Review: The Shop on Hidden Lane

The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review 

Harpers and the Wellses hadn’t been known to socialize for four generations. 

I couldn't find anywhere this was labeled as part of a series (Arcane and Fogg Lake are mentioned) but it definitely reads as an off-shoot of one, I'm saying prepare to feel lost if you don't have any familiarity with the aforementioned. This was a paranormal mystery loaded up with a ton of psychic additives. Sophy and Luke, and Luke's dog Bruce, are from rival families but end up working together as they at first are searching for Sophy's aunt and Luke's uncle but then get swept into a decades old plan to, I guess rule the world?, wasn't quite sure. This was written well, because Krentz, but it also read like a second or third draft, the story, plot, and characters were there but things like transitions and padding out were missing, making it read stark and bumpy instead of flowing. 

He was communicating with her even though she was deep in the trance. For once she wasn’t alone in the ghost zone. But why did Luke Wells have to be the one person who could reach her? 

I had a little bit of a problem getting into the overreaching arc of the plot, The Foundation, Blue Stone, Kaleidoscope weapons, all the psychic abilities, and the family history/drama with Sophy and Luke's family was a lot to get thrown into and try to wade through as a murder mystery was underlining everything. Sophy has the ability to “read” a crime scene, she goes into a trance where she can see ghost like apparitions recreate their murder but it takes a huge toll on her and her dating life. Luke's still trying to get over being burned bad by a woman, so he's doing the stoic thing but his aura and Sophy's get to mixing and wham bam they have the hots for each other. As they search for their aunt and uncle they had good byplay I enjoyed but there was a ton to wade through here. 

“That’s the thing about history, isn’t it?” she said. “No two people tell it quite the same way.” 

As we get more of their family history, a business deal gone wrong between their grandparents that left them mistrustful of each other but locked in a pact to always protect the psychic weapons they had created, it starts to become clear that that history plays a part in the current murders that Sophy and Luke are investigating. There was a little bit of broaching with this commentary: Perhaps it hasn’t occurred to you that most of us in the community lack the muscle and the cash it takes to make sure the Foundation treats us with the same respect that it shows your family. It seems to think it has a right to police those of us who are just trying to make a living with our talents and be productive members of society, some added danger for Sophy, a call-back for Luke, and we get a climatic scene that reveals players and motivations but also leaves some threads dangling. Bruce the dog had a personality all his own and with a cliffhanger that deals with him, it's clear why he got some of the spotlight. If you've read the Fogg Lake series maybe you wouldn't be as confused as I was through this and would enjoy it more, others not initiated like me, there's some fun back and forth between Sophy and Luke and interesting paranormal elements but be prepared to have to work for every ounce of understanding.

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Review: Only on Gameday

Only on Gameday by Kristen Callihan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review 

“We look like a real couple— don’t worry. It would only be on game days and a few public appearances.” 

Growing up neighbors, Penelope and August were always around each other but while Penelope had no problem being comfortable around his siblings, there was always an awkwardness between them. Now all grown up, August is a professional star quarterback, who's facing some team discipline after going a bit wild and Penelope's trying to find a way to hang onto her grandparent's home she inherited after their death. August comes up with the solution for a fake relationship, she'll make him look respectable and he'll help her pay the taxes on the home until she can come up with a more consistent income. They say it will only be game days but secret childhood crushes won't be denied. 

“Pen, you were always August’s girl. You just never realized it.” 

This felt along the lines of more light and fluffy, if you've read Callihan before, you're going to enjoy falling back into her voice. You'll probably not want to squint to hard at the story setup, August (his last name's Luck, yes I struggled with not picturing him as Andrew Luck) needing to suddenly look respectable because of a few pictures of him drunk and dancing didn't really track as to why and how's but through his pov he does some admitting that he may have forced things when reader's get let-in that he's always had feelings for Penelope. Penelope's story of needing the tax money to hang onto her grandparent's ten million dollar home felt a bit not fitting quite right also, especially when she constantly refuses to accept money from August. It was kind of what are we doing here, just forcing the trope? They are good together though, so you'll enjoy reading about them. 

I’ve often wondered why it is some people shine and others don’t. But perhaps it’s the ones doing the looking that make it so. 

There were times I felt a little spoon fed, instead of learning and experiencing the story thread, thoughts, and feelings from the characters we got blatant spelled out stuff. There was also some feeling that everyone had to act so right and proper, let people be a little messy sometimes, let them learn and grow! I did enjoy Penelope and August's flirting back and forth and their first time together was really good, will draw you into their relationship more. There was also this line drop: “You say you’re a side character in everyone else’s story. In my story, Pen, you are the main character. You always will be.”, which will make you feel good for the character. Some not quite fitting puzzle pieces to get them together, a little bit of family and personal drama for outside poking at, and a sweet couple that may not be memorable but you'll probably enjoy spending some time with.

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Review: Lady of Fortune

Lady of Fortune by Mary Jo Putney
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2.5 stars 

Christa is on the run from France's Terror and as our inherited countess is escaping, she thinks her brother and her mother are murdered. She arrives in England to her uncle by marriage where he decides to be a creep and try to pressure her into marrying him. Thinking she has no money but as a twenty year old, can't imagine marrying a forty year old, she runs off. She finagles her way into being a lady's maid but the Lord of the home is also a creep and she ends up getting thrown into the arms of another Lord (can't kick a rock and all that) and he is taken with her and brings her back to be a lady's maid for his sister. 

They start to develop the hots for each other but are aware of how inappropriate the relationship would be so try to keep their hands to themselves. Christa doesn't feel the need to tell him that she's actually nobility, because then, well, I didn't totally follow it but I'm sure FEELINGS. A lot of tangent going off with secondary characters, as this time period's romances liked to do and it made the pace slow down for me as I didn't care a lot about some of them. 

I did like how they developed their friendship first, I wasn't a fan of how the first time they have sex the MMC was delirious from almost dying from an old war wound (these MMC's can get it UP), and was a little head tilt that the villains of the piece got their own HEA.

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Review: One Burning Heart

One Burning Heart by Elizabeth Kingston
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

My brain has been mush, so maybe my attitude colored my reading of this, but I wasn't the biggest fan. 

I buddy read this over on Storygraph and had a hard time getting through it. FMC decides MMC is like his father and decides to amp up her piousness as a point of walling him off and hiding her covert ops of protecting a priest who is being hunted for being a heretic. 

After six years of marriage, MMC decides to try and finger her and suddenly she's seeing him in a new light. I pretty much only liked chapter 8 and Lady Eluned, Will's mom. 

I really used up all my energy trying to eek convo on this in the Buddy Read , so sorry for this review lol There was way too much encompassing religious stuff in here for me. I don't know this felt like A Day in the Life Medieval fiction with a dash of romance to me. My brain and emotional state was just not about this.

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Review: Never Say Die

Never Say Die by Tess Gerritsen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2.5 stars 

"My mother's never accepted it. She needs a body to bury." 

General Kistner sighed. "Of course. The wives. It's always the wives. There were so many widows, one tends to forget." 

"She hasn't forgotten." 

Set in the shadow of Vietnam, FMC travels to Vietnam to discover what happened to, claimed KIA, father, for her mother who is dying from cancer. She's bitter against her father, feeling he put his love of flying and daredevilry ahead of his family. She meets the MMC, who works as a sort of bounty hunter for the government for remains of soldiers or find out if they decided to change identities and stay in Vietnam. When he hears her last name, he realizes one of his files is about her father, who might have been a traitor to USA and has a big bounty, so he decides to convince her that they should work together. 

They didn't exchange a word; just that look, that sad and knowing smile between women, was enough. 

I think this didn't age the best, there's a bunch of trying to work through and weigh the cost of the Vietnam War and CIA workings in Laos but there were sure were some cringe ways of speaking about the people of Vietnam and Laos here too. This leaned a little more towards the thriller mystery with the romance having that push/pull of I hate you/I want you. Grappling with the cost of war and how it's viewed/spoke of is always the most interesting part of the books for me.

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2025 Favorites

 Happy New Year!

I managed to make my 100 books read in a year goal and for a total look at my reading, here is my GoodReads Year in Review

I think I'm going to have to retire the old format of my book awards and go with a slimmed down version, energy, where has it gone?! I was just going to do a Top Ten list but, because I'm me, I have to still include my favorite quotes and scenes from the year. 

As always, my Favorites nominees and winner can be published from any year and be from any genre, fiction or non. 

*Clicking on the book cover takes you to my review or GRs page if I didn't write one. 

Favorite Quote

A Tropical Rebel Get the Duke by Adriana Herrera

This was a woman of means, and yet in her letter to the clinic she’d indicated her inability to pay for her visit because she could not spend any money that could not be explained to her husband.

One of my favorite historical romance series of the last few years. I loved the acknowledging of we've fought these battles before and we've found ways to win vibes underlining messaging. 

A Place No Flowers Grow by Cheryl Cantafio 

she was defenseless in her love for him 

he made hand puppets in the shadows 

she made him feel weak in every limb 

we could make lovely little weirdos

A book in verse told in pantoum and quintain poem format, I loved the haunting journey this took me on. A Gothic tale about humans relationship with nature, this was different in all the good ways.

The Hidden Moon by Jeannie Lin

“I never thought you could possibly be mine, Wei-wei,” he said, his voice heavy. “I just wanted to ask.”

Screaming, crying, throwing up. The yearning in this! Look, I'm going to attempt to be normal about this book but just know that I could have 100 quotes here from this. I buddy read this, so my spiraling is already laid out if you want to see it all, link in review.

2026 BookTempter’s TBR Challenge

 

2026 BookTempter’s 

TBR Challenge

January

1 - It's a classic task for a reason

Read the very last book to enter your TBR pile. TBRs come from the habit we have of not reading books because we put them off. You have my permission to indulge yourself.

Never Say Die by Tess Gerritsen

Stretch goal – Read a book that you’ve had in your TBR pile for more than 5 years

Lady of Fortune by Mary Jo Putney

February

2 - Partners in Crime?

For the month of Valentines you can choose a book about a partnership be it friends, lovers or whatever combination comes to mind

Stretch Goal – ever read a book, get the sequel and then park the sequel for a rainy day? This month prepare for that day!

March

3 - First Bloom

As Spring arrives for this change I’d like to read a book that is the debut of an author. Who

knows this may become someone you’ll follow forever!

Strech Goal – Our TBR piles often have books by our favourite authors lingering because we think we aren’t yet deserving. Congratulations I say you are worthy!

April

4 - Side trips

For this month I’d like you look for a book that has been published by either an independent press or self published

Strech Goal – Read four short stories from an anthology or collection. Hey if you like it finish the whole thing!

May

5 - Freedom!

 You have my permission to finally pick the most tempting book in your TBR pile – no questions asked

Stretch Goal – You may pick a book purely at random - use whatever system you choose to pick this

June

6 - Equinoxes

Regardless of hemispheres you live in read book over 500 pages and

Stretch goal - read a book less than 150 pages

July

7 - A Ceasar Word Salad

Read a book with an empire – starting, ending or changing

Stretch Goal – we all have a series we have accidentally collected all the books for and not got round to it. You have until the end of the year to end this

August

8 - Schools Out!

Choose a book by an author who is not from the UK or USA

Strech Goal – Choose a book with a long journey in it

September

9 - Back to School

Treat yourself to a book that is not from your usual genre. Expand your minds!

Stretch Goal – Read a non-fiction book

October

10 - Fancy a Fright?

Read a spooky tale – you can choose cosy or downright chilling

Stretch Goal – As the harvest comes in find a book with a countryside setting in some way

November

11 - Short trips

Read four novellas in a month

Stretch Goal – Read something with a wintry setting

December

12 - It's for You!

Read a book you’ve been gifted – they wanted you to read this!

Stretch Goal – By now you’ve got the hang of this so just pick up a book from the pile and read it. You’ve got this

Reading Romance Bingo Challenge

  That's What I'm Talking About (Twimom227) 2026 Romance Reading Bingo Challenge

Joining this fun challenge again and still trying for that coveted Blackout Bingo!

*Clicking on book title takes you to my review

Published in 2026 - The Swan's Daughter:  A Possibly Doomed Love Story by Roshani Chokshi

Sunset/Sunrise on the cover - Never Say Die by Tess Gerritsen

Blind Date/Arranged Marriage - One Burning Heart by Elizabeth Kingston

TBR over 2 years - Lady of Fortune by Mary Jo Putney

TBRChallenge Master Post

 

Review: The Swan's Daughter: A Possibly Doomed Love Story

The Swan's Daughter: A Possibly Doomed Love Story by Roshani Chokshi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review 

“Bad things befall those who consort with humans,” she had warned . “Even worse things befall those who love them.” 

Told in a fable, fairy tale, and folklore rich context, The Swan's Daughter was a fantasy about the hurts, pains, and joys of love. The story starts off in a fantasy land where Prava, a wizard, begins to fall in love with Araminta, a veritas swan. Not knowing that the backbone of his love is how he plans on using her, Araminta gives her heart to him, which gives him a key with her heart on it and control over her ability to switch from human to swan. Once a veritas' heart is given, it is said that if anything happens to their mate, they will die too, trapping Araminta fully. This has their marriage constantly pushing and pulling, with hatchlings eventually arriving. Their first six daughters all arrive with their necklaces given directly to their father while a late seventh born, Demezla, has her key buried in her heart. 

Demelza had no wings. And when she was raised out of her cracked eggshell, there was no key around her neck. It was locked deep, deep in her heart. And like any veritas swan, only one thing would summon it into being: Love. 

Demelza's childhood was full of love but of the service kind, particularly how she could be useful to her father. She wasn't the most beautiful and her swan song came out harsh to the ears, if still able to make the listener tell the truth, but works to learn all she can about the spell of immortality, what her father has been searching for all his life. This part was full of family dynamics and how love binds us, underlining discussions on unhealthy and healthy love. When Prava figures out the spell, Demelza has her first wake-up call at seeing her parents in an adult eye and sense of betrayal. With her mother's help, she escapes to Rathe Castle, a home her wizard father helped build but after the family realized how he was setting up to betray them, barred him from the premises, making it the only safe place for Demelza. 

Two individuals whose purpose outweighed their personhood.

Demelza arrives as numerous other young ladies do, there's to be a three part trial for the Prince Arris' hand in marriage. Arris comes from a family cursed to lose their hearts to the ones they love too. His ancestors have had their hearts cut-out by their partners as it leads to the partner having power. While the partners get the power, the now heartless ancestors become tress in a grove or some other nature specific entity. His parents have been the exception with his mother monthly “trying” to kill his father but never succeeding. Demelza doesn't want to give her identity in fear they'll kick her out because of who her father is, so she strikes a deal with the prince that she'll sing her song to get truth from the contestants in hopes they'll find his true love and protect him from someone just wanting to cut his heart out. 

There were many uncertainties that lay ahead, but there was much joy too, and in the pursuit of the latter, the former becomes easier to bear. 

As Demelza and Arris spend more time together, their relationship starts to deepen and form, binding the two in ways they never expected. This was great for showcasing all the ways love, between a couple, parents-child, siblings, and friends, can hurt and strengthen an individual and relationship. I most enjoyed how all the allegory deployed and fantasy setting and language, made this a story that all ages could enjoy and learn from. You'll recognize some shadows of well known fairy tales and folklore and get lost in the fantastical descriptions of beings and land as you'll feel for these characters that want to feel useful without being used and want to love and be loved safely.

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