Summerween by Joss Wood

On By TracyIn Contemporary, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Rom Com, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Summerween (Halloween Town, #1)Summerween by Joss Wood

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Halloween Town, #1

Release Date: July 16, 2026

After a soul-crushing breakup with the man she thought was her soulmate and an even more humiliating livestream proposal from her rebound fling, choreographer Wren Dunlop needs a break from the madness that is her life and longs for her childhood home of Solstice Springs. She arrives to town to see that her godmother, Luna, the mayor, has gone all out turning Solstice Springs into, Halloween Town (aka H-Town), a year-round Halloween destination and Wren arrives just in time for Summerween. Though Wren plans to have a romance-free, work-free and drama-free summer – it is clear that fate has other plans for her – as do the ghosts that call Solstice Springs home.

After suffering from PTSD, trauma surgeon Dr. Dane Trafford needs to relax and regroup. He loves his work, but the pressure of the job and everyone’s expectations have left him burnt out and he needs time to heal. He recalls spending a happy summer in Solstice Springs with his father as a child and longs to recapture that happiness. He was not expecting to find the town had turned into a supernatural tourist hot spot or that the mayor of the town would insist that he become the town’s new doctor, and he certainly didn’t expect to fall in love. This summer is going to be interesting!

What a fun start to a new series! I loved Wren and Dane, they are such relatable characters, they both have their own reasons for being in Solstice Springs, and falling in love was not one of them. But they have instant chemistry and the heart wants what the heart wants. This story has that delightful small-town vibe, great secondary characters, ghosts (think the TV show Ghosts), some self-worth issues, healing, steamyish love scenes, compromise, mutual support and true love. This author is new to me, and as an American reader, reading a book about Americans, I did get a giggle or two about some of the phrases that clearly called the author out as someone who doesn’t use American English, but it was completely endearing and I can’t wait to check out her backlist! If you enjoy a fun, spicy, small-town romance with a hint of supernatural – this is a book you need to read!

*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. *

Earl of Spades by Emily Windsor

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Mystery, historical-romance, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Earl of SpadesThe Earl of Spades by Emily Windsor

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: A Lady to Suit #3

Release Date: July 9, 2026

Seven years ago, Verity Seymour and Miles Firth, the second son of the Earl of Stonewold, fell in love and made plans to live happily ever after while travelling the world and studying botany. Miles goes home to obtain his father’s blessing to marry, but when he returns weeks later, Verity, for no apparent reason, turns her back on Miles and tells him she is to marry another man and wants no further contact with him. Heartbroken, Miles joins the army and leaves the country to fight Napoleon.

Now fate has brought them back together, but Miles is no longer the second son of an earl, he is the earl. And Verity is no longer studying botany, now she lives with her aunt, and her cousin and supports herself painting portraits of cats for wealthy clients. When she sees Miles again, she knows that she never stopped loving him, but she has secrets and must keep him at an arm’s length to keep her heart from shattering once more. Miles has his own problems, as it seems someone is trying to kill him and despite his vow to forget Verity, it is clear that his heart isn’t listening! Can these two overcome the secrets and pain that has kept them apart or are they destine to be star-crossed lovers?

This was another amazing story by Emily Windsor! As always, she writes wonderful characters with a lot of emotion, a bit of levity, a dash of steam and a hard-won HEA. This book is no different, Verity and Miles are perfect for each other and deserve to be together, but they are both stubborn and won’t make their road to HEA easy, but it will certainly be eventful! I really enjoyed this installment of the series and am looking forward to the next book featuring the mysterious “Prince”. This book is perfect for fans of Second Chances, First Love that never dies, Secrets or cats – I would happily recommend this book to you! It is the third book in a series but can easily be read as a standalone title with no backstory issues.

*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. *