Madison Reads Books

I really enjoyed this cute Regency Romance. The story was engaging, and the characters and plot managed to feel modern while also remaining mostly historically accurate. I really hope we get more of Thalia's story, as well.  *I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley

This book didn't go the way I thought it would, but overall, it is a good book. Weyward explores the stories of 3 women of different generations and their connection to nature. The book is well-written and the story kept me intrigue  from start to finish.  *I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley 

I loved The Secrets of Hartwood Hall. It is a Gothic Mystery that is inspired by, but not based on Jane Eyre. It has all of the intrigue and suspense you would expect from a Gothic Mystery while maintaining some modern sensibilities.  I was truly invested in Margaret's life, and the plot kept me intrigued throughout.  *I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley

I thoroughly enjoyed The Foxfire Book of Appalachian Women. It showcases a diverse assortment of women and their lived experiences while painting a broader picture of Appalachian culture. Alot of our traditions and culture are being lost or replaced, and I really appreciate Foxfire's work in preserving these stories and traditions.  *I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley

Ruined is a cute regency romance graphic novel. The story is the basic marriage of convenience turns to love trope, and the artwork is nice (and slightly NSFW). My only issue was that there was alot of focus on side characters who don't really advance the plot, but I assume this was done to set up a series each focusing on a different couple, in the vein of Bridgerton. All in all, though, this was a cute, quick read of you are a fan of regency romance.  *I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley 

The Scottish Ladies' Detective Agency is a good start to a new Cozy Mystery series. The story is set in Edinburgh in 1911 and the main character Maude and her former lady's maid Diasy run a new detective agency. The characters were relatable and the mystery plots were engaging. I can't wait for more of this series.  *I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley 

Heir of Uncertain Magic is a wonderful follow-up to Charlie N. Holmberg's Keeper of Magical Rooms. All of our favorite Whimbrel House residents are back and being pulled back into a suspenseful magic plot. While this book didn't have as much of the whimsical creepiness of the first book, I still felt right at home with the characters and world. I can't wait for the third book in this series.  *I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley 

Nocturne is a beautifully haunting, dark fairytale that is part Phantom of the Opera and part Hades and Persephone. The story was a little darker than I normally care for, but it drew me in and made me feel immersed in the world.  *I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley

I absolutely loved this fun romcom. Charlie Lucas loves Pride and Prejudice, but is also terrified of ending up like he namesake, Charlotte Lucas. Charlie is down to earth and relatable, and Liam is the perfect book boyfriend. I also liked that Kasey Stockton references Pride and Prejudice, without making this a retelling.  *I received a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley

Of Manners and Murder is an exciting and well-written historical mystery. The main character, Violet, is likeable and intelligent and I really enjoyed the concept of her aunt dropping the advice column in her lap indefinitely. The narrator for the audio version also did and excellent job. I can't wait for more of this series.  * I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley

This book was my perfect combination of fantasy, historical, mysterious, and just a hint of romance. I really liked the academic approach to Fae lore as well and the way Emily and Wendell's personalities play off of each other. I can't wait for more of this series.  *I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley

It's always a little iffy when a new writer takes over an existing series, but R.W. Green has done an excellent job matching M.C. Beaton's writing style and keeping the characters true to themselves. Death of a Traitor is just as intriguing and mysterious as the previous books in the Hamish Macbeth series, and I can't wait for more.  *I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley

An A-Z of Jane Austen is a collection of 26 short essays about Jane Austen's works based around a word starting with each letter of the alphabet. I enjoyed this book, but it definitely has more of an academic tone. Overall, I found this to be very informative. *I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley

The Nine: Origins has so many of the things I love in books. There is a well thought out system of magic, a secret society, an intriguing mystery, and some Dark Academia vibes. I loved this book and couldn't put it down. I can't wait for the rest of the series. * I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley 

I really liked Mistakes Were Made. I loved Meryl Wilsner's first book, Something to Talk About, so I was super excited to read this as soon as I saw it. Unlike Something to Talk About, which was an extreme slow burn, this book was very spicy from the beginning. I feel like the age gap was handled in a way that it is taboo and creates tension in the relationship without being creepy, which I was a little worried about before reading it. Overall, this was a really enjoyable read, even if I did have an existential crisis in the middle when I realised I'm closer in age to the mom Erin than to college senior Cassie. * I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley

This book wasn't quite what I was expecting it to be. Rather than trying to connect or draw a path from our current level of science and technology to that depicted in Star Trek, this book features a series of unrelated sections which relate current scientific or social aspects to different episodes, species, or other situations within the Star Trek Universe. While it was interesting to read, I would have liked more science and technology and less sociology and history from a book title The Science of Star Trek. * I received a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley

I thoroughly enjoyed The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy. Its an enemies to lovers fantasy romcom with a morbid side and a healthy does of zombies. Hart is a Marshall patrolling a dangerous magical area inside of a portal and Mercy is an undertaker living in a border town, and they have hated each other from the moment they met, however, after unknowingly becoming pen pals, they start to reevaluate their first impressions. This book made me laugh and cry, and I was very invested in the two main characters and their romance. The only real criticism I have is that there could have been more world building. There was some background throughout the book to explain the new gods and the old gods and how the religion works, but there wasn't alot of explanation for the technology, and I never really felt like there was a point in the book where I understood how this world works. It didn't really detract from the main plot, it just felt like there was no reason for why some ...

I love this series, and My Imaginary Mary lived up to all of my expectations. The story features Mary Shelley and Ada Lovelace as the protagonists of an alternate history fantasy with lots of ties to the Frankenstein story. Like all of the books in this series, the book is full of jokes and modern references targeted at the reader in the style of The Princess Bride or The Hitchhiker's Guide. Overall, this is a fun historical fantasy that never takes itself too seriously. * I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley

I absolutely loved Violet Made of Thorns. It has everything I enjoy in a book; a morally grey anti-heroine, a good system of magic, a believable enemies to lovers plot, and an intriguing story line that kept me interested and theorizing until the end. Violet is a Seer who grew up poor on the streets before saving the prince and becoming the royal seer. She has no problem lying or embellishing her visions in order to keep the King on her side, even if the Prince hates her for it, until she realizes that her lies may have triggered a curse that could end them all. I really hope there is a sequel to this, and I hope it is coming soon. * I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley