences tear them apart forever?

In this gripping tale of loyalty, adventure, and human connection, the stakes are higher than ever. Protopia is a thought-provoking thrill ride that explores the power of friendship in a world on the brink.

If you devour the complex characters of Emily St. John Mandel or the visionary world-building of Octavia Butler, you’ll be captivated by this latest masterpiece by the author of the Amazon best-seller The Awakening of Artemis.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Mr. Not Your Savior! by Alina Jacobs

Mr. Not Your Savior!

(The Seattle Svenssons, #2)

Author: Alina Jacobs

Publication Date: August 5th, 2025

Genre: Adult Comedy / Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

When your mean boss asks you if you’re ready to admit defeat—and move out of his car…you wonder where you went wrong in life.

Two weeks ago, I was an optimistic office girl with a Pinterest vision board and a dream.

Now? I’m standing in a billionaire’s penthouse office, trying not to throw a donut at his smug, perfect face.

McCarthy Svensson is my new boss-slash-personal tormentor.

Though he thinks he’s my only protector.

He’s wrong. He’s way worse than the merry-go-round of ex fiancés who may or may not be stalking me, including ex-fiancé number one of three, who fakes his death then pops up out of a casket. Alive.

Yes, I have a messy dating life.

I like to think it makes me unique and quirky!

He doesn’t seem to think so.

When he growls, “I’m not helping you until you admit you need me,” I slam a binder against his chest and smile sweetly.

“Pick your fake girlfriend, buddy. Deadline’s midnight.”

He smirks. “As long as she’s nothing like you.”

Cool.

Now all I have to do is convince this ice-cold bastard that I’m exactly what he needs…No not like that! I’m trying to save his reputation and my job.

And I’m not saving either if I keep letting him finger me in the back seat of his limo…gulp.

Stalkers, hot but toxic bosses, a granny with a flamethrower… This full-length, stand-alone, enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy with all of the crazy laughs and of course the perfect happily ever after!

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - A Willowcroft Cozy Mystery Series by Fran Heap

Murder, Mystery & Mothers

(A Willowcroft Cozy Mystery, #1)

Author: Fran Heap

Genre: Adult Cozy Mystery

Book Description:

“You’d better leave town or else”.

After a devastating betrayal mystery writer Tammy Rumbelow flees LA for a charming blue cottage in Willowcroft, Michigan. But when a yellowed letter in the attic reveals an unsolved 70-year-old locked room murder in her living room, her peace is shattered.

Determined to start fresh, Tammy enlists the help of a ragtag group of locals:

Bookstore owner Olivia Huddlestone offers a sanctuary for clandestine conversations and genealogical sleuthing among her shelves.

Eccentric Mrs. Hazel Temperance mines her knitting circle for gossip.

Retired detective “Wally” has contacts at the sheriff’s department.

Tech whiz kid Xander Simmons hasn’t met a computer he didn’t like—or a website he can’t hack.

And a stray cat with a nose for clues…

As threatening letters appear and break-ins escalate around town, Tammy must prove to herself—and her inner critic—that she’s capable of solving a murder, or will that be two?

Perfect for fans of multi-generational mysteries filled with quirky characters like Only Murders in the Building and crime-solving writers like Castle.

Buy Links:

Amazon | UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Road to Gretna by Suleena Bibra

The Road to Gretna

(Road to Romance, #1)

Author: Suleena Bibra

Publication Date: June 3rd, 2025

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

What better way to escape reality than going on a reality show that combines The Amazing Race, Love Island, and Pride and Prejudice?

Naomi Richmond is hoping an ocean is far enough away from her overbearing father. She’s chosen London and built a life there with a job she only dislikes about a quarter of the time.

Nate Williams is perfectly happy where he is, and his dissatisfaction with his job is so low it can’t be quantified numerically. Unfortunately, his boss (and Naomi’s father) is asking him to do something that might make him start to hate Mondays: convince Naomi to come home.

Nate arrives in London at the same time Naomi receives an offer that intrigues her as much as Nate does: be on a reality dating show, where the contestants will pretend to be Regency aristocrats eloping to the famed Gretna Green. Nate is sure it’s his job to stop this, but instead, he ends up on the show with her. Now Naomi is trying to make a name for herself while Nate is trying to make sure she doesn’t do anything to embarrass her father, and they’re both trying to fight the attraction they feel for each other. On camera.

Tune in whenever you find this book and watch Nate and Naomi find themselves and each other, on The Road to Gretna!

Buy Links:

Amazon | UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Wicked Ambition: The Lost Treasure by Patti O'Shea

Wicked Ambition: The Lost Treasure

(The Paladin League, #7)

Author: Patti O’Shea

Publication Date: July 21st, 2025

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance / Suspense

Book Description:

Ayla Desmond never takes risks, but when she senses her twin is in trouble, she boards a plane to Puerto Jardin—a country teetering on the edge of chaos. As a Public Relations specialist at the Paladin League, she’s used to spin, not bullets. But this mission plunges her into a deadly game where trust is scarce and danger is everywhere.

Special Forces Sgt. Oziah “Wizard” West is the king of one-night stands, but he hasn’t been able to forget the last woman he hooked up with, a mysterious blonde who slipped away from his hotel room. When he spots her in Puerto Jardin, he knows there will be trouble. Oz rushes to her side, determined to keep her safe.

Ayla wants nothing to do with Oz. He’s a mistake she’d rather forget, but circumstances force them together. Surrounded by mercenaries and stalked by mobsters who believe she holds the key to a hidden treasure, she has no choice but to rely on the enigmatic stranger who ignited her passion. As danger escalates, so do their feelings, and then a positive pregnancy test changes everything.

Now, Oz risks not only his heart but also his life to protect Ayla and their unborn child. Can they survive the treacherous game they’re caught in, or will their love become the ultimate casualty?

Wicked Ambition is a stand-alone romance with a HEA. There are references to events that happened in earlier books, but it’s not necessary to read them to enjoy this story.

Indulge in a protective Special Forces hero and a heroine who is a fish-out-of-water, but will do whatever it takes to save her sister. This romantic suspense story features a one-night stand, an unexpected pregnancy, and a second chance romance.

Buy Links:

Amazon | UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Running Hott by Serena Bell

Running Hott

(Hott Springs Eternal, #4)

Author: Serena Bell

Publication Date: July 14th, 2025

Genre: Adult Comedy / Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

A jilted bride. A jaded divorce lawyer. A full tank of gas. What could go wrong?

Rhys: As a cutthroat New York City divorce lawyer, it’s my job to end marriages. Lifetime commitment? It’s for the birds. I do everything in my power to avoid it…until my grandfather’s will says that to save our family’s land, I have to become a wedding planner.

Worse, my first client is Eden Becker. She’s the sunshine-y disaster whose ex-husband I represented a few years ago in their divorce. Eden’s first marriage was a nightmare, so why does she think another one is a good idea?

Turns out, I’m not wrong. Her jerkwad fiancé jilts her, and as her wedding planner, I’m also her getaway vehicle. Now we’re on the road together—and all my complicated feelings about this beautiful, naive optimist are in the car, too. Along with a wild attraction I’ve been fighting since we first faced off across a conference table.

If this road trip goes on too much longer, I’m going to do something I’ll regret forever.

Like fall in love.

A spicy, grumpy-sunshine, jilted bride, enemies to lovers, standalone road trip romantic comedy set in the beloved small town of Rush Creek.

Buy Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

BOOK REVIEW: The Parting Mirror by C.C. Crimefighter

The Parting Mirror

Author: C.C. Crimefighter

Illustrator: QBN Studios
Publication Date: 7 December 2021
Genre: Children's Picture Book / Reflective Poetry

Book Description:
Do you want to know something clever?
If you take a mirror, and face it towards another,
instead of looking back and forth, the mirrors go on forever! 
It's true!
And if you stand between those mirrors, you go on forever too!
I think that's a clue...Don't you.

Buy Links:
Amazon US | UK

SUMMARY

The Parting Mirror by C.C. Crimefighter is a beautifully illustrated picture book that invites readers of all ages, from children to teenagers, to embark on a journey of self-discovery. Through lyrical poetry and enchanting artwork, the story dares its audience to look into a mirror and question the nature of their own reflection. The book gently explores the idea that the person we see in the mirror might not always be who we think we are, prompting readers to reflect on their true selves. While its format and rhyme are accessible to younger children, the themes of identity, self-awareness and introspection offer depth and resonance for older readers as well. The story touches on some darker, more mature ideas but always maintains a sense of hope and wonder, making it suitable for a wide age range.

MY THOUGHTS

When I first picked up The Parting Mirror, I was immediately drawn to the magical illustrations, expecting them to be the highlight. However, I soon found that the poetry and prose were just as captivating—breathtaking, in fact. The book’s central message is both thought-provoking and uplifting, encouraging readers, whether young or older, to look within and consider who they truly are. I was particularly impressed by how the book balances accessibility for younger readers with more complex themes that older children and teens can appreciate. It’s rare to find a picture book that speaks so effectively across such a broad age range. The story is not dark in a frightening way, but it does touch on some mature subjects, making it one of the more sophisticated picture books I’ve read. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised and deeply satisfied. The Parting Mirror is a book that invites repeated reading and reflection.

VERDICT

Rating: 5 Stars

Source: Own copy

Book Blitz & Giveaway - The 21-Day Boyfriend Audiobook by A. S. Kelly

The 21-Day Boyfriend

Author: A.S. Kelly

Publication Date: May 21, 2025 (Audiobook)

Genre: Adult Comedy / Contemporary / LGBTQ+ / Romance

Book Description:

Eric O’Shea needs to make a decision. The annual event his family forces him to attend is just around the corner, and he doesn’t have a date.

Eric never needs help when it comes to finding men. But this time is different – his ex and his new boyfriend will be there, and Eric can’t just bring along one of his usual flings.

His only hope seems to be him: the best friend of his best friend, who he never wanted to meet.

Sean Quinn is a calm, collected, and cultured man; someone who would rather stay at home and read a book than waste his time chasing a date with no future.

Sean isn’t in a rush to find the perfect man, and he certainly doesn’t intend to go out with Eric: his best friend’s other best friend, who he’s avoided meeting for years.

But Sean has a flaw: he can’t say no to anyone, especially not when it comes to his friend Jake, who has a habit of worming his way into other people’s lives.

But it’s just one date, after all: pure fiction. It’s a shame, then, that when Eric needs Sean for another favour, he can’t turn his back. It’s a shame that just when Sean is beginning to understand that Eric isn’t what he seems, he can’t seem to stop before he gets hurt.

Twenty-one days: that’s the agreement.

Twenty-one days of grazing hands, furtive glances, and unexpected kisses.

Twenty-one days where anything goes; except falling in love.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK | Audible | Apple | Kobo | Google Play

Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Captain's Crush by Freda Ann

The Captain’s Crush

(A Bliss Cay Novella, #6)

Author: Freda Ann

Publication Date: June 13th, 2025

Genre: Sweet & Clean Romance/Christian Romance/Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

Amelia Marks met her first love, Lewis, on summer vacation twenty-six years ago as a teenager, but their future goals kept them apart once they left Bliss Cay.

Now a successful middle-aged widow, and mother to a teenage daughter, her career brings her back to the island, the same place where she met Lewis. After he pulls her over in his police car, she’s stunned when he insists they’ve never met.

Flat out mad that he’s making her feel like a complete stranger, considering the summer they shared together, Amelia is determined to leave her feelings for him in the past. That was before Amelia discovers she’s now his new boss at the Bliss Cay Police Department and his name is not Lewis, it’s Jesse, who shares a striking resemblance to the boy who stole her heart all those years ago.

This mid-life love story is about heartbreak, family bonds, and some unexpected new beginnings with a happily ever after ending.

(All books in this series are ‘standalone’ beach town love stories with new main characters in each book.)

Only 99c for a limited time!

Buy Links:

Amazon | UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Wistful Whispers by Kaylene Winter

Wistful Whispers

(Charming Irish, #3)

Author: Kaylene Winter

Publication Date: June 9th, 2025

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

Wistful Whispers is an irresistible battle of the wills where surrendering to forbidden temptation could cost them everything.

I never promised forever.

A good time? Absolutely.

Heartbreak? Only if they got too attached.

My reputation as a quiet playboy precedes me—women talk, and my ‘talents’ follow me wherever I go. But I’ve always been upfront. No commitments. No expectations. No complications.

Marcella Delgado is nothing but complications. Brilliant. Fierce. Eight years older. And the attorney trying to take down my boss in a malpractice case. She should hate me on sight—hell, she does. But that doesn’t stop the heat between us from igniting the moment we meet.

She’s heard the stories about me firsthand, right there in the depositions. She knows exactly what I’m good at, and even though she fights it, I can see the temptation in her eyes.

One night. One line crossed.

Now my future’s unraveling—and she might be the only thing I don’t want to let go.

For the first time, I want it all.

And I’ll fight like hell to be the man she can’t leave behind.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Falling for the CEO: A Billionaire Romance Collection

Falling for the CEO: A Billionaire Romance Collection

Anna Zaires, Brenna Aubrey, Evelyn Austin, Lee Savino, Misha Bell, Renee Rose, Tasha Boyd, Theodora Taylor

Publication Date: June 5th, 2025

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

Boardroom chemistry meets bedroom passion! When ordinary women step into a billionaire’s world of luxury and power, sparks fly and hearts race. Indulge in 8 COMPLETE novels of steamy workplace romances where ambition, wealth, and magnetic attraction collide. This exclusive collection of swoon-worthy stories delivers all the drama, passion, and heart-melting moments you crave—available for a LIMITED TIME only!

Wall Street Titan by Anna Zaires

One high-end matchmaker, one dating app, one mix-up that changes everything… Opposites may attract, but can this last? 

Holt: Her Ruthless Scion by Theodora Taylor

Born into one of the wealthiest families in the world, Holt Calson had everything—except me, and what Calsons want, Calsons get. For one blazing summer, we had it all, until…

Billionaire Grump by Misha Bell

A hilariously disastrous elevator ride brings them together. Will their insecurities tear them apart?

Accidental Tryst by Tasha Boyd

Restaurant blogger Emmy accidentally switches cellphones in a busy airport with a grumpy, sexy CEO on the verge of the biggest business deal of his life. Insults and then sparks fly! Can their explosive chemistry translate to real life?

The Director by Renee Rose

After discovering her secret pregnancy, a bratva boss kidnaps a lawyer pregnant with his child.

Royally Bad by Lee Savino

Billionaire. Playboy. Prince. My new boss. Theo Kensington the most eligible—or ineligible—bachelor in the entire world. So what he’s starred in a sex tape…or three?    I’m the fixer hired to clean up his image, but this bad boy is more interested in misbehaving…with me.

At Any Price by Brenna Aubrey

Blogger Mia Strong cashes in on her online popularity by selling her virginity to the highest bidder — with no strings attached. But when sexy CEO Adam Drake wins the prize, all bets are off…

The Mistress Contract by Evelyn Austin

Powerful billionaire Evan will stop at nothing to convince college student Madeline to sign a contract to be his possession. But the longer they’re involved, the more entangled they become…

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Sarah by Shanna Hatfield

Sarah

Author: Shanna Hatfield

Publication Date: May 22nd, 2025

Genre: Adult Historical Romance

Book Description:

She desires his heart.

He longs for her love.

Can they find common ground when he returns forever altered by the war.

In a world turned upside down by World War I, all Sarah Richards desires is to love Brett Rawlings and build a future together. After graduating high school a year early, she’s ready to dive into her dreams of college and a home filled with laughter and love. But one impulsive decision threatens all her aspirations—as well as her relationship with Brett.

As the war rages on and men head off to fight, sixteen-year-old Brett reluctantly follows his twin brother, Ben, sneaking off to France to join the American Expeditionary Forces. As the months pass, Ben thrives amidst the chaos of battle, while Brett finds himself haunted by the girl he left behind and the uncertainty of his own heart. When Ben reveals a life-altering secret, the bond between the brothers is shattered, forcing Brett to grapple with betrayal as he faces the brutal realities of war.

Brett returns home a changed man, burdened with memories too heavy to bear, yet yearning to mend the fractures of the past. Will Sarah still be waiting for him, or have time and truth forged an unbridgeable chasm between them?

Find out in this heartfelt historical romance that weaves a tale of hope, grace, forgiveness, and sweet, enduring love.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Exiles on Earth by Bea Tama

Exiles on Earth

Author: Bea Tama

Publication Date: May 16th, 2025

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

Book Description:

Stranded alien. Fierce farmer. One blown-up barn.

Ellen’s barely keeping her family farm afloat, clinging to dreams of what it could be—with a little luck and a lot of hard work. What she doesn’t need is a spaceship crashing onto her land, or the massive scaled alien who steps out of the wreckage. Now the barn she wanted to convert to a bed and breakfast is shattered all over the lawn, and this huge scaly dude is to blame.

Elia is a space-faring clone, bred for loyalty and survival. He fought for the chance to enter the prestigious Mating Games, only to be exiled for a crime he didn’t commit. Now, stranded on an uncharted world, he and his crew are at the mercy of an infuriated human female with fire in her eyes and no warriors of her own to protect her.

She is not fragile. But she is vulnerable. And something deep in Elia wants her. All he has to do is rebuild what he destroyed and guard her land and her dreams as fiercely as if they were his own.

But Ellen isn’t looking for a mate. And Elia is running out of time to prove that she should.

🔥 A sizzling sci-fi romance featuring a caring, exiled alien, a determined human heroine, and slow-burn tension that will leave you breathless. Perfect for fans of aliens on earth, forced proximity, and fierce heroines who refuse to back down. 🔥

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Her Darkest Hour by Suzy Henderson

Her Darkest Hour

Author: Suzy Henderson

Publication Date: May 8th, 2025

Genre: Adult Historical Fantasy

Book Description:

In the shadow of war, a young woman must choose: deny her magic or wield it to stop a traitor before Britain falls.

England, 1939. A young witch. A nation at war. A spy hiding in plain sight.

As war looms over Britain, Eliza MacLean wants nothing more than an ordinary life. Raised on the Isle of Mull, she’s spent years denying her gifts—just as her mother insisted. But her grandmother taught her differently, whispering ancient knowledge of herbs, charms, and spells.

When her grandmother dies, Eliza seeks refuge in Cambridge with her cousin and the women of the WVS. But beneath its spires and blacked-out streets, Cambridge hides more than just scholars and soldiers. A secret network of witches is working to protect Britain from an enemy who knows magic is real—and seeks to weaponise it.

Drawn into the fight, Eliza is thrust into a world of espionage, deception, and occult warfare. Her rare abilities catch the attention of MI5 agent Alex Fletcher, who needs her help to unmask a deadly spy before it’s too late.

As she learns to harness her power, Eliza finds herself torn between duty and love, risking everything for Jim, a fighter pilot whose fate seems written in the stars. But war is ruthless, and magic has a price.

With the spy closing in and the war reaching new heights of peril, Eliza’s only hope of saving those she loves is to embrace the very magic she’s spent a lifetime hiding—no matter the cost.

But some powers were never meant to be used.

Perfect for fans of A Discovery of Witches and The Rose Code, Her Darkest Hour blends historical fiction with supernatural intrigue in a gripping tale of war, witchcraft, and sacrifice.

Buy LinksL

Amazon US | UK

BOOK REVIEW - A Curse for the Homesick: A Novel by Laura Brooke Robson

A Curse for the Homesick

Author: Laura Brooke Robson
Publication Date: 18 February 2025
Genre: Adut Romance / Magical Realism

Book Description:

On Stenland, there comes a time known as skeld season: when a woman can wake with three black lines on her forehead, the mark of a skeld, and turn anyone she sees to stone. Skeld season comes around without warning, and while each only lasts three months, the people skelds turn to stone are very much dead.

That’s how Tess’s mother killed Soren’s parents. Maybe for this reason alone, Tess and Soren should not have fallen in love. Since the time her mother was a skeld, Tess has wanted to leave Stenland, to run from the windswept island, from her family and friends. She is unwilling to bear the responsibility of one day killing anyone, let alone someone she loves. Soren, though, has always been determined to stay, to live out his life in the only place he’s ever known as home, even if that life could be cut short. They cannot see eye to eye—and yet, they cannot stay apart. She tries to come back for him. He tries to leave for her. But can your love for one person outweigh everything else? And how do you decide how much you’re willing to risk, if it might mean destroying someone else in the process?

Laura Brooke Robson has crafted a fascinating story about the choices we make, the responsibilities we carry, and the ambiguities of regret.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

SUMMARY

Laura Brooke Robson's A Curse for the Homesick takes readers to the windswept island of Stenland, where women live under the shadow of a peculiar curse. During unpredictable periods known as "skeld season", women can wake with three black lines across their foreheads - a mark that gives them the unwanted power to turn anyone they make eye contact with into stone.

This curse forms the backdrop for a complicated love story between Tess Eriksson and Soren Fell. Their lives are inextricably linked by tragedy: when Tess was twelve, her mother became a skeld and accidentally turned Soren's parents to stone, killing them instantly. Despite this devastating connection, the two find themselves drawn to each other, developing feelings that neither can fully escape.

The novel follows Tess's journey through different periods of her life-from her youth in Stenland to her adult life in San Francisco, California, where she tries to build a new existence far from the curse. But when she returns to attend her childhood friend Linnea's wedding, she confronts both her unresolved feelings for Soren and her complicated relationship with her homeland.

At its heart, the story explores two people who want fundamentally different things: Tess longs to escape the island and the possibility that she might one day become a skeld, while Soren remains determined to stay in the only place he's ever called home, despite the risks. Their love is a constant push and pull - she tries to come back for him, he tries to leave for her - but their conflicting desires create seemingly insurmountable barriers.

MY THOUGHTS

A Curse for the Homesick sits comfortably within the literary fantasy genre, blending magical realism with deeply personal exploration of identity and belonging. Robson has created a fascinating premise that serves as a powerful metaphor - the curse effectively symbolises the burdens placed specifically on women and the sometimes suffocating expectations of conforming to societal roles.

The strength of this novel lies in its atmospheric quality. Stenland feels properly lived-in and real, with its distinctive customs and collective trauma creating a setting that's both haunting and oddly cosy. Robson's prose is notably lyrical. The narrative structure, which moves through different periods of Tess's life, effectively captures how our relationships with home evolve as we grow and change.

However, I found myself never quite connecting with the characters as deeply as I would have liked. While the tragic link between Tess and Soren provides a compelling foundation for their relationship, their emotional dance becomes somewhat repetitive over time. The "will-they-won't-they" aspect dragged on longer than necessary, making portions of the narrative feel stagnant rather than developing.

The novel's examination of friendship - particularly between Tess, Linnea and Kitty - adds welcome complexity. These relationships aren't portrayed as straightforward but rather as complicated bonds that evolve and sometimes strain with time and distance. This nuanced approach to female friendship felt refreshingly honest.

What I found most engaging was the book's central question: how much should we sacrifice for love, and is it worth risking everything for someone when the consequences could be devastating? The ambiguity of these questions, and the characters' struggles with them, elevates the story beyond a simple romance.

Whilst I appreciated the concept and Robson's talent for creating a distinctive atmosphere, I ultimately found myself wishing for a bit more momentum in the narrative. The premise promised more emotional impact than the execution delivered, leaving me feeling that this was a good book that could have been truly exceptional with tighter pacing.

Overall, this book offers a thoughtful exploration of home, love and responsibility wrapped in an intriguing magical premise, even if it doesn't quite reach the emotional heights it aims for.

VERDICT

Rating: 3 Stars

Source: Netgalley