Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop by Jessica Redland

Finally, a proper romance with meaningful soul-searching, something I usually miss in this kind of story. I must say I absolutely loved it, and it moved me emotionally several times throughout the book. I smiled, and, yes, I cried–more than once. 

Original title: Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Expected publication date: Sep 09 2025

This is the story of Bay Bookshop co-owner, Lily, who’s had a couple of bad romantic experiences and is fed up with the men in her life. Now, she’s facing a different problem: her stepfather and business partner needs surgery, and they need to fill in his position during the 4-month recovery period.

On the other hand, there is Lars–a half-English half-Icelandic guy who has just sold his company and has nothing to occupy his time and mind. Now lost, he finds himself looking for his next professional adventure. A book lover, he’s drawn to the vacancy at Lily's Bay Bookshop, but he suffered all throughout his youth because of his accent, his family and at school… and he unleashed that anger on Lily, his schoolmate, back then.

Will they be able to overcome their past and find a way to work together? Could something new spark between them—something powerful enough to heal wounds both old and new?

→ SPOILER ALERT (jump to next part if you haven't read it yet).

There are a couple of things that slightly pissed me off and they are the reason I am not giving it the full 5 stars: first, Lily’s attitude about the boy who “needs to be fixed”, and second, the idea that after two disastrous relationships, one date with a new guy and she’s already thinking about her wedding dress? Seriously, girl? Didn't we learn? I think that's all for the negatives...

→ You are safe again.

Again, this is a heartfelt story of loss, love, and rediscovery—but above all, about family bonds and finding the right person.

There was a point in the story where I thought there was something about this street and its traders that I should know about but didn’t. I found out in the final acknowledgments that this is Redland’s 27th book, and I believe that some of the previous ones are set in this area. It was a vague feeling, though, and it didn’t really affect my reading experience. 

However, I wanted to comment on this to praise Jessica Redland for achieving that. It’s not easy, especially after writing so many books, as I mentioned in this cozy mystery review or yet in this one and this other one. Although there are writers who really do a good job in this area too. 

Ms. Redland had an advantage, though, as the characters do change from one story to the next.

 

Finally, a big thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Special quotes (beware of vague spoilers):

- “From now on, only books were allowed to reduce me to tears.” (Lily, chapter 5).

- “I’m sure those happy memories will keep coming back to you when you’re ready for them.” (Lily, chapter 50).

Rating: ★★★★⯪

If you're interested in romance, you'll find more reviews following this link.

You can also follow me on Instagram and Goodreads.

Dominion by Addie E. Citchens

A Black Southern family drama that deals as much in tenderness and humor as it does in brutality, Addie E. Citchens’s Dominion reveals the many sinister ways in which we are shaped by fear and patriarchy.

As I started reading, I quickly realised the synopsis did not do it justice — it was not what I expected. And how happy I was to uncover its twists and turns.

This is a fast, compelling and engaging read, cleverly written from the POV of two women, each with her own authentic voice.

Set in a small town in southern Minessota called Dominion, the story follows a family led by a Reverend highly respected by the community, his wife and their five grown-up children—all independent, except for one: Wonderboy, a 17-year-old angel who still lives with his parents.

On the other hand, there’s Diamond, a poor 17-year-old girl who lives with her adoptive mother. Rejected by her birth mother and separated from her siblings, she had endured a hard life—until she finally finds love with Wonderboy.

Same community, same church, yet two different worlds apart divided of money, respect and appearances. Appearances that will soon turn their lives upside down.

I truly admire how the story evolves from blindness to realisation. Two women—one young one older—finding their way through the structures of patriarchy.  

The ending was unexpected and satisfying. However, I would have liked that the character's change of heart that led to it, was developed a little further, it felt rushed.

I found the wordplay between the town’s name and the concept of patriarchal male dominance to be quite clever.

For a debut novel, congratulations—I look forward to seeing what more she will share with the world.

Dominion 

Publication date: Aug 19, 2025

Editorial: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Interesting quote or description: 
“That was so forever ago; a tune snuck into my mind, a bit about time slipping, slipping into the future.”

Expected for Aug 19 2025, this is a honest personal opinion. I’d like to thank Farrar Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for this post.

Rating: 🟊🟊🟊🟊⯪ 

Grave Words (A Deadly Deadlines Mystery #2) by Gerri Lewis

What about a murder story where the first person to die is you?

Here you are, you're welcome!

Publication date: June 10th, 2025

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Such a cool way to introduce our character, Winter Snow, her job as an obituary writer and the first people in her entourage.

I must say that I was hooked from the first line—I really loved this book!

Although I had already read the first installment, I thoroughly enjoyed this second adventure. The characters are well introduced, and their relationships develop in a way that you can feel what Winter Snow is going through and how she struggles.

I enjoyed watching the police officers do their job professionally, without divulging information about an ongoing investigation, even though Winter and Kip are a newly formed couple. 

I liked how her role as an obituary writer forces her to find alternative ways to gather clues and solve the different mysteries in order to complete her job, rather than just acting like an amateur sleuth.

Also, the writing was a delight, something that's often lacking in this kind of novel.

Thank you #CrookedLaneBooks and #Netgally for this for this discovery. And of course, to #GerriLewis for writing so beautifully.

Rating: ★★★★★

Eraztunaren Elkartea (Eraztunaren Jauna #1) JRR Tolkien idazlearena

Zein arraroa egin zaidan liburu hau euskeraz irakurtzea!

Lehenengo aldiz 16 urterekin irakurri nuen, gaztelaniaz, hortik aurrera beste hainbatetan irakurri dut eta filmak ere hamaika bider ikusi. Hala ere, euskaraz izen guztiak aldatuta imajinatzea oso berezia izan da.

Hizkuntzaren hiztegia dela eta, noizean behin apur bat astun egiten da, baina abentura behin hasita, ez dago atzera bueltarik. 

Eskualdetik atera eta Pottoka Zutituan Zango berriz topatzea sekulako esperientzia izan da. 

Tom Bombadilen hitzaldiak Urrealerekin; Garagar Gantzuren ahaztea; Rivendellen Zorrozabal jaunarekin berriz sekretuetan ibiltzea; Moriako meatzetako emaitza ea aldatuko den itxaropena... Baina zoritxarrez, ez, hizkuntza dena delakoa izanik, beti gertatzen da gauza bera tamalez!

Abentura ezagunak beste ikuspegi batetik begiratzeko leiho berria izan da niretzat eta hurrengo biak ere euskaraz irakurtzeko irrikitan geratu naiz.

Argitalpen-data: January 7, 2025

Argitaletxea: Txalaparta 

Itzultzailea: Agustín Otsoa Eribeko 

Jatorrizko izena: The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, #1)

Jatorrizko argitalpen-data: 1954ko Uztailak 29

Aipamena: 
“Eraztun bat guztiak gobernatzeko.
Eraztun bat guztiak aurkitzeko,
Eraztun bat guztiak erakarri eta ilunpean estekatzeko
Itzalak hedatzen diren Mordor Lurraldean.”

Puntuazioa: 5/5*

La madre del frío de Miguel Salas Díaz

Descubrí este autor gracias al festival del Celsius 232 que se celebra en Avilés.

En una de las presentaciones de libros, escuchando sobre un detective venido a menos con el lado derecho de su cuerpo paralizado tras un accidente, que le ha aportado a cambio un ojo capaz de ver "el otro lado". Como comprenderéis, me llamó muchísimo la atención.

Además, Miguel Salas explicaba su entusiasmo por las distintas creencias, mitología y folklore que invaden nuestras tierras, tan cercanas y tan distintas entre sí.

Así que, sí, según salí de la carpa de la presentación, fui al stand y me lo compré. Y debo decir, que aunque haya tardado en leerlo por motivos varios, no me arrepiento de esta posesión y lectura.

Os dejo aquí la entrevista, para que sea él mismo quien os anime, como a mí, a leerla:

"Un grupo de Vengadores pero mal".

En cuanto a la novela, mezcla mitología local y novela negra, ambientada en la maravillosa Galicia y con vistas al mar. Idónea para mí. 

La historia está bien hilada y estructurada, con personajes que se ganan su huequecito en tu corazón. 

No obstante, hay algún hilo suelto que no sé bien si se solucionará en siguientes novelas (el colgante celoso, por ejemplo).

Me ha encantado que sea autoconclusiva, pero incluya la promesa de una segunda entrega ¡en Bulgaria! ¿Qué parte de la mitología eslava desvelaremos en las fronteras con Rumanía? 

En cuanto al estilo literario... ❤️❤️❤️ Las descripciones, los estados de ánimo, las acciones... Su forma de plasmar estás imágenes en nuestro cerebro me han enamorado.

Quedamos a la espera de más Borrascas en 2025.

Puntuación: 5/5

The Sixth Wicked Child (4MK Thriller #3) by J. D. Barker

El mejor de los tres, para culminar la saga. Hacía mucho que un libro no me hacía sentir tan contrariada, un wtf cada vez que pasas de página... Le doy 5 estrellas porque no hay 6.

The best of the three installments to culminate the saga. It's been a long time since a book made me feel so upset, a wtf every time you turn the page... I gave it 5 stars because I couldn't give it 6.

This is a new challenge for Detective Sam Porter: new murders linked to the 4MK killer are discovered, connected to long-term missing child. The investigation unravels a dark past of family secrets and childhood traumas. Also Porter is haunted by his previous encounters with the 4MK. 

Puntuación: 5/5

La misión de Rox (Guardianes de la Ciudadela #3) de Laura Gallego

Continuamos con autoras y autores nacionales, para finalizar la saga Guardianes de la Ciudadela de Laura Gallego.

Para cerrar esta saga, tenemos una entrega trepidante y emocionante, con giros inesperados y una aventura en toda regla.

Esta vez incluyendo la perspectiva de Rox, con una conexión especial tanto con Axlin como con Xein.

La misión de Rox la alejan del a Ciudadela y se enfrentará a secretos que harán tambalear sus creencias, los recuerdos sobre su pasado y dudar del origen de la propia Guardia en la que tanto confía.

Una de las cosas que más me ha gustado, además del mundo creado, es la evolución de los personajes. La creación del mundo y la aparición de los monstruos también es de una originalidad maravillosa.

Puntuación: 5/5

The Breaker (The Shattered Bones) by David A. Santana

I'll start by stating that... I absolutely loved this ride! The wide range of feelings in this book is abysmal, it has been a complete rollercoaster.

You change from pity to hate, to comprehension and love, once and again. You feel the tension and the internal discussions; you doubt alongside the main character (yes, the serial killer!) and sometimes even approve of his choice (yes, *that* choice, even you'd never do it in real life, of course)... Most times, both his doubts and his statements appeal to your core.

The flashbacks are very well intertwined with the "present" (2017), and I especially liked the jumping forward from one period of his youth to another. I felt the warmth of his family, his love for them. I really appreciated the backstories and was eager for those chapters.

I thought of the FBI agent's first chapter as an intrusion, as the novel was quite advanced and felt out-of-the-blue; it had nothing to do with the rest of the story. But next time he reappeared, I was ready and also enjoyed them.

I loved every page, I'll be waiting for the next one. Yes, there will be another one, as the final cliffhanger is spectacular. As a reader who usually gets plot twists easily, I thought I knew when their ways were going to cross but... nope! It was much better and unexpected.

And I loved that it was only hinted at, not explained like the reader is stupid. We are not. Thank you.

I totally recommend it!

If you want to see the writer's reaction of my review, you can enjoy it in my instagram and, once there, follow us both!

Puntuación: 5/5

El secreto de Xein (Guardianes de la Ciudadela #2) de Laura Gallego

Continuamos con autores y autoras nacionales, con la segunda entrega de la saga Guardianes de la Ciudadela. 

Aquí se continúa la historia de Axlin tras su llegada a la Ciudadela. Sus aventuras aquí difieren mucho de las transcurridas durante su road trip hacia la ciudad amurallada, destino de todo ser humano que huye de los monstruos y quiere vivir en paz y sin miedo, pero ¿es oro todo lo que reluce?

En su empeño por encontrar a su amigo Xein y sacarlo de las fauces de la Guardia, continúa con su estudio de las criaturas y, tanto ella como Xein, descubren secretos que no podrán compartir.

La trama se enrevesa y profundiza en este mundo creado por Laura Gallego, que va tomando formas oscuras y maravillosas.

Me ha gustado bastante más que la primera, y eso que normalmente las segundas entregas suelen ser un puente entre la primera novela (descubrimiento) y la tercera (culmen y desenlace). Invito a leerla tanto a jóvenes adultos como a adultos.

Puntuación: 5/5

The Night Fire (Renée Ballard #3, Bosch universe #33) by Michael Connelly

Here you can listen to the audiobook by Michael Connelly and narrated by: Christine Lakin and Titus Welliver (who plays Harry Bosch in the Amazon TV-series).

I loved it, I really missed the kind of story that keeps you awake until the end, to be back to the thrills that I didn't have many books before.

The addition of Ballard to the series is a success in my opinion.

The idea of having several cases, one of Bosch's , one of Ballard's and a third one in common, gives the story a speed and spin that keeps you reading.

Nevertheless, it is also a bit of a headache to keep track of everything, but Connelly has always had a clever way to introduce a summary every now and then that doesn't sound like overexposure.

***Spoilers below***

The only thing I found quite unbelievable is how their personal cases were linked, kind of too far-fetched, but it worked in the end, so...

I'm also happy to discover that the work relationship between them both is so good. The ones before her, made Bosch look like an idiot. He treats her like a father, very protective (you need to sleep, don't go alone .. when that's all he does, and has always done).

I'd also like to see more of his daughter... That's just a wish.

If you lost faith in the saga, just jump to this and the previous Ballard books, and recover it!

Puntuación: 5/5

Fourth Wing (The Empyrean #1) by Rebecca Yarros

A page-turning, very engaging YA novel (more A than Y), you're left wanting to continue, so that's what I'll do.

And yes, as many say it is a mix of Eragon, Shadow & Bones and a few others, but I loved it anyway.

The main character, the 20-year-old Violet Sorrengail, daughter of General Sorrengail, who defies the future that has been laid out for her and joins the Basgiath War College, to train as a dragon rider. 

She will soon discover the competitiveness of her new environment, where death lies at every corner. 

She will also meet Zander Riorson, a skilled and charismatic rider, who she will soon learn to hate and admire.

Rebecca Yarros has also made fore-edge painting famous as a Tiktok trend after asking fans to show their artwork online. You can see some of those here.

See you next week with the review of the second installment of the saga.

Puntuación: 5/5