Category: Romantasy

Something Wicked by Falon Ballard

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, First Person Narrative, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Something Wicked (Idle Reputations, #1)Something Wicked by Falon Ballard

Tracy’s Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Series: Idle Reputations #1

Release Date: December 2, 2025

Callum is the son of the recently dethroned king, and in the running to become the first elected president of the country of Avon, but to do so he will have to do the unthinkable. He is drawn into the deadly political game and is torn between his sense of duty and his conscience. His ability to complete his mission hinges on enlisting Lady Caterine’s magical, emotion-manipulating talents. The attraction between Callum and Cate is instantaneous and passionate, despite his disregard for the “gifted”. Can he work with her to save Avon or will he lose all?

Lady Caterine is a courtesan at the La Puissance pleasure club and has the unique ability to manipulate emotions of those she is intimate with. She too has a mission and at first it seems simple, distract Callum from the election. She never expected to fall for him, but when she does will she be able to complete her task or will she listen to her heart?

Confession – I requested this book because the cover was giving me nostalgic Barbara Cartland vibes, sadly I finished this book feeling the cover was the best thing about this book. Overall, this story plunges readers into the tumultuous nation of Avon, where a dangerous political contest and a shadowy world of magic and desire collide. The story centers on a high-stakes challenge: contenders for Avon’s leadership must kill their deposed monarch, setting the stage for intrigue and emotional entanglement. While the premise is intriguing and the Moulin Rouge-meets-Macbeth theme adds flair, the novel ultimately isn’t able to deliver because it fails to give the reader fully developed magic and world-building. Add to that the story is written in dual first-person narrative making it harder for me to connect deeply with the story. However, if you are just looking for a fantasy romance with lots of steam and political intrigue, you will find it in this 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. *

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. *