It’s been a week of diverse reads—spicy sapphic romance, cozy witchy vibes, and a good old-fashioned revenge plot with a darkly funny twist. I loved how different these stories were, and yet each one delivered something memorable. Let’s dive in!
★★★½ – Holly Jolly July by Lindsay Maple
This book is Christmas in July with a whole lot of spice—and I mean that in every sense! It starts off steamy and keeps that energy going. I was excited by the concept: a story within a story, alternating between the characters’ lives and the cheesy holiday movie they’re working on. In theory, I loved the setup. But in practice, the constant switching sometimes pulled me out of the emotional beats I wanted to sit with.
Still, I had fun. The revenge plot? Delightfully petty. The dynamic between Mariah and Ellie? Tense, snarky, and eventually sweet. It was a messy, modern take on a sapphic romcom with plenty of heat and heart.
★★★★ – A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
This one took its time, and I almost gave up in the beginning because the pace was so slow. But I’m glad I stuck with it. The magic system felt intuitive and homey—like it belonged in a Studio Ghibli film. I adored the found family vibes, and the themes of second chances and healing really resonated.
There’s something comforting about a story that lets its characters breathe, even if it meanders a bit. The talking fox was a delightful bonus, and I’ll always root for grumpy heroines with soft hearts.
★★★★ – The Marriage Vendetta by Caroline Madden
Now this was a rollercoaster! Eliza is at her breaking point, and what starts as a last-ditch attempt to save her marriage becomes something far more bizarre (and strangely empowering). I was immediately hooked by the premise—and the dark humor kept me flipping pages.
Ms. Early, the “marriage therapist,” is unlike any counselor you’ve ever read about, and her methods are… questionable, to say the least. But the ending ties it all together in such a satisfying way. It’s part thriller, part satire, and all kinds of entertaining.
Coming Up Next Week:
I’ve got a stacked lineup I’m excited to dive into, including:
- Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds by Allison Brennan
- The Medusa Protocol by Rob Hart
- Human Rites (Her Majesty’s Royal Coven #3) by Juno Dawson
- The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware
Stay tuned for more cozy magic, high-stakes thrills, and probably a few more spicy surprises.
9 responses to “This Week in Books: Spicy Summers, Slow Magic, and Twisty Mysteries”
All three books sound interesting, and some books are like that. You have to read many pages before you are immersed in the magic.
Yes, definitely!
🙂
Great reviews, Tessa! Thanks for the heads up for slow start for magical inn keeping.
It’s a good story but definitely a slower pace
I also read The Medusa Protocol – love that series. Look forward to your review, Tessa!
I love it! It was such an awesome story! Now, I have to go back and read #1
I wish the fantasy wasn’t quite a tough in the beginning, but I’m glad the author pulled it off. Nice to see what you’re reading, Tessa. My TBR pile is still loaded, but….
Always! 🙂