Get ready for a touch of magic, family drama, and a compelling story about love and grief spanning three generations of women in The Unwritten Rules of Magic.
What’s The Unwritten Rules of Magic about? The Unwritten Rules of Magic is about Emerson Clarke, who steals a typewriter from her dad’s office after his funeral. Her dad was a famous author, and through a series of journal entries, the reader learns that the typewriter was...
Calling all Elder Millennials! Remember the early days of reality TV -- and the crash-and-burn lovefest that was Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey's Newlyweds?
In case you've forgotten, Honeymoon Stage is here to remind you of the highs, the lows, and all the craziness we just loved to hate.
What’s Honeymoon Stage about? Cassidy Baum is about to get married on the set of a reality TV show. Even though she doesn’t really like reality TV....
First of all, many thanks to author Gail Priest for reaching out to me about her novel Soul Dancing. Gail’s a loyal Tartlet, and she offered to send me a review copy of her book since she knows I love women’s fiction and supernatural stories.
Well, Gail, let’s remove all the suspense – I loved Soul Dancing. I’m so glad you sent it my way!
What’s Soul Dancing about?
We meet elderly main character Shirlene at the very beginning of...
I had really high hopes for The Alchemy of Flowers by Laura Resau. This women’s fiction novel promised magical realism, romance, mystery, and lots and lots of flowers. While all these things appear in the book, I still feel there could have been more.
A little more magical realism. A little more suspense. And a lot less romance.
Let’s get into it.
What is The Alchemy of Flowers about?
The Alchemy of Flowers is about mid-forties...
Smoke on the Wind is the perfect read for #cozygirlsummer.
This novel by Kelli Estes is set in the glorious Scottish Highlands. It transports you to a land steeped in ancient Celtic folklore and mystery; a starkly beautiful landscape amidst rolling fog; and fires burning in the hearth after long country walks.
Are you looking for a summer read that's not set on a sun-drenched tropical island? Then run to your nearest bookstore to pick up Smoke...
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall is the hot new book in town. It’s being compared to Where the Crawdads Sing, and it was the March 2025 pick for Reese’s Book Club. I’m sure a movie adaptation is in the works, whether we’ve heard of it or not.
What did I think of Broken Country? I liked it. But, I didn’t love it. It’s no Where the Crawdads Sing, I’ll tell you that much. Let’s get into it!
What’s Broken Country about?...
Tartlets, I was super excited when I saw the publication announcement for The Medici Curse by Daco S. Auffenorde. It promised Gothic suspense, missing family jewels, a potential family curse -- and, it's set in Italy. It all sounds so good.
Unfortunately, I added The Medici Curse to my DNF pile. Let's talk about why.
What’s The Medici Curse about?
In The Medici Curse, Anna de’ Medici Rossi inherits her childhood home: an opulent...
I’m announcing it right now: the book of the summer is The Amalfi Curse.
Tartlets, I devoured this new novel from Sarah Penner in a little over one day. I could not put it down, and I adored every page of this literary blockbuster.
What’s The Amalfi Curse about? The Amalfi Curse introduces us to modern-day Haven, a nautical archaeologist (aka, a scuba diver who loves exploring shipwrecks) who’s sent on a diving expedition off the coast...
The Memory of Lavender and Sage perfectly captures my favorite women's fiction trope. We all know that I can't resist a “Woman buys ramshackle house in small rural town and renovates it, thereby renovating her whole life in the process” story.
You know what else? This one's set in FRANCE. Plus, author Aimie K. Runyan throws some magical realism into the mix.
Are you excited yet?
What’s The Memory of Lavender and Sage about?
The...
I tried, Tartlets. I really, really tried to get into Real Life and Other Fictions.
This women's fiction book by Susan Coll totally seemed like one I would enjoy. I mean, The Mothman’s in it! We all know supernatural stuff is right up my alley. And, there’s a dog in the book. Animals are the best. The main character's a struggling writer and novelist, and I can completely relate to that.
Despite all this and so much else recommending this...
