Book Review: Kiss Slay Replay by Rachel Harrison

Posted in Book Reviews by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

Title: Kiss Slay Replay
Author: Rachel Harrison
Publisher: Berkley
Publication date: September 1, 2026
Length: 336 pages
Genre: Horror
Source: Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley
Rating:

Every wedding guest’s worst nightmare is on repeat in this wild and twisty new horror novel from the New York Times bestselling author of So Thirsty and Play Nice.

It’s the picture-perfect wedding The venue is dreamy, the weather is beautiful, love is in the air—and Willa Sullivan is having a bad time. She’s excited to celebrate her best friends finally having the big wedding they’ve always wanted, but this is the first time she’s seen her ex-fiancé in months, and he brought a date. Everything feels off, like she stumbled into an alternate universe. But things start to look up when Willa meets Danny, the groom’s charming and single childhood best friend. When they sneak off together, their rendezvous is interrupted by a masked killer terrorizing the reception. Willa and Danny fight to save the ones they love and survive the night, but the killer is unrelenting. A final girl, Willa is not.

Or is she? She wakes up and it’s the morning of the wedding. She just had the most intense nightmare of her life. Only as the day unfolds, there are some uncanny coincidences that make her question whether it was really a dream, déjà vu, or something more sinister. After a horrifying turn of events, Willa comes to understand that she’s stuck in a loop of carnage and terror that she must learn how to escape or else suffer a fate worse than death—being an eternal wedding guest.

Don’t be fooled by the cutesey (but bloody) cover — Kiss Slay Replay is not a light-hearted romp with a hint of horror. Instead, it’s a full-on horror nightmare, with an interesting mix of introspection and terror.

What’s worse than going to your best friends’ wedding, months after calling off your own wedding just three weeks in advance and then living in a quagmire of what-ifs, regrets, and second guessing? All of the above, but with slaughter!

Willa is dreading the wedding weekend, despite its charming rural lakeside location in the Hudson Valley. She’s happy for Steph and Jace, but being there will mean being with her college best friends, all of whom, some ten years later, seem to have found happiness and meaning in their lives. Meanwhile, Willa has just ended her own long-term relationship, feels isolated and directionless and questions every decision she’s made, and has to not only go celebrate her friends’ marriage, but also see her ex at the wedding.

She knows her friends are running out of patience with her, despite how much they love her. She just needs to get her act together long enough to get through the weekend. The rustic setting is gorgeous — a wedding venue that was once the location of a lakeside summer camp. (Uh oh…) When Willa escapes into the woods to give herself a break from the wedding intensity, she sees a strange masked man in the distance… or does she? Maybe the stress and alcohol are getting to her. Maybe she’s seeing things.

She isn’t. What feels like a typical horror movie scenario unfolds. The masked man is a terrifying slasher who attacks the wedding (where, of course, there’s no cell reception, no one is armed, and everyone is too drunk to defend themselves). It’s awful… and (not really a spoiler) ends with Willa herself being murdered.

Except not. Because after a painful death, Willa wakes up back in her own bed, fully aware of everything that just happened. But when she checks her phone, it’s Friday again — the day she woke up and drove to the wedding. Checking in with her friends, she allows herself to be convinced that she had an incredibly vivid nightmare, and sets off for the wedding… only to arrive and see how it’s all exactly the same as it was in her supposed dream.

But things don’t go exactly the same way… and I won’t go into further detail, other than to say that Willa is really and truly caught in a time loop, and that each new version of the wedding day features a brand new type of carnage, mayhem, and death.

Kiss Slay Replay is the trippiest of time loop stories. I’ve read a bunch with a rom-com focus, which this most assuredly is not. Instead, Willa experiences horror trope after horror trope, but in a visceral, terrifying way, always ending in her painful, sometimes disgusting death, as well as the deaths of all of her friends. Stuff of nightmares for sure!

At the same time, Willa is deeply mired in the self-doubt and inner paralysis stemming from her break-up. She knew things with Ravi weren’t working, and hadn’t been for a long time. Calling off the wedding was the right thing to do — but she feels that she’s come adrift in her own life, and sees no point in anything. Starting over is awful. Feeling like a burden to her supportive friends makes her tired and upset. As her friend Cass tells her, the only way out is through… but Willa can’t see her life ever truly changing or how things will get better.

When will I know if I’ve made it out of the loop? At the stroke of midnight? Tomorrow morning? Never? Am I going to spend the next week, month, year, the rest of my life waiting for another monster to show up? Wondering what horror lurks in the shadows?

It occurs to me, that’s actually not so different from how I’ve been living Preemptively experiencing misery. Ye of little faith.

The time loop horror serves as a bloody representation of Willa’s inner life. Give up, or fight? Persevere, even though every day is terrible? Can she hide from the horror, or will it find her anyway? What if this is all life is?

The introspective moments in no way slow down the momentum of Kiss Slay Replay. From the moment I started, I simply couldn’t put it down. At first, I assumed each time loop would bring back the slasher, which I was kind of dreading, as slasher movies/books are not my favorites by a long shot. But no — while each day unveils some fresh hell, none of the horror scenarios repeat. Each is horrifying and terrifying in its own way. And while it’s amazing that Willa doesn’t just give up, we also get a vivid example of what happens on a day when she decides not to go to the wedding. (Hint: It’s not good).

Rachel Harrison’s novels are always a delight, and she never fails to produce a twisted take on what might at first glance seem like a familiar horror sub-genre (witches, haunted houses, vampires, and more). This author is a masterful storyteller, and her unique characters and premises make for compelling reads, every single time.

Kiss Slay Replay is not for the faint of heart, obviously. But if you enjoy horror and want something that will hook you from start to finish, don’t miss this newest (terrifying) gem.

Purchase links: Amazon – Bookshop.org – Libro.fm
Disclaimer: When you make a purchase through one of these affiliate links, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

2Sep2026

Audiobook Review: My Imaginary Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, & Jodi Meadows

Posted in Book Reviews by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

Title: My Imaginary Mary
Series: Mary, #2
Authors: Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows
Narrator: Morag Sims
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication date: August 2, 2022
Print length: 496 pages
Audiobook length: 13 hours 15 minutes
Genre: Young adult
Source: Purchased
Rating:

It’s aliiiiiiiive! The bestselling authors of My Lady Jane are back with the electric, poetic, and (almost) historical tale of the one and only Mary Shelley.

Mary may have inherited the brilliant mind of her late mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, but she lives a drab life above her father’s bookstore, waiting for an extraordinary idea that’ll inspire a work worthy of her parentage—and impress her rakishly handsome (and super-secret) beau, Percy Shelley.

Ada Lovelace knows a thing or two about superstar parents, what with her dad being Lord Byron, the most famous poet on Earth. But her passions lie far beyond the arts—in mechanical engineering, to be exact. Alas, no matter how precise Ada’s calculations, there’s always a man willing to claim her ingenious ideas as his own.

Pan, a.k.a. Practical Automaton Number One, is Ada’s greatest idea yet: a machine that will change the world, if only she can figure out how to make him truly autonomous . . . or how to make him work at all.

When fate connects our two masterminds, Mary and Ada learn that they are fae—magical people with the ability to make whatever they imagine become real. But when their dream team results in a living, breathing, thinking PAN, Mary and Ada find themselves hunted by a mad scientist who won’t stop until he finds out how they made a real boy out of spare parts.

With comic genius and a truly electrifying sense of adventure, Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows continue their campaign to turn history on its head in this YA fantasy that’s perfect for fans of The Princess Bride and A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue.

The Mary series — beginning with My Contrary Mary, an alternate history version of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots — continues here with My Imaginary Mary, a clever, highly entertaining and extremely silly spin on the lives of Mary Shelley and Ada Lovelace, two creative young women stuck in a world that doesn’t appreciate them.

Mary Godwin, living above her father’s bookshop, dreams of becoming a writer someday, just like her famous mother, Mary Wollstonecraft. She also dreams of running off with her handsome secret boyfriend, the up-and-coming young poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Meanwhile, Ada lives with her controlling mother, Lady Byron, raised to despise her disreputable father Lord Byron (the rock star of his era). Ada is a brilliant engineer, scientist, and mathematician, but must work on her inventions and equations in secret, as these are not appropriate endeavors for a young lady of marriageable age.

When Mary and Ada meet at a society party, their lives becomes inextricably connected… due to complicated reasons involving a charlatan scientist, dead frogs, and… magic. As Mary and Ada soon learn, they’re both fae and possess magical powers, and must be instructed on how to use them. Rule #1: Create responsibly.

This lesson doesn’t fully take… and before long, they’ve used a combination of science, magic, and lightning to bring an automaton to life. After all sorts of further mishaps, they end up on the run across Europe, along with Pan — the animated automaton — Mary’s sisters, and a mechanical horse. Finally, their mad trek takes them to Villa Diodati on the shores of Lake Geneva (which actual history tells us is where Mary Shelley famously created the story that became her novel Frankenstein).

Let’s just say that My Imaginary Mary takes wild liberties with these historical characters, and provides a funny, madcap adventure that is a delight to read and listen to. Narrator Morag Sims delivers the ups and downs, the character voices, and the bonkers moments with style — including a scene of dialogue shared while the characters are all bound and gagged, which is laugh-out-loud hilarious.

After listening and/or reading the Jane books by these authors, I’m not in the least surprised that I found My Imaginary Mary to be oodles of fun. There are moments were the story verges on being too much… but really, in a story like this one, the whole point is being over the top, and the book definitely succeeds.

Little direct-to-the-reader (or listener) moments add even more great entertainment, such as the advice provided:

(Reader, your narrators here. We just want to give a small public service announcement about the tiny warning voice in the back of your head, the one that whispers that you might be about to make a mistake. We’re here to tell you there’s a 99.8 percent chance that the voice is right. Please listen to the tiny warning voice. No matter how good a kisser he is.)

I was also highly amused by some recurring bits such as:

Pan’s throat fan whirred. She had told him to stay. But he also had a strong urge to go and investigate.

Should I stay or should I go now? he thought. If I go there could be trouble. And if I stay there could be double.

And…

… “But you do not even have an idea,” she said.

“I shall have one,” he said. “When you give it to me. We’re partners, are we not? We work for our mutual benefit. So go on — ” He lowered his head as if he were expecting to be struck with something tangible. “Hit me with your best shot. Fire away.”

Because I was listening to the audiobook, usually on the go, I didn’t stop and highlight great lines nearly as often as I should have, which is the one downside to not going with a print version of this story. But that’s okay — I really enjoyed every moment, even if I can’t pull up even more examples of favorite passages.

I love the Jane and Mary books, and I’m eager to continue! I supposes the Tudor books (My Lady Jane and My Contrary Mary) are still my favorites, but My Imaginary Mary is a worthy addition to the series, and offers all the fun fans of this series have come to expect.

I look forward to reading the 3rd Mary book, which — sadly — is the last in the series. (Unless the authors decide to write more, or start a new series… here’s hoping!)

Interested in the Jane books? Check out:

And don’t miss:

My Contrary Mary

Purchase links for My Imaginary Mary: Amazon – Bookshop.org – Libro.fm
Disclaimer: When you make a purchase through one of these affiliate links, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

1Sep2026

Top Ten Tuesday: Books With Nationalities In The Title

Posted in Top Ten Tuesday by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Books With Nationalities In The Title with the prompt providing example such as The French Lieutenant’s Woman, Mexican Gothic, An American Marriage, etc. Well, clearly I can’t use those! But I did manage to come up with ten others…

The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (review)
The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
My Italian Bulldozer by Alexander McCall Smith (review)
The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende (review)
The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon
The Russian Cage by Charlaine Harris (review)
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L Sanchez (review)
A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey (review)
American Hippo by Sarah Gailey (review)

What books made your list this week? Do we have any in common?

If you posted a TTT list this week, please share your link!

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31Aug2026

The Monday Check-In ~ 8/31/2026

Posted in The Monday Check-In by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.

Life.

Everyone in my household was busy elsewhere this weekend, so I had a lot of time to myself… and naturally, spent a big chunk of it reading! But also, it was nice to have a bit of quiet time to catch up on a few phone calls, run some errands I’d been postponing, and get outside for walks (despite the typical fog and overcast skies that we get this time of year).

What did I read during the last week?

First, a popular book that had been on my TBR list since 2025:

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi: Uplifting and lovely, and now I understand why there’s so much buzz about this book. My review is here.

And then, switching gears completely, I tried hockey romance for the first time:

Game Changer and Heated Rivalry (Game Changers series, books 1 & 2) by Rachel Reid: Well, that was certainly an experience! My two-fer write-up is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I needed some low-commitment light viewing this week, and decided to check out Stuart Fails to Save the Universe over on HBO — the Big Bang Theory spin-off I never would have guessed we needed. And guess what? It’s ridiculous and also a lot of fun. Check out the trailer:

Fresh Catch:

One new book this week:

I’ll be starting the audiobook this week… and I’m delighted to have this beautiful hardcover edition to go with it.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Kiss Slay Replay by Rachel Harrison: Time loop with a slasher? Sure, why not? I’ve loved everything I’ve read by this author, so I’m happy to be starting her new book.

Now playing via audiobook:

My Imaginary Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton & Jodi Meadows: I thought I’d have time to finish this audiobook over the weekend, but plans went a bit awry. Anyway, it’s just as much fun as I’d expected, and I should be done in a day or two. Watch for a review later this week.

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 77%. Coming up this week: Volume 4, chapters 3 and 4.

Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier: My spin book! Yup, just leaving it here until I finally start it — and since I have until October to finish, I’m not in a rush at the moment. (Here’s my post about the Classics Club spin challenge this time around.)

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…

30Aug2026

Hockey romance two-fer: Skating my way into the Heated Rivalry book series

Posted in Book Reviews by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

Last week, I arrived super late to the party, and finally binge-watched Heated Rivalry. And what’s a reader to do after watching a compelling TV series and knowing there’s a long wait for season 2? Obviously, it was time to try the book series!

I read books 1 and 2 this week (and technically, the series name is Game Changers, but let’s face it, anyone walking into a bookstore is going to say “hey, where are those Heated Rivalry books?”).

My reactions to the books are below… and fair warning:

THERE WILL BE SPOILERS!

I’ll be talking about the books themselves, but also discussing a few plot points in comparison to the TV version.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Let’s lace up those skates and hit the ice…

Game Changer (Game Changers, #1) by Rachel Reid

Synopsis:

New York Admirals captain Scott Hunter takes his pre-game rituals very seriously. In this case, it’s not just a lucky smoothie he’s craving—it’s the man who made it.

Pro hockey star Scott Hunter knows a good thing when he sees it. So, when a smoothie made by juice bar barista Kip Grady precedes Scott breaking his on-ice slump, he’s desperate to recreate the magic…and to get to know the sexy, funny guy behind the counter.

Kip knew there was more to Scott’s frequent visits than blended fruit, but he never let himself imagine being invited back to Scott’s penthouse. Or kissed with reckless abandon, nevermind touched everywhere all at once. When it happens it’s red-hot, incredible and frequent, but also only on Scott’s terms and always behind his closed apartment doors.

Scott needs Kip in his life, but with playoff season approaching, the spotlight on him is suddenly brighter than ever. He can’t afford to do anything that might derail his career…like introducing the world to his boyfriend. Kip is ready to go all-in with Scott—but how much longer will he have to remain a secret?

If you’ve watched Heated Rivalry, you’ll recognize the plot of Game Changer as the focus of episode three of the TV series, which takes us away from the characters of episodes 1 and 2 (see next book!) and into a whole new set of characters… starting with a smoothie shop! Scott and Kip meet over smoothies and are both instantly smitten, but there’s a problem: Scott is the captain of the New York hockey team, incredibly famous and recognizable, and firmly in the closet.

Which has never felt like a choice for him: There are no out gay players in the NHL, and as depicted in the book, hockey has never been a world in which a gay man might feel safe. As Scott points out, gay slurs are the go-to on the ice for trash talking and riling up the opposition. So Scott has never been in a relationship, and has only ever indulged in the rare hook-up while traveling somewhere where he can be incognito.

Meeting Kip changes everything for him. Their connection is intense and passionate, and they become inseparable. But Scott and Kip can only be together in the privacy of Scott’s home, and Kip starts feeling like a dirty little secret. Despite being madly in love with Scott, Kip isn’t willing to go back in the closet for him. Scott has to decide whether a public persona that denies who he truly is is worth protecting, especially if it means giving up a relationship with the person who’s come to mean everything to him.

I really liked the Kip and Scott episode of the TV series, and for most of Game Changers, the plot beats are pretty consistent with the TV version. I enjoyed delving a little further into each character’s backstory, and getting more of Scott’s thoughts on his career, the homophobia in the NHL, and why he’s felt the need to remain closeted for so long.

I knew going into these books that they’re very spicy, which is usually not my reading preference at all. So no, I wasn’t shocked to see just how detailed and explicit the sex scenes are… but I did find myself thinking “enough already!” after a while. I know how body parts work! As the book moves further and further along, the scenes begin to feel repetitive and unnecessary. Early on, they show the instant chemistry and wild attraction between the characters, but as these explicit scenes continue throughout the entire book, for me at least, it feels like too much. The book probably would have been about half the length with a bit more of a closed door approach! And yes, the TV adaptation shows a lot… but not the up close and personal anatomical details that we get in the book.

One thing I liked a lot about the book’s approach is Scott’s journey toward coming out. In the TV version, he makes what seems like a spur-of-the-moment decision, after his team wins the championship, to kiss Kip on the ice in front of the entire stadium… which also happens in the book, but earlier, he’d already come out to his agent, coach, and three best friends on the team. He hadn’t planned the public kiss in advance, but we know already that he’s been thinking about how to fully come out, and we can see why he’s moved in that particular moment to share the joy of the moment with the person he loves.

Kip and Scott are lovely characters. They really only get the spotlight for one episode of the TV series (plus a couple of other quick glimpses), so obviously a book devoted to them is able to go deeper in terms of exploring their emotions, motivations, and experiences.

Publication date: 2018
Length: 368 pages
Rating:

(I don’t have quarter-star graphics… but if I did, I’d go with 3.25 stars)

Heated Rivalry (Game Changers, #2) by Rachel Reid

Synopsis:

Nothing interferes with Shane Hollander’s game—definitely not the sexy rival he loves to hate.

Pro hockey star Shane Hollander isn’t just crazy talented, he’s got a spotless reputation. Hockey is his life. Now that he’s captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, he won’t let anything jeopardize that, especially the sexy Russian whose hard body keeps him awake at night.

Boston Bears captain Ilya Rozanov is everything Shane’s not. The self-proclaimed king of the ice, he’s as cocky as he is talented. No one can beat him—except Shane. They’ve made a career on their legendary rivalry, but when the skates come off, the heat between them is undeniable. When Ilya realizes he wants more than a few secret hookups, he knows he must walk away. The risk is too great.

As their attraction intensifies, they struggle to keep their relationship out of the public eye. If the truth comes out, it could ruin them both. But when their need for each other rivals their ambition on the ice, secrecy is no longer an option.

Watching the TV version of Heated Rivalry is what convinced me to pick up the books — I wanted more Ilya and Shane!

Their story is compelling: Meeting as teen pre-draft hockey players, they’re drawn together immediately despite their differences. Shane is a controlled, respectful, nice guy from a supportive family, who lives for hockey. Ilya is the “bad boy” Russian player who loves to rile up his opponents, indulge his wild side, and be absolutely fierce on the ice. From their initial encounter onward, when they end up the #1 and #2 draft picks, then start their NHL careers on rival teams, the entire hockey world views them as enemies, and their rivalry drives the already crazy fan interest through the roof.

Shane and Ilya have a secret that no one can know: Since their earliest days in the league, they’ve been hooking up for intense encounters which are particularly eye-opening for Shane, who’d never questioned his sexuality previously. Over the years, they find ways to meet up whenever they’re playing in the same town. Their chemistry is explosive. But as time passes, they both begin to realize that the sex is only a part of what they want from one another… and acknowledging deeper feelings scares them both to death.

The storyline itself is pretty terrific. Two big, fierce, ultra-manly hockey players who secretly fall in love, yet can never let anyone know? Good stuff — and what makes it so compelling to read are the reasons and complications behind their dynamics, from fear of jeopardizing their careers to Ilya’s painful family history and the reality of what being out might mean for Ilya if he ever returned to Russia. As in Game Changer, both men are aware that there are no out hockey players, and that homophobia is still rampant within the hockey world. Their struggle to find a solution that doesn’t ruin their lives and yet allows them to have a real relationship is what drive this story forward.

As with Game Changer, the book is absolutely overflowing with frequent, highly explicit sex scenes. And yes, I knew what I’d be getting into when I picked up these books, so perhaps it’s not fair to complain about this aspect! On the one hand, the hot and heavy graphic scenes show how intense Ilya and Shane’s connection is, and how at the outset, it really is “just” about the sex. On the other hand… when practically every chapter has an up-close-and-personal scene with everything spelled out in detail — it’s a lot (and as in the first book, it just feels repetitive after a while).

Tastes vary, and I fully recognize that plenty of readers love the high spice content! As a personal preference, it’s just not what I look for in my romance reading. If not for having watched the TV series, I never would have picked up these books, knowing in advance their reputation for explicit content. So I accepted that that’s what I’d be reading — but I do think in terms of the reading experience, the books would be so much stronger if some of the space taken up by those scenes were devoted to more character and plot development.

Overall, though, I did enjoy reading Ilya and Shane’s story. I love their connection and their inner lives, and appreciated getting a sense of the next steps for them (after the closing scenes of the TV version).

Publication date: 2019
Length: 372 pages
Rating:

Will I continue with the Game Changers series?

Not right now. There are four more books currently available, with a 7th book scheduled for publication in June 2027. Books 3 – 5 apparently focus on other characters, and book #6, The Long Game, picks up Ilya and Shane’s story again (which then continues into book #7, Unrivaled). As I’m mainly interested in Ilya and Shane’s journey, I might skip ahead to The Long Game… or I might just wait for the 2nd season of the TV version, and then decide whether to read more.

As of this moment, reading two books in this series feels like plenty! I’m glad I gave them a try, but it’ll be a while (or maybe not at all) before I feel like diving back into this world.

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29Aug2026

Birthstone Book Covers: August = Peridot!

Posted in Bookish Thoughts, Fun and Whimsy by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

Back to the beginning… for me! A year ago, I participated in the Birthstone Book Covers meme — hosted by Leslie at Books Are the New Black — for the first time, and liked it so much that I’ve kept it going every month since.

And now, I’m back to where I started, ready for even more birthstone book covers! The challenge going forward will be to see if I can come up with NEW books to feature…

Want to join in this fun monthly meme?

The rules are simple:

Mention the creator (Leslie @ Books Are The New Black ) and link back so she can see your post! Pick 5+ book covers that match the current month’s Birthstone. Have fun!

August’s birthstone is peridot. According to the American Gem Society:

Though peridot is widely recognized for its brilliant lime green glow, the origin of this gemstone’s name is unclear. Most scholars agree that the word “peridot” is derived from the Arabic faridat, which means “gem;” however, some believe it’s rooted in the Greek word peridona, meaning “giving plenty.” Perhaps that’s why peridot was, according to lore, associated with prosperity and good fortune.

Peridot is the rare gem-quality variety of the common mineral olivine, which forms deep inside the Earth’s mantle and is brought to the surface by volcanoes. In Hawaii, peridot once symbolized the tears of Pele, the volcano goddess of fire who controls the flow of lava. Rarely, peridot is also found inside meteorites.

Peridot’s signature green color comes from the composition of the mineral itself—rather than from trace impurities, as with many gemstones. That’s why this is one of few gemstones that only comes in one color, though shades may vary from yellowish-green to olive to brownish-green, depending on how much iron is present.

Onward to the books! Here are the peridot (or peridot-adjacent) book covers I’ve found on my shelves:

Heartstopper, volume 6 by Alice Oseman
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Under the Lilacs by Louisa May Alcott
Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
Lost Boy by Christina Henry

Do you have any peridot books on your shelves?

28Aug2026

First Lines Friday 8/28/2026

Posted in Fun and Whimsy by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

First Lines Friday is a weekly feature for book lovers created by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Here’s how to join in:

Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page.
Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first.
Finally… reveal the book!

Today’s line are from a contemporary romance that’s been sitting on my TBR for a few months now:

Of the many psychological tricks Layla Bailey had played on herself in preparation for this — only her second trip ever to her favorite… well, was it better to say, former favorite? onetime favorite? nostalgic, painful, heartbreaking favorite?… city in the world — typing positive affirmations into her translation app was possibly the most personally embarrassing.

So what’s the book?

The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn
Published 2026
454 pages

Synopsis:

A woman tests the limits of her so-called amicable divorce when she flies to Paris for the destination wedding of her former sister-in-law, only to butt heads with the deliciously gruff best man, in a poignant and romantic novel from Kate Clayborn.

Physician Layla Bailey has spent over a year telling herself she’s moved on from a painful but amicable divorce from her college sweetheart. Staying friends with her ex seemed like the mature thing to do, but when Layla is invited to her former sister-in-law’s destination wedding in Paris—where Layla once spent her own romantic honeymoon—she knows her commitment to maturity might be her worst enemy…especially since her ex isn’t attending alone.

The only thing that could make the week more difficult is getting through it without the distraction of the wedding…. But when what Layla thought was a harmless conversation about the choices of her younger self leads to the bride getting cold feet, Layla finds herself facing down the groom’s mysterious, taciturn best man, Griffin, who will do anything to make sure this wedding happens.

Since she broke it, Griff demands she help him fix it. Going along with his plan to alleviate the engaged couple’s doubts seems like Layla’s best chance at maintaining a good relationship with a family she once called her own. But as she learns more about the past heartbreak that’s driving Griff to help his friend, she gets closer and closer to confronting the true depth of her own pain…while finding herself more and more willing to risk it all again for Griff.

I’ve been on the fence about picking this up, mainly because it’s longer and seemingly a bit heavier than I tend to prefer when it comes to romance reading. If you’ve read this book already, do you recommend it? And if not, does this sounds like something you’d enjoy?

Happy Friday! Wishing everyone a great weekend!

27Aug2026

Book Review: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

Posted in Book Reviews by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

Title: Theo of Golden
Author: Allen Levi
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication date: October 3, 2026
Length: 399 pages
Genre: Contemporary fiction
Source: Purchased
Rating:

One spring morning, a stranger arrives in the small southern city of Golden. No one knows where he has come from…or why…

His name is Theo. And he asks a lot more questions than he answers.

Theo visits the local coffeehouse, where ninety-two pencil portraits hang on the walls, portraits of the people of Golden done by a local artist. He begins purchasing them, one at a time, and putting them back in the hands of their “rightful owners.” With each exchange, a story is told, a friendship born, and a life altered.

A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen, Theo of Golden is a beautifully crafted novel about the power of creative generosity, the importance of wonder to a purposeful life, and the invisible threads of kindness that bind us to one another.

Theo of Golden is one of those books that seemed to come out of nowhere… and then turned up everywhere. The book has been on the New York Times bestseller list (combined e-book and print) for 38 weeks as of now, and has been selected by countless book groups (celebrity and otherwise) around the world. A debut novel, this gentle story showcases kindness and caring; it’s easy to see why it’s captured so many hearts.

Theo, who never provides more than his first name, is an 86-year-old man of Portuguese descent who arrives in Golden, Georgia (roughly modeled on Columbus, Georgia) and settles in. He wanders the town, observing the shops, the main street, and the river, exchanging pleasantries and greetings with the random people he encounters. When he stops by The Chalice, a local coffee shop, he’s stunned by the pencil-drawn portraits that line the walls. As he soon learns, a local artist has created these portraits, each one showing the face of a Golden resident. For Theo, the portraits are revelatory: In each, he sees hopes, fears, dreams, pains, and purpose. He admires how beautifully the artist has captured the individuality of these 92 people.

And thus, Theo’s mission is born. Learning the portraits are for sale, he decides to purchase them one by one and gift them (as a “bestowal”, as he comes to think of it) to the people they portray. Via handwritten letters, he reaches out to the various portraits’ subjects, asking them to meet him by the fountain at the center of town, where he gives them their portraits and spends time in conversation, learning who each person is and what their inner lives are like.

As Theo spends time in Golden, he connects with people from all walks of life, and listens with an open heart as they tell him their stories. Through Theo, strangers become friends, and he leaves behind a sense of connection and caring wherever he goes.

Theo of Golden is, first and foremost, a book about kindness. It’s a soft, sweet sort of story, but it’s never sappy or dull. Theo seems like someone we’d all want to know. He doesn’t push or intrude; he offers sincerity and is ready to listen and give his time, and that’s what so many of the people he encounters truly need.

I enjoyed seeing Theo weave connections and leave joy in his wake, and his acts of generosity and kindness truly change lives. The plot may feel a bit meandering at times, but it’s building toward something, and by the end, the various threads and hints all come together.

I have just minor quibbles about this book. First, Theo is a man of wealth, who chooses not to share anything about his business or properties or how he became the person he is. He’s able to use his money to change lives, which is lovely, whether it’s shown by way of covering medical bills or buying special gifts or other acts of generosity. This is all beautiful… but part of me wondered how Theo’s acts and encounters might have turned out if he didn’t have such wealth to pave the way.

My other quibble relates to the ending, where we finally get substantive answers about Theo. It’s wonderful in its own way, but also feels a little out of the blue. I can’t say more, but in some ways, it seems a little too neat and tidy. But maybe that’s just my inner curmudgeon peeking out!

I was charmed by Theo of Golden, and wanted to know more. Here’s an article about the real life coffee shop that was the inspiration for The Chalice! Also, check out this book-related guide to Columbus.

Theo of Golden is a lovely, uplifting read. I don’t often go for books that sound overly sentimental, but something drew me to this novel, and I’m so glad to have read it. The book’s messages about kindness, love, and community are something I think we all could use right about now. Highly recommended.

Purchase links: Amazon – Bookshop.org – Libro.fm
Disclaimer: When you make a purchase through one of these affiliate links, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

25Aug2026

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Places I’ve Visited

Posted in Top Ten Tuesday by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Bookish Places I’ve Visited with the prompt: Share all the cool places you’ve been that are bookish or tied to books! This includes neat libraries, book stores, places featured in books, places inspired by books, author homes/places they’ve stayed, etc. You can also share your bucket list of the bookish places you’d like to visit someday. (submitted by Susan @Bloggin’ ’bout Books)

Here are nine places I’ve been that have some connection to books — plus one that I really want to get to:

Note: Images from online sources are credited; uncredited images are from my camera roll.

1. Forks, Washington: A road trip last summer took me through the Olympic Peninsula, and I totally fangirled out over the Twilight-ness of it all.

2. Oregon Shakespeare Festival: I love everything about the annual festival in Ashland, Oregon, and hope to make it an annual tradition.

3. New York Public Library: Iconic! Need I say more?

4. The Morgan Library and Museum in New York: I visited with my book group, shortly after we’d read The Personal Librarian, which is set at this gorgeous location.

5. Harry Potter World at Universal Studios: Okay, sure, this is mainly based on the movies… but close enough!

6. Muir Woods: This national monument, just a quick drive from where I live, is one of my favorite local destinations, and has the added bonus of being an important site in the world of the October Daye series. Every time I visit, I hope to catch a glimpse of Toby and Tybalt. Hasn’t happened yet, but I can dream!

7. Salem, Massachusetts: Connected to so many books, and I found the small park with the names of the witch trial victims incredibly moving (despite being hemmed in on all sides by so much witchy kitsch)

8. Powell’s, Portland, OR: This immense bookstore is just as amazing as everyone says! I was so happy to finally get a chance to visit last year.

9. Florence, Italy: I was fortunate enough to be able to visit Florence during college, and read The Agony and The Ecstasy immediately before the trip, then planned my sight-seeing around checking out as many Michelangelo masterpieces as possible.

10. Jane Austen’s House, Chawton, UK: Finally, one from my bucket list! I don’t know when this will happen, but someday, I absolutely want to get to this Jane Austen landmark!

*Image from A Jane Austen Year; see https://janeaustens.house/a-short-history-of-jane-austens-house/ for more information*

Have you visited any bookish places? Are there any you especially hope to visit?

If you posted a TTT list this week, please share your link!

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24Aug2026

The Monday Check-In ~ 8/24/2026

Posted in The Monday Check-In by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

Life.

Not much new to report! It was a hectic workweek, but a lovely weekend. Books, walks, and family time… all good!

What did I read during the last week?

The Postcard by Anne Berest: A powerful, important book. I’m so glad my book group chose it for our discussion this month. My review is here.

Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel: A startling premise is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of this lovely, engaging, and thought-provoking novel. Highly recommended! My review is here.

The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Susan Patterson and James Patterson: I stumbled across this book while looking for a new audiobook on Libby… and since I needed a “book about a book club” for a reading challenge, I decided to give it a try. A nice bookish escape. My review is here.

First Test: Protector of the Small (graphic novel) by Tamora Pierce, adapted by Devin Grayson and Becca Farrow: I’ve had this book on my shelf for a while now, and found myself in the mood for a quick trip to Tortall this week! I’m glad I read it, although it left me wishing there was a follow-up available, and also in the mood to think about rereading one of the Tortall series from start to finish.

To the Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage: I’m glad I finally read this absorbing book, about a Cherokee woman’s quest to become an astronaut while learning about herself and her family. Not sure yet if I’ll be writing a full review, but I did find it very interesting.

Pop culture & TV:

I watched My Brilliant Career on Netflix, and loved it! With just six episodes, it’s a quick binge, and so well done. The show is an adaptation of the Australian classic by Miles Franklin (which was one of my Classics Club Spin books earlier in the year). Don’t miss it!

And having finished that series, I finally jumped on the bandwagon (very, very late) and watched… Heated Rivalry. I would have sworn that a hockey romance would hold zero interest for me, but I’m forced to admit that I was wrong! I was hooked right away, and loved the characters. I still don’t think I’d be interested in the books… but feel free to try to convince me otherwise.

Fresh Catch:

One new book this week:

I bought this lovely edition of The Time Traveler’s Wife, and I’m looking forward to getting the matching edition of the upcoming sequel in October.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

I haven’t quite decided what to start next, since I just finished a book late Sunday. As of now, I’m leaning toward one of the remaining books from my summer TBR:

The Fox and the Devil by Kiersten White
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews

We’ll see — it’s possible my mood will take me toward something else entirely.

Now playing via audiobook:

My Imaginary Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton & Jodi Meadows: I’m always happy to return to the world of the Jane/Mary books. This book focuses on Mary Shelley and Ada Lovelace — with a bit of magic thrown in. I just started this audiobook over the weekend and haven’t gotten very far yet… but so far, it’s a lot of fun.

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 76%. Coming up this week: Volume 4, chapters 1 and 2.

Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier: My spin book! Here’s my post about the results. This is my 2nd spin in a row to land on a du Maurier book… and I’m very happy about it. The due date is October 4th… which means I probably won’t start just yet, so I’ll leave it here as a reminder until I’m ready to dive in.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…