Guinevere Rising by Kiersten White (Camelot Rising book 1)

“There was nothing in the world as magical and terrifying as a girl.

Princess Guinevere has come to Camelot to wed a stranger: the charismatic King Arthur. With magic clawing at the kingdom's borders, the great wizard Merlin conjured a solution--send in Guinevere to be Arthur's wife . . . and his protector from those who want to see the young king's idyllic city fail. The catch? Guinevere's real name--and her true identity--is a secret. She is a changeling, a girl who has given up everything to protect Camelot.

To keep Arthur safe, Guinevere must navigate a court in which the old--including Arthur's own family--demand things continue as they have been, and the new--those drawn by the dream of Camelot--fight for a better way to live. And always, in the green hearts of forests and the black depths of lakes, magic lies in wait to reclaim the land. Arthur's knights believe they are strong enough to face any threat, but Guinevere knows it will take more than swords to keep Camelot free.

Deadly jousts, duplicitous knights, and forbidden romances are nothing compared to the greatest threat of all: the girl with the long black hair, riding on horseback through the dark woods toward Arthur. Because when your whole existence is a lie, how can you trust even yourself?” - taken from Goodreads.com

I love delving into this re-imagining of the Arthurian legend. The author put some unique twists to the story and the characters that I really don't want to get into so as not to spoil all of the surprises. Guinevere and the reader discover what is going on in and around Camelot at about the same time. This book really sets up the characters, background, and basic plot points that will drive this trilogy forward.

Book two, The Camelot Betrayal, is due out on November 10, 2020.

Visit Kiersten White's website.

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund (For Darkness Shows the Stars book 1)

“It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth--an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.

But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret--one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Here is another book that I've had on my TBR pile for well over seven years. I've never read any books by Jane Austen, so I wasn't really familiar with her novel Persuasion, which this book is based upon. I am glad that I finally picked up this book about star-crossed lovers. Elliot's life of privilege isn't easy as she is the responsible while her father and older sister live for pleasure. When Elliot's lifelong friend/love shows up unexpectedly as a wealthy man and no longer the enslaved farm hand, she is thrown for a loop. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and cannot wait to read the companion book. 

Visit Diana Peterfreund’s website.

Everyday Magic by Emily Albright (The Heir and the Spare book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! This book is a companion story to The Heir and the Spare. You can read this one without having read the first book but there are several spoilers or scenes that will make more sense if you do. 

“He runs with A-list stars, but will he run her life?”

“For once, Maggie McKendrick just wants to control her own life. Her overbearing Hollywood director father has it all planned out for her: UCLA, law school, then working as an entertainment lawyer, preferably for him. But Maggie has other, more creative-spirit friendly, plans. Namely, Thrippletons School of Fashion and Design in England, and then onto becoming a designer, preferably a wildly successful one. The big snag in her plan? Getting it past her dad.

A movie shoot takes the family to the Scottish Highlands for the summer, and closer to Maggie’s dream school. While there, she runs into the charming Preston Browne. Maggie is intrigued and decides to bend her no guys rule—instituted after her ex used her to get close to her dad. Forced to keep secrets from Preston in order to protect the future plans she’s made, Maggie finds herself falling for the tall Brit. And for once in her life she knows that he’s interested in her, not her Hollywood connections. When Maggie's father blackmails her into dating his lead actor, she isn’t left with a choice. The biggest problem isn’t having to date hunky, mega-hottie, Ben Chambers. No, it’s praying she doesn’t lose Preston in the process.

Excelling at her dream school, Maggie’s personal life is a tangled mess. She needs to decide if living a lie is worth losing Preston or chance going against her father and facing his wrath. When the tabloids expose the truth of her fake relationship with Ben, Maggie's world is thrown into a tailspin. Ultimately, Maggie must find the courage to take risks and forge ahead on her own path.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I loved diving back into this world and was pleased to read Preston’s story. Preston was the one character that I had felt sorry for. Meeting Maggie McKendrick is life-changing for both of them. Maggie is trying to get out from underneath her father’s domineering control and become a fashion designer. We also get to delve into Preston’s life more. Of course, the road to true love never runs smooth. The only complaint that I have about this book was that the ending seemed a little far fetched. I did enjoy the appearances by Evie Gray from the first book.

Visit Emily Albright’s website.

The Night We Said Yes by Lauren Gibaldi

“What happens when Matt and Ella reunite one year after their breakup? Are second chances really possible?

Before Matt, Ella had a plan. Get over her ex-boyfriend and graduate high school—simple as that. But Matt—the cute, shy, bespectacled bass player—was never part of that plan. And neither was attending a party that was crashed by the cops just minutes after they arrived. Or spending an entire night saying "yes" to every crazy, fun thing they could think of.

But then Matt leaves town, breaking Ella's heart. And when he shows up a year later—wanting to relive the night that brought them together—Ella isn't sure whether Matt's worth a second chance. Or if re-creating the past can help them create a different future.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This is another book that had been on my TBR list for a while. The story takes place over two different nights, Then and Now. Then is the night Ella first meets Matt through her best friend, Meg and her boyfriend, Jake. Matt is the new bassist for Jake's band. Now is when Matt turns up six months after leaving town breaking Ella's heart and never communicating with his friends again.

When Matt turns up unexpectedly at a party thrown by Meg's brother, Ella is floored. Deciding to go off with him despite Meg's objections, Ella realizes that Matt is trying to recreate the night they first met. A night where they said yes to everything that was suggested. Told between Then and Now, the author beautifully weaves together the story to show how Matt tried to make both nights similar.

Visit Lauren Gibaldi’s website.

Matt's Story

“Seventeen-year-old Matt had the perfect life in Orlando. He met the girl of his dreams, rocked out on bass in an awesome band, and partied with the best group of friends he could ask for. But then his family gets a call and he has to move back to Texas—immediately. Now stuck with no possibility of ever seeing his friends in Orlando again, Matt is ready to give up. But can he open up his heart to new friends and a second chance?” - taken from Goodreads.com

The Heir and the Spare by Emily Albright (The Heir and the Spare book 1)

“She's secretly royal. He secretly loyal.”

"Family can be complicated. Especially when skeletons from the past pop up unexpectedly. For American Evie Gray, finding out her deceased mother had a secret identity, and not one of the caped crusader variety, was quite the surprise. Evie’s mom had a secret life before she was even born, one that involved tiaras.

In this modern day fairytale, Evie is on a path to figure out who her mom really was, while discovering for herself what the future will hold. Charged with her late mother’s letters, Evie embarks on a quest into her past. The first item on the list is to attend Oxford, her mom’s alma mater. There, Evie stumbles upon a real life prince charming, Edmund Stuart the second Prince of England, who is all too happy to be the counterpart to her damsel in distress.

Evie can’t resist her growing attraction to Edmund as they spend more time together trying to unravel the clues her mother left behind. But, when doubts arise as to whether or not Edmund could ever be with an untitled American, what really ends up unraveling is Evie’s heart. When Evie uncovers all the facts about her mom’s former life, she realizes her mom’s past can open doors she never dreamed possible, doors that can help her be with Edmund. But, with everything now unveiled, Evie starts to crack under the pressure of new family responsibilities and the realization that her perfect prince may want her for all the wrong reasons.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This book has been on my TBR pile for several years but I just hadn't picked it up. Needless to say I am so glad that I finally read it, and in just over one day. It was just the pick me up I was needing right now. The story felt a little familiar but was so much better than any other book like this I've read. I loved that Evie's mom sent her on a quest of sorts to uncover her past and how supportive Edmund was of her. Both Evie and Edmund's group of friends at Oxford were awesome. Now on to read about Preston's story in Everyday Magic. He is the one character I really needed to see have his own happily ever after.

Visit Emily Albright’s website.

Imagine Me by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me book 6)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first five books in the Shatter Me series, Stop! I don’t want to ruin one of my favorite series for you.

Check out Book Series Recaps for a refresher of the first four books in the series.

Please visit the Recaptains blog if you need a refresher of the first five books in the series.

“Hello, World. You Won’t Forget Me.”

"Juliette Ferrars.

Ella Sommers.

Which is the truth and which is the lie?

Now that Ella knows who Juliette is and what she was created for, things have only become more complicated. As she struggles to understand the past that haunts her and looks to a future more uncertain than ever, the lines between right and wrong—between Ella and Juliette—blur. And with old enemies looming, her destiny may not be her own to control.

The day of reckoning for the Reestablishment is coming. But she may not get to choose what side she fights on."- taken from Goodreads.com

Wow! When an end to what was originally built as a trilogy but continued the story of Juliet Farrar’s over six books. I was a fan from the beginning and I enjoyed seeing where her story took her. after the cliffhanger ending from book five, this final installment is told from Juliet / Ella and Kenji. Action-packed throughout the book, long time fans will be eager to see how the story ends. 

Visit Tahereh Mafi’s website.

Havenfall by Sara Holland (Havenfall book 1)

“A safe haven between four realms. The girl sworn to protect it--at any cost.

Hidden deep in the mountains of Colorado lies the Inn at Havenfall, a sanctuary that connects ancient worlds--each with their own magic--together. For generations, the inn has protected all who seek refuge within its walls, and any who disrupt the peace can never return.

For Maddie Morrow, summers at the inn are more than a chance to experience this magic first-hand. Havenfall is an escape from reality, where her mother sits on death row accused of murdering Maddie's brother. It's where Maddie fell in love with handsome Fiorden soldier Brekken. And it's where one day she hopes to inherit the role of Innkeeper from her beloved uncle.

But this summer, the impossible happens--a dead body is found, shattering everything the inn stands for. With Brekken missing, her uncle gravely injured, and a dangerous creature on the loose, Maddie suddenly finds herself responsible for the safety of everyone in Havenfall. She'll do anything to uncover the truth, even if it means working together with an alluring new staffer Taya, who seems to know more than she's letting on. As dark secrets are revealed about the inn itself, one thing becomes clear to Maddie--no one can be trusted, and no one is safe . . . “ - taken from Goodreads.com

Billed as a fantasy story laced with crime, I was reminded of an Agatha Christie mystery novel. Set in a hidden away hotel that hosts guests from fantastical worlds for a yearly peace summit, Maddie shows up unexpectedly to find everything is turned upside down by the following morning. Without giving up too many details, this book was full of twists and turns with shocking reveals that I didn't see coming. Unfortunately, this first book really is a build up for the second part of the story. Very few questions are answered, so expect lots of cliffhangers. 

Book two is expected to be published in 2021.

Visit Sara Holland’s website.