Category: Novella

Christmas with a Chimera by Isabelle Taylor

On By TracyIn Christmas, Contemporary, New To Me Author, Novella, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Rom Com, Romantasy, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Christmas with a Chimera: A cosy, spicy, Alaska-set second chance romance – perfect for Christmas 2025 (Claw Haven Book 2)Christmas with a Chimera: A cosy, spicy, Alaska-set second chance romance – perfect for Christmas 2025 by Isabelle Taylor

Tracy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Claw Haven #2

Release Date: October 9, 2025

Chimera Arthur Pineclaw left his hometown of Claw Haven, Alaska twelve years ago to pursue his dream of acting in Los Angeles. Now a successful actor, Arthur has returned to film a holiday rom-com and is a bit surprised at the changes in the small town. But one thing hasn’t changed and that is Emma Cult, the girl he loved and left behind all those years ago. Arthur is still drawn to Emma, and she is still as shrewish as ever – why does that still turn him on? As Arthur reconnects with his past and Emma, he wonders if he can convince her to give them another chance and move with him back to LA. He is sure he will win her over, after all, he can charm anyone!

Emma Cult is now the owner of Cozy Grotto Café and let newcomer Luna Musgrove talk her into allowing the film crew to use her café for the movie, but no one told her that her ex-boyfriend, Arthur was the star! Emma was devasted when Arthur left her on Christmas Eve all those years ago and hasn’t spoken to him since. She is determined to keep him at an arm’s length, but Arthur is just as determined to make her forgive him and give him a second-chance. Let the battle of wills begin!

This was a reverse grumpy/sunshine romance that definitely had a Hallmark rom-com vibe, just with monsters. The book is a cute and spicy second chance romance with long separated high school sweet hearts, Arthur is very charming and likeable and cannot handle anyone not liking him, but he hasn’t let anyone really know him since Emma, Emma is his complete opposite, she is angry and apparently has been that way all her life, and despite her denial, she is still hurt by Arthur’s abandonment. Together, they will have to come to terms with the past and move forward, but before they can do that, they will each have to look inside and be honest with themselves. This was a cute story with a happy ending, making it a quick, holiday read that leaves with that Hallmark-like feel good feeling.

*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. *

Don’t You Forget About Me by Shana Galen

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Don't You Forget About MeBarbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: 7/15/25
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 110

From the first page where Marjorie comes to and finds herself in a cave rapidly filling with water to the last page with Simon’s unique proposal, this is a wonderful story filled with excitement and delightful characters. You never go wrong when you choose a book written by this author.

Marjorie Clawson is one of, if not the, best spies in the Home Office. She’s worked hard at her craft and has built quite a hard shell around herself because being one of the very few female spies is a difficult thing. The males she works with respect her because she’s tougher, harder, and just downright meaner than they are, so they have no choice. So, how did Marjorie come to be a nice, caring, even loving person? Well, she just got hit on the head and lost her memory. OH!

Simon Burrows works at the Home Office as well and cannot imagine why Marjorie Clawson absolutely hates him. Yes, she’s cold and hard with the other spies, but it seems she has taken a particular dislike to him. Sometimes, that is really hard to bare because he’s really infatuated with her and it’s really hard to hide it.

Simon and Marjorie are sent on a vital mission in Cornwall, where they are to deliver the location for a weapons drop to smugglers delivering weapons to a British contingent near Spain. Without the delivery of these weapons, many British lives will be lost. Marjorie is the only one who knows the drop location, and when she loses her memory, the mission is in jeopardy.

SPIES!! Whoopee! I love spies, and mysteries, and romance, and this book has them all. I really liked Simon and Marjorie as they worked through the mystery, the memory loss, and finally found their way to their own HEA. This is a novella, so it’s a quick read, but the story never feels shortchanged. I can definitely recommend this book and this author. Happy Reading!

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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