Period romances are not normally my thing, but I couldn't resist when I saw that it was 1) written by Alexis Hall and 2) it was a riff on A Midsummer Night's Dream, one of my favorite Shakespearean plays!

I started out listening to this, and while I couldn't put my finger on it, I couldn't get my brain and ear to focus long enough to figure out what was going on. I ended up reading along and it still took me a couple more tries before my brain was able to figure out who the different characters were and how they were connected to each other. I think part of it is that as brilliant a device as it is to make Robin/Puck the omniscient narrator for this story, it kept the characters at a distance from us readers, especially because Robin would mention how disconnected they were from humans and their foibles. But the narration in combination with the structure of the story made it hard to hold my interest. So, I eventually gave up and just read the book on my own.

And it was so much better that way! I was about a third of the way when the cow entered the story and I couldn't stop laughing. There were other ridiculous moments as well and I just ended up having a lot of fun with this. It was also fun for them to figure out the solution to the first curse, only to end up with a second curse, which led to the impossible task. It was amusing to me that Robin ends up telling us after the first curse ends that they had the feeling the story wasn't quite ended. It all just felt very Shakespearean to me. And the narrator really grew on me. Eventually, Robin's sly comments had me laughing out loud, garnering amused looks from bystanders.

I really liked the main characters, Maelys and Georgiana (the "Duke of Annadale"), and that both had interesting backgrounds. Maelys' parents were anything but conventional, but it worked for them, while Georgiana's family was awful and their sudden deaths within a short span made her suspect in society, even if she couldn't possibly have had anything to do with it. I also liked that while there was clearly something between them, neither of them jumped in like it was love at first sight-their relationship was definitely a slow burn. Maelys' friends Lizzie and John were hysterical, and I loved that Lizzie seemed to be completely flighty, and yet, she was wise in the ways that mattered, and more importantly, she absolutely had Maelys' best interests at heart, every single time.

So despite this being a period romance of sorts (yeah, this stuff would never fly in real period romances), and that I had to listen to the first few chapters several times, I'm glad I persisted, because I ended up really enjoying it and the ending was quite satisfying. I guess I need to read A Lady for a Duke next!

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and the publisher, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A lady in 1814 had to contend with propriety and balls, in addition to the fairies and wizards in the land. Miss Maelys Mitchelmore is cursed, causing her dress to unravel at her first ball. It goes all downhill from there, forcing her to seek help from Lady Georgiana Landrak, who is nicknamed the Duke of Annadale and is rumored to have murdered her father and brothers to inherit. Miss Mitchelmore is desperate for help with her curse, and the Duke is rumored to be a witch as well. But the Duke has secrets of her own, and they could be dangerous for Miss Mitchelmore.

Narrated by Puck himself, the story begins with the unraveling dress catching his attention. His voice is fantastic by the way, and he makes tons of fun asides all throughout the book. He follows as a shadow or animals as Maelys tried to figure out what was going on with the help of friends and family. This puts her in close proximity with Georgiana, as well as those her cousin and best friend try to figure out are the culprits. It's kind of hilarious watching them all play detective while maintaining social civility in Bath, visiting witches and non-conforming people. Maelys figures out she actually likes women and not men in talking with her friends and what her fascination with Georgiana really is. The two are attracted to each other, but Georgiana tries to push Maelys away. Even figuring out who cursed Maelys isn't necessarily the end of things, as the two must determine what their relationship is, and Maelys isn't the only one that is cursed.

I loved the mix of magic, fae, and Regency romance, as well as the casual acceptance that Maelys has around her. No one really cares that she is falling for a woman outside the fact that society won't allow them to marry. They only want to make sure she's certain of what she wants, and that she doesn't want to eventually marry. The sheer love in the book is clear, and carries through between all the characters and their comedy of manners, even with Puck's sarcastic asides and commentary on humanity. I really enjoyed the mix of styles as well as the way they moved around London and polite society.

The book was good and so was the writing but I found the second hand POV of the narrator to be odd. Also felt the book was too long at times. Some side stories were unnecessary.

Narrated by Puck of Shakespeare's A Midsummer's Night Dream fame (at least that's who they say they are I don't always trust the word of the folk) we follow Miss Mitchelmore a young woman that seems to be a little cursed. She seems like the type that will have an interesting story so our esteemed narrator follows her and relays to us the adventures of Miss Mitchelmore, her cousin Mr. Caesar, her friend Miss Bickle and her love interest the "Duke" of Annadale Lady Georgiana. There are gods, and fairies, chickens that give notifications from the gods and curses galore. I found this to be a sweet story of a young woman discovering herself, falling in love, and fighting for her love.

I feel like I say this for every Alexis Hall book, but the humor is top notch... In Mortal Follies, he has taken the "typical" formula for historical romances and flipped it on its head, with a mythical narrator, (who is so much fun as their own character) curses, the female Duke, and so many other fun twists and turns. I still cannot say I have read any historical romance that is close in style to what Alexis Hall does, and that is certainly a compliment. This book brought me so much joy and laughter and I can't wait for more from this world!!

What a beautiful cover! What an exciting list of tropes! Regency sapphic romance with magic and curses. Yes and yes and yes!

This book was kindly gifted to me by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review. And here it is- I DNFed this book at 10%. I do not have experience with Alexis Hall’s work. I know she has some popular books out there, but this is her first I picked up. The reason I knew I shouldn’t continue with this book so early on was the narrator. Right off the bat I was not a fan. I won’t go into details as to who the narrator is, but know they are a literal observer of what is happening and they are recounting the events to you. Like the chorus of a Greek play, but with a lot more ego. It felt too detached even though they are literally in the room for every event, and that detachment led to me feeling detached as well.

I think if the book grabs your eye you should give it a try. This book was just not the right one for me.

I couldn’t resist this gorgeous cover or the irrepressible spitfire third person narration by a Greek goddess who can’t stop meddling in the lives of mortals.

This Regency Sapphic romance had a little bit of everything - curses, kidnappings, fairies, forbidden love. It’s also great on audio read by Nneke Okoye (a new to me narrator!). Many thanks to NetGallley and @prhaudio for the complimentary June ALC!!

This was an interesting read, mixing historical romance/suspense and fantasy. It was very descriptive, so you got a real feel for the otherworldly portions, but it also dragged on. And you truly have to leave your sense of reality at the door when you walk through and start reading. The fantasy aspects are given with the narrative, but the interactions with the characters just didn't ring true. It was hard to connect with them, and maybe that's partly because they are continually referred to as Miss Mitchelmore and the Duke of Annadale (don't get me started on this moniker, it annoyed me to no end) so you don't get a sense of them as who they are.
Bottom line, lots of glossing over of character development and not much in creating a real connection between the two woman.

This was an interesting read, mixing historical romance/suspense and fantasy. It was very descriptive, so you got a real feel for the otherworldly portions, but it also dragged on. And you truly have to leave your sense of reality at the door when you walk through and start reading. The fantasy aspects are given with the narrative, but the interactions with the characters just didn't ring true. It was hard to connect with them, and maybe that's partly because they are continually referred to as Miss Mitchelmore and the Duke of Annadale (don't get me started on this moniker, it annoyed me to no end) so you don't get a sense of them as who they are. Bottom line, lots of glossing over of character development and not much in creating a real connection between the two woman.

A bit of Midsummer Night’s Dream mischievousness mixed in with a soupçon of The Book Thief’s omniscient narrator, in this case a fairy who morphs delightfully into myriad forms of life, yields a delightful regency romp. We see, we cogitate about, we hear the goings on, the hysteria, the beliefs in personas unseen and the acting upon motives both rational and irrational are delightful as Mae and the Duke meet, grow familiar, and become enamored. Once again, Alexis Hall captivates with vibrant imagination and vivid prose.

This regency sapphic romance was a delight to read. Though people compare this book to the Bridgerton series, I think it would be more accurate to say that this is a regency novel set in the universe of Midsummer Night’s Dream. The narrator of this story is in fact “Puck” and we are quickly thrown into a whimsical, fantasy world with this mischievous character as our guide.

Though I love Puck (playing the role of Lady Whistledown) as a character and Hall does a wonderful job adopting his voice, I found the narration a little overdone at times. Despite that, I loved Maelys Mitchelmore and “The Duke of Annadale” Georgianna Landrake and the evolution of their relationship. Maelys strikes a good balance between feeling smart and capable but still a little naive while Georgianna immediately feels more world weary without being overbearing. Some of the early tension between the characters is understandable, but it still leaves room for their relationship to develop in a natural and meaningful way. The other characters were also wonderful and made the whole thing work. If “Shakespeare meets Bridgerton” sounds like a fun time to you, I would definitely pick this one up!

I adored this sapphic regency fantasy romance! It was fun, witty and super entertaining. This book had me laughing out loud. I didn’t want it to end! I loved the characters but my favorite had to be the sassy hobgoblin narrator. I loved the whimsical feel of this book it was truly magical and I wish I could dive into that world again! Highly recommend this one!

I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher for review.

So, I had very high hopes from the beginning. I really enjoyed the narrator to start, but as time went on I think it started to get old. In some places when they would interject it took you out of what was happening in the story. That being said, this story follows (quite literally) Maelys and her quest to find out who cursed her and her trying to break said curse. Well we finally figure that out right around 53% and it felt like the story should have been coming to a close, but it kept going.

Overall, I think the author does a tremendous job with the banter between characters, it's witty and reminiscent of their other book Boyfriend Material and I definitely enjoyed it most of the time. I do think that at around 35% the banter is overdone and starts to drag out the plot. I think this book also suffers from being a tad over written. The scenes we get are all well done, until they're not. I think another round of editing some things out would have helped this book a lot. That being said I did really enjoy the banter between Mae and Georgiana.

I recommend this to those that enjoy the narration style similar to The Book Thief, mixed with the romance of Boyfriend Material, in a setting similar to Bridgerton or Pride and Prejudice. If those three things are up your ally, then you'll love this book.

I wanted to love this book, I really did, the premise is fantastic, the characters are phenomenal, and the world building is impeccable. Unfortunately, that's where the positives end for this book and the issues I had began, I will say if I could give this book three and a half stars I would.

The blurb hooked me and that cover art is beautiful, the narrator of our story however, I just couldn't get into this story, I mean a regency romance mixed with magic and for pride month to boot I was so excited, and I will say the love portion of this book is realistic and easy to read.

Our characters are funny and well developed, they mingle wonderfully with each other, and that portion of this story is so much fun, but again, that narrator, the flow of the story just kept getting broken, maybe it's just me.

I would highly encourage anyone interested in this story to read it, the issues I had with it may not be an issue for other people.

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this E-Book, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Somehow underdeveloped and too long at the same time. This is one of the most bafflingly paced books I've ever read: the exciting climax takes place around the 50% mark, then the story sort of spins its wheels for 25% or so, and then a new, entirely unrelated problem is introduced and quickly (and less excitingly) resolved in the end.

The narrator was entertaining to begin with, but was WAY too present throughout the story, and his constant comedic quips got really irritating pretty quickly. That narrative device also created a degree of separation between the reader and the characters that did not serve the story well; I was desperate to just get the perspective of the characters, but you never get to have that. This creates a huge disconnect and makes it challenging to really emotionally engage with the story or romance.

Speaking of the romance: you know when you're reading a love story, and think, "ok, settle down, you guys barely know each other." Not only did I feel like the characters knew nothing about each other, *I* didn't even know anything about either of them! Genuinely, someone tell me a single personality trait of the protagonist besides "beautiful" and "in love." She fails the sexy lamp test until the last 10% or so of the book; her only role is to be beautiful and desirable, and she's sort of toted around from location to location while things happen to her. There's also a lot of her and her friends putting their heads together to try and solve her problems but just rehashing the fact that they have no plan and no idea how to solve her problems.

The romance is underdeveloped, the world is underdeveloped, the promise of fairies and gods feels pretty thinly executed. I actually, devastatingly, have very little positive to say about this book at all. It was cute that it directly refuted the not like other girls trope a few times, I guess. I did like Miss Bickle - she would have been a much more interesting protagonist.

🪄 Magic, Romance❤️‍🔥and Mystery 🔎

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 Stars)

Review:

The romance between the main characters is beautifully portrayed, with a slow-burn that will make your heart flutter. Alongside the love story, there's a gripping mystery that keeps you engaged, eager to uncover the truth alongside the protagonists.

Alexis Hall's writing is poetic and elegant, creating a delightful reading experience. Touched on themes with so much caution such as: love, sacrifice, and the consequences of one’s choices. The witty dialogue adds humor and depth, making the story even more enjoyable.

While there were a few moments where the pacing felt rushed, overall, Mortal Follies is an extraordinary book that will transport you to a world of magic, love, and intrigue. It's a must-read for fans of fantasy and romance, offering an unforgettable journey.

Note: I received an advanced copy of Mortal Follies in exchange for an honest review.


#Bookreview #MortalFollies #AlexisHall #MagicalJourney #Netgalley #NetgalleyReviews #NetgalleyARC

Since Alexis Hall is one of my favorite historical romance authors, I eagerly awaited “Mortal Follies.” Then he upped the ante, adding magical elements and an unreliable hobgoblin narrator, to create a mythic odyssey worthy of the Goddesses he depicts. Yum!

When the chaste, beautiful and temperate Maelys discovers her gown melting supernaturally at a ball, she is (barely) rescued by the disgraced Lady Georgianna, reputed to have killed her father and brothers in order to inherit the estate. But neither lady is as appears. An attraction ensues, bonding them to outfox magical creatures and Goddesses, helped by Maelys’ best friend and her cousin. All the while, I was uncertain if unfolding events were exactly as our narrator, Robin, was describing them, or if he was intervening, upping the thrill.

Mr. Hall masters dialogue, bringing us into the era, while dispelling confusion, despite language differences. “My circumstance are beyond my control Your speech is within yours.” And he conveys the norms of that time with humor. “That she continued to be invited to balls despite the broad consensus that she had murdered four men by witchcraft might, perhaps, tell you everything you need to know about the fashionable set.” Or, “old scandals never die, they just acquire embellishments.”

Mr. Hall always make me laugh at myself and at the English language, which rarely conveys life’s insanity adequately. “It turns out being surrounded by the ruck and run of humanity is much less pleasant when you have no power to prevent it from rucking and running all over you.”

While Mr. Hall’s classical education was clearly more extensive than mine, I merely highlighted passages to examine after the plot’s dizzying excitement no longer held me in thrall. Yes, the background proved fascinating and added subtle shading to the plot, but it wasn’t needed to follow Maelys and Georgianna as they lurch from one adventurous episode to the next, in ever deepening riddles, ever dangerous attempts to dislodge their curses.

And I was delighted to watch women in roles once written only for men. Their courage, wit, loyalty and creativity are imminently recognizable by all women or marginalized individuals, simply our survival tools. But these gals make it look elegant, while drawing us into the push and pull of their love.

“Mortal Follies” is layer, upon layer of richness with exquisite attention to detail – divine characters, glowing in their human foibles, wit, and insight. This is definitely a novel to re-read, simply to bask in its pleasures!

This was a somewhat disappointing read for me. I was drawn in by the thought of a Regency romance combined with fantasy, but Puck, the narrator, was distracting and often drew away from the plot, and the romance was really slight. The fantasy elements were intriguing but took precedence over the romance.

I loved this book! The characters were well defined and so much fun! The scenes were so well drawn I felt like I was right there.

I really did enjoy this book and highly recommend it!

Edwardian romance with splashes of murder mystery, family curses and spurned deities! A fae narrator sets the scene in Bath, England, where the society elite attend tea parties and balls to see and be seen. Unfortunately, one misunderstood intention means that Miss Maelys Mitchelmore is cursed to be struck down in the most impolite ways. With the help of her fanciful best friend, logical cousin, and the scandalous Lady Georgiana Landrake, Maelys will try to appease a goddess, uncover a not-so-nice suitor and attempt to find a happily ever afterwards.
I just reviewed Mortal Follies by Alexis Hall. #MortalFollies #NetGalley