Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller
My rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Summary: In a small town in Georgia, lifelong rivals Beverly Underwood and Lula Dean face off once again—this time over books. When Lula launches a crusade to ban “inappropriate” titles and replaces them with her own “wholesome” lending library, a prankster secretly swaps her approved reads for banned ones. As neighbors discover these hidden gems and their lives begin to change, tensions rise—just as Beverly and Lula go head-to-head in a heated mayoral race that will shake the town to its core.
My review: As someone who’s firmly against book banning, I was immediately intrigued by Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books—and it did not disappoint. This novel delivers a sharp, funny, and heartfelt story with a great plot, plenty of laughs, memorable characters, and a few twists I never saw coming.
Beyond the humor, the book powerfully illustrates why censorship is so dangerous, while also reflecting the anger and division of our current times. As the town’s secrets unravel, Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books tackles tough issues like racism, homophobia, misogyny, and, of course, censorship—with wit and heart. If you’re looking for smart, timely satire done right, this is a must-read.
The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith
My rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Summary: In 1848 London, an immortal fae queen has ruled England for centuries, offering her subjects one chance to bargain for their heart’s desire. Desperate to save her disgraced family, Ivy Benton enters a deadly competition to win Prince Bram’s hand—and the crown. With the help of his charming brother, Prince Emmett, Ivy becomes an unexpected favorite. But as the queen’s glittering trials turn perilous, Ivy discovers that every faerie bargain demands a price—and hers may cost more than she ever imagined.
My review: The Rose Bargain felt like Bridgerton meets Romantasy – and the mix of historical details with magical elements made for a fun read! I’ve never seen “fae” portrayed quite like this before, and the author’s fresh take was enjoyable.
As a woman, I found the theme of wanting to change something about yourself incredibly relatable, which made the bargains with the fae queen all the more fascinating. I found the evolution of Ivy’s relationships with the other girls in the competition to be engaging, and loved when there was a chapter told from another competitor’s point of view. The story ends on a cliffhanger, and I can say with complete honesty that I did not see that final plot twist coming.
While I would have loved a bit more world-building and backstory for the immortal fae queen, this was a fun, fast-paced, and thoroughly entertaining read. If you’re a fan of romantasy—and enjoy a good love triangle—definitely pick up The Rose Bargain before its sequel, The Thorn Queen, debuts in April 2026!
Planned Reads: The Measure by Nikki Erlick, The Bane Witch by Ava Morgyn, and Forged in Blood by Sadie Kincaid
Recently added to my TBR: Alchemised by SenLinYu and The Ascended by Parker Lennox and Bree Grenwich
