CHECK OUT MY INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR HERE!
     Many people recognize Enola Holmes from the famous Netflix Movies featuring Millie Bobby Brown; however, Enola Holmes was first the brainchild of author Nancy Springer and the protagonist of a young adult book series. Set to be released on August 31st, Springer continues the adventure series with Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche where our protagonist is once again set out to solve a mystery.
     Enola Holmes is the much younger sister of her more famous brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft. But she has all the wits, skills, and sleuthing inclinations of them both. At fifteen, she's an independent young woman--after all, her name spelled backwards reads 'alone'--and living on her own in London. When a young professional woman, Miss Letitia Glover, shows up on Sherlock's doorstep, desperate to learn more about the fate of her twin sister, it is Enola who steps up. It seems her sister, the former Felicity Glover, married the Earl of Dunhench and per a curt note from the Earl, has died. But Letitia Glover is convinced this isn't the truth, that she'd know if her twin had died. The Earl's note is suspiciously vague and the death certificate is even more dubious, signed it seems by a John H. Watson, M.D. (who denies any knowledge of such). The only way forward is for Enola to go undercover and she soon finds out that this is not the first of the Earl's wives to die suddenly and vaguely--and that the secret to the fate of the missing Felicity is tied to a mysterious black barouche that arrived at the Earl's home in the middle of the night. To uncover the secrets held tightly within the Earl's hall, Enola is going to require help--from Sherlock, from the twin sister of the missing woman, and from an old friend, the young Viscount Tewkesbury, Marquess of Basilwether.
     This book brought me back to my childhood of reading Nancy Drew books! I forgot how much I loved a good mystery until I dove into Enola Holmes’s world! This book had adventure, hilarity, and was just such a fun and quick read!
     While this book is technically the seventh book in the Enola Holmes Series, I had no trouble diving right into the story with no prior knowledge of the events of Books 1-6. The prologue (which is narrated by the one and only Sherlock Holmes) provided the right amount of background information so that readers can jump straight into the newest books of this series.
     With appearances from Sherlock and Watson helping out with the case, this book is a great melding of the classic Sherlock Holmes stories and a new and modern twist on them. If you’re looking for an adventurous mystery to binge-read then this is the book for you! 

*I received an ARC from Wednesday Books in exchange for my honest opinion.​

Hi everyone! I have something exciting for you guys today!
     I had the wonderful opportunity to take part in the blog tour for the release of Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche and in addition to getting to read the book early, I also got to ask the author of the book, Nancy Springer, a few questions about her inspiration for the writing this series and what's next for Enola Holmes! This character has become so well-known in the past year, but this book was my first time diving into the world of Enola Holmes and it's safe to say that I had so much fun reading about this adventurous and courageous character! If you want to read my review of the book, check it out here, but without further ado, here's what Nancy had to say about her new novel:
 
What inspired you to write this book/series?
     My literary agent suggested writing books with a “classic chassis,” so I did some set in the King Arthur mythos, and some based on legends of Robin Hood, and then moved on to the world of Sherlock Holmes.

What's one thing you want readers to take away from ENOLA HOLMES?
     That she doesn't need a boyfriend, for God's sake.

What was the easiest or hardest thing about writing ENOLA HOLMES?
     Hardest:  getting the details authentic. There were times when I would spend hours online just trying to figure out what Enola should wear. Easiest: letting Enola take the lead.

Who is your favorite character from the book and why?
     Of course Enola herself is my favorite character, because she's the one I most identify with, and because she's the smartest and funniest.

Do you have any plans for a sequel? Or are you working on a new novel?
     I'm working on another Enola Holmes novel. I don't yet have a title for it, and who knows whether it will ever be published? There's no way I can tell at this point whether it will be good enough.

 Special thanks to Nancy Springer for taking the time to answer my questions and for everyone at Wednesday Books for making this possible!
    Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer comes out on August 31st and you can find Nancy @NancySpringer on Twitter. Click here to check out Wednesday Books and preorder a copy for yourself, which I highly recommend doing!

     In the second book in her Blood and Ash Series, Jennifer L. Armentrout brings readers deeper into Poppy’s world as she tries to make sense of all of the things that were revealed at the end of Book One. In A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire, Poppy must learn to make decisions for herself and how to destroy those that wish to destroy her.
     Everything Poppy has ever believed in is a lie, including the man she was falling in love with. Thrust among those who see her as a symbol of a monstrous kingdom, she barely knows who she is without the veil of the Maiden. But what she does know is that nothing is as dangerous to her as him. The Dark One. The Prince of Atlantia. He wants her to fight him, and that’s one order she’s more than happy to obey. He may have taken her, but he will never have her. Casteel Da’Neer is known by many names and many faces. His lies are as seductive as his touch. His truths as sensual as his bite. Poppy knows better than to trust him. He needs her alive, healthy, and whole to achieve his goals. But he’s the only way for her to get what she wants—to find her brother Ian and see for herself if he has become a soulless Ascended. Working with Casteel instead of against him presents its own risks. He still tempts her with every breath, offering up all she’s ever wanted. Casteel has plans for her. Ones that could expose her to unimaginable pleasure and unfathomable pain. Plans that will force her to look beyond everything she thought she knew about herself—about him. Plans that could bind their lives together in unexpected ways that neither kingdom is prepared for. And she’s far too reckless, too hungry, to resist the temptation. But unrest has grown in Atlantia as they await the return of their Prince. Whispers of war have become stronger, and Poppy is at the very heart of it all. The King wants to use her to send a message. The Descenters want her dead. The wolven are growing more unpredictable. And as her abilities to feel pain and emotion begin to grow and strengthen, the Atlantians start to fear her. Dark secrets are at play, ones steeped in the blood-drenched sins of two kingdoms that would do anything to keep the truth hidden. But when the earth begins to shake, and the skies start to bleed, it may already be too late. 
     Wow wow WOW! This book kind of reminded me of Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses Series in that book one was action-packed and entertaining, but it was really just a precursor to book two where the romance and action really shine! The story was engaging and interesting with the politics and action taking place and the romantic scenes were just as delicious and steamy as any romance book. The combination of the two makes for a highly addicting story that makes 628 pages fly by.
     I fell even more in love with Poppy as a character reading this book. Her defiance and strength from From Blood and Ash were only amplified in A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire and we also see her grow more comfortable in fighting for what she wants and taking control of her life. And what can I say about Casteel that hasn’t been said already? His personality is just so addicting to read about and I love the way his darkness and power mix with self-awareness and vulnerability. I also loved the introductions to new characters who only helped deepen the plot and help enhance the characterizations of the main characters.
     If you haven’t read this book yet then I genuinely don’t know what you’re waiting for! Fantasy and romance lovers alike will adore this book and I look forward to reading book three very soon!

     From the New York Times Bestselling Author of Dumplin’ comes a retelling of a classic Disney story that will have you hooked from the very beginning. Set to be released on August 3rd, If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy kicks off the Meant to Be Series with a witty and drama-filled romcom retelling of Cinderella.  
     After having just graduated with a degree in shoe design, and trying to get her feet on the ground, Cindy is working for her stepmother, who happens to be the executive producer of America's favorite reality show, Before Midnight. When a spot on the show needs filling ASAP, Cindy volunteers, hoping it might help jump-start her fashion career, or at least give her something to do while her peers land jobs in the world of high fashion. Turns out being the only plus size woman on a reality dating competition makes a splash, and soon Cindy becomes a body positivity icon for women everywhere. What she doesn't expect? That she may just find inspiration-and love-in the process. Ultimately, Cindy learns that if the shoe doesn't fit, maybe it's time to design your own.
     This book was like if Cinderella and The Bachelor had a baby that highlighted body positivity! This romance includes a meet-cute encounter, reality television dramatics, and fun fashion moments galore! I’m a sucker for anything Bachelor-related so I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and getting a peek at the inner workings of a reality TV show. I also liked how this Cinderella retelling is more modernized and updated for 2021 and that it’s more of a loose retelling than a page-by-page recreation of the classic fairy tale!
     While this novel is obviously a romance book, I did find the story to focus more on Cindy’s life and the antics surrounding the television show rather than her and Henry’s relationship. This is also a closed door romance, so there’s not much steam in this book either. Despite this, I still enjoyed Cindy’s story and learning about how she copes with the loss of her parents and how the world views her as a plus-sized woman.
     Reminiscent of One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London, this book was funny, cute, and just a great romp of a romcom! I will definitely be checking out the rest of this series once it’s released and highly recommend this book if you're looking for a clean and quick romantic comedy.

*I received an ARC from Disney-Hyperion via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.