Flippin' Pages Book Reviews

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: September 1, 2026

Princess Marigold and Sir Bram Duncan fell madly in love as teenagers and much to Marigold’s dismay, Bram insisted on leaving to seek his fortune before asking her parents for permission to marry her. Two years after he left, two major things happen in Marigold’s life, first she discovered she possessed a magical ability, but needed to keep it secret as magic was forbidden in the kingdom of Thornwick, and then she got the awful news that Bram was dead and sank deep into mourning. But she was alone in her grief as her family had no idea of the depth of her feelings for Bram. For the next three years loses herself in her studies and learning her magic and finally agrees to a political marriage with Prince Crispin of Harvest Hollow. Her marriage will never be a love match, but Crispin has pledged support in her kingdom’s war against the mountain sprites, so to help her people, she agrees to wed. But when she learns that Crispin is in cahoots with the sprites and plans to kill her brothers and then send her away so he can take over the kingdom of Thornwick, she runs away just weeks before her wedding. She runs with the Prince’s men in hot pursuit, and she seeks refugee at a pumpkin farm owned by a very grumpy orc.

Sir Bram Ducan faithfully served Prince Crispin for two years before the Prince betrayed him and caused him to be cursed by the Autumn Sprite, even though Bram correctly answered the sprites riddle. He was changed into an orc and bound by magic to Grimroot Farm, a small pumpkin farm in Harvest Hollow, and cannot tell anyone of his true identity, lest they die immediately. Crispin then taunts him about Marigold and tells him that he will take care of her, though enraged, Bram can do nothing and settles into a solitary life as Jask Bone-Cracker at Grimroot Farm. His life is mundane until three years later when who should come banging at his door than his true love. He tries to send her away, but Marigold is relentless and he finally agrees to let her stay one night. But one night turns into a month and he falls in love with her all over again, but to save her life, he can never tell her who he really is. Will true love find a way for these star-crossed lovers to find their HEA? Or will their hearts break all over again?

I requested this book because the blurb was intriguing and the author’s name was giving huge Princess Bride and Shrek vibes. This definitely is written with those stories in mind, but it is clearly its own story, Marigold and Bram are wonderful characters, and their love story is the kind you find in fairytales but with spice! This book has a sassy cat, a noble knight, a grumpy orc, a feisty princess, lots of magic, charming secondary characters, some warm love scenes, secrets, revelations, comeuppance, true love and wonderful HEA type of ending. If you liked Princess Bride and/or Shrek, you will love this book! I read this book and listened to the audiobook, they were both fantastic, but the audiobook was my favorite as it has dual narration, and the narrators really brought the characters to life!

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

The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Oxford Guide, #1

Release Date: September 1, 2026

In the fall of 1950, the Honorable Miss Ginevra “Gin” Bishop has started her Modern Languages studies as an underclassman at Oxford, hoping that this will finally help her move on from the grief of losing her mother. She never expected to be drawn into espionage or to be partnered with a man who seems like he can’t stand the sight of her. But it almost seems like Gin was born to be a spy, and when she learns that her father is planning for her life and inheritance, she is determined to finish her mission and claim her reward. She just needs to convince the taciturn Mr. Sidney Braithwaite, her fellow student and former military intelligence operative she was partnered with to cooperate!

Mr. Sidney Braithwaite has returned to Oxford after taking a year off after the war to heal and to help his parents settle into their new home. He hopes returning to his studies after a five-year absence will help him finally put the war behind him. But almost immediately “The Rook”, his intelligence handler from the war tries to pull him back into his spy ring, when whispers of treason abound and a librarian informant at the college is murdered. At first, he refuses, especially with a Gin as a partner, but she is more relentless than the Rook. And once again he finds himself drawn into the cloak and dagger world of spying. As he gets to know Gin, he grudgingly admits to himself that she isn’t what he assumed the daughter of a viscount would be, as she is incredibly intelligent, resourceful and very attractive. Together, they uncover much more than they were looking for and form a bond that neither expected.

I loved this story; it was so much more emotional and immersive than I was expecting. Gin and Sidney both entered the story with things in their pasts that haunted them, resentment and a true desire to change their lives, but neither expected to be drawn into a spy ring, or that doing so would help them find the answers they were looking for in their own lives. The story is filled with intrigue, murder, lots of suspects, great secondary characters, secrets, a bit of mutual attraction, a slow building but ultimately strong partnership, more than one twist and satisfying ending with the suggestion of more adventures to come! This book was hard to put down and left me wanting more, if you enjoy a good mystery with wonderful, strong characters, you need to read this book!

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

Share this:

Share this: