ARC Review: Wild Wicked Mate (Maple Hollow #2) by Laurie Gilmore

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Laurie Gilmore, comes a brand new small-town romance set in the quirky town of Maple Hollow!

The closer the proximity, the stronger the spark...

Phoebe and Theo have been best friends for years, never anything more, despite the sparks between them. And after ignoring her desire for so long, Fee has become adept at ignoring their connection.

Until now.

Because when Theo invites her on a road trip, Fee can’t say no. But the only thing separating them on their journey is the heated tension in the cab of his truck...

Acting on their attraction might change everything for Fee and Theo, but is it a risk they’re willing to take?

Title: Wild Wicked Mate (Maple Hollow #2)

Author: Laurie Gilmore

Publisher: Harper 360/Harper Collins

Expected Publication Date: October 20, 2026

Review:

Thank you to Harper 360/Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

To say I'm a Gilmore fan is an understatement. I really love her Dream Harbor series so it's no surprise I'm enjoying this series, as well. And I adore paranormal romance, which I don't think we see as much of these days. I tore through the first book of this series and then Gilmore left me with a cliffhanger! How dare she. So I was excited to jump into this one and see where it lead.

I will say, I loved the romance in this one. The pining, the will they/won't they, the close proximity, the sunshine/sunshine of Theo and Phoebe, the miscommunication of it all; it was all done very well. What I was disappointed in was the lack of plot related to the wolf packs and the town. I wanted to see how Lena was involved with this. Why Rafe was acting as he was. But there was barely any of this in the book. It was like Gilmore decided we didn't need to know any of that and she only focused on Theo and Fee's relationship. Don't get me wrong, I totally appreciated this and I loved seeing both their POVs for it. And the flashbacks leading up to present were a nice touch to build the relationship for us. But where was the overall advancement of the plot the books are based on? Where was the wolf pack rivalry tension? Where was the developers wanting to take over Maple Hollow and the lands surrounding it? I needed more of this as it's why the story truly exists in the first place. We do get a bit of a mystery as they try to locate Lena, but we don't get any information about why she was there or how it will impact the packs.

The character development is done very well in this book. We see more of who we met in the first book. Those characters become even more ingrained in the mind of the reader. And we see the development of characters that were just touched upon in the first book, mainly Theo and Fee since it's their story. One of my favorite parts of this series is the found family aspect of the story. Yes, there is true family, but all the friends that the characters make along the way and how those relationships become essential to their development is something I adore.

I will say there were times when the miscommunication between Theo and Fee really tried my patience and had me wanting to slap them both. They were hiding so much from each other (I know, I know, that was the point!) and I just wanted to grab them, shake them, and say, "snap out of it!""

Unfortunately, basing this book only on the relationship between Theo and Fee didn't satisfy me as much as if I had some other information about what was going on in the background. It dropped my rating by a star. This book picks up right where book 1 left off. If you have not read that book, don't read this. You'll surely be lost not having the background of the packs, the town, the general world building, and the supporting cast of characters. I still loved the writing. I still loved all the characters. The the sexy/spicy times had me sweating, a lot. I love a fated mates story.

I definitely have theories for who the next couple will be, at least the hints in the book put my brain there (though maybe Gilmore will surprise us and take a different path than what I'm hoping). I'm thinking the reasoning for keeping us in the dark about the underlying plot has to do with that story. I'm still anxious to read more in this world and hopeful Gilmore will turn the next book back to the underlying plot of the story. 

Author:

Laurie Gilmore is a #1 New York Times, Sunday Times, and Globe & Mail bestselling author who writes steamy small-town romance. Her Dream Harbor series is filled with quirky townsfolk, cozy settings, and swoon-worthy romance. The first book in the series, The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, was featured on Good Morning America and was named the TikTok Shop Book of the Year 2024.

She loves finding books with the perfect balance of sweetness and spice and strives for that in her own writing. If you ever wished you lived in Stars Hollow (or that Luke and Lorelai would just get together already!) then her books are definitely for you.

 

ARC Review: Winterveil by Ava Reid

 

The Secret History meets The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in #1 bestselling author Ava Reid’s brand new, thrilling, dystopian YA novel.

There is no application process for Valeran Academy, but it boasts the brightest – and precociously criminal – students in the nation.

A disgraced politician from a powerful American dynasty.

A coldly brilliant strategist who will sacrifice anything to win.

A former pageant queen with a talent that could change the world.

A prodigious female soldier with an enigmatic past – and a dangerous secret.

With eerie war simulations, cutthroat competitions and foreboding new technology, Valeran trains its students to be elite assets in a Cold War that has dragged on for nearly a century. But as a sinister conspiracy takes shape and these four are drawn together for a mysterious mission, their loyalties are tested, their convictions shaken and they all begin to are they ushering in a new era of freedom, or tyranny?

Title: Winterveil

Author: Ava Reid

Publisher: Harper Collins

Publication Date: September 24, 2026

Review:

Thank you to Harper Collins and Edelweiss for providing me with a copy of this title to read and review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I really love Ava Reid's writing. And when I read the burb for this one I was sucked right in. I love anything dark academia but then add a dystopian type quality to it and you've got me hook, line, and sinker!

The alternate reality of this book is what truly makes it unique. Imagine the Cold War still happening because Russia has won such in the past. Imagine a war college where kids are recruited because of their strengths and how that will help the government fight the enemy. Imagine being given a chance to get out of jail time by accepting entrance to said college. Reid takes all these things and puts them into a story that was truly hard to put down.

I really enjoyed the audio version of this book. The narrators were excellent and really shaped the characters well. I knew a few of them and a few were new to me. I think for a multiple POV book it's so important to have different voices. Since this book contains four POVs, it was easy to keep them all separate with each narrator. I highly recommend listening to this story, even doing an immersive read with the print version. 

Warning here, suspend your disbelief. If you go in thinking you know how government is supposed to work, you're going to be disappointed in how this is presented. There is a lot of AI, virtual reality, and competition. For me, it totally worked. I enjoyed the world Reid built. I understood it. I was also surprised at the reveal towards the end as I didn't see it coming at all. I am betting there were context clues throughout that I would see if I read this again, but Reid did a great job disguising what was actually going on with these characters.

I loved what each character brought to this story. Klaudia and her mind for tactics. Nadiya and her mind for combat. Giselle and her eidetic memory. And Julian and his ability to schmooze whoever must be schmoozed. Together they make a formidable crew. Their bonds form quickly once they are thrown together. I will say I was thrown off when it happened as I hadn't realized they hadn't met before that time. 

There is some romance in this book. It works well enough. You definitely feel the chemistry build between the characters. It's not the main point of the plot, though it's important to how they react in the situations into which they are placed. There was one scene in the middle of the book I was not expecting and it really surprised me that it was written into the book. I wasn't sure what the point of it was, to be honest, except maybe to show the lengths characters will go to to feel something when they can't seem to feel anything at all.

There's quite a bit of action in this book. It worked well to advance the story. I liked the idea of the characters having to figure out the puzzle of why they were placed into certain situations. It made them operate as a team and use each others unique talents to solve the mysteries presented to them. The pacing of the book is pretty fast. I didn't find myself bored or wanting to pause. I wanted to get to the end to see what happened.

I honestly didn't know this was going to be a duology, but I'm not unhappy about it. The ending definitely leaves rooms for the characters to come together and solve their personal issues as well as the main plot at hand. I'm interested to see how Reid will approach both in the next installment. 

Author:

Ava Reid is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of gothic fantasies, including A Study in Drowning, Juniper & Thorn, and Lady Macbeth. She lives in California.

Most Anticipated Releases Tuesday October 13, 2026

Check out the books I'm excited about releasing this week!

Entities to Lovers by Mallory Marlowe

These books are so cute. This is my favorite from this world so far. I got to read it early and you can see my thoughts HERE.

Look What The Cat Dragged In by Jason Rekulak

I read a book by this author but wasn't truly impressed despite everything good I'd heard. But I'm ready to give him a second try!

Peck & Peck by Bzonnie Garmus

I really wanted to read this early but didn't manage to get a copy. I loved Lessons in Chemistry so I hope this one is just as good!

A Very Good Bad Idea by Emma Chase

A long time ago I read Tangled by this author and laughed through the entire book. I hope this one prooves to be just as funny!

Hone for the Homicides (Holly & Mark Mystery #1) by Elle Coimano and Hannah Morrisey

This might be one of my favorite books I got to read this year. I had a Kindle copy but then heard such things about the audio, I requested it. And I am so glad I did. The narrators were fabulous and the story was so much fun! I cannot wait for more installments in this series! Check out my review HERE.

What are you exited about?

 

Fat Stack Friday October 9, 2026

 

Look at all the goodies I got this week!

NetGalley/Edelweiss/Booktrovert:

The Stars Look Like Home by TJ Klune

I was so excited to be approved for this one. I tried getting and eARC on NetGalley and Edelweiss but was denied. When this came through, I squee'd. I love Klune!

We Only Have Summer by Paige Toon

This will be my first Toon book. I've heard good things and people seemed really excited about this in my book groups. Fingers crossed I like it.

The 25:00 Magic Lantern Express by Shim Eunjung, Choi Hyunyu, Gene Png (translator) 

I'm taking a chance here on this read now. This one is translated and I hope they did a good job because the blurb gives all the cozy vibes I love.

Her Life In Ruins by Cynthis W. Gentry

I got this on in audio but I also have a paper copy sent to me by the publisher. See that below.

Behind the Movies (Better Than the Movies #3) by Lynn Painter

I was denied this on Edelweiss Wednesday and then yesterday was approved on NetGalley! I'm excited as I love this series.

Kindle:

The Sixth Faction  (New Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth

Pretty excited about this one. I've also put a hold on it through Libby, which hasn't come through yet. I'm interested to see this take on the story.

Broken Rival by Tessa Bailey

Really wanted to read this one early but no such luck for me. I do love me some Bailey!

Prime Time Romance (Dial Delights #2) by Kate Robb

I read a book by this author and really liked it so I wanted to get her others. Apparently this is a series. Or at least an interconnected series. The two below also belong to the series.

Kitty St. Clair's Last Dance (Dial Delights #2)by Kate Robb

Solar Eclipse of the Heart (Dial Delights #4) by Kate Robb

Hallowed Bones by Lucy Smoke

The cover for this is gorgeous. But also the story sounds good.

Counting Down to You by Emily Stone

I contemplated requesting this but I've never read this author and was worried I might now like it. This looks cute, though.

Reap & Sow (Reap & Sow #1) by Charlotte B. Plumb

Apparently I love pretty covers, I'll admit it! I was drawn to this because of how it looks. I have a reader friend who really wanted to read it, as well. So here we are with me having a copy on my Kindle.

In The Mail:

Her Life In Ruins by Cynthia W. Gentry

This one came but I'm not sure I requested it. Looks cute. I also got the audio version on NetGalley.

Libby/Hoopla:

Winterveil by Ava Reid

I have a kindle copy of this but didn't get to it in time. So once I finish Threshing Day I'm going to dive into this so I can review it!

What did you get?

ARC Review: The Christmas Getaway by Debbie Mason

 

USA Today bestselling author Debbie Mason delights with this charming holiday romantic comedy about an American celebrating Christmas in Scotland with a dashing Highlander.Librarian Charlotte Webb has always enjoyed escaping into a good story instead of dealing with reality, especially after her last year. But when her ex struts back into town and invites her to his Christmas wedding, Charlotte has to convince everyone, including herself, that she's moved on. Deciding an adventure far from home with her perfect―albeit fake―Scottish boyfriend is just what she needs to complete her act, Charlotte boards the plane from New York to Edinburgh, where she bonds with her seat mate, a twelve-year-old girl who is leaving everything she loves in America behind to live abroad with her single father―Ewan, an extremely handsome duke with zero sense of humor. But when Ewan agrees to keep up Charlotte's boyfriend ruse, sparks begin to fly, and it’s not long before Charlotte’s wondering if her make-believe boyfriend is the real deal.

Title: The Christmas Getaway

Author: Debbie Mason

Publisher: Forever

Expected Publication Date: October 13, 2026

Review:

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This is my first time reading this author and I do love me some holiday romance. Plus it takes place in Scotland so I was down for it all!

The pacing of this book was quick. I read it in less than 24 hours. I love me a short, easy to read story!

The plot was grumpy/sunshine with some close proximity. There's lots of chaos that happens and of course some drama.

Charlotte was fun, though I did find her a bit immature for her age. But she's kind of all over the place. I don't want to necessarily use the word ditzy, but she did come across that way at times. But she has a huge heart and I loved how she cared for people. She is absolutely accident prone and is always putting herself in situations that could potentially cause her or others harm. But she doesn't do it on purpose, it's just kind of who she is. Head stuck in the clouds and all. She incredibly brave to uproot herself and go to a foreign country to try and find her joy.

Ewan is a broody Scot with a brogue for days. While he is standoffish at first, you see how Charlotte is able to wiggle her way into his heart and soften him a bit. Especially when she is with his daughter, Matilda. I liked watching their relationship grow and morph. I didn't totally feel the chemistry but it was enough to make it fun.

I was expecting more spice with the way the sexy times began, but it's fade to black for that.

Overall, this was fun. Nothing out of this world different from other holiday books but enough that I was entertained and might pick up another rom this author in the future.

3.5 rounded to 4 stars

Author:

Debbie Mason is the USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado series and the Harmony Harbor series. The first book in her Christmas, Colorado series, “The Trouble with Christmas,” was the inspiration for Hallmark’s “Welcome to Christmas.” Her books have been praised by RT Book Reviews for their “likable characters, clever dialogue, and juicy plots.” When Debbie isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family in Ottawa, Canada.

ARC Review: Entities to Lovers by Mallory Marlow

 

A connection that’s more than supernatural emerges between two rival tour guides who wish they could ghost each other in this sparkling romantic comedy from USA Today bestselling author Mallory Marlowe.

Paranormal medium Rory Woods spends her days offering psychic readings at Ye Olde Spirit Shop and nights haunting the streets of Boston as a ghost-tour guide. Sure, business could be better, but she’s proud of the shop she runs with her mom.

Enter Ezra adjunct history professor, noted thorn in Rory’s side, and—though she’d only admit it under threat of medieval torture he surely knows too much about—a distractingly handsome, charismatic coworker.

Rory can’t stand Ezra’s know-it-all, show-offy behavior. Ezra loves to tease the gorgeous, brilliant medium at the shop. And when the two are forced to host a tour together? It’s no wonder they end up hexed after disturbing a matchmaking ghost.

Saddled with perpetual bad luck unless they’re physically near each other, Rory and Ezra will try anything, from séances to kissing, to stop the jinx from wreaking havoc on both their lives. But in their quest to appease the spirit, they realize that growing closer might not be the curse they once thought it was.

Title: Entities to Lovers

Author: mallory Marlowe

Publisher: BerkleyPublishing Group

Expected Publication Date: October 13, 2026

Review:

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I was excited to get a copy of this because I really liked the last book by this author. They are not listed as a series but there are definitely interconnected characters in these books. You do not need to read them together or in order as they are completely separate stories.  If you're looking for a cozy paranormal romance for this holiday season, this one fits that bill.

Rory and Ezra are so much fun together. I love their banter. It's definitely the best part of their relationship. So much fun to watch them go back and forth arguing. But when they're not arguing and they are exposing themselves to one another, it's sweet and heart clenching! I enjoyed the dual POV for this book. There's nothing like getting in the heads of both characters. 

The paranormal aspect of the book was fun. There's a witchy vibe with spells and tarot cards. And I love how Ezra never questions the paranormal aspect of Rory. He just accepts it as it is. 

The overall story of the curse and it having to be broken was definitely fun and hard to figure out. I was happy to watch Rory and Ezra unravel it together. There's some miscommunication going on, but more to the fact that each character feels they are not worthy of love from anyone. They do express it a bit to each other and have it in common. It's a story of learning how to love yourself and realize others can love you, as well. I loved the enemies to lovers (though I'm not sure I'd totally call them enemies) and close proximity tropes, as well.

It was fun to see characters from the other books enter the scene as it brought the story together well. Though, as I said, this can absolutely be read as a stand alone.

Overall, this one was my favorite book so far in this world. It was just fun and cozy and the perfect vibe for Halloween. I'm excited to see Marlowe will be giving us Ezra's brother, Michah's, story. I can't wait to see where that one goes!

4.5 stars rounded to 5

Author:

Mallory Marlowe is the USA Today Bestselling author of Love and Other Conspiracies, Love at First Sighting, and Entities to Lovers. Seriously right-brained since childhood, her love of telling stories began with highly elaborate plots for her Barbie dolls and taking elementary school writing projects too seriously. She studied Writing for Film and TV at Emerson College. When she isn’t writing, she’s likely reading, stuck in L.A. traffic, or fallen down a weird internet rabbit hole. She lives in Los Angeles, CA and writes video games by day.

Blog Tour Spotlight: The Haunted Librarian by Auralee Wallace

About THE HAUNTED LIBRARIAN:

A lonely librarian finds love, friends, and a few ghosts between the shelves in this cozy, paranormal tale from beloved bestselling author Auralee Wallace.

It’s a dark and stormy night…and Amelia Bates is caught in the rain. Life hasn’t always been kind to her, and being a ghostseer certainly doesn’t make things any easier.

Glowing warmly through the autumnal downpour is her safest haven: the library. Amelia, the newly hired librarian, has always relished the comfort of curling up with a novel, vastly preferring it to the company of humans (alive or ghostly).

But Amelia is shocked to discover the building is full of more than quiet stories and warm cups of tea. There are curious, talkative patrons, a shy, bespectacled head librarian who makes her heart skip a beat, and three quirky spirits causing paranormal havoc that endangers the future of the library.

To help the ghosts and save the building, Amelia will have to gather all her bravery and wits, because learning to trust others might just be the first step to a happily ever after she only thought was possible in books.

Title: The Haunted Librarian

Author: Auralee, Wallace

Publisher: Ace

Publication Date: October 6, 2026

 

About Auralee Wallace:

After spending her formative years reading Grimms’ fairy tales and stirring up potions in the creek behind her house, Auralee Wallace knew she would grow up to be a witch. When that didn’t work out, she decided becoming a writer was the next best thing. Now, Auralee is the author of multiple novels, including the Otter Lake mystery series and The Evenfall Witches B&B mysteries. She lives in Ottawa with her husband, three kids, two cats, and one dog.

 

Most Anticipated Releases Tuesday October 6, 2026

 

Here is what I'm excited about this week!

 So many goodies!

The Sixth Faction (Series #1) by Veronica Roth

For all those who hated the ending of this series, I think this book might be for you. Or at least that's what the blurb sounds like. I cannot wait to read this as I loved this series so much.

Broken Rival by Tessa Bailey

I really wanted to read this one early but it didn't happen. That's ok, though, because I loved Bailey and will get this to read anyway!

The Blood Queen (The Crimson Throne #2) by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis

I haven't read book 1 in this series but I love Raasch and Revis so I know I'll love this one! Plus, I got the first one with the pretty edges so I'm looking forward to adding this to my collection!

Victorious (Villains #3) by V.E. Schwab

I have been a Schwab fan for a long time. I haven't read this series yet but I'm always excited when she publishes something!

The Witch by Freida McFadden

Not sure if I'll like this. I've read two things by this author and I wasn't over impressed but I liked the blurb for this one.

This Shattered Tempest (Hurricane Wars #3) by Thea Guanzon

I actually have an early copy of this but I didn't get to it as life got in the way of my reading! I'm excited to get to it, though, and tell you my thoughts.

How about you?

ARC Review: Mistletoe All The Way by Lauren Blakely

 

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely, a small-town spicy, holiday romance about a guarded cowboy veterinarian and a Christmas-loving optimist who team up for a town holiday pageant.

Dr. Noah Lennox has three Christmas rules—avoid his hometown, avoid being mistaken for his internet-famous twin, and definitely avoid his smug cousin, Stephen. But when his beloved grandfather announces he’s retiring and leaving the family’s beloved sleigh-ride horse farm to either Noah or Stephen, Noah finds himself snowed in back home in Evergreen Falls and determined to fight for the place that means everything to him. The problem is, the town doesn’t exactly welcome its resident Scrooge with open arms.

Eloise Langston, a sunny Tourism Bureau hopeful, needs a win to land her dream job—and health insurance. Her Hail Mary plan? Turn Noah into Mr. Christmas to help the town’s Mr. Holiday Pageant draw record crowds. Transforming a camera-shy cowboy vet into a small-town sweetheart isn’t exactly in her job description—but neither is falling for him.

As sleigh bells ring and sparks fly, Noah and Eloise find themselves tangled in twinkle lights, fake pageants, and one very real attraction. But with the farm’s future at stake, Stephen's scheming, and Eloise’s own career on the line, there’s a blizzard of reasons to put their growing feelings on ice. Then again, if you can’t fight for love at the most wonderful time of the year, you don’t deserve the kiss waiting under the mistletoe.

Title: Mistletoe All The Way

Author: Lauren Blakely

Publisher: Atria Books

Expected Publication Date: October 6, 2026

Review:

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This is my first full length book by this author. I have seen her books around but haven't had a chance to read any of them so I was excited to see what she was all about. This book was fun. It wasn't anything different or special for me. I would definitely classify it as more fluff than anything else. The story has a good theme, the characters were well done and the pacing was even. 

I liked both the FMC and MMC points of view for this book. I like a romance that is dual POV so I can really get into the characters heads. Their development was good. I did get a little annoyed here and there when they kept repeating the same things about why each of them thought it would be too hard to be together.

I loved the grumpy/sunshine trop here, though. It was fun watching Eloise help turn Noah into someone who lets Christmas into their heart. A little play on The Grinch but he doesn't steal anything!

The side characters were a nice addition. I loved Noah's Grandpa so much. And I liked the secondary theme of Eloise and Noah trying to figure out the mystery of Noah's cousin Stephen and what he had going on up his sleeve. I hated Eloise's parents, which I'm pretty sure was what the author wanted. They just weren't nice people and gave Eloise zero support. I wish she would have stood up for herself more throughout the book, but she was able to do it in the end.

I wondered quite a bit during this story if it is connected to any of the author's other stories. Some of the characters seemed like we should have possibly known them better. I tried to find out if they were linked but I was unable to secure that information. This can definitely be read as a stand alone if it is connected but I can see how you might enjoy it more if you knew some of the characters who are introduced.

Overall, this was a fun read. If you like a nice romance with a bit of spice for Christmas, pick up this small town story and see where it goes!

Author

You can find Lauren on TikTok at @laurenblakelybooks! A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.