Title: The Unmaking of June Farrow

Author: Adrienne Young

In the small mountain town of Jasper, North Carolina, June Farrow is waiting for fate to find her. The Farrow women are known for their thriving flower farm—and the mysterious curse that has plagued their family line. The whole town remembers the madness that led to Susanna Farrow’s disappearance, leaving June to be raised by her grandmother and haunted by rumors.

It’s been a year since June started seeing and hearing things that weren’t there. Faint wind chimes, a voice calling her name, and a mysterious door appearing out of nowhere—the signs of what June always knew was coming. But June is determined to end the curse once and for all, even if she must sacrifice finding love and having a family of her own.

After her grandmother’s death, June discovers a series of cryptic clues regarding her mother’sdecades-old disappearance, except they only lead to more questions. But could the door she once assumed was a hallucination be the answer she’s been searching for? The next time it appears, June realizes she can touch it and walk past the threshold. And when she does, she embarks on a journey that will not only change both the past and the future, but also uncover the lingering mysteries of her small town and entangle her heart in an epic star-crossed love.

‘We were cursed— the Farrow women.’

Wow, wow, wow x 100. I don’t even know if I’m capable of actual speech right now!This book is actual genius so sorry if I ramble here (or am a bit incoherent) because I am just sat here in amazement!

We meet June, who lives in a small town in North Carolina on a flower farm, and she is starting to experience her families curse,  what she believes is a mental health condition that has affected every woman in her family for generations. Then she sees the red door.

I’m not saying anymore about the plot but this is the story of June’s life, there’s family, an historic small town atmosphere, secrets, time travel, mystery, romance and sacrifices. Omg the sacrifices!

The story was so unique and the revelations will make your jaw actually drop! I feel like I actually say that quite a bit regarding books but this jaw dropper is a million times real!

If I know one thing, that is this book needs to be in everyone’s hands and I know it will be on my mind for a long time!

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer  It’s a chance to share news, a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

Hi everyone, hope you’ve had a good week?

Second week at my new job and I’m having to use a lot of brain cells from everything I’m trying to learn so I’m tired! It was also my sons birthday this week so we had cake and lots of nice food!

I’m finding that with my new job, I can’t listen to audiobooks whilst working because I need every bit of concentration so I’ve changed to listening as I’m cooking and cleaning!

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New Arrivals

Fragile Threads of Power by VE Schwab
Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey
My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey
Silent Night by Sophie Hannah

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What I’ve Read

🎧 The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 The Hunting Moon by Susan Dennard
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Look out for my reviews soon!

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You might have missed…..

Review – Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare
Feature – November releases
Review – Namesake by Adrienne Young

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What have you read lately?

Title: Namesake

Series: World of the Narrows #2

Author: Adrienne Young

With the Marigold ship free of her father, Fable and the rest of the crew were set to start over. That freedom is short-lived when Fable becomes a pawn in a notorious thug’s scheme. In order to get to her intended destination, she must help him to secure a partnership with Holland, a powerful gem trader who is more than she seems.

As Fable descends deeper into a world of betrayal and deception, she learns that the secrets her mother took to her grave are now putting the people Fable cares about in danger. If Fable is going to save them, then she must risk everything—including the boy she loves and the home she has finally found.

This is the 2nd book in the Fable duology and I have no idea why I haven’t read before, in fact I thought I’d already read! But it appears not!

Fable was one of my favourite books in 2020 (thanks Fairyloot!) so wanted to see how this would pan out.

Back with Fable, West and the crew of the Marigold. That found family crew warms my heart!

‘Trader, Fighter, Survivor.
Trader, Fighter, Legend.
Helmsman, Dredger, Trader, Orphan, Father, Daughter.’

I really enjoyed this conclusion! The pacing and the story were spot on and, like book 1, secrets are revealed and drama ensues!

I really loved Fable and West’s love for each other. It seems more honest and real than Saint and Isolade’s love and I was totally here for it!

That ending. That last minute sneaky drop – warms the cockles!

Here’s what’s tantalising me that’s releasing in November (that I’ll probably buy!!)

Another large buying month (cries in books!)

Check and Mate by Ali Hazelwood Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros A Demons Guide to Wooing a Witch by Sarah Hawley Defiant by Brandon Sanderson
A Power Unbound by Freya Marske

Will you be getting any of these?

Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Topic: Bookish Jobs I Would Do For Free (Real or Imaginary)

I could never be an author or editor as I just don’t have the patience or skills but I am a person who knows what I like so…..

~ Read manuscripts (beta reader)
~ Review books
~ Quality control special editions
~ Test out bookish merch
~ Audiobook tester
~ Work at a bookstore
~ Running a book club
~ Book event coordinator

This isn’t 10 but this is all I can think of!!!!

What would you choose?

Title: Sword Catcher

Series: Sword Catcher #1

Author: Cassandra Clare

In the vibrant city-state of Castellane, the richest of nobles and the most debauched of criminals have one thing in common: the constant search for wealth, power, and the next hedonistic thrill.

Kel is an orphan, stolen from the life he knew to become the Sword-Catcher—the body-double of a royal heir, Prince Conor Aurelian. He has been raised alongside the prince, trained in every aspect of combat and statecraft. He and Conor are close as brothers, but Kel knows he has one destiny: to die for Conor. No other future is possible.

Lin Caster is one of the Ashkar, a small community who still possess magical abilities. By law, they must live behind walls in the city, but Lin, a physician, ventures out to tend to the sick and dying of Castellane. Despite her skills, she cannot heal her best friend Mariam without access to forbidden knowledge.

After a failed assassination attempt brings Lin and Kel together, they are drawn into the web of the mysterious Ragpicker King, the criminal ruler of Castellane’s underworld. He offers them each what they want most; but as they descend into his world of intrigue and shadow, they discover a conspiracy of corruption that reaches from the darkest gutters of Castellane to the highest tower of its palaces. As long-kept secrets begin to unravel, they must ask themselves: Is knowledge worth the price of betrayal? Can forbidden love bring down a kingdom? And will Lin and Kel’s discoveries plunge their nation into war—and the world into chaos?

Well I can, with absolute certainty, say that I loved this book!

This is the authors first adult book and she has nailed it but she also brings with her the same addictive storyline as the Shadowhunters did. 

Kellian Saren is bought from the orphanage to the Palace when he is 10 to see if he is suitable to be Prince Conors, Kiralar, aka bodyguard, aka Sword Catcher.

Now grown, Kel and Conor find themselves involved in all sorts of trouble!

We also meet Lin Caster who is an Ashkar (magic user) and the only woman physician of her people. Something that she thinks many think of her as ‘peculiar’!

Their paths meet and it basically all kicks off! Secrets are revealed, drama ensues, court politics are everywhere and it’s a case of trust no one, I suspected everyone!!!! I have so many questions that I need answering!

One thing I will say is that I absolutely adored the romance! Shocker I know but not for the reasons you think, because this was cleverly written! You make assumptions in your head thinking it’s going one way but it’s not! Well I didn’t think it was but it remains to be seen!!!

So, in short, this is a fabulous book and I urge you to read it to get pulled into the rich, lavish world of Castellane. Although there is 1 person who reeks of deception to me but I now have a long wait for book 2 to find out!

‘Come inside, we have a great deal of work to do.’

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer  It’s a chance to share news, a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

Hi everyone, hope you’ve had a good week?

I started my new job this week! I’m now a project manager and there is so much to learn (and so much paperwork!) I had to use a lot of brain power this week and I am wiped out now!

I also had my booster and flu jab yesterday and I’m always ill after, today is no exception!

I did manage to read but I think I’ll need to cut out audiobooks whilst I’m working because I can’t concentrate on both at the moment!

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New Arrivals

Another big week (and this isn’t even ebooks!)

Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Together We Rot by Skyla Arndt
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

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What I’ve Read

🎧 Trials of Apollo: The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas (reread) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An Education in Malice by ST Gibson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Look out for my reviews soon!

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You might have missed…..

Review – The Lightstruck by Sunya Mara Review – Illumicrate September 23
Review – Foxglove by Adalyn Grace

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What have you read lately?

Title: Foxglove

Series: Belladonna #2

Author: Adalyn Grace

A duke has been murdered. The lord of Thorn Grove has been framed. And Fate, the elusive brother of Death, has taken up residence in a sumptuous estate nearby. He’s hellbent on revenge after Death took the life of the woman he loved many years ago…and now he’s determined to have Signa for himself, no matter the cost.

Signa and her cousin Blythe are certain that Fate can save Elijah Hawthorne from prison if they will entertain his presence. But the more time the girls spend with Fate, the more frightening their reality becomes as Signa exhibits dramatic new powers that link her to Fate’s past. With mysteries and danger around every corner, the cousins must decide if they can trust one another as they navigate their futures in high society, unravel the murders that haunt their family, and play Fate’s unexpected games—all with their destinies hanging in the balance.

Dangerous, suspenseful, and seductive, this sequel to Signa and Death’s story is as utterly romantic as it is perfectly deadly.

Loved Belladonna so couldn’t wait to dive in here!

Percy is gone, Blythe is saved and Signa and Death are doing their dance….so what happens now?

It starts with a death and Uncle Elijah has been framed so Blythe and Signa go on the trail for the murderer but there is an added complication when Fate turns up and sets his eyes on Signa.

Death and Signa made my heart sing!!!!

‘You are mine Signa Farrow. I will burn this world to cinders before I let anyone take you from me.’ (Apologies if this isn’t quite right as I was trying to note down from the audiobook!)

This book was so delightful! It was a bit dark and the whodunnit had me guessing all over the place! I also loved going to Foxglove and seeing what was there, I had such great imagery for it in my head!

There was one small gripe and that was Blythe did get on my wick quite a bit! Saying that though, please tell me there will be a book 3 about Blythe and Fate! I reckon it will be explosive!

Title: The Lightstruck

Series: The Darkening #2

Author: Sunya Mara

Vesper Vale sacrificed everything to save her city from the cursed storm. After becoming a vessel of The Great Queen, Vesper awakes from a slumber three years after her life altering choice.

What she finds isn’t a home freed from the terror of the storm, but one where its citizens are besieged by the even more sinister force of The Great King and his growing army of the lightstruck—once regular citizens who are now controlled by the ominous light encroaching on the city. And the people are all looking to Vesper, now revered as a goddess after her sacrifice, as their city’s only hope.

To save the rings from the Great King, Vesper must contend with the obligations of being a deity to her people and the growing chasm between her and Dalca, the prince she swore never to love. Haunted by the guilt of their past choices and faced with the pressures of a city near ruin, Vesper and Dalca find themselves torn between the growing factions within the city and the royal court.

But in order to save her city from the light, Vesper must face the power most outside of her control—the goddess within.

I absolutely loved The Darkening so couldn’t wait to dive in here and get more Dalca!!!!!

Vesper is now back and trying to get used to being ‘her’ again and finds someone has taken over as the baddie whilst she has been gone.

I must admit I didn’t love this book as much as book 1 and I felt a bit lost at the beginning struggling to remember what was happening!

But, as in book 1, I loved the magic system and I loved the writing style.

Vesper did get in my nerves a bit but the overall character win for me was Cas! Loved him and we really now need a book for him!