K. Fely

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

Some books show up almost by accident and somehow turn into real gems. This was one of them. I'm always a little curious when I pick up a debut, but I didn't expect to fall into the story the way I did. By the time I finished I already knew this author had earned a place among my new favorites.

The premise feels both beautiful and a little heartbreaking. Two souls who keep finding each other across different lives. They reincarnate, their worlds change, the time period changes, and everything around them is different, yet their connection remains. Every time they meet there is that quiet sense of familiarity like they've always known each other even when they don't have the memories of that life yet. I loved that detail because it really captures the idea that some bonds go beyond time.

Romances about reincarnation are surprisingly rare and I really appreciated how the story handles it. The narrative moves between past and present in a way that keeps the mystery alive while slowly building a deep emotional connection with the characters.

Through Deborah, a woman who starts experiencing vivid dreams about a past life, the story pulls us into the life of Jeannette and Mario in New York during the nineteen forties. Their relationship is passionate but also complicated and dangerous, shaped by the racial tensions of the time and the shadow of organized crime. That historical setting adds a lot of intensity because their love isn't just fighting time but also the world around them.

One of the things I enjoyed most was the character development. They feel layered and real, with their own struggles and difficult choices. Their emotions never feel exaggerated or flat. Instead they feel human in a way that makes you grow attached to them almost without realizing it. At some point I noticed I didn't want to put the book down.

The story also carries a reflective tone. It's romantic but it also feels like a journey through lives that are beautiful and sometimes painfully sad. It makes you think about destiny, the paths we choose, and the possibility that love might leave traces far beyond a single lifetime.

The ending left me with mixed feelings in the best possible way. Part of me would absolutely read a second book just to stay in this world a little longer. Another part of me feels like the story stands on its own perfectly well. It leaves space for interpretation in a way that makes you feel almost involved in deciding what the characters future might look like. The final words from the older woman especially stayed with me long after I turned the last page.

I've always been drawn to the idea of past lives and the feeling that some loves carry an almost eternal promise, so this story connected with me right from the start. It was emotional, romantic, and quietly memorable.

The book starts really well and hooked me from the very first moment. The premise is fun and interesting. A one night encounter that later turns into a work relationship full of tension, sarcasm, and slightly uncomfortable memories. The first part works as a setup to understand both characters and the situation that brings them back together.

However there is a moment in the story where the pacing slows down a bit before it manages to fully grab my attention again. Both characters have a past that seems like it could offer more depth, but in reality we only see a few brief flashbacks. Because of the way Gwen introduces that first encounter I expected those memories to carry more weight or to be explored a little more.

There were also a few moments that felt somewhat tedious or a bit too long and could probably have been condensed or moved along faster. That made me lose a bit of the initial momentum and excitement for a while.

Even so the dynamic between the main characters has some very good moments, especially when they are forced to work together. The tension between them and the crisis management setting within the corporate world adds an interesting twist to the story.

Forgotten Spices is a truly fascinating book because it starts with something that seems ordinary spices and turns it into a journey of discovery. We often hear the word spice and think only of something that adds flavor to food, but this book shows that the term includes much more such as seeds, bark, roots, fruits, and even tubers like ginger. From the very first pages it invites you to look at these ingredients with new eyes and understand everything behind something we usually take for granted in the kitchen.

One of the things I liked the most is how clearly the book explains what a spice really is and how to recognize it. It also talks about something we rarely think about which is the process of drying and preserving them. When the water is removed from the plant spices can last much longer, but they still have a life cycle and a moment when they begin to lose their strength. This kind of practical information makes the book not only interesting from a historical or cultural perspective but also useful for understanding how to use and appreciate spices better.

The historical journey is another strong point of the book. Throughout its pages we learn how spices have accompanied humanity for thousands of years. There were times when they were as valuable as gold, traded between continents and capable of influencing trade routes, economies, and entire cultures. The book also explains how in the past many spices were more local and depended on the natural environment of each region. Even so that did not limit their importance. They were used for many purposes from seasoning food to medicinal, anti inflammatory, and ritual uses.

The book also brings attention to spices that are barely known today or that have disappeared from everyday use such as silphium, costus, and zedoary. Reading about them is especially interesting because it opens a window into traditional knowledge that in many cases has slowly been lost over time.

Beyond the information there is something else that makes this book stand out which is its design. It is visually beautiful. The botanical illustrations are detailed and elegant and they help you better understand each plant and its context. I also loved how different historical moments related to the use of spices are represented. These images make the book feel almost like a small illustrated museum of botanical history.

This book reminded me of my teenage years in the best way because of the Step Up movies. It has that same mix of dance, emotional intensity, and characters who seem to clash before they truly find each other. It carries that feeling of passion for art and connection that grows right in the middle of conflict.

I really love the author's writing style. It feels fast, emotional, and very close to the reader. She pulls you right into Clara's mind so you feel every insecurity, every racing thought, and every moment of doubt with her. I truly hope to read more books by this author because she made me fall in love with the characters and care deeply about what happens to them.

One of the things that surprised me the most was how the story handles topics that are often barely mentioned or treated very lightly. It talks about ADHD, anxiety, control, addiction, and the weight of expectations. The author does not use them just as plot devices. They are woven into the story in a very human and realistic way. Clara is not the typical perfect main character. She is chaotic, brilliant, insecure, and deeply human. Watching her struggle to fit into a version of perfection that was never made for her is something many readers can relate to.

Trevor also brings a really beautiful emotional depth to the story. His recovery journey and the way he sees Clara beyond the so called porcelain princess creates very vulnerable and genuine moments between them. The dynamic between them has a lot of chemistry. The arguments, the tension, the late night rehearsals, and the forced closeness make the romance feel natural and gradual.

I also loved the atmosphere of the book. Even though I read it in March, it made me feel completely in the Christmas season. The rehearsals for the Nutcracker, the anticipation of the stage, the pressure of the final audition, and the cozy feeling surrounding the story create a wonderful setting.

But beyond the romance and the festive mood, what really stays with you is the message. The book touches on something very everyday yet rarely spoken about. The kind of low self esteem that grows when you feel like you are never enough and when you believe you have to work twice as hard just to deserve your place. At the same time it reminds you of something powerful. You are already enough even with all your chaos.

This was a reading experience that made me feel understood in many moments. There was even a piece of advice inside the story that felt like something I needed to hear right now. That is why for me this book is not just a Christmas romance. It is a story about identity, acceptance, and the courage to let people see who you really are

✒️ Review:

🎭 This book makes me question how much of a mark we really leave on people. From the very first page, I could feel the love from his friends and inner circle, like a warm hug for the soul. They remember him as if he were still here, and it brings to mind that saying that no one ever really leaves as long as someone remembers them with love. A person keeps living on through art, in a song, and even inside a book like this, through the words they wrote throughout their life.

Art is medicine for the soul. It’s the little bandage that helps us live more intensely. And this book is so wonderful in every email, story, and poem. I hope poetry never disappears because it’s the sweetness of life. I loved every single verse, and I felt deeply connected to what he says about art. The author creates beauty in every letter and passes it on to the reader.

I loved how he transforms politics, everyday life, the past, wars, pain, illness, theater, art, existence, and even a touch of religion into pure poetry. He turns every feeling into verse, letting each reader interpret it and truly feel it. And I really appreciated that they kept every spelling mistake, preserving his work exactly as it was. It makes the book feel like visual and emotional art all at once.

🐇Review:

🐰This short novel explores infertility from a really intimate and emotional place. Mari has tried everything to get pregnant, going through different medical procedures that, instead of bringing her closer to her dream, start wearing her down and putting serious strain on her marriage. Joe, her husband, wishes he could try too, but obviously he can’t carry a child. They love each other deeply, but all those failed attempts have created an invisible crack between them.

Mari starts to believe Joe doesn’t love her anymore because she can’t give him children. Joe, on the other hand, feels like Mari has pulled away. They don’t talk like they used to, they don’t joke around, and there’s no intimacy left. The silence between them feels louder than their love.

They decide to travel to the beach where they first met, maybe hoping to find their way back to each other. When they arrive, Mari goes out for a walk alone. Joe thinks they’re going together, but by the time he steps out to look for her, she’s already gone. That small moment says everything about where their relationship stands.

When Mari comes back, she finds an Easter basket and assumes it’s a romantic anniversary surprise. But Joe is asleep and has no idea what she’s talking about. Later, when he wakes up and hears her cooking dinner, he tries to open the basket and finds a golden egg inside. It slips from his hands in shock. That’s when the Easter Bunny appears, offering them a miracle.

The deal is as unexpected as it is provocative. Mari can get pregnant, but in exchange they have to spend one night with him in an MMF threesome to ensure his legacy continues. Joe is bisexual, his first ex was a man, which adds an extra layer of tension and complexity to the situation.

What starts as a painful story about infertility turns into something exciting and fantastical. The book doesn’t go too deep into the medical details or how they originally met because that’s not the main focus. The heart of the story is the Easter miracle and the night that changes everything.

At first, I had a hard time connecting with the characters, but once they reach the beach the story really picks up.

It was also my first time reading an MMF threesome, which made the experience even more interesting.

🥕 It’s perfect for Easter season. It’s short, fast paced, and great if you’re trying to get out of a reading slump. You can easily finish it in one night.