Book Recommendations – Page 2

Book Review: The Dead Romantics

Rating: 4.75 ⭐️

Author: Ashely Poston

Genre: Romance

Pages: 368 pages

Synopsis

Florence Day is a ghostwriter for one of the most famous romance authors in the industry—but after a heartbreak of her own, she no longer believes in love. Add to that her unusual ability to see and speak with the dead, and life feels more complicated than ever. When her beloved father passes away, Florence returns home to her small town to face her grief and the family she left behind. But things take a startling turn when the ghost of her new (and very attractive) editor shows up at her door. Florence soon finds herself navigating family, heartbreak, and unexpected romance—with someone she can’t exactly have.

Why I Loved It

You know that feeling when you pick up a book and immediately realize you don’t want to put it down—even as your plane is literally touching the ground? That was me with The Dead Romantics. From the very first chapter, I was hooked.

What I loved most about The Dead Romantics was how seamlessly Ashley Poston wove humor, grief, and romance into one story. The premise is unique and whimsical, but the heart of the book lies in the main character’s journey. Watching Florence navigate her complicated relationship with grief, her family, and her own sense of worth made the romance feel all the more powerful. It’s not just a love story—it’s a story of self-acceptance, healing, and realizing you can still move forward even while carrying loss.

And the romance? So sweet, tender, and impossible not to root for, even with the seemingly insurmountable obstacle of falling for a ghost. I found myself grinning through so many scenes, and yet also tearing up at moments that hit far too close to home.

The writing itself is sharp, funny, and heartfelt. Poston manages to balance whimsy with emotional depth in a way that kept me reading nonstop—I was literally still turning pages as my plane touched down.

Final Thoughts

The banter, the ghostly twist, the little touches of magical realism—all of it made the story feel fresh and whimsical without losing its emotional weight.

This one definitely earned its spot on my “romances with layers” shelf. If you like stories that give you hope, a love story that feels impossible but somehow works, and a heroine you can’t help but root for, I think you’ll love this one too. I know that I will be picking up more from this offer soon.

📚 Read if you love…

-Romances with a touch of magical realism

-Stories that balance grief and healing with humor and heart

-Slow-burn love stories with high emotional stakes

-Quirky heroines who grow into their strength

-That mix of “impossible romance” + “but maybe it could work?”

Book Review: The Enchanted Greenhouse

Rating: 5⭐️
Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Genre: Cozy Fantasy
Pages: 375 pages

Synopsis

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.

First Impressions

Last fall, I read The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst and was utterly enchanted. At that time, The Enchanted Greenhouse had already been announced, and of course, I put it straight on my TBR. Fast forward to April of this year, when I received an email letting me know I had been chosen to receive a free ARC of that very book—I don’t think any email has ever made me squeal with excitement quite like that one! I immediately downloaded the book and was swept right back into the whimsical world Durst first introduced in The Spellshop.

Did it meet, exceed, or defy expectations?

At first, I doubted that the sequel could surpass the brilliance of The Spellshop (especially since I found Terlu a little grating at first). But oh, how wrong I was! To my surprise, I think The Enchanted Greenhouse not only met my expectations but surpassed them.

Strengths

The coziness factor is dialed up beautifully here. The grumpy x sunshine dynamic between Terlu and Yarrow was absolute perfection—I could have read an entire book just about their slow-growing affection. More than that, I loved the warmth of the found family aspect and the tender reminder that love—romantic or otherwise—can flourish even in unexpected places.

Writing Style

Durst’s prose is lush and descriptive without ever feeling heavy. Her ability to create a setting that feels both magical and comforting is unmatched, and I found myself wishing I could step into those greenhouses myself.

Characters

The characters felt deeply relatable in their search for belonging and meaning. None of them were flawless—least of all Terlu—but that made them all the more lovable. Watching her grow into herself while still carrying her imperfections was incredibly rewarding. I especially loved how forgiveness, acceptance, and second chances were central themes.

Weaknesses / Caveats

Honestly, none. This book is a hug in novel form. Even my initial hesitation toward Terlu melted away as the story unfolded. By the end, I adored her as the heart of this book.

Final Thoughts

The Enchanted Greenhouse felt like pure magic. It was cozy, heartwarming, and brimming with enchantment. I didn’t want it to end, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I closed the final page. My only hope now is that Sarah Beth Durst isn’t finished with this series—because I would happily return to this world again and again.

Recommendations: This book is perfect for fans of The House in the Cerulean Sea, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Legends & Lattes.

Circe

Rating: 5/5 stars
Author: Madeline Miller
Genre: Fantasy/Mythology
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Release Date: April 10th, 2018
Pages: 393

Synopsis:

In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child—not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power—the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.

Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.

But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.

Review:

What Madeline Miller achieves in Circe is nothing short of extraordinary. I’ve always loved retellings, but this isn’t just a retelling — it’s a reclamation. Miller takes a character long painted as a footnote or a villain in The Odyssey and gives her depth, voice, and undeniable power.

This is Circe’s story, told from beginning to end. We see her “childhood” in the house of Helios, her banishment, and her centuries of solitude on Aiaia. We watch her shape her own destiny through encounters with mortals and immortals alike — from her part in the birth of the Minotaur, to her friendship with Daedalus, to her fraught relationship with Odysseus.

Miller’s prose is lyrical yet accessible, blending myth and humanity in a way that feels timeless. Her Circe is not flawless — she is lonely, proud, vulnerable, fierce, and achingly human despite her divinity. That complexity is what makes her unforgettable. By the time Odysseus arrives in her story, we no longer see her as a dangerous witch from an old myth, but as a fully realized woman whose choices and pain we understand.

This novel also resonates on a thematic level: it’s about female agency, survival, and the courage to stand alone. Circe’s power comes not just from her witchcraft, but from her resilience and her refusal to let either gods or men define her.

Final Thoughts

Circe is one of those rare books that feels like a gift — a shimmering blend of myth and storytelling that breathes new life into an ancient tale. It’s a treasure on my shelves and one I know I’ll return to again and again.

If you love Greek mythology, feminist retellings, or simply beautifully written fantasy, this book is for you. And if you’ve ever read The Odyssey, prepare to never see Circe the same way again.

I cannot recommend it enough.

The Lady Darby Mysteries

Rating: 4-5/5 stars
Author: Anna Lee Huber
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery
Publisher: Berkely
Release Dates: 2012-2019

Synopsis:

Scotland, 1830. Following the death of her husband, Lady Darby has taken refuge at her sister’s estate, finding solace in her passion for painting. But when her hosts throw a house party for the cream of London society, Kiera is unable to hide from the ire of those who believe her to be as unnatural as her husband, an anatomist who used her artistic talents to suit his own macabre purposes.

Kiera wants to put her past aside, but when one of the house guests is murdered, her brother-in-law asks her to utilize her knowledge of human anatomy to aid the insufferable Sebastian Gage–a fellow guest with some experience as an inquiry agent. While Gage is clearly more competent than she first assumed, Kiera isn’t about to let her guard down as accusations and rumors swirl.

When Kiera and Gage’s search leads them to even more gruesome discoveries, a series of disturbing notes urges Lady Darby to give up the inquiry. But Kiera is determined to both protect her family and prove her innocence, even as she risks becoming the next victim…

Review:

I love a good mystery, but I’ve never been hooked on an entire mystery series — until now. Anna Lee Huber’s Lady Darby Mysteries pulled me in from the very first book, The Anatomist’s Wife, and have kept me enthralled through every installment since.

What sets this series apart is its perfect balance of historical atmosphere, intelligent plotting, and character depth. Huber’s attention to detail brings 1830s Scotland vividly to life — from its windswept landscapes to its social customs. The research shines through without ever weighing the story down, making the setting feel immersive and authentic.

Kiera Darby herself is a remarkable heroine. Burdened by a painful past and the weight of scandal, she is intelligent, fiercely independent, and refreshingly complex. Her partnership with Sebastian Gage is one of the highlights of the series — the tension between them, both professional and romantic, gives the mysteries an added emotional pull. The slow-burn romance is especially well done, never overshadowing the central mysteries but adding depth to both characters.

The mysteries themselves are well-constructed and never formulaic. Each book offers fresh intrigue, with twists that feel both surprising and earned. Huber doesn’t shy away from gruesome or unsettling details, but they never feel gratuitous; instead, they serve to underscore the brutal realities of the time and the dangers faced by her characters.

That said, a small caveat: the titles of the books can sometimes feel a little melodramatic, but don’t let that fool you. The writing inside is far from cheesy — it’s thoughtful, layered, and gripping.

Series Order

The Anatomist’s Wife (357 pages)
Mortal Arts (384 pages)
A Grave Matter (421 pages)
A Study in Death (323 pages)
4.5. A Pressing Engagement (83 pages)
As Death Draws Near (342 pages)
A Brush with Shadows (383 pages)
An Artless Demise (372 pages)

Final Thoughts

If you’re a fan of historical mysteries that combine rich atmosphere, smart plots, and compelling characters, the Lady Darby series is absolutely worth picking up. It’s a perfect fit for readers who enjoy Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell mysteries or C.S. Harris’s Sebastian St. Cyr series.

I recommend starting at the beginning with The Anatomist’s Wife, not only because the mystery is strong but also because it lays the foundation for Kiera and Gage’s dynamic — one of the series’ greatest strengths.

For me, these books were a delightful surprise: atmospheric, engrossing, and emotionally satisfying. Once I started, I couldn’t stop.