Book reviews for books read October 1st -19th

 

October has been a weird and difficult month for my family and for me. At the end of September, we learned that my husband's cancer was not stage 3- but had progressed to a stage 4. This makes him incurable and inoperable. As we wait for molecular testing results to show whether there is a chemo that will work on his rare cancer to add time to his life, our minds have been spinning. We are coming to terms with the fact that after 35 years together, we may have only months left instead of the years we had hoped for. Because he is the love of my life, I have been struggling to read romance this month. I recognize that this may continue for a while. Recent events are reflected in my reading capacity even beyond romance. By this time last month, I had read 15 books and DNF'd 2 others. This month, I have read 3.

All of that to say, there may be fewer reviews for a bit. I have opted out of some arcs already. I have a few more I am going to attempt to read on time. Check back for my reviews to grow your TBR. Hug your loved ones. Love those in your orbit. Till next time, happy reading.

Vivacity (Seraph #3) by Elodie Hart

ARC: Release Date-10/16/2025

#AgeGap #Billionaire #Escort #SingleDad #GrumpySunshine #Workplace #ARC

I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book.

Book three in the Seraph series is written in first person from an alternating dual POV, can be read as a standalone, and ends with a HEA. Readers who have read other books by this author will recognize characters from the other Seraph books as well as characters from the Love in London series. I have not read all those books yet and I didn’t feel like their appearances caused me any confusion.

Sophie is a lush, passionate, and fun woman who is very comfortable in her own skin. She knows herself, after having put in extensive work, and will settle for nothing less than what she deserves. I adored her confidence. I also really liked how she could find the fun in any situation. Her acceptance of Ethan where he was and her conviction that he was not broken was wonderful to read. That she is beautiful and extremely intelligent and competent was a bonus.

Ethan starts out as a mess. Grumpy? Yes, indeed. A control freak with enough childhood trauma and protective walls to keep everyone out of his heart was still not enough to deter Sophie. She understands him, sees him beneath his walls, and helps him find the tools he needed to heal and tear those walls down. Ethan really grows and evolves in this book, especially in his role as a father. The author places a lot of psychology in this book, including IFS (Internal Family Systems) work that Ethan uses to come to terms with his childhood and the man he has become. It was fascinating.

Of course, like her other books, the spice level is high. There isn’t a third act break-up, and the romantic moments between Sophie and Ethen were sweetly intimate. An excellent addition to the series.

Chasing Love (Plain Daisy Ranch #5) by Piper Rayne

ARC: Release Date-10/21/2025

#SecondChance #SecretBaby #SingleMom #SingleDad #FamilySeries #SmallTown #ARC

I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV, can be read as a standalone, and ends in a HEA. The book is a mix of POV chapters and letters Delaney writes to her jailed soon-to-be ex-husband that detail the past between her and Bennett. I felt like the letter concept seemed less effective than if the past had been told in flashbacks, but maybe that’s just me.

Bennett and Delaney get their HEA after many years of angst and pain. Maybe it is a matter of right timing. High school wasn’t the right time. Seven years ago wasn’t the right time (though it could have been.) Finally, they get it right, but not without some anger, guilt, and pain. Wren and Leia are the cutest little girls ever. I loved how different they were from each other.  Bennett made a choice that cost seven years. Delaney made a different choice that also had consequences. They have a little bit of a slow burn as they work through the baggage and get where they need to go. I loved their attraction to each other and their history. I loved how they were as parents. And, of course, I loved the Plain Daisy Ranch family. Now to wait for Romy’s story.

The Irish Princess by Elizabeth Chadwick

#Royal #HistoricalFiction

Written in third person, this novel details the saga of the life of Aoife, princess of Ireland. It is set in the time of 1150 to 1176 or so. Its settings include Ireland, Wales, England, and Normandy.

I read The Scarlet Lion by this author several years ago and have been meaning to get back to her books for a while. I loved the way she brings Aoife to life as a child, a teen, and finally a strong and politically savvy woman. Her portrayal as a wife who loved the husband of her arranged marriage and as a mother during turbulent political times resonated with me. I loved how she learns early how to work her powers within the bounds of the constraints of womanhood in a way that influences the powerful men around her. Richard, her husband, is a character that is detailed enough to inspire empathy and understanding when he often finds himself between the proverbial rock and hard place and must make difficult choices. I appreciated the love the author allowed him to have for his family, and for Aoife especially.

These were violent times, and the author does not shy away from vivid descriptions of it. This book is written to read by adults and contains adult scenarios. Uprisings, battles, betrayals, war, and maneuvering all take place as they do what they can to hold onto their inheritances and please the English king. This was an engaging read that fascinated me. The author clearly has completed much research on the topic and filled in the details in a most entertaining way. Her writing allows the reader to be in the room during momentous shifts in history and I found it captured my interest completely.