Category: Sequel - Alyce Caswell - Author

Alyce Caswell - Author

Nanami in Bookland

3/2/2026

The Cat Who Saved the Library (The Cat Who... #2)
by Sōsuke Natsukawa
Translated by Louise Heal Kawai

Nanami Kosaki lives a very limited life due to her asthma and the library has become her sanctuary. When books begin to go missing, she notices while others don't. Something terrible is going on in the world, with her beloved books at risk, and with the help of a grumpy cat she might just be able to put a stop to it. But she must keep hold of hope and courage lest all be lost.

I feel that the term "Ghibli-esque" is overused, but it definitely applies in this case. A girl and her love of books can save the day - which is a nice thought. I also related more to Nanami than I did Rintaro (though it was nice to see him again!). Unfortunately, just like in the previous book in this series, Natsukawa became bogged down in pontification, much to the detriment of plot and pacing.

False Advertising Strikes Again

24/1/2026

Snowed in at the Wildest Dreams Bookshop (The Wildest Dreams Bookshop #2)
by Gracie Page

Ivy was desperate to get out of Fox Bay and into art college, but her first term was a disaster. So she finds herself back home for the winter break, working in the Wildest Dreams Bookshop. Fox Bay can be pretty weird on its own, but the upstairs holidaymakers may even be weirder. Trip, one of said holidaymakers, is so infuriatingly optimistic. There's no way they can get along...or can they?

First of all, that's a very misleading title and it was so obviously an intentional ploy to hook a certain audience. I'm so tired of publishers pulling this shit. I seriously don't trust any of you anymore. Fast sales are apparently more important than building up reader loyalty... Ahem. Regardless, I enjoyed this sequel, which felt comfortably New Adult (unlike the first book, which had a weird vibe), and I connected with it on a personal level because I'd have related to Ivy if I was younger. It's a light, pleasantly entertaining read.

Once Bitten, Twice Shy

17/1/2026

The Gingerbread Bakery (Dream Harbor #5)
by Lauria Gilmore

Annie Andrews has made her bakery business in Dream Harbour into a success. She's exactly where she wants to be. So why did Mac Sullivan have to come back into town and ruin everything? Mac knows he broke Annie's heart, but he was young and stupid. He's spent three years trying to get through to her. Will a wintry wedding be the perfect setting for a shot at a second chance?

This book had soooo much setup in the previous instalments in the series. It was going to have to deliver BIG TIME in order to appease readers and... it mostly did that for me. A dual timeline in a romance can be a tricky thing to handle, but Gilmore succeeded with apparent ease. And it was easy to be Team Annie... Mac I never really warmed too, possibly because I can hold grudges worse than Annie lol. I'd like to have known more about what convinced him that Dream Harbour was his future.

Hallmark Spice

9/1/2026

The Christmas Tree Farm (Dream Harbor #3)
by Lauria Gilmore

Kira North wanted the homesteader life that influencers sold to her, so she bought a Christmas tree farm. But now she doesn't even have the money to keep the heat on. She'll have to tone down the grumpiness and - shudder - interact with the locals to sell her trees. Bennett Ellis is only in town for a month. Will that be long enough to thaw Kira out? And what happens after New Year's?

I have watched many movies that include a Christmas tree farm and I'm a sucker for the grumpy/sunshine dynamic. So of course I was going to love this book (...and yes, I was lured in by yet another gorgeous deluxe edition). The previous instalment in this series also used an expiry date to add tension to the proceedings, but it was done a lot better here. Bennett and Kira were wonderful together. Mostly, I adored Kira, because I can be that kind of grumpy. Haha. Ahem. Lastly, what I like about the characters in Gilmore's novels is that they aren't perfect and nor are they outright villains. Probably the most realistic part of these cosy tales.

Nice-ish

6/1/2026

The Cinnamon Bun Book Store (Dream Harbor #2)
by Laurie Gilmore

Hazel is almost thirty and she's having a bit of a crisis about it. So that's why, when mysterious clues appear in the books in the store where she works, she decides to fill the last weeks of her twenties with adventures. Noah is never with a woman for more than a season, but Hazel is different. While he agrees to accompany her on her quest to have casual fun, he wants the very opposite of casual.

This one didn't enchant me the way that the first book in this series did and I found myself glad there wasn't a deluxe edition yet or I'd have wasted my money on it. Noah just...wasn't very interesting as a hero for me. He felt a little flat. I did like Hazel very much, though, and the established setting is the strongest element here. It's an alright read. Just not particularly memorable.

The Last Fated Review of 2025

31/12/2025

Fae's Love (Fated Mates of the Fae Royals #8)
by Helen Walton

Brandon has spent his whole life training so he can protect the Fae, but he wasn't prepared to meet a princess - or be so enamoured with her. Princess Roisin is relieved that her people are saved and wants to now heal the Earth. She desperately wants to find her fated mate as well. But her mate can never be a human...so why is she so drawn to Brandon? And can she ever be happy with a human?

This has been a fun series to read and <i>Fae's Love</i> concludes the arc nicely. I've enjoyed some entries more than others... and I don't think this one was a particular favourite, due to Brandon being a tad too pushy for my liking and the plot being on the thin side. However, I was invested in Brandon and Roisin as a couple. Brandon's side of things was particularly interesting. And now I must decide whether I will let myself be drawn into another series set in this world... I suspect I know the answer to that. Ha!

Also woohoo - this is my last book review of 2025! With 90 minutes to spare.

Sound a Siren

29/12/2025

The Siren's Cursed Kiss (Everwood Falls #3)
by Kat Kinney

Sage Summers has a magical affliction that keeps her trapped in Everwood Falls, where cursed beings are sent for the safety of everyone else. The last man she loved left her as soon as his curse lifted. Gideon Fischer, merman and teacher, could finally get her to let down her guard, but if his curse lifts, he'll leave her too. Not to mention that dark magical forces have made their way into town...

Another thoroughly enjoyable entry in the series. I really wish I could be absorbed by these books and directly into Everwood Falls itself. Sage and Gideon's romance is so sweet and gentle and slow and wonderful all at once. There's a bit of drama, but not too much. It's all perfectly balanced. And now I have a new favourite character - Mortimer, the kraken! Love that dude. I could probably do without him getting his own romance novel though... haha.

Fall Into a Good Book

27/12/2025

Fallen (Everwood Falls #2)
by Kat Kinney

Lucien Girard fell in love two thousands years ago and has been punished by the Archangels ever since, cursed to watch his love die again and again, powerless to stop it. Dr Isabel Romero is a vampire with a past that haunts her, a healing gift that makes her a target, and now apparently she's Lucien's lost love. Lucian should avoid her...but Isabel's life is in danger. He'll risk everything to save her.

I had run out of Christmas books to read on my ereaders, so I decided to open this one because it sounded cosy. What a delightful surprise! A supernatural Christmas romance! It was equal parts cosy and exciting. Exactly what I needed. Oh, I would happily live in Everwood Falls - Kinney has created a charming, magical town inhabited by characters you can't help but love. Lucien and Isabel's story is my favourite so far of the series, but I'm always happy to be won over by the next book!

Winter is Coming

3/12/2025

Winter Lost (Mercy Thompson #14)
by Patricia Briggs

Mercy Thompson Hauptman has enough going on that she doesn't need her brother appearing on her doorstep, unable to tell her what's been done to him. She and her alpha husband, Adam, soon find themselves braving an apocalyptic winter storm in order to reach the frost giant responsible for this latest big mess. They'll have to find a lyre/harp and save a wedding - or Ragnorok will be upon us all.

If this book was by any other author, I might've gone on about the weird pacing or whatever else, but Briggs sets her own pace and makes her own rules - and after all this time, she's allowed to! Mercy is like an old friend. I will hang out with her, no matter the adventure she is given (even if it's more filler than anything else) and I will have a good time (even if the book isn't exceptional).

Rumours of His Death...

14/10/2025

Everyone in This Bank is a Thief (Ernest Cunningham #4)
by Benjamin Stevenson

Ernest Cunningham has decided to branch out - instead of investigating whatever murder he gets caught up in, he's going to become a private detective and do other stuff. But for this he needs a business loan. Which is why he's at Huxley's Bank when he gets caught up in a heist. Ernest is now locked inside with hostages and thieves... and perhaps even murderers.

I must applaud Stevenson for managing to shake up the series a bit with something slightly different for this instalment, though I must also sigh because Ernest managed to jump the fence from amusing into irritating (he made some seriously stupid decisions - more stupid than usual, I mean). And while these books are messy, this felt even messier. Mostly due to the ending... but anyhow. It's a decent enough read if you've enjoyed Stevenson's work before.