The House Saphir By Marissa Meyer-YA Romantasy Murder Mystery Review

 

Book Synopsis

This is the tale of Bluebeard as it's never been told before--a romantasy murder mystery.

Mallory Fontaine is a fraud. Though she comes from a long line of witches, the only magic she possesses is the ability to see ghosts, which is rarely as useful as one would think. She and her sister have maintained the family business, eking out a paltry living by selling bogus spells to gullible buyers and conducting tours of the infamous mansion where the first of the Saphir murders took place.

Mallory is a self-proclaimed expert on Count Bastien Saphir—otherwise known as Monsieur Le Bleu—who brutally killed three of his wives more than a century ago. But she never expected to meet Bastien's great-great grandson and heir to the Saphir estate. Armand is handsome, wealthy, and convinced that the Fontaine Sisters are as talented as they claim. The perfect mark. When he offers Mallory a large sum of money to rid his ancestral home of Le Bleu's ghost, she can’t resist. A paid vacation at Armand’s country manor? It’s practically a dream come true, never mind the ghosts of murdered wives and the monsters that are as common as household pests.

But when murder again comes to the House Saphir, Mallory finds herself at the center of the investigation—and she is almost certain the killer is mortal. If she has any hope of cashing in on the payment she was promised, she’ll have to solve the murder and banish the ghost, all while upholding the illusion of witchcraft.

But that all sounds relatively easy compared to her biggest learning to trust her heart. Especially when the person her heart wants the most might be a murderer himself.

Book Details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ FABER AND FABER
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 6, 2025
• Genre: YA Romantasy
• Edition ‏ : ‎ International Edition
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 512 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0571396976
• ****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****
• 
  

My Review

I was so excited to dive into The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer. I’ve always loved her books, and when I saw this described as a "thrilling romantasy" that’s part ghost story and part murder mystery, I was sold. Honestly? It pretty much lived up to the hype.

The story follows Mallory Fontaine, a girl who can actually see ghosts. To keep her and her sister, Anaïs, afloat, they run fake tours and sell "haunted" trinkets. Their luck changes when Armand Saphir offers Mallory a deal: exorcise a ghost from his family’s massive estate, the ghostly murderer Monsieur Le Bleu, his great-great-grandfather, and he’ll pay their rent. What starts as a (somewhat) easy job quickly spirals into a dangerous game of murder, magic, and dark secrets.

Since this is a Bluebeard retelling and I hadn’t read the original story, the twists were all new to me. Even though Mallory is the lead, I absolutely loved Bastien’s dead wives. As ghosts, they brought so much humor to a book that gets pretty dark.

The story starts a bit slow, but the tension really ramps up once they’re trapped at the creepy House of Saphir. While I wished the romance between Mallory and Armand had a bit more spark, the real heart of the book is the fierce loyalty between the two sisters. I also loved the monster hunters, Fitcher and Constantino—they added some great levity while helping take down Bastien in the final act.

Watching Mallory finally find the power to banish Bastien to the underworld was the perfect ending. If you want a fast-paced, atmospheric mystery with heavy Gothic vibes and high stakes, you need to read this. It’s spooky, tense, and totally worth the ride.

****Meet Author Marissa Meyer****

Marissa Meyer is a fangirl at heart, with a closet full of costumes, a Harry Potter wand on her desk, and a Tuxedo Mask doll hanging from her rear view mirror. Han and Leia are still her OTP. She may or may not be a cyborg.

Marissa is also the NYT bestselling author of a number of books for teens, including The Lunar Chronicles, the Renegades Trilogy, and Heartless.

Sign up for her newsletter at http://www.marissameyer.com or follow her on social media:

Instagram: @marissameyerauthor

Pinterest: @marissameyerauthor

Facebook: @marissameyerauthor

Twitter: @marissa_meyer

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The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins By Melanie Dickerson-Historical Christian Romance Review

 Book Synopsis

My only remaining marriage prospects were the head gardener, the vicar, and the steward. But how could I marry any of them when I was in love . . . with Lord Brookhaven?

Charlotte Robbins accepts a governess position for the Earl of Brookhaven's siblings despite rumors of the earl's severe and mysterious demeanor. As a lowly governess, Charlotte entertains thoughts of possible romance with an eligible servant until she does fall unexpectedly in love--with the pensive earl himself.

But love does not mean a match is possible, and the earl's friends warn Charlotte that if he were to fall for her, it would ruin him. Just as Charlotte resigns herself to the impossibility of her feelings, she receives news that she has inherited a fortune from a long-lost relative. Now thrust into London high society, Charlotte grapples with suitors vying for her attention, but her heart still belongs to the Earl of Brookhaven. As secrets unfold, she's no longer certain if her newfound fortune is a blessing--or if it is the very thing that threatens the love she's always longed for.

"A unique story with a richly tapestried setting that makes this Regency novel sparkle to the very end."--Laura Frantz, Christy Award-winning author of The Indigo Heiress

In this captivating rags-to-riches, upstairs/downstairs historical Regency romance for fans of Jane Eyre, New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson weaves a stunning tale of a mysterious fortune, forbidden love, and a brooding love interest.

Book Details

• Publisher: ‎ Bethany House Publishers
• Publication date: ‎ March 17, 2026
• Genre: Historical Christian Romance
• Language: ‎ English
• Print length: ‎ 320 pages
• ISBN-10: ‎ 0764245228

• ****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and/or authors. A review was not required, and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own. ****

My Review

The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins by Melanie Dickerson is a charming Regency romance that leans into those classic Jane Eyre vibes.

The story follows Charlotte Robbins, an orphan raised in a girls' school who longs for a family of her own. She takes a position as a governess for the broody and mysterious Earl of Brookhaven, William. Their connection is instant, starting with a midnight rooftop meeting, and I loved watching their relationship blossom on his estate. However, the vast gap in their social stations makes a future together seem impossible.

The novel is split into two distinct parts. Part One: Is my personal favorite. It focuses on Charlotte bonding with William’s siblings and the unexpected romance growing between employer and employee. Part Two: Is the "Rags to Riches" twist. Charlotte receives a mysterious fortune from an "unknown uncle," allowing her to enter society. Unbeknownst to her, William is the one who gifted her the wealth to secure her future.

The second half was a bit frustrating for me. While Charlotte deals with fortune hunters and a blackmailing villain trying to take her orphaned wards, William remains distant. Having been burned by a former fiancée, he stands by while other men court her. I really wanted to see him take a stronger stand for her hand much sooner!

While the middle dragged slightly and I craved more "on-page" romance before the finale, the characters themselves are very likable. If you enjoy a clean, faith-based Regency with a Cinderella-style transformation, The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins is a solid pick.

****Meet Author Melanie Dickerson ****

Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author of happily-ever-after romance. She believes in love, laughter, afternoon tea, and the power of story.

With a million books sold and numerous awards, including two Christy Awards, two Golden Quills, a National Readers Choice Award, Christian Retailing’s Best, and Book Buyers’ Best Awards, her books have hit #1 in her category on the New York Times bestseller list.

When she’s not writing, Melanie can be found watching While You Were Sleeping for the hundredth time, cozying up to her handsome hero husband, or shaking her head at her slightly unhinged Jack Russell terrier. She lives in the beautiful foothills of the Appalachians near Huntsville, Alabama.

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All Booked Up: A Small Town Contemporary Clean Romance By Melody Carlson-Review

Book Synopsis

Empty nester and widow Riva Owen lives in the Victorian house that's been in her family for three generations, but finances have become a challenge she can no longer ignore. Her daughter is pushing her to move, and after considering all her options, Riva knows selling would be the smartest course. But she just can't bring herself to leave years of memories--and her cherished library filled with hundreds of books.

When she pursues an alternative--opening her home to women like her who have been forced to make lifestyle changes and need a room to rent--Riva is unprepared for the mix of personalities and peculiarities of her new housemates. She is even more unprepared for Marcus, the handsome and handy older brother of one of her new tenants. The possibility of finding love again feels overwhelming, even as her tenants seem to have romantic schemes of their own.

Warm your heart with a contemporary romance story of found family, booklovers, new beginnings, and an unexpected second chance at love in Melody Carlson's delightful signature style.

Book Details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Revell
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 17, 2026
• Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0800747259

• ****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****

• 
  

My Review

I recently finished All Booked Up, and it was exactly the kind of story I needed. It is so rare and refreshing to find a novel that focuses on middle-aged women with such honesty and heart. I found myself nodding along to so many of their struggles, feeling like I was sitting right there in the room with them.

The story centers on Riva, a widow who is at a major crossroads with her beautiful, memory-filled home. Instead of taking the predictable path and selling it, she makes the brave (and slightly chaotic!) choice to rent out rooms to other women. This decision sets off a chain reaction that changes everything. Watching her navigate this new chapter was incredibly inspiring; it reminded me that our lives don't have to stop evolving just because we hit a certain age.

The house becomes a melting pot of personalities, and that’s where the magic happens. I went through the whole emotional spectrum:

• The Laughs: The banter and unexpected situations were so funny.

• The Tears: The moments where the women dealt with grief were handled with such grace.

• The "Cringe": There were definitely those awkward, petty jealousies that made the characters feel like real, flawed human beings.

What resonated with me most was the focus on friendship over romance. While society often tells us we need a partner to be "complete," this book argues that a solid group of friends is the most important support system of all. Even the most annoying character in the group, the one I wanted to shake at first, eventually won me over. Seeing her learn to love and forgive herself was a powerful reminder that it is never too late to make a new start.

This novel is a beautiful "second-chance-at-life" story. It’s empowering and hopeful and left me with a huge smile on my face. If you’re looking for a book that celebrates the journeys of women growing together, this is it.

****Meet Author Melody Carlson****

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women and children. That's a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a "storyteller." Her novels range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She's won a number of awards (including Romantic Time's Career Achievement Award, the Rita and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/

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A Love Most Daring: A Proper Romance By Joanna Barker-Regency Romance Review

 

Book Synopsis

From best-selling author Joanna Barker: Proper romance meets page-turning mystery in this captivating tale of danger, redemption, and love worth fighting for.

After years of whispered gossip and quiet exile in the countryside, Beatrice Lacey arrives in London determined to reclaim her life. But her resolve is shaken when she witnesses a horrific attack tied to a chilling high-profile murder case gripping the city.

Thrust into sudden danger, Beatrice finds herself under the reluctant protection of Alexander Rawlings—a brooding Bow Street officer with a guarded heart and a fierce sense of duty. Though it's clear he’d rather be chasing the killer than shielding a scandal-stained Society miss, their forced closeness begins to unravel his defenses. In the unnerving moments between danger and discovery, every sharp exchange and lingering glance fans a slow-burning connection—one neither of them expected and neither can resist.

With danger closing in and old wounds resurfacing, trust may be their only refuge—and love their most daring risk of all.

Book Details

• Publisher: Shadow Mountain
• Publication date: March 3, 2026
• Language: English
• Print length: 320 pages
• ISBN-10: 1639934715

• ****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and/or authors. A review was not required, and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own. ****

My Review

I started A Love Most Daring with high expectations, but I wasn’t prepared for how much I’d actually fall for these characters. It was everything I wanted and so much more. The story follows Beatrice Lacey, who is finally back in London after two years of "exile" thanks to some nasty rumors. She’s trying to rebuild her life, but everything goes sideways when she witnesses a brutal knife attack at Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.

Beatrice is such a great character, and she’s famous for her sharp wit and sarcasm, but underneath that feisty exterior, she’s actually quite lonely. Then there’s Alexander Rawlings: a brooding, stoic detective who is 100% dedicated to his job. He starts off viewing Beatrice with the same skepticism as the rest of society, but that changes the moment she saves his life.

What really stood out to me:

The Chemistry: I loved the way Beatrice and Alexander played off each other. Her sarcasm is such a great shield for her, and watching Alexander, who is so guarded and serious, slowly start to appreciate her wit was really satisfying. Their banter felt genuine, not forced.

The Tension: Because Beatrice is the only one who can identify the killer, she ends up tucked away at his family’s country estate for her safety. I’m a fan of stories where characters are forced to really get to know each other under pressure, and seeing them both slowly lower their emotional guards while in hiding was my favorite part of the book. Seeing Alexander’s "hidden self" come out made me like him even more and it’s no wonder Beatrice fell for him. Even the tense moments with Alexander’s mother showed off Beatrice’s incredible inner strength and fortitude.

The Mystery: Joanna Barker has a beautiful way with words, but she also knows how to pace a mystery. I usually pride myself on figuring out the "whodunnit" early on, but this one actually caught me off guard. When everything finally came together at the end, the reveal was shocking but made perfect sense.

If you’ve followed the Bow Street series, you’ll be happy to see Jack, Ginny, Nathaniel, and Verity again. They stepped in to help with the investigation, and it really felt like catching up with old friends. While this is the third book in the series, you can definitely read it as a standalone. 

If you love a grumpy-meets-sunshine dynamic with a side of high-stakes danger, this is a must-read. Joanna Barker has officially cemented herself as a queen of the Regency mystery!

Rating: 5 stars and a permanent spot on my favorites shelf!

****Meet Author Joanna Barker****

Joanna Barker firmly believes that romance makes everything better, which is why she has fallen in love with writing Regency romances. When she’s not typing away on her next book, you’ll find her listening to podcasts, eating her secret stash of chocolate, or adding things to her Amazon cart. She thinks being an author is the second-best job in the world—right after being a mom. She is just a little crazy about her husband and three wild-but-lovable kids.

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