13 Jun 2025

Fierce Loyalty and Slow-Burn Love in A Dawn with the Wolf Knight by Elise Kova (Review)

13 June 0 Comments


Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!

A DAWN WITH THE WOLF KNIGHT

Author: Elise Kova
Series: Married to Magic #5
Source: Audible
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Publication Date: August 1, 2024
Representation: n/a

Summary:
A grown up Little Red Riding Hood meets werewolves and witches in a stand alone, adult fantasy romance.

To enter the woods as a human means death… But I am no mere human. They call me, “witch.”

As one of the last surviving witches, Faelyn’s sole duty is to keep the protective barriers on the forests where the lykin roam—creatures who can shed flesh for fur—sparing nearby humans from their violent, beastly natures. When she has an unlikely encounter with the rare, primordial spirit of the moon, Faelyn finds herself not only the object of the Wolf King’s desire, but essential to his ability to keep his crown.

Taken to the magical land of Midscape, the Wolf King claims her as his bride to control the moon spirit’s magic that now resides within Faelyn. But Faelyn refuses to resign herself and the spirit Aurora to a life of servitude underneath the king’s cruel rule. Faelyn hatches a dangerous plan for them both to escape and help comes from an unlikely ally.

Evander is the king’s blisteringly handsome, loyal knight, right hand, and Faelyn’s sworn protector…on the outside. But appearances are not what they seem. He plots against the king’s brutality at every turn and helping Faelyn escape will serve these ends. But altruism for Faelyn and the trapped moon spirit isn’t his only motivation… Evander is hiding secrets, and they might change Faelyn’s life forever. 

A desperate plot to escape. A brutal king. Ancient powers. And a sworn protector who can’t keep his hands off her… Will she be taken as the Wolf King’s bride? Or will she manage an escape that will free her heart and change her fate forever?

A Dawn with the Wolf Knight is a complete, *stand alone novel*. For readers who love romantasy novels with second-chance/long-lost love, life-changing female friendships, deep lore, forbidden romance, slow-burn, and a happily ever after.

While it is set in the Married to Magic universe, readers can start with this book. 

Purchase*:
(note that these are affiliate links! I receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you)
Content Warninggrief, past parental abuse, death, blood magic

If you’ve been following the Married to Magic series, you already know that Elise Kova writes fantasy romance with a swoony, emotionally intense core and A Dawn with the Wolf Knight is no exception. In fact, it might just be my favourite pairing of the entire standalone series.

Set in a world where oaths hold power and secrets carry weight, this story gave me everything I wanted: tension, yearning, trust earned the hard way, and a relationship that felt deeply earned by the end.

What stood out most in this final installment was the relationship itself. Kova has always done an excellent job crafting the emotional scaffolding between her leads, but the dynamic here hit just right. It wasn’t insta-love or even reluctant allies—it was two people with competing truths, bound by circumstance, slowly building something real in the ashes of their trauma.

The marriage of convenience trope is not always a favourite of mine, but this one in particular worked because it didn’t rest on the trope alone. The emotional distance they started with felt justified, and the vulnerability unfolded at a believable, satisfying pace. The tension was less about "will they/won’t they" and more about "when will they let themselves." And honestly? That payoff was so worth it.

What makes this novel a standout closer to the series is how confidently it sits in its own story while still honouring the emotional tone of the previous books. You don’t need to have read the other books in the series to enjoy this one, but if you have, you’ll see the evolution in Kova’s writing, particularly in how she handles internal conflict and romantic stakes.


I loved this book. I flew through it. I bookmarked so many quotes. But I did feel like the pacing wobbled a little in the final third, especially as the external conflict ramped up. Some of the political worldbuilding felt a little under-explored compared to the emotional arc, and I would’ve loved just a bit more grounding in those scenes.

Still, the romance more than made up for that. This couple is the reason I’ll keep recommending the series, and the resolution was everything I hoped it would be.

A Dawn with the Wolf Knight is a tender, gripping, and emotionally rich fantasy romance that closes out the Married to Magic series on a high note. If you're looking for a standalone fantasy with soul-deep chemistry, soft magic, and an achingly good slow-burn connection this one’s for you.

This is the kind of book that reminds you why romance in fantasy matters not just for the escapism, but for how it can hold pain, healing, and trust in equal measure.

Have you read any of the Married to Magic books? Which couple was your favourite? Let me know in the comments!

11 Jun 2025

Boozy Book Fair 2025: A Spirited Literary Evening in Beamsville with Grimsby Books (Event Recap)

11 June 0 Comments

I spent Sunday evening at the Boozy Book Fair hosted by Grimsby Books and Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers—and it was exactly the kind of event that makes my bookish heart happy.

Taking place at Dillon’s cozy distillery in Beamsville, this grown-up twist on the childhood book fair combined my two great loves: good stories and good drinks.

I heard about the event the last time I was at Grimsby Books and immediately knew I had to go. I’ve been looking for more local literary events that are casual, fun, and feel like community.

And this hit all those marks.

About the Event

Get ready for the most spirited Sunday of the season! Grimsby Books and Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers are teaming up to bring you a Boozy Book Fair like no other—think childhood book fair vibes with a grown-up twist!


Join us on Sunday, June 8th from 4–7 PM for an evening of browsing books, sipping handcrafted cocktails, and reliving your book-loving nostalgia! Discover your next favourite read while enjoying Dillon’s signature drinks and that magical feeling only a book fair can bring.

Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur, a bookworm, or just in it for the vibes—this is your storybook Sunday. Mark your calendars and bring your book besties!

📍 4833 Tufford Road, Beamsville, ON
🗓️ Sunday June 8, 2025
⏰ 4-7 p.m.

Event Highlights

The vibe was laid-back and lively. People milled around with cocktail glasses in one hand and a book in the other, swapping recs and chatting with the Grimsby Books staff about new favourites. I loved that this wasn’t a super structured event—it felt more like a community gathering with a literary flair.
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One highlight for me was [insert something: e.g., “the featured display of local authors,” “getting to chat with other readers about recent Canadian SFF releases,” “discovering a book I hadn’t seen on my radar before but now can’t stop thinking about”].

Those Vibes Though


I didn’t realize how much I needed a relaxed bookish evening until I was in the middle of one. There was something about the combination of clinking glasses, the smell of paper and juniper, and that low hum of people gushing about books that reminded me why I love this community so much.

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As someone who reads a lot and shares a lot online, it’s easy to get a little detached from the joy of in-person book spaces—but this was cozy, casual, and left me feeling recharged.

What I Bought

I walked away with [Book Title] by [Author]—mostly because the cover caught my eye and the bookseller said, “This one has morally complex witches,” and that’s all I needed to hear.
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I also couldn’t resist a [cocktail-themed bookmark / branded tote / Dillon’s glass] because yes, I am a sucker for well-designed merch.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in the Niagara region and love both books and cocktails, I highly recommend keeping an eye out for the next Boozy Book Fair.
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It’s the kind of event that invites you to slow down, sip something delicious, and fall back in love with books in real time.

Did you attend the Boozy Book Fair?

Share your favorite moments or book finds in the comments below!

If you missed it, what are some of the best adult book fairs you've been to lately?

9 Jun 2025

What Makes a Good Book Review? A Guide for Thoughtful Readers (Discussion)

09 June 0 Comments

Writing Book Reviews—Tips and Tricks

Book reviewing can feel intimidating. Whether you’re sharing thoughts on Goodreads/StoryGraph, Instagram, your blog, or just texting a friend, it can be hard to know where to start or how much detail is too much.

As someone who’s written hundreds of reviews, been reviewing over the last ten (10) years, and built a platform around sharing my reading life, I’ve developed a process that balances honesty, nuance, and clarity.

Here's my take on what makes a good book review and how you can write one that reflects your voice and experience.

What is a Book Review For, Anyway?

Before we dive into structure, it's important to understand your purpose:

  • Are you helping others decide if they’ll enjoy a book?
  • Are you reflecting on your own reading experience?
  • Are you trying to spotlight an author, theme, or equity-deserving group's voice?

Great reviews do at least one of these things, but the best ones often do all three.

The Building Blocks of a Strong Review

Here are the essential elements I aim to include in every post:

1. Your Reaction, Not Just a Recap

A plot summary isn’t a review. You can reference what the book is about, but readers are here to know what you thought of it.

✅ Tip: Weave in summary through your opinion.
Example: “The enemies-to-lovers dynamic in this sci-fi romance made for great tension, but I wish it had taken more time to develop before the relationship turned romantic.”

2. Talk About the Craft

Was the pacing tight or meandering? Did the worldbuilding immerse you or leave gaps? How about the prose: clunky, purple, or poetic? This shows you’re engaging critically, not just emotionally.

3. Highlight Characters and Their Growth Arcs

Did the protagonist change in a satisfying way? Were the characters believable, complex, relatable? Or were they flat, overdone, unlikable (and not in a fun way)? Bonus points if you can articulate why.

4. Representation & Content Warnings

If a book features equity-deserving groups identities, note how well they were handled (and by whom). Also, offer a heads-up for anything potentially distressing—it's helpful, not spoilery.

✅ Tip: Research the books your reading, read diversely, and look to reviewers from that equity-deserving group for advice.
Example: “Features queer rep and an aro-ace character; includes grief, death of a parent, and on-page panic attacks.”

5. Star Ratings: Optional But Helpful

I use a 5-star scale (with quarter stars!), but numbers aren't everything. Explain why you gave the rating you did as it helps people align with your taste, even if they don’t share it.

My Review Structure (And Examples)

Here’s how I typically organize my reviews:

Hook or Quick Impression

A single sentence that captures the vibe or how I felt. Looking especially at some of those tropes or ways that the author sets the scene and vibe.
Tip: Use descriptors that match the setting overall, creating an ambiance for the reader.
“This was haunting, poetic, and slow in the best way.”

Contextual Details

Always include where you got the book, especially if it's an advanced copy. But also mention things like library, hype train, etc. and why that matters or doesn't (see: The Wedding People by Alison Espach review I did!)

Thematic Discussion

What themes stood out? What questions did the book ask or answer? Did it provide any new insights into a trope or subvert your expectations?

Tip: Read widely to know how tropes are typically used and what may be a "subversion" of a trope.
In most Chosen One stories, the hero discovers a hidden destiny and is reluctantly thrust into greatness (think The Hunger Games and Percy Jackson). But in The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin, Essun’s powers are feared, not celebrated, and the world actively punishes magic users. Instead of being uplifted, the “Chosen Ones” are controlled. That’s a powerful subversion and recognizing it lets you comment on how the book critiques traditional power narratives rather than reinforcing them.

Characters & Relationships

Who stood out and why? Was the romance compelling? Did I root for them? Did they have good growth within those relationships? Or was the relationship muted just to move the plot along?

Critiques

I try to be honest without being harsh. It's okay to say, “This didn’t work for me,” especially when explaining why. (But also, if you need to rant, RANT. It's helpful for people to know if a book isn't good.)

Tip: Be honest, not harsh. Critique the book, not the author.
Instead of writing: “The writing was terrible and the characters were annoying.”
Try: “I struggled with the pacing. The first half felt slow with lots of internal monologue, which made it hard to connect with the characters. I wanted more development in their relationships before the emotional climax, which felt rushed in comparison.”

This shows what didn’t work and why, giving helpful context for readers who might feel differently or be drawn to those elements.

Final Thoughts & Rating

A conclusion that ties it together with a star rating (or not!). Focusing especially on who I would recommend the book to if it's something that has a particular vibe.

Things I Try to Avoid

❌ Spoiling major plot points without warning
❌ Not including important disclaimers about when something isn't handled properly
❌ Comparing every book to another author’s work
❌ Letting personal bias overtake thoughtful critique
❌ Being vague (e.g., “It was boring” without context)

Finding Your Reviewing Voice

  • Write how you speak—formality isn’t required.
  • Use bullet points if full paragraphs feel daunting.
  • Not every review has to be in-depth; short reactions are valid.
  • Create a review template (and use some of my tips!) to get started.
  • Figure out your audience: are you posting on Goodreads/StoryGraph, Instagram, your blog?
    • There may be different ways to review depending on where you're reviewing!

How do you review books? What should I include in my reviews that you'd like to see more of?

6 Jun 2025

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher: A Sharp, Spellbinding Fairytale About Sisters, Survival, and Stabbing the Right Men (Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays)

06 June 0 Comments


Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!

NETTLE & BONE

Author: T. Kingfisher
Series: N/A
Source: Purchased from Libro.fm
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: April 26, 2022
Representation: older main character

Summary:
From Hugo, Nebula, and Locus award-winning author T. Kingfisher comes an original and subversive fantasy adventure.

This isn't the kind of fairytale where the princess marries a prince.

It's the one where she kills him.

Marra never wanted to be a hero.

As the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter, she escaped the traditional fate of princesses, to be married away for the sake of an uncaring throne. But her sister wasn’t so fortunate—and after years of silence, Marra is done watching her suffer at the hands of a powerful and abusive prince.

Seeking help for her rescue mission, Marra is offered the tools she needs, but only if she can complete three seemingly impossible tasks:

—build a dog of bones
—sew a cloak of nettles
—capture moonlight in a jar

But, as is the way in tales of princes and witches, doing the impossible is only the beginning.

Hero or not—now joined by a disgraced ex-knight, a reluctant fairy godmother, an enigmatic gravewitch and her fowl familiar—Marra might finally have the courage to save her sister, and topple a throne.

Purchase*:
(note that these are affiliate links! I receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you)
Content WarningDomestic abuse (including physical, emotional, and marital abuse), Child loss / infant death, Forced marriage / lack of consent in marriage, Sexual coercion (implied, not explicit), Animal death (magical creature), Torture / bodily harm, Death / grief, References to past miscarriages / infertility, Murder / on-page violence, Mentions of stillbirth and pregnancy trauma

T. Kingfisher’s Nettle & Bone is the kind of book that makes you sit up straight and whisper “finally” — finally a fairytale that doesn’t tiptoe around the violence of the world but instead arms its heroine with a bone dog, a dust-wife, and a healthy hatred of tyrants.

From the very first page (minute? I listened to this), I was hooked. This isn’t a sweeping, high-octane epic. It’s a quiet, clever, sharp story — a slow-burn quest that reads like an old tale told under a blanket at midnight, but with modern teeth. And at the center of it all is Marra: a nun-turned-princess-turned-reluctant-heroine who does the one thing no one expects of her — something.

The emotional core of Nettle & Bone is Marra’s love for her sisters. Not romantic love. Not duty. Not glory. But raw, aching, protective love. It’s the kind of devotion that makes you willing to raise the dead, break curses, and destroy empires if it means saving the people you care about.

The portrayal of sisterhood here is everything. Tender without being saccharine. Honest about its limits, but unflinching in its power. I felt every moment of Marra’s helplessness as she watched her sisters suffer — and every beat of her resolve as she vowed to end the cycle.

Let’s be clear: this book is dark, but it’s not cruel. It doesn’t revel in suffering. It resists it. Every act of violence — especially against those who wield power carelessly or cruelly — feels earned, necessary, and strangely cathartic. There is something so satisfying about watching abusers face consequences in a world that so often forgives or forgets them.

This is a book that knows who the real monsters are — and it doesn't flinch when it's time to confront them.

Marra is not flashy. She’s not particularly magical. She’s just… stubborn. Determined. Tired of watching and ready to act. And that makes her one of the most compelling fantasy protagonists I’ve read in a long time. She’s older than most heroines in this genre, more hesitant, more worn down — but that just makes her braver.

I adored her. I rooted for her. And I wanted to wrap her in a blanket and tell her she was doing enough.

The supporting cast in this book is perfection. The dust-wife, with her no-nonsense energy and emotionally scarred chicken. The fairy godmother who is not here to give you what you want. The undead dog who still wants scritches. It’s whimsical without being twee, dark without being grim.

This book balances levity and horror so well that I would follow this ragtag group of oddballs into any cursed wasteland.

If you want a fantasy that’s short, fierce, and unafraid to call out the ugliness of the world while still believing in the goodness of unlikely people — Nettle & Bone is your book. T. Kingfisher has crafted a modern fairy tale that doesn’t ask women to be kind, polite, or quiet.

It gives them the tools to fight back.

No notes, just vibes, violence, and good dogs.

Are you going to pick this one up?

4 Jun 2025

VenCo by Cherie Dimaline: A Spellbinding Celebration of Witches, Bloodlines, and the Bonds That Save Us (We Can(ada) Read)

04 June 0 Comments
We Can(ada) Read is by Canadians for EVERYONE to learn more about some amazing Canadian authors!

VENCO

Author: Cherie Dimaline
Series: N/A
Source: Purchased from Libro.fm
Publisher: Random House Canada
Publication Date: February 14, 2023

Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:
Representation: Métis main characters, elder representation, Black characters, queer characters, gender fluid characters

Summary:
From the bestselling author of Empire of Wild, a wickedly subversive, deliciously imaginative, deeply feminist novel of contemporary witches on the rise—a book that only the supremely gifted storyteller Cherie Dimaline could write.

Lucky St. James, orphaned daughter of a bad-ass Métis good-times girl, is barely hanging on to her nowhere life when she finds out that she and her grandmother, Stella, are about to be evicted from their apartment. Bad to worse in a heartbeat. Then one night, doing laundry in the building's dank basement, Lucky feels an irresistible something calling to her. Crawling through a hidden hole in the wall, she finds a tarnished silver spoon depicting a story-book hag over letters that spell out S-A-L-E-M.

Which alerts Salem-born Meena Good, finder of a matching spoon, to Lucky's existence. One of the most powerful witches in North America, Meena has been called to bring together seven special witches and seven special spoons—infused with magic and scattered to the four directions more than a century ago—to form a magic circle that will restore women to their rightful power. Under the wing of the international headhunting firm VenCo, devoted to placing exceptional women in roles where they can influence business, politics and the arts, Meena has spent years searching out witches hiding in plain sight wherever women gather: suburban book clubs, Mommy & Me groups, temp agencies. Lucky and her spoon are number six.

With only one more spoon to find, a very powerful adversary has Meena's coven in his sights—Jay Christos, a roguish and deadly witch-hunter as old as witchcraft itself. As the clock ticks toward a now-or-never deadline, Meena sends Lucky and her grandmother on a dangerous, sometimes hilarious, road trip through the United States in search of the seventh spoon. The trail leads them at last to the darkly magical city of New Orleans, where Lucky's final showdown with Jay Christos will determine whether the coven will be completed, ushering in a new beginning, or whether witches will be forced to remain forever underground.

Purchase*:
(note that these are affiliate links! I receive a small amount of compensation at no cost to you)
Content WarningViolence against women (past and referenced, including historical violence tied to witch hunts), Death and grief (mentions of parental loss, on-page death of a character), Racism and colonial violence (including against Indigenous people, Métis-specific experiences, and cultural erasure), Ableism and ageism (both challenged and depicted in character interactions), Drug and alcohol use, Mild sexual content, Mentions of past abuse and trauma

I knew from the first minute that VenCo would be special, but I didn’t realize just how deeply it would root itself in my heart. Cherie Dimaline has crafted a gorgeously gritty modern witch story infused with love — not just romantic love, but familial love, community love, and the kind of fierce tenderness that binds generations of women together. It’s rich with magic, grounded in Métis identity, and driven by characters who feel both powerful and profoundly human.


This was everything I want in a story: witches with purpose, found families that feel like home, and a plot that lets women reclaim what was always theirs. I loved every minute of it.


At the heart of VenCo is Lucky St. James — a Métis millennial trying to keep her life afloat — and her fiercely loving, wonderfully sharp grandmother Stella. Their relationship is the soul of the novel. Stella isn't just comic relief or a background presence — she’s a full, vibrant character with her own arc and grit. Their intergenerational love feels real, complex, and absolutely radiant on the page.


I cried, I laughed, I wanted to call my own grandmother. Their bond is the kind that carries you through hard things and reminds you why we fight for better.


As Lucky is drawn into a hidden world of witches and prophecy, she finds herself swept into a quest to reunite the long-lost VenCo coven. What unfolds is part road trip, part mystery, part reclamation. The witches she meets along the way — each distinct, each deeply rooted in different communities and cultures — represent the spectrum of what womanhood, power, and resistance can look like.


The found family that emerges is glorious. These women are fierce and flawed, full of laughter, rage, and healing. They bicker, they protect, they choose one another — and I would follow them anywhere.


What makes VenCo truly shine is how deeply it’s grounded in Métis culture and storytelling. Dimaline weaves it into the very bones of the book. From Lucky’s worldview to the cultural references and the spiritual texture of the magic, everything feels intentional, layered, and full of her culture.


This isn’t a story that flattens identity into metaphor. It’s proud, rooted, and joyful — a reclamation of space in a genre that often erases Indigenous presence.


The witchcraft in VenCo isn’t about flash or spectacle. It’s quiet and powerful, grounded in knowledge, lineage, and resistance. Dimaline uses witchcraft as a metaphor for community strength, cultural survival, and the inheritance of power. And in doing so, she gives us a story that feels both deeply ancient and fiercely modern.


You don’t need to be a witch to understand what it means to carry the strength of the women before you — and VenCo reminds us how precious and dangerous that strength truly is.


VenCo is a love letter to women, witches, aunties, grandmothers, and every person who’s ever felt like the world didn’t have a place for their kind of magic. It’s about carving that space anyway. And filling it with love.


If you’re looking for a witchy, empowering, beautifully written read with Indigenous magic and a warm, unbreakable heart — VenCo is the book for you.

Are you going to pick this up?