Book Review: The Once and Future Queen by Paula Lafferty

Pages: 512

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction/Fantasy

Publisher: Kensington

Pub. Date: December 16, 2025

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Vera always knew she didn’t fit in. When she learns that she is meant to be in another time, she leaps at the chance to embrace a new life in a world of valor, intrigue, and unexpected magic in this bold and romantic retelling of Arthurian legend . . .

22-year-old Vera is at a crossroads: waiting tables, grieving her previous relationship, and jogging aimlessly each morning as if toward an uncertain future. Then an odd man shows up at her workplace, insisting that she was once the legendary Queen Guinevere of Camelot, and that her lost memories hold the key to changing both the past and the present. Somehow, it all feels like the direction she’s been looking for. But when she asks the mysterious man to tell her more about Lancelot, Arthur, and a faithless queen, he can only say that much of what she’s heard about Camelot is wrong. The truth, he claims, is something she must see for herself.

After jumping through a portal in Glastonbury’s historic center, Vera is not prepared for what she finds. Magic is everywhere, but a curse on the kingdom means it dwindles every day. She has no idea how to perform a queen’s duties. Her fast friendship with Lancelot sets gossip flowing, and the stranger she must call “husband” often refuses to meet her eye. Arthur is a puzzle: cold, forbidding, and, while angry to her face, keeps leaving secret tokens of tenderness in her chambers. Worst of all, Vera’s memories—and the answers locked within them—show no signs of returning. If Vera is truly destined to save Camelot, she’ll have to trust her instincts. And her king will have to trust her . . ."

 

Vera is a twenty-two-year-old living with her adopted parents in Glastonbury working at her parents' hotel. She is still grieving the untimely death of Vincent, her boyfriend, who died in a car crash. Her daily life has become monotonous until the arrival of a strange man at the hotel who tells her she must come with him to another time. She is actually Guinevere and has been hiding out in modern day, but must return to King Arthur's court to ultimately save England, which desperately needs her. Obviously, this sounds crazy, but Vera's mother confirms that this message is the truth. The mysterious stranger turns out to be Merlin, who, by using magic, can time-travel through a wormhole. Once back to Camelot, she has to acclimate to the time period and the dynamics at court. There are all the legendary characters present: Arthur, Lancelot, Gawain, and more, but Vera must forget what she knows about King Arthur's court and learn for herself what it's like to live there. It doesn't help that Arthur won't open up to her and avoids her, which is beyond frustrating for Vera. Also, she must figure out her place in this new world, how she can help save England, and what happened to her before her "disappearance" to another time. Paula Lafferty's The Once and Future Queen is a mash-up of various genres and a fun modern take on the King Arthur legend.
 
I have always enjoyed the legend of King Arthur, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Lafferty's modern take on it. The first half of the book really pulled me in. To have Guinevere time-travel back to the court, after spending some time in Modern England, is a fun premise. While the science behind Merlin's wormhole and his magic was lacking, if readers suspend their disbelief and just go along with it, they are in for a lot of enjoyment. Also, the slow-burning romance between Arthur and Guinevere was also enjoyable, and Lafferty really took her time developing their relationship and explaining the backstory as to why Arthur has been so closed off lately. Lastly, Lancelot's friendship with Guinevere was also well done, and that was a entertaining take on the usual legend.

My only gripe with The Once and Future Queen was the length. I felt like it dragged on in the middle, which impacted the pacing. The characters also spoke in a modern way, which didn't feel very authentic for the time period. But other than that, I thought it was an enjoyable time-travel/historical fiction novel with a small side of romance. Fans of the Arthurian legend will especially appreciate this one, as well as fans of romantasy that prefer their fantasies to not include too many spicy scenes. 

Let me know in the comments if you enjoy Arthurian legend and time travel stories. The Once and Future Queen is the start of a promising trilogy, so let me know if you plan on reading it this winter.   

 

 

  

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Calamity Club

 

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett

Pub. Date: April 7, 2026

 

 

 

Goodreads says, "In 1933 Oxford, Mississippi, Prohibition is on the wane, and the Great Depression is tightening its grip. Poor and rich folks alike have fallen on hard times, even as the old social order remains. For women on the margins, the options are few and the price of dignity and self-determination is unbearably high.

Eleven-year-old Meg, one of the unadoptable “big girls” at the Lafayette County Orphan Asylum, fights each day to keep her spirit unbowed. Birdie, unmarried and outspoken, has come to Oxford on a mission to ask her social-climbing sister to help the struggling family she’s left behind. And Charlie is a woman with a past, running low on luck but driven by fire, fury, and grit. When their fates converge, they come up with an audacious plan to take back control of their lives. Together, they form an unlikely sisterhood—but in a place and time where hypocrisy is rife, women’s freedom is fragile, and making an enemy can have dire consequences, will the price they pay for their outrageous risk-taking be too high?

The Calamity Club will make you laugh, cry, and cheer—an epic testament to resilience, friendship, and the fierce, funny women who know that calamity can be the spark of new beginnings. This is Kathryn Stockett at her most confident, heartfelt, and hilarious—the triumphant return of one of the most beloved storytellers of our time."

 

Kathryn Stockett, bestselling author of The Help, is finally back with another novel! I hear it's a fantastic novel for book clubs who enjoy historical fiction as well as stories about communities. It's been 15 years since The Help, so this is long-awaited. Let me know in the comments if The Calamity Club is on your spring TBR list.  

 

Audiobook Review - JFK: Public, Private, Secret by J. Randy Taraborrelli

Pages: 592

Genre: Biography

Pub. Date: July 15, 2025

Publisher: St. Martin's

Source: Personal Copy

Other Books By Author: Jackie: Public, Private, Secret

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "In this deeply researched presidential biography, J. Randy Taraborrelli tells John F. Kennedy’s story in a provocative new way by revealing how public moments in his life were so influenced by private relationships with not only his family, but also Jackie’s.

But it’s the secret life that also surprises. As Congressman, Senator and finally President, JFK was a magnet for women. With exclusive interviews and meticulous research, Taraborrelli reveals not only the man’s many affairs but also the strength and resolve his wife showed in coping with them.

The JFK presented in Taraborrelli’s definitive biography is a complex and endlessly fascinating historical figure, despite—and maybe even because of—his many flaws.

 

 

 

JFK lived an extraordinary life, and there’s no doubt about it. J. Randy Taraborrelli, a Kennedy expert, takes readers on a journey through JFK's life, specifically examining how the relationships around him influenced his world. JFK: Public, Private, Secret by J. Randy Taraborrelli delves into his relationship with his father, his older brother, his religious mother, and Jackie, providing insight into how these interactions shaped his identity.

I have read many a JFK biography, but Taraborrelli manages to cover a lot of information I knew, and also provides some new information based on twenty-five years of his research. I liked learning more about his time in the military and his heroic efforts in the South Pacific. Taraborrelli also dives into his health issues and how that shaped his world. Also, Taraborrelli sheds a bit more light on Jackie and Jack's early marriage days and how they were on the brink of divorce. Lastly, I appreciated the depictions of Jack's family, how he was raised, Rose's behaviors, and how that all impacted Jack and turned him into the person who rose to the presidency. 
 
JFK is one of the most memorable presidents in history, and I always appreciate learning more about him, his struggles, and his family. After reading a JFK biography, I always wonder what life would be like if he weren't assassinated. It's heartbreaking all that the Kennedy family endured. However, Jack's story is one of hope. Even though he had questionable morals at times when it came to women, deep down, he cared about the American people and making a difference. Despite all his chronic issues, pain, and surgeries, he still endured, which I find inspiring.   

JFK: Public, Private, Secret as an audiobook is fantastic and will definitely be one of my favorites of the year. So, let me know if you are you a fan of JFK? Do you plan on reading JFK: Public, Private, Secret? Let me know in the comments below.  

 

Book Review: His & Hers by Alice Feeney

Pages: 320

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: July 28, 2020

Publisher: Flatiron

Source: Personal Copy

Other Books By Author: Rock, Paper Scissors, 

Daisy Darker, and Beautiful Ugly

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

 

Goodreads says, "When a woman is murdered in Blackdown, a quintessentially British village, newsreader Anna Andrews is reluctant to cover the case. Detective Jack Harper is suspicious of her involvement, until he becomes a suspect in his own murder investigation. Someone isn’t telling the truth, and some secrets are worth killing to keep.

His & Hers is a twisty, smart, psychological thriller. A gripping tale of suspense, told by expertly-drawn narrators that will keep readers guessing until the very end."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anna Andrews thought she had left Blackdown, the sleepy little British town where she grew up, behind for the big city and her dream career as a news anchor. But plans have changed, along with her failed marriage, and the coveted anchor position. When she is sent to Blackdown to cover a brutal murder, she knows she will be reunited with all the people, secrets, and memories she longs to forget. Covering the case is Jack Harper, her ex-husband and head of police in Blackdown. Not only will she have to deal with him, but she will also have to deal with the people she left behind, including her mother and former friends. When they figure out the person murdered is a friend from high school, they realize things are starting to get serious, and the more readers learn, the more they realize that Jack and Anna may be tied to the case in more ways than one. Flashbacks reveal secrets from the past, upsetting events that bind people together, and poor decisions made when they were teens. Add another murder in the mix, and people are starting to suspect (including the readers) that one of them is involved! His & Hers by Alice Feeney is an excellent psychological thriller that kept me flipping the pages; it's complete with explosive plot twists, suspense, and layers of plot.
 
All of the characters in His & Hers are pretty unlikable, but that didn't mean I didn't care about their fate. Anna, a tragically flawed individual, is hard to like at first, but once readers are privy to her past, the events of her teen years, and most recently the events surrounding her failed marriage, readers can gain more sympathy towards her plight. Her relationship with Jack is very complex; so throw in a murder investigation, and you've got yourself a crazy ride. 
 
I really enjoyed how Feeney told the story through three points of view. "Hers" is obviously Anna, and "His" is Jack's, but the third point of view is the killer, which kept me glued to the pages. I was guessing up until the final plot twist and reveal; Feeney really outdid herself with this one!
 
I knew I had to read His & Hers before I watched the show on Netflix, and I am so glad I did. While there were some differences between the show and book, it still captured it well. If you like domestic thrillers, crime fiction, and psychological thrillers, check out Feeney's His & Hers before you watch the hit show on Netflix. You won't be disappointed; it's the perfect show to get lost in during the blustery months of January. 
 
Have you read His & Hers? Are you a fan of Alice Feeney? Let me know in the comments below.   

 

Can't Wait Wednesday: Change of Plans

Can't Wait Wednesday is hosted by Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.   

 

Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen

Pub. Date: May 5, 2026

 

Goodreads says, "Finley has always felt most comfortable in someone else’s shadow. Fortunately, she’s got Colin, her magnetic boyfriend, who sweeps her along for activities, friendships, and future plans. Then she goes on a last-minute trip with her distant mom to a family vacation house that Finley didn’t know existed and is now about to be sold.

Her mom was estranged from her own parents and siblings since leaving home for college, and it’s a novelty for Finley to see her aunts and cousins, and to meet the handful of teens who work at the Egg, her aunt’s diner, and make up a found family of their own—including undeniably handsome guitarist Ben.

Then her relationship with Colin goes into freefall, and Finley’s roadmap for life after high school is gone. She has no choice but to live, for the first time, without plans. The longer Finley stays, the closer she gets to the truth about why her mother stayed away—and why she’s brought Finley here now.

And the closer she grows to new friends at the Egg, the more she starts to fall for charmingly awkward, soulful Ben and to realize how much of herself she’s been missing. By the end of the summer, nothing will be the same—for this community or for Finley herself."

 

Cue all the excitement! Sarah Dessen has been, hands down, one of my favorite YA authors for years. I adore her novels, and I’m thrilled she finally has another book coming out. I’ve really missed them. How about you? Are you a Sarah Dessen fan, and do you plan to read Change of Plans?