The Mouse Kingdom Blog

Category: Mouse’s Book Reviews

  • Book Review of Spell to Pay by Elle Wren Burke

    I need to state before getting into this review that I was given this book through BookSirens. Now that has been stated, I can now get into the book review. There are going to be spoilers in this review. 

    This was such a fun paranormal cozy mystery! I had a really good time with this one. The four-day fae wedding setting was so much fun, and I loved all the chaos that came from what first seemed like a prank but turned into something much more serious.

    Kinley continues to grow on me with every book, and I really liked seeing her learn more about herself, her past, and her magical world. Ryland was supportive as always, and Twilight and Midnight completely stole so many scenes.

    There’s mystery, humor, a little romance, and just enough danger to keep things interesting. And that ending definitely has me ready for the next book!

    Now for the star ratings I’m giving this book.
    I’m giving this book an overall rating of 4 of out of 5 stars.
    The story is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The writing style is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

    Links
    Goodreads
    Amazon

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  • Book Review of Magical Midlife Madness [Dramatized Adaptation] by K.F. Breene

    I need to state before getting into this review that I was given this book through Booksprout. Now that has been stated, I can now get into the book review. There are going to be spoilers in this review.

    This book review is going to be based on the audio dramatized adaptation of the book.
    Magical Midlife Madness was such a fun surprise for me. On paper, this book should have been way too cheesy or over-the-top, but somehow it ended up being hilarious, charming, and ridiculously entertaining.

    After her divorce and with her son off at college, Jessie decides it’s time to start over and figure out life on her own. When she accepts a job as the caretaker of Ivy House, a strange old home she’s felt connected to since childhood, she quickly realizes she’s walked straight into something much bigger than a simple fresh start. Between the magical house, a gargoyle butler, eccentric townspeople, and a whole hidden magical world, things get chaotic fast.

    What I loved most about this book was Jessie herself. I’m honestly tired of reading fantasy where the heroine is always some flawless twenty-year-old who somehow masters everything instantly. Jessie felt real to me. She’s divorced, self-aware, funny, independent, and just trying to get her life back together. I especially appreciated how the story embraced her age and experience instead of acting like adventure, magic, and romance only belong to younger women. That was so refreshing.

    The plot itself is fairly straightforward, and the world-building isn’t super deep, but for me that wasn’t really the point. The fun came from the journey, the humor, and getting to know all of the weird and lovable characters in this magical little town. Niamh completely stole every scene she was in, Austin brought that perfect slow-burn energy, and the overall cast made the story so much better. I loved the banter, the friendships, and the found-family feel running through everything.

    I will say the ending felt a little abrupt and a bit anticlimactic for me. It definitely wraps up one major issue, but it’s also very obvious this is setting up a much larger story. Once I realized this was part of a series, that made a lot more sense. Even so, I still found it entertaining enough that I’d keep going.

    And if you can, I absolutely recommend listening to the Graphic Audio/audiobook version. It adds so much to the experience. The full cast, different character voices, and “audio movie” feel made the humor and personality of the story stand out even more. It really brought the whole thing to life, and I had such a great time with it.

    Overall, I found Magical Midlife Madness to be funny, quirky, and unexpectedly delightful. If you love paranormal fantasy with humor, eccentric characters, magical chaos, and a heroine who proves life can still get interesting after 40, this one is definitely worth picking up.
    I can’t wait to listen to the next book.

    Now for the star ratings I’m giving this book.
    I’m giving this book an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
    The story is getting a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
    The writing style is getting a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy level is getting a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy rating would be a 1 according to romance.io stem rating guide.

    Links
    Amazon Link #1
    Amazon Link #2
    Goodreads
    Audible
    Graphic Audio

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  • Book Review of Broken Bond by Ariana Irendale

    I need to state before getting into this review that I was given this book through Booksprout. Now that has been stated, I can now get into the book review. There are going to be spoilers in this review.

    I absolutely loved this audiobook! The world-building was incredible, and I was completely drawn in by all the intricate details surrounding the animals, creatures, and characters. I was invested in Fiz’s story from the very beginning and honestly wasn’t ready for it to end—especially with that cliffhanger, because now I need more.

    Fiz hasn’t had an easy time lately. One bad decision leaves her fighting for her life, only to end up bonded to someone who seems to want nothing to do with her. But she made a promise to someone she loved, and she’s determined to keep it no matter what. Even with everything and everyone working against her, she refuses to give up. She’s determined, funny, spunky, feisty, and absolutely not someone who goes down without a fight.

    I seriously want to go to Order ASAP and be best friends with Fiz.

    The narration was spot on and added so much to the story. The narrator did an amazing job giving each character their own distinct voice, and I felt completely immersed in Ariana’s world. The performance was smooth, expressive, and incredibly professional. I’ll definitely be listening to more from this narrator.

    This one definitely has steamy paranormal romantasy vibes, though there isn’t much spice just yet. It also feels like it could be heading into a why choose romance, which has me even more excited for what’s coming next. I cannot wait for the next book!

    Now for the star ratings I’m giving this book.
    I’m giving this book an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The story is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The writing style is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy rating would be a 2 according to romance.io stem rating guide.

    Links
    Amazon
    Audible
    Goodreads

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  • Book Review of Home Ice Advantage by L. M. Southwick

    I need to state before getting into this review that I was given this book through Booksprout. Now that has been stated, I can now get into the book review. There are going to be spoilers in this review.

    This book was such a fun and addictive hockey romance! Volkov joining the misfit crew of the Bedford Dragons made for such an entertaining story, and his chemistry with Samantha, the team’s social media manager, was impossible not to root for.

    I loved the slow build between them and kept wondering why they fought their feelings for so long when they were so clearly meant to be together. The team trying to push them in the right direction made it even better.

    The Dragons are such a lovable group of characters, and this book definitely made me excited for the rest of the series.

    Now for the star ratings I’m giving this book.
    I’m giving this book an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
    The story is getting a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
    The writing style is getting a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy level is getting a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
    The spicy rating would be a 5 according to romance.io stem rating guide.

    Links
    Amazon
    Goodreads

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  • Book Review of The Shopkeeper’s Daughter by Valerie Nifora

    I need to state before getting into this review that I was given this book through Booksprout. Now that has been stated, I can now get into the book review. There are going to be spoilers in this review. This is an ARC copy.

    This book is a beautifully written, cozy, and enchanting story that completely pulled me in from the very first page. I went in expecting a simple village romance, but what I found was so much more—part fairy tale, part mystery, and part second-chance love story, all wrapped in a magical, dreamlike atmosphere.

    The story feels delicate and nostalgic, bringing to life a quieter time filled with warmth, longing, and wonder. The writing is wonderfully descriptive, making it easy to get lost in the snowy village, the little shop, and the mystery that slowly unfolds. I especially loved the unexpected magical elements, which added such a unique charm to the romance.

    There’s a softness to this book, but also an emotional depth and quiet intensity that keeps you turning the pages. The twists were unexpected, and by the end, I was left wondering what was real and what felt like a dream—in the best possible way.

    If you love British cozies, fairy tale vibes, mystery, and heartfelt romance, The Shopkeeper’s Daughter is definitely one to pick up.

    Now for the star ratings I’m giving this book.
    I’m giving this book an overall rating of 4.5 of out of 5 stars.
    The story is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
    The writing style is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

    Links
    Amazon
    Goodreads

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