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Review of Shortbread and Shadows by Amy Lane

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Blurb:

When a coven of hedge witches casts a spell for their hearts’ desires, the world turns upside down.

Bartholomew Baker is afraid to hope for his heart’s true desire—the gregarious woodworker who sells his wares next to Bartholomew at the local craft fairs—so he writes the spell for his baking business to thrive and allow him to quit his office job. He’d rather pour his energy into emotionally gratifying pastry! But the magic won’t allow him to lie, even to himself, and the spellcasting has unexpected consequences.

For two years Lachlan has been flirting with Bartholomew, but the shy baker with the beautiful gray eyes runs away whenever their conversation turns personal. He’s about to give up hope… and then Bartholomew rushes into a convention in the midst of a spellcasting disaster of epic proportions.

Suddenly everybody wants a taste of Bartholomew’s baked goods—and Bartholomew himself. Lachlan gladly jumps on for the ride, enduring rioting crowds and supernatural birds for a chance with Bartholomew. Can Bartholomew overcome the shyness that has kept him from giving his heart to Lachlan?

Review:

What an unexpected gem! This was such a surprising read that took me to places I very much didn’t expect.  The story differs greatly from Amy Lane’s typical angsty romances that I’ve read in the past.  This book follows a group of modern-day witches whose most recent spell has gone terribly, terribly awry. What’s fun about this is that some of the fallout of the spell has to do with Bartholomew’s crush on Lachlan, the sexy woodworker whose booth is often next Bartholomew’s at local fairs and conventions where they both sell their wares.

Bartholomew is one of the witches who cast the runaway spell. It’s worth mentioning that he’s so shy that he’s never been able to bring himself to confess his feelings for Lachlan.  As for the runaway spell, the witches all had to write down and then state their heart’s desire aloud.  The kicker is that for one reason for another, they ALL were lying (some to themselves) about what they really, truly wanted, and “magic” didn’t seem too happy about that fact. Hence, it ripped out the “real” truth from all of them during the climax of the spell — and all manner of chaotic hijinks ensued.  In fact, the beginning of this book read like a freight train running off the rails!

I loved the pining between Bartholomew and Lachlan.  The sexual tension and energy between these two vibrates the pages.  They also are real, complicated, and relatable human characters, which isn’t surprising as Any Lane is a master of building characters that feel relatable.

I also enjoyed the structure of the magical world in this series. Although the witches are like everyday folks, feeling confused and unsure of themselves like the rest of us, they also have a great deal of power and ability, though they may not all realize it. It was this fact that especially endeared these characters to me.  Lane deftly builds a world where magic feels both plausible and inevitable, and inserts this magical world seamlessly into our own.

This cosmic comedy of errors/romance had it all: a gripping plot, tender and funny moments, and some very steamy scenes. Shortbread and Shadows is a fun and light start to a new series, and this delightful, quirky, heartwarming romance will make you believe in love again.  I found this to be an imaginative modern-day romance that’s infused with the whimsy of magical realism.  

I was not only submerged in the sweet and tender relationship – but page after page, I fell deeper into the richly imagined world.  And though the story revolves around the witches and their unfortunate spell, at its core, this story is about love.  So what we get then, is a sweet, achingly romantic, lighthearted, and gentle story as these two men slowly reveal their genuine feelings for the other. And did I mention steamy?? Oh my!

I loved this new quirky, heartwarming romance, and I cannot wait for the next installment. I look forward to seeing where this series is going to go next.  If I could magically make it appear on my Kindle right now, I would!

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Review of Death Overdue by David S. Pederson

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I was so excited when this book came to my attention, given that it takes place in Milwaukee, my hometown.  The story takes place in the 1940s and follows police detective Heath Barrington, who is having a clandestine affair with another police officer, Alan Keyes.  Given that being gay during this time period could lead to arrest, being institutionalized, and certainly fired from one’s job (especially if you’re a police officer!), it’s essential that the two men keep their relationship a secret.  

So when Heath receives a note that says, “I know what you are,” his world crumbles.  As it turns out, a low-life named Larry Crowe, a janitor as the police station, is blackmailing him to the tune of $500, or else he will tell everyone about Heath and Alan’s secret. After Heath meets with Larry, Heath, after having consumed several double-martinis at a local bar, decides to return to Larry’s apartment, perhaps to further negotiate with him. Heath’s not sure because he doesn’t remember anything after having left the bar — which is unfortunate because Larry was found murdered later that afternoon.  Heath then becomes the prime suspect in Larry’s murder. And the kicker is that he’s not even certain of his own innocence given that the events of that afternoon for Heath are a complete blank and it’s not inconceivable that in his drunken state, he returned back to Larry’s apartment and killed him given that Larry was threatening him with utter ruin.

So even though it’s against the rules and could land Heath in some significant hot water, he, along with Alan, decides to investigate the crime and attempt to discover what really happened that afternoon.  Luckily for Heath, he’s not the only suspect.  We also have Heath’s cousin Liz who was married to the blackmailer, a dangerous gangster known as Vinnie the Horse, and Miss Caldwell, the local librarian who seems to be sweet on Larry’s current wife, Alice.

I loved the underlying tension throughout the story as we, along with Heath and Alan, journeyed to discover whether Heath did, in fact, kill Larry Crowe.  The suspense is taut, but there is an emotional element at play here, and the story expertly portrayed the difficulties that gay people faced during this time period and how they always had to be extremely careful of what they said or how they acted, lest they find themselves in a whole heap of hot water.  In this way, the author does a phenomenal job of portraying the atmosphere of a 1940s Milwaukee as well as illustrating the danger in being outed and how quickly it could quickly destroy lives, all of which really brought the story to life for me.

Additionally, the book explores some very real concerns about spousal abuse, intolerance, regret, secrets, and discrimination, and my heart broke in so several places as it was quite a traumatic roller coaster of a ride.  I was overwhelmed with the deep impact portions of this story produced on me.

It was still a lot of fun to unravel the mystery of what happened to Larry Crowe, and what we end up with then is a twisted and suspenseful little mystery that entangles secrets, identity, and murder.  Death Overdue is a masterful historical fiction set in the late 1940s that illuminates the very real issues of discrimination and intolerance. Moreover, it’s a well-written, lovely, eloquent, and engaging story with a twisty little mystery to solve. I definitely plan on picking up more books by this author

A huge thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy of this book.

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Review of The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune

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The story follows our main character Nick Bell, a high school junior with ADHD who lives alone with his father, a police officer.

They reside in Nova City, a city of superheroes (who are called “Extraordinaries”) and Nick is a die-hard fan of one particular local superhero: Shadow Star (and Nick harbors a not-so-secret crush on the superhero). Nick spends his days writing fan fiction about Shadow Star and his arch-nemesis Pyro Storm. Nick’s best friend Seth, how also happens to be super cute (and may or may not be a potential love interest), beta-reads all of Nick’s writings.

Nick is crushing pretty seriously on Shadow Storm, and that crush becomes even more exacerbated after Nick has a real live encounter with the superhero. After that encounter, Nick decides he’s going to do whatever it takes to become an “Extraordinary” himself — that is to say, to somehow morph into a superhero.

But when the battle between Shadow Star and Pyro Storm escalates to epic proportions, Nick is thrust right in the center of it.

I loved this book on so many different levels. First off, the humor and banter was superb and caused me to cackle out loud several times. The author’s witty and clever use of language also succeeded in bringing a smile to my face all throughout the story. It was so much fun following along with Nick and his friends as Nick learned not only about himself but also about the superheroes that he worships. I fell in love with the fumbly, clueless, bumbling Nick with all of his flaws and shortcomings, rendering him utterly endearing and adorable. I enjoyed how everything he did seemed to land him in hot water.

Nick’s voice grabbed me instantly, with sharp humor and tender growing up moments, and didn’t let go until the very last page. This is openhearted storytelling at its best. Humor is often tough for me, but I felt the author really nailed it here. The fluffy romantic aspect of the story — notably the angsty (and sometimes infuriating) mutual pining between two of the characters — really warmed my heart and found myself rooting for them to get together right from the get-go.

I loved the positive LGBTQ+ and ADHD representation in this queer coming-of-age tale about a lovable boy with ADHD. The secondary characters, many of whom are also queer, were also equally amazing. There’s Seth who is bisexual; we have Gibby (the badass) and Jazz (former popular girl), the two lesbian best friends of both Nick and Seth who are also romantically involved with each other; and then there’s Nick’s ex-boyfriend Owen who continues to thrust himself into Nick’s circle of friends and who, as we learn later on in the story, has some pretty serious issues of his own to contend with.

Speaking of serious issues, at first glance, The Extraordinaries seems like a fun, lighthearted romp but as is typical for a TJ Klune novel, it delves into some pretty serious topics such as grief, ADHD, death of a parent, loss, self-discovery, complicated relationships, self-esteem and perhaps most importantly, self-acceptance all of which were handled expertly by the author.

The author, whom I believe is neurodiverse himself, masterfully portrays Nick’s struggles with ADHD, such as his difficulty concentrating, his chaotic thoughts, his challenges at school, and how his verbal “filter” doesn’t always come to his rescue. Additionally, the author nicely illustrates the strain that ADHD can cause in one’s relationships. But that being said, the author does give Nick a fantastic circle of support in both his father and his friends.

All in all, I found The Extraordinaries to be a delightful, poignant novel that’s heartbreaking in places, angsty in others but with exciting twists and surprises along the way. As is typical of this author’s work, I was immediately captivated by the superlative writing and remained riveted throughout the entire novel. The characters were not only compelling but also relatable, and no doubt, many people will be able to see themselves in the characters on these pages. I felt it was the perfect blend between lightheartedness and seriousness. I absolutely loved this little gem of a novel and found it wildly entertaining with its secret identities, its mysteries, and its tender coming-of-age.

The book did leave the possibility for a sequel, and I hope the author continues on with this delightful world and these delightful characters.

A huge thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book.

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Review of The Bright Lands by John Fram

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It’s difficult to believe that this is a debut novel as it was not only addictive and gripping but also incredibly well-written. This was a riveting supernatural thriller/horror novel full of suspense, twists, and tension that takes place in a creepy small town with quite an assortment of fascinating characters.

As Joel begins to investigate his brother’s disappearance, he unearths a plethora of painful memories — memories he thought he’d left behind him after being shamed out of town ten years prior for being gay — and he ends up exposing the town’s darkest secrets. But Joel wants answers and is willing to do whatever it takes to get them — even if it puts his life in jeopardy.

As he gets closer to the truth, it eventually becomes clear that the town itself is responsible for the evil goings-on in Bentley with a frightening urban legend at the heart of it all. I actually thought that this was going to be a small-town mystery story, so I was a bit gobsmacked when the horror and supernatural elements came into play – though I will say pleasantly surprised.

Think you have it figured out? Think again! And that’s what I enjoyed about the story — how unpredictable it was. I was a bit surprised, though, when the story went super dark and took on an overall sense of foreboding, hints of menace, and the general feeling that something was off. What we end up with, then, is a razor-witted, intense, and brutal look at the modern human condition – a tale of twisted narratives fueled by obsession, resulting in a tense and unsettling read. This book is a serpentine tale of betrayal, madness, and murder.

But interestingly, it’s also about casting off shame and stigma. At its core, it’s a novel rooted with human failings: the dangers of bigotry and close-mindedness of our own society leading to many of the characters facing insurmountable demons — demons resulting from the suppression of the self and the suppression of others. There is definitely a deeper story within these pages, and parts of it speak to the divisiveness of the world in which we live.

Additionally, the author explores several other important themes in the story: sexuality, religion, betrayal, drugs, predation, complicated family dynamics, racism, conformity, and the confusion that coming of age can bring along with it.

I liked how the story was told several alternating POVs, allowing us to see the events through multiple lenses and perspectives. Though there are several pivotal events in the story, at its heart Bright Lands is a character-driven story where every character has something to hide. All their stories come together to weave a dark and intricate tale that draws you in until the very end. What we end up with is a pitch-dark, terrifying story that explores what we’re capable of when our backs are against the wall.

I will say, however, that The Bright Lands is a disturbing novel with graphic content, so it may not be appropriate for more sensitive readers.

All in all, this was an edge-of-your-seat page-turner that kept me guessing until the explosive ending, and though it wasn’t quite what I expected, I enjoyed the wild ride it took me on.

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Review of Or What You Will by Jo Walton

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What a clever, unusual book this is!  It’s kind of a “book within a book” and is one of the most interesting experimental books I’ve read. I have to admit that the initial ancient Celtic-style stream of consciousness by the book’s narrator at the beginning took a bit of getting used to as I desperately struggled to figure what was going on.  But once I caught on (about 10% of the way in) that our narrator is sort of a self-aware Muse with a distinct personality inside of Sylvia’s head, I relaxed into what turned out to be quite an enjoyable journey.  

The narrative alternates between the discussions between Sylvia, an aging fantasy writer who may or may not be dying, and her muse, the nameless narrator.  We also follow along with the latest fantasy novel that Sylvia is writing – a fusion between Shakespeare’s The Tempest and The Twelfth Night that takes place in Ilyria, one of the worlds that Sylvia wrote about in her earlier books.  

It is in Ilyria where we meet several Shakespearean characters, and we learn that it’s also a place where immortality is possible. It actually took me a moment to realize that the title of this book comes from the original title of The Twelfth Night (The Twelfth Night, Or What You Will).   

So the narrator/Sylvia’s Muse is trying to convince her to go to Ilyria before she dies so they can continue to be immortal together, and in doing so, he steers her new story in that direction.  

What’s interesting here is that in Sylvia’s chapters, we learn about her challenging and painful past and how our narrator fits into it all.  There’s a lot of different moving parts and layers to this novel, and I found it so much fun to be carried along with them. 

I will say that this isn’t the sort of story you can sit back with your feet up and mindlessly sail through; it requires careful attention and the ability to quickly switch gears even mid-chapter. That’s not to say that the story is difficult to follow, because it’s not — as long as you don’t let your attention waver too much. It might also be helpful for the reader to be a bit familiar with the storyline of The Twelfth Night and The Tempest plays, as doing so could increase your enjoyment of the story.  

There are a plethora of themes and subplots in this book.  It’s about art, creation, immortality, mortality, Italian history, magic, myths, and Shakespeare, but it’s also about child abuse, emotional trauma, grief, and spousal abuse, and all of it comes together cohesively in the narrative.  I really enjoyed all the ideas in this story and how it all went in so many exciting and fascinating directions.

All in all, I loved this magical gem of a book about a writer’s life, and the world and characters that she created.  I feel Shakespeare enthusiasts would especially enjoy this book though prior Shakespeare knowledge is not necessary — just helpful.  Though I’m not always a tremendous fan of speculative fiction, I thought this book was brilliant, and I’m so glad it came to my attention.  I’d definitely read more by this author. 

A huge thank you to Netgalley and MacMillian-Tor/Forge for providing me with a review copy of this book.

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Review of Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

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I love the fake dating trope and felt that this one was exceptionally well done. The story follows a young man named Luc, who is the son of famous rock star parents, meaning his life is under the constant microscope of the paparazzi. Because of this, a few “unflattering” photos of him have made it into the newspapers, and his reputation is in dire need of fixing.

So when his boss tells him in no uncertain terms that he needs to clean up his image…or else, Luc decides to find a nice normal boyfriend and sets his sights on Oliver, a rather stuffy and uptight vegetarian barrister who is in need of a date for an important family event. After a disastrous first date, the two men decide quickly that they don’t like each other, but they do agree to be each other’s fake boyfriend for the next several months, after which each man can go his separate way. Of course, our guys have to keep in mind the first rule of fake dating: don’t fall in love.

What I enjoyed about this story is that it was also an endearing romantic comedy of opposites attracting, as these two men couldn’t be more different. It was so much fun watching the ups and downs of their budding relationship as they slowly begin to develop real romantic feelings for each other once the lines of their “fake” relationship begin to blur. I also loved witnessing Luc’s journey as he went from a place of super-low self-esteem and low self-worth to being a confident and self-assured young man.

While the fake dating/romance theme does take front and center, the book delves into some serious topics as well, including abandonment issues, toxic family dynamics, homophobia, trust/mistrust, mental health, parental estrangement, and self-acceptance. In this way, the book is much more than a light, fluffy romance; it has quite a bit of depth.

It was refreshing that our main characters did not jump into bed right away just because they are fake dating, which we often see with this trope. And when the sex does finally occur, it’s mostly off-screen and fade to black, so if you’re looking for a sexy, steamy and explicit romance, this isn’t it. But what you will get is an emotional, gripping story with plenty of heart. It was so easy to fall in love with these characters as they’re amusing, somewhat angsty, super sweet, determined, flawed, and real.

I thought this book was hysterically funny, and the banter made me cackle out loud on several occasions. It’s also heartwarming and touching, with wry descriptions and excellent pacing — it’s the sort of book you’ll clasp to your chest with a happy sigh after you finish it. If you like witty banter and shenanigans, this is the book for you.

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