Category: Tracy’s Reviews

The Charmed Library by Jennifer Moorman

On By TracyIn Audiobook, Contemporary, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Romantasy, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Charmed LibraryThe Charmed Library by Jennifer Moorman

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: January 6, 2026

Stella Parker has not been lucky in love, after an especially painful breakup, she has been suffering in silence, sharing her deepest feelings in a journal. But today, Stella has decided enough is enough, she sneaks down to the furnace in the basement of the Blue Sky Valley Library and burns her journal. Never in a million years could she imagine what she had unleashed by that simple act, but Stella’s life is about to change forever.

Stella has always had a way with words but took the safe road in college and earned a master’s degree in accounting, then moved to Memphis to work at an accounting firm. But when her father passed away, she returned to Blue Sky Valley, NC and took a job at the library. She was content with her life, until the man she loved broke her heart. She burned her journal hoping to get a fresh start, and things do change, but not like she expected when she starts seeing more magical words than ever and even learns to call the words. But it isn’t until her boss and surrogate father, Artie suffers a heart attack that Stella really feels the magic of the library and learns secrets that will change everything she has ever known!

I loved the book; I was hooked from the start and held captivated to the very last word. Jennifer Moorman was a new to me author and I didn’t know what to expect, but this book exceeded any expectations I had. I loved the writing style, and the author was able to turn Stella into a very relatable character, clearly making readers feel the pain of losing mother as a young girl and her need to protect her heart ever since. She also wants to make everyone happy, even if doing so doesn’t make her happy. But I love that she finally took control of her own life and learned to say no. The story is full of emotion, found family, dear friends, magic, some drama, secrets, surprising revelations, a swoon worthy book boyfriend and an unexpected happy ending. I highly recommend this book – I read the print version and listened to the audiobook – if you can, I would suggest the audiobook – the narrator was amazing and gave life and personality to every character and read at a steady pace. I will definitely be checking out Ms. Moorman’s backlist and looking forward to future titles!

*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. *

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Remember That Day by Mary Balogh

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Series Crossover, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Remember That Day (A Ravenswood Novel)Remember That Day by Mary Balogh

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Ravenswood #5

Release Date: January 6, 2026

While visiting London with her adopted father, Winifred “Winnie” Cunningham, she attends the Trooping the Colour parade for the King’s birthday with her “uncle” Bertrand, the Viscount Watley and her friend Owen Ware, the youngest brother of the Earl of Stratton (and the man she secretly hopes to marry). She is introduced to his older brother; Col. Nicholas Ware and she is shocked at the instant attraction she feels to the man. But they clash almost immediately when she practically insults him by saying being a soldier is the same as being a murderer. She is mortified by her actions and tries to make amends by agreeing to grant him a dance at the upcoming ball. But after an uncomfortable interaction at the ball, where she learns he is courting the beautiful and poised Miss Grace Haviland, she has to remind herself that they have nothing in common and she wants to marry his brother. But when the Earl invites her family to visit Ravenswood and to stay for the village fete, she realizes her feelings for Nick are deeper than she thought and it is hopeless as they are both almost betrothed to others. So why can’t she stop wanting what she knows she could never have?

Nicholas “Nick” Ware has decided at the ripe old age of 34, it is time for him to marry, and he has decided that the lovely daughter of his commanding officer is the perfect choice for a bride. He isn’t in love with her, but she will be a wonderful wife and mother. He asks his brother to invite her and her parents to Ravenswood for the fete and plans to propose to her and make the announcement at the ball. But he finds himself drawn to Winnie, which is ridiculous, she is much too young for him, has no connections, isn’t a beauty and she dislikes him, besides he is almost betrothed. So why can’t he shake the feeling that he is making a huge mistake?

In this installment of the Ravenswood series, the author treats readers to a crossover story, Nicholas from the Ravenswood series and Winifred from the Westcott series. I enjoyed this gentle romance, but having read the other books in both series, I will agree with other reviewers that noted that there was a lot of repetition and the story did move slowly. I appreciate that the author was trying to give the reader plenty of backstory, but I think it was a little much, especially for those who have read the previous books. I loved Nick and was happy that he found his HEA, but I found Winnie a bit harder to like at first, she is abrasive and borders on rude, but she does have a good heart and is loyal to her family, so in the end, she won me over. I can’t say when these two fell in love, but by the end of the book, I did believe they were perfect for each other. Overall, this was a good story, but not my favorite of the series. This is the fifth book in the Ravenswood series, but the author gives more than enough backstory to read this book as a standalone.

*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. *