Category: Standalone Title

Joy to the Earl by Elizabeth Cole

On By TracyIn Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), New To Me Author, Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Joy to the Earl: A Regency Holiday RomanceJoy to the Earl: A Regency Holiday Romance by Elizabeth Cole

Tracy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: November 11, 2025

Widow Joy Whitfield is on her way to spend Christmas with her cousin when her carriage becomes inoperable during a snowstorm, and she is forced to seek shelter at a nearby inn. Unfortunately, due to the weather, there are no rooms available, and she is wondering what she will do when she hears a gentleman offer to give up his room for her. She is grateful until she learns the identity of the man – Douglas Sterling, the man she loved ten years ago before he broke her heart by marrying another woman.

Widower Douglas Sterling, the Earl of Hollis is traveling to his estate to spend the holiday with his young son when a storm hits, and he is trapped at inn to wait out a storm. When he overhears the innkeeper talking about a woman who needs a room, he offers his, only to learn that the woman in question is Joy, a woman he courted years ago, but whom he hurt by marrying another woman without a word to her. He never stopped loving her and regretted not following his heart. Can he convince her to give him another chance?

This was a fast-paced, well-written, second-chance, holiday themed novella with interesting characters. Joy and Douglas were once in love, but Douglas decided to listen to his friends and family and marry someone closer to his social stature. A chance meeting and forced proximity ten years later give them a second chance at their happily ever after. I liked the idea of the story but would have appreciated a bit more information about the breakup and a lot more groveling. Overall, this was a quick, steamyish romance with likable characters and a heartwarming ending that I enjoyed reading and would be happy to recommend.

*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. *

Isle of Waiting by G.W. Prouse

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, Fairytale Retelling, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Romantasy, Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews, Young AdultLeave a comment

Isle of WaitingIsle of Waiting by G.W. Prouse

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: November 4, 2025

Set in an evocative, famine-stricken version of early 1900s Greece. The story follows Kora, a young woman whose world has been shaped by the mysterious disappearance of the Immortals. Her life, though quiet and ordinary, takes a dramatic turn when her twin brother William is killed while protecting her, thrusting Kora into a supernatural bargain to save his soul. I appreciated the imaginative premise and how the author wove together mythic and fairytale elements, particularly with Shade—a god reminiscent of both Hades and Peter Pan, whose reluctance and vulnerability add intrigue to the plot.

Kora herself is a memorable protagonist: stubborn, loyal, and surprisingly brave. Her interactions with her family, especially her younger brother Michael, offer touching moments of warmth amid the story’s tension and loss. I also found her relationship with Shade compelling, with their slow-burn romance giving the book emotional depth. The setting—Greece on the edge of collapse—provides a compelling backdrop and heightens the stakes of Kora’s journey.

The blurb for this book intrigued me, but I did struggle at times with the pacing and the way the story balanced its dual inspirations, making the narrative harder to fully invest in. Some characters, particularly Shade, came across as more childish than I expected for a romantic lead, and the dialogue sometimes felt as if I was reading a YA novel rather than a romantasy. Overall, this was a touching story of love, loss, and self-discovery. And while it may not resonate with everyone—especially those looking for a more traditional mythological retelling—I think readers who enjoy unconventional fantasy, fairytale reimagining, will enjoy 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. *