March was another quiet month reading wise. We’ve been quite busy and a couple of activity laden mini-breaks didn’t help (although they were fun!). I always imagine I’ll read a lot when we’re away and then never do. Too many other things to occupy me.

The books I did read were wonderful though. No overall favourite because it’s again too hard to choose. So here they are, in no particular order of excellentness.

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The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

Well, it’s official. After The Dead Romantics (my comments about that here) and now The Seven Year Slip, Ashley Poston is now an auto-buy author.

This was charming, moving, sweet and poignant. The Seven Year Slip grabbed my heart from the first chapter and didn’t let go. Clementine’s grief for her larger-than-life aunt and her struggle to find her way forward after loss was poignant and relatable.

I wasn’t sure how the time-travelling was going to work but when it came along it was perfect. As was Iwan. A totally sighworthy hero and who knows how to talk the good talk about food and cooking. A girl could have lots and lots of dreams about that man. The chemistry between Iwan and Clementine was fantastic.

Highly recommended.

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House of Roots and Ruin by Erin A Craig

Like Ashley Poston, Erin A Craig has now become an auto-buy author for me. I adored her book Small Favours (I talk about that here) It was one of my favourite reads of 2022 (along with Poston’s The Dead Romantics), and House of Salt and Sorrows was also excellent (my comments on that book here).

House of Roots and Ruins continues on from House of Salt and Sorrows. This sees another of the Thaumas sisters – Verity – fleeing the family estate after learning a terrible secret. She escapes to Bloem, where she has a commission to paint the portrait of the handsome heir to the Bloem Duchy. Except the beautiful surroundings are not what they seem, and neither is anyone she encounters.

Fantastically gothic, House of Roots and Ruins ticked so many of my boxes. It was like a gloriously lush romance tinged with horror and intrigue, and oh so twisty!! I liked this better than House of Salt and Sorrows and now I’m desperately hoping there’ll be another in the series.

Fab. Just fab. Beautiful cover too.

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Waking Up Married to the Billionaire by Michelle Douglas

I cannot express how much fun Waking Up Married to the Billionaire was. This romance was a joy from start to finish. I think it’s one of Michelle Douglas’s best, right up there with the wonderful Miss Prim’s Greek Island Fling (my comments on that here).

Both Luis and Ruby were lovely. They were so sweet and cute and funny together that waking up married after a night out in Vegas had to be fate. Luis’ parents were adorable too, which made Ruby playing the awful gold-digger new daughter-in-law even harder. I lost count of the times I cringed for her!

Utterly gorgeous. Go read. You’ll have a ball.

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After the Forest by Kell Woods

What a beautiful and beautifully written book!

I loved this historical fantasy and retelling of the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale from the first page. It reminded me a little of Katherine Arden’s Winternight trilogy, which I adored. Like that series, I couldn’t put After the Forest down.

This was poetic, super compelling, and romantic. Gretel was hugely sympathetic, trying her best not to succumb to the lure of dark magic. Magic that would help her and Hans out of the mess they’re in.

I had no idea Kell Woods was Australian. Brilliant! I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of her after this stunning debut. I’ll certainly be reading whatever comes next. This was seriously impressive.

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Amethyst Pledge by Leonie Rogers

I enjoyed Amethyst Pledge so much I bought the second in the series, Dark Days, before I’d even finished. I need to know what happens to Kazari!

I thoroughly enjoyed Kazari as a character. She’s kind, clever and incredibly courageous, even when faced with impossible odds. Her faith in The Lady, whom she serves, and those who have become her colleagues, is her strength. It needs to be, given the (wonderfully nasty) evil they all face.

Amethyst Pledge powered along from beginning to end. Lots of intrigue and action and camaraderie. This is fab “found family” stuff.

Loved it. An excellent sword and sorcery type young adult fantasy. Really looking forward to the next.

Leonie will be chatting to me at Muswellbrook Library, NSW, at 10am on April 16. I can’t wait to fangirl! (Free event but bookings essential. Contact Muswellbrook Library on 02 6543 1913 to reserve your spot.)

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What have you read lately that’s tickled your fancy? Share away!

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