Can't Wait Wednesday: It's A Love Story

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

 

It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan

Pub. Date: May 27, 2025

 

 

 

Goodreads says, "From the USA Today bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script, a novel about a former adolescent TV punchline who has left her awkwardness in the rearview mirror thanks to a fake-it-till-you-make-it mantra that has her on the cusp of success, until she tells a lie that sets her on a crash-course with her past, spending a week in Long Island with the last man she thinks might make her believe in love.

Rules for a love story: There are none. It’s all a lie.

Jane Jackson knows that true love is a lie. Laughter is the only truth—you can’t fake a belly laugh. Jane should know, she spent her adolescence as "Poor Janey Jakes," the barbecue-sauce-in-her-braces punchline on America's fifth-favorite sitcom. Now she’s a Creative Executive at Clearwater Studios and she’s living by a new mantra: Fake it till you make it.

Except, she might have faked it too far. Desperate to get her first project greenlit and riled up by pompous cinematographer and one-time crush Dan Finnegan, she opened her mouth and a big fat fib fell out. She claimed that Jack Quinlan, hottest popstar of the moment, has promised to write an original song for the soundtrack. Jack may have been her first kiss—and greatest source of shame—but she hasn’t spoken to him in twenty years.

Now, Jane must turn to the last man she’d ever want to owe: Dan Finnegan. Because Jack is playing a festival in Dan’s hometown on Long Island, and Dan has an in. A week in close quarters with Dan while facing down her past is Jane's idea of hell, but Dan just might surprise her. While covering up her lie, can they find something true?"

 

I will read anything Annabel writes and I can't wait to read her next summer novel. Are you a fan of Annabel Monaghan? Let me know in the comments below.

Book Review: The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

 Pages: 384

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: August 31, 2023

Publisher: Harper Collins

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "When Jeanie's aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the small town of Dream Harbor, Jeanie jumps at the chance for a fresh start away from her very dull desk job.

Logan is a local farmer who avoids Dream Harbor's gossip at all costs. But Jeanie's arrival disrupts Logan's routine and he wants nothing to do with the irritatingly upbeat new girl, except that he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her.

Will Jeanie's happy-go-lucky attitude win over the grumpy-but-gorgeous Logan, or has this city girl found the one person in town who won't fall for her charm, or her pumpkin spice lattes…

The Pumpkin Spice Café is a cozy romantic mystery for fans of Gilmore Girls, with a grumpy x sunshine dynamic, a small-town setting and a HEA guaranteed!"

 

 

Jeanie has been gifted an adorable cafe in idyllic Dream Harbor. Taking over the cafe is light years away from her horrible desk job, so she takes this chance to start over. While she is getting acclimated in Dream Harbor, she meets Logan, a grumpy farmer, who at first really doesn't want anything to do with Jeanie and her upbeat point of view. The more time they spend together, the more sparks fly. Can Jeanie make Dream Harbor her new home and fit in with its quirky residents and more importantly, can she find love?  Laurie Gilmore's TikTok sensation, The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, is a seasonal romance that is cozy and includes an adorable small town vibe.
 
If you love a grumpy/sunshine trope, look no further than The Pumpkin Spice Cafe. I enjoyed the romance between Jeanie and Logan. The adorable small town of Dream Harbor along with its Stars Hollow vibes also added to my enjoyment. I must admit I was skeptical about trying out this extremely hyped romance and despite its just average writing and lack of real character development, I must say I enjoyed it. I wasn't going into it thinking it was the next great classic, but if you appreciate a cozy romance that will make you smile (and not stress you out!), this is it.  

Like I said, the premise of The Pumpkin Spice Cafe is fall perfection if you want something light. And let's be honest....who doesn't want  something light right now? With all that is going on in the world, this is just the kind of romance to relax you, and curling up with it this fall is peak self-care. 

I definitely think I'll check out the other books in this series, especially when I need a break mentally. In fact, there's a holiday book, The Christmas Tree Farm, which just came out. So, let me know in the comments if you have read The Pumpkin Spice Cafe and if you enjoy seasonal romances.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Glow in the Dark

I love a good fantasy novel! There's something special about being transported to a magical world and getting lost between the pages. Today, I'm featuring a new fantasy/sci-fi series that takes readers on a magical quest. The new novel, Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light by T.J. Scripps, features a strong heroine, adventures, challenges, and magic, too.

 

Learn More About the Novel:

 

Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light 

Written by T.J. Scripps

Illustrated by Dane Doubel

Ages: 8+ | 202 Pages

Publisher: Skybok Press | ISBN: 979-8991217477

Publisher’s Book Summary: "Ruby, a regular 10-year-old girl with fiery red hair and wild green eyes, has her life turned upside down when her grandmother gives her a magical dreamcatcher. One night, it transports her to the dazzling planet of Starland, where she discovers The Aura Embassy, a magnificent glass castle floating in space. There, she meets alien kids and Royal Light Beings, who welcome her as one of their own. Excited to unravel Starland’s mysteries and connect them to her own world, Ruby faces danger as sinister Dark Beings threaten to extinguish all light, both on Starland and Earth. With thrilling challenges ahead, Ruby must maintain her disguise, uncover secrets, and stop the dark forces before it’s lights out forever. Join Ruby on her daring quest to save the world’s light!"

 

You can purchase your own copy of Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Also, you can learn more about T.J. Scripps by visiting her website and connecting with her on Instagram and TikTok. 

 

 

Enter the Giveaway:

 

I've partnered with T.J. Scripp's to celebrate the publication of Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light. Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a signed paperback of Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light! One lucky winner who will receive a signed hard copy, a Montessori Toy Interactive Constellation card pack, a Scratch & Play Scripps National Spelling Bee activity book, and the official dictionary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee 2025 “Words of the Champions”! Good luck! Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light: Book Giveaway

 

 

Spotlight: Ghostly, Ghastly Tales

My sons love all things spooky, especially my older son, who quickly went through the Goosebumps series. When I saw Gibbs Smith, an independent publisher, had a new spooky anthology coming out for Halloween, I knew I had to get my hands on it, and it did not disappoint. 

 

Ghostly, Ghastly Tales by Anastasia Garcia is a spinetingling anthology perfect for children in grades 3-7; a big thank you to Gibbs Smith for sending me a copy. The cover is glow in the dark and so attention seeking --- this book was quickly picked up by both of my boys! I personally loved that the anthology grouped the scary stories into topics, such as haunted objects and grim ghosts. The stories are are rated by scare factor 1-3 which is also perfect if you are like me and have a younger child who isn't quite ready for *all* the stories yet. 

 

I also appreciated the fact that the stories are based on different legends and lore from various cultures like Mexico, Norway, Iceland, the Philippines, and more. At the end of each story, there's an explanation of the inspiration behind it and even more background is provided in the "notes" section at the back of the book. This is a nice touch and separates this book from the usual scary anthologies out there. I highly recommend this book to kids who want something spooky this Halloween season and enjoy a diverse cast of characters.

You can purchase your own copy of Ghostly, Ghastly Tales at Gibbs Smith, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, and Amazon. Also, you can learn more about what Gibbs Smith offers by visiting their website and connecting with them on Instagram, Facebook, and X. 

 

Gibbs Smith also sent me the most adorable Jiggle. If you are new to the puzzle scene, Jiggies are a modern take on puzzles and perfect for after school breaks or wind down activities. We can't wait to put together this adorable Halloween pumpkin.

 

 

Check out Gibbs Smith's site to learn more about Ghostly, Ghastly Tales as well as their entire line of Jiggies. I have adored their BabyLit books for years, so I am looking forward to checking out what they offer for elementary and middle school students. 

Do you enjoy sharing spooky stories with the little ones in your life? Let me know in the comments and if you have tried out any Jiggies, I'd love to hear about it!

 

Book Review: Heartless Hunter by Kristin Ciccarelli

Pages: 416

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pub. Date: February 20, 2024

Publisher: St. Martin's

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "On the night Rune’s life changed forever, blood ran in the streets. Now, in the aftermath of a devastating revolution, witches have been diminished from powerful rulers to outcasts ruthlessly hunted due to their waning magic, and Rune must hide what she is.

Spending her days pretending to be nothing more than a vapid young socialite, Rune spends her nights as the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who rescues her kind from being purged. When a rescue goes wrong, she decides to throw the witch hunters off her scent and gain the intel she desperately needs by courting the handsome Gideon Sharpe – a notorious and unforgiving witch hunter loyal to the revolution – who she can't help but find herself falling for.

Gideon loathes the decadence and superficiality Rune represents, but when he learns the Crimson Moth has been using Rune’s merchant ships to smuggle renegade witches out of the republic, he inserts himself into her social circles by pretending to court her right back. He soon realizes that beneath her beauty and shallow façade, is someone fiercely intelligent and tender who feels like his perfect match. Except, what if she’s the very villain he’s been hunting?

Kristen Ciccarelli’s The Crimson Moth is the thrilling start to a romantic fantasy duology where the only thing more treacherous than being a witch… is falling in love."

 

 

 

Rune Winters, at first glance, appears to be a flighty socialite who bounces from party to party. But she is so much more than that and hides her secrets from everyone but her best friends, Alex and Verity. Rune is a witch, but it's a dangerous time to be one.  The Blood Guard took over, killed the Queen/witches in charge and is now killing witches one by one. During this time the elusive Crimson Moth has rescued witches from imminent peril and hasn't been caught yet. This Moth is Rune and she does this to avenge her grandmother's death who died at the hands of the Blood Guard. Gideon Sharpe, Alex's older brother, is a well known witch hunter and has very personal reasons why he loathes witches, starting with the fact that they destroyed his family. He has his eye on Rune as he thinks she may be the Moth or in cahoots with the Moth. Rune has her eye on Gideon as she is now eighteen and must marry. She could really use Gideon's connections to help rescue captured witches and find out where they are being held. A cat-and-mouse game ensues between Rune and Gideon, but what they don't expect is for real feelings to develop between the two. Kristin Ciccarelli's Heartless Hunter is a fantastic romantasy that kept me flipping the pages.

Rune is such an interesting character in Heartless Hunter; Ciccarelli did a great job developing her. Her backstory about life with her grandmother and what life is like as a witch in hiding was also done well and added to the story. It also explained her motivation as the Crimson Moth. Gideon's backstory is also complicated and I am glad Ciccarelli told the story from his point of view as well. Readers get the history surrounding his  family and how they were wronged by witches, which gives legitimacy to his motivations as a Blood Guard. Rune and Gideon's relationship is the usual enemies to lovers trope, but Ciccarelli gives it a fresh twist. Plus, matters get complicated when Rune's best friend, Alex, reveals he also has feelings for Rune-- cue the love  triangle! While that isn't my favorite of situations, I think Ciccarelli did a solid job making it seem not only authentic, but original, too.

My only issue with Heartless Hunter was some decisions the characters made towards the last quarter of the novel. A few choices made seemed very out of character as they didn't always align with the character's motivation, but overall, it didn't bother me as I was hooked. There are some twists in the novel, which definitely added to the suspense and while this is a YA novel, I think many fans of the romantasy genre will appreciate this one. I enjoyed Heartless Hunter's fresh take on The Scarlet Pimpernel and all the Bridgerton vibes within the novel. I will definitely be reading book two, which comes out this winter.

Are you a fan of Kristin Ciccarelli? Have you read Heartless Hunter? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Romance Roundup (1)

 

I'm trying out a new feature that's similar to mini reviews except this feature will be all about romance! Sometimes you just need a light escape from reality and I'm hoping the books featured here will do just the trick.

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb

Pages: 336

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: September 3, 2024

Publisher: Dial

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Is love on the small screen better than the real thing? A young divorcée finds herself in the ideal world of her favorite 2000s teen soap in this “gleefully nostalgic and completely fresh”* romance from the author of This Spells Love.

Newly divorced on the eve of her thirtieth birthday, Brynn is sick of heartbreak. She thought she had found her happy ending, but now she’s living with a roommate, Josh, to afford her mortgage, and she’s trying to adjust to her new single life. At least she’s got Carson’s Cove to binge, her beloved 2000s teenage soap. The show ended unexpectantly on a cliffhanger after five seasons, and the two main characters, Sloan and Spencer, never got to declare their love for each other. The show is still perfect in Brynn’s eyes; despite all the drama that goes down, things always have a way of working out in Carson’s Cove . . . unlike her own life.

So when a birthday cake surprisingly shows up on her and Josh’s doorstep, Brynn makes a wish for the one thing she’s always wanted (but has failed to achieve herself): a happily-ever-after.

The next morning, she doesn’t wake up in her apartment. She’s in Carson’s Cove . . . and Josh is there too. Everyone seems to know them, except they’re not Brynn and Josh; they’re Sloan, the sweetheart of Carson’s Cove, and Fletch, the town’s bad boy. And to get home, they have to make Brynn’s wish come true by ensuring Sloan and Spencer, the hometown heartthrob, end up together at last. But as they spend more time together, Brynn and Josh realize that Carson’s Cove might not be as perfect as seen on television . . . especially when they start developing feelings for each other in a plot twist no one has expected. Will they stick to the script, or will real love change the story forever?

 

Brynn's life wasn't supposed to be this way and things aren't going as planned. At thirty years old, she finds herself divorced and unhappy. Instead of living in a beautiful home, she is in an apartment with a roommate,  Josh, whom she barely knows. At least she has her favorite show, Carson's Cove, which is her escape from reality. Who doesn't love to escape in a show that is your favorite sitcom where everything works out and romance abounds? After a cake is mysteriously delivered to her door on her birthday, she makes a wish - that she could have a happy ending  like they do on Carson's Cove. The next morning she wakes up and not only is she living inside the show, she is Sloan, a "good girl" character on the show and Josh is Fletch, the love interest who works at the local bar. The more time Brynn stays at Carson's Cove, the more she realizes that maybe things aren't so perfect. Also, there's the issue of her having feelings for Josh, not to mention the fact that they are stuck together in Carson's Cove. How can they return home? Fans of early 2000s sit-coms will especially enjoy Kate Robb's Prime Time Romance.

This was a cute romance, especially all the allusions to some of my favorite TV shows, like Dawson's Creek. This was my favorite aspect of Prime Time Romance, because who hasn't dreamed of waking up at Stars Hollow or hanging out on Dawson's Creek's Capeside? It was interesting to think about the  implications of changing the storyline in not only Brynn's actual life but also in Sloan's. The other enjoyable aspect of the novel was the chemistry between Brynn and Josh. This was especially done well and I liked their slow burn. My main issue with Prime Time Romance was the fact that it wasn't overly memorable; in fact, the characters did not stand out to me at all. If teen dramas from the 2000s are your thing, give Prime Time Romance a try, but if it isn't, I'd skip this one as the genre is already saturated with some fantastic options.

Heavy Hitter by Katie Cotugno

Pages: 240

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: August 20, 2024

Publisher: Harper

Source: Personal Copy

Other Books by Author: 99 Days

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "The beloved New York Times bestselling author of Birds of California hits it out of the park with this smart, sexy, thrilling take on the celebrity-athlete story—a funny, sizzling, ripped-from-the-headlines romance between an international pop star and a major league baseball player who thought his best days were behind him.

Taylor and Travis. Jennifer and A-Rod. Marilyn and Joe. When a professional athlete and a megawatt star fall in love, the world is obsessed . . .

With four chart-topping albums, Lacey Logan is a superstar whose life no longer feels like her own. Her every move is photographed, videoed, and dissected online, and her carefully curated Instagram feed studied by fans worldwide. To maintain her privacy, Lacey skillfully controls her narrative, showing fans and paparazzi what she wants them to see.

But when Lacey discovers her boyfriend is hiding two devastating secrets—a bad cocaine habit and a pregnant girlfriend—she begins to lose confidence and control of her own story. Then big-shouldered baseball player Jimmy Hodges, a former Rookie of the Year when Lacey was in high school, walks into the bar where she’s venting to a friend. With his shaggy beard and unfashionable button-down, Jimmy is the opposite of the picture-perfect guy Lacey thinks she wants. Soon, sparks fly and inhibitions go out the window when Lacey dares to take some chances.

Lacey and Jimmy are polar opposites. But could this be the forever after they both need?

Lacey Logan is an international pop star, think Taylor Swift big, but even she has bad days. For starters, her ex-boyfriend cheated on her and has a drug issue that made headlines. It's over between them, but she is  pretty hesitant when it comes to guys. When she meets Jimmy Hodges, a  professional baseball player, she is instantly attracted to him. She used to have his picture on her wall as a teenager and now they are chatting at a restaurant. Jimmy, who is five years older than Lacey, is thinking about retirement, and in the back of his mind, he is wondering why Lacey would be interested in him. There's no doubt there's an attraction brewing between the two, but can they actually form a healthy relationship taking into consideration all the separation they will have between her international tours, his games, and all the imposing fans? Katie Cotugno's Heavy Hitter is a fun sports romance that takes its plot right from  Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce headlines.

Lacey should have it all and it appears she does at first glance in Heavy Hitter. But the one thing she doesn't have is a healthy relationship. She can't get over what her ex did to her, so she is hesitant to form something real with Jimmy, but there's no denying their attraction. I enjoyed their romance and all the details of celebrity life as well as professional athletes. I have never read a sports romance, so this aspect of the story was pure fun. However, I did feel like the characters were very surface level. I wish  Cotugno would have delved deeper into them as this felt all very rushed (the book is only 230 pages!) and a bit too gimmicky in that it was obviously a nod in a big way to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's relationship. Nonetheless, if you are looking for a quick,  fluffy romance to read during baseball playoffs, look no further.

 

 

Have you read Prime Time Romance or Heavy Hitter? Are you a fan of the romance genre? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Penny Panda and the Emotion Ninjas

I find that sharing books that showcase emotions helps kids not only understand their feelings, but also learn how to regulate and control them in a healthy way. Today, I'm excited to share a new picture book called Penny Panda and the Emotion Ninjas by Nicole Oke. This book explains emotions to young readers and would be a great addition to an elementary classroom.

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

Penny Panda and the Emotion Ninjas

Written by Nicole Oke

Illustrated by Richard Hoit

Ages 4-10 | 32 Pages

Publisher: Oke Publications | ISBN-13: 979-8-9870396-3-2

Publisher’s Book Summary: Get ready to dance into the world of emotions in Penny Panda and the Emotion Ninjas!

Izzy is gearing up for the big talent show, but she’s feeling a lot of big emotions – excitement, nerves, and everything in between! With her trusty friend Penny Panda by her side, Izzy embarks on a journey to understand the colorful cast of emotion ninjas that reside within her.

From the energetic Excitement Ninja to the protective Fear Ninja, Izzy learns to embrace her feelings and harness their power as she takes center stage. With each step, she discovers that every emotion has a role to play and that she’s the boss of her own emotional journey.

Join Izzy and Penny as they dance through a story filled with laughter, friendship, and the magic of self-discovery. “Penny Panda and the Emotion Ninjas” is a heartwarming tale that celebrates the power of emotions and the joy of being true to yourself.

Get ready to twirl, leap, and pirouette with Izzy and Penny in this enchanting adventure that will leave you cheering for more!

You can purchase your own copy of Penny Panda and the Emotion Ninjas at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.  You can learn more about Nicole Oke by visiting her website and connecting with her on Facebook and Instagram.

The Giveaway:

I've partnered with Nicole Oke to celebrate the publication of Penny Panda and the Emotion Ninjas. Enter for a chance to win one of ten signed hardcover copies of Penny Panda and the Emotion Ninjas. In addition to a signed copy, the grand prize winner will receive a Penny Panda sticker pack, Emotion Ninjas magnetic bookmark, coloring pages, and a $50 Amazon gift card. Good luck! Penny Panda and the Emotion Ninjas: Book Giveaway

 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Mr Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal

 

It's officially spooky season! If you haven't already, it's time to break out all things pumpkin, witches, apple cider, ghosts, and don't forget a side of your favorite Halloween candy. We love a good fantasy in my house, so when I heard about Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal by Ryan Cowan, I knew we would have to check it out. It seems like the perfect imaginative tale to curl up with this Halloween, especially for fans of Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl, and The Worst Witch.

Learn More About the Book:

Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal

Written by Ryan Cowan

Illustrated by Halo Rife

Ages: 9-12 | 252 Pages

Publisher: For the Northern Star Publishing (2022) | ISBN-13: 9788351181905

Publisher’s Book Summary: "Elliott attends his third-grade class like any other boy, except that Elliott isn’t like any other boy. Endowed with magical powers, Elliott belongs to a secret world called Moonstone—and trouble is brewing. When the evil witch Noir steals The Halloween Crystal, it’s up to Elliott and his third-grade teacher, Mr. Moonbeam, to stop Noir from invading the non-magical world on Halloween night. But can Elliott learn to master his powers in time?"

You can purchase your own copy of Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal at Amazon. Also, You can learn more about Ryan Cowan by connecting with him on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok. 

 

 

The Giveaway:

 

I've partnered with Ryan Cowan to host a giveaway to celebrate the recent publication of Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal. One lucky winner will receive a signed copy of the book and an exclusive, limited edition themed t-shirt. Good luck!  

 

Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal: Book Giveaway

 

Book Review: Weyward by Emilia Hart

Pages: 416

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: February 2, 2023

Publisher: St. Martin's

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "I am a Weyward, and wild inside.

2019: Under cover of darkness, Kate flees London for ramshackle Weyward Cottage, inherited from a great aunt she barely remembers. With its tumbling ivy and overgrown garden, the cottage is worlds away from the abusive partner who tormented Kate. But she begins to suspect that her great aunt had a secret. One that lurks in the bones of the cottage, hidden ever since the witch-hunts of the 17th century.

1619: Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer who was stampeded to death by his herd. As a girl, Altha’s mother taught her their magic, a kind not rooted in spell casting but in a deep knowledge of the natural world. But unusual women have always been deemed dangerous, and as the evidence for witchcraft is set out against Altha, she knows it will take all of her powers to maintain her freedom.

1942: As World War II rages, Violet is trapped in her family's grand, crumbling estate. Straitjacketed by societal convention, she longs for the robust education her brother receives––and for her mother, long deceased, who was rumored to have gone mad before her death. The only traces Violet has of her are a locket bearing the initial W and the word weyward scratched into the baseboard of her bedroom.

Weaving together the stories of three extraordinary women across five centuries, Emilia Hart's Weyward is an enthralling novel of female resilience and the transformative power of the natural world."

 

 

Three generations of Weyward women all have something in common: a gift to communicate with animals and connect with nature. It's 1619 and Altha is put on trial for witchcraft. Essentially, she was blamed for the death of a farmer just for being in the proximity of his accident and the fact that Altha's mother was a known witch in the village...and by witch we mean a healer. Then there's Violet Ayers in the 1940s who lives in an overbearing household with her father and brother. Her father is pushing her into one path for her life regardless of her feelings; Violet doesn't want that life. Plus, she always thought her mother died in childbirth, but she now finds out some of the secrets about her death, which makes Violet question everything about her family. Then there's Kate Ayers who lives in the present day and is fleeing her abusive husband before he finds out she is pregnant. After her Aunt Violet died, Kate inherited a cottage, so she returned there with the hope of hiding from her husband and rebuilding her life. All three women, despite the many years separating them, have more in common than not. Mixing these three storylines together with a strong side of feminism and some light supernatural elements makes Weyward by Emilia Hart not only a great read for October but also one of my favorite books I've read this year. 

 

I absolutely love when authors can take three women separated by generations and intertwine their stories; in fact, that's one of my favorite aspects of historical fiction and Hart does it very well in Weyward. I was equally invested in all three women's stories. Altha, Violet, and Kate were all trying to gain control of their lives and break away from the controlling, and oftentimes abusive men in their lives. I love a novel featuring strong-willed women and if you do too, you won't be disappointed. Also, I did not expect Weyward to have such a feminist theme, but it did and I was pleasantly surprised. 

 

Weyward is also extremely atmospheric and it oozes with magical elements. I adored that aspect of the novel and it made for the perfect fall read to cozy up with. This is the first novel I've read by Hart, but it certainly won't be the last. 

Have you read Weyward? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.