Books and Bewitchment by Isla Jewell

Books & Bewitchment (Arcadia Falls)Books & Bewitchment by Isla Jewell

Tracy’s Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Series: Arcadia Falls

Release Date: February 3, 2026

Rhea Wolfe’s life takes an unexpected turn after she inherits a real estate trust from her distant grandmother. Faced with the choice of maintaining her ordinary routine or seizing the opportunity to pursue her dreams, Rhea is drawn into a world filled with romance, camaraderie, and a touch of enchantment. The town itself evokes a warm, nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of beloved small-town settings, and introduces a charming cast of characters—including a quirky cockatoo companion and a handyman love interest—who add layers of humor and heart to the story.

Despite its cozy premise and appealing magical elements, the book struggles with pacing and character development. Rhea’s personal growth feels stagnant, and the romance lacks depth and was plagued by repetitive misunderstandings and overly idealized character traits. The dialogue can come across as forced or awkward, detracting from the authenticity of the relationships. Secondary characters, particularly Rhea’s family and her grandmother, are sometimes written in a way that makes them difficult to connect with, and the magical aspects of the plot are not explored as fully as one might hope from a fantasy romance. Overall, this book offers a lighthearted escape perfect for readers seeking gentle, comforting stories with familiar tropes and cozy settings. While the first-person narrative is entertaining enough and features moments of genuine warmth and humor, it ultimately fell short for me. Those who enjoy small-town romances with whimsical touches may find it a pleasant read, but for me it was not what I was hoping for.

*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. *

Stolen in Death by J.D. Robb

Stolen in Death (In Death, #62)
Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: In Death #62
Publication Date: 2/3/26
Period: Future New York – September, 2061
Number of Pages: 368

Over thirty years ago, who would have thought this series would still be as strong, interesting, and unique as it was in that very first book? Over the same 30+ years, we’ve only covered about three years in Eve and Roarke’s time. WOW! I sincerely hope we get another thirty years.

Roarke’s past has surfaced before, but in Stolen it takes center stage. Not only does the loot from a long-ago heist reappear, but so does Magdelana—in her full malevolent glory. You may remember her from a previous book, where Roarke and Eve thwarted her attempt to drive a wedge between them. She didn’t take that defeat lightly, and this time she’s out for complete and total revenge. Nothing is off the table—murder, theft, attempted murder—it’s all fair game.

A dispatch summons Eve from a formal gala to the death scene of Nathan Barrister, a rich and powerful man and the head of Zip. While examining the scene, Eve discovers an open vault filled to the brim with priceless stolen items—some taken decades ago. Nathan couldn’t have stolen them himself; he was only a child when some of the thefts occurred. So who did? Why were the items left behind? And why would a stealthy thief commit murder when they could have gotten away clean?

Eve approaches every case with fierce dedication, but when someone attempts to murder her, everyone—from the Chief to the sketch artist—becomes personally invested in tracking down who hired the attacker. Unfortunately, the would-be killer is himself killed while trying to escape, taking crucial answers with him.

I both read the book and listened to the audio version, and each offers something special. Narrated by Susan Ericksen—who has voiced every book in the series—the audio truly brings the story to life. I’ve listened to them all, and she is consistently excellent. Her character voices are so ingrained in my mind that I hear them even when reading the text. Each performance is unique, well-paced, and expertly delivered.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great suspense story. While the series is set in the future, that future no longer feels so distant. The imagined technology is intriguing (and often very desirable), and the supporting characters are delightful—richly developed, full of personality, and extremely likable.

This is a wonderful story and can certainly be read as a stand-alone. However, to fully appreciate the depth of character growth and relationships, I suggest reading at least the first four books. I know recommending all sixty-one previous titles sounds daunting, but I promise—you won’t regret it.

Happy reading!

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

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