Can't-Wait Wednesday: Boleyn Traitor

Can't-Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

Boleyn Traitor

Philippa Gregory

Expected publication date: October 14, 2025

#1 New York Times bestselling author and “queen of royal fiction” (USA Today) Philippa Gregory returns with a dazzling historical novel of ambition, betrayal, and survival in the court of Henry VIII.

Jane Boleyn watches from the shadows of the Tudor court, where secrets are currency, every choice is dangerous, and even the faintest whisper can seal the fate of queens.

For Jane, survival demands playing every role required of her: a loving wife who conceals her doubts, a devoted sister to Anne Boleyn at the height of her power, and an obedient spy who carefully wields her words. But in a court ruled by ambition and a tyrant’s sword, Jane must rely on her sharp wit and skillful maneuvering to outthink those around her, knowing that one wrong move could cost her everything.

Philippa Gregory masterfully shines a spotlight on the untold story of Jane Boleyn, peeling back the myths to reveal a complex portrait of a woman who dared to survive at any cost. Perfect for fans of thrilling historical drama and readers captivated by the intrigue of the Tudor period, Boleyn Traitor is a must-read. - from Goodreads

Indie Bookstore Spotlight: Eight Cousins Books

We recently traveled to Cape Cod for a big family vacation, so you know I had to be on the lookout for indie bookstores while we were there!  In downtown Falmouth, we came across Eight Cousins Books!

Eight Cousins Books actually has two storefronts, just a few doors down from one another.  I first went to the location that carries books for adults (and also some puzzles and gifts).  It's not a huge space, but they manage to pack a lot in!  I snagged a holiday romance for later this year!  My sister and I went back for a second visit, and she really loved the selection.

After that, I went to their second location, which caters to children!  I loved it, a whole store just for children's books, games, and toys!  Eight Cousins Kids is quite a bit larger than the other location, and Henry had a great time checking everything out, as you can see in the last picture!

If you find yourself in Falmouth, I definitely recommend checking out these two indie bookstores!

Recent Reads

Wait for It by Jenn McKinlay (2021)

Annabelle is looking for a fresh start when she moves to Arizona to work for her friend's design company.  Her landlord Nick is recovering from a stroke, fearful about leaving his home, but when he and Annabelle finally meet, sparks fly.  Could they help each other find happiness?  I really enjoyed this book!  I have to say, it wasn't even really about the romance for me; it was about the journeys that Annabelle and Nick each take in overcoming their own issues (but of course, the way they help each other and come together didn't hurt, either!).  I liked watching Annabelle tackle her workplace issues and also make some realizations about her romantic history.  Nick's medical issues and past family traumas made his storyline a bit heaver but equally compelling.  4 stars

Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams (2025)

Audrey and her mother have returned to Winthrop Island to get Meredith sober.  While there, Audrey reconnects with her father and they discover a chest full of paintings, uncovering many secrets in the process.  In a second timeline, a young woman gives her account of surviving a shipwreck near Winthrop Island two centuries earlier.  I love dual timeline stories and seeing the way the stories eventually come together, often in surprising ways.  This was no exception!  I was anxious to see how Williams would tie the present-day and past timelines; Providence (the woman who survived the storm) was especially compelling to me.  I felt like the present-day story had all the hallmarks of a Beatriz Williams book, with family and secrets and love, but also felt a bit... grittier?  There was a lot of cursing and it did detract from the story a bit for me, but I enjoyed getting to know Audrey and Meredith and seeing them work on their relationships.  I also love the way Williams writes romance - it's not so obvious and in your face, it's in the glances and subtle wording and small moments.  4.5 stars

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Can't-Wait Wednesday: Good Spirits

Can't-Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

Good Spirits

B.K. Borison   

Expected publication date: October 21, 2025

The New York Times bestselling author of First-Time Caller, B.K. Borison is back with a whimsical new holiday romance—this time with a magical twist—that will have everyone falling in love with the Ghost of Christmas Past.

He’s the Ghost of Christmas Past. She’s not exactly Scrooge.

Ghost of Christmas Past Nolan Callahan intends to spend this holiday haunting like every other—get in, get out, return to his otherwise aimless existence as a ghost awaiting the afterlife. But when he’s faced with Harriet York, the sweetest assignment he’s ever had, he suddenly finds himself wishing for a future.

Harriet York has no idea why she’s being haunted. She’s a good person—or, at least, she tries to be. A people pleaser to her core, she always does what’s expected of her. But as she and Nolan begin to examine her past, they discover there are threads that bind them together— and realize there might be more to moving on than expected.

With the deadline of Christmas Eve fast approaching, will they find the key to their futures in each other’s pasts? Or will they stay firmly in the present, indulging in their unexpected, spirited connection? - from Goodreads

Top Ten Tuesday: My Fall TBR

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl.  This week's topic is our fall TBR!  I have a mix of books from my unread shelf and my library, as well as some nonfiction reads to prepare for November!  What will you be reading this fall?

Have you read any of these?  Where should I start?

Guest Blogger: My Favorite Audiobooks #4

 Michele is back today to recommend some more audiobooks!

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Up until a few years ago, I had never even considered audiobooks as a way to increase my reading – but then my husband started working for a major audiobook publisher and I got hooked!  Now I listen to them all the time – getting ready in the morning, in the car, exercising, at my daughter’s swim lessons, you name it.  Audiobooks are fantastic for when you can’t physically hold a book and I have listened to some really fantastic performances.  Here are some of my recent faves:

What Happened to the McCrays?

     

A very beautiful story of a couple coming back together after a family tragedy.

The Anatomy of Magic

 

I love this series about a magical family and their flower farm – think Encanto, but for grown ups! 

The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits

 

This one was narrated by Dakota Fanning, who was wonderful, and follows two sisters in their rise and fall from fame.

Don't Forget to Write

 

Historical fiction that takes place at the Jersey shore!  Very witty and full of heart.

Wild Dark Shore

 

I happened across this novel and it really took me by surprise – from Goodreads: “Wild Dark Shore is about the impossible choices we make to protect the people we love, even as the world around us disappears.”

Do you listen to audiobooks?  Do you have any favorites?

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Recent Reads

 Ladykiller by Katherine Wood (2024)

When her best friend Gia doesn't show up to a planned trip, Abby travels to Greece to look for the heiress and newlywed.  She finds a manuscript written by Gia detailing her new marriage and some guests that had been staying at the house, but it also contains some disturbing secrets - could this explain Gia's disappearance?  I have mixed feelings about this one - I loved the setting, I felt like I could feel the hot sun, sandy beaches, and cool water.  I liked that Abby was still looking out for Gia even though they'd had some problems in their friendship.  I didn't understand why Gia's manuscript was given so much priority - it would have more sense if it had been called a diary?  The story was a bit predictable, although it was more open-ended than I was expecting.  It did feel a bit unsettling realizing that we may never really know what happened or what to believe!  3.5 stars

Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson (2024)

Key travels to Scotland to meet her estranged family after her father's death.  There, she meets Lachlan, who has some major secrets of his own.  Even though he thinks he should stay away from Key, Lachlan can't help trusting in her and hoping she can help lift his curse.  I loved that this was a paranormal romance that strayed from the typical vampires or werewolves.  Here, we delve into the mystery of the Loch Ness monster, and Ferguson crafts a backstory that feels plausible for this world.  I enjoyed the intense feelings between Key and Lachlan, even if they were a bit childish in the beginning.  My issues are that, yes, this is a paranormal book, but why did Key have to have magic powers, especially ones that only seemed to manifest for the first time when she was in Scotland?  I understand the history, but it just felt so... convenient? But not necessary?  Like, we had a real-life Loch Ness monster, isn't that enough?  Also, Lachlan was predisposed to dislike Key, but no one thought to use a little creative thinking when it came to the curse?  I don't know, the solution seemed pretty obvious to me.  Maybe I missed something.  As always with Ferguson, you can expect lots of spicy scenes, which I'm not complaining about, but also, I was a little weirded out when Lachlan is worried about hurting Key and her response is basically, I don't care!!!  Like, maybe we can care a little bit.  3 stars

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.