Category: Contemporary

The Reluctant Reaper by MaryJanice Davidson

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, Contemporary, Paranormal / Fantasy, Romantasy, Tracy's Reviews2 Comments

The Reluctant ReaperThe Reluctant Reaper by MaryJanice Davidson

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: November 11, 2025

As the daughter of Death, Amara Morrigan has spent years avoiding her family or rather the family business, by moving from the family compound in North Dakota and staying busy with lots of temp jobs and spending time with her best (and only) friend, Graham Gray. But when news reaches her that her father is ill, she has no choice but to return home and thankfully Gray insists on coming with her. Amara has been adamant since she was a child that she would not become a reaper, but with Death literally on death’s door, she agrees to temporarily take over his duties. But it doesn’t take long to figure out that she was set up or that things have gone off the rails, leaving the fate of her father in question. She will have to figure it out and set things right before she loses everything that she loves.

This was a fun, fast-paced story with intriguing characters and lots of witty banter. I adored the relationship between Amara and Gray, they were perfect for each other, and I was rooting hard for them. The book has a lot going on, there is lying, snarky gods, betrayal, death, found family, lots of lefse, secrets, friends to lovers, twists and turns and an unexpected ending. As much as I enjoyed the book, I will admit that at times the dialogue and the plot seemed a bit chaotic and confusing, but overall, it was a good read, and I enjoyed the mystery just as much as the romance. I would happily recommend the book to anyone who enjoys a rom-com type romantasy with a mystery twist. It is important to note that the book does touch on some sensitive issues, such as child abuse, death of a child and death from illness, I did feel like the author handled all of these with empathy and respect, but I would recommend checking the content warnings before reading the book.

*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. *

Witches of Dubious Origin by Jenn McKinlay *BLOG TOUR*

On By TracyIn Blog Tour, Book Publicity, Contemporary, First Person Narrative, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

When a librarian discovers she’s descended from a long line of powerful witches, she’ll need all of her bookish knowledge to harness her family’s magic, in this enchanting cozy fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay.

Zoe Ziakas enjoys a quiet life, working as a librarian in her quaint New England town. When a mysterious black book with an unbreakable latch is delivered to the library, Zoe has a strange feeling the tome is somehow calling to her. She decides to consult the Museum of Literature, home to volumes of indecipherable secrets, some possessing dark magic that must be guarded.

Here, among their most dangerous collection, the Books of Dubious Origin, Zoe discovers that she is the last descendant of a family of witches and this little black book is their grimoire. Zoe knows she must decode the family’s spell book and solve the mystery of what happened to her mother and her grandmother. However, the book’s potential power draws all things magical to it, and Zoe finds herself under the constant watch of a pesky raven, while being chased by undead Vikings, ghost pirates, and assorted ghouls.

With assistance from the eccentric staff of the Books of Dubious Origin department—including their annoyingly smart and handsome containment specialist, Jasper Griffin—Zoe must confront her past and the legacy of her family. But as their adventure unfolds, she’ll have to decide whether or not she’s ready to embrace her destiny.

 

About the Author

Jenn McKinlay is the award-winning, New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of several mystery and romance series. Her work has been translated into multiple languages in countries all over the world. She lives in sunny Arizona in a house that is overrun with kids, pets, and her husband’s guitars.

Tracy’s Review

Witches of Dubious OriginWitches of Dubious Origin by Jenn McKinlay

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone Title

Release Date: October 28, 2025

Zoanne “Zoe” Ziakas, a small-town librarian with a major sugar addiction in her late-30s, finds herself at the center of a magical mystery when a family spellbook appears out of nowhere. The story takes her to a curious museum full of odd magical books, where she learns about her witchy heritage and faces supernatural trouble including magical libraries, ghostly pirates, and a raven that won’t leave Zoe alone.

I really wanted to love this book, but the plot moves at a slow pace and the FPN makes it all but impossible to really understand the other characters, but it does pick up speed towards the end. Overall, I came for romantasy and left with a rather vanilla cozy fantasy sans romance.

*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. *