Early Reader Review: For the Love of the Quest by Alexandra Ammon Parthun

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

For the Love of the Quest: A Novel by Alexandra Ammon Parthun 

Publisher: Alcove Press
Publication Date:  August 11, 2026

 

Format: Paperback ARC/ Ebook


Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: 

The search for King Arthur’s Excalibur invites danger…and potentially love in this sapphic historical romance perfect for fans of Cat Sebastian and Freya Marske.

Lady Edith Darling is supposed to live a quiet life in her family’s manor. She is not supposed to go unchaperoned on a quest to find Excalibur. But Edith won’t let that stand in her way, especially not when she's on this mission to honor her beloved grandmother’s dying wish. Determined to prove her grandmother right, Edith packs her satchel with Arthurian legends, pastries, and her grandmother’s ashes, and runs off to hire a mercenary. 

Thomasin Shaw leads the most feared gang in London. For years, she had the constabulary safely in her pocket, until a scandal involving the chief inspector’s wife was brought to light. Now he’s demanding an enormous sum of money–without which Thomassin will lose the protection of the police along with her criminal empire. But when the rich Lady Edith waltzes into her life seeking an escort for a treasure hunt, Thomasin sees a willing kidnapping victim and a massive ransom.

As Edith’s clues lead them to underground chambers booby-trapped with arrows, doors locked with arcane puzzles, and even Arthur’s fabled round table, Thomasin finds herself swept up in the quest, and in Edith herself. Edith is also drawn to Thomasin, despite the ruthless mask she wears. But the chief inspector won’t let Thomasin forget her crimes, and Edith’s father is intent on bringing her home. Every legendary quest has an ending, but finding Excalibur might not be enough to make this a happy one.

Review: 

If you’re looking for a cozy romance with a fun-filled adventure, this is a great read. We follow Edith, who is determined to have an adventure, even though that’s not exactly the norm for a lady. Thomasin, a gang leader, agrees to help Edith on her quest for Excalibur in exchange for a share of the treasure. Along the way, Thomasin finds herself falling for Edith, and their relationship slowly blooms as they navigate the quest together.

There is some violence and death along the way, but together, these two can tackle anything. Edith brings her knowledge and understanding of the lore, while Thomasin relies on her brute strength, cunning, and impressive survival instincts.

I really liked this book. It felt like a warm hug. Edith and Thomasin have alternating POV chapters, which gives us a chance to see into both of their minds and watch their feelings develop from both perspectives. The quest itself was a lot of fun, and the ancient riddles and traps added just enough chaos to keep the story moving at a steady pace.

The romance is a slow burn, and I thought it built beautifully. I liked both of the main characters, and I enjoyed the balance between the cozy atmosphere and the adventure. There was just enough drama, danger, and violence to make the quest exciting without taking away from the warm, comforting feel of the story.

Overall, this was a really fun read, and I think readers who enjoy cozy fantasy, slow-burn romance, and a good adventure will really enjoy it.

Recent Reads: Wretched Mage by Juliana Pinheiro

Wretched Mage by Juliana Pinheiro 
Series: Wretched Mage #1
Publication Date: May 28, 2025

 

Format: Ebook
Source: From Booktrovert

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Wretched Mage is the first book in a complete romantic fantasy duology where Beauty and the Beast meets The Witcher, featuring magical courts, dangerous curses, a forbidden mage kingdom, and a slow-burn romance. With forced proximity, forbidden love, a morally gray hero, and open-door romance, it's perfect for readers who love immersive worlds and books such as Kingdom of the Wicked, Servant of Earth and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Jane Darling thought taking over her family’s trade and attending a merchant fair would be her greatest challenge, until she stepped off at the wrong train station and was seized by a monstrous creature. When she realised she had unknowingly trespassed into the land of the mageborn, where magic and its people live in secrecy, it was already too late.

She is sentenced to remain there for a year under the watch of the loathsome lord of the estate, Reagan, only to discover he too is bound by a sentence from the same court that seeks to hold her captive. With her family’s livelihood at risk, Jane is determined to plot her escape, but leaving their territory can be a deadly task, especially for a human.

As she relies on Reagan to learn how to keep herself safe from monsters and violent mages, Jane realises his situation is far more dire than she believed. When a forbidden romance ignites between them, Jane begins to seek answers about Reagan’s fate. But he keeps secrets even from his own staff, and with his political enemies turning their attention to her, even the most tenacious and well-protected human might not survive long enough to see the end of her sentence.

Review: 

I absolutely loved this story. As someone who loves Beauty and the Beast retellings, I really enjoyed the way this one blended familiar elements with a rich magical world, political intrigue, and a slow-burn romance.

The story follows Jane, she is trying to get to the city to help her father with his trade business while he is home and ill with her sister. On the way, Jane accidentally stumbles into a hidden magical realm and is forced to remain there for a year while the mageborn determine whether her arrival was truly an accident. During her sentence, she's bound to Reagan, a grumpy, beastly lord who is just as unhappy about the arrangement as she is. Their relationship starts off full of tension and hostility toward one another. 

Jane is stubborn, as many fantasy heroines are, but she's also curious, observant, and determined. I loved watching her attempts to escape and the way she constantly challenged Reagan. Reagan, meanwhile, is mysterious, broody, and the perfect grump for Jane to unravel. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic felt earned, and the forced proximity and banter were handled so well that I found myself looking forward to every interaction between them. Their slowly evolving relationships was one of my favorite parts of the book.

The supporting cast was just as fun though. There was such a strong sense of found family that added warmth to an otherwise dark and brooding story. The relationships between the characters felt genuine, and their loyalty and appreciation for one another made the world feel even more alive.

What I think was the real winner here was the world-building. While Reagan's curse is an important part of the story, the true focus is the kingdom itself: its politics, its history, and the looming threat hanging over it (which the curse ties into yes, but the mystery of it all is kept for a while). The cities, the people, and the political tensions felt just as important as the main characters, creating a setting that was immersive and incredibly compelling. The magic system took me a little while to fully understand, but as more pieces fell into place, I really enjoyed the revelations and twists toward the end.

There were a few moments where the writing read a little younger than I expected, but it never took away from the glee I had while reading. Overall, this was a richly imagined fantasy with memorable characters, fantastic romantic tension, and a world I can't wait to return to. If you enjoy Beauty and the Beast retellings, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, and fantasy with strong political intrigue, I would definitely recommend picking this one up.

Recent Reads: Forty Love: A Novel by Jane Costello

Source: From the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

Forty Love: A Novel by Jane Costello

Publisher: Zibby Publishing
Publication Date:  May 19, 2026

 

Format: Ebook/Audio - bought on Audible 

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

A fun, sexy rom-com about learning to take big swings, discovering new passions, filling an empty nest, and maybe another shot at love.

Jules has lived next door to the local tennis club for years without picking up a racket. As a full-time buyer for a national chain of lifestyle stores and a single, widowed mother of a teenager, she doesn’t have time for a hobby. And then, there is the matter of that run-in with her old school crush, Sam, who recently joined the club.

In a surge of boldness, Jules decides to stop playing it safe and accepts an invitation to join the amateur tennis team. Soon enough, she has fully embraced the tennis life and finds herself loving the game and her teammates, but that’s not all. Her intense attraction to Sam is gaining an advantage over her. Now Jules is facing a whole new kind of match with her insecurities, her desires, and maybe—just maybe—a second shot at love. And boy, does it have some spin on it.

Review: 

Forty Love is a romance about a single mom in her forties navigating her daughter doing off to college, how to approach dating and love after the death of her husband, and tennis. Jules has had a great life, raised a daughter, love her husband and now she is in transition. 

I am forty now but whenever I read a book about a woman in her 40s, I just feel like we are so completely different. Jules is a mom and approaches her life with structure and hesitation. I, on the other hand, am not a parent and live like a grown child for the most part. I still have obligations, worries, and work, but sometimes I just cannot connect with these on-page women. I think that was the issue for me here. 

I enjoyed the book, it was a cute, slow, romance that was calm and safe. I think a lot of women will love reading about Jules and her transitions and trying to figure out life on her own again. Jules was realistic in a lot of ways and her worries and grief feel like their own character in the book as well. So there was a lot of emotional depth that I appreciated. 

I listened to this on Audible and think that if I was reading it would have set it down. It was slow, cozy, and a good romance but even at the climaxes I kind of jest felt meh. I think this book will be a fit for many, it just wasn’t me and that is ok. 

Recent Reads: Throttled by Lauren Asher

Throttled by Lauren Asher 

Series: Dirty Air #1
Publisher: Bloom Books
Publication Date:   May 7, 202

 

Format: paperback
Source: Bought/ own

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Maya

Noah Slade is a Formula 1 legend in the making.

Focused. Unapproachable. Ruthless on and off the track.

A man with walls higher than the Grand Canyon.

And my brother's new teammate.

I want more of the prince who disguises himself as the villain.

My only issue? He's considered off-limits.

Noah

Maya Alatorre is a forbidden temptation.

An ambitious post-grad I should stay far away from.

And chaos wrapped with a bow.

We're a ticking time bomb about one wrong move away from exploding.

I want to trip the wire, detonating together in passion and pain.

Because in the end, all's fair in lust and war.

Throttled is a steamy standalone romance in the Dirty Air world. Recommended for mature audiences.

Review: 

So I guess my 'midlife crisis' is F1... I have been loving everything about it. Last Fall when in Vegas for a vacation we were there to watch some of the practice before leaving the city and it was so cool. Since I have been watching all the races and the Netflix show Drive to Survive ... and now there are books!

Throttled is an F1 romance that follows Noah a moody F1 driver and Maya, the sister of his teammate that he should not get involved with but just can't help it. 

This book is definitely not going to be for everyone. At times it was a little cringe, and I wouldn't necessarily say the writing was amazing. That said, I had a really good time with it and absolutely flew through the pages.

Noah is a total man-whore, and Maya is often treated like the innocent little sister because of her overbearing brother. The thing is, she's a grown woman capable of making her own decisions, which made some of the protective behavior around her a little frustrating at times. The brother felt a bit overbearing at times, and I think I needed a little more development from him for some of his actions to feel fully justified, but it came together well enough in the end.

What really worked for me was the tension and the he-falls-first dynamic, which is one of my favorite romance tropes. Watching Noah drive himself crazy over Maya while trying to figure himself out was fun and funny. The characters were entertaining, hilarious, and easy to root for. I also appreciated the setup for future romances within the friend group. 

Noah is cocky and charming, and it was satisfying to see Maya refuse to immediately fall for his usual tricks. Their chemistry carried the story, and despite its flaws, this was a fun, addictive romance that kept me turning pages. If you enjoy lots of tension, a MMC who falls first, and a group of characters you want to spend more time with, this one is worth picking up.

Recent Reads: Mate by Ali Hazelwood

Mate by Ali Hazelwood 

Series: Bride #2
Publisher:  Berkley
Publication Date:   October 7, 2025

 

Format: Audiobook
Source: Bought/Own

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

A Human hybrid and an Alpha Were claw against the bonds of fate in the highly anticipated companion novel to the New York Times bestselling Bride.

Serena Paris is orphaned, pack-less, and one of a kind. Coming forward as the first Human-Were hybrid was supposed to heal a centuries-long rift between species. Instead, it made her a target, prey to the ruthless political machinations between Weres, Vampyres, and Humans. With her enemies closing in on her, she has only one option left—if he’ll have her.

As Alpha of the Northwest pack, Koen Alexander commands obedience. His authority is so absolute, only a fool would threaten his mate. It doesn’t matter if Serena doesn’t reciprocate his feelings, nothing will stop him from keeping her safe.

But power-hungry Vampyres and Weres are not the only threats chasing Serena. Sooner or later, her past is bound to catch up with her—and Koen might be the only thing standing between her and total annihilation…

Review: 

I needed to take a break from books on my review pile for a bit to make reading feel like less of a 'to do' and an Ali Hazelwood romance is seemingly always there for me to do this with. I love all of her books, there is just something about the way that she writes banter and builds tension that has me either not putting the book down OR thinking about it excessively until I can pick it up again. Mate was no different.

When I read Bride I was fully enthralled and I have since also re-read it, which I normally don't do. I loved it again the 2nd time. I was honestly dreading reading Mate because I didn't want to be disappointed... thank goodness it was good. It wasn't Bride good, but it scratched the itch in other ways good. 

One of my favorite things about this story was the dynamic between Serena and Koen. Their relationship develops in a way that feels both inevitable and frustrating. Serena, is unsure about being a hybrid and what that means for her and believing she may be running out of time, carries a vulnerability that makes it easy to root for her. Meanwhile, Koen's realization that he has a mate at all, and his attempts to keep his distance, creates an emotional push and pull that keeps the tension simmering and building through the book.

My other love.. the banter! Their conversations were funny, or had an awkwardness to the point of cringe, and but the genuine affection for each other was so cute. There were plenty of moments that made me laugh, mixed with just enough secondhand embarrassment to make the characters feel real and relatable. Beneath all of that was a constant undercurrent of longing, with both characters fighting feelings they never expected to have. The result is a romance that feels both earned and rushed.

As the story progresses, the tension only intensifies. Even once Serena and Koen finally begin giving in to their feelings, the emotional and physical chemistry continues to build rather than disappear. Ali does a great job of making every interaction feel charged, leading to a payoff that is equal parts romantic, emotional, and undeniably spicy. 

If you're looking for a paranormal romance that delivers plenty of steam without sacrificing character development or connection, this one absolutely delivers. The audiobook narration was also so well done, bringing both characters to life in a way that made it hard to put down/ turn off.

Recent Reads: Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood

Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood 

Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: February 10, 2026

 

Format: Paperback
Source: Bought/ Own

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

An enemies-to-lovers spicy novella set in the world of video gaming from the New York Times bestselling author of Problematic Summer Romance—now in print and ebook!

Viola Bowen has the chance of a lifetime: to design a video game based on her all-time favorite book series. The only problem? Her co-lead is Jesse F-ing Andrews, aka her archnemesis. Jesse has made it abundantly clear over the years that he wants nothing to do with her—and Viola has no idea why.

When their bosses insist a wintery retreat is the perfect team-building exercise, Viola can’t think of anything worse. Being freezing cold in a remote mountain lodge knowing Jesse is right next door? No, thank you.

But as the snow piles on, Viola discovers there’s more to Jesse than she knew, and heat builds in more ways than one.

Review: 

I really enjoy Ali Hazelwood's books and this one delivers exactly the kind of romance that I was looking to read. As someone who can never resist enemies-to-lovers, STEM romances, forced proximity, and communication breakdown tropes, this story felt like such a good fit. 

Despite its shorter length, the novella never felt rushed. The banter between Viola and Jesse was fantastic, and their dynamic kept me engaged. I enjoyed watching Viola gradually learn more about Jesse and uncover the reasons behind their complicated relationship. Their time together from reluctant co-leads to partners who genuinely support one another was so good. 

One of my favorite aspects of the story was that Viola and Jesse began coming together as teammates before their relationship turned romantic. Their shared passion for the project and commitment to their teams added depth to their relationship.

Viola was a good FMC. She is stubborn, emotionally honest, and unafraid to express how she feels, which made her easy to read and be frustrated alongside.  I appreciated that she was willing to confront difficult situations rather than avoid them.

I also loved how the novella added in some glimpses of Viola and Jesse's past interactions. Those moments added context to their connections and helped the story feel much larger than its page count. In many ways, it had the emotional depth and character development of a full-length novel packed into a novella.

Overall, this was such a great read, with perfectly balanced humor, romance, and heart. If you're a fan of Ali Hazelwood's STEM romances, enemies-to-lovers tension, and forced proximity stories with excellent banter, this novella is absolutely worth picking up.

Recent Reads: Wild Card by Elsie Silver

Wild Card by Elsie Silver  

Series: Rose Hill #4
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group 
Publication Date:  September 9, 2025

 

Format: Audiobook
Source:  Bought/ Own

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Sebastian Rousseau is a grumpy, hot as hell fire pilot who is too damn good with his hands.

It’s the perfect combination. But unfortunately for me, he’s also my ex-boyfriend’s dad.

A chance meeting brought us together and a missed connection has kept us apart.

One year later, a stroke of fate has us living under the same roof—which makes everything between us downright messy.

Because even after all this time, he’s still the man I think about when I fall asleep. The one I can’t get over no matter how hard I try.

He’s working on mending a fragile relationship with his son and we both know acting on these urges would be the ultimate betrayal.

But I see the heat in his eyes. That look of need that never fails to send a shiver down my spine.

The mutual longing is borderline unbearable and the simmering heat between us is downright palpable.

We both know there are rules when it comes to situations like this.

But then again…following the rules never has been my strong suit.

In this series (Click on Covers for Reviews): 

    

Review: 

I adore this series and these books, every one has been a highlight in my day to listen to. Elsie has this way of making you fall for all her characters as chaotic, frustrating, and emotional as they are. It is also so cool to see them all interconnect and characters re-appear. 

All the books follow a dad falling hard... in this case Bash finds out that he has an adult son and on his way to meet him for the first time gets caught in the airport overnight while a storm passes. He meets this quirky memorizing woman, Gwen, and they hit it off. At the end of their laughter filled evening he gets her number but nothing comes of it. Fast-forward, he visits his son for a party and Gwen is his girlfriend. Immediately feeling start flying and readers are swept up into this beautiful will -they/ won't they banter and miserable attempts to give each other space. 

This book had me laughing so much. Between Bash and Gwen figuring things out and the awkward flirting and Clyde... OH CLYDE... our scheming, cranky, father-figure I kept giggling. I loved the emotional turmoil between the characters, and the uncomfortable tension was absolutely perfect. The slow burn felt a bit more prolonged than I expected, while the resolution came together fairly quickly, but I still loved the book overall.

If you like grumpy/ sunshine, forced proximity, an age gap and the 'ex-boyfriend's dad' tropes - you will really enjoy this one. 

Recent Reads: Lift Me Up by Milly Johnson

Lift Me Up by Milly Johnson
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Publication Date:  May 1, 2026

 

Format: Ebook
Source: From Amazon First Reads

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

A heartwarming story from Sunday Times bestseller Milly Johnson.

Tam Remington had her life planned out. Until a conversation in a broken lift—with her worst enemy—changes everything.

For a decade, Tam has quietly held YorkMart together whilst others took the credit, making herself smaller in the process. When she’s briefly promoted to acting Managing Director, she finally has a chance to shine—until her promotion is snatched away and handed to Jack Cesaroni—the man brought in to do the job that should have been hers.

Tam expects nothing but disappointment from Jack. But when they’re trapped in a lift between floors thirteen and fourteen, he sees what no one else has: Tam is exceptional. That single word of recognition sparks something Tam thought she’d lost—and an unexpected connection she never saw coming.

Now Tam faces an impossible choice: stay being the smaller version of herself she’s become used to, or take a leap and reclaim the vibrant, authentic woman she once was—and discover how wonderful it could be if she lets someone see the real her…

This enemies-to-lovers story shows sometimes you need to get stuck to find your true self.

Review: 

This novella was such a fun, fast read with a surprisingly thoughtful core message. Tam, who works in Operations at YorkMart, has basically been single-handedly keeping the company running while executives make one terrible decision after another. When one of the higher-ups is finally let go, she’s thrilled at the possibility of stepping into the interim role she has more than earned and then take over permanently. But instead, the company brings in Jack, a polished hotshot outsider who immediately feels like a threat to everything she’s worked for.

The setup really shines as Tam and Jack get trapped in an elevator together. The story unfolds through flashbacks and future moments surrounding the elevator stall, which gives the novella a reflective, slightly confined feel that works so well for Tam’s internal struggle. She starts questioning not only her place at YorkMart, but also how much of herself she’s sacrificed just to survive her relationship and in a company that doesn't fully realize what she has done over the years.

Jack is frustrating in all the right ways. Tam’s suspicion that he’s there to fire her creates great tension as it creeps into different parts of the story. What I appreciated most, though, was that the story never forced Tam to shrink herself for the romance, actually quite the opposite. The relationship develops in a clean, heartwarming way that feels good, and Jack eventually becomes part of Tam’s journey back to herself instead of overshadowing it.

Tam’s struggle with whether to keep playing the role everyone expects from her or finally become honest about what she wants can be frustrating at times, both for her and for the reader, but that payoff at the end is worth it. 

Overall, this was an engaging workplace romance with emotional depth, character growth, and just enough tension to keep me hooked the whole time. A quick and eay read.

Blog Tour- Review: Between the Pages and the Rink by Meadow Thompson

Between the Pages and the Rink by Meadow Thompson

Publisher: Choc Lit 
Publication Date: March 31, 2026

 

Format: Ebook


About the Book:

If loving one hockey player is reckless . . . loving two is irresistible.

After enough heartache to last a lifetime, I made a rule:

No men.

No hookups.

No distractions.

Then I walked into the Ivywood Wolves’ ice rink.

 

Dylan Crawley is the golden-boy captain — cocky grin, effortless charisma, and used to winning on, and off, the ice.

Torin Anderson is the grumpy enforcer — dark eyes, rough edges, The kind of man who doesn’t smile . . . but makes you feel everything.

One is all swagger.

One is all silence.

Both are completely off-limits.

 

Until the night they step in to protect me — like it’s instinct. Like I’m already theirs.

Dylan makes me laugh.

Torin makes me burn.

And when they decide they’re not competing . . . but sharing?

The rules shatter.

Now I’m caught between two possessive hockey gods who don’t play fair — and don’t plan on letting me go.

 

Maybe I should choose.

Maybe I can’t.

Maybe I don’t want to.

I had a good time with this why-choose hockey romance. This isn't the first one I have read but if you liked the vibes of Pucking Around by Emily Rath, you will enjoy this one as well.

Fawn is a romance writer who is researching hockey for her next book when she meets Dylan and Torin, they all hit it off pretty quickly in this spicy romance. Fawn has been through a lot: a bad relationship, helping her grandfather through his dementia, and now trying to write a book that she knows nothing about yet.. so that she has money for her grandfather's care. 

Fawn’s growth was one of my favorite parts of the story. Her growth into herself and learning how to love who she is felt genuine. Dylan and Torin balanced her perfectly in that “two sides of the same coin” way: Dylan brings the chaos, charm, and lightness, while Torin is all quiet intensity and grounding presence. Together, they just work.

I also loved that we got all three POVs. Each voice felt distinct, which made it easy to stay immersed and connected to each character’s perspective. That said, Torin calls her 'baby' waaaaaay too frequently and it was kid of repetitive at times to the point of breaking me out of the story. 

The third-act inevitable break-up definitely delivered. I went in expecting something to shake things up between the three of them, but what actually happened caught me off guard... in a good way. It added just the right amount of tension without taking away from the romance. 

Speaking of romance… it was cute, but also very spicy. Fawn wasn't expecting to find one person that she would have strong feelings for, let alone two and things really start heating up around the 40% mark, so be ready for it.

Overall, this was a solid why-choose romance with strong character dynamics, good emotional payoff, and plenty of heat. If you are loving hockey romance right now, enjoy men that fall hard, and a heroine finding her strength, this one’s worth picking up.

About the Author: 

Meadow Thompson is an English author who writes adult contemporary romance, living in the west of England. When she’s not caring for a hedgehog or walking her two dogs, she’s happily writing swoon-worthy men.

Find the Author

Website | Instagram | TikTok

Blog Tour - Review: A Scottish Summer Escape by Ellie Henderson

A Scottish Summer Escape by Ellie Henderson 

Series: Rowan Bay #2
Publisher: ChocLit
Publication Date:  March 18, 2026

 

Format: Ebook


About the Book

❤️  Enemies-to-lovers

❤️  Second-chance

❤️  Small-town

❤️  Forced Proximity

❤️  New beginnings 

After losing the career she built her life around, Flora Fraser retreats to her grandmother’s lakeside cottage in Rowan Bay for the summer.

Rowan Bay offers peace, kindness . . . and Brodie Robertson.

Brodie is infuriatingly self-assured, impossibly charming, and far too rooted in village life to fit into Flora’s temporary plans. Their first encounters spark with friction — and he always seems to be around when things go wrong.

For Flora, it can’t get worse — until she and Brodie find themselves working together. What begins as a battle of wills slowly deepens into attraction, one that becomes harder to resist with every day.

As summer unfolds, mornings spent swimming in the loch, evenings filled with laughter and long walks under starry skies, begin to heal parts of Flora she thought she’d lost. Rowan Bay feels less like a refuge — and more like home.

But Flora has always believed her stay to be temporary. And Brodie belongs here.

When the time comes for Flora to leave, both must decide whether this was simply a fleeting escape — or the beginning of something that could last beyond one perfect summer.

Rating:

This book was both enjoyable but a bit slow for me in the pacing department. The story follows Flora, who heads to her grandmother’s home in Rowan Bay for the summer after losing her job. Her plan to be there for a summer reset slowly shifts when she meets Brodie, the local handyman who seems to help everyone in the village and also volunteers with the loch rescue squad. Their relationship builds gradually as the summer unfolds, creating a sweet, slow-burn romance.

The romance itself was heartwarming and charming, but I struggled a bit to fully connect with the characters. Both Flora and Brodie felt somewhat underdeveloped. There were moments where they seemed to realize important things about themselves but instead of being explored more deeply, they were glossed over pretty quickly. So, I found it a little hard to fully lose myself in the story.

That said, the overall vibe of the book was very cozy. I enjoyed the scenes of Flora helping her grandmother and settling into summer life in Rowan Bay. The other villagers were great additions to the story, and the quieter moments with Iris added warmth to the story. All of this made the setting feel comforting and inviting. The romance is definitely on the sweeter side, with a friendly slow-burn and closed-door/off-page spice.

One thing that did catch me off guard was the inclusion of a POV storyline from Grandma Iris. While I enjoyed it, it felt a bit unexpected in the middle of a romance focused on Flora and Brodie, and it also kind of broke me out of the story whenever it popped in. I otherwise liked the dual POV from Flora and Brodie overall.

This is the second book in a series, and I didn’t read the first installment, so it’s possible there were some connections or character background that I was missing, so some things might be missing the mark for me because of that. Overall, it was a cozy and pleasant read and definitely put me in the mood for some summer sunshine and warmth. 

About the Author

Ellie Henderson lives near the sea on the east coast of Scotland and is a regular visitor to the Isle of Arran on the west coast of Scotland. When she's not writing she runs creative workshops in the community. Ellie also writes psychological fiction under the name Lorna Henderson.

Find the Author

Facebook | Instagram | X | Website