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When We Fell Again by Julie Archer – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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When We Fell Again: An angsty, second chance rockstar romanceWhen We Fell Again: An angsty, second chance rockstar romance by Julie Archer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Content Warning: Sexual Harassment, Drug Addiction, Drug Overdose. When We Fell Again follows Jordan, lead singer of rock band Idol Rev, and Alexis, Jordan’s ex-girlfriend and tour manager of Idol Rev’s comeback tour. It’s been five years since Jordan and Alexis last saw each other and they’ve both changed a lot, but their feelings come back to the surface after spending so much time together. Jordan is immediately ready to jump back into a relationship, but Alexis isn’t so sure. When she finally makes her decision, Jordan is more than willing to show her how much he has changed for the better. And it was all going so well… but I have complicated feelings about the ending. Jordan relapsed, and it was so disappointing. I know relapses happen in real life and I understand the complexity of addiction but I was expecting a second chance romance, and I can’t support a male main character putting the female main character through this, how am I supposed to root for him after that? My favourite character was Alexis and least favourite character was Arlo. I recommend this book because it was an interesting read with the right amount of twists and turns and a good amount of angst. I am glad there’s a happy ending, and I love how their last names are Bowie and Jagger. ‘The touch felt so familiar, so intimate, like the past five years had melted away and we were the same as we once were.’

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A Rainbow Like You by Andréa Fehsenfeld – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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A Rainbow Like YouA Rainbow Like You by Andréa Fehsenfeld
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Rainbow Like You follows Adrian ‘Jazzer’ Johnson, lead guitarist of famous band Size of a Scandal, on tour. He meets Hastings Sinclair, a thirteen year old with synesthesia who needs a ride to New Orleans and offers to help Adrian with his songwriting. I felt like the book was a bit problematic at times but overall it’s a lovely, heartwarming, original story. Adrian and Hastings develop an unlikely but beautiful bond, and the story explores themes of grief, heartbreak, but also love, friendship, and family. My favourite character was Hastings and my least favourite character was Jillian. I recommend this book because Adrian is a very complex character and A Rainbow Like You is a very original, unpredictable story. You can even listen to one of Adrian’s songs, which I think shows real commitment to writing from Andréa Fehsenfeld. “My father used to say, if you’re ever going to fail at something, Mackenzie, fail beautifully. It wasn’t the first time I told him he was full of it. How could failure be beautiful? It was ugly, wrong. You know what he said to that? He said it isn’t in the success we find out who we really are; it’s in the failures. If you consider all of this a failure, then so be it. Just remember you’ve failed beautifully.”

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Conversations with the Tarot by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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Conversations with the Tarot: Bewitching Meditations on Reading the CardsConversations with the Tarot: Bewitching Meditations on Reading the Cards by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Conversations with the Tarot is a series of poems representing each card Maria DeBlassie pulls from her collection. I like how she’s able to see a positive perspective in each of the cards and how both the poems and the insights are so beautiful and useful and I have saved a lot of them to look back on in future. My favourite card was The Chariot Upright. I recommend this book because it’s interesting, insightful, relatable, and beautiful. I found it very useful as an introduction to tarot. ‘I’m dizzy with the wanting.’

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Broken. (Green St. Girls Series) by N.D. Jackson – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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Broken. (Green St. Girls #2)Broken. by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Content Warning: child abused/paedophilia. Indigo is a girl with a haunting past but a bright future. Gideon is her best friends brother, who is new to town and living in her guest house. When Indigo begins to receive threats regarding a new contract with work, her ex-army guest is the perfect person to keep her company. It’s got the best friends brother trope and the bodyguard trope! Indigo and Gideon have so much in common and have a really lovely friendship, which makes their love story all the better. The only issue I found was that sometimes it felt like the writing was telling rather than showing, which wasn’t needed because you could understand what was happening without it being explained. My favourite character was Indigo, although it’s hard to choose between her and Gideon. My least favourite character was Oliver. I recommend this book because Indigo’s story is an important story to tell and it’s inspiring to see her overcome her past. I also love a friends to lovers story. ‘He was my comfort spot, my safe space. My home.’

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Fetching Dreams by Mary Bleckwehl – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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Fetching DreamsFetching Dreams by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Neyah from Kenya and Abby from Minnesota are unlikely friends. They become pen-pals through an assignment encouraged by their schools. Despite living in completely different worlds, they find that they have a lot in common, they develop a beautiful friendship purely through handwritten letters and help each other fulfil their purposes. Their friendship has inspired me to write letters to friends I have made across the world and to spend more time in the future volunteering to help those in need. My favourite character is Abby because even in her weakest moments, she is strong, inspiring, hopeful. My least favourite character is Neyah’s Papa because it takes a long time for him to come around. I recommend this book because there are not a lot of books that have affected me the way this book did. It’s moving and empowering. It really proves that you can do anything you set your mind to. ‘Thank you for being my inspiration.’

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My Goodbye Girl by Anna Gomez – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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My Goodbye GirlMy Goodbye Girl by Anna Gomez
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story follows Tessa, an impulsive author with commitment issues who meets Simon, a super-organised scientist who is eager to settle down. They’re both attracted to each other and decide to meet up every now and then in various places around the world until they inevitably fall for each other and each has to decide whether the other is worth giving up what they thought they always wanted. I liked this concept, but I didn’t get attached to the characters until halfway through the book. Neither of them seemed likeable at first, their relationship seemed awkward, it seemed to be purely about sex until the halfway point. At that point, you can see that they truly care for each other and are willing to sacrifice to make the relationship work. Of course, this is when everything changes. I was gripped when reading the second half, finding myself emotionally attached to the characters and not just Tessa and Simon, but Jacob, Riley, Liam, and Will, too. I recommend this book because whilst I didn’t get too attached to the romance aspect of this book – which is probably for personal reasons, and so a lot of readers will probably not agree with my opinion – the grief aspect had me in tears, and I could not put it down once I got to part two. I even cried through the acknowledgements. I also have to commend Anna’s ability to switch from past to present tense, and her portrayal of grief. I would love to read more about Riley and Jacob’s story. “Unfortunately, time is temporary. It passes. You have to live with what you have here and now. Contentment, acceptance—these things are hard to come by. But if you spend your life living in the past, you’ll never be able to truly appreciate the present.

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Acting Counsel (Kings of Screen Book 3) by Morgana Bevan – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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Acting Counsel (Kings of Screen, #3)Acting Counsel by Morgana Bevan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Catrina is a lawyer, who spends a night with a man who turns out to be her client, Nathan. As they spend more time together professionally, it becomes clear that they both want to take their personal relationship further, but their careers get in the way. It is the perfect level of “will they, won’t they?” You root for the characters to end up together but simultaneously fear that they might not get their happy ever after. A strong, independent, female love interest with a cute, sexy, male love interest, and it’s refreshing to see a male love interest that is certain of his feelings from the get go. My favourite character was Nathan, because how could I not fall in love with him? And my least favourite character was Mike, what a hypocrite. I recommend this book because I was hooked from page one. It is beautifully written, poetic, romantic, intense, with great dialogue. I think Nathan Logan might be my new favourite book boyfriend. ‘I wanted to brand myself onto her skin, her soul, make it so she could never forget these moments we’d shared beneath a sea of stars with the crash of waves our only soundtrack.’

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Breathless Love (The Bennetts of Langston Falls Book 3) by KG Fletcher – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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Breathless Love (The Bennetts of Langston Falls, #3)Breathless Love by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Breathless Love is the third instalment of K. G. Fletcher’s The Bennett’s of Langston Falls series, and follows Hank, a wannabe country music star, who meets Ella Mae, songwriter and sister of a country music legend that Hank just so happens to be a huge fan of. Ella Mae invites Hank on tour to show him what a rockstar lifestyle is really like, and they get to know each other deeper than either of them imagined, and they have more in common than either of them would have thought. It’s hugely inspirational with a big focus on opportunities, dreams, and the importance of family, featuring strong characters with consistent personality traits, particularly Hank with his chivalry and Ella Mae with her independence. My favourite character was Ella Mae, as she is strong, independent, understanding, and caring. My least favourite character was Travis because he unfortunately turned out to be toxic, manipulative, and selfish. I recommend this book because it’s inspirational, especially for a reader with big dreams. I do think that the ending stretched on for a bit and it probably wasn’t all needed or at least not at that time, but it was a good ending and I really enjoyed the book. “A dream won’t chase you back, son. It’s up to you to chase this dream with everything you have.”

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Consigliere’s Revenge (Sicilian Gods Book 3) by Via Mari – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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Consigliere's Revenge (Sicilian Gods Book 3)Consigliere’s Revenge by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story follows Lorenzo, consigliere to the Larussio crime family, and Isabella, a journalist who is determined to spill the dirt of every crime family in Vegas. Lorenzo realised the Larussio family could use Isabella’s skills to their advantage, but he doesn’t expect to fall in love with her. My favourite character is Isabella and my least favourite character – it’s the same every single time, evil man – is De Rosa. I recommend this book because I’ve now read the three of Via Mari’s Sicilian Gods series, and I’ve loved all three of them. Each one is full of angst and passion, with a different take on mafia romance each time, and I can’t forget the strong, independent women featured. I can’t wait to read her next book. I know this quote isn’t romantic, but it felt important to share: “Sometimes it feels like we deal with more sharks on the legitimate side of the business than when dealing with the men who sell arms to the highest bidder in the dirtiest of alleys. Perhaps it’s because we expect differently of them, but they are just as dirty if not dirtier than the rest of us.”

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Euphoric Wonderland by Ryan M. Becker – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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Euphoric Wonderland: An Eclectic Collection of Psychedelic Poetry to Stimulate the Senses and Open the MindEuphoric Wonderland: An Eclectic Collection of Psychedelic Poetry to Stimulate the Senses and Open the Mind by Ryan M. Becker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Euphoric Wonderland is a wonderful collection of Ryan M Beckers psychedelic poetry. These poems are inspiring, they make you think about life, peace, love, freedom, happiness. There’s reference to legendary bands like The Beatles and Pink Floyd, and a range of poetic techniques used that really make the poems flow which the reader can appreciate. My favourite poem was either ‘Euphoric Rhythm in My Mind: A Voice Inside it Screams to Hyde,’ ‘Dear Beatles,’ or ‘Dactylogram, Your Finger Ran, Quill in Hand, You Then Began.’ I recommend this book because I think this collection is a unique take on poetry and Becker is extremely talented to have created such a big, varied profile in such an original way. I would love to read more of Becker’s poetry to see what else can inspire him. I don’t want to spoil the poems but here are my favourite lines from my three favourite poems: ‘a secret you they thought they knew,’ ‘all the things that I believed weren’t real come alive when I listen to you, like happiness, love, and thoughts about my very existence all at once,’ ‘I don’t know how my thoughts would translate without you.’

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Dawnbreaker: The House of Blood and Sun by Hadley Thorne – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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Dawnbreaker: The House of Blood and SunDawnbreaker: The House of Blood and Sun by Hadley Thorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story follows Niamh el Ri’ili, Princess of the Emerald City Under The Mound, and Connor O’Brien, a vampire full of hatred and rage until he meets her. They meet through family friends, get to know each other through their shared love of music, and fall in love through the trials and tribulations they face back in the Emerald City. My favourite character is Niamh el Ri’ili because she is strong, independent, powerful, knows what she wants, and my least favourite character was, while perfectly written, Queen Desdemona because she is greedy, selfish, condescending, overruling. I recommend this book because it’s a type of love story I haven’t read before, it celebrates Irish culture, and it explores Irish folklore which was interesting to learn about. I would love to read more from Hadley Thorne. ‘It was clear to him from the moment he first saw her that she was his.’

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Braving Lily (True Platinum Series Book 7) by Morgana Bevan – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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Braving Lily (True Platinum, #5)Braving Lily by Morgana Bevan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story follows Lily, a rockstar known for leading the band The Brightside, and Rhys, a ‘normal’ IT guy who she’s set up on a date with. They’re complete opposites and both think there’s no chance they could get along, but apparently, opposites attract. They fall in love, but will those differences come in between them? My favourite character is Lily because she’s a badass rockstar and also a sweetheart, and my least favourite character is Sherry for breaking poor Rhys’ heart. I recommend this book because it’s a beautiful opposites-attract romance, a pure love story where two people meet unconventionally, think they have nothing in common but it turns out they have unbelievable chemistry. I think I’ll have to read the rest of Morgana Bevan’s work! ‘And I knew, no matter how our brief time ended, I would always cherish our stolen moments together.’

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How To Write A Historical Novel And Love It by TL Clark – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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How To Write A Historical Novel And Love ItHow To Write A Historical Novel And Love It by T.L. Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a beginner’s guide to writing a historical novel, such as historical romance or just historical fiction, and features information relating to research, writing tips, formatting, publishing, reviews, advertising, and self-publishing. I recommend this book because it has been a really interesting, informative, helpful book and Clark seems so intelligent and friendly, I would love to approach her if I ever write a historical novel and her comments throughout this book have made me feel comfortable enough to do that. It’s pushed me to get on with writing. ‘I write about different types of love because I’m fascinated that the one word ‘love’ has so many meanings and different feelings attached to it. And, let’s face it, I love love!’

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What I Wish I’d Known: For Writers by H.D. Thomson – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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What I Wish I'd Known: For Writers: 100 Authors Reveal What They Wish They'd Told Their Younger SelvesWhat I Wish I’d Known: For Writers: 100 Authors Reveal What They Wish They’d Told Their Younger Selves by H. D. Thomson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

100 authors were given the question, ‘what advice would you give to your younger self?’ The responses vary between writing techniques, goals, genre, reading, traditional and self-publishing, self-doubt, routines, ideas, practices, characters, editing, etc. My favourite section was by Rita Herron who said; ‘instead of writing one book of the heart, I tried to put heart in every book.’ However, I wasn’t particularly fond of the section by Ernest Dempsey. Either way, I recommend this book because it is a really useful read, and there’s such a variety of authors providing advice that it would suit all aspiring authors in one way or another. I’m going to start using these techniques straight away.

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Lucky Stars by Fantasia Yu – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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Lucky StarsLucky Stars by Fantasia Yu
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story follows Princess Mora of the planet Xitlych, who has been set up to marry Prince Fidge of Xot in order to create an alliance among the nexus of planets. However, Mora has other ideas. She escapes from the castle and ends up on a dangerous adventure with criminal-come-tour guide, Darin O’Joy. Mora helps Darin open himself up to love and Darin helps Mora face her fears. I love Mora and Darin and hate all of the royals minus Pola. It was a really interesting storyline, although quite hard to follow at parts as I don’t think all of the chapters necessarily flow, but I’m glad it ends with a happy ever after. I wish we could have seen Mora and Darin come together officially at the end, though. ‘Both safe at last from the loneliness of the world.’

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Hit on You by Brooke May – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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Hit on YouHit on You by Brooke May
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story follows Luke, a strong, independent woman whose fear of love lands her back in Seattle in a dangerous position, and Nikolai, member of Seattle’s biggest mafia family with a sole purpose of protecting Luke to show her how he feels about her. I recommend this book because, whilst this story is still in the editing process, it has so much potential; the storyline is gripping, the characters are strong – I particularly love Luke’s character, a woman who is independent and does not rely on men, but also a woman who loves her makeup and nice clothes and high heels and feeling sexy – the book is steamy, and I am a sucker for a happy ending. I’m looking forward to reading more of Brooke May and watching her grow in the industry. “You’ve been mine from the first glance.”

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My Pearl Heart by J.N. Sheats – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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My Pearl HeartMy Pearl Heart by J.N. Sheats
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My Pearl Heart by J.N. Sheats is a stand-alone story that follows Jasmine, co-owner of event management company Divine, which she shares with her best friend, Cadence. Jasmine falls for James, who just so happens to be engaged to Cadence. This sets Jasmine off on a journey to explore herself and what she wants from life. I recommend this book as the stakes are high but the love is bigger, and I love a happy ending. My only wish is that Jasmine had that courage she had at the end, all along! “Live your life for now. Do whatever you want, you more than earned that, and I’ll catch up with you later.”

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Underboss’s Retaliation (Sicilian Gods Book 2) by Via Mari – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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Underboss's Retaliation (Sicilian Gods Book 2)Underboss’s Retaliation by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Underboss’s Retaliation Arc is the second in Via Mari’s Sicilian Gods series. It follows straight on from Boss’s Vendetta, this time revolving around cousin Dominic – who would ‘do it all again, risk everything for the woman I barely know but whose heart and mind beats in time to my own’ – and the badass mafia princess from the rival crime family, Emelia. There is even a link to Mari’s Cruel Deception series, of which I have read Degrees of Innocence. I’ve read three of her books this year and I am becoming a huge fan. The romance, the passion, the danger, it all keeps you hooked. Every time I pick up one of her books, I cannot put it back down, and Underboss’s Retaliation Arc has proven this again. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.

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Beast (Popov Bratva Book 5) by Leslie Georgeson – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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Beast (Popov Bratva #5)Beast by Leslie Georgeson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read Leslie Georgeson’s ‘Beast,’ the 5th book in her Popov Bratva’s series, in A NIGHT. It started off steady, but after the first few chapters I was HOOKED. I could not put the book down.
The story is told from both the point of view of the mafia bodyguard, Adrik – aka the beast – and the mafia princess, Annika, and I think it’s really important how the two love interests have physical deformities/disabilities, a group of people we rarely see in love stories but SHOULD.
It’s emotional, it’s romantic, it’s full of lust and pining. It’s everything you want from a mafia romance.
‘I didn’t even know the girl. Yet, I felt an inexplicable affinity to her.’
It’s a must read! I highly recommend!

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More Than by Diane Barnes – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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More ThanMore Than by Diane Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Diane Barnes’ ‘More Than’ follows Peggy Moriarty, a middle-aged single mother of two twin teenagers. The kids leave for school, she’s left alone, she’s unhappy and unhealthy. She joins a weight-loss boot-camp, which is the last thing she ever wanted to do. The best part about this is that the weight-loss story doesn’t encourage fat phobia or eating disorder behaviours, but encourages healthy living and self-confidence. Peggy not only develops her confidence but grows as a character. I liked the book from the beginning, even though I didn’t like Peggy at first. She starts off quite pretentious, judgemental, rude, and controlling, but the support of her new friends helps her come out of her shell. The story explores complicated feelings around grief as well as mental health and body image issues. The ending is so perfect that I cried. I couldn’t recommend this more.

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The Kidnapping by Linda Burson – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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The KidnappingThe Kidnapping by Linda Burson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Linda Burson’s The Kidnapping is a mysterious romance novel, with an original plot and inspiring storyline. Linda creates a multitude of strong characters with detailed backstories that are unravelled throughout the book. There are moments of terror along with moments of domestic bliss. It has everything you want in a book: plot twist after plot twist keeping you gripped from start to finish, a slow burn romance to die for, a happy ending, and an epilogue so the novel doesn’t finish when the story does. I’d love to read more of Linda’s work.

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Degrees of Innocence: Dark Mafia Romance (Cruel Deceptions Book 1) By Via Mari – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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Degrees of Innocence (Prestian Series, #1)Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m becoming a huge fan of Via Mari’s work. This story features vivid imagery, detailed characterisation, and shocking plot twists. The romance is intense, the chemistry is off the scale. This book will keep you gripped, with its themes of tension, betrayal, and deception throughout. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

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River Witch by Cheryl Burman – Review by Maisie Dickinson

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River WitchRiver Witch by Cheryl Burman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cheryl Burman’s River Witch is a beautiful story, written for a multitude of readers who may be interested in the romance aspect, or the history, or mythology, or fantasy, or coming-of-age aspect. The story starts with a young Hester, a farmer’s daughter, who meets Aaron, a man skilled in herbal lore. The river goddess, Sabrina, and the nymphs, call to Hester, and we follow her journey as she makes sure neither her family or people she meets along the way will stop her from following her own path and achieving her dreams. Cheryl builds a world and describes it so perfectly it feels as if you are there.

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Boss’s Vendetta (Sicilian God’s Book 1)by Via Mari Review by Maisie Dickinson

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Boss's Vendetta: Dark Mafia Romance (Sicilian Gods Book 1)Boss’s Vendetta: Dark Mafia Romance by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Boss’s Vendetta, first in the Sicilian Gods series, is gripping from start to finish. Via Mari perfectly captures jealousy and erotica in this mafia enemies-to-lovers romance, which features great characterisation, multiple point-of-views, and terrific world-building. The story follows Adrianna, successful doctor and strong, independent woman who knows how to put herself first, and Salvatore, mafia don with no heart and no soul. ‘Who could really ever love someone with a heart as black as mine?’ You can’t help but root for both characters and when you come to the end of one chapter, you can’t wait to start the next one. I highly recommend.

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