Category: Historical Paranormal/Fantasy

Thistlemarsh by Moorea Corrigan

On By TracyIn Debut Novel, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Interwar Period (Nov 1918 - Sep 1939), New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Romantasy, Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews, Young AdultLeave a comment

ThistlemarshThistlemarsh by Moorea Corrigan

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: April 21, 2026

Though Faeries had not been seen in England for over a century, Misneach “Mouse” Dunne had always been fascinated by Faerie lore thanks to her mother and planned to study Faerie anthropology at university, but life had other plans. When the great war steals her beloved cousin and leaves her brother a mere shell of himself, she abandons her dreams of Faeries and travels abroad to become a nurse and to try and save her brother. But when their uncle dies and she is named as his heir, she returns to Thistlemarsh Hall. If she can meet the terms of her uncle’s will and either restore Thistlemarsh or marry within 30 days, the estate will be hers, if she fails, she loses everything and the estate goes to a much-despised distant cousin. The task seems impossible, until she meets Thornwood and does the one thing no mortal should ever do…make a deal with a Faerie.

Thornwood has been waiting for almost a century to be freed from the spell that frozen him in stone. Now he is free and needs Mouse to help him exact his revenge. But when his magic is thwarted by protection spells, he will need Mouse even more to help him break the spells and restore Thistlemarsh to its former glory. Only then will he be able to find the prize that has kept him motivated for years. He never imagined that he would actually fall for a mortal, but Mouse is unlike anyone he has ever known. But in order to attain his revenge, he will have to betray her and ruin any chance for a HEA.

This was a vivid story by a new to me author. And while I enjoyed the story, I have mixed feelings about this book, I liked the idea of the story and the magic was well defined, but it was a bit wordy, parts of the story dragged and apparently in this England primogeniture doesn’t apply. Mouse and Thornwood have a very slow burn / enemies to friends type of relationship and while they declare their love, I honestly wasn’t feeling the romance. Overall, it was an interesting, immersive read and while it does drag a bit and the romance is very young adult, I did enjoy the book and would happily recommend it to those who enjoy a no-heat fantasy 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. *

 

The Governess’s Guide to Spells and Managing Misfit Marquesses by Amy Rose Bennett

On By TracyIn Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Historical Rom-Com, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Governess's Guide to Spells and Managing Misfit Marquesses (The Parasol Academy, #2)The Governess’s Guide to Spells and Managing Misfit Marquesses by Amy Rose Bennett

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Parasol Academy #2

Release Date: March 31, 2026

As a graduate of the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses, Hermina “Mina” Davenport will never let harm come to her charge, especially after making a deathbed promise to his godmother. So, when Christopher, the orphaned 7-year-old Viscount Fitzwilliam is being taken to the North Pole by his possibly bewitched guardian, Sir Bedivere Ponsonby, against his will, Mina has no choice but to intervene. She “te-ley-ports” onto the ship and they make their escape, but that is where things go terribly wrong. Instead of ending up in her room at her mother’s house, they end up on another ship – owned by an incredibly large and handsome Irish nobleman, Phineas “Phinn” O’Connell, the newly-minted Marquess of Kinsale. He kindly offers to take them back to Bristol and they part ways. After settling Christopher in her mother’s home, Mina returns to the Academy for a new assignment. Imagine her surprise when Phineas is her new employer!

Phinn O’Connell is not a typical nobleman, raised in Ireland he survived the Great Famine by becoming a prizefighter, but even that was not enough to save his family, who perished from a typhoid outbreak. He is large, scarred, uncouth and speaks with not just an Irish accent, but he also has a speech impediment, which makes him very self-conscious and something of a joke to his peers. He desperately wants to pass laws in parliament to help his people in Ireland, but no one takes him seriously. He needs help, he needs Mina! But as his friend Viscount Hartwell, points out he has no child in need of a governess, and he doubts the academy would allow her to work for him. So, when he catches a young boy trying to pick his pocket, he sees a way to hire Mina and help a young boy at the same time. What could go wrong?

I think I actually liked this story better than the first book, which is saying a lot because I LOVED the first book. Mina and Phinn are both wonderful characters and their story is filled with witty banter, flawed yet lovable characters, a cursed ring, wonderful secondary characters, an irascible pug, cameos from Emma and Xaiver, lots of magic, secrets, snarky servants, opposing Fae Queens, slow-burn romance, and finally a happy ending with the promise of more magic to come! This is the second book in the series, but it could be read as a standalone title without any problem. I am happy to recommend both titles in this fun, magical, Victorian-era series!

*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. *