DNF: Highland Gladiator by Kathryn Le Veque

Author: Kathryn Le Veque

Narrator: Brad Wills
Title: Highland Gladiator

Series: Scots and Swords #1

Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Audiobook
Published:  August 25, 2020
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible) 

Summary: 

When Lor Careston's quiet Highland village was attacked and burned, he felt helpless against the raiders who destroyed his home. Seeking revenge, but lacking the fighting skills he needs to execute his mission, he sets out to find the Ludus Caledonia―a mysterious fight guild that turns men into warriors.

Lor trains hard, proves himself in the ring, and earns a place with the very clan that decimated his home, having decided to set his plan for revenge in motion from inside the clan. But his plan didn't include Isabail Keith, a fiery lass who prefers broadswords to embroidery and isn't afraid to stand with the warriors of her clan. Lor thought the Keiths were his enemies, but when Isabail is threatened, he'll have to decide what he's willing to risk for the woman who has captured his heart and the clan that has become his home.

Review:

This was another random pick up while looking for something else. Why not?

Lor's village is attacked and burned to the ground. He felt so helpless against the raiders that he set out to learn how to fight. Lor trains hard at the mysterious fight guild. He proves himself in the ring and earns a place with the clan that destroyed his home. He didn't plan that his old love, Isabail, who is part of this clan. Will he put everything he holds on the line for the woman he loves?

Whelp. I gave up. I got to about 30%, and I called it done. I didn't want to read/listen anymore. Nothing truly went wrong, but I zoned out 10 times, and I just didn't care. 

Lor seems like a good enough fella. Isabail seems...okay. I didn't get a chance to learn more about her. 

Maybe I will try this again someday, but today I had to DNF. Bummer, because this had promise, and the narrator sounded good. 

Darn two meh books in a row to end the month. :( 

Oh! One positive....this is the first DNF of 2026! Took 4 months so I'll count that as a win. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #16

Book Review: The Warlord's Captive by Cass Carlton

Author: Cass Carlton

Title: The Warlord’s Captive

Series: Alien Warlord Brides #1

Genre: SciFi, Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 316

Published: July 17, 2022

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

A female spaceship captain? That’s me. I shouldn’t have taken my vessel that route. I’m the captain of my ship. I’m the decision maker. Bad decision. I knew it was bad when the warlord appeared on the comms screen and pretty much said he wanted me to warm his bed. Now I’m avoiding pirates, warlords, and a clan war between alien warlords. Oh, and I’m trying to pay a debt off and save my crew’s life.

I’ve had dreams about her. She shouldn’t exist. This shouldn’t be a thing. But it is. She’s mine. My soul has marked her as such. I’m the captain of a warship. I’m a warlord from another planet. A human cannot be my soulmate. So why is fate bringing us together? Why is an antiquated arrangement used by my kind for eons determining that this human female is my mate. I don’t expect to seize her ship while she’s evading an attack.

Now, I’ve got to convince this fiercely independent sexy human that she’s the one. And try to keep her alive at the same time.

Review:

Picked this up to complete a bingo square on my reading challenge, plus, this didn't sound too bad. Love a fated romance. 

Here we have Valeria and Aedyn. Valeria has not only inherited a ship but she has some debts to pay off as well. This is the last run. Right? Enter in Aedyn. He's been having mate dreams that his species gets about their Fated Mate. The universe is so vast, so it is near impossible to find this Fated Mate. He has to ignore the dreams...he has a job to do. 

*wakes up* Oh? It's over. What did I miss? 

Yes, yes, I pushed through reading this because 1) I had hope that it would turn around and 2) I wanted the credit for my reading challenge...and 3) I love torturing myself I guess. 

I wanted to DNF so many times, but I pushed through. I started skimming the last quarter of the book JUST to be done with it. There was no real tension. No chemistry. No excitement. And the spice? Meh. 

All-in-all, this was not the one for me. Sure, SciFi isn't my favorite genre, but there is usually something that grabs me. Sadly, this wasn't for me. 

1 star. 

Reading Challenges

- Reading Romance Challenge #13 (Alien)

Audiobook Review: Marriage by Arrangement by Sophia Singh Sasson

Author: Sophia Singh Sasson

Narrator: Sharmila Devar
Title: Marriage by Arrangement

Series: (Nights at the Mahal, Book 1)

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook
Published:  August 1, 2020
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible) 

Summary: 

When a business proposal turns

very personal…

Rule #1: Don’t fall for the client.

Because he’ll rock your world…

Architect Rani Gupta will never let a man compromise her career or freedom again. Which is a problem now that her newest client is irresistible hotelier Arjun Singh—aka the sexiest bachelor in India. A little fling with this gorgeous man would be scandal enough. But a fake engagement might just be more trouble than they bargained for—especially if Arjun has a prior arrangement!

Review:

Randomly stumbled upon this while looking for something else. Yayyyyy! And it fits a challenge? Even better. 

Here we have Rani and Arjun. Rani is an architect, and Arjun needs a firm to help build his newest hotel. There are sparks immediately, but that can never be. Rani will never let a man and his family compromise her career or freedom EVER again. Arjun is supposed to marry a childhood friend, but neither of them wants it, and neither of them can find the courage to tell their families. Nothing can happen between them....nothing at all, but the universe has other plans. 

This was a lot of fun. I liked Rani and Arjun a lot. I loved watching them get to know each other and eventually fall into lust and then love. It was sweet. I did hate that Arjun didn't tell her of his engagement, BUT 1) Arjun and his "fiancé" made a pact they can date whomever and eventually they'll break it off or delay it for as long as they can, and 2) it was just a fling. He should've mentioned it, though, but I get why he didn't. 

I hated their families. Yes, yes, traditional values and etc, but GAH. I wanted to hit them all. They all eventually see the errors of their ways, but man, it killed me seeing Rani and Arjun treated like that. :/ I was very annoyed that there wasn't more resolution and more time for them to try and make it up to them. There needed to be more apologies and more conversation. It didn't sit well with me how quickly that was wrapped up and put to the side. 

The narration was lovely. Great voices and accents. 

All-in-all, I did like this one. It was not your A-typical boy-meets-girls and etc. It had a lot of differences and depth. Lots of twists and turns. 4 stars from me. 

 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #15

- Reading Romance Challenge #12 (Office romance)

Blodeuedd's Monday: Summer with My Cowboy by Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates

Author Linda Lael Miller, Maisey Yates

Narrated by Renee Dorian

Publication date Apr 28, 2026

Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher: Tantor Media

Categories: Romance /to review

These were two sweet short cowboy romances.

First we have Kendra and Gabe. Kendra left a horrible marriage to start fresh. Gabe is a widower. They meet, there is attraction. But she does not want another failed marriage.

There is some tiny drama with someone from her past, but mostly it is these two getting to know each other and her daring to try things again.

Sweet short novella.

Then there is Jane and Spencer. Two foster kids who met a camp, fell in love and lost touch. Now Jane is back to be a counsellor as her life is stuck. Spencer is also one, and he has a ranch now.

He never forgot her. She does not really know what she want. They reconnect, find out what is important in life and get their hea.

Short and sweet too

Good narration. She handled the different stories well.

COWBOY WANTED by Linda Lael A painful divorce has brought Kendra Spencer home from Seattle to sunny Copper Ridge, Arizona. Despite a comfortable settlement, Kendra needs to keep busy—and keep herself from stalking her ex on social media. So she starts waitressing at the local diner, finding comfort in the regulars and her thankfully ordinary days. . . . Until far from ordinary newcomer Gage Elder walks in. Not only is he a champion bronc rider, turns out he's a widower—and maybe the one man understanding enough, kind enough—not to mention charming enough—to inspire Kendra to put the past behind her, and open her heart once more . . .

ONE MORE SUMMER WITH YOU by Maisey Between a fiancé with cold feet and a blocked promotion at the law firm where she works, it's as good a time as any for Jane Cahill to help out at the Oregon camp where she spent her summers as a troubled teen. But the place brings up a mix of memories, mostly about Spencer Quinn, who has also returned to volunteer. Now a ranch owner, Spencer was Jane's romance of three summers—plus one unforgettable night. In fact, neither has ever forgotten the other. And though fears about the future led Jane to break away, that future has arrived—and maybe this summer will be the one to last a lifetime . . .

Book Review: The Deception of the Emerald Ring by Lauren Willig

Author: Lauren Willig

Title: The Deception of the Emerald Ring

Series: Pink Carnation #3

Genre: Historical Romance, Chick Lit, Mystery

Format: Paperback

Pages: 400

Published: November 16, 2006

Where I got It: My shelf (Walmart...Meijer? I can't recall)

Summary: 

The year is 1803 and England and France remain at odds. Hoping to break the English once and for all, Napoleon backs a ring of Irish rebels in uprisings against England and sends the Black Tulip, France's most deadly spy, to the Emerald Isle to help. What they don't know is that also in Ireland is England's top spy, the Pink Carnation, who is working to shut the rebels down. Meanwhile, back in England, Letty Alsworthy intercepts a note indicating that her sister, Mary, is about to make the very grave mistake of eloping with Geoffrey Pinchingdale-Snipe (second in command of the League of the Purple Gentian). In an attempt to save the family name, Letty tries to stop the elopement, but instead finds herself swept away in the midnight carriage meant for her sister and is accidentally compromised. Geoff and Letty, to each other's horror, find themselves forced into matrimony. Then, Geoff receives word that he is to travel to Ireland to help the Pink Carnation and disappears immediately after their wedding ceremony. Letty learns of Geoff's disappearance and, not to be outdone by her husband, steals away on a ship bound for Ireland, armed and ready to fight for her husband…and to learn a thing or two about spying for England.

As in her previous tales, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation and The Masque Of the Black tulip, our modern-day heroine and hero, Eloise Kelly and Colin Selwick, continue their budding romance in this captivating third novel in the series.

Review:

I'm loving re-visiting this series! It has been one of my favorite series for years. This one is one of my fave books of the series. Awww Letty. 

Here we are with Eloise continuing her research and trying to ignore her feelings for Colin. She turns her research to Letty and Geoff. Letty intercepts a message meant for her sister. It sounds like Mary is planning to elope with Geoff, and what Mary wants...Mary gets. Letty figures that Geoff will be the more level-headed of the two, so she sneaks out to meet him and talk some sense into the man. However, they are discovered...alone...and in a compromising position. Enter the wedding bells, and Geoff hates her because 1) He loved Mary, and 2) Obviously, this was a trap. Lucky for him, duty calls, and he slips to Ireland to join his fellow spies for a mission to save England. Letty finds out and decides to join him and try to talk sense, and maybe find some common ground. Color her shocked when she finds out the man she married is a spy, and she will have to help save England. 

OMG, I forgot how chaotic this book is. In a good way, of course, but sOooooOOOoo much miscommunication and misunderstanding. I forgot about all the hoops and loops. It's all so entertaining LOL.

I wish I could be mad at Geoff, but I totally get his side and his perspective. BUT just hear Letty out, man. GAH. He does eventually become the man Letty deserves, and they DO find common ground, and it's amazing. Love them. 

Mary....meh. 

Vaughn....I love him. 

Jane....awwww.

And honestly, I'm having more fun with Eloise's story. I enjoy it in the past, but I felt like it wasn't as entertaining as the main story. Maybe because I'm older and wiser? 

It was so nice going back because I had forgotten so much, and it kinda felt like when I read it the first time. Awwwww!

5 stars for sure. I can't wait to read the others. 

Reading Challenges

- Reading Romance Challenge #11 (re-read)

Book Review: Dandelion Dreams by Susanne Ash

Author: Susanne Ash

Title: Dandelion Dreams

Series: The Alphabet Sweethearts

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Short Story

Format: ebook

Pages: 57

Published: February 18, 2025

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

Andrew Carter thought he had his future all planned out—marriage to Emma Hawthorne, a shared life filled with love, and a family in their small hometown. But when Emma left to follow her artistic dreams, Andrew was left picking up the pieces of his heart. Now, years later, he’s built a life of his own, pouring his energy into Novel Sips, Juniper Falls’ favorite coffee shop and bookstore.

Emma never intended to break Andrew’s heart or to lose him entirely. When she discovered she was pregnant, she tried to reach him, but Andrew had disappeared. Now, their son Charlie is asking questions Emma can’t answer, and she’s tracked Andrew to the town he calls home. Walking into Novel Sips and seeing Andrew again brings back all the memories and all the feelings she thought she’d buried.

Andrew isn’t sure he can forgive Emma for leaving, even as old sparks reignite. And when he learns about Charlie, the son he never knew he had, the emotions between them grow even more complicated. As they navigate the past and their unexpected present, can Andrew and Emma find the courage to let go of old wounds and trust in the possibility of a second chance?

Review:

Another book of the series. I'm liking this town and these stories. :D 

In this one, we follow Andrew and Emma. Andrew thought they had it all when he started dating Emma. He wanted to marry her, but she wanted to follow her dreams and left. Years later, he has built a new life by opening a coffee/cafe house in Juniper Falls. Emma never wanted to lose Andrew forever. She tried reaching out to him to let him she was pregnant but he had disappeared. Years later, she has finally found him. Old sparks reignite, but can Andrew forgive her? Can Emma? 

Second chance stories are soooo hard for me to like. It all depends on the situation and the ways they work toward forgiveness. I struggled with this one. Yes, Emma did "try" to find Andrew...sure....but c'mon. You had zero ways? NO ONE knew? IDK. It just bugged me. And like why didn't Andrew just go with her? All of these issues could've be resolved but everyone was just too darn stubborn. GAH.

This is a short story so maybe I would've connected better if I had more time and got to see more of the past and more of the work of forgiveness. It was all so easily resolved in 50+ pages. 

Not my fave of the series, but I will read more. This is an adorable series and I like Hazel a lot....I love this dang town. 

2 stars from me. 

Cast That Book: The Reunion

A weekly meme that showcases my "cast" of a book if it were to become a movie or TV show. Anyone can join!

Another book!? Yesss.

Just a reminder, if you would to join in on the fun you can cast the same book or a different one.

Rules (aka self-imposed...you don't have to follow them)

- A recent book I read

- Only books that I gave a 4 or 5 stars

- Casting the main cast and maybe some of the side characters

- Sky is the limit

Book:

Ford - Asher Chazen Grodman

Larkin - Jessica Madsen

Cooper - Luke Newton

Nora - Jasmine Cephas Jones

Palmer - Ashley Greene

Beau - Jonathan Bailey

Peggy - Jamie Lee Curtis

Martin - John Michael Higgins

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Diavola by Jennifer Thorne

Format: 336 pages, Paperback

Published: March 26, 2024 by Titan Books

Horror/borrowed

I enjoyed this one. A haunted house and a dysfunctional family.

Anna is going to Tuscany with her family. They all think she will cause some kind of disaster. They do seem to blame her for everything. They will gaslight her too.

Everything seems pretty nice at first. Sure there are some issues with her brother´s new boyfriend, and her sister can at least be calmed with wine. But doors open, there is scratching, the locals avoid the place. Is the house haunted?

Things are getting creepier. Her family is so toxic and drives me crazy. Like please stop blaming Anna for everything!!

I honestly could not put it down after a while. I had to know!

Anna has two rules for the annual Pace family destination vacations: Tread lightly and survive.

It isn’t easy when she’s the only one in the family who doesn’t quite fit in. Her twin brother, Benny, goes with the flow so much he’s practically dissolved, and her older sister, Nicole, is so used to everyone—including her blandly docile husband and two kids—falling in line that Anna often ends up in trouble for simply asking a question. Mom seizes every opportunity to question her life choices, and Dad, when not reminding everyone who paid for this vacation, just wants some peace and quiet.

The gorgeous, remote villa in tiny Monteperso seems like a perfect place to endure so much family togetherness, until things start going off the rails—the strange noises at night, the unsettling warnings from the local villagers, and the dark, violent past of the villa itself.

Movie Review: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026)

Title: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Length: 1h 38m

Released: 2025

Genre: Comedy, Action/Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Theater

SUMMARY:

Mario ventures into space, exploring cosmic worlds and tackling galactic challenges far from the familiar Mushroom Kingdom.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Weeeee! Mario is back with another movie!

Mario and the crew are back. This time, they will have to venture into space and tackle some big galactic challenges. 

Last minute, I made Hubby go with me to the movie. I needed something funny and light. This was precisely what I needed, and I'm so glad we saw this on the big screen. 

Lots of laughs. Lots of action. Lots of references. Lots of awwwwwes. Adorable and def need to see. 

I will say that this was super action-packed. Maybe a bit TOO action-y. They were shoving a LOT of stuff into one film, and it never seemed to stop. I would've loved to see some more relaxing and chatting between the characters to establish more of the friendship elements, especially with "newer" characters being introduced.

Other than that, I still enjoyed the film. I would for sure watch this again. 

4 stars from me. 

Audiobook Review: Thornhedge by T.Kingfisher

Author: T.Kingfisher

Narrator: Kate Handford
Title: Thornhedge

Genre: Fantasy, Retelling, Horror, Novella
Format: Audiobook
Published:  August 15, 2023
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible) 

Summary: 

There’s a princess trapped in a tower. This isn’t her story.

Meet Toadling. On the day of her birth, she was stolen from her family by the fairies, but she grew up safe and loved in the warm waters of faerieland. Once an adult though, the fae ask a favor of Toadling: return to the human world and offer a blessing of protection to a newborn child. Simple, right?

But nothing with fairies is ever simple.

Centuries later, a knight approaches a towering wall of brambles, where the thorns are as thick as your arm and as sharp as swords. He's heard there's a curse here that needs breaking, but it's a curse Toadling will do anything to uphold…

Review:

This author is fun. I love the variety!!!

Here we have a retelling that may have you questioning all the princesses...especially Sleeping Beauty. Toadling was a human, but she was stolen from birth by the fairies and raised as one of their own. However, when she became an adult, the fae asked a big favor from her. It should've been easy.....go to the human world and offer a simple blessing of protection to a new baby. Nothing is ever that easy. Centuries later, a knight shows up to break the curse, but it's a curse Toadling can't have it break. 

I really enjoyed this one. I really had no idea what was going to happen to our lil Toadling. I adored her so much. 

This is a retelling, but you don't need to know the story of Sleeping Beauty in order to know this one. It is sooooo different that you would really need to call this a retelling? It was so different. 

This felt a little...lackluster compared to other stories by this author. It wasn't bad by any means...but.....it was too soft. It lists "horror" on the list of genres, but there is zero horror of any kind. It was sweet with some sadness and a mystery. Toadling is hiding something. Honestly, I think if the author played up the baddie a bit more and made the baddie scarier, it would've made this story really come to life. It was just missing a big spark. 

The ending was nice. I would've liked to have seen a smidge more. Maybe an interaction or two between Toadling and someone else (no spoilers here). 

The narrator did a nice job. Her voice was fitting. 

All-in-all, I did have fun with this one. It just felt...flat compared to other books I've read by this author. We needed more spice. Maybe with the baddie? It was very soft....too soft at times. 3 stars from me. In the end, it was still a lovely story and I loooooooved Toadling so much. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #14

- Library Love #9

Audiobook Review: Disturbing the Dead by Kelley Armstrong

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Narrator: Kate Handford
Title: Disturbing the Dead

Series: A Rip Through Time #3

Genre: Mystery, SciFi, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Format: Audiobook
Published: May 7, 2024
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Victorian Scotland is becoming less strange to modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson. Though inhabiting someone else’s body will always be unsettling, even if her employers know that she’s not actually housemaid Catriona Mitchell, ever since the night both of them were attacked in the same dark alley 150 years apart. Mallory likes her job as assistant to undertaker/medical examiner Dr. Duncan Gray, and is developing true friends―and feelings―in this century.

So, understanding the Victorian fascination with death, Mallory isn't that surprised when she and her friends are invited to a mummy unwrapping at the home of Sir Alastair Christie. When their host is missing when it comes time to unwrap the mummy, Gray and Mallory are asked to step in. And upon closer inspection, it’s not a mummy they’ve unwrapped, but a much more modern body.

Review:

Yayyy book 3!

We are back at it with Mallory and crew. Mallory has been in this body and this time period for a while now, and she is finally finding her footing. She is loving being the assistant to Dr. Gray and is friends with him and the others. The Victorians have a fascination with death, so Mallory isn't surprised when they are all invited to a mummy unwrapping at Sir Alastair's house. However, things go awry when the host is missing, and something isn't right with the mummy. Mallory and crew are asked to step in. 

You for sure need to have read the last two books for this one. You can skip the shorts, but there are some references and things you will need to understand. 

Ooooooh Mallory. I love her so. I love the whole crew. I'm even warming up to Gray's other sister and Mrs Wallace.

I'll admit something. I was enjoying myself, but it was feeling....stale at first. I wasn't necessarily bored, but it felt like the other two. The mysteries didn't shock me. It's kind of hard to explain. BUT that all changed after a BIG moment. A nice TWIST. I will not say but that was a nice reminder that there is a fantasy/SciFi element to the story. Eeee. I can't wait for the next book. 

The narrator did a lovely job. Great accents. Great voices for everyone. 

What more?

THIS SERIES IS SO GOOD!!! Read it or do the audio like me. 100% recommend. 

4 stars from me. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #13

- Library Love #9

Book Review: Coffeehouse Confessions by Susanne Ash

Author: Susanne Ash

Title: Coffeehouse Confessions

Series: The Alphabet Sweethearts

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Short Story

Format: ebook

Pages: 58

Published: February 4, 2025

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

Maggie Carter loves working at Novel Sips, the coffee shop and bookstore owned by her older brother, Andrew. But when Andrew’s old college roommate, Ethan Ward, shows up with a notebook full of sci-fi stories and a reserved demeanor, Maggie can’t help but be intrigued. He’s broody, brilliant, and completely off-limits—according to her overprotective brother.

Ethan came to Juniper Falls to escape his past and focus on finishing his novel, not to complicate his life by falling for his best friend’s little sister. But Maggie’s warmth and quick wit are impossible to resist, and soon their connection grows from cautious conversations to something much deeper.

When Andrew steps in, determined to keep them apart, insecurities and doubts threaten to tear them down before they even get started. Can Ethan prove he’s more than the sum of his fears—and that he’s worth taking a chance on?

Review:

This series and town are so cute. I love the whole concept of the alphabet and naming each book. 

This time it is time for Maggie to find love. Ethan is in town and she can't but be intrigued. He used to be college roommates with her brother and now he is trying to become the next big writer. The chemistry is off the charts with them and they can't stay away from each other. 

Again, I will use the word cute. Watching them fall for each other and take the risk was adorable. They are soooo meant for each other. 

I actually read this twice that is how much I liked it. It's short and cute. 

Can I please go to his coffeehouse? 

5 stars. 

Blodeuedd's Tuesday Review: Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

Series: Emily Wilde (#3)

Format: 368 pages, Paperback

Published: January 14, 2025 by Hachette Australia

Academic fantasy/own

Emily and Wendell has been through a lot, and now he has found his way back to his fairie kingdom. His step mother is gone and he has to take his throne.

But things are not easy in his kingdom. Disgruntled nobles, a curse upon the land, an angry sibling and more. And Emily is a mere mortal .

Wendell is always cheerful and kind. Emily is more thoughtful, and stubborn. I do like them together.

Still, nothing compares to book 1. I was so blown away with that easy read. But now I am finished. It was a good run

Emily Wilde has spent her life studying faeries. A renowned dryadologist, she has documented hundreds of species of Folk in her Encyclopaedia of Faeries. Now she is about to embark on her most dangerous academic project studying the inner workings of a faerie realm—as its queen.

Along with her former academic rival—now fiancé—the dashing and mercurial Wendell Bambleby, Emily is immediately thrust into the deadly intrigues of Faerie as the two of them seize the throne of Wendell’s long-lost kingdom, which Emily finds a beautiful nightmare filled with scholarly treasures.

Emily has been obsessed with faerie stories her entire life, but at first she feels as ill-suited to Faerie as she did to the mortal How can an unassuming scholar such as herself pass for a queen? Yet there is little time to settle in, for Wendell’s murderous stepmother has placed a deadly curse upon the land before vanishing without a trace. It will take all of Wendell’s magic—and Emily’s knowledge of stories—to unravel the mystery before they lose everything they hold dear.

Movie Review: Hamnet (2025)

Title: Hamnet

Length: 2h 5m

Released: 2025

Genre: Drama, Historical
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Peacock

SUMMARY:

In late 16th-century England, Agnes, a healer sensitive to the world around her, builds a home with William, a local tutor and aspiring playwright. As their lives fracture, they are tested by distance, silence, and grief.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Eeeeeeeeeeek. Been dying to watch this film. I love some Shakespeare and I remember writing a huge paper on him and his life. Not much is known about his wife, which is sad. 

Here we follow Agnes (Anne) who is a healer and falls for William. He is younger and just a local tutor with dreams of being a playwright. Years go by and things find a nice pace....until their lives are fractured and everything is tested when their beloved son passes away. 

I cried. 

I cried A LOT. 

This film was beautiful. This film hit all the emotions. There was some humor but this was a tragedy. 

That last scene? I was in awe. Beautiful. The way that we got to see forgiveness and love without a single word. This took some powerful actors and this was a lovely cast.

You do not need to be a huge 'Hamlet' or Shakespeare fan to enjoy this film. It was a lovely people story. 

5 stars. 

Audiobook Review: The Reunion by Meghan Quinn

Author: Meghan Quinn

Narrator: Lidia Dornet, Teddy Hamilton, Laurie West, Rock Engle, CJ Bloom, & Stephen Borne
Title: The Reunion

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit
Format: Audiobook
Published: February 22, 2022
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Martin and Peggy Chance believe love should last a lifetime. With their fiftieth wedding anniversary on the horizon, they’ve modeled a beautiful relationship for their three grown children. But to their dismay, that lesson hasn’t quite caught on—the three siblings just can’t seem to take a chance and find love in their own lives.

There’s Ford, the eldest, devoted to his work and resistant to romance…or so he claims. Cooper, the middle child, can’t get past his divorce—until he reconnects with a feisty baker from his past. And Palmer, the baby of the family, is the free-spirited world traveler who always pictured herself with someone other than a handsome small-town family doctor.

When the Chance siblings come together to plan the ultimate anniversary party for their parents, they’ll have to navigate romantic entanglements, sibling rivalries, and the definitive end of their childhood. Whatever happens, The Reunion promises to be a fun, flirty, wild ride.

Review:

Eeeek. Another review I have delayed in writing. I finished this a couple of days ago. Can life slow down for two seconds?

The family is back together for Martin's and Peggy's wedding anniversary. They have led a beautiful life and had a love story to last the ages, but their three grown children seem to be going down a bad path. Ford, the oldest, is too devoted to work and has no time for love. Cooper, the middle one, can't get past his divorce. Palmer, the baby of the family, is a free spirit who travels the world, but can't get over the boy at home. The three have drifted apart, and there is so much resentment. Will the three finally talk and find the love they have for each other and for themselves? Will they allow love with the people they are meant to be?

I would divide and conquer this book, but I have nothing bad to say. I really loved it.

I loved that there is romance and family drama. 

The small town is adorable.

There is a lot going on and a lot of characters running around, but the author did a lovely job keeping a handle on it and never letting the reader get lost. 

The ending had me in tears. 

Can I just say???? I love Martin and Peggy!!!!! I want them to have their own book. I would love to see them fall in loveeee. They are gems.

We had a lot of narrators, and they all did great!  

But yes. No issue. I loved this story so much. 

5 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #12

- Reading Romance Challenge #10 (Small Town romance)