Book #19:

Rose in Chains by Julie Soto (457 pages).  I own the gorgeous print version of this fantasy novel as the sprayed edges and gorgeous cover caught my eye at our local bookstore. This is set in Evermore, where 2 different worlds battle for power. Rose in chains refers to Briony Rosewood, the Princess of Evermore who is now imprisoned by Toven Hearst of the other kingdom. Mind and heart magic war here and play large roles in the plot. This is much more violent than many fantasy romances with rape occurring (off the page) and is very dark. However, none of it is exploitative and absolutely moves the plot forward. I absolutely want to read the next book of this trilogy (out December 2026) for sure as these characters are memorable and well-drawn. 4.5 stars.

Book #20:

The Sea Child by Linda Wilgus (Length: 291 pages). I picked this up because it was available at my local library and wow, am I glad I did! Set in the early 1800s in England, the young widow Isabel leaves London for a tiny shack on the coast in Cornwall, near where she was found as a 4-year-old orphan, dripping wet from the sea. With no memory of her parents or where she came from, Isabel was rescued by a wealthy couple and taken to London. After being newly married and losing her husband to the war, Isabel has no choice but to try to start over in a new community. This wonderful novel mixes bits of magical realism (think stories of mermaids/mermen) but the focus here is mostly on the smugglers who supply the community with the items that are heavily taxed to fund the war, and how those smugglers affect Isabel. This is very well-written, the plot is so much fun (although it takes a good 15% to get started) and is very memorable. 5 stars. LOVED!

Book #21:

Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser (Length: 341 pages).  If this stunning novel isn’t in my favorite top 5 books of 2026 I will be very surprised. This fairy tale fantasy novel turns the Cinderella tale on its head and is told from the point of view of the “wicked” stepmother. There’s falconry, the royal court, apple orchards, decaying estates . . . the background is so interesting here. But the interpersonal dynamics among all of the major players (the 3 daughters, the stepmother, the Prince, the Queen, the Queen’s advisor) are the best part of this fantastic novel. The plot is propulsive, the prose is rich without being stuffy, and this gorgeous book is absolutely unforgettable. This is the perfect beach read, if you can wait that long. 5 glorious stars from me.

Book #22:

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw (Length: 189 pages). This is an award-winning collection of nine short stories all about the lives of black women and girls from four different generations. The author explores the divide between the expectations of the church and their own real lives and desires. The stories vary from a mistress listing the various rules she has for her male visitors to a young woman who falls for a pastor’s son, the same pastor who has taken her own mother on as a mistress. This is so well-written, engaging and interesting. I listened to these stories on audio and the narrator is fantastic!