Reading Roundup #70: Boys & Girls, Kings & Queens

I threw myself into reading this week and was rewarded with a full shelf of good books, ranging from wholesome slice-of-life to magical horror. Most of what I have to say about these tales are in the reviews themselves, so let’s get to it.

The Undaunted (A Series of Worthy Young Ladies #3) by Kate Archer: What a delightful romantic comedy! With the spirited heroine unsettling her stick-in-the-mud hero, an aunt and a butler obsessed with clocks (and pineapples), and a dozen other interfering characters, from maids to princes, there’s never a dull moment in The Undaunted. I found myself grinning from ear to ear and cackling throughout, and I can’t wait to get my hands on more of this series. My thanks to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing, Inc. for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Siren Queen by Nghi Vo: Set in an alternate version of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Siren Queen makes “movie magic” literal — and deadly. Rather than turning the studio era into something more monstrous than it actually was, however,the sinister magic simply translates the pain, sacrifice, and abuse that happened into something easier to comprehend. Because human evil is too much to face sometimes, and the dark fairy tale version is safer. Full of dreams and complicated relationships, Siren Queen is a memorial to the monsters and victims of old Hollywood, a salute to those who survived its treacherous waters, and a love letter to the ability of a good movie to take us out of our daily lives and give us a glimpse of immortality, if only for a couple of hours.

An Artful Deceit (The Art of Love #1) by Holly Newman: I was happily surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The dialogue is occasionally stilted, and there are one or two (very, very) minor plot holes, but the characters are so much fun, and I love a good mystery-at-a-house-party story. I will gladly pick up another book by Newman when I want something light and satisfying. My thanks to NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Little Men (Little Women #2) by L.M. Alcott: I haven’t read Little Men since I was a kid, and I enjoyed it more than I remembered. The boys’ and girls’ scrapes are funny and touching, and while they will never be Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, they still hold a special place in my heart.

Anne of Green Gables #4-5 by L.M. Montgomery: Every time I reread these books, I notice something new, understand it on a deeper level than before. Anne’s House of Dreams, in particular, caught my attention this time, seeing the way Anne and Gilbert wrestle with their responsibilities and and grow closer through joy, sorrow, and struggle. It’s not just a house of dreams but a book of dreams — dreams lost, dreams delayed, and dreams fulfilled.

Worth a Fortune by Sam Ledel: In the post-World War II era, an old flame is rekindled when working girl Ava answers New York socialite Harriet’s ad for a personal assistant, and they realize that maybe their years apart have only made them stronger. This is an easy, quiet read, full of longing and tenderness, with reflections on familial and romantic love, as well as the ways the Great Depression and WWII changed the lives of millions and altered the fabric of U.S. society. If you want a romance with lots of heart and a tinge of bittersweet, I highly recommend Worth a Fortune. My thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

—b