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Islands of the Northern Sea #1
Venturing North
Ursula and Elias may have been flung together by their fathers’ scheming, but can they show each other that being loved for who you are is possible?
Forced to travel north - a place full of magic and myth - to marry a man she's never met, Ursula Woodruff is thrown into an unfamiliar world that's a stark contrast to the strict southern customs she's grown up with.
Ursula's betrothed, Elias Clearbound, always shied away from responsibility. Choosing fun over the family business and war over a wedding. Now he's back home and trying to save his family's dying quarry the only way available to him - marriage. Ties to the Woodruff family offers financial security, but will he find more than what he bargained for in his new bride?
Venturing North is a slice-of-life, cozy romantasy story filled with spicy, swoon worthy scenes in a delightfully magical setting.
Forced to travel north - a place full of magic and myth - to marry a man she's never met, Ursula Woodruff is thrown into an unfamiliar world that's a stark contrast to the strict southern customs she's grown up with.
Ursula's betrothed, Elias Clearbound, always shied away from responsibility. Choosing fun over the family business and war over a wedding. Now he's back home and trying to save his family's dying quarry the only way available to him - marriage. Ties to the Woodruff family offers financial security, but will he find more than what he bargained for in his new bride?
Venturing North is a slice-of-life, cozy romantasy story filled with spicy, swoon worthy scenes in a delightfully magical setting.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2024
3 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 13, 2024
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִ🍂
I found this book on Amazon one time I was searching marriage of convenience romances. This is definitely a new to me author and the book isn't on KU so it took me a while to finally go ahead and get it and read it. I don't regret it at all!
Some minor things like typos, there weren't some commas or periods in some paragraphs, words sometimes were missing that could have made sense for the sentence, and stuff like that might have made me rate this 4 stars. I usually don't contemplate typos and minor things for my rating, but there were so many in this - I just have to. Though they didn't made me hate this book or make me love it even less. It's a good cozy fantasy romance with low on the angst, slice-of-life vibes, and marriage of convenience. Everything I want and more.
Consider that nothing much happens. As I said, it's a slice-of-lice romance, so it's mainly about them going about their lives and getting to know each other. They have dinners some days, they go on walks on other days, they are at the library working others, you know. There's not ONE BIG HUGE PROBLEM OR PLOT going on. Which it's fine by me!!! But I know that a lot of readers do crave a little bit angst or an issue to quicken things up a bit. So, just consider that this won't have that.
I loved the romance, the marriage of convenience trope is amazing. It's definitely not love at first sight, but familiar at first sight. They know they can easily love them and are happy to do so. They are open to fall in love and love spending time with the other. Elias and Ursula were so cute together and I also adored that everyone around them could see they were crushing hard on their arranged spouse!! Elias' sister and brother-in-law were hardcore shipping them and so happy Elias finally found someone he can share his life with.
Overall, I really had a grand time reading this book. I definitely want to try and read the next one when it comes out. I love this world and vibes so much!! SIL ON HER FANTASY ROMANCE ERA??? What's happening yall
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִ🍂
I found this book on Amazon one time I was searching marriage of convenience romances. This is definitely a new to me author and the book isn't on KU so it took me a while to finally go ahead and get it and read it. I don't regret it at all!
Some minor things like typos, there weren't some commas or periods in some paragraphs, words sometimes were missing that could have made sense for the sentence, and stuff like that might have made me rate this 4 stars. I usually don't contemplate typos and minor things for my rating, but there were so many in this - I just have to. Though they didn't made me hate this book or make me love it even less. It's a good cozy fantasy romance with low on the angst, slice-of-life vibes, and marriage of convenience. Everything I want and more.
Consider that nothing much happens. As I said, it's a slice-of-lice romance, so it's mainly about them going about their lives and getting to know each other. They have dinners some days, they go on walks on other days, they are at the library working others, you know. There's not ONE BIG HUGE PROBLEM OR PLOT going on. Which it's fine by me!!! But I know that a lot of readers do crave a little bit angst or an issue to quicken things up a bit. So, just consider that this won't have that.
I loved the romance, the marriage of convenience trope is amazing. It's definitely not love at first sight, but familiar at first sight. They know they can easily love them and are happy to do so. They are open to fall in love and love spending time with the other. Elias and Ursula were so cute together and I also adored that everyone around them could see they were crushing hard on their arranged spouse!! Elias' sister and brother-in-law were hardcore shipping them and so happy Elias finally found someone he can share his life with.
Overall, I really had a grand time reading this book. I definitely want to try and read the next one when it comes out. I love this world and vibes so much!! SIL ON HER FANTASY ROMANCE ERA??? What's happening yall
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִ🍂
September 28, 2024
A wonderful and cozy autumn romance. I adored this! We follow Ursula and Elias as they navigate the workings of their arranged marriage. I loved the mutual pining and vulnerable moments between our MCs and the slow burn pay off is delicious.
The world is cozy with hints of magical realism and I hope we dive even farther into in the next book. The writing was beautiful and immersive. All around; a perfect quick read to cuddle up with on a cold, fall evening!!
The world is cozy with hints of magical realism and I hope we dive even farther into in the next book. The writing was beautiful and immersive. All around; a perfect quick read to cuddle up with on a cold, fall evening!!
October 8, 2024
I received an advanced readers copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Venturing North was tagged by the author as a historical cozy fantasy romance with steamy romance, and those descriptions were bang on. The book gives major fall vibes - curled up on a window bench with a steaming cup of tea in hand while being nestled in a fluffy throw. Those are the vibes.
It is a low-fantasy books: people with elemental magic, hobgoblins, centaurs, elves, a war against giants (off page), etc. The magical elements are woven into a slice-of-live story about an arranged marriage. Ursula & Elias are two endearing main characters who are written as normal, everyday people (scars and all). There isn’t really a “bad” character in the book - written or personality wise (except the woman who hit on Elias).
It is an “open door” romance book - you have been warned. The spicy scenes aren’t really graphic, but they’re just spicy enough to be steamy.
The reason why I rated this book 4 stars is for two reasons:
I am personally not a fan of the miscommunication trope if it’s something that could have been avoided. There is a part, specifically, where Ursula is upset that Elias hasn’t shared specific information with her. However, they hadn’t known each other for that long when she discovered his “secret” & I feel like she didn’t have a valid reason to be put out about it. It was an arranged marriage between two people who only met once in their lives before tying the knot.
I didn’t like the epilogue. I think the intention was to leave it as a cliffhanger, however it feels like the writing just stopped. It would have made more sense, in my opinion, to have the book end at the last chapter. The epilogue didn’t add anything for me.
Overall, the book was really entertaining & cozy! I would definitely recommend this to my reader friends and family.
Venturing North was tagged by the author as a historical cozy fantasy romance with steamy romance, and those descriptions were bang on. The book gives major fall vibes - curled up on a window bench with a steaming cup of tea in hand while being nestled in a fluffy throw. Those are the vibes.
It is a low-fantasy books: people with elemental magic, hobgoblins, centaurs, elves, a war against giants (off page), etc. The magical elements are woven into a slice-of-live story about an arranged marriage. Ursula & Elias are two endearing main characters who are written as normal, everyday people (scars and all). There isn’t really a “bad” character in the book - written or personality wise (except the woman who hit on Elias).
It is an “open door” romance book - you have been warned. The spicy scenes aren’t really graphic, but they’re just spicy enough to be steamy.
The reason why I rated this book 4 stars is for two reasons:
I am personally not a fan of the miscommunication trope if it’s something that could have been avoided. There is a part, specifically, where Ursula is upset that Elias hasn’t shared specific information with her. However, they hadn’t known each other for that long when she discovered his “secret” & I feel like she didn’t have a valid reason to be put out about it. It was an arranged marriage between two people who only met once in their lives before tying the knot.
I didn’t like the epilogue. I think the intention was to leave it as a cliffhanger, however it feels like the writing just stopped. It would have made more sense, in my opinion, to have the book end at the last chapter. The epilogue didn’t add anything for me.
Overall, the book was really entertaining & cozy! I would definitely recommend this to my reader friends and family.
October 13, 2024
Venturing North was a sweet, magically tinged historical romance.
I was very impressed with the author's writing style. It was very easy to get immersed in the story. The setting was very cozy and perfect for this time of year. I enjoyed accompanying Ursula on her voyage North and exploring the quaint town and the manor house right alongside her.
I am not a big fan of "instalove" and so I really enjoyed that the characters took a while getting to know each other. The spice was very well done and spaced out nicely throughout the book. There was also a really sweet family component which helped us to better understand the characters. I really liked seeing Elias with his nephews!
The magic definitely wasn't the main focus of the story but I did enjoy the few scenes where it took center stage. The wedding scene was definitely my favorite. I liked that it happened earlier in the story and that we got to see the characters experience married life rather than it occurring at the very end of the story.
Overall I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the next book in the series!
I was very impressed with the author's writing style. It was very easy to get immersed in the story. The setting was very cozy and perfect for this time of year. I enjoyed accompanying Ursula on her voyage North and exploring the quaint town and the manor house right alongside her.
I am not a big fan of "instalove" and so I really enjoyed that the characters took a while getting to know each other. The spice was very well done and spaced out nicely throughout the book. There was also a really sweet family component which helped us to better understand the characters. I really liked seeing Elias with his nephews!
The magic definitely wasn't the main focus of the story but I did enjoy the few scenes where it took center stage. The wedding scene was definitely my favorite. I liked that it happened earlier in the story and that we got to see the characters experience married life rather than it occurring at the very end of the story.
Overall I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the next book in the series!
September 17, 2024
Venturing north is a perfect combination of cozy and spicy. A pretty story with slow romance where the book manages to be incredibly engaging. At the end of the book I felt I was part of it and can feel Ursula and Elias like real people. The writing style is ✨DELICIOUS✨. The slow burn and spice balanced each other. The world building is incredibly atmospheric and fitting to the story with a pinch of magic. If you are in a reading slump, this is your cure.
One of the highlights of the story is the dynamic supporting cast, each with their compelling personalities.
Overall this is a slow burn romance and riveting fantasy with magical and mythical touch with a toe-curling fest. I would say, it will either be a slow scrumptious little treat or an absolute palate cleanser.
Author’s writing style effortlessly captures emotions, creating a strong emotional connection between the reader and the characters. In conclusion, this book is a captivating tapestry of romance and fantasy masterfully written to keep readers hooked until the very last page. It offers an enchanting escape into a world of marriage and love with magical touch.
Many thanks to publisher & book siren for the arc in exchange of my honest review!
One of the highlights of the story is the dynamic supporting cast, each with their compelling personalities.
Overall this is a slow burn romance and riveting fantasy with magical and mythical touch with a toe-curling fest. I would say, it will either be a slow scrumptious little treat or an absolute palate cleanser.
Author’s writing style effortlessly captures emotions, creating a strong emotional connection between the reader and the characters. In conclusion, this book is a captivating tapestry of romance and fantasy masterfully written to keep readers hooked until the very last page. It offers an enchanting escape into a world of marriage and love with magical touch.
Many thanks to publisher & book siren for the arc in exchange of my honest review!
September 16, 2024
Absolutely adored this book! A perfect blend of heartwarming soft romance and spice that makes your heart beat rapidly. All the characters and world-building was gorgeous, I just wish that this was a series/duology so that I could read more about them and their relationship developments over time.
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
October 28, 2024
Venturing North is a page turner book which gives me a lot of emotion while reading it. It is a book that tells you a lot of things about what matters most to you as a human. It is a book about family, honor and love. How you honor your FAMILY and to what extent can you do for them. Can you make sacrifices for the sake of the majority or you will be selfish for your own good? This book makes me fascinated and thrilled at the same time since it's one of the genres that I'm interested reading about. I loved how the author put up the whole storyline since it's a combination of fantasy and romance; he described the setting of the story vividly with a combination of rich cultural heritage of the North contrast to the South. The author also describe the difference between a man and woman, how they are different when it comes to their emotions, intelligence, resilience, passion and how they solve problems individually.
It also made me realized that falling in love is so difficult and complicated since both the protagonists portray it very well in the story; they have differences in characters and upbringing which add spice to the plot. I learned that love is not enough in a relationship, it goes hand in hand with trust and sacrifices that you are willing to give to your partner.
The author made sure that the story has a light and funny tone which readers can easily relate specially when you are a stranger in an unfamiliar place and you need to do your best to adapt in the new environment away from your comfort zone. The author shows us through this story that an individual should rely on his/her skills, capabilities, and beliefs to easily cope up with any situation you are given with. I also learned that leaving your comfort zone is not the end of the world but it's an opportunity to develop your skills and worthiness as a person.
However, I didn't like how the story made me stay up late at night; be curious on what will happen next to the characters and felt giddy like a teenager as if I'm inside the book, experiencing the scenes first hand.
Overall, I love the book. Kudos to the author for this wonderful piece of art and for sharing it the readers.
It also made me realized that falling in love is so difficult and complicated since both the protagonists portray it very well in the story; they have differences in characters and upbringing which add spice to the plot. I learned that love is not enough in a relationship, it goes hand in hand with trust and sacrifices that you are willing to give to your partner.
The author made sure that the story has a light and funny tone which readers can easily relate specially when you are a stranger in an unfamiliar place and you need to do your best to adapt in the new environment away from your comfort zone. The author shows us through this story that an individual should rely on his/her skills, capabilities, and beliefs to easily cope up with any situation you are given with. I also learned that leaving your comfort zone is not the end of the world but it's an opportunity to develop your skills and worthiness as a person.
However, I didn't like how the story made me stay up late at night; be curious on what will happen next to the characters and felt giddy like a teenager as if I'm inside the book, experiencing the scenes first hand.
Overall, I love the book. Kudos to the author for this wonderful piece of art and for sharing it the readers.
October 14, 2024
This is a wonderful cozy romance that is perfect October reading to get you started in the mood for spooky season, if you don't like horror. Reading this on the back porch in the crisp weather with hot tea and a cozy sweatshirt has been a joy.
If you don't like the true "cozy" genre where there aren't the typical kind of high stakes of most non-cozy books, this won't be for you. But it's an easy read and a great palate cleanser. I kept thinking of Elias being from Scotland (north) and Ursula being from England (south) so that just added to the cozy factor for me, imagining more of the plaids and rich, lush forests of Scotland. Although the novel is short, I wish we would've gotten a little more world building, but that might be in future books! The story had me hooked right away and accomplished something many authors seem to miss the mark on: starting at the right point in the story!
Starting in the carriage ride with the Nurse was perfect. We were able to get enough background and info about the world, while still having it feel relevant to the story and answering questions the reader wants to know, like who is our FMC? What is she about? Where is she going and what does she want?
One thing that was kind of annoying was, maybe it was just for me, but I couldn't see the page numbers on my kindle. I'd tap and it would show time remaining in book, then time remaining in chapter, location (does anyone actually use loc?), and then blank. I really prefer seeing page number so that I have a comfortable sense of progression for how far I've read and how far I have left to go, and unfortunately the percentages just don't do that.
I got this as and ARC and I'm leaving my review voluntarily.
If you don't like the true "cozy" genre where there aren't the typical kind of high stakes of most non-cozy books, this won't be for you. But it's an easy read and a great palate cleanser. I kept thinking of Elias being from Scotland (north) and Ursula being from England (south) so that just added to the cozy factor for me, imagining more of the plaids and rich, lush forests of Scotland. Although the novel is short, I wish we would've gotten a little more world building, but that might be in future books! The story had me hooked right away and accomplished something many authors seem to miss the mark on: starting at the right point in the story!
Starting in the carriage ride with the Nurse was perfect. We were able to get enough background and info about the world, while still having it feel relevant to the story and answering questions the reader wants to know, like who is our FMC? What is she about? Where is she going and what does she want?
One thing that was kind of annoying was, maybe it was just for me, but I couldn't see the page numbers on my kindle. I'd tap and it would show time remaining in book, then time remaining in chapter, location (does anyone actually use loc?), and then blank. I really prefer seeing page number so that I have a comfortable sense of progression for how far I've read and how far I have left to go, and unfortunately the percentages just don't do that.
I got this as and ARC and I'm leaving my review voluntarily.
October 14, 2024
This was a really easy read, and the two main characters were so likeable! Lots of great character development, but this book definitely felt like an Act 1 of a longer book… the last 50 or so pages felt very rushed, like it should’ve been the middle. But then the story just, ended. It was slow learning about the world, how everything works, and the way magic was going to develop into the story… Was hoping for a quest? Again, amazing main characters, easy read, and engaging supporting characters… but i felt like this would’ve worked better in a different world/time period since we didn’t really do too much with the magic and learn about the magical species etc. Maybe book 2 will be more in depth about these characters?
Side note, I did not care for the they/them characters, because it’s not proper English first of all, so it was super confusing to read and I kept going wait who? And having to re-read portions. That lost a star for me, cause it felt totally unnecessary and weird. It would’ve made more sense if the world had been explained more and maybe we would’ve discovered that certain magical species are genderless or something.
Great start, amazing character development… I think the world needs more developing and then this will earn my 4 stars! All in all, an enjoyable ARC, and I appreciated my free advanced review copy, and was happy to leave a feedback review.
Side note, I did not care for the they/them characters, because it’s not proper English first of all, so it was super confusing to read and I kept going wait who? And having to re-read portions. That lost a star for me, cause it felt totally unnecessary and weird. It would’ve made more sense if the world had been explained more and maybe we would’ve discovered that certain magical species are genderless or something.
Great start, amazing character development… I think the world needs more developing and then this will earn my 4 stars! All in all, an enjoyable ARC, and I appreciated my free advanced review copy, and was happy to leave a feedback review.
September 23, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Venturing North is the first book in the Islands of the Northern Sea series by Alex McFarlane. It is a cozy romance with some spice. It is definitely a slow burn. I would also say it might be the book that is the world builder for the series? It seems to be the one that lays the foundation. Which is why I think I enjoyed it so much. I would say I am between a 3 and a 4, so we will say a 3.5. I like to bump up, so a 4 is what I gave as a rating.
I was excited to read this for the slow burn, coziness, and the whips of magic. I think it was the perfect balance of spice, coziness, romance, and magic. Overall it is a slow read. There really isn't a lot of drama or much to the storyline, but I think that is purposeful. I think this is a good palette cleanser. I read it very quickly and it was nice to read with a cup of coffee and just relax. It is a cute story and like I said, it laid the foundation for more books in the series.
With that said, I think that the characters were adorable and I think it was good that they didn't just immediately fall head over heels in love. Instead love grew. I am eager to read more of the series and read about the characters, the magic and the world itself.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for my ARC.
Venturing North is the first book in the Islands of the Northern Sea series by Alex McFarlane. It is a cozy romance with some spice. It is definitely a slow burn. I would also say it might be the book that is the world builder for the series? It seems to be the one that lays the foundation. Which is why I think I enjoyed it so much. I would say I am between a 3 and a 4, so we will say a 3.5. I like to bump up, so a 4 is what I gave as a rating.
I was excited to read this for the slow burn, coziness, and the whips of magic. I think it was the perfect balance of spice, coziness, romance, and magic. Overall it is a slow read. There really isn't a lot of drama or much to the storyline, but I think that is purposeful. I think this is a good palette cleanser. I read it very quickly and it was nice to read with a cup of coffee and just relax. It is a cute story and like I said, it laid the foundation for more books in the series.
With that said, I think that the characters were adorable and I think it was good that they didn't just immediately fall head over heels in love. Instead love grew. I am eager to read more of the series and read about the characters, the magic and the world itself.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for my ARC.
October 6, 2024
Venturing North has been a very easy read from beginning to end. Both Elias and Ursula's characters grew on me very quickly as I read. It definitely is a slow and cozy book to settle down with, which I have appreciated to have as an escape from having a fast paced day at work.
The way that both of them grew throughout the book and forming a stronger bond between each other warmed my heart. The way they both fell for each other at first sight and watching their relationship develop over time. There have been various aspects of Elias and Ursula which I have loved such as how great of an uncle Elias is and Ursula's ambition to break from her molds and express herself beyond from what she knows.
There were a few occasions where I was unsure of where the story itself was going and felt thag the flow of events seemed off, but regardless of that it was still an enjoyable read.
It'll be very interesting to see what follows from here in this series, depending whether it will continue to tell the story of Elias and Ursula or if we will have a story on new characters.
Thank you to the author and to BookSirens for allowing me to be part of the ARC team 😊 I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
The way that both of them grew throughout the book and forming a stronger bond between each other warmed my heart. The way they both fell for each other at first sight and watching their relationship develop over time. There have been various aspects of Elias and Ursula which I have loved such as how great of an uncle Elias is and Ursula's ambition to break from her molds and express herself beyond from what she knows.
There were a few occasions where I was unsure of where the story itself was going and felt thag the flow of events seemed off, but regardless of that it was still an enjoyable read.
It'll be very interesting to see what follows from here in this series, depending whether it will continue to tell the story of Elias and Ursula or if we will have a story on new characters.
Thank you to the author and to BookSirens for allowing me to be part of the ARC team 😊 I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
October 14, 2024
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for this free ARC!
3.5 stars rounded up. This book was very cute! Elias and Ursula are from two different cultures, brought together by a decades old plan. Neither of them are expecting the other when they finally meet, and it definitely takes some getting used to.
The overall vibes of this story were quite cozy - the scenery and settings were described beautifully (there’s a LIBRARY!) and all of the characters were bright and cheerful. That said, I think my hang up is that I didn’t find there to be enough conflict for me. While that may simply be the intent, I found myself hoping that some scenarios were dragged out a bit more or offered more detail to create some contrast to the lusty, blissful aspects of a new relationship. Also, I feel like the magic of the north is set up to play a much larger part than it actually does…
Besides that, my only qualm was that the pacing seemed a tad all over the place, with some more important scenes (I thought) taking place very quickly and more generic ones being dragged out.
If you are looking for a cozy, romantic read to get in the autumnal mood, this is totally for you, magic-lover or not. Happy reading!
3.5 stars rounded up. This book was very cute! Elias and Ursula are from two different cultures, brought together by a decades old plan. Neither of them are expecting the other when they finally meet, and it definitely takes some getting used to.
The overall vibes of this story were quite cozy - the scenery and settings were described beautifully (there’s a LIBRARY!) and all of the characters were bright and cheerful. That said, I think my hang up is that I didn’t find there to be enough conflict for me. While that may simply be the intent, I found myself hoping that some scenarios were dragged out a bit more or offered more detail to create some contrast to the lusty, blissful aspects of a new relationship. Also, I feel like the magic of the north is set up to play a much larger part than it actually does…
Besides that, my only qualm was that the pacing seemed a tad all over the place, with some more important scenes (I thought) taking place very quickly and more generic ones being dragged out.
If you are looking for a cozy, romantic read to get in the autumnal mood, this is totally for you, magic-lover or not. Happy reading!
September 16, 2024
Venturing North by Alex McFarlane is a cozy romance centered on the protagonists Ursula and Elias, who were brought together by an arranged marriage contract. It follows the cozy theme as there are no super large conflicts and the story primarily centers around the growth of their relationship and the beginning of their marriage. It is the first cozy book that I have read, however, that features a bit of spice, which was well done and I enjoyed.
At the beginning of the story, Ursula has to leave her family to move in with her fiancee, Elias, who she has never met before. Both of them are quite nervous about the arrangement, but end up enjoying each others company. I enjoyed the characters and how they were written, and the writing style was really well done for the genre.
Overall, I give this story 3/5 stars. It is a great romance, and follows the cozy theme. Nothing much happens and it is pretty slow paced, which is how it is advertised. I would recommend this story to anyone who is looking for something calming, but also romance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
At the beginning of the story, Ursula has to leave her family to move in with her fiancee, Elias, who she has never met before. Both of them are quite nervous about the arrangement, but end up enjoying each others company. I enjoyed the characters and how they were written, and the writing style was really well done for the genre.
Overall, I give this story 3/5 stars. It is a great romance, and follows the cozy theme. Nothing much happens and it is pretty slow paced, which is how it is advertised. I would recommend this story to anyone who is looking for something calming, but also romance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 24, 2024
Rounding up from a 3.5. The best thing about this book are the vibes. The world building is also interesting, and leaves me wanting to know more, so I will definitely be reading any sequels that come out. The writing style is engaging and introduces the characters and setting seamlessly without falling into the trap of big exposition blocks that often happen in fantasy. However, the vibes can only take you so far and in the end, there is no plot. It is a catalog of things that happen, none of them very momentous.
The closest thing to a plot or overall arc is the individual main couple growing into their relationship, but that is paced too unevenly to hang the whole book on. Mild conflicts come and go; seemingly important character/backstory aspects are introduced too far into the book to be believable or to make their resolution feel like a pay off. This book is hanging by the vibes alone, so I guess it's good that they are immaculate. Would recommend if you are looking for a quick slice-of-life. I'm hoping for a sequel that goes more into the magic system.
I received an advance review copy for free from Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The closest thing to a plot or overall arc is the individual main couple growing into their relationship, but that is paced too unevenly to hang the whole book on. Mild conflicts come and go; seemingly important character/backstory aspects are introduced too far into the book to be believable or to make their resolution feel like a pay off. This book is hanging by the vibes alone, so I guess it's good that they are immaculate. Would recommend if you are looking for a quick slice-of-life. I'm hoping for a sequel that goes more into the magic system.
I received an advance review copy for free from Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 30, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¼ (4.25/5)
I really liked this book! It is a delightful historical romance with a loose fantasy element. Like a cozy romance/cozy fantasy in a historical setting. It really swept me away with its mix of enchanting world-building and well-rounded characters. The writing is great and I connected to both characters. Ursula in particular is strong and relatable. Elias, while initially a bit reluctant and standoffish, really grew on me. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and I loved how they slowly showed each other that being loved for who you are is possible.
As for the spice level, it was perfectly balanced—not too much, but enough to keep the romance engaging and to satisfy fans of the romance genre. I’d rate it a 3 on my spicy scale, which means it was there but didn’t overwhelm the story. The romantic moments felt natural and didn’t detract from the magical atmosphere or the character development.
If you’re a fan of cozy romance with some spice in a historical setting, Venturing North will be a great addition to your reading list.
**Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really liked this book! It is a delightful historical romance with a loose fantasy element. Like a cozy romance/cozy fantasy in a historical setting. It really swept me away with its mix of enchanting world-building and well-rounded characters. The writing is great and I connected to both characters. Ursula in particular is strong and relatable. Elias, while initially a bit reluctant and standoffish, really grew on me. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and I loved how they slowly showed each other that being loved for who you are is possible.
As for the spice level, it was perfectly balanced—not too much, but enough to keep the romance engaging and to satisfy fans of the romance genre. I’d rate it a 3 on my spicy scale, which means it was there but didn’t overwhelm the story. The romantic moments felt natural and didn’t detract from the magical atmosphere or the character development.
If you’re a fan of cozy romance with some spice in a historical setting, Venturing North will be a great addition to your reading list.
**Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 5, 2024
This was a cozy read, a romance like fairytale with lovers practically meant to be.
The writing is nice, although I did notice some mistakes, words or punctuation's missing here and there. And I love the cover!
The setting is somewhat historical and constant mentioning of the southern ways just kept me imagining Scarlett O'Hara for some reason, the dark almost black hair and piercing eyes. The story has some fantastical or should I say magical elements, from the cook to the magic the young maid uses and Eli too.
What made me give this a 3/5 stars is honestly that I felt like the story could have been plotted out a bit more. Some things popped up that at least to me, should have been put earlier in the book or in other places, maybe it would have flown better. And the second part is that some of the spicy scenes felt a bit... random and they didn't do much to me.
But I had a nice time with these characters and the huge house and the loveliest scene was Ursula putting the alder tree in their bedroom, made me wish I could see it in person.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Booksirens and the author.
The writing is nice, although I did notice some mistakes, words or punctuation's missing here and there. And I love the cover!
The setting is somewhat historical and constant mentioning of the southern ways just kept me imagining Scarlett O'Hara for some reason, the dark almost black hair and piercing eyes. The story has some fantastical or should I say magical elements, from the cook to the magic the young maid uses and Eli too.
What made me give this a 3/5 stars is honestly that I felt like the story could have been plotted out a bit more. Some things popped up that at least to me, should have been put earlier in the book or in other places, maybe it would have flown better. And the second part is that some of the spicy scenes felt a bit... random and they didn't do much to me.
But I had a nice time with these characters and the huge house and the loveliest scene was Ursula putting the alder tree in their bedroom, made me wish I could see it in person.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Booksirens and the author.
October 22, 2024
As far as genres go, this one hits the 'cozy' and 'romance' parts right on the head.
The things I liked:
- The FMC overcoming her inhibitions and finding her free-spirited self
- The 'arranged' marriage blooming with love, affection and all the hot, steamy 🌶️🌶️🌶️ scenes
- The FMC rolling up her metaphorical sleeves and diving into running the business with her husband
- The FMC coming from a large, noisy, boisterious family and finding herself another equally loud, fun family in the one she married into
- The 'organic' evolution of the 'arranged' marriage, overcoming inhibitions and breaking misconceptions about each other
- The thoughtful gift the MMC gives the FMC at the very end
Things I didn't enjoy as much:
- The resolution to the family 'business' at the very end of the book; I'm sure the FMC would've worked with the resources at hand and made something of it.
- The occassional 'possessive' streak the MMC has regarding the FMC and the male attention she receives
All that said, it was a fun, one-time read.
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Voluntarily reviewed after reading an ARC of the book from BookSirens.
The things I liked:
- The FMC overcoming her inhibitions and finding her free-spirited self
- The 'arranged' marriage blooming with love, affection and all the hot, steamy 🌶️🌶️🌶️ scenes
- The FMC rolling up her metaphorical sleeves and diving into running the business with her husband
- The FMC coming from a large, noisy, boisterious family and finding herself another equally loud, fun family in the one she married into
- The 'organic' evolution of the 'arranged' marriage, overcoming inhibitions and breaking misconceptions about each other
- The thoughtful gift the MMC gives the FMC at the very end
Things I didn't enjoy as much:
- The resolution to the family 'business' at the very end of the book; I'm sure the FMC would've worked with the resources at hand and made something of it.
- The occassional 'possessive' streak the MMC has regarding the FMC and the male attention she receives
All that said, it was a fun, one-time read.
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Voluntarily reviewed after reading an ARC of the book from BookSirens.
October 10, 2024
Okay, first and foremost, I love this author’s writing style. The scenes were set up beautifully with detailed descriptions. The MMC was from a magical, autumnal forest that the author vividly painted, which contrasted sharply with the FMC’s homeland.
The MMC Elias was a lovable character; strong and good without tipping into morally gray territory. The FMC Ursula was equally likable, giving off strong female-lead vibes. The book jumps between their P0V’s seamlessly.
My only complaint is that the beginning of the story felt rushed or…superficial. Like instead of being the intricate start it could have been, rather its whole point was just to get the characters in bed as quickly as possible. So, while that was a little frustrating, the book itself tells a great story and speaks well of the coming series.
** I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The MMC Elias was a lovable character; strong and good without tipping into morally gray territory. The FMC Ursula was equally likable, giving off strong female-lead vibes. The book jumps between their P0V’s seamlessly.
My only complaint is that the beginning of the story felt rushed or…superficial. Like instead of being the intricate start it could have been, rather its whole point was just to get the characters in bed as quickly as possible. So, while that was a little frustrating, the book itself tells a great story and speaks well of the coming series.
** I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 18, 2024
🌲 Arranged marriage
🌲 Old magic
🌲 Open door spice
🌲 Cozy
🌲 Olden times
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/5
🌶️/5
If you’re looking for a cutesy, cozy read this is a good one! I felt a little like something was missing. I was tired of them constantly questioning the feelings of each other instead of just talking about it. I am the blunt one in the family though so maybe my less confrontational sister can relate more to this book.
Elias and Ursula have been bethrothed since early on in their lives. After a delay, the day finally comes and Ursi must move to the Great North where customs are different and magic is more abundant. Then the two dance around each other for what feels like forever. The spicy scenes were well written. It just felt a little random to me?? I’m not sure. It was still cute. 3.5 for me for sure.
Thank you for my advanced reader copy!
🌲 Old magic
🌲 Open door spice
🌲 Cozy
🌲 Olden times
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/5
🌶️/5
If you’re looking for a cutesy, cozy read this is a good one! I felt a little like something was missing. I was tired of them constantly questioning the feelings of each other instead of just talking about it. I am the blunt one in the family though so maybe my less confrontational sister can relate more to this book.
Elias and Ursula have been bethrothed since early on in their lives. After a delay, the day finally comes and Ursi must move to the Great North where customs are different and magic is more abundant. Then the two dance around each other for what feels like forever. The spicy scenes were well written. It just felt a little random to me?? I’m not sure. It was still cute. 3.5 for me for sure.
Thank you for my advanced reader copy!
October 6, 2024
This book was not what I was hoping for. I loved the main characters, but the plot was not the type I enjoy. It reminded me of Ghibli films where it's full of long, peaceful passages with the occasional moment of conflict or interest, but absolutely nothing felt high stakes or like it was going to alter our characters' lives if they didn't figure it out. If you enjoy reading cozy fantasy and/or Ghibli-style books then you might love this. For me, it was pretty boring. I kept wondering if and when anything was going to happen.
I did appreciate the organic relationship growth between the MCs. And, as I mentioned before, I found the two of them endearing and was happy to see them grow together which is what kept me reading despite my misgivings.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I did appreciate the organic relationship growth between the MCs. And, as I mentioned before, I found the two of them endearing and was happy to see them grow together which is what kept me reading despite my misgivings.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 10, 2024
This was the cutest cozy book you ever did see. If a book had a face with cheeks, I'd squeeze this one's happily.
It was the perfect cozy read. Minimal to low stakes, not a lot of angst, spice is classy and delightful. Overall, it was well done and entertaining. It was as if Pride and Prejudice had magic. I would have liked more of a deeper dive into the characters but it was truely fun. It reads very Downton Abby meets Pride and Prejudice.
No darkness, no major trauma to over come, or super villain to take down. I think since this was book 1 that we will see more exploration of this world. Like what's up with the forest? Why was the nurse being sketchy about the moms birth? We didn't get introduced to many more characters but so far I'm loving this world.
Overall: 4/5
Spice: 2/5
Plot: 3.5/5
Character Dev: 3/5
Entertainment: 4/5
It was the perfect cozy read. Minimal to low stakes, not a lot of angst, spice is classy and delightful. Overall, it was well done and entertaining. It was as if Pride and Prejudice had magic. I would have liked more of a deeper dive into the characters but it was truely fun. It reads very Downton Abby meets Pride and Prejudice.
No darkness, no major trauma to over come, or super villain to take down. I think since this was book 1 that we will see more exploration of this world. Like what's up with the forest? Why was the nurse being sketchy about the moms birth? We didn't get introduced to many more characters but so far I'm loving this world.
Overall: 4/5
Spice: 2/5
Plot: 3.5/5
Character Dev: 3/5
Entertainment: 4/5
October 17, 2024
This is my first time to read a novel by Alex McFarlane. It's a full-length novel, but surprisingly its plot is unabashedly simple and straightforward. It focuses on the two MCs - Elias and Ursula - who have been thrust into an arranged marriage by their fathers for business purposes. Despite knowing very little about one another, their initial meeting sparks an attraction that goes both ways. By the time they marry, they've developed a tentative friendship. For the rest of the book, we tag along with them as they get to know more about each other and witness how they develop a stronger attraction to one another while at the same time trying to resist giving into it fully. Eventually, pivotal moments take place that cement their fondness and affection for one another, until they finally settle in a marriage that may have been initially arranged, but now has become one they have fully come to choose and commit to wholeheartedly.
So it truly is quite a simple story that when you've become accustomed to novels with complex storylines and and suspenseful plot twists, you'd most likely be disappointed that the book hasn't elicited the intensity you'd come to expect.
Be that as it is, I still liked the book. I liked the love story. Most of all, I loved the boldness of the FMC, Ursula. She took the lead in her relationship with Elias. Where Elias was gentlemanly in his restraint over their physical union, Ursula was daring and forthright. She communicated what she wanted in both their physical and emotional relationship, and Elias was just more than eager to comply. For me, their marriage would not have blossomed had it not for her advances and honesty. So I guess that's what really kept me glued to the book till the very end. If you want a cozy, no-fuss love story, this book is for you.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
So it truly is quite a simple story that when you've become accustomed to novels with complex storylines and and suspenseful plot twists, you'd most likely be disappointed that the book hasn't elicited the intensity you'd come to expect.
Be that as it is, I still liked the book. I liked the love story. Most of all, I loved the boldness of the FMC, Ursula. She took the lead in her relationship with Elias. Where Elias was gentlemanly in his restraint over their physical union, Ursula was daring and forthright. She communicated what she wanted in both their physical and emotional relationship, and Elias was just more than eager to comply. For me, their marriage would not have blossomed had it not for her advances and honesty. So I guess that's what really kept me glued to the book till the very end. If you want a cozy, no-fuss love story, this book is for you.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
September 16, 2024
Set in a seemingly timeless northern town, this was a sweet, cozy snapshot of one couple’s journey in coming together. Each filled with tentative hope about what their union could be, it was both lovely to see their individual longing for each other, but also incredibly frustrating to see them hold back so much for fear of rejection. Most intriguing are the glimpses of magic we get here and there, a tease of what could be that leaves the reader curious about what more the author has in store for us in the future.
**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 4, 2024
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily
I really enjoyed this book so very different from anything I’ve read before
A tender believable love story grown from honest conversations even though arranged by parents for money
The wedding was beautifully described felt as if I was there
The woods with their own magic was a bit scary at times
The existence of magic and magical beings just accepted and used for good
I empathise with Ursula as I read a lot too
Elias was a special insightful man
Great story
I really enjoyed this book so very different from anything I’ve read before
A tender believable love story grown from honest conversations even though arranged by parents for money
The wedding was beautifully described felt as if I was there
The woods with their own magic was a bit scary at times
The existence of magic and magical beings just accepted and used for good
I empathise with Ursula as I read a lot too
Elias was a special insightful man
Great story
October 19, 2024
I feel like I rarely take the time to read books like Venturing North. It's cozy and relaxing while keeping you entertained and wanting to continue on to the next page. I enjoyed the magical inserts here and there. You'll definitely feel like curling up with a hot cup of tea under a cozy blanket while reading this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to BookSirens and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to BookSirens and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own.
September 25, 2024
The perfect book for your next cozy fall read. I loved this book and the characters were so charming I can’t wait to see how their stories unfold in the future. The touch of magic this book has is so nice it’s not so in-depth that you need chapters to explain it. It is dashed in with the characters and makes the book feel homey.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 15, 2024
This was such a cozy fantasy romance. It’s well written and paced for a slow burn comfort romance. It’s steamy but not very spicy. I personally love an arranged marriage story. It’s a good story and it makes me want to get lost in another of Alex McFarlane’s books.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 15, 2024
It started out a bit slow for me but overall it was a good read. If you are into a cozy historical romance with and arranged marriage trope this would be right up your alley. Overall enjoyed but not normally my kind of book. Received this as an ARC so I’m super grateful for the opportunity to have been able to read and review it.
October 15, 2024
A nice slow build romance. Very well written and had a good flow. The characters are interesting, their interactions, mannerisms and thoughts are very entertaining. I enjoyed the pace that was set, and the build.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 23, 2024
This is a great fantasy for fall for any fans of romance. The characters were likable and the story was easy to follow — I loved the touches of magic in the world, and all the cultural elements we learn about the world throughout the book. I also really enjoyed the author’s writing style.
Thank you so much to the publishers and Book Sirens for the chance to read this early with an ARC!
Thank you so much to the publishers and Book Sirens for the chance to read this early with an ARC!
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