Book Review:: The Gray Sheep | S. M. Somerset

The Gray Sheep by S.M. Somerset is a complex fantastical world with a rich history and plenty of conflict.

The Gray Sheep by S. M. Somerset Book Cover

Cosette is doing her best to continue running her father’s jeweler shop in a war-torn country as he recovers from an illness that isn’t getting any better with her uncle in another part of town. When she gets word of his decline, she decides to risk everything to go see him, even though the space between them is occupied and extremely dangerous.

Resourceful, thoughtful, and quite stubborn, Cosette is a worthy heroine. This story is deeply political, as all the marketing materials promise. To be honest, some of it was a little too much for me, and it tended to linger in sections I felt could do with more urgency. The language was urgent in these spaces, but the actual sentences still took their time leaving a strange feeling of needing to move forward, but not being able to because there were just too many words to get through in the scene.

I really admired Cosette’s bravery and determination, and several of the characters she encounters were interesting, and at times unexpected.

Overall, I think people who enjoy the political side of fantasy will enjoy this, or even sweeping historical epics might try their hand at it and be delightfully surprised.

As a whole, it strikes me mostly as quite an accomplishment!

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title::The Gray Sheep (The Lochsmith Book I)
Author::S. M. Somerset
Genre:: Historical Fantasy
Publisher::Indie
Length:: 582 pages
Published::May 5th, 2026
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

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Book Review:: The Heart of Everything | Marc Levy

The Heart of Everything is a magical tale of fathers and sons and the intricacies of families.

The Heart of Everything by Marc Levy Book Cover

Thomas’s father passed away five years ago, but he still thinks of him at every concert he plays in as a professional pianist. But when he sees his ghost, literally, in the crowd one day, he cannot believe his eyes. And when he sees him again in the dressing room afterward, he cannot believe his request.

This novel is a testament of the complexity of the human animal, but not in a deep, philosophical, brooding, way — it is packaged in a deeply moving, farewell adventure between a boy and the ghost of his dead father. There is a clear goal, and plenty to thwart the achievement of it, and the heart lives in the spaces in between.

I cannot overstate the importance of reading this as an audiobook. Simon Mattacks is incredible. The accents, the tone, the pace of it all was just — impeccable. I will remember this and it will certainly sway me toward any title with his name on it!

Everyone should read this book. I can’t think of a single fault. It’s concise, heartful, expressive, thoughtful, hopeful, and somehow melodic, in its own way. It’s lovely.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: The Heart of Everything
Author:: Marc Levy (translated from French by Maren Baudet-Lackner)
Genre:: General Fiction
Publisher:: Brilliance Audio / Amazon Crossing
Length:: 208 pages
Published::January 1st, 2026
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars

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Book Review:: And Now, Back to You | B.K. Borison

I remember when B.K. Borison announced her deal for the Heartstrings series on social media: a series based on the 90s rom coms hard-coded into the DNA of all Americans of a certain age. What an incredible body of genius to work with! Though if you’re looking for retellings or something closely aligned to the classics, you may be let down.

And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borison Book Cover

And Now, Back to You is supposed to be inspired by When Harry Met Sally, one of the greatest movies of all time. But how it relates is a head scratcher.

All that aside, though, I did like this book.

The thing that sets apart a B.K. Borison book from a run-of-the-mill romance novel is something about the clean structure, lightly complex characters, and elevated prose. If you’re looking for something hot and swoony, you really can’t go wrong.

The characters in her books always have bigger problems than to typical will-they-won’t-they. This story has some meat on its bones. Jackson juggling enormous responsibility both in and out of work, and Delilah navigates a difficult situation in pursuit of her dream. Through the novel the rivals see each other in a new light and become genuine friends (and maybe a little extra).

This is the kind of book that makes people fall in love with romance. If you read a ton of it, you’ll see the scaffolding clear as day, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still a joy to read!

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title::And Now, Back to You (Heartstrings #2)
Author:: B. K. Borison
Genre:: Romantic Comedy
Publisher:: Berkley
Length:: 464 pages
Published::February 24th, 2026
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

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Book Review:: Shaolin Spirit | Shi Heng Yi

The Shaolin way is deeply philosophical and self-reflective. While there are several stances and physical practices laid out in this book, I went into it more for the philosophy and mindset discussions, and I found a treasure of value in that way. Are the ideas necessarily new and ground-breaking? No. They’re something far greater. These are ancient wisdoms, and as the author says distinctly in the book several times, they are available to all.

Shaolin Spirit by Shi Heng Yi Book Cover

If you are looking for a way to re-center yourself, look deeply and be honest with yourself, this book is an excellent resource for walking through that process. Shi Heng Yi lists so many questions to ask of ourselves, examining the whys and the hows and the shoulds — but it isn’t a lecture, not at all. It is accepting of our human natures, leaves room for our own individual natures, and encourages us to open up, redirect certain energies, challenge ourselves both mentally and physically, building resilience and personal strength in a way that is all too uncommon these days.

I took PAGES of notes on this one, as I listened to the (excellent) audiobook — little nuggets of profound little teachings that are at once obvious, but so so powerful. This is the kind of book you can return to again and again, literally daily, and it will still serve to guide you in a positive, more contemplative direction.

I recommend the audiobook. It was even calming listening to the author narrate. I think it certainly added something to the experience. Near the end it did seem to tilt toward some kind of advertisement for his establishment, which I could have done without, but overall, this is a very valuable book for anyone looking for a little self-improvement.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: Shaolin Spirit: The Way to Self-Mastery
Author:: Shi Heng Yi
Genre:: Personal Development
Publisher:: St. Martin’s Essentials
Length:: 288 pages
Published:: March 3rd, 2026
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

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Book Review:: Drive Me Crazy | Lizzy Dent

Buckle in, chappies, we’re going racing!

Drive Me Crazy by Lizzy Dent Book Review

We all know I’m a sucker for romance, and racing, so a romance with a backdrop of racing should be my holy grail of commercial romance — but it just isn’t.

I’ve read a fair few of F1 romances now, and while this ranks near the top of them, I have to say the trope as a whole hasn’t been very reliable. Apparently there is only so much trauma one can manufacture for an F1 driver. The wound is almost always the same.

That being said…this one is more successful than most, and I think the difference was Chloe. She is a badass, and constantly underestimated, and in a position that draws real scrutiny. The forced proximity in this one is real, and the conflict Matt is struggling with is very real as well.

Now I feel bad that I trashed the entire genre at the beginning of this review, but it’s a very real problem I’ve noticed, and I’ve read more than a handful at this point, so I feel pretty confident saying it. If you’re going to pick one up though, let this one be it. And if you know of another good racing romance (not just F1), send your recs my way!!

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: Drive Me Crazy
Author:: Lizzy Dent
Genre:: Sports Romance
Publisher:: G. P. Putnam’s Sons
Length:: 368 pages
Published:: January 6th, 2026
The Litertarian Rating:: 3-Stars

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Book Review:: How the Story Goes | Andrew Forrester

What happens when an author dies before finishing a beloved series? *ahem, Martin* In the case of an uproariously popular children’s fantasy series by Helen Longacre, she left that monumental task to her mystery-writer husband, Whit, who, for the record, has no idea where to even start.

How the Story Goes by Andrew Forrester Book Cover

This is a story about the kind of displacement that happens when you lose something you love. Something you thought you’d have for a lot longer than you did. The publisher is on a major deadline (which, wtf fictional publisher), but they have to concede to the last wishes of Helen, who wanted her precious story to be left in the hands of the man who didn’t even really read the books. Not because he was a bad husband. Because marriage doesn’t have to be everything for every person. They shared a love for writing, not a passion for writing the same thing.

I liked the straight-forwardness of the prose and Whit’s attitude. He is who he is, and though he tells a few fibs to get the agents and editors off his back, he’s a very honest person, and that gets him far. The woman he ends up asking for help has her own story, and a past that won’t stop haunting her.

In some ways, this story felt refreshing. While it has common elements of things I’ve loved before, it felt like something entirely new. The voice was direct, with lots of personality. The characters were well formed, intelligent, and trying their best, and the premise itself lends itself to the kind of deep grief that if we haven’t felt ourselves, can at least vividly imagine and empathize with.

Through the grief is healing and the remembering of good memories and trying to live up to being the person someone once thought you could be. Through the healing, comes a different kind of new beginning. A continuation of a story after a mid-point plot twist.

I adored this book. And I will keep my eye out for more from this phenomenal debut author. Congratulations, Andrew. This book is perfectly special.

Also, the narrators were top-notch and brought this story to life in a beautiful way. James Fouhey, especially, I felt brought the exactly right voice for Whit’s character.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title::How the Story Goes
Author::Andrew Forrester
Genre::Contemporary Romance
Publisher::Avon
Length:: 368 pages
Published::May 5th, 2026
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars

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Book Review:: The Bodyguard Affair | Amy Lea

Ah, good ol’ rom-com territory for the first time in awhile! The Bodyguard Affair by Amy Lea is an engaging, spicy, and always moving forward.

The Bodyguard Affair by Amy Lea Book Cover

The premise is a gimmick as this entire genre has loudly become in the past ten years. Tropes, tropes, everywhere, which is fine when there’s also some heart.

The tone is genuine rom-com territory: mostly bubble-gum level antics framed in a serious but straight-forward situation.

It’s not all surface level laughs though, there is a little bit of meat on these character’s bones. Complicated families, pursuing dreams, forgiveness, and genuine emotion play a role here too.

Overall, this is an entertaining commercial romance I think a wide-audience will appreciate. If you’re looking for something to sink your teeth into though, this may not be the right thing to pick up at the minute. Read it at the end of a long week, I think it’ll help lighten the load.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: The Bodyguard Affiar
Author:: Amy Lea
Genre:: Contemporary Romance
Publisher:: Berkley
Length:: 432 pages
Audio Length:: 10h 51m
Audiobook Narrator:: Brittany Pressley & Teddy Hamilton
Published:: December 2nd, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

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Book Review:: Jitterbug | Gareth Powell

I really need to read more science fiction.

This political space adventure was delightful.

Jitterbug by Gareth Powell Book Cover

This is a self-contained propulsive novel that felt like the best episodes of Firefly with maybe a bit of Mass Effect (the game) or Halo (yep, the game) mixed in. (Can you tell most of my sci-fi reference is in video games, not fiction?)

The captain of the Jitterbug is Copernicus Brown — Copernicus! He and his crew survive this futuristic landscape as bounty hunters. They’re scrappy, but legit. Until Amber Roth.

While the prose read sometimes a little distant for my usual tastes, I would have really loved some more interiority, this was still such a worthwhile read. It’s a fun adventure with momentous stakes, but it was the personal stories that really got me, and the journey of the ship itself was genuinely moving.

It also tied in some edge-of-our-understanding science that played a huge role in the plot, and while it got a little confusing (by nature), it added an element that just seemed to fit.

I follow Gareth on Threads and he seems like the chillest most generous dude. I can’t begin to describe the relief I felt that I genuinely enjoyed his writing, as well. If I found out he decided to expand this story into a series, I’d be first in line to buy the sequel.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: Jitterbug
Author:: Gareth L. Powell
Genre:: Science Fiction
Publisher:: Titan Books
Length:: 336 pages
Published:: March 3rd, 2026
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars

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Book Review:: Over and Over | Becky Hunter

So it turns out I’m a sucker for love stories through time (who knew there were so many of them?!), but this one has a twist on whatever standard there may be. It’s fully contemporary romance, there is no time travel — there are but the smallest hints of past lives, and they seem to be pointing Lissa toward a guy she recently met. A guy she really shouldn’t have any feelings for, but can’t seem to stop herself.

Lissa meets Ash through the guy she’s casually sleeping with at work. That is, after Ash saves her life on the street. She’s in a pretty dark place, being the anniversary of her sister’s death, and despite not getting off on the right foot, every time they run into one another, there’s this undeniable…something.

This book is mostly about grief, or more specifically, unprocessed grief. Lissa has a lot of healing to do with her family surrounding her sister’s death, and out of nowhere she starts getting these weird flashes of almost…memories. It gets bad enough that she searches out help for someone who specializes in past lives, even though she feels foolish for doing so.

I would call this a high concept novel, and the author stays true to her vision. I’m just not sure it entirely worked on me. It felt like a tall order, tying in the past life passages and trying to relate them to the current timeline. I would get more specific, but that feels like stepping into spoiler territory.

Don’t choose this book if you’re looking for a sweeping romance that covers generations. Don’t choose this book if you’re heavy into the metaphysics of it all. Do choose this book if you enjoy complex stories about grief and unlearning negative stories about yourself. There is a worthwhile journey in the pages of this book, it’s just not really the one that was promised.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: Over and Over
Author:: Becky Hunter
Genre:: Speculative Romance
Publisher:: Forever
Length:: 400 pages
Published:: February 24th, 2026
The Litertarian Rating:: 3-Stars

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Book Review:: Rules of the Heart | Janice Hadlow

Have you ever been swept up in an engrossing historical timepiece that runs on romance? If not, you need to pick up Rules of the Heart by Janice Hadlow. If you have, you’ll understand exactly why I’m telling you to pick up Rules of the Heart by Janice Hadlow. Lady Harriet Bessborough is a triumph and Hadlow structures her story in a way that keeps your heart in your throat the entire time.

Rules of the Heart by Janice Hadlow Book Cover

What can I say about this book? I certainly didn’t expect to be under its spell so quickly and entirely. I tend to enjoy an odd historical novel here and there, but rarely am I gripped by them the way this one gripped me.

There is passion, risk to reputation, promises and broken promises, jealousy, heartbreak, motherhood, friendship, protection, longing, betrayal, guilt, and love, so much genuine love it cannot be stopped, despite the risks and unconventionalities.

To be honest, I read this book months ago, and I still think about it. It is one of those haunting stories based on real-world characters and their lives that might seem flat if encountering them in a textbook format, but writers like Hadlow bring those often-flat biographies and paint them with vivid, exquisite detail in novels like this one.

Please don’t miss this. Even if you think you don’t like historical novels. This one is a straight banger.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title::Rules of the Heart
Author::Janice Hadlow
Genre::Historical Fiction
Publisher::Henry Holt & Company
Length:: 480 pages
Published::January 20th, 2026
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars

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