TESSA TALKS BOOKS

Thriller

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Lone Wolf by Gregg Hurwitz (Orphan X, Book 9)

• One-word review: Incredible
• Emojis: 🫣🫢🤫
• Rating:  5🌟s

My thoughts:

Lone Wolf by Gregg Hurwitz develops Evan Smoak more than I could have hoped for or imagined. I’ve loved watching Evan get in touch with his humanity book after book, and Lone Wolf showed sides of him I never dared to hope to see. The story had a poignant edge that brought an intriguing layer and a tear to my eye.

There’s also plenty of action and a breakneck pace that keeps the pages flipping. The pacing for this whole series has been phenomenal, and it’s one of the many things I love about it. The action started only a few chapters in and intensified as Evan repeatedly outwitted a female version of himself.

I also loved Joey’s role in the story with all her frustrating typical teen issues that were so far out of Evan’s comfort zone that he didn’t even know how to begin addressing them and helping her. It provides comic relief to the story, as did her constant wit. 

I love how this series develops and can’t wait for what will come!

Women’s Fiction/ Mystery

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The Fortune Seller by Rachel Kapelke-Dale

• One-word review: Mysterious
• Emojis: 📑😓🤐
• Rating: 3.5 🌟s

My thoughts:

The Fortune Seller by Rachel Kapelke-Dale is mysterious with a small dose of mystical, and overall, it plays as a foil for contemporary society that reflects and hones in a toxic level of entitlement focused around the equestrian world.

I loved the mystery and the mystic elements. They put me on edge, looking for answers and explanations. I figured out the conclusion early on, but witnessing Rosie figure it out was still enjoyable. 

The story dragged on quite a bit, but that is Kielke’s style. I get frustrated with this choice because I love a swift, focused story best. But that is very much an opinion as I know plenty of readers who enjoy it. 

I loved watching Rosie find herself and settle on what her heart wants versus what her head thinks is the more practical choice. The one thing money can’t buy is happiness, and Rosie has to go through a lot of turmoil and road bumps to figure that out. I enjoyed her journey as it felt authentic despite being set in an exaggerated world.

Witchy RomCom

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Not Your Crush’s Cauldron by April Asher

One-word review: Heartwarming

Emojis:😇❤️🧙🏼‍♀️ 

Rating:  4🌟s

My thoughts:

Not Your Crush’s Cauldron by April Asher is the third book in the Witchy romcom series Supernatural Singles, about triplets Vi, Rose, and (the focus of this story) Olive. She’s the last of the three sisters to find her true love, and when she decides to take a challenge to do things outside her comfort zone, she learns more about herself and what’s been right in front of her than she ever dreamed.

I adore all three sisters. They are so different but all so relatable. Olive is the more reserved of the three. She works as a professor of supernatural studies at a local college and is forced to move in with a member of her friend group after her previous home became too dangerous.

The story reminds me of the original Charmed arc regarding Piper and Leo. Still, I was okay with that because I loved Charmed. There are many differences, but still the same base of Guardian Angel and Witch. Olive and Baxter are electric together, and I loved how their story unfolded.

I also enjoyed the theme about finding yourself by doing things outside your comfort zone. We all could stand to do that occasionally, and it’s incredibly heartwarming to witness someone take chances and win. If you love friends-to-lovers romance, especially ones with a supernatural twist, you will love this book in the series!