I am sharing two new releases today that are both stellar books. The first book, The Unmaking of June Farrow, is a fantastic fantasy that was on many of the best books of 2023 lists. The other book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord is a historical mystery set in the Regency period that was delightful. It is the start of a new series that I will definitely be continuing with. Have you read either of these books? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Goodreads says, "A woman risks everything to end her family’s centuries-old curse, solve her mother’s disappearance, and find love in this mesmerizing novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Spells for Forgetting. In the small mountain town of Jasper, North Carolina, June Farrow is waiting for fate to find her. The Farrow women are known for their thriving flower farm—and the mysterious curse that has plagued their family line. The whole town remembers the madness that led to Susanna Farrow’s disappearance, leaving June to be raised by her grandmother and haunted by rumors. It’s been a year since June started seeing and hearing things that weren’t there. Faint wind chimes, a voice calling her name, and a mysterious door appearing out of nowhere—the signs of what June always knew was coming. But June is determined to end the curse once and for all, even if she must sacrifice finding love and having a family of her own. After her grandmother’s death, June discovers a series of cryptic clues regarding her mother’s decades-old disappearance, except they only lead to more questions. But could the door she once assumed was a hallucination be the answer she’s been searching for? The next time it appears, June realizes she can touch it and walk past the threshold. And when she does, she embarks on a journey that will not only change both the past and the future, but also uncover the lingering mysteries of her small town and entangle her heart in an epic star-crossed love. With The Unmaking of June Farrow, Adrienne Young delivers a brilliant novel of romance, mystery, and a touch of the impossible—a story you will never forget."
June Farrow knows there is no escaping her family's curse. Every woman in her family succumbs to mental illness either sooner or later and June knows she is next. She is seeing things, strange things that aren't there. She knows her time is limited before she becomes like the rest of the women in her family, or worse like her mother who disappeared without a trace. One day she sees a random red door in a field and opens it, and she time-travels back to 1951. While there, a farmer who says he is her husband, Eamon, is upset with her. She has been gone for a year and left not only him behind, but also a young daughter. The more time June spends in 1951, the more June gets flashbacks to her life with Eamon. She also realizes that this is intertwined with the disappearance of her mother as well as the murder of a minister years before. Adrienne Young's The Unmaking of June Farrow is an entertaining fantasy filled with romance, mystery, and magic.
I really enjoyed the character of June from the start of The Unmaking of June Farrow. While I didn't always understand the details surrounding this version of time travel, I did think it was extremely entertaining as time travel is one of my favorite fantasy elements to include in a novel. Just like in Spells for Forgetting, Young creates such an atmospheric world that I love to be lost in. The mountains of South Carolina felt so vivid, they practically jumped off the page. If you enjoy a well-written fantasy and one that will keep you flipping the pages, look no further. Fans of Young won't be disappointed.
Goodreads says, "When Lady Petra Forsyth’s fiancé and soulmate dies just weeks ahead of their wedding, she makes the shocking proclamation—in front of London’s loosest lips—that she will never remarry. A woman of independent means, Petra sees no reason to cede her wealth and freedom to any man now that the love of her life has passed, nor does she intend to become confined to her country home. Instead, she uses her title to gain access to elite spaces and enjoy the best of society without expectations. But when ballroom gossip suggests that a longtime friend has died of “melancholia” while in the care of a questionable physician, Petra vows to use her status to dig deeper—uncovering a private asylum where men pay to have their wives and daughters locked away, or worse. Just as Lady Petra has reason to believe her friend is not dead, but a prisoner, her own headstrong actions and thirst for independence are used to put her own freedom in jeopardy."
I really adored Petra from the start of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord. She was bold, unconventional, a feminist, and not someone to be trifled with.....just how I like my protagonists! She was like an Austen heroine, but even more bold. Her determination and drive to find out the truth about what was happening to the women was something I cared about; I was rooting for her from the start. Her reluctant relationship with Duncan, the Scotsman, was also a slow burn that I enjoyed. However, the more Petra plays Nancy Drew, the more dangerous it becomes for all involved. I will be continuing with this series as it was like being immersed in my favorite Masterpiece show on PBS mixed with some Bridgerton vibes. Fans of the Regency period should definitely pick up a copy of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord .
I am so excited for June Farrow! Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteYou will have to let me know your thoughts once you read it! Thanks for dropping by, Michele!
DeleteAct Like a Lady has been on my radar for awhile - the cover is so cool! Your review is making me even more excited for it!
ReplyDeleteIf you like Bridgerton and you enjoy a good mystery, you'll like this series. I will definitely be continuing with it! Thanks for visiting, Angela!
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