drops_everything_and_reads's reviews
1181 reviews

The Ravenswood Witch by Jenni Keer

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3.0

I unfortunately ended up skipping a lot of this book. I think the writing itself is excellent, it's just not the right story for me.  I found it a bit slow at times, and I was hoping it would pick up the pace. 
I think it was a very original story, especially not knowing the perspective of the person in the flashbacks, nor who Luna really is. 
I think the book is good for readers who lean towards the horror genre (though this definitely isn't a horror story), so perhaps more gothic? 

Appreciate the opportunity from the publisher to read this book. All opinions are my own. 
Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

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4.0

Over the past few months, I've been trying to read author backlists and not focus so heavily on ARCs and new releases. And, I've also been in a big historical romance book phase (HR isn't dead!!!!!) so of course I had to read some Lisa Kleypas books.

I started with the Wallflowers because, well, why not? 

I love a series about friendship, especially a group of women who lift each other up, celebrate wins, commiserate and support, and show up for the big and small moments. 
The whole series delivers this, and I love this for the characters, and also for readers who can see how great friendship can be. 

I enjoyed this book, for the most part. Annabelle is slightly boring, but really started to come into her own throughout the book. Simon is brash and bossy and some of his comments were misogynistic and I didn’t like that (e.g., when he offered to make Annabelle his mistress and implying that she should be grateful for it).

This book has humour, emotions, tension, steam, and was overall a fun read. I definitely was excited to pick up the second book and continue to find out what happens with the Wallflowers!
The Lady Sparks a Flame by Elizabeth Everett

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adventurous challenging emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Big thanks to @elizabetheverettauthor and @berkleyromance for the eARC of this glorious book, The Lady Sparks a Flame, which publishes March 25, 2025.

I think The Lady Sparks a Flame may have one of the most complex FMCs in romance books. Phobe Hunt was a villainess in the Secret Scientist’s of London trilogy and boy oh boy are people surprised that she has returned to England after living in exile in the United States.

One of the few people to see past her past… complications… and see Phoebe for who she is and was, is Samuel Fenley who, much to Phoebe’s chagrin, becomes the person who can set her family up for a respectable future after the death of her father. However, the more time they spend together, the more they find themselves wanting to be together, even though society, friends, and even their logical brains are telling them they shouldn’t.

Of course, there’s intrigue, there’s suspense, there’s science, there’s women who are incredibly intelligent and refuse to follow society’s ‘rules’ and instead are choosing to forge their own futures.

Elizabeth can write historical romances that are full of emotion and intelligence, and write about social issues that, sadly, we are still seeing and experiencing in modern society. Elizabeth’s books serve as a reminder that it’s been women, brave, bold, spirited women, who have often been at the forefront of social, economic, and political change. Women who have pushed society forward, aiming for us all to be better versions of ourselves. Women who can do all that and also have a happily ever after with a partner who chooses them, and loves them for all their strengths and weaknesses, even when society says otherwise.

While this book can be read as a standalone, I strongly recommend reading the Secret Scientists series to fully appreciate Phoebe’s character arc in this book. I think reading the Love Remedy is also an excellent decision, but there isn’t as strong of a connection between Remedy and Flame. But you should still read it because it’s about a woman’s right to choose.

Reading this book was a joy and I hope other’s like it as much as I do!
Mr. Nice Spy by Tiana Smith

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Thanks to Berkley for the eARC, via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. 

I loved Tiana's first book, The Spy and I, and was thrilled when Mr. Nice Spy was announced, and that the MMC would be Adam Chan. I was even more thrilled when I received the eARC of the book. I devoured it in a day, and loved it all!

In this book, the Big Bad from book one, Holt, is still active and the CIA is determined to track him down. When the FMC, Andee, takes a DNA test and discovers Holt is her father, so does the CIA. And so does Holt. What happens next requires Andee and Chan to trust each other and work together to secure their freedom, in part by pretending to date. 

I love a suspense romance, and this book did not let me down. There was chemistry between Andee and Chan, as well as healthy doses of conflict to keep me wondering how we would get to an HEA, in addition to the two MCs being free of Holt. 

I think readers who enjoyed The Spy won't be disappointed by Mr. Nice Spy. I really hope Tiana writes more books in this universe; I particularly would love one with Madison, the sister of the FMC from The Spy and I, as the lead character!
Mortimer by Robert Munsch

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5.0

Time to throw it back and highlight one of my fave books from when I was a kid - MORTIMER by Robert Munsch!!

Have you read Robert Munsch books? If so, which is your fave? If you read them with your kids, do they have favourites??

Robert Munsch is one of the pre-eminent children’s authors and there’s no doubt that his books have been pivotal in the lives of millions. I have so many memories of reading his books, and, thanks to where I lived, having him visit my classrooms over the years in elementary school to read to us. (Fun fact: while he was born in the US, Munsch has lived in Guelph, Ontario for many decades and is a Canadian citizen.)

When I read these books, or even think about them, I can hear them in Robert Mensch’s voice, which is why I strongly recommend listening to the audiobook for Mortimer, or any of his books, as they are narrated by Munsch himself and he puts his whole self into the performances. They are iconic. Another Munsch audiobook to listen to is “I Love You Forever” so you can learn the melody of the song. 

Mortimer was always one of my faves because of the song he sings, and then the family’s reaction: “MORTIMER - BE QUIET!”
Marriage & Masti by Nisha Sharma

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Thanks to @avonbooks I was able to read Marriage & Masti by @nishawrites last year (yes, I know this is a VERY delayed IG review) and LOVED it. It’s such a fun, steamy read! 

M&M is the third in the “If Shakespeare Was an Auntie” trilogy, yet the first book in the trilogy I read. Whoops? Except not ‘whoops’ because when I say I’m super excited to read the first two, you should know this means I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK. 

Nisha writes with heart, humour, and head (interpret the latter however you wish 😜), as well as a deep respect for Indian, and specifically, Desi, culture, traditions, and community. 

This book takes us through many of the beautiful aspects of Desi wedding customs and what being married means in the culture. This allows us to see how the MCs, Veera and Deepak grow as individuals, and a couple, and step into new roles in their community.

The dynamic between Veera and Deepak was fantastic. They are both stubborn, highly intelligent, charismatic people, who are one another’s biggest cheerleader, even after having some distance in their friendship for some time. They balance each other in so many ways, and respect each other deeply. In their careers, they definitely become a power couple. 

Veera’s character growth was lovely. She’s at a crossroads in her career, and needs to find a new path forward, while also finding a new equilibrium with her friends after having felt sidelined a bit. I felt that her story was so much more than getting her HEA, but truly an evolution into being a Desi woman, and entry into an inner circle of married women, with its new privileges, traditions, and expectations.

I plan to read the first two books soon, and I have no doubt they will be great!
The Jewel of the Isle by Kerry Rea

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Thanks to @berkleyromance for the eARC of Jewel of the Isle by Kerry Rea which pubbed November 24, 2025

QOTD: are you a camper? would you go camping on an island with no cell phone service?

Okay, I'm delayed in sharing my review but, you know, life happens. So here it is!

What a fun book! It's got romance. it's got adventure. It's got a hardcore himbo who KNOWS he is a himbo! All things I am a sucker for, so clearly I enjoyed it. 

In this book, we have two MCs who are grieving deeply, and that grief is something they both must tackle in order to grow and find happiness in their lives. Both Emily (FMC) and Ryder (MMC) are forced to address their respective grief amidst a fight for their lives. 

This fight first starts with Ryder not exactly knowing how to camp and have basic wilderness skills and then progresses to an archaeologist who is determined to seek riches and glory for himself at anyone's expense. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this romp of a book, wondering how Emily and Ryder were going to get off this island. The writing is so much fun, the red herrings and the foreshadowing were great, and I'll definitely be looking to read more books from Kerry.
Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Thanks to Berkley and Ace for this book because I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!

I was enthralled from the first page and barely put it down to take breaks for basic human things like eating and sleeping.  The author has done a phenomenal job of creating the universe of the fae and humans. I love how we learn about the fae along with the main character, Kenna, as she is thrust into trying to survive in their world.  And oh my, the ending of the book  speaks so highly of Sarah's ability to plot and plant clues without the reader knowing that even the most minor of details will have a big payoff in the end. 

I can't wait for book two and then book three and will absolutely be re-reading this book!!
Christmas Is All Around by Martha Waters

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Thanks to Atria Books I received an eARC of @marthabwaters newest book Christmas is all around, her first contemporary book that has a sneaky tie in to her regency vows series that I IMMEDIATELY DM’d Martha about when I saw it.

I’m giving this book 16/10🎄bc I can.

This book is about a woman, Charlotte,, who greatly dislikes Christmas in large part due to having starred in one of the most popular Christmas movies when she was a child. she is spending the Christmas holidays in London England with her sister and her family and is forced to participate in numerous Christmasy activities much to her chagrin. When attending a Christmas tree lighting event, she ends up meeting Graham and the serendipitous meeting is the start of not only a business relationship, but a romantic one as well.

And that begins a story of humor, family, lots of Christmas, and perhaps not letting go of the past, but accepting it and being able to move forward

My Thoughts:
I’ve binged-read this book in one afternoon because I enjoyed it so so much. I am a fan of Martha’s books and her writing. I think fans of the Regency vows series will thoroughly enjoy this book because it has all the hallmarks of Martha’s wonderful writing – humor, family, friends, shenanigans, and love.

I like that the female main character is very cynical about Christmas and she’s forced to reckon with this cynicism and navigate why she feels this way when she’s existing in the world in which Christmas is just coming out from all directions. So how can she find a way to live with Christmas in a way that she doesn’t have to be a super-uber Christmas fan, but how can experience it with more positivity than what she currently does.

This is definitely a book I would happily read each Christmas season and I hope that somebody out there decides to turn it into a movie because I think it would be a wonderful visual experience as well.

If you are looking for a book to start to get into the Christmas spirit, definitely check this one out I think lots of people will enjoy it.
Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi

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emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

5.0

Thanks dellromance l for the eARC of Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi and I’m so sorry I’m super late posting a review on social media! I’ll bring you some Canadian candies next time I’m in NYC to beg forgiveness. 🍬🍫

Okay, first off, I’m a sucker for a witchy romance. I love them. They delight me to no end, which is why I picked three other witchy romances to recommend if you are looking for something with similar vibes

Deja Brew by Celestine Martin
The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling
Perfectly Wicked by Lindsay Lovise

In Best Hex Ever, Dina, the witchy FMC, is a kitchen witch who can incorporate her magic into the food she creates. Scott, the MMC, is a museum curator who visits Dina’s London cafe and is immediately attracted to her, as she is to him. But. Dina has horrible luck with love because of a hex that prevents her from having a healthy, loving romance with someone.

Meanwhile, Scott is readjusting to living back in the UK after traveling the world for awhile following an awful breakup. His confidence was shaken by the breakup but he’s determined to see if he can make it work with Dina.

The two end up spending a lot of time together as they visit Dina’s hometown, where her best friend and Scott’s best friend are getting married. They end up sharing a small cottage together which means a lot of opportunity to get to know each other in many different ways…. Hehehehe. Dina also opens up to Scott about her magical abilities and the hex.

I really enjoyed the journey that Dina goes on to learn to trust herself again as she explores how to lift the hex so that she can move forward with Scott in a healthy relationship. Part of this journey includes her parents, and trusting them more with parts of herself she previously hid. Dina needs to find ways to be secure and proud of her magical abilities, to find her confidence, and to forgive herself for past mistakes.

I believe this is the author’s debut book, and I’ll definitely be excited to read more from her in the future!