2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This is where we will discuss the book after we start reading it in January.

Please remember to mark spoilers by using spoiler tags: [spoiler]...[/spoiler], but replace [ by < and ] by >

This is your space to chat about this month's book selection with other readers. There is no set schedule to follow, and no discussion leader is assigned. Everyone should feel free to post comments, share pertinent articles or interviews, ask questions, share likes or dislikes, etc. Most importantly, enjoy reading together!

This book really leans into cottagecore. What elements did you find the coziest? Does this novel inspire you to inject more cozy into your own life? If so, how?

I have read through Chapter 10. It's very cutesy which I don't usually like but I'm finding I can tolerate it if there are enough fantasy elements at play. This book sort of dances on that line.

The entire thing is cozy, but I'd have to say (view spoiler)[her plan of turning her cute little cottage into a jam store is probably the "coziest" element.
I like Larran and that he's a little shy. I love that both of them are awkward. I love Caz and the characters in town. I think it's interesting we don't really get a physical description of people right away so it's not until a few chapters in we find out Kiela is blue (unless I missed something early on). What does Larran look like other than muscly?

I am enjoying the book but it does get a little eye-rolly at times when it screams Hallmark Christmas Movie. Person moves back home to her provincial town after big city life and runs into an old friend. She must use her skills and talents (and books) to save the little town and old friend's merhorse ranch. I've never even seen a Hallmark movie but I'm pretty sure this is the same formula. But.. this has a sentient spider plant and winged cats. (hide spoiler)]

I have not been inspired to inject more cozy into my life as of yet. Mostly because I don't know what/how/when that would fit.

Trying to make my life cozier this year. Already want a spider plant. lol

I'm up to chapter 10. So far, it's such an adorable little story. I went in not expecting too much (compared to the way more fast paced fantasy books I usually read). I'm a sucker for funny little side characters in books and Caz is currently one of my favorites

I'm up to chapter 11 and really enjoying the story. Caz is a great side kick and I keep thinking about the spider plant in our living room.

Through Chapter 20: (view spoiler)[I don't feel much of a connection between Larran and Kiela. There hasn't actually been much getting to know each other or conversation. A lot of awkward moments and Kiela thinking about him, but I just don't get much from the relationship.

I wonder how Radane showing up will affect Kiela. Will the townsfolk realize she probably "fled" the city as well? I hope there is *some* conflict soon. So far it's all just worries about what could happen but nothing bad has actually occurred.

I love the spirit bears. (hide spoiler)]

I am on Chapter 10 right now. This is not my typical read. I don’t do much fantasy or magic but it does seem pretty cute. Not sure it will be something I want to read more of but I am always open to try a new author.

Just a quick update after chapter 29: (view spoiler)[ The conflict started on page 240 and on page 300 it's all rainbows again. I assume the empire will come looking for Radane, but with only a handful of pages left, I don't see it becoming a huge issue.
I just wish there had been a bit more strife. I'm happy for the characters but 0 conflict just doesn't make a great story for me. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ I... Agree that I wish there was more strife. Or, if you're going to make all of the conflicts resolve with a happy little smile anyway... Then maybe don't make the conflicts all that big? Like just end the book without throwing in three extra conflicts really quickly at the end? I really liked the middle of this book and accepted it for what it was, but the ending was not my favorite. Which makes me sad because I really thought I'd enjoy a book about a cute little romance, some jam making, and secretly performing spells to help out a village! (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 18.

I am enjoying this book!
Although I have to say it´s easier for me to read something cozy while I feel cozy - meaning reading this on weekend days or on a sunday morning is great! Reading this right before bed, when I´m home after a day at work is still nice but sometimes I have problems with getting in the mood for the slow pacing.

I love the characters - especially Caz.

Personally I´d like to read more about the revolution but maybe that´s happening in the second half.

SarahKat wrote: "I have read through Chapter 10. It's very cutesy which I don't usually like but I'm finding I can tolerate it if there are enough fantasy elements at play. This book sort of dances on that line.

..."

I'm up to chapter 15 (slow reader here), and like you, SarahKat, I was also wondering if Larran is going to be described a bit more than just muscly and strong, and handy with tools. 😆

So far, I like how Kiela's neurodiversity is described and how it shows in her speaking and her actions. Or at least I think it's neurodiversity because I recognise a lot of myself in her in certain ways.

Another thing I was wondering about is if (view spoiler)[she is going to have time and space for grief (which would not only be healthy for her but somewhat deepen the plot I think), or will she just continue shutting down all of the trauma like she does not for the sake of the plot staying easy and cozy? (hide spoiler)]

Alina wrote: "Finished chapter 18.

I am enjoying this book!
Although I have to say it´s easier for me to read something cozy while I feel cozy - meaning reading this on weekend days or on a sunday morning is gr..."

I've also noticed that it is kind of difficult to get into it after a day of work, Alina. Interesting how that works 🤔

And I love Caz as well, such a dynamic character, adds so much to the book, I feel. Maybe even more than Kiela? 🤫

I picked it up from my library today but didn’t get a chance to open it until I was in bed tonight so I only read a little.

First thoughts: it’s cozy right off the bat; I’m enjoying taking my time reading it because I want to let my imagination run with the descriptions & since I don’t usually read fantasy novels I want to make sure I’m understanding everything. I think it’s beautiful. I really like the characters already.

I now have a strong urge to make raspberry jam & pastries…

Anna Rachel wrote: "I now have a strong urge to make raspberry jam & pastries…"

I feel that haha!
My grandma has THE BEST recipe for strawberry jam and I wanted her to teach me for a long time - maybe this year when strawberries are in season I finally get her to show it to me

I can’t even explain how much I’m loving this book. It’s such a change of pace from what I usually read, and I really appreciate the fact that it’s making me slow down and genuinely savor every word. It is SO cozy and beautiful.

Alina wrote: "My grandma has THE BEST recipe for strawberry jam and I wanted her to teach me for a long time…"

Well, I picked up a couple pounds of raspberries & some puff pastry from the store today. I’m not sure what I’m going to make yet, but I’m feeling very inspired!

My hold at the library just came off hold, so I'll be able to join in sometime soon. 😊

TerryJane wrote: "My hold at the library just came off hold, so I'll be able to join in sometime soon. 😊"

Hope you enjoy!

I am about halfway through this book now (starting chapter 20). Cozy books are only good reads if you are in the right type of mood and lately have not been my go-to favorites. However, I am enjoying the book very much. I started this book thinking that I would be glad to get these cozies checked off my list so that I could get back to something else. And now, I may be hooked.

The pacing is pretty slow which I do enjoy but also makes it just a little too easy to get distracted. Finally, I am getting to the point that when I set it down, I am thinking about it until I can get back to it but it took awhile to get there.

The characters are interesting. I am worried that the pacing does not seem on track to fully explore everything that has been introduced - either we won't get the goods or it will be rushed. I hate when a great build up goes nowhere or even worse, comes together too quickly. I want to know more about (view spoiler)[ Larran's background and what is the "so much tragedy" in his life and I am hoping that the new stranger will show that he likes Kiela for Kiela and not that she is a new available woman in town. As far as the new stranger, I have a feeling that she will really advance the storyline quickly in several different ways. I also want to see more of the townspeople and delve more into the concept of the people all helping each other and fully embracing Kiela and Caz (and the cactus) along with their magic, maybe even protecting them somehow. (hide spoiler)]

I am starting Chapter 12, so I was able to read through some of your spoilers. Mine should be spoiler free.

I am totally fascinated by the beings on and around Caltrey. I hope we get to meet more of them, especially the winged cats. 😻

I adore Caz! He makes me wish my houseplants could communicate. Does that brown leaf indicate over- or under-watering? Poor light? Drafty location? *sigh*

Kiela's introversion and lack of confidence is so over-the-top that it's rather annoying, and that's coming from someone who is also painfully introverted. I hope having the shop will pull her out of her shell a bit more, and that she will reach a point where she can be comfortable around Larran, and maybe even other townsfolk.

I've canned lots of fruit spreads in my time -- peach, apple, blueberry, strawberry, fig, etc. Never raspberry, though. Sadly, that's the one fruit I don't like eating. It has a weird tang to me. Guess you could say raspberry is just not my jam. 😉

It's a rainy day here, and I am hoping to finish this book today. I have coffee, a blanket, a lap dog, and freshly charged earbuds. Mmm... so cozy.

I finished today, as expected. I didn't love it, but I did like it. I'm happy that (view spoiler)[the grumpy neighbor left the island, that the new folks were accepted into the found family, and that the island appears to have a bright future.

I might've rated it higher had Meep the cactus not felt like such a ripoff of Marvel's Groot, right down to his their one-word vocabulary. Ugh.

What I liked most was meeting the magical beings -- the cloud bears, mermaids, merhorses, and the fantastical people of the island. too. I really would have liked more winged cat interaction. As for the romance, meh. I'm glad I read it, but I'm extremely glad it's a standalone rather than the intro to a series. (hide spoiler)]

3 stars

TerryJane wrote: "I finished today, as expected. I didn't love it, but I did like it."

Agreed especially about (view spoiler)[the lack of winged cats. I am of the opinion that if an interesting creature is on the cover of the book, the creature should get more page-time. (hide spoiler)]

I am trying to lean into the cozy genre this year as I need the distraction, and this book doesn't disappoint. I'm in love with the spider plant idea, but struggling to like our protagonist. I know she was a recluse, but she's pretty unfriendly so far (I'm in chapter 12, so I'm sure she'll turn it around). But I really dislike the stereotype that bookish people don't have people skills, so it is a struggle. Is anyone else having a VERY hard time picturing the mystical animals? I might be a literal person, but I just can't get a horse front onto a dolphin back in my imagination....