As a young girl, Sir Una Everlasting became a knight after defending the Queen from roving brigands. From that moment on, her life was devoted to Queen and Country, fighting off invaders, and securing her land. Her bravery and heroic deeds live on through time as the foundation upon which the country of Dominion is built.

Owen Mallory is a historian aiming to build his academic career by studying the legends and tales surrounding Sir Una Everlasting; myths that have become central to Dominion’s national identity. But his research takes an unexpected turn when he finds himself tossed through time, face-to-face with the knight herself.

As Owen begins to comprehend the surreal nature of his situation, he realises this isn’t the first time it has happened. He comes to understand that time and again, he and Sir Una have met, fallen in love, and he has led her to her death so that she may fulfill the legend required to forge a nation.

Harrow’s writing is both beautiful and unique. The alternating perspectives of Sir Una and Owen offer distinct voices that reflect the eras they come from. Sir Una’s chapters read like a fairy tale, with heroic deeds and brave knights at the heart of the narrative. Early on, her chapters feel like a storybook destined to end “happily ever after.” In contrast, Owen’s chapters present a stark, modern voice that is grounded and analytical. Yet in both timelines, the story circles back to the figure in power and the origins of that authority.

Harrow’s distinctive style blends the familiar with the otherworldly, often using language and dialogue to immerse the reader in each time period. While there are some slower moments in the plot, these sections are effective at building atmosphere and deepening character. The supernatural elements of the world unfold gradually, as new pieces of information are revealed and the broader scope of the narrative takes shape.

The characters are the strongest elements in Harrow’s world. Sir Una is strong, independent, reliable, and masculine. Owen, in contrast, is a self-professed coward, focused on advancing his academic career, and often comes across as emotionally vulnerable. As their relationship evolves, Una frequently embodies traditionally masculine traits, while Owen plays the more traditionally feminine role in their romantic dynamic. This inversion challenges conventional expectations and creates a love story unlike typical fairy tales. Together, using their individual strengths, Sir Una and Owen confront the creator of their endless loop of love and loss.

The Everlasting presents an unconventional fairy tale love story that asks readers to reflect on heroism, power, and fate; not only within the story, but in their own lives.

Engaging, captivating, and strange, The Everlasting uses familiar fairy tale elements to craft a wholly original story; a story that reminds us that things aren’t always as they seem, and that sometimes, questioning authority is the only way to break the cycle and bring about real change.

Note: Thanks so much to TOR books for providing a review copy of The Everlasting.

The Everlasting is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up The Everlasting? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis

From Alix E. Harrow, the New York Times bestselling author of Starling House, comes a moving and genre-defying quest about the lady-knight whose legend built a nation, and the cowardly historian sent back through time to make sure she plays her part–even if it breaks his heart.

Sir Una Everlasting was Dominion’s greatest hero: the orphaned girl who became a knight, who died for queen and country. Her legend lives on in songs and stories, in children’s books and recruiting posters―but her life as it truly happened has been forgotten.

Centuries later, Owen Mallory―failed soldier, struggling scholar―falls in love with the tale of Una Everlasting. Her story takes him to war, to the archives―and then into the past itself. Una and Owen are tangled together in time, bound to retell the same story over and over again, no matter what it costs.

But that story always ends the same way. If they want to rewrite Una’s legend―if they want to tell a different story–they’ll have to rewrite history itself.

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Taken as a child to the Isle of Apples, Morgana quickly discovers powers that outshine those of the other priestesses. As she grows into her abilities, she is drawn into Arthur’s war against the Saxons, her prophetic visions guiding her decisions even as they weigh heavily on her conscience. Bound by her vow to aid and protect the True King, Morgana must navigate both political intrigue and dark magical forces, knowing that each choice she makes could alter the fate of those she cares for and the kingdom she wants to protect.

Morgan’s writing is richly poetic and descriptive, often lingering on the details of setting and mysticism. These moments may slow the pacing, but they also immerse the reader in the enchantment and danger of this world, making its beauty and peril feel vivid and real. The novel unfolds with a patient rhythm, gradually expanding from the insular Isle to the wider stage of kingdoms and conflicts, all while keeping Morgana’s inner struggles at its core.

The characters themselves provide the novel’s strongest anchor. Morgana emerges as powerful yet isolated, burdened by both her gifts and her devotion to Arthur. Arthur, noble and resolute as a ruler, proves dangerously blind to the betrayals closest to him. Alongside them is Braithe, Morgana’s quiet but steadfast companion, whose loyalty draws her into the heart of political schemes she never sought. Together, these figures embody themes of sacrifice, friendship, and the tension between personal desire and greater duty.

The Faerie Morgana stands out among Arthurian retellings in its compassionate reimagining of a woman too often vilified in legend. By centering Morgana’s humanity, specifically her doubts, her loyalties, and her capacity for both strength and tenderness, the novel reframes her not as a schemer in the shadows but as a guardian, leader, and friend.

Immersive, moving, and resonant, The Faerie Morgana breathes new life into an old story. It celebrates the power of devotion and sacrifice while offering a poignant reminder that sometimes the greatest threats come not from distant enemies, but from those closest to us.

The Faerie Morgana is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up The Faerie Morgana? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis

In this atmospheric and bewitching novel, Louisa Morgan reimagines the story of Morgan Le Fay, one of the most enigmatic and powerful women in Arthurian legend.
 
To the other priestesses of the Nine, a powerful council at the Lady’s Temple, Morgana is haughty and arrogant as she performs feats of magic no human should be capable of. Rumors start that she must be a fearsome fae.
 
To King Arthur, Morgana is a trusted and devoted advisor, but his court is wary of her and her prodigious talent at divination. But his wife sees Morgana as a rival and a malevolent witch.
 
To Braithe, Morgana’s faithful acolyte, she is simply the most powerful priestess Camelot has seen.
 
Morgana doesn’t know why she’s so different from everyone else, and she doesn’t much care. But when she aids Arthur to ascend the throne before his time, she sets off a series of events that will change everything Morgana believes about her power.

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When the king discovers her rare magical abilities, Lyra is summoned to the royal court to serve as his melder; an esteemed but precarious position bound to his will. Navigating the treacherous etiquette of court life while uncovering the limits of her powers, she becomes entangled in volatile rivalries. The king assigns Roark, his fiercely loyal sentry, and the man who first took her captive, to guard her. But as Lyra learns the darker truths of her magic and the kingdom’s fragile balance of power, she becomes a pivotal piece in a deadly game that could alter the fate of everyone she loves.

Andrews’ writing is descriptive, engaging, and wildly imaginative. Through alternating points of view, she offers contrasting perspectives that deepen both the plot and the characters’ inner lives. The worldbuilding unfolds organically, with each revelation of the magical workings of this world  intertwined with the shifting loyalties and personal histories that drive the story forward. From dangerous confrontations with deadly foes to moments of unexpected tenderness, Andrews crafts a setting that feels alive, slowly revealing its secrets until the final, emotional moments that leave the reader eager for the next book.

The characters are, undeniably, the central focus of this novel. Lyra, loyal yet reserved, carries the weight of her abilities in every interaction. Her arrival at the king’s castle sparks a chain of events with kingdom-wide repercussions. Roark, the stoic and devoted sentry, finds himself drawn into Lyra’s orbit despite his sworn duty to the crown. The other characters surrounding Lyra and Roark are equally compelling, with each forced to confront impossible choices and decide where their loyalties truly lie.

At its core, Broken Souls and Bones is a story of resilience; facing the impossible, navigating uncertainty, and persevering even in moments of apparent ease. Andrews weaves in themes of friendship, trust, and courage with subtlety, showing that individuals can embody multiple, sometimes conflicting, roles in the lives of others.

While there are moments when the magical systems’ explanations feel a bit unclear, these are fleeting and quickly outweighed by the novel’s compelling plot, layered characters, and gradual unveiling of the kingdom’s deeper mysteries.

Broken Souls and Bones is an intense and emotional adventure; one that celebrates loyalty and friendship while warning of the dangers that lurk in a world where every alliance has a cost. Readers who enjoy richly imagined worlds, slow-burn romance, and courtly intrigue will find much to love here. Fans of Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas and The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen will be especially drawn to Andrews’ mix of magic, politics, and high-stakes relationships.

Broken Souls and Bones is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

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Together they’ll restore a divided kingdom—or burn it down—in this new romantasy from USA Today bestselling author and TikTok sensation LJ Andrews.

Lyra Bien intended to live a quiet life to avoid the attention of the magic-obsessed king in the fortress of Stonegate. Until Roark Ashwood—the prince’s silent guard and rumored killer for the crown—invades her village and uncovers the truth behind the silver scars in her eyes. To save her best friend from death, she’s forced to reveal her abilities, and is immediately claimed by the crown as the next melder.

To be the King’s melder is to be revered and feared in equal measures, but above all it is a slow death sentence. Lyra is determined to find a way to free herself and her friends from bondage. But first she must get more information from the silent, brooding sentry who first took her captive: Roark.

As Lyra gets closer to Roark, she soon learns he’s nothing like she assumed—and in fact everything she needs. The more they work as allies, the harder it becomes to ignore the growing passion between them. After a sinister truth is revealed, Roark and Lyra must choose to stand against all they know, or accept their dark destiny.

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While best known for her YA fantasy, Stiefvater’s adult debut reveals her same knack for intricate mythology, only this time it is grounded in folklore and historical fiction.

Synopsis

June Hudson is no stranger to the backwoods of the Appalachian Mountains. Her accent and strong sense of self have earned her the trust of her employees, her wealthy employers, and the high-profile guests of the Avallon Hotel. Trained by the now-deceased Mr. Gilfoyle, June must now navigate the pressures of wartime management, balancing political tensions and the ever-present pull of the sweetwater—the enchanted spring running beneath the hotel.

Tucker Minnick, the FBI agent assigned to oversee the foreign detainees, has secrets of his own, starting with a coal tattoo that marks him as someone with a long-buried connection to these hills. Though his assignment is to uncover a spy among the guests, his presence quickly stirs up memories, emotions, and old wounds.

As tensions mount among the Avallon’s strange and increasingly uneasy residents, the sweetwater beneath the hotel begins to stir. June must walk a delicate line, managing her staff, the foreign guests, the federal agents, and the force that flows just beneath her feet. And when hidden truths come to light, she must decide what price she—and the Avallon—are willing to pay to preserve the hotel’s reputation and her own sense of duty and responsibility.

Characterisation

June and Tucker are compelling protagonists whose strengths lie in their quiet resilience. June’s ability to truly listen to the people and the land around her gives the novel its heart. Tucker, meanwhile, embodies the tension between service and self-erasure, caught between duty to country and the impact of memory. Their slow-building connection feels earned and emotionally grounded, shaped as much by what’s unsaid as what is spoken aloud.

Themes

The Listeners explores the intertwined themes of magic, class, love, and duty. June, Tucker, and the hotel’s staff and guests each navigate these forces in their own way. The sweetwater that flows beneath the Avallon affects everyone who encounters it—but just as it shapes them, they in turn shape it. This mutual influence mirrors the dynamic between the staff and the elite guests: a subtle, often tense exchange of power, service, and expectation. And as June and Tucker discover their true feelings, they also struggle to better understand what it truly means to do one’s duty.

Final Thoughts

Stiefvater’s tone is restrained and unhurried, building a slow-burning tension from the novel’s earliest pages. The pacing is deliberate, steeped in atmosphere and rich sensory detail. The magical elements, while understated, feel grounded and essential. Though a few of the novel’s reveals may be predictable for attentive readers, others land with quiet devastation. Even when the plot leans into the expected, the emotional resonance remains fresh and affecting.

The Listeners is a slow burn in the best sense. It is atmospheric, unsettling, and deeply rooted in both land and lore. Whether you’re here for historical fiction with a twist, subtle magic, or complex relationships forged under pressure, this novel delivers. You’ll finish it with the feeling that something just slipped past you in the dark, and that’s exactly the point.

The Listeners is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up The Listeners? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

#1 New York Times bestselling novelist Maggie Stiefvater dazzles in this mesmerizing portrait of an irresistible heroine, an unlikely romance, and a hotel—and a world—in peril.

January 1942. The Avallon Hotel & Spa has always offered elegant luxury in the wilds of West Virginia, its mountain sweetwater washing away all of high society’s troubles.

Local girl-turned-general manager June Porter Hudson has guided the Avallon skillfully through the first pangs of war. The Gilfoyles, the hotel’s aristocratic owners, have trained her well. But when the family heir makes a secret deal with the State Department to fill the hotel with captured Axis diplomats, June must persuade her staff—many of whom have sons and husbands heading to the front lines—to offer luxury to Nazis. With a smile.

Meanwhile FBI Agent Tucker Minnick, whose coal tattoo hints at an Appalachian past, presses his ears to the hotel’s walls, listening for the diplomats’ secrets. He has one of his own, which is how he knows that June’s balancing act can have dangerous consequences: the sweetwater beneath the hotel can threaten as well as heal.

June has never met a guest she couldn’t delight, but the diplomats are different. Without firing a single shot, they have brought the war directly to her. As clashing loyalties crack the Avallon’s polished veneer, June must calculate the true cost of luxury.

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If you’re looking to escape the ordinary without leaving home, here are some staycation-ready books that offer all the summer vibes, wanderlust, and escapism you need.

If you’re looking for a cozy escape:

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

This wholesome, found family story is perfect for cozy vibes.

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

This fun, cute fantasy about an orc opening a coffee shop is perfect for escaping the real world while still staying comfy in your own home.

If you want books that feel like vacation:

Beach Read by Emily Henry

This is a smart contemporary romance perfect for readers looking for summer, beachy feels.

Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes

This memoir set in the Italian countryside is perfect for readers who want to travel vicariously through the adventures of others.

If you like coming-of-age in the summer books:

This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub

This time travel story features father-daughter relationships, New York City summers, and encourages the reader to consider their own place in the world.

Beautiful World, Where are You by Sally Rooney

This emotional read explores the relationships and friendships of four young Irish people as they search for meaning in a bleak world.

If you like something with a little heat:

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This sibling-focused family saga takes place in 1980s Malibu and dives into the drama that unfolds at their annual end-of-summer party.

Every Summer by Carley Fortune

This second-chance romance is full of nostalgia, with alternating timelines that remind the reader of teenage summers and the heartbreak that often follows them.

Whether you’re looking to laugh, cry, swoon, or simply escape for a few hours, there’s a story on this list that can take you there.

So pour yourself a cold drink, find the shadiest tree in the yard, and get lost in a book that brings summer right to you.

Do you have ant other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

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As an acknowledged reluctant romance reader myself, one key thing that pulls me into a new romance book is a story where the romance is grounded in other literary elements such as solid plot, strong characters, or genre devices. In many cases, the romance may not be the primary plot element, but eventually becomes a significant part of the story.

So, while these may not be considered traditional romance books, here are some books with great romantic elements that can help a reluctant romance reader dip their toe into the genre: 

For fans of literary fiction:

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

This beautiful retelling of The Iliad features a deeply touching and emotional romance between Achilles and Patroclus. 

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

This second-chance story addresses mature topics such as divorce, grief, and healing, and features a romance arc with grown-up stakes and raw emotion.

For fans of fantasy or sci-fi:

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

This quirky space epic includes a richly diverse crew with small, quiet romantic encounters and story arcs.

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez

This historical fantasy set in 19th century Egypt includes ancient magic, enemies-to-lovers tension, and an archaeological mystery.

For fans of mysteries or thrillers:

The Verifiers by Jane Pek

This mystery includes a protagonist that works for a company that investigates potential online dating partners while navigating issues such as fraud and personal identity. 

And, if you’re looking to jump into the genre with a more traditional romance story where love and relationship development  is the central focus of the plot, the following books can also be a good starting point. A reluctant reader like myself may enjoy these novels with strong writing, great character work, and unique settings.

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

This fake-dating academia romance is great for readers who like nerdy characters and humor.

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

This small-town cosy romance centers around the classic grumpy/sunshine dynamic between the main characters and features lots of autumn vibes and witty banter.

Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

This contemporary western romance features the developing relationship between the protagonist and her brother’s best friend and emphasises the importance of second chances.  

All in all, the romance genre is a rich, diverse, and interesting category of fiction that will likely have something for everyone, even those readers that are reluctant to give it a try.

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Writing Style

Oh’s prose is lyrical and emotionally resonant, drawing readers into a richly imagined world without sacrificing clarity or narrative momentum. The Underworld, where Sunho resides, is portrayed with grim darkness, emphasising shadows, survival, and loss. This stark environment contrasts sharply with the warmth and openness of the Land Over the Mountain, where Ren’s journey begins. A quiet softness underlies the novel’s tone, reflecting the emotional depth of the characters and enhancing the impact of their choices and revelations.

Characterisation

Ren and Sunho are compelling characters, each shaped by different forms of strength. Sunho is a quiet, brooding warrior, physically powerful but emotionally closed off. Ren’s strength lies in her resilience and empathy; her love for her family and unwavering hope lend her a powerful internal fortitude. Together, their contrasting qualities create a dynamic partnership. Their growing connection feels natural and earned, revealing vulnerabilities and mutual growth without feeling too cliché. 

Worldbuilding

The novel’s setting is divided among three realms: the Land Over the Mountain, the Underworld, and the Floating World. Ren’s homeland is described with rural charm, emphasising simplicity, tradition, and familial bonds. The Underworld, by contrast, is dense, urban, and harsh, with neighbourhoods and districts that illustrate the grinding realities of survival and separation. Above them lies the Floating World—a heavenly realm marked by beauty and status. Though less fully described than the other settings, its mystique and the disdain its inhabitants show toward those below suggest a layered society that may be further explored in later books of the series.

Themes

The Floating World explores enduring themes such as identity, memory, trauma, fate, and the tension between light and darkness. These contrasts shape not only the protagonists’ internal arcs but also the geography and lore of the novel. Oh weaves these ideas into the narrative with care, allowing them to deepen the story rather than overpower it. The resulting thematic richness supports both character development and world progression.

Genre and Comparisons

Firmly rooted in character-driven adventure fantasy, The Floating World will resonate with fans of emotionally grounded narratives set against mythic backdrops. The novel’s episodic structure and richly imagined world evoke the narrative style of Final Fantasy games, particularly in the way personal quests gradually unfold into epic stakes. Additionally, readers who enjoy Natasha Ngan’s Girls of Paper and Fire or Elizabeth Lim’s Six Crimson Cranes will likely find much to admire in Oh’s newest offering.

Critique

While the novel’s tone and pacing are consistently engaging, some elements of the plot may feel familiar to seasoned readers of the genre. Certain revelations and narrative beats are somewhat predictable. However, these moments do not detract significantly from the reading experience, thanks to the strength of the prose and emotional resonance of the characters’ arcs.

Final Verdict

The Floating World is a captivating beginning to a promising new series by a celebrated voice in YA fantasy. With its lush prose, emotionally complex characters, and immersive worldbuilding, the novel offers a heartfelt journey that balances romance, folklore, and action. It’s a strong choice for readers looking for fantasy that lingers long after the final page.

The Floating World is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up The Floating World? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

From Axie Oh, the New York Times-bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Final Fantasy meets Shadow and Bone in this lighthearted romantic fantasy reimagining of a Korean legend.

Sunho lives in the Under World, a land of perpetual darkness. An ex-soldier, he can remember little of his life from before two years ago, when he woke up alone with only his name and his sword. Now he does odd-jobs to scrape by, until he comes across the score of a lifetime―a chest of coins for any mercenary who can hunt down a girl who wields silver light.

Meanwhile, far to the east, Ren is a cheerful and spirited acrobat traveling with her adoptive family and performing at villages. But everything changes during one of their festival performances when the village is attacked by a horrific humanlike demon. In a moment of fear and rage, Ren releases a blast of silver light―a power she has kept hidden since childhood―and kills the monster. But her efforts are not in time to prevent her adoptive family from suffering a devastating loss, or to save her beloved uncle from being grievously wounded.

Determined to save him from succumbing to the poisoned wound, Ren sets off over the mountains, where the creature came from―and from where Ren herself fled ten years ago. Her path sets her on a collision course with Sunho, but he doesn’t realize she’s the girl that he―and a hundred other swords-for-hire―is looking for. As the two grow closer through their travels, they come to realize that their pasts―and destinies―are far more entwined than either of them could have imagined…

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