Welcome to Litsy!

5 Stars • Gallant by V.E. Schwab is a gothic fantasy about Olivia Prior, a mute orphan who sees ghouls and lives at Merilance School for Girls. A mysterious letter leads her to Gallant, a eerie family estate, where she meets her cousin Matthew and a few loyal servants. The manor holds dark family secrets tied to a shadowy, dangerous force. ⬇️

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book!

Going into the book, I wasn‘t quite sure how I would like it. I love graphic novels but sci-fi is often a hit or a miss for me. This one was a hit!

I don‘t want to give away too much of the plot, since it‘s more fun if you go into it blind.

Full review: https://oddandbookish.wordpress.com/2025/07/27/review-essentials-vol-1/

Reading on #Litsy with Christie‘s Capers (Reading Agatha Christie's books in publication order) Hosted by @Librarybelle #AgathaChristieClubR3

4 Stars • In Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926), Hercule Poirot investigates the stabbing death of wealthy Roger Ackroyd in his King‘s Abbot study. ⬇️

What a beautiful novel in verse!

This book tells the story of two young women in two different timelines. The first is Lula, a present day young vocal prodigy studying at a music conservatory. The other is Barbara Strozzi, a 17th century Italian servant turned composer who was a real person. Both storylines were compelling and I loved how they merged!

Full review: https://oddandbookish.wordpress.com/2025/07/25/review-the-siren-and-the-star/

3 Stars • In The Shadow Box by Luanne Rice, Claire, an artist in coastal Connecticut, survives an attack she suspects was orchestrated by her ambitious husband, Griffin, a state‘s attorney with a dark past. Her shadow box art exposes his old crime, threatening his governor bid. ⬇️

4 Stars • Charlie Fitzer, a down-on-his-luck divorcee, inherits his uncle‘s supervillain empire—volcano lair, talking cats, and all. Thrust into a world of assassination attempts and rival villains, he scrambles to run the show with help from his uncle‘s sharp assistant and sassy felines. Scalzi‘s sci-fi comedy delivers a hilarious, chaotic ride, poking fun at power trips and corporate absurdity.

#StarterVillain #JohnScalzi #Bookish

This was a sweet romance with a lot of heart.

The story is about Abbey, a plus sized architect turned baker, and her journey towards love and self acceptance. I loved that the book explored deeper topics like fat shaming and aging parents. Caring for an ailing parent is a very common thing these days, but I rarely see it depicted in books.

Full review: https://oddandbookish.wordpress.com/2025/07/20/review-eat-dessert-first/

5 Stars • Strangers in Time by David Baldacci, set during the 1944 London Blitz, follows three characters: Charlie, a 14-year-old orphan; Molly, a 15-year-old seeking her missing parents; and Ignatius, a secretive bookshop owner. They bond at Ignatius‘s shop, facing war‘s dangers and uncovering family secrets. The novel explores resilience and found family.

#StrangersInTime #DavidBaldacci #Bookish

This was such a cute fall romance set in Scotland!

First off, the vibes are immaculate. It took place during autumn, so it gave off super cozy fall vibes. It was also set in a small town in the Scottish Highlands, which added to the dreamy coziness.

The romance was adorable. I loved Harper and Fraser, both separately and as a couple. I found them both endearing.

Full review: https://oddandbookish.wordpress.com/2025/07/19/review-kindling/

4 Stars • The Maid‘s Secret (Molly the Maid 3) by Nita Prose follows Molly Gray, now Head Maid, as she preps for her wedding and a fancy antiques show at the Regency Grand Hotel. A Fabergé-style egg from her late Gran‘s stash turns out to be worth millions, but it‘s stolen in a heist, putting Molly in danger. The story weaves Molly‘s present-day sleuthing with Gran‘s secret past as a wealthy heiress in love with a forbidden guy. ⬇️