I enjoyed it very much. Dragons, a love-hate relationship, secret powers—what more could you want?

So we have dragons. Some time ago, people stopped hunting them and discovered they could craft metals and bond with them. Of course, there's a hierarchy based on the type of metal (why would it be any different? It's people, after all), and society is very much class-divided. Gold dragons are long gone; no one has seen one for years. Now, you have a wild choice of career here: you can be a rider, a dragon veterinarian, a medic, and so on. Sometimes your parents want you to be something other than what you want, and sometimes you need to hide your true talents to protect others.

Both Farren and James have their own problems they're facing, and yet they find themselves living in close proximity for the summer. It quickly comes to the surface that they don't really hate each other and that the preconceptions they held aren't true. They are forced to learn to work together to protect the sanctuary and the dragons, especially against James's family.

I enjoyed both the world-building and the romance aspect. Nothing goes overboard here. And it easily could have, as there's a lot introduced throughout the story, but it all feels effortless and the narration flows very well. We have a dual POV here, switching between Farren and James, and it feels good seeing how both of their brains work and how their relationship evolves throughout the story.

I would have liked a bit more of the aftermath, though,maybe a few more chapters?

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

This reads like a breeze—nice and easy.

I feel like the first part lured me in and set my expectations high. Unfortunately, the rest of the book didn't quite reach those heights. Ruby and Archer meet in passing first, and then she ventures to Cornwall with her friends, finding herself in close proximity to him for a prolonged period of time. The setup was really promising: here we have a smuggler who cares about his crew, has a complicated past, and is trying to make a living. And here comes the eldest daughter of an earl, a girl who looks for her father's approval but does all the things he deems inappropriate. You'd think there would be so much that could go wrong with their relationship—that the whole world would be against them. But... they just kinda happen, and no one bats an eye.

In the background, we have intrigue, royal shenanigans, and so on. All good things that introduce some stakes to the story, but it still felt a bit bland overall. I liked how protective everyone is of each other, really, but that group also just happens. A few more scenes exploring the group dynamic would have been very welcome.

That said, I really enjoyed the flow of the narration and the world-building, and I might look up more books by this author. The romance here just wasn't top-tier for me.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

This is a wonderful mix of genres—with mystery, fantasy, and a sprinkle of romance beautifully intertwined throughout the story. It’s also got plenty of moments that will make you laugh!

We start with Minerva, the formidable caretaker of the Mudpuddle Bookshop and Cafe, where nothing seems out of the ordinary at first. But when an unexpected guest arrives, everything goes south. The Mudpuddle vanishes without a trace, no one knows what has happened, and the magical community is suddenly at risk of losing the precious peace they’ve enjoyed for hundreds of years.

So, what happens now? Well, Maida, the actual owner of the Mudpuddle, has to figure out her place in this magical new world she's suddenly a part of, making sure she makes the best choices for herself. She also has to come to terms with who the people closest to her truly are, and why they never shared their magical secrets with her before.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the way the mystery unravels, and how the world is presented. The shifting POVs are a brilliant touch—it’s always interesting to see the exact same scene play out from multiple characters' perspectives and really get inside their heads.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

So I picked this up after watching the mini-series and oh, how faithful they are in so many scenes—I could hear it in my mind! Blown away.

Anyway, back to the book and story itself—this is literally me coming back to my roots, back when I used my mom's library card to pick up books in the adult section (the librarian was a friend of the family so don't fret, she screened the books for me). This is exactly what I want from period romances.

We get an unusual proposal, a self-isolated Duke looking for a quiet prospective bride who won't bother him, and a hopeful bride who simply wants to help her family, all with a dash of Beauty and the Beast, as well as a Hades and Persephone vibe. Adam despises everyone (well, except Harry, of course) while Persephone looks for positives everywhere she goes. They both have their scars, flaws and fears, and it's such a treat to watch them overcome them all.

It is a clean, slow-burn romance, beautifully done, and will definitely warrant a re-read in the future (especially for the switching POV—man, I do love getting into both of their heads!).