Romance
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The House in the Cerulean Sea is a heartwarming cosy fantasy that blends humour, magic and unforgettable characters with powerful themes of acceptance, found family and challenging prejudice. It’s a gentle yet thought-provoking story that reminds us that sometimes the people we’re taught to fear are the ones who teach us the most about love…
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One of the strongest themes throughout the novel is Olive’s internal struggle between logic and vulnerability. As a scientist, she relies on data, evidence, and hypotheses to understand the world around her. However, as her feelings develop, she discovers that emotions cannot be measured or calculated quite so easily, forcing her to embrace a level…
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In a palace where a single misstep can mean death, Maomao’s sharp mind and sharper tongue set her apart. What begins as survival soon becomes something far more dangerous as secrets unravel, poisons linger, and court intrigue tightens its grip.
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Spark of the Everflame is an accessible fantasy romance that feels very much like the foundation of something much bigger. While parts of the story are predictable, the political tension, layered world-building, and Diem’s coming-of-age journey left me with more questions than answers — and just enough intrigue to want to continue the series.
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I went into The Favourites expecting a straightforward romance set on the ice — what I found instead was a dramatic, twist-filled story of ambition, obsession and destructive love. Set against the glittering but ruthless world of competitive skating, this modern reimagining of Wuthering Heights delivers betrayal, sabotage and shock after shock. Just when you…
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Clytemnestra is a sharp, accessible feminist retelling that gives one of Greek mythology’s most notorious women her own voice. I enjoyed how easy it was to read, though the short, punchy sentences sometimes made the story feel a bit rushed. The themes of female rage, power, and trauma come through clearly, especially in the chapter…
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On Saturday 20th September, I had the absolute pleasure of attending The Queen’s Reading Room, a remarkable literary festival hosted within the breath-taking grounds of Chatsworth House and Gardens — famously recognised as the cinematic backdrop of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
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The Unmaking of June Farrow is a fantasy/sci-fi novel by Adrienne Young, featuring June, a woman who travels from 2023 to 1951, entangled in a complex timeline involving murder, romance, and a family curse affecting only women. The engaging story highlights gender roles, despite leaving some questions unanswered, and showcases intriguing character relationships.
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A Discovery of Witches follows Diana Bishop, a historian and reluctant witch who discovers a powerful manuscript, plunging her into a magical world. As her powers awaken, she forms a bond with Matthew Clairmont, a vampire. Their relationship, fraught with tension and conflict, drives the narrative, offering a modern twist on supernatural lore.
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Rosie Hewlett’s fantasy novel centres on Medea, a young princess navigating her magical abilities while seeking freedom from her family’s rejection. The engaging story, rich with Greek mythology and strong female characters, offers twists and a deep exploration of love and manipulation, though the rushed ending leaves questions unanswered.
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Tusk Love, inspired by Critical Role, is a romantic fantasy about Guinevere and Oskar, whose chemistry ignites during a perilous journey. The novel combines D&D adventure, humor, and steamy romance, appealing to both fans and newcomers. Its compelling pacing and charming nods to the series make it a must-read for fantasy romance lovers.
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by Sarah J.Maas This fantasy romance follows protagonist Fayre, a nineteen-year-old survivor who kills a large wolf in the woods near her home. When a terrifying creature arrives at her family’s door demanding retribution, her life drastically turns. She is thrust into a dangerous, magical, and mesmerising land she only knows from stories, myths, and…
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by Samantha Shannon “The Priory of the Orange Tree” is a captivating fantasy novel set in an Eastern/Western civilization, weaving together an array of diverse characters: a queen, a dragon rider, and a mage, all in a world rife with political intrigue and threatened by an ancient evil poised to return. Blending politics with high…
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by Katy Brent The Murder After The Night Before” is a contemporary murder mystery novel set in London, England. It follows Molly, a 30-year-old woman whose life takes a drastic turn when she wakes up beside a stranger with no memory of the previous night, only to discover a humiliating video of herself has gone…