A New Chapter at Midnight by E.W. Andersen

On By TracyIn Contemporary, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Tracy's Reviews, Young AdultLeave a comment

A New Chapter at Midnight (Midnights On the Square, #3)A New Chapter at Midnight by Emily W. Andersen

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Midnights on the Square #3

Release Date: July 13, 2026

Aurelia Lyndham is the owner of a very special bookshop that she inherited from her Aunt Marigold. The shop is magical and each night at midnight characters from the book appear to Aurelia and she is able to interact with them, but she is the only one who can see them, so she has kept this information to herself, not wanting anyone to think she is insane. Keeping the secret from her friends and family has been hard but keeping it from her fiancé Oliver has been the hardest of all. With her wedding day drawing closer, she is determined to tell him the truth, but the time never seems right.

But all that changes when her teenage niece Julia comes to visit and is able to see the characters, presumably because she will one day own the shop. Aurelia tries to explain to Julia why it is important to keep the magic of the shop secret, but Julia can’t keep this to herself, first telling her mother, Aurelia’s sister Antonia, which leads to her coming to the shop, which leads to Oliver learning about it. It takes some doing to get Antonia and Oliver to believe them, since they are not able to see the characters, and while they do eventually accept it, Oliver is very hurt that Aurelia kept this from him and it puts their relationship in jeopardy.

I requested this title without realizing it was the third book in a series, but the author did an amazing job of giving enough backstory to let new readers jump right into the story with no problems. This story was a gentle read; there was not a lot of drama, not a lot of magic, and not a lot of romance – but somehow, it works and ends up being a very satisfying read. If you are looking for story with a bit of magic, close family ties, a little romance, and a happy ending – Read this book! I am happy to recommend this title, and I will definitely be reading this author’s previous books as well as her future work!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

 

Just for the Season by Rachel Griffiths

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Rom-Com, New To Me Author, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Rom Com, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Just for the SeasonJust for the Season by Rachel Griffiths

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: None Given

Release Date: July 7, 2026

When her half-brother Julian, Earl Ramsay and his wife Anna leave for a prolonged trip, Julian asks his best friend, Wolfgang Latham, the Duke of Warrick to keep an eye on his sister Lady Charlotte. Charlotte is not happy about this turn of events, as she and Warrick have a history, she thought they had been courting a few years ago, but without any explanation, Warrick cut off communication with her and acts if there was never anything between them. Charlotte was hurt, but she didn’t wallow in her pain, instead she focused her energy on fulling her dream of opening a silk mill. Things are going well, until she learns that her mother is in town and in debt, in an attempt to speak to her mother, she goes to a risqué ball, she learns the magnitude of her mother’s debt, runs into Warrick and is accosted by another guest. This sparks a scandal that has Queen Charlotte insisting that Charlotte must marry by the end of the summer. Too bad the only man she has ever considered marrying can’t stand her.

Three years ago, Wolfgang Latham was just a second son and a solider when he fell in love with Charlotte, but and overheard conversation and the death of his older brother changed everything. He vowed to forget about Charlotte and until her brother requested a favor, he was pretty much succeeding. Wolfgang reluctantly agrees, but when Charlotte is embroiled in a scandal and is ordered to marry, he regrets his agreement, because watching Charlotte be courted by other men will be its own form of torture. Things only get worse when he learns the truth of what he overheard three years ago, but is it too late to make things right with Charlotte or will he have to watch her marry another man?

What a fun story! Charlotte and Wolfgang are clearly meant to be, but a very well executed misunderstanding trope keeps readers wondering how they are going to be able to find their HEA until almost the end of the book. This story has a very strong heroine, a hero who struggles with survivor guilt, a dowager who had plans of her own, a steady stream of suitors, lots of witty banter, some steamyish love scenes, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. This is the second book in the series and I didn’t read the first book, but that had no impact on my reading experience. I really liked this author’s writing style, but did feel like this story did drag a bit in the middle, however, the ending was very satisfying and I would happily recommend this title to my fellow HR readers or anyone who enjoys a strong heroine and a hero who will do whatever it takes to make her happy.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *