NetGalley Review: Maggie and Arthur's Magic Moment by Leslie René

Maggie and Arthur's Magic Moment by Leslie René

My Rating: ✩✩✩✩✩

This cozy romantasy was such a pleasant break from the dark-angsty style stories that seem to be the bulk of the genre. While I like those books, it was very refreshing to read a romantasy that didn't involve a gritty battle surrounding the one chosen (not-like-other-girls) girl and a brooding age-inappropriate supernatural being.

The world building is great. Rene drops you right into the magic school and trusts the reader to pick up what they need to know from context while also creating a comprehensive magical mythos. The conflict the FMC and MMC face (both in the world and between each other) is significant enough to drive the plot, but not ridiculous. Applying a magical world to otherwise mundane relationships and academic challenges made for very enjoyable reading. The characters do grow and learn about themselves and each other, miscommunications are resolved and everyone gets an HEA without having to act completely out of character.

I would 100% add this one to your end of summer beach reads list, or hold it as a very cozy kick-off to spooky romance season. With this being Rene's first book, I cant wait to see more from this author.

Published on 28 July 2026 by  Berkley Publishing Group

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NetGalley Review: Tillinghast by Clare Cavenagh

Tillinghast by Clare Cavenagh

My Rating: ✩✩✩✩✩

As a fan of home-state vampire lore and gothic character studies, I was so excited to read this. Overall however, it just wasn't a good read for me.

In the books favor:

• Good use of said lore. Solid references to the Exeter, RI vampire freak out (I would like to say the town has improved since then, but alas, I deeply feel the plight of the poor doctor friend begging the town to get on board with science even here in 2026, but I do digress).
• An interesting take on the vampire trope that removes the whole siring new vampires dynamic from the equation.
• Solid writing, though the style was somewhat choppy, it made sense with the character arc. The imagery and atmosphere are well honed.

Working hard against the book:

• Even as a character study, this is slow and doesn't follow through on some key parts of the world's mythos. I appreciate the trust put in the reader to just jump in a figure out the implied plot, but nothing happens. Not even in a metaphorical "nothing happens, but everything happens" way, just...nothing.

In short: loved the gothic vibes and local legend, couldn't get into the groove of the narrative.

Published on 23 June 2026 by Viking Penguin

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NetGalley Review: I Love an... Earl by Sarah Bell

I Love an... Earl by Sarah Bell

My Rating: ✩✩✩✩✩ 

I had a really hard time liking this book, it was almost a DNF. I kept reading thinking that some character development or chemistry would emerge (fingers crossed for slow-burn), but that did not materialize.

The idea was cute, a modern retelling of historical romance via a ren-faire style regency wedding in current times. Sadly, that did not live up to its potential. Our FMC is a classic "not like other girls" she is ever so quirky and clumsy and tragically backstoried. MMC has no discernable personality other than his insta-love for this manic pixie dream hot wreck. I did not feel the chemistry, the plot was mostly complaining about uncomfortable dresses and thinking "he's hot" while doing nothing about it.

Given other reviews, this is not the overall rating for this book, so it may be someone's cup of tea. It was just a miss for me.

Published on 2 June 2026 by Crown & Dove Publishing

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NetGalley Review: The Rule of Three (Deluxe Edition) by Sara Cate

The Rule of Three (Deluxe Edition) by Sara Cate

My Rating: ✩✩✩✩✩

While this series (and its associated offshoots) is still on my list of favorites, this one was the weakest in the series so far.

The good:

• The world building is immersive. Following on from previous iterations of the Salacious series we see lots of familiar characters in an ever expanding cast of people and locations.
• Good anxiety representation. Julian's character was well written as someone who deals with anxiety and imposter syndrome without it having to be too much "tragic past" trope.
• Cate delivers on fun spice as always.

The not as good:

• I did not feel the chemistry between the FMC and the MMCs. The chemistry between the MMCs sizzled, but Freya was just kid of...there.
• The restaurant subplot was fine for advancing some character development, but the "hot millionaires sweep in a fix the life of an innocent little bird" trope felt just a bit too tropey here.

All together, the book was a fun read that will please fellow fans of the series and author. Sara Cate remains a "must read" for me even if this one wasn't a perfect fit for my preferences. I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.

Published on 5 May 2026 by Sourcebooks Casablanca

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NetGalley Review: Bound to be Beautiful: Over 20 Bookbinding Projects that Inspire and Delight by Bari Zaki

Bound to be Beautiful: Over 20 Bookbinding Projects that Inspire and Delight by Bari Zaki

My Rating: ✩✩✩✩✩

First, as a book to just look at-this is amazing. Even if you had no interest in doing bookbinding projects, this is a feast for the eyes. Simply perusing the photos, beautiful papers, gorgeous tools and stunning journals will make a crafters heart sing.

Now, the major side effect of this gorgeous book is that your fingers itch to play with paper and thread. The projects are lovely and encompass all levels of difficulty. The comprehensive directions, complete with easy to follow pictures or graphics, mean you can jump right in on making your own books. In addition, tha format makes it easy to see how you can mix and match techniques and start designing your own approach to making journals.

This was not only a fantastic how-to guide, but a genuine inspiration. As soon as recital costume season is over my hoarded "pretty papers" collection will be taking on a new life.

Published on 16 June 2026 by Bloomsbury

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NetGalley Review: The Trouble With Seduction by Jess Michaels

The Trouble With Seduction by Jess Michaels

My Rating: ✩✩✩✩✩

I have very much enjoyed this series and this book. That said, of the three Comerford Courtesans books, this one was the weakest for me.

My main issue, i just did not feel the chemistry. I think it was meant to be a soft "he falls first" as it was hinted that our MMC finds the FMC perplexing, but it just didn't seem to hit. I found the plot of them falling for eachother in the background of the marriage plot to be a bit shoehorned in. The character development did not lead to that outcome, until suddenly it did? I just wasn't feeling it.

Overall however, it was just what readers like from Michaels. The world building is immersive and includes characters across series. There is some vague intrigue, some spice and solid HEA. As a historical romance it checks all the boxes.

Even though this one was not my favorite, I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series and to reading more from Jess Michaels.

Published on 7 April 206 by The Passionate Pen LLC

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NetGalley Review: Love at First Bite by Katherine Dyson

Love at First Bite by Katherine Dyson

My Rating: ✩✩✩✩✩

I really wanted to like this, and I did like parts of it, but overall this one just didn't hit for me.

I was excited by the idea of modern vampires in a quaint English town...sounds like fun! It started with a slightly humorous set up of what could have been a genuinely spooky take on a fantasy rom-com. From there it devolved a fair bit. Too much exposition dragged the vibe down, the cumulative trauma of these characters took it from "tragic hero" to "maybe therapy would be better than a relationship with your diametric opposite." The plot introduced many potential twists, but then nothing really came of them making it feel like they existed just to fill some plot. While it was a fun fast read, it felt like so many manufactured tropes just so two people could get a shoehorned HEA.

Other reviews seem to be mixed, so I will allow that this book was just a bad fit for me. For those that want a lighter, more sunshine-y (less gothic) vampire romance , this could be a perfect fit.

Published on 3 April 2026 by One MOre Chapter (Harper Collins UK)

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