"You're wrong, but you're not stupid"

I must not "add to cart,"

Sweetbitter Song || Rosie Hewlett || 486 pages Top 3 Genres: Mythology / Historical Fiction / Romance

Synopsis: One fateful night in Sparta, a young slave girl encounters a mysterious, grey-eyed princess. Melantho and Penelope, though from different worlds, are instantly connected. But betrayal soon tears them apart.

Years later, on Ithaca's rocky shores, Melantho is sent to serve Princess Penelope and her new husband, Prince Odysseus. Hardened by slavery, Melantho vows to stay distant from Penelope. Yet, the undeniable pull between them proves stronger than ever.

As war ignites Greece, Odysseus and Ithaca's men are called away and, in their absence, Melantho finds a new world opening up before her – one where women rule, where family can be found, and where love is finally given the space to bloom.

But all wars eventually end and as Troy falls, Penelope and Melantho must face the King’s return and decide how far they will go to protect what matters most to them.

Weekly Bookish Question #504 (August 9th - August 15th, 2026)

Currently Listening: Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

Under Your Spell by Laura Wood

I had the joy of reading Laura Wood's Let's Make a Scene as an ARC, only to realize as I was reading it that it was part of an interconnected standalone duo! Rewinding to read the first of the two was absolute magic. Let's break it down!

My Love List: The prose is instantly captivating. Clemmie's voice feels familiar, like you're hearing an old friend tell this story after the fact.

I adored Clemmie's character growth from start to finish. Every puzzle piece is well placed, all locking together by the story's end to paint a stunning picture.

I will always champion a book with sisterly bonds, and absolutely adored the extra layer of realism that added to this story (it totally gives old-school Charmed vibes).

He DEFINITELY falls first, and it's honestly worth kicking your feet and getting all heart-eyed over!

The beach walk! The birthday surprise! Too cute.

Laura Wood's sense of humor is completely underrated. Every joke is well-written and laugh-out-loud funny (which I don't say often).

The Vibes: celebrity (rockstar) romance slow burn romance friends to lovers he falls first forced proximity sisterly bond cinnamon roll mmc third act break-up