I really wanted to love this book. As soon as I saw the premise—a bookshop owner starting a letter-writing workshop to bring people together—I thought it sounded like the perfect cozy, heartfelt read. The idea of finding community through letters, especially after loss, is such a beautiful one. Unfortunately, while the concept is wonderful, the…
Historical Fiction
Woden’s Storm by Donovan Cook | Book Review
This is the first book I’ve read in this series, and while Woden’s Storm is technically the second installment, I found it engaging and easy enough to follow on its own. The story wastes no time in pulling readers into the complex interplay between men and gods, belief and power, and the constantly changing political…
War Lord: Scourge of Rome by Adam Lofthouse | Book Review
This is the third and final installment in Adam Lofthouse’s series, and though it’s the only one I’ve read so far, I was hooked from the very first page. The book throws you straight into the action—no time wasted on gentle introductions—and somehow that works perfectly for Alaric, the lovable troublemaker at the heart of…
Desolation by Keith Moray | Book Review
This is a darkly atmospheric and intelligent historical mystery that drops readers right into 14th-century England—a time when war, pestilence, and paranoia ruled the land. The Hundred Years’ War with France rages on, and the country reels under the return of the Black Death, a plague so devastating it claims one in five souls. Against…
Shield of Mercia by MJ Porter | Book Review
From the opening pages, I should have known that the fleeting tranquility wouldn’t last—because where would the excitement be in that? The calm quickly gives way to a tempest of battle, treachery, and survival. Once again, the weather itself feels like a living, breathing character—cold, wet, and relentless. You can practically feel the dampness in…
Ashes of Rebellion by Michael Jecks | Book Review
Having read book one of the series but not books two and three, I did find myself missing a bit of context going into Ashes of Rebellion. There’s little in the way of recap, which makes it harder for newer or lapsed readers to fully connect with some of the characters. Because of this, most…
Eagle and the Flame by Adam Lofthouse | Book Review
Eagle and the Flame by Adam Lofthouse is a fascinating reimagining of Roman Britain during the late 360s. This is a world defined by shifting power—Roman forts abandoned, soldiers left unpaid and disillusioned, and tribes across Hadrian’s Wall watching keenly as the reach of Rome begins to weaken. While history tells us the true end…
Warriors of Iron by M J Porter | Book Review
MJ Porter continues to amaze me with her ability to blend breathtaking battle scenes with rich, character-driven storytelling. While the clash of warriors is fierce, the true heart of Warriors of Iron lies in its characters and their relentless journeys. Meddi the Seeress is tireless in her search for Elen, and we learn more about…
The Curse That Binds Us by Katie Hayoz | Book Review
The Curse That Binds Us had a lot of potential with its unique blend of historical and contemporary fantasy and a plot that definitely knows how to grip you, especially in the final stretch. The last 30% of the book was an absolute page-turner—I was hooked, needing to know how everything would unfold. The central…
Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict | Book Review
This offers a compelling portrait of Rosalind Franklin, a woman whose work was essential to one of the greatest scientific discoveries of the 20th century. The story takes readers from postwar Paris, where Franklin finds unexpected professional support, to her complicated return to England, where she becomes immersed in the race to unlock the secrets…
