Fiction / Literary

Romance Rewind | Love is Blind by Lynsay Sands – Laugh Out Loud Historical Romance Review

Thoughts on the book: Not to quote a reality TV show, but “Is love truly blind?” (Okay, I couldn’t resist!) If you’re like me and have been watching the latest season of Love is Blind, you know it can be a messy train wreck. But long before the TV drama, there was the historical romance novel, Love is Blind by Lynsay Sands. This book remains one of my all-time favorites, making me laugh out loud with every reread. Our heroine, Lady Clarissa, is being paraded around town by her stepmother, who definitely plays the evil villain in this story, as she searches for a suitable husband. Unfortunately, Clarissa’s stepmother believes her glasses are the reason she can’t attract a suitor, so she forbids her from wearing them. As a result, Clarissa experiences a series of mishaps, earning a reputation for being clumsy and vain. As someone who wears glasses myself, I completely sympathize with Clarissa—navigating the world without them is no picnic! Enter Adrian, the Earl of Mowbray, our knight in somewhat tarnished armor. He’s self-conscious about a scar he received during the war, but he thinks he’s found an ideal match in Clarissa—especially since she can’t see his scar clearly. Her clumsiness doesn’t faze him, and he quickly becomes her steadfast supporter. This book is packed with embarrassing yet hilarious moments! From mistaking someone’s lap for a table to accidentally setting a wig on fire, there’s no shortage of laugh-out-loud scenes before these two finally tie the knot. It’s one of those stories that always brings a smile to my face, and it firmly holds its place as one of my favorite funny historical romances. But even after the wedding, the challenges don’t end. Adrian’s insecurities about his scar mean that he doesn’t encourage Clarissa to wear her glasses. And with a few careless comments from her stepmother, Clarissa starts to worry that Adrian might find her unattractive if she wears them. However, as their relationship deepens, the two slowly begin to truly ‘see’ each other, and their love story blossoms. While historical accuracy takes a backseat in Love is Blind, the charm and humor of Clarissa and Adrian’s story make up for it. This book is simply a delightful romp that’s guaranteed to make you laugh. It’s a must-read for fans of lighthearted, feel-good romances! Recommended Reading if you’re looking for: 

Romance Rewind | Love is Blind by Lynsay Sands – Laugh Out Loud Historical Romance Review Read More »

Graves Glenn Series by Erin Sterling: The Ex Hex, The Kiss Curse, & The Wedding Witch

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See my policies for further details. It’s spooky season, and Halloween is just around the corner! Whether you’re enjoying cooler temperatures and fall festivities like pumpkin patches, apple picking, or impatiently waiting for trick-or-treating, this series is the perfect way to pass the time. I fell in love with The Ex Hex when it first came out, and I was thrilled when the other books were released, letting me revisit not only my favorite characters but also my new favorite town, Graves Glenn. Set in fictional Georgia, Graves Glenn is a little tourist town where Halloween is the main attraction. It’s packed with spooky season festivities and cute shops offering all the merch you could possibly want. If that sounds like your kind of fun, let’s dive into the magical mayhem that is the Graves Glenn Series by Erin Sterling. The Ex Hex kicks off the series and follows Rhys Penhallow and Vivienne Jones on their misadventure-filled journey. These two are—no surprise here—exes with a bitter breakup in their past. When Vivienne was heartbroken, she added a little tequila and bubble bath into her grief, accidentally casting a hex on Rhys. Years later, Rhys returns to Graves Glenn to recharge the town’s magical ley lines, but things go haywire. Coincidence, or the result of Vivienne’s hex? As they quickly discover, the tequila-soaked curse is very real. Ghosts, talking cats, and magical mishaps unfold as Rhys and Vivi reconnect and build a stronger relationship. This book is such a fun read that you’ll want to revisit it every fall! Next up is The Kiss Curse, which follows Rhys’ brother, Lewellyn—or Wells—and Vivienne’s cousin, Gwyn Jones. I have a soft spot for oldest sibling stories, and Wells’ layered personality shines through as he moves to Graves Glenn with no intention of getting involved with Gwyn. And Gwyn? She’s a spunky heroine with a quirky style, making her my favorite character in the series. This book delivers some serious enemies-to-lovers vibes, all while keeping up the magical chaos that defines the Graves Glenn books. The tension between Wells and Gwyn is palpable, especially when her magic starts acting up just as he arrives. Is it his fault? Who knows! Plus, the glitter explosion scene makes me laugh every time. And we can’t forget Sir Purrcival, the true star of the book! The series wraps up with The Wedding Witch, focusing on Bowen Penhallow, the mysterious middle brother. From the start, Bowen intrigued me—he’s the quiet brother living in the mountains, with everyone joking about him being a werewolf. Naturally, I couldn’t wait to read his story when it dropped on my Kindle this season. Bowen is a bit of an enigma, but I was just as curious about the woman who would capture his heart. Enter Tasmyn, a character from the first book that I was delighted to see return! Their story brings a boss-employee dynamic with a magical twist, which added a fresh angle to the series. While this book leans more towards winter vibes than Halloween, it serves as a perfect bridge into the holiday season. And don’t worry—there’s still plenty of magical mayhem and a race against time to keep you hooked until the end. Whether you read them in order or pick them up as standalones, you can’t go wrong with any of these books. Each one is a complete story, but you’ll enjoy them more if you follow the whole set, as the characters make appearances in each other’s stories, and you get to see the couples’ relationships progress across the series. Graves Glenn is the true heart of the series, with its festive atmosphere and lively magic woven into every corner of the town. The way the fall festivities are described will make you wish Graves Glenn was a real place. Trust me—you’ll be dying to visit the town’s charming shops like Something Wicked just as much as I am!If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted spooky series with low angst, magical mischief, and connected characters, do yourself a favor and grab the Graves Glenn Series today. You won’t be disappointed!

Graves Glenn Series by Erin Sterling: The Ex Hex, The Kiss Curse, & The Wedding Witch Read More »

Scroll to Top