Category: Non-Traditional Romance

Heartsong by S.E. Wendel

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, Contemporary, New To Me Author, Non-Traditional Romance, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Heartsong (War of the Underhill)Heartsong by S.E. Wendel

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: War of the Underhill #1

Release Date: February 10, 2026

After years of barely scraping by Anna Kincaid is finally making progress in her life, she has a job at a museum that she loves and medical insurance which means she might be able to get her migraines under control. What she never expected was to have the museum attacked by masked men or to have the gargoyle statute she was hiding behind coming to life when she touched it and flying her away to safety. Nor did she expect the gargoyle to be so attractive, or that he would declare that she is his Heartsong”, which means she is his fated mate.

Frey is a Guardian, created over two thousand years ago from stone, blood and magick to protect the Druids in Albion. He was a great warrior and fought in the last battle against the Fae, who cursed his kind, by taking their magick and returning them to stone. He has spent years frozen in stone watching the world change and regretting never finding his mate, but when he ends up at the museum he feels something that he has never experienced, the feeling of his fated mate. When she touches him during a raid, he comes alive! He takes her to her home and tries to convince her that they are soulmates, but when morning comes, he turns back to stone, only to awaken when the sun goes down. Clearly the curse was not broken and Anna is in danger. What will it take to win her heart and break the curse for good?

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book by a new to me author, but I was quickly drawn into the story and enjoyed all the twists and turns! The story is fresh, interesting and I loved how the author incorporated Fae and mythical aspects into the story. I loved the relationship between Anna and Frey, each learning to trust the other and form a true soulmate bond. Anna is a very modern and relatable character, she is independent, suffers debilitating migraines, has a problem with trusting and accepting love, but it a very loyal person with a true heart of gold and Frey…he is just amazing. I did feel like the middle of the story dragged a bit and the ending felt a bit rushed, but overall, it was amazing and I can’t wait for the next installment! If you are a fan of fated mates, forced proximity, steamy romantasy – this book will check all the boxes for you! Highly recommended.

*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. *

Love at Midnight by Nola Saint James

On By TracyIn Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Non-Traditional Romance, Paranormal / Fantasy, Romantasy, Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews, Young AdultLeave a comment

Love at Midnight: A Regency Christmas RomantasyLove at Midnight: A Regency Christmas Romantasy by Nola Saint James

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: October 16, 2025

When Miss Grace Cooper, daughter of the late Viscount & Viscountess Shelbourne and heiress learns that her estate trustees are planning to marry her off sight unseen to a man of their choosing in just a few months, she knows that she will have to take matters into her own hands if she wants to marry her true love. The real problem is she doesn’t know who her true love is! Her housekeeper has been like a surrogate mother to her and vows to help her find her true love and suggests she meet with Mommia Ravenal, a Roma lady with the gift of sight, perhaps she can point Grace in the direction of her true love. Mommia does give her good news, her true love is near, but Grace will have to find him on her own.

Harold Picton AKA Hal Ravenal is the Earl of Langafel, however, he was not raised to be the earl. His parents eloped as their families didn’t approve of their love, sadly both his parents died shortly after his birth, and he was raised by a childless couple in the village. When he turned 18 his foster parents told him of his family – his father was heir to the Earl of Langafel and his mother was a member of the Roma Ravenal clan. He tracks down his mother’s clan and learns he has a gift with horses. He is happy to be reunited with his mother’s family and is content to build a life with them, but when Mommia, the matriarch of the clan demands he attend her, he knows this life is about to change. He learns that his paternal grandfather has died and he is now the earl. Being the earl means leaving the clan, but Mommia tells him that he won’t be alone, his true love is near and when he finds her, she will be the helpmate he needs to take up his title. Now he just needs to find her…

This was not your typical romance story, but it was an interesting story with very likable characters, not all of whom are human. The main characters don’t meet right away and there are a lot of things going on aside from Grace and Hal trying to find their true loves. Interwoven in the love story is a Norwegian legend about animals speaking to humans on Christmas eve as well as the Ravenal paranormal gifts. I liked this story, but it meandered all over the place, personally, I would have preferred the focus of the story to be the romance and have more of a connection between Grace and Hal, rather than relying on the love at first sight / true love trope. Overall, it was a unique read and if you are looking for something a bit different, you might want to give this book a try.

*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. *