Book Review: The Scarlet Ball by Nghi Vo

 RUN to your bookstore of choice and purchase this book. 

Ok, only if you are interested in some really engaging fantasy, with layers and layers to explore, with some amazing ball gowns to boot. 

So above is the US cover. 

Below is the UK Cover. 

 Which is your preference?  I'm going to tell you mine at the end. 

Set in an alternate gilded age NYC, this novel follows Judith Ban, an immigrant from Paris who is half running from a secret, and half surviving. She's working for a high fashion seamstress/milliner and once night she delivers to a high-society home. She's chased there by a massive storm, and once there, she is surprised by an offer that she can't refuse.  Judith soon enters society as a stand in for a missing relative.  While the novel revolves around the "season", balls, strategic socializing, and politicking amongst the New York powerful and wealthy, it addresses so many more aspects of life.  Judith must confront her own identity, desires and image to decide how much power she wants and what it is worth to her. Her sponsor also must address her shortcomings, and limits as she seeks to maintain appearances (and power). The supernatural elements of the novel expose the underbelly of this gilded age for what it often was- cruel, brutal and rigid - leaving lots of room for discussion- should one want to entertain a book club with this one. 

I want to talk more about the symbols in the writing, the plot, and the use of words in the book - but I am afraid I might... create spoilers. 

 I found it difficult to put this one down, and then regretful when I saw that i was so close to the end. 

    I am grateful to Macmillan audio for the Advanced listener copy. Natalie Naudus  was so good.  I prefer her, Eunice Wong and Sena Breyer above all others.  Highly recommend!

And YES, I prefer 100% for the first time ever- the American Cover!

STATS

First Published:  10/06/2026

Pages: 336

Available as an Audio Book :  Yes~11 hrs

Trigger Warnings: death, murder, storms, coercion, drugging, betrayal, demons, storms, floods, death of horse, death of person. 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Cozy Little Christmas, by RaeAnne Thayne

 So

Holiday Romance is not entirely my thing, but I was really leaning in a bit with a need for "CoZy"  so when I got an opportunity to read Cozy Little Christmas from RayAnne Thayne, I jumped at it. 

Narrator Carly Robins made it a smooth  and easy listen.  This is a book you should pick up IF you've ever wanted to read a Hallmark style Holiday movie instead of watch it. 

   We have a second chance romance between a music therapist who's living in her home town, surrounded by family and friends, and a grumpy police officer who's moved away but had to come back for the holidays. There's a second side plot also involving a woman and her father experiencing a second chance.   There is a lot of caroling, cookies, surprises and some snow.  There are no big plot twists or gotcha moments, all of the big reveals are strongly telegraphed so it's easy to guess ahead of time and then feel satisfied you got it right.  It's a very well constructed Cozy. 

And as such... it was a touch...boring for me.  That said, I was undergoing a ton of stress and it was nice to play this on audio as I was commuting to work.  My criticism is a bit unfair as the author really did  set out to write a cozy and did an excellent cozy. This is a book you can gift to your Mom, your aunt, your cousin, your white elephant gift with no fear. It will please those of us who needed something to read that wasn't that serious and didn't have complicated plot points!  

Will I delve into Thayne's whole collection? Probably not, but I will keep her books on speed dial for those moments when I need uncomplicated warm fuzzies. 

Many thanks to Harlequin audio for the Advanced Listener copy- all opinions are my own. 

STATS

First Published:  10/06/2026

Pages: 206

Available as an Audio Book :  Yes~11 hrs

Trigger Warnings: divorce, brain injury, memories of violence, death of parent, dog injury (dog does well), Illness, mention of cancer/chemotherapy and hospital treatment. 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)