REVIEW - The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics - Mesmerising!

The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite

Date read: 24th June 2025

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: Historical Romance (f/f)

Buy link: Amazon  

I'd like to start by saying I mean this in the nicest possible way - this book deserves a better cover. It is gorgeous, but imho it doesn't convey the amount of wondrous skill that's clearly gone into this novel.

This is not a chicklit bodice ripper. It's so much more deep and meaningful than that. This is a sapphic romance with heart and soul.

I was blown away by the details: historical accuracy (Regency), embroidery and science. 

The relationship between these two women develops so beautifully. There is anxiety on both sides, a reticence caused by the past they wish to leave behind. Can they come to truly trust another? 

And will the (not so) Polite Science Society thwart Lucy's attempts at proving her scientific know-how? 

Oh yes, there's a lunge at the patriarchy included - huzzah! 

LOVE IT!!!!

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - DEATH MOST DEVIOUS - Fiendishly Good

Death Most Devious by Saffrom Amatti

Date read: 8th June 2025

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: Cosy Mystery

Buy link: Amazon  

The gang are back! This time they're attending an exhibition where a sudden death occurs. And the culprit appears to be a snake!

I love how Tommy gets more interesting with each book. Whether he's the embodiment of Ra or just a regular fella falling for another fella, I adore him. 

The theme of Egyptology was a fab touch - I'm always intrigued by that.

Oh, and there's a mystery author in this one too. That clearly makes her suspicious ;) But everyone seems to have a motive - the victim is a really bad egg. Poor Lucas really doesn't enjoy communicating with this ghost. 

Fun and mysterious. 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - A GAME OF HEARTS AND HEISTS - It's playtime!

A Game of Hearts And Heists by Ruby Roe

Date read: 13th May 2025

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: Sapphic Romantasy

Buy link: Amazon  

A fantasy world torn in two, a secret quest, enemies-to-lovers, vengeance, even some motorbike action - this book really ticked a lot of boxes for me. 

Love can often look a lot like hate. And when someone has stolen a lot of your clients, you're not going to feel too snuggly about them. 

But these two women (an assassin and a poisoner) play power games with one another as their carnal lust takes control - this leads to some steamy moments, for sure. But there are more false build-ups than steam scenes. Quinn and Scarlett's power dynamic is a struggle for dominance. And they both have secrets.

There are some intriguing side characters too, each with their own magick skill set. Stirling was particularly cool. I really liked the way houses collect their magicians - the buildings are sentient. Tattoos are then issued. The way each member of the team uses their individual skills is really well done. 

Can these rival heal their city, or will they unalive one another? 

A romantasy with a bit of an edge. 

Always in love and light,

TL