ARC Review: Big Bad Wolf (Maple Hollow #1) by Laurie Gilmore

 

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Dream Harbor series, comes a brand new paranormal romance set in the small town of Maple Hollow.

The darker the woods, the bigger the secrets...

Ruby Bellerose lives on the edge of the woods, in a cottage more akin to a fairy tale than modern day life. Her love life is basically non-existent, and she keeps away from the whispered gossip that travels through Maple Hollow.

Until a chance encounter with Rafe.

As mysterious as he is brooding, Ruby is drawn to the woodsman, curious to find out more about the stranger who lives deep within the woods.

But Rafe is hiding a secret. And with something lurking in the shadowy forest, will Ruby find that Rafe is her knight in shining armor or something altogether more dangerous...

Title: Big Bad Wolf (Maple Hollow #1)

Author: Laurie Gilmore

Publisher: Harper Collins/Harper 360

Expected Publication Date: September 8, 2026

Review:

Thank you to Harper Collins, Harper360, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I really love Laurie Gilmore's writing. I was so excited to get to read this installment in this series and watch the paranormal romance bloom. I love paranormal romance, and I love werewolves! This one is totally different from her Dream Harbor series. 

This one seems as if it was a bit of a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, but not totally. I saw some aspects but it's certainly not totally lined up with that story. It's a bit of a dark romance in a way, given the mystery over why the FMC, Ruby, and her sister, Lena, are being hunted by the Highlands pack. There's a bit of magic wrapped in the story, as well. Witches, seers, and nymphs, OH MY!

This one is a bit more steamy than the other books I've read by Laurie. I enjoyed that aspect. 

This one had me turning pages for sure. It was a fast read for me. I didn't want to put it down. I was totally immersed in the story.

My one complaint was the back and forth in the romance. I understood the reasoning for it, but it was so much. I wanted to smack them both many times and just say, "snap out of it!" There's definitely chemistry between these two, though. I was for sure there for it. 

This one 100% ends on a cliffhanger, so if you're not a fan of waiting, as the next book isn't out yet, I'd hold off reading. Or just re-read it right before the other comes out. I really want to listen to this one audio when it's released. Definitely a book that will be a re-read for me! If you're a fan of cozy fantasy, I think you'll enjoy this one! Small town feel, magical characters, and a fun plot.

Author:

aurie 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: The Art of Charming a Changeling (Pigments & Paramours #1) by Sylvie Cathrall

 

A cozy slice-of-life romantic fantasy set in a Regency-inspired world where humans and fairies compete for artistic supremacy, from Sylvie Cathrall, author of A Letter to the Luminous Deep. 

On her first day working in the prince’s galleries, art conservator Florrie Hyverfell discovers that the most famous portrait in the collection is not only a fake—it’s also inhabited by Vern, a fairy trapped in the forged painting.

Tracking down the stolen original is the only way for Florrie to save her job and for Vern to escape his canvas. Yet as they journey to a famed fairy museum to find the missing artwork, Florrie finds herself taking more than an art historical interest in the changeling painting’s charming inhabitant.

Title: The Art of Charming a Changeling (Pigments & Paramours #1)

Author: Sylvie Cathrall

Publisher:

Publication Date: September 25, 2026

Review:

Thank you to Orbit 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.

I really enjoyed the last series I read by Cathrall. It was an epistolary series and it was great. I was excited to see her putting out a new series. This one was a lot of fun. I have to admit, her writing is definitely different than anything I've ever read before.

If you're looking for a fantasy world, set inside paintings (a little magic for you), you might enjoy this one.

I loved the art aspect of this book. How the main character, Florrie, has spent her life working on art, restoring it, making it whole again.

This one is a cozy fantasy for sure. There is some romance between Florrie and a certain man in a painting, but this one does not have any spice at all. There is allusion to it but it doesn't happen on page. And the rommance is a slow burn, which I enjoyed. I loved watching it grow.

The MMC and FMC are hard to not love. They are just so cute together. Cathrall develops them really well. She makes them totally honest and fun. I liked their chemistry and how they engaged.

This one also encompasses some fairie world. At times it was a bit hard to truly picture the world. But Cathrall overall did a good job with the descriptions.

There's a bit of mystery to this one but it's nothing totally nefarious. I was happy to see that, as well.

Overall, I'm looking forward to the next installment of this one.

Author:

Sylvie Cathrall writes stories of hope and healing with healthy doses of wonder and whimsy. She holds a graduate degree in odd Victorian art and has handled more than a few nineteenth-century letters (with great care). Sylvie married her former pen pal and lives in the mountains, where she dresses impractically and dreams of the sea.

Blog Tour Spotlight: Mantras & Minatours (Leviathan Fitness #3) by Ashley Bennett

 

A single mom decides to take life—and love—by the horns as she falls for a hunky minotaur in this steamy monster romance.

Pam Rollins is ready to date again after spending the last few years alone. Now that her kids have grown up and moved out, she’s committed to changing her life by starting yoga classes and, at her daughter’s urging, joining a dating app. She doesn’t expect much to come from her swiping, especially not a first date with buff, kind, and generous minotaur Alistair.

Alistair Reid is the kind of swoon-worthy monster that every woman dreams of. After one date, Pam is feeling hopeful in love for the first time ever—and Alistair has fallen head over hoof for her. The only problem: they live states apart and have thriving lives of their own.

However, as romance blooms, it becomes harder to envision a future without the other in it. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, after all....

Author:

Ashley Bennett is a small-town paranormal and monster romance author from Baltimore, Maryland. She writes stories that are equal parts spice and swoon. When she's not writing, you can find her reading webtoons, playing cozy video games, and taking care of her houseful of rescue animals.

Blog Tour Spotlight: Bound By Fate by A.N. Caudle

 

Ryker

Lost without his mate, Ryker is driven to the point of madness. He won’t let her escape her shadow. Not this time, not ever. But now, his enemies are threatening what was once lost. Will he find Kya before it’s too late, or will he be forced to choose between his bond and the realm?

Kya

Having just evaded the clutches of death, Kya is now bound by the nightmare of her reality. Forced to bend until she breaks, she has to submit her will or face the wrath of dark forces. Can she make the choice to sacrifice more than just her own fate, or will she escape before she shatters?

Zalen

After the brutal murder of the King, Zalen’s plan is thrust into motion, allowing him to take the opportunity to claim the Kingdom. With his new-found supremacy, he can finally capture his worthy prey—Maera. But his greatest prize is now in peril. Can he discover the veiled threat to his power, or will his reign come to an untimely end before it’s even begun?

Malina

Malina struggles to bear the weight of what she’s done. Unable to cope, she turns to the one thing that will help her forget. She finds it’s the obstacle she must vanquish to complete the task that has been laid before her. Can she overcome the hold her new obsession has on her, or will she fall to her demise?

Full of heartache, morally gray-to-black characters, excruciating choices, and spine-chilling action that will have you on the edge of your seat, Bound by Fate is the second installment of the Realms In Peril series. This dark fantasy romance deals with themes that may be triggering to some. Please check the content information.

Title: Bound By Fate (Realms of Peril #2)

Author: A.N. Caudle

Publisher: Ace

Publication Date: September 1, 2026

Author:

A.N. Caudle has a history in engineering with a degree in Organizational leadership (and to make her even nerdier, she went to space camp). After spending over a decade poring over architectural schematics, she was hit with the idea for a story that demanded (yes, demanded) to be told.

What was supposed to be one singular book turned into a series (did not see that coming) and much more, going far beyond anything she could have imagined.

Caudle lives in Arkansas with her husband, two sons, and a menagerie of pets.

Most Anticipated Releases Tuesday September 1, 2026

 

This is what I'm excited about today.

Bound by Fate by A.N. Caudle

Check out my blog spotlight HERE for this title, the second in the Realms of Peril series!

The Spider Silk Scarf by Ana Reyes

This one is a short story from Amazon. I've not read this author before but I did read this and it was good. I would definitely read more from her. See my thoughts on the story HERE.

The Getaway by Kieran Scott

I've enjoyed Kieran's works that I have read in the past. I got this one from Amazon First Reads but didn't get a chance to read it before publication. I'm looking forward to seeing what it's about!

Mantras and Minotaurs (Leviathan Fitness #3) by Ashley Bennett

This series looks cute. I haven't really read monster romance much but I could see myself liking this. I'm participating in the blog tour doing a spotlight for this one. You can see that HERE.

How about you?

ARC Review: Hawk & Sparrow by Ayana Gray

 

Sparks fly in this Gilded Age novel of mystery, magic, and romance by the author of the New York Times–bestselling Beasts of Prey. This program is read by actor Renika Williams-Blutcher.

Nineteen-year-old Vesper Evans has always resented Basalton’s high society, and the sorcery that provides them with a luxurious life unimaginable to most. Orphaned as a child and rescued by the editor of The Basalton Globe, Vesper is now an ambitious reporter determined to keep her newspaper afloat.

While covering a lavish society gala, Vesper happens upon a shocking the murdered body of an inventor whose new machine promised to bring the benefits of sorcery to everyone. Several of the powerful magical elite may want the man dead, but the prime suspect is wealthy industrialist Maximilian Kite.

Max soon makes Vesper a tempting Find the culprit and restore his reputation in exchange for a substantial fee. Despite her distaste for Max’s world, Vesper agrees—the money would save the Globe, and the story would be the scoop of a lifetime. There’s only one In order for her to infiltrate society, the two must pose as a courting couple.

Their investigation takes them from the highest echelons of privilege to the seediest backstreets of Basalton. As they unearth the city’s secrets and scandals, Vesper finds herself in grave danger—while falling for one of the most infuriating, arrogant, handsome men she has ever met.

Title: Hawk & Sparrow

Author: Ayana Gray

Publisher: Blazer & Bray/Macmillan Audio

Expected Publication Date: September 1, 2026

Review:

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Blazer and Bray, 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 book was not what I was expecting at all. I had the feeling it would be more of a fantasy/romantasy. But it turned out to be a mystery with fantasy elements. The setting was almost steampunk in nature set in what seemed to be the 1800s, given how the characters dressed and the societal norms expressed throughout the story.

I enjoyed the narrator. I do believe I've listened to books narrated by her in the past. She has an easy cadence to her voice and kept the story exciting and focused. She did a good job voicing the different characters.

Told from the POV of Vesper, a female journalist navigating a news story about a magical invention, we follow along as the story she covers suddenly becomes a murder mystery. Paired up with a young sorcerer, Max, Vesper investigates the mysterious death of an inventor who claimed he didn't need magical incantations to perform magic; he could do it with his special machine.

I was a bit lost on the magical system. I think it's sometimes harder to listen to fantasy than read it in print. I did find myself rewinding a few times to make sure I understood things and that would take me out of the story.

This story definitely has a Sherlock Holmes vibe to it with how the mystery is investigated. I enjoyed getting to know Vesper and Max and watch them work together to get to the bottom of what happened.

There's some romance thrown in, though I didn't really think it was necessary. And it's very clean, just some kissing. If you're expecting romance, this book is not the one for you. It's very minimal.

I appreciated this was a stand alone. At first I thought it might actually be a series. So many books now are series and sometimes I just want a story to wrap up and be concluded.

My only other complaint about this story was the pacing. I did find it slow at times. I felt like some of the scenes were not necessary to move the story forward. It was a very slow build and I kept asking myself when the pace would pick up.

Overall, the story was fun. This story is firmly planted in the YA category, despite the characters being just a bit older (19 and 20). I'd definitely give this author another try in the future.

3.5 stars rounded to 4

Author:

Ayana Gray is a New York Times-bestselling author of speculative fiction. Her works have been translated in eleven languages across five continents. She currently lives in Arkansas.

ARC Review: The Spider Silk Scarf by Ana Reyes

 

 

From the New York Times bestselling author of The House in the Pines comes a haunting short story about grief, growth, and regret that asks the question, “What do you get when you steal from a witch?”

Nora has always gotten a thrill from stealing things—from shoplifting nail polish as a young teenager to now, in her twenties, reaching higher than a receptionist’s salary allows. Her handyman fiancé, Ben, doesn’t ask questions when she shows up with a new necklace or cracks open a bottle of high-end cognac that they clearly can’t afford.

When Ben comes home from a repair job for a notoriously reclusive neighbor, he passes along rumors of an extraordinary object hidden away in her gloomy old house. A scarf, woven from the silk of black widow spiders. It’s priceless, not only because it’s completely unique, but also because, as legend has it, it took twelve weavers seven years to create. Only eleven survived.

As obsession takes hold, Nora finds herself breaking into her neighbor’s home. But what happens next defies explanation. One glimpse into the world of a witch could change Nora’s life forever—if she makes it out.

Title: The Spider Silk Scarf

Author: Ana Reyes

Publisher: Amazon Original Stories

Expected Publication Date: September 1, 2026

Review:

Thank you to Amazon for providing me with a copy of this title through Amazon First Reads to read and review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This is my first work by this author so I wasn't sure what to expect. I also had no idea what the plot was for this story so I went in blind.

If you're looking for a suspenseful short story with a bit of magic infused into it, this one might suit your fancy. There's some magical realism woven in, though in the end I think you are supposed to assume it was due to something else.

I enjoyed Reyes's writing style. It flowed easily and kept me engaged. The plot was interesting and I needed to know what the mystery was all about. The pace was fast.

I do with there was a bit more at the end. It felt as if it just kind of ended and there wasn't much of a wrap up to the story. I'm not sure if the author wanted to keep the reader guessing and if she did, then she succeeded at least for me.

Overall, I would definitely read more from this author. Perhaps I will pick up her other title.

Author:

Ana Reyes has an MFA from Louisiana State University. Her work has appeared in Bodega, Pear Noir!, The New Delta Review, and elsewhere. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and teaches creative writing to older adults at Santa Monica College. The House in the Pines in her first novel.

Fat Stack Friday August 28, 2026

 

Here's my haul for this week.

In the mail:

Unroyally Yours by Emma Lord

A Goodreads win for me. I actually have a kindle copy that was read now on NetGalley. I enjoy Lord's books.

This is my monthly FairyLoot subscription. I actually had one of these books sent to me to review months ago but I didn't accept it because I knew I would not get to it. These are very pretty and round out my blue pile very well!

Steelborn (The Steelborn Saga) by Taylor J. LaRue

To Drown a Witch by Lindsey Olsson

The Cinnamon Bun Book Store (Dream Harbor #2) by Laurie Gilmore

I really love this series and I'm excited to have the first three books of special editions on my shelf. I cannot wait to get the others!

NetGalley/Edelweiss/Booktrovert:

Hawk & Sparrow by Ayana Gray

I wanted this one pretty badly. I was denied for the kindle but managed to get audio. I've already finished it! You can see my review HERE.

Tree Daddy by Molly Harper

I think I've read a book by this author before. I wasn't going to grab this one because I wasn't a huge fan of the title. But the blurb looks cute so hopefully I can get over that.

Dirty Magic by Tatum Dallas

Magic Mike with actual magic? SIGN ME UP! I hope it's fun!

Longtime Listener (Heartstrings #3) by B.K. Borison

I'm so excited for this one. It's my most anticipate read for 2027. I cannot wait to read Cooper and Maggie's story!

The Soul Mate by Lana Ferguson

I've loved the books Ferguson has written in this world so I'm really looking forward to this installment!

LibbyHoopla:

A Forsaken Prophecy (The Artisan Trilogy #2) by Stacey McEwan

Trying to finish up another audio book then I'm going to jump into this one.

What did you get?

ARC Review: Love Antidote by Brynne Weaver

 

Love, murder, and dessert bring two hired assassins together in a darkly romantic novella by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Butcher & Blackbird and Tourist Season.

If anyone can poison a weapons dealer in plain sight, it’s assassin and pastry chef Isla Castillon. Regrettably, it’s competitive contract killer Mateo Rocha who’s accidentally served the delicious but lethal karpatka. Defying professional logic, Isla saves him. Mateo is too hot to die. With off-the-charts chemistry and an undeniable connection, they agree to go after their target together. Unfortunately, he’s guarded by the most terrifyingly sadistic hit man in the business. Isla and Mateo will have to be twice as ruthless and twice as clever to get to their happy ending alive.

Title: Love Antidote

Author: Brynne Weaver

Publisher: Amazon Original Stories

Expected Publication Date: September 15, 2026

Review:

Thank you to Amazon Original Stories 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.

I always wonder if an author will be able to pull me into a story and keep me there for just the length of a novella. Most novellas I read are linked to series or other books. But this one is a stand alone. And I have to say, Weaver had me itching to have this one as a full story!

If you like John Wick or Mr. and Mrs Smith, this one gives those vibes. Two assassins after the same target team up to try and win it all. And in the process they find just a bit of love.

Was this one fast? It sure was. Did the love aspect feel a bit like insta-love? Well, yes, it sort of did but how else can you tell of such a thing in a short story. But what I loved more than even the chemistry that existed between the two main characters was their banter. And banter in the face of murder, or, in this case, poisoning. Do we get to know the characters in depth? Not really but, again, for the length of the story, Weaver did a great job in developing them and making them their own.

I truly don't think there's anything Weaver could write that I would not want to read. What this title gave more than anything else was light hearted fun. I needed a bit of a palette cleanser and this totally fit that bill.  Would I love to see this as a full length book? Sure! But I'll take whatever Weaver is willing to throw at me. Cute plot, great pacing, fun banter, and a bit of chemistry made for a quick read!

Brynne Weaver is a #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and international sensation with over 4 million copies sold in over twenty-five countries to date.  She has traveled the world, taken in more stray animals than her husband would probably prefer, and nurtured her love for dark comedies, horror, and romance in both literature and film. During all her adventures, the constant thread in Brynne’s life has been writing. With thirteen published works and counting, Brynne has made her mark in the literary world by blending irreverent dark comedy, swoon-worthy romance, and riveting suspense to create genre-breaking, addictive stories for readers to escape into. Known as the “Queen of Dark Romcom,” Brynne Weaver aspires to write female-focused stories about resilient characters navigating the darker edges of love.

ARC Review: The Phone Swap by Lia Louis

 

Allie Lake is a scientist is on a held-up flight travelling home from a job when she is seated next to troubled movie star Milo Ford. She is in no mood to talk to him, whoever he might be. Her most recent project at a research station has just come to an end and she's about to move in with her sister and her love life is non-existent. As for Milo, he wants nothing more than to be at home hiding out with a little normality. Instead, he has to go and film a movie in the Romanian mountains... all the while, the press are getting closer, circling his most closely guarded secret.

Post-flight, they both quickly realise they've accidentally swapped phones with their fellow passenger. Easily rectified, except Milo's about to be on a remote set for a month... and Allie has no idea who Milo is, only that he is the keeper of her entire digital life.

As they trade back and forth on each other's phones, they can't help but notice there's more to their chat than practicalities...

Title: The Phone Swap

Author: Lia Louis

Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books

Publication Date: August 25,2026

Review:

Thank you to Atria Books/Emily Bestler 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.

I absolutely adored the premise of this book. Phones accidentally swapped and the two people getting to know each other over text and face time/zoom calls. Sign me up! And, while the premise was fun, the execution was just a bit lacking for me. 

The first chunk of this book is emails between the FMC and MMC and journal entries by the FMC. When I started reading, I thought it would just be an introduction. But then this format continued on and I figured the book would be written through this type of prose. I do enjoy epistolary writing done right, so I was down with seeing where it went. But suddenly this prose ends, you realize it was just supposed to be information put out via media, and you get dual POV from the FMC and the MMC. It felt totally disjointed to see this jump. For me, a then and now format or even just chapters with the emails and journal entries slipped between the now chapters as a build up for why the characters have animosity towards each other just would have made so much more sense. I'm not the author, and I do appreciate that authors have the right to put their art out there the way they feel is write, but it really took me out of the story and I had a hard time connecting with the main characters because of it.

I did enjoy the chemistry between the FMC and MMC. The build via the media was nice to watch. And, while it was nice to watch the romance, I didn't feel like the characters actually got to know each other all that well. You get a few weeks of the texts and face times, and then 4 days of them together in the Arctic, and that's it. I didn't feel like it was enough for the emotions we were being told they had. The reader is told of much that happens between the main characters but these were conversations that happened off page. I wish there would have been more showing in this area.

Coming from a background of addiction, I wanted to connect with the MMC on this. But it was hard for me to believe in his recovery since we don't really get to see it happen during the story. I felt like it was stuck into the story but never truly explored. Addiction is so complicated and that is not shown at all in this story. There is one part where you kind of see it's effects (towards the end of the book) but truly, it just seemed like it was slipped in to try and make the reader sympathetic towards the MMC but it just didn't work for me.

There's some cute banter throughout the book. I had myself a laugh here and there.

Overall, this is a sweet enough story that I think many will enjoy but there was just something missing for me. And I had a hard time suspending my disbelief for what happens between them at the airport at the end.

Author:

Lia Louis is a talented author known for her heartfelt and captivating contemporary fiction. Her novels, including Dear Emmie Blue, Eight Perfect Hours, and The Key to My Heart, have charmed readers worldwide with their emotional depth, relatable characters, and touching storytelling.

Lia’s writing beautifully captures the complexities of love, friendship, and life’s unexpected moments. When she’s not writing, Lia enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new places, and delving into a good book. Discover the magic in Lia Louis’ novels and get lost in her enchanting worlds.