Little Confessions: Two 2023 Books

I have been catching up on some of the books that I wanted to read in 2023 but didn’t get around to for various reasons. Last week I managed to get two of them done. These are two very different stories, but both have fantasy elements. I liked both of them, but was a bit surprised that I didn’t fall in love with either of them.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

Publication Date: June 27, 2023

Confession:

I really enjoyed reading this soft romance with themes of grief, finding your happiness and staying true to yourself even while you allow yourself to grow and change. It is beautifully written and the characters are people that you will fall in love with and root for. 

The magical realism of the apartment taking Clementine back seven years was very charming and sweet. I like that the magic of the apartment was never explained, but everyone who had lived in that apartment just knew about it. The pigeons on the ac unit was a nice touch as well.

I also really liked the romance between Iwan and Clementine. I would have liked to see more of the young Iwan as he was such a sweet and wonderful person. I wasn’t as thrilled with the older version of him, especially when we first meet him, but I knew that the sweet version was in there somewhere and Clementine would eventually draw him out. Clementine was really struggling with her grief and finding who she really wanted to be throughout the book, and both Iwans were able to help her with that journey.

If you liked The Dead Romantics, I don’t think you will be disappointed by this one. It is just as sweet and wonderfully written as all of her other books.

The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater

Publication Date: November 28, 2023

Confession:

This was my first book by Ms. Atwater and I had heard good things about her writing and this book in particular, but sadly this book just didn’t quite work for me. In fact I seriously considered not finishing it, but kept thinking that it would get better, and it did, but not until almost half way through the book.

Part of my issues had to do with my dislike of the main character, Winnie. She was brave and smart and knew her stuff, but she was also abrasive and arrogant which just irritated me. She also didn’t seem to show much growth throughout the book. The romance also didn’t quite work for me, and it wasn’t because of her choice, but more to do with the fact that it felt forced and not necessary to the story on the whole. I did love her cat, Oliver, he was the bright spot in this whole story.

I found myself mostly bored throughout, and at times didn’t feel drawn to going back to the story. This feeling improved towards the end, as I was interested in how things worked out. The pacing was also a big issue with nothing much happening until the last part of the book. The conflict also didn’t feel like it was ever resolved, mainly the curse and what would happen if it was broken. The world building was a bit lackluster with many things left unexplained.

In the end, I can say that I liked this story, but just wished there had been a bit more explained and that more actually happened. I probably won’t continue this series but may pick up something else this author has written, just to give her another chance.