Review: The Notorious Virtues

The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton 

Goodreads/Amazon

A glamorous media darling, a surprise heiress, and the magical competition of a lifetime.

At sixteen, Honora “Nora” Holtzfall is the daughter of the most powerful heiress in all of Walstad. Her family controls all the money–and all the magic–in the entire country. But despite being the center of attention, Nora has always felt like an outsider. When her mother is found dead in an alley, the family throne and fortune are suddenly up for grabs, and Nora will be pitted against her cousins in the Veritaz, the ultimate magical competition for power that determines the one family heir.

But there’s a surprise contestant this time: Lotte, the illegitimate daughter of Nora’s aunt. When Lotte’s absent mother retrieves her from the rural convent she’d abandoned her to, Lotte goes from being an orphan to surrounded by family. Unfortunately, most of them want her dead.

And soon, Nora discovers that her mother’s death wasn’t random–it was murder. And the only person she can trust to uncover the truth of what happened is a rakish young reporter who despises everything Nora and her family stand for.

With everyone against her, Lotte’s last hope is hunting for the identity of her father. But the dangerous competition–and her feelings for Theo, one of the Holtzfalls’ sworn protectors–turns her world upside down. Incredible tests, impossible choices and deadly odds await both girls. But there can only be one winner.

The Notorious Virtues is a fantastic fantasy that kept me up late into the night turning pages. As a fan of Hamilton's debut, Rebel of the Sands, I was very much looking forward to her newest novel, and my expectations were certainly exceeded. Hamilton's inventive tale of an heiress fighting for her fortune is quite unforgettable. 

The novel is the first in a planned trilogy and it artfully sets up a vibrant, clever world, high stakes, powerful magic, and a cast of vivid characters. Walstad, a city where the rulers enjoy outrageous wealth and the impoverished are neglected and maltreated, is a spectacularly intriguing setting. The glitzy haven is brimming with luxury, danger, injustice, and threat of rebellion. Furthermore, the city is surrounded by a magical woods and Hamilton masterfully weaves in the folklore of the forest and the origins of the Holtzfall fortune. 

While there are four POVs, the reader most commonly spends time with Honora (Nora) and Lotte. Nora Holtzfall is a rich, spoiled, yet exceedingly clever heiress hoping to solve her mother's murder. Lotte has been hidden away for years, and only learns of her Holtzfall heritage once the Veritaz trials begin. These two girls are very different, and I really enjoyed their interactions as they come to terms with what it means to be cousins in such a dangerous, bloodthirsty family. 

There are also hints of romance in this first novel, which I truly enjoyed, and more than a fair share of wit and humour. Moreover, for a novel focused on a competition of virtues, almost every character is morally grey. The questionable integrity, anger, and resentment of the characters makes the story even more compelling and unpredictable. Speaking of unpredictability, the ending of this first in the trilogy is wonderfully unexpected and makes me excited for the future sequels. 

I heartily recommend The Notorious Virtues to anyone looking for a new, original fantasy adventure. If you enjoyed The Hunger Games or Brandon Sanderson novels, this book is for you. I had a rollicking time joining Nora, Lotte, August, and Theo. 

*I received an e-ARC for free in exchange for an honest review*

Publication Date: April 1st, 2025

Review: Wild About You

Wild About You by Sophie Loxton

Amazon/Goodreads

She’s had enough of saying yes. But what if someone drives her wild enough to change her mind…?
 
Anna Whitlock is done being nice.  After a lifetime of saying yes to everything - work deadlines, sponsored runs, impromptu drinks and (especially) her fiancé Sean - everything Anna has worked so hard for falls apart in one terrible afternoon. With a broken heart she heads to the countryside to start again. 
 
The glorious Stonemore Estate in the wilderness of Northumberland holds more than enough distraction for a city girl.  There’s Callum, the gorgeous estate manager, and an enthusiastic beagle called Hugo.  And then there’s Jamie, Stonemore’s sexy but emotionally unavailable owner, who seems to be hell-bent on making Anna’s rewilding job as difficult as possible. 
 
But when romance with Callum begins to flourish is her newfound resolve to stop people-pleasing about to falter? And why can’t she stop thinking about Jamie? Can she really start to put herself first and let herself say yes to the thing which will make her happiest, falling truly madly wildly in love…?

Holy smokes! Wild About You is such a heartwarming, engaging, and vibrant read that transported me to the idyllic English countryside. 

As a recovering people-pleaser, Anna must learn to advocate for herself and forge her own happiness while navigating the aftermath of a brutal break-up. In an attempt to find herself again, Anna ends up working at Stonemore Estate as a 'rewilding manager.' (Essentially, she works on environmental projects on the estate.) I found Anna to be a likeable, funny, hard working, and sympathetic protagonist. I was rooting for her the entire time. 

Wild About You tackles important issues such as infertility, IVF, class, feelings of inadequacy, and the importance of community. While the novel is fun and cute in parts, it also has a lot of heart. 

The cast of characters at Stonemore are vibrant, humorous, and (mostly) warm. I loved watching Anna find her footing in her new work environment and be swept away by the wonderful nature and community surrounding her. Moreover, the romance is quite sweet and unfurls slowly. I won't spoil anything, but the chemistry between the two love interests is excellent.

Overall, Wild About You charmed me. Loxton really has crafted a delicious, charming romance that I will be recommending to many of my friends. I can see this book becoming a wildly popular 2025 release. From adorable beagles to heartfelt friendships and romance, this book has it all. 

*I received an e-ARC for free in exchange for an honest review*

Publication Date: May 8th, 2025

Review: Clever Little Thing

Clever Little Thing by Helena Echlin 

Amazon/Goodreads

Charlotte’s daughter Stella is sensitive and brilliant, perhaps even a genius, but a recent change in her behavior has alarmed her parents. Following the sudden death of Stella’s babysitter, Blanka, the once disruptive and anti-social child has become docile and agreeable. But what’s unsettling is that she has begun to mirror Blanka’s personality, from Blanka’s repetitive phrases to her accent, to fierce cravings for Armenian meat stew after being raised a vegetarian. 

Charlotte is pregnant with her second child, and depleted and sick with the pregnancy. She is convinced that Blanka herself is somehow responsible for Stella’s transformation. But how could Blanka, dead, still be entwined in their lives? Has Blanka somehow possessed Stella? 

As Charlotte becomes increasingly obsessed, she is sure that only she can save her daughter. . . even though it’s soon clear that her husband believes this is all in Charlotte’s head. 

Helena Echlin’s singular, chilling voice holds light to the blurred lines of diagnosis in children and to the vital power of maternal instinct. Kaleidoscopic and tense, pulse-pounding and genuinely creepy, and infused with shades of the supernatural, Clever Little Thing is an ode to motherhood and a nuanced critique of the caretaking industry, a page-turner that will haunt readers long after its epic, surprising finale.

Clever Little Thing is an incredibly suspenseful, haunting read. I loved how it intertwines struggles of motherhood, sinister mystery, and hints of the supernatural. I read this novel while on the train to Edinburgh to attend my graduation and it made the time fly by. Echlin has crafted an entirely original, eerie thriller that kept me turning the pages my entire train journey. 

Charlotte has had a variety of odd and stressful things happening in her life. Her child's babysitter dies in mysterious circumstances, she's struggling to fit in with her friends, and Stella is acting increasingly erratic and unrecognisable. 

I don't want to spoil anything but the plot is quite clever and events take a turn towards the implausible. The narrative of Charlotte's quest to find the truth is creepy, unnerving, and compelling. The novel's timeline is jumbled, told mostly in flashbacks with a few flash-forwards to the 'present' timeline where Charlotte is in dire straits. 

Moreover, the novel's conclusion and final plot twists are pitch-perfect. Echlin builds up to a perfectly planned ending. I also enjoyed how much each character jumps off the page, especially Stella and Irena. My one complaint is that sometimes the representation of neurodivergence felt like a one-dimensional plot device rather than a realistic, nuanced depiction. Stella and Charlotte are neurodivergent and this adds an interesting and important layer to the story, but I feel that Echlin could have expanded more on their experiences. 

Overall, I would highly recommend Clever Little Thing. This highly original tale will captivate you and keep you guessing. 

*I received an e-ARC for free in exchange for an honest review*

Publication Date: January 14th, 2025

Review: People Pleaser

People Pleaser by Catriona Stewart

Amazon/Goodreads

When Maggie Lathrop wins reality TV show LoveShack her life becomes a fairy-tale overnight. She’s beautiful, she’s rich and she’s now married to one of America’s most eligible men.

So when she is found murdered in an LA warehouse, her death evokes an outpouring of grief from millions of adoring fans.

Who would want to kill America’s favourite sweetheart?

With the FBI at a loss for leads, Maggie’s sister Emma becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth.

But the closer she gets, the more cracks start to appear in Maggie’s TikTok-perfect veneer.

Someone is hiding a secret, and they’ll do anything to keep it buried.

People Pleaser is an exciting, glamorous mystery that will keep you on your toes. Stewart expertly weaves a world with a cast of secretive, nefarious characters and I was left guessing until the very end. I would heartily recommend this LA adventure. 

Maggie, a star who rose to fame after starring on LoveShack, is found dead in a warehouse and the police are left stumped, declaring it a cold case. Maggie's grieving sister Emma is unsatisfied with this result and takes the investigation into her own hands. She is joined by her roommate, Jill, and the original creator of LoveShack, Amanda, in her detective endeavours. 

Emma, Jill, and Amanda are all wonderful eccentric and vivid central characters. Although they are not always likeable, I was rooting for them throughout the novel. Each character has their own backstory, career aspirations, and motives for cracking the case. Moreover, every few chapters we are treated to flashbacks from Maggie's point of view before her death. This helps both build the suspense in finding Maggie's killer and gives the audience an insider look into the toxic effects the Reality TV lifestyle had reaped upon Maggie. 

As our protagonists' tireless investigations lead them from LA to London, a range of famous LoveShack characters have secrets come to life and the truth slowly unfolds. The novel does not shy away from the misogyny, racism, drug abuse, and sexual assault culture found in Hollywood. People Pleaser shows the ugly underbelly of Reality TV, brand deals, and social media influencers.

Stewart's People Pleaser is a vibrant, clever adventure that is deliciously entertaining while also commenting on the dark side of fame, tv, and social media. This is an exhilarating page-turner that will delight those that wonder about the perverse effects of shows like Love Island and The Bachelor. 

*I received an e-ARC for free in exchange for an honest review*

Publication Date: May 22nd, 2025

Review: So Thrilled For You

So Thrilled For You by Holly Bourne

Amazon/Goodreads 

A terrible heatwave. A very tense baby shower. It will all end in tears...

Nicki, Lauren, Charlotte and Steffi have been friends since university. Now in their thirties, life is pulling them in different directions - but when Charlotte organises the baby shower of hell for pregnant Nicki, the girls are reunited.

Under a sweltering hot summer day, tensions rise - and by the end of the evening, nothing will ever be the same. Someone started a fire at the house - and everyone's a suspect... Is it Steffi, happily child-free but feeling judged by her friends? Is it Charlotte, desperate to conceive and jealous of those who have? Is it Lauren, who is finding motherhood far, far worse than she imagined? Or is it Nicki herself, who never wanted a baby shower anyway?

So Thrilled For You is a smart, absorbing, and eye-opening depiction of motherhood. I couldn't put this book down and I can definitely foresee this release becoming wildly popular. 

Bourne sets up a captivating 'whodunit' plot by introducing news reports of a devastating fire and sharing snippets of police interviews with suspects throughout the novel. Specifically, four women are suspects for arson and the police are trying to figure out who started the fire — and with what purpose or motive. These fragments set up a wonderful atmosphere of suspense. They are also often quite comical and grant the readers an interesting perspective into the lives of our main characters. 

However, the majority of the novel is told through four first-person perspectives. Nikki, Lauren, Charlotte, and Steffi form a close-knit group of university friends that call themselves the 'Little Women.' However, now that they are in their 30s, their group is falling apart. Lauren is a mother with no time or energy to see her friends, Nikki is pregnant, Charlotte is struggling to conceive, and Steffi is a career woman scorns the ides of kids. 

My one complaint is that I found Nikki's character irredeemable. I don't want to spoil anything, but she makes many self-absorbed choices and she is an awful friend, especially to Steffi. I loved the other three women though, even with their quirks. My heart broke for them and soared for them in different moments. There is also a wonderful emphasis on the importance of female friendship (as well as its difficulties).

The novel intensely scrutinises societal pressure placed on mothers and the judgement endured by women regarding their reproductive choices. So many passages delve into ugly truths about motherhood, jealousy, and loneliness. Bourne expertly crafts a novel that champions the sleep deprived, lonely mothers who are struggling postpartum. 

All in all, So Thrilled For You is an amazing read that I won't stop thinking about for a long time. I can even imagine this making a wonderful movie or tv series. 

*I received an e-ARC for free in exchange for an honest review*

Publication Date: January 16th, 2025

Review: Grave Matter

Grave Matter by Karina Halle

Amazon/Goodreads

Horror Romance meets science fiction in this dark and delicious gothic psychological thriller by NYT bestseller Karina Halle, perfect for fans of Gothikana, Ninth House, and Mexican Gothic.

Aspiring mycologist Sydney Denik is getting a second chance. When a dream opportunity presents itself with a prestigious foundation doing promising Alzheimer’s research, Sydney leaves the shambles of her old life to join a dozen other grad students at an isolated lodge hidden away in a remote, fog-shrouded inlet on Vancouver Island.

But the Madrona Foundation harbors more than brilliant minds. Everyone around her is hiding a terrible secret—including the resident psychologist she’s falling in love with. A student disappears, and no one but Sydney seems to care. Ghosts walk the halls. Snow falls in the middle of summer. Dead animals move like the living. The more Sydney uncovers about the foundation, the more she begins to question her own sanity. And if Sydney isn’t going mad, then the horrors in the surrounding forest are real, and the Madrona Foundation may be the biggest monster of all.

Grave Matter is the perfect Horror Romance for the spooky season. Halle's story is full of gothic scenes, inventive science, and charismatic characters harbouring unnerving secrets. I finished this book on Halloween, and I was sufficiently terrified and intrigued as I raced to turn the pages.

Vancouver Island is a fitting setting for Halle to set her novel. Sydney flies to Canada after receiving her acceptance for a summer work placement at the Madrona Foundation, where they claim to be working on a cure for Alzheimer's using the discovery of Amanito excandesco. The residents are required give in their phones and cut off all access to technology, and must learn to traverse the vast nature around them on this beautiful but spooky island inlet. 

The novel's biggest strength is its thrilling plot. Halle is the master of pacing, mystery, and plot twists! I found myself truly shocked as the plot unfolded and I was very impressed how Halle dropped little hints along the way. I could also tell that Halle did a lot of prior research to nail the science-fiction aspects of Grave Matter. 

However, the romance didn’t always work for me, especially at the beginning. The relationship between Sydney and her love interest felt quite creepy at times (perhaps fitting for a Horror novel). That said, plot developments further near the end made the romance work a little better for me. 

Furthermore, I really enjoyed Sydney's fellow peers and the friendships she makes on the island. Halle creates a memorable and vivid cast of ambitious, brilliant scientists. Although, the reader must try to discern what characters can be trusted, and which ones are hiding bad intentions. 

Overall, Grave Matter is masterfully plotted, wonderfully atmospheric, and addictive. I truly enjoyed joining Sydney as she discovers the secrets of the Madrona Foundation. 

*I recieved an e-ARC for free in exchange for an honest review*

Review: Milk Teeth

Milk Teeth by Jessica Andrews

Goodreads/Amazon

From the author of the award-winning Saltwater comes a beautifully told love story set across England, France and Spain.

A girl grows up in the north of England amid scarcity, precarity and the toxic culture of heroin chic, believing that she needs to make herself smaller to claim presence in the world.

Years later, as a young woman with unattainable ideals, she meets someone who calls everything into question, and is forced to confront episodes from her past. Their relationship takes her from London to Barcelona and the precipice of a new life, full of sensuality. Yet she still feels an uneasiness. In the sticky Mediterranean heat, among tropical plants and secluded beaches, she must decide what form her adult life should take and learn how to feel deserving of love and care.

This book was not my cup of tea, but I am glad I read it. Milk Teeth is viscerally vivid, sometimes wonderfully strange, and gives a sharp insight into the trials of an eating disorder. 

First of all, the writing is creative, alive, and unique, but sometimes a little too forced and confusing. Occasionally, Andrews' prose can be overly decorated with non-sensical metaphors in a way that distracts from the central story. Moreover, the beginning and conclusion of the novel are the weakest parts as Andrews struggles to start or end her story coherently. I found the middle section to be the most engaging and thought out. 

The strongest point of the novel is focused on the narrator's disordered eating. Andrews very perceptively crafts the protagonists dangerous relationship with food with particular nuance paid to the pull between desire and self-denial. Her metaphors in the sections about food are more apt and alluring. Moreover, scenes of Barcelona, London, and Paris are very well done. I really felt transported to the different city settings. 

The weakest point of the novel is the romance and the love interest. I believe the novel would be stronger if the protagonist did not end up with her romantic interest in the end. Their relationship is unbelievable and portrayed as an unhealthy co-dependancy. This is where the flowery writing fails Andrews. Moreover, the two parties end up hurting each other more than helping and healing one another. To reiterate my earlier point, the novel would have been improved if the central relationship in the novel was between the protagonist and food. 

The abrupt conclusion and the non-cohesiveness of the structure left me particularly unsatisfied in the end, especially as I was growing more invested in the protagonist's fate and then left wanting. However, I do believe there is something poetic about a book leaving the reader wanting more in a story about the pulls of desire and indulgence. 

Overall, Milk Teeth was a sensory experience. While it struggled in areas, I really did find myself impressed by certain passages and the nuance with which Andrews explores the dangers of disordered eating.