Review for Sophie Jordan's "SPELLCAST"

 

SPELLCAST
Romance - Fantasy

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Sophie Jordan

RELEASE DATE:
July 28, 2026

PUBLISHER:
Avon and Harper Voyager

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9780063462199

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://www.sophiejordan.net/

 

 

Arden is the daughter of a blacksmith. She spends ten miserable years invisible due to a curse, unable to interact with her family and fellow town’s folk. Tragedy strikes her village, leaving Arden the lone survivor. She ends up kidnapped by a pride of dragons, ones who can transform into humans. Arden knows she does not belong with them, but she cannot ignore her desire for their alpha. Can Arden find a way to break her curse? Or will a secret forever alienate her from Tage?

Tage is the leader of a small group of shape-changing dragons. They investigate a skelm attack – dragons who prey on humans – only to find one survivor. Tage decides to bring the human woman back with them when they fail at altering her memories. Arden proves to be an anomaly among her kind; one he cannot ignore. Tage does not dare trust her with the secret of their existence. Will Arden’s presence destroy everything that Tage built within his pride?

SPELLCAST is the third book in Sophie Jordan’s fantasy romance series, A FIRE IN THE SKY.I did not know the author wrote books/series in this genre – fantasy and fantasy romances are my top favs. So, I have not read the first two books in the series. This did not hinder my ability to follow the plot or enjoy the story and characters. SPELLCAST takes place in the same world yet an all-new cast of characters.

The author breaks the story into three parts. The first focuses solely on Arden. How the curse starts and the ramifications it has on her. It allowed me to really empathize with Arden. My heart went out to the girl for everything she experienced while invisible. I am amazed that Arden managed to maintain her sanity.

The second part introduces Tage and his pride. I like the creative spin the author took with her dragon shapeshifters. How their kind evolved with the ability to morph into human shape. I also like how the dragons are still learning the full scope of their abilities, strengths, and weaknesses.

Review for Takiba's "YOU'RE ALL MINE TONIGHT"

 

YOU’RE All MINE TONIGHT
BL/Yaoi, Slice of Life

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Takiba

RELEASE DATE:
December 23, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Kodansha Comics

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9798888775202

RATING:
4.5

 

Kanzaki, a middle-aged salaryman, returns from working abroad for five years. He never forgot the man he had a fling with before his transfer. Kanzaki is shocked to discover one of his new subordinates resembles his former lover. Sadly, Futagami wants nothing to do with him or their past. Can Kanzaki convince Futagami to give him another chance?

Futagami wants to forget all about his former life as a male sex worker. He grows dismayed when he learns that his new boss turns out to be a past client. Futagami tries desperately to avoid Kanzaki at the office only to fail. Things between them turn awkward. Will Futagami come to terms with his tumultuous feelings, enough to let Kanzaki in?

YOU’RE ALL MINE TONIGHT is a one-shot BL manga. This is the first time I read anything from this mangaka. The story quickly immersed me. I wish that we got a little more of Futagami’s POV.  Perhaps the past that caused him to become a sex worker… Okay, so I saw the potential this manga had of becoming serial.

 

I will definitely be adding this one to my collection when it is released.

Review for J. Soori's SEMANTIC ERROR, novel, VOL 1

 

SEMANTIC ERROR (novel)
BL

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
J. Soori

RELEASE DATE:
January 20, 2026

PUBLISHER:
Yen Press / Ize Press

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9798400903168

RATING:
4.5

 

 

Sangwoo Choo is a computer science major at Hanguk University. When his groupmates fail to help with a group presentation, he purposely deletes their name off the project. Sangwoo is unperturbed about the consequences of his actions. He needs to find a replacement graphic designer to replace the one who bailed on him. Unfortunately, Sangwoo finds out the designer he wants is one of the groupmates he wronged. The senior is intent on harassing him as payback and destroying his orderly, routine-oriented world.

Jaeyoung Jang is a charismatic and talented design major – who intends to study abroad in America once he graduates. His plans get dashed when a certain underclassman deletes Jaeyoung’s name off a necessary project. When he tries to confront the student, the young man refuses to answer his texts and messages. An opportunity arrives for Jaeyoung when Sangwoo tries to hire him to work on his video game. He decides to mess with Sangwoo. However, things start to change between the two men.

Sangwoo reminds me so much of Sheldon Cooper from the television show, BIG BANG THEORY. They have the same demeanors, need for routines (and behavior when that gets disrupted), and their interactions with others. I can understand why many of his fellow classmates and professors did not get along with him. His personality is one many would have trouble with.

Jaeyoung is fun! And he is Sangwoo’s complete (aka polar) opposite. People gravitate towards his carefree, friendly personality. However, he tends to be on the lazy side and procrastinate. That, in no way, affects his artistic talent. I love his interactions with Sangwoo. Yes, at the beginning, he disrupts the younger man’s orderly life. Yet, Jaeyoung starts to pick up things that people either overlook or have no interest in bothering to notice.

I have heard of the manhwa for some time. It is a highly recommended read in the BL fandom. I just never got around to reading it (because I could not find it in paperback format. My preference). I watched (and enjoyed) the live action. So, when I saw the novel form offered in Netgalley, I decided to give it a try. And man, how it ended made me want the next volume immediately.

I only had one problem. It has nothing to do with the story, plot or characters. Mainly it is the file sent to me from Netgalley. It would have been nice if the format was either epub or pdf, so I could have read it on my Kindle Fire. Instead, I received an LCPL file, which required me to download a specific program to access it. I had to read it on my computer – which was uncomfortable at times. I would have finished the novel way sooner if I could have read it on my Kindle.

Review for Mame Ohtako's "FLIP FLIP SLOWLY"

 

FLIP FLIP SLOWLY
BL/Yaoi, Slice of Life

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Mame Ohtako

RELEASE DATE:
December 16, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Kodansha Comics

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9798888775721

RATING:
4

 

 

Hagiwara is a librarian in a rural country town. He notices a newcomer who quickly becomes a regular. Hagiwara soon becomes curious about the man… and invites him on a drive. He cannot help falling in love with Yabumi. And he intends to prove that he is perfect for him.

Yabumi is a professor at a college. He returns home after his father passes to help his mother. During a lull in his commute, Yabumi finds a library, where he meets Hagiwara. At first, Yabumi is hesitant about opening himself up to the younger man. But Hagiwara’s persistence soon wins him over.

Yabumi is haunted by his past choices. It took a younger man, one almost like him, to give him all the things his past-self needed. This allowed Yabumi to come to terms with a lot of his inner issues and demons. I like what Yabumi told Hagiwara when he confessed his troubles of coming out to his dad.

I love how Hagiwara did not give up on Yabumi, even after the man warned him away. Instead, that doubled down his determination to win Yabumi’s love. He was not pushy about it either.

This was a cute yet touching one shot manga. The mangaka handled the age-gap romance wonderfully.

Review for Sofie Darling's "LADY AMELIA TAKES A LOVER"

 

LADY AMELIA TAKES A LOVER
Historical Romance

 

 

AUTHOR:
Sofie Darling

RELEASE DATE:
December 09, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Oliver Heber Books

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
B0G1579S93

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://sofiedarling.com/

 

 

Lady Amelia Windermere spends time in Italy with her family to weather out a scandal. She desperately wants to improve their reputations, so they can re-enter into the ton’s good graces. Amelia encounters Tristan Carteret on her way to an art lesson. She finds the man rude yet utterly fascination. Amelia surprises herself by proposing an improper bargain: she will model for his art if he returns the favor. Will Amelia succeed in re-entering into Polite Society? Or will she choose infamy with The Dissolute Duke.

Tristan Carteret, the Duke of Ripon, is a sculptor residing in Florence, Italy. He is not eager on returning to England to assume his ducal duties. Tristan happens upon Amelia. He believes her to be like all the other English debutantes back home. Tristan finds he wants to help the uptight miss embrace her repressed passionate side and artistic talent. He knows he ought to refuse the bargain she suggested. Can Tristan persuade Amelia to forget about society’s rules? Will he convince her they belong together? Will he convince her they belong together?

Tristan and Amelia mesh well together. Their differences balance out the others. Amelia cares too much about Polite Society’s opinions while Tristan does not. Tristan embraces his artistic side while Amelia merely skims hers. I love how Tristan encourages Amelia to explore and eventually share her art with others. He knows that goes against Society’s regulations of what a gentlewoman can do.

LADY AMELIA TAKES A LOVER is the first book in Sofie Darling’s historical romance series, WINDERMERES IN LOVE. It was first published by Dragonblade Publishing on July 28, 2022. I assume the author received her rights back to re-release the title with a brand-new – softer and beautiful- cover. The story, like the prequel MR. SINCLAIR BEGUILES A BLUESTOCKING, is on the short side. Which did not detract from the plot or the storyline.

The Windermeres are an interesting family. Each member seems to have a talent/hobby that they excel at. Amelia with her art, Archie with his piano playing, Delilah with her acting, and Juliet with her writing… I love that aspect.

Review for Sabrina Jeffries' "NEARLY A BRIDE"

 

NEARLY A BRIDE
Historical Romance

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Sabrina Jeffries

RELEASE DATE:
April 28, 2026

PUBLISHER:
Kensington

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9781496751041

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://www.sabrinajeffries.com/

 

 

Rupert Oakden, the Earl of Heathbrook, has spent twelve years detained in a French fortress. Now home, he wants nothing more to claim guardianship of his three younger brothers. Heath’s rakish reputation hinders his ability. He must find a suitable fiancée to appear respectably in front of the courts. A perfect candidate presents herself to Heath. Giselle needs his help, so Heath proposes a plan: if she poses as his pretend fiancé, he will help her and her mother gain proper, legitimate papers. Is their ruse doomed to fail?

Giselle Bernard has secretly adored Heath since their days in Verdun, France. She has no interest in tying herself down to a man with such a wild and reckless past. Plus, Giselle believes she is not suitable for Heath. When a stranger asks about her and her mother’s paper, Giselle turns to the only person she believes could help. Heath proposes an outlandish request, one that could possibly benefit them both. However, secrets from the past reveal themselves. Will Heath and Giselle’s charade become real?

I admire Heath’s persistence in gaining custody of his brothers. He will go to any lengths, even subterfuge, to get them back. They may be strangers, especially the youngest, but that did not matter to him. I believe Heath’s time in France gave him a better appreciation for family. Why he is so desperate to get custody. What I like the most about Heath is how he floundered a bit once he got them back. Their relationship was not instant. The Oakden brothers had to find their footings with one another.

I understand Giselle’s hesitations, especially when it concerned Heath’s rakish past. She did not want to walk in her mother’s footsteps. Giselle had learned from her mother’s mistakes. I feel that sometimes Giselle let her illegitimacy stand in her way. Heath, unlike his lofty peers, had no problem with it, and he even voiced it. Yet, Giselle persisted that she was not good enough for him.

NEARLY A BRIDE is the second book in Sabrina Jeffries’ historical romance series, LORDS OF HAZARD. Sadly, I have not read HAZARDOUS TO A DUKE’S HEART. It did not hinder my ability to follow and enjoy this story. The author does a great job of touching up on Heath’s time in France. There is a small plot spillover from the prior book, a mystery that continues to go unsolved. I wonder if more clues will be revealed in the next book or if it will be solved? I have a feeling the next couple will be Scovell and Chloe.

I am curious about Sir Percy. Is he the one who outed Jon, Heath, and Scovell in France? If he is innocent, will he get a book? Will his innocence or guilt be proved in the next book? I hope the answers will be revealed in the next installment.

I do have one nitpick that affected my rating. The whole angle concerning Zach, and the way it is handled. To me, it came off unbelievable. It just did not work for me.

Review for Sofie Darling's MR. SINCLAIR BEGUILES A BLUESTOCKING

 

MR. SINCLAIR BEGUILES A BLUESTOCKING
Historical Romance

 

AUTHOR:
Sofie Darling

RELEASE DATE:
November 18, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Oliver Heber Books

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
B0FV2SKGPN

RATING:
4

AUTHOR LINK:
https://sofiedarling.com/

 

 

Violet Hotchkiss has accepted her future as a bespectacled, bluestocking spinster. She forms an infatuation with Oliver Quincy, a gentleman she believes is everything a hero should be. And then there is Will Sinclair, Violet’s neighbor, who has always been too much for her. Everything changes at the Twelfth Night ball when she kisses Will in the garden. Violet begins to see both men in different light.

Will Sinclair is the only son of a country baronet. He returns home to assume his duty as his father’s heir. Will has always had a secret crush on Violet. So, he cannot understand what the smart woman sees in his conceited, dunderheaded cousin. Things change between Will and Violet when they share a kiss at Twelfth Night Ball. Will is determined to prove to Violet that he is the better man.

The thing that irked me the most is Violet’s blindness towards Quincy’s obvious flaws. If I had been in Violet’s place, I would have been disillusioned far sooner. I hate how she felt inferior because she wore glasses and enjoyed books. It is sad that Violet felt that defined her as a woman. What I like the most about Violet is her generosity with the local youths. She encouraged them to enrich their minds by providing books weekly.

Will is a total sweetheart! It truly baffles me that Violet did not recognize sooner. I adore how Will has always admired Violet for the person that she was. He did not care whether she wore glasses or not. Will knew there was far more to her than what others perceived. And he loved her selflessness in helping the local youths to read and praised her for it.

MR. SINCLAIR BEGUILES A BLUESTOCKING is the 0.5 book in Sofie Darling’s historical romance series, WINDERMERES IN LOVE. It was first published in 2020 as IT WAS ONLY A KISS. I am only familiar with the author’s ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND RACING series. I decided to venture into her other works… and it did not disappoint.