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Fixing Sophie Rue : The Rosewater Bend Collection: Book One
Sophie Rue can fix anyone. Except Sophie Rue. When the magic she broke as a child begins to stir again, she’s forced back to Rosewater Bend—the hometown she’s spent her life avoiding. But the Bend remembers her mistake. The land hums. Shadows shift. And Kaia Chamblee—the town’s steadfast guardian—knows exactly what Sophie’s return means. As old magic wakes and the ground trembles beneath them, Sophie must face the truth she’s been running from for some things don’t heal on their own. Some things demand to be mended. And the only way to fix what she broke…is to confront the woman tied to its unraveling—herself. Sophie Rue can fix anyone. Except Sophie Rue.
When the magic she broke as a child begins to stir again, she’s forced back to Rosewater Bend—the hometown she’s spent her life avoiding.
But the Bend remembers her mistake.
The land hums. Shadows shift. And Kaia Chamblee—the town’s steadfast guardian and the woman Sophie never truly left behind—knows exactly what Sophie’s return means.
As old magic wakes and the ground trembles beneath them, Sophie must face the truth she’s been running from for some things don’t heal on their own. Some things demand to be mended.
And the only way to fix what she broke…is to confront the woman tied to its unraveling—and the love she’s been afraid to claim.
When the magic she broke as a child begins to stir again, she’s forced back to Rosewater Bend—the hometown she’s spent her life avoiding.
But the Bend remembers her mistake.
The land hums. Shadows shift. And Kaia Chamblee—the town’s steadfast guardian and the woman Sophie never truly left behind—knows exactly what Sophie’s return means.
As old magic wakes and the ground trembles beneath them, Sophie must face the truth she’s been running from for some things don’t heal on their own. Some things demand to be mended.
And the only way to fix what she broke…is to confront the woman tied to its unraveling—and the love she’s been afraid to claim.
- GenresLGBT
267 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 18, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 11, 2026
This was a hard read from start to finish. To be honest I don’t even know what really was happening the whole time.
It felt like every other chapter had a metaphor and way too many words to describe everything, and because of this the story got lost in it. It’s seemed like it was all supposed to be poetic, but it was too much.
I think it would’ve helped if there were chapters that jumped back into the past so we could get a better backstory on literally everything.
Because we didn’t, everything felt surface level. The romance, the magic, the issue, any real details.
It seemed like it was supposed to be a second chance romance based off of their interactions, but you don’t get any knowledge in their history, only that they had history. I wished there had been more to it to better enjoy their relationship.
Thank you NetGalley and T. Ashley for the ARC.
It felt like every other chapter had a metaphor and way too many words to describe everything, and because of this the story got lost in it. It’s seemed like it was all supposed to be poetic, but it was too much.
I think it would’ve helped if there were chapters that jumped back into the past so we could get a better backstory on literally everything.
Because we didn’t, everything felt surface level. The romance, the magic, the issue, any real details.
It seemed like it was supposed to be a second chance romance based off of their interactions, but you don’t get any knowledge in their history, only that they had history. I wished there had been more to it to better enjoy their relationship.
Thank you NetGalley and T. Ashley for the ARC.
May 11, 2026
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this very strange book
a strange tale about running away and not facing responsibility but it all hinges on something that occured when sophie was 6 and she tried to mend it with magic
magic remembers and extracts a price and sophie ran away.....
magic and power....
and when it calls it cant be ignored....
strangest book i have read in a long time... i finished it to see how it would end though not to disappointing
a strange tale about running away and not facing responsibility but it all hinges on something that occured when sophie was 6 and she tried to mend it with magic
magic remembers and extracts a price and sophie ran away.....
magic and power....
and when it calls it cant be ignored....
strangest book i have read in a long time... i finished it to see how it would end though not to disappointing
March 18, 2026
A Joyfully Jay review.
3 stars
This is the first story in the Rosewater Bend Collection series and it’s a mixed book, if I’m honest. To start with, the writing will either really work for you — as it did for me — or it will miss you completely. The writing is lush and descriptive, filling every moment with both emotion and imagination, as the magic of this world, the trees and soil, the stones, and the very magic that fills every space is poetic.
The vibe is on point, if you want something witchy and sapphic. And it may be that other readers really feel the romance between Sophie and Kaia, but I just didn’t. And the whole plot was talked about chapter after chapter, again and again, and when it was dealt with, it was quick and effortless. I didn’t feel the stakes, I didn’t feel the resolution, but I have to say … I enjoyed reading this book.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
3 stars
This is the first story in the Rosewater Bend Collection series and it’s a mixed book, if I’m honest. To start with, the writing will either really work for you — as it did for me — or it will miss you completely. The writing is lush and descriptive, filling every moment with both emotion and imagination, as the magic of this world, the trees and soil, the stones, and the very magic that fills every space is poetic.
The vibe is on point, if you want something witchy and sapphic. And it may be that other readers really feel the romance between Sophie and Kaia, but I just didn’t. And the whole plot was talked about chapter after chapter, again and again, and when it was dealt with, it was quick and effortless. I didn’t feel the stakes, I didn’t feel the resolution, but I have to say … I enjoyed reading this book.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fixing Sophie Rue is an absolute masterpiece of mystery, magic, and emotional depth that kept me utterly captivated from start to finish. T. Ashley has crafted a riveting story that seamlessly blends suspense with heartfelt character development, creating an immersive experience that lingers long after the last page.
The protagonist, Sophie Rue, is a beautifully flawed and compelling character. Her struggle to confront her past traumas—rooted in an unexpected childhood mistake involving magic—feels incredibly authentic and nuanced. Ashley masterfully skirts around the core issue at the beginning, building suspense and mystery as Sophie attempts to run from her responsibilities. But as the story unfolds, the layers peel back, revealing a deeper, more intense conflict that hits with the force of a landslide. The way Ashley brings this internal struggle to life is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
The setting of Rosewater Bend is a character in its own right—mysterious, evocative, and alive with magic that hums beneath the surface. The land’s awakening and shifting shadows create a tense, almost hypnotic atmosphere, perfectly capturing the essence of a place haunted by its own history and secrets. The author’s vivid descriptions and atmospheric storytelling draw the reader into a world where magic isn’t just a tool but a living, breathing force that demands respect and understanding.
Kaia Chamblee, the steadfast guardian, is a phenomenal supporting character. Her unwavering loyalty and understanding provide a much-needed anchor for Sophie, and their dynamic is layered with unspoken history and deep emotion. The romance that blossoms between Sophie and Kaia is tender yet fraught with complexity, adding an extra layer of stakes to the story.
What truly sets this book apart is Ashley’s skillful pacing and the way she gradually intensifies the stakes—skirting around the central issue at first, then bringing it to a breathtaking crescendo. The revelations about Sophie’s past and the true nature of the magic she once broke are handled with care, avoiding clichés while delivering powerful, emotionally charged moments. The theme that some wounds can’t be healed without facing them head-on resonates deeply, making the story not just a tale of magic but a profound exploration of forgiveness and self-acceptance.
Overall, Fixing Sophie Rue is a beautifully written, suspenseful novel that expertly combines mystery, magic, and emotional depth. Ashley’s storytelling is compelling, her characters authentic, and her world-building immersive. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a story with heart-pounding tension and a touch of magic that lingers long after the last page. Highly recommended!
The protagonist, Sophie Rue, is a beautifully flawed and compelling character. Her struggle to confront her past traumas—rooted in an unexpected childhood mistake involving magic—feels incredibly authentic and nuanced. Ashley masterfully skirts around the core issue at the beginning, building suspense and mystery as Sophie attempts to run from her responsibilities. But as the story unfolds, the layers peel back, revealing a deeper, more intense conflict that hits with the force of a landslide. The way Ashley brings this internal struggle to life is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
The setting of Rosewater Bend is a character in its own right—mysterious, evocative, and alive with magic that hums beneath the surface. The land’s awakening and shifting shadows create a tense, almost hypnotic atmosphere, perfectly capturing the essence of a place haunted by its own history and secrets. The author’s vivid descriptions and atmospheric storytelling draw the reader into a world where magic isn’t just a tool but a living, breathing force that demands respect and understanding.
Kaia Chamblee, the steadfast guardian, is a phenomenal supporting character. Her unwavering loyalty and understanding provide a much-needed anchor for Sophie, and their dynamic is layered with unspoken history and deep emotion. The romance that blossoms between Sophie and Kaia is tender yet fraught with complexity, adding an extra layer of stakes to the story.
What truly sets this book apart is Ashley’s skillful pacing and the way she gradually intensifies the stakes—skirting around the central issue at first, then bringing it to a breathtaking crescendo. The revelations about Sophie’s past and the true nature of the magic she once broke are handled with care, avoiding clichés while delivering powerful, emotionally charged moments. The theme that some wounds can’t be healed without facing them head-on resonates deeply, making the story not just a tale of magic but a profound exploration of forgiveness and self-acceptance.
Overall, Fixing Sophie Rue is a beautifully written, suspenseful novel that expertly combines mystery, magic, and emotional depth. Ashley’s storytelling is compelling, her characters authentic, and her world-building immersive. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a story with heart-pounding tension and a touch of magic that lingers long after the last page. Highly recommended!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Some towns let you leave.
Some towns wait for you to come back.
In this haunting, quietly powerful fantasy, Rosewater Bend is not just a setting — it’s a living memory. The land hums. The trees lean closer. The magic remembers.
Sophie Rue has spent her life fixing other people. Broken relationships. Fractured lives. Quiet crises no one else wants to touch. What she cannot fix — what she has never been able to fix — is the crack she tore through her hometown’s magic when she was six years old.
And Rosewater Bend has been waiting.
When the old tremor begins again, Sophie is forced to return to the place that shaped her — and the woman she never truly left behind. Kaia Chamblee, steady and unyielding, has spent decades guarding the Bend. Guarding its magic. Guarding its wounds. She understands what Sophie’s presence means long before Sophie is ready to admit it herself.
What unfolds isn’t just a story about repairing fractured magic. It’s about reckoning. With guilt. With identity. With the version of yourself you built to survive. The tension here is intimate — rooted in history and unfinished conversations — and the romance simmers with the kind of yearning that feels earned rather than rushed.
The magic system is subtle but evocative. It doesn’t overwhelm with rules; it pulses beneath the story like a heartbeat. Cracks in the earth mirror cracks in memory. The supernatural and the emotional are inseparable — and that’s what gives the novel its depth.
Despite its concise length, the narrative feels complete. Layered. Intentional. There’s mystery, yes — but the real stakes are internal. Can Sophie forgive herself? Can she step back into a place that never stopped holding her accountable? And can love survive decades of avoidance?
It’s tender without being soft. Romantic without losing tension. And at its core, it understands something essential: healing isn’t passive. It’s a choice. A confrontation. A return.
For readers who love small-town magic with emotional weight, complicated women, and second chances that demand courage — this one lingers.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Some towns wait for you to come back.
In this haunting, quietly powerful fantasy, Rosewater Bend is not just a setting — it’s a living memory. The land hums. The trees lean closer. The magic remembers.
Sophie Rue has spent her life fixing other people. Broken relationships. Fractured lives. Quiet crises no one else wants to touch. What she cannot fix — what she has never been able to fix — is the crack she tore through her hometown’s magic when she was six years old.
And Rosewater Bend has been waiting.
When the old tremor begins again, Sophie is forced to return to the place that shaped her — and the woman she never truly left behind. Kaia Chamblee, steady and unyielding, has spent decades guarding the Bend. Guarding its magic. Guarding its wounds. She understands what Sophie’s presence means long before Sophie is ready to admit it herself.
What unfolds isn’t just a story about repairing fractured magic. It’s about reckoning. With guilt. With identity. With the version of yourself you built to survive. The tension here is intimate — rooted in history and unfinished conversations — and the romance simmers with the kind of yearning that feels earned rather than rushed.
The magic system is subtle but evocative. It doesn’t overwhelm with rules; it pulses beneath the story like a heartbeat. Cracks in the earth mirror cracks in memory. The supernatural and the emotional are inseparable — and that’s what gives the novel its depth.
Despite its concise length, the narrative feels complete. Layered. Intentional. There’s mystery, yes — but the real stakes are internal. Can Sophie forgive herself? Can she step back into a place that never stopped holding her accountable? And can love survive decades of avoidance?
It’s tender without being soft. Romantic without losing tension. And at its core, it understands something essential: healing isn’t passive. It’s a choice. A confrontation. A return.
For readers who love small-town magic with emotional weight, complicated women, and second chances that demand courage — this one lingers.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2026
I was had the pleasure of receiving an ARC copy
of Fixing Sophie Rue by T. Ashley.
"I am trying to keep you from breaking."
"And I'm trying to keep you from doing it alone."
This story starts with a six year old Sophie Rue that breaks a very old vase at her grandmother’s house. Trying to fix it, she uses magic, but because she doesn’t fully understand what she’s doing, that one small spell creates cracks in the magic running through Rosewater Bend.
As soon as she can, Sophie leaves the Bend,moving from place to place, fixing everybody else’s problems while avoiding her own.
But the never forgets.
Years later, the land calls her back and Sophie is forced back home to face everything (and everyone) she’s been running from. Only to realize… leaving didn’t protect anything. It actually made it worse. Her absence gave the damage time to grow.
Now holding everything together with metaphorical rubber bands and tape is Kaia Chamblee—the town’s guardian, and the one woman Sophie has been fighting not to admit she’s in love with.
Kaia has been holding it down, protecting the land the best she can, but the truth is, the Bend needs Sophie.
The whole story is this push and pull:
Sophie fighting her responsibility at every turn
Kaia pushing her to face who she is and what she needs to do
And that tension?? Whew.
The romance between Sophie and Kaia is tender, soft, and real, but also carries this quiet tension because Sophie is so damn reluctant, the whole time I was like girl 🗣🗣THAT IS YOUR PERSON.
But what I loved most is that this isn’t just about magic.
This story is about:
facing the hard things
forgiving yourself
allowing yourself to be vulnerable
accepting who you are
and realizing you are worthy of love… and being loved.
The writing was beautiful, the kind of beautiful where you have to stop and reread a line because it just did something to you.
I don’t annotate like that, but I highlight, and my Kindle was LIT UP.
Just color everywhere.
If you like sapphic romance + enemies-to-lovers tension + soft magic + emotional healing, go ahead and add this to your TBR
of Fixing Sophie Rue by T. Ashley.
"I am trying to keep you from breaking."
"And I'm trying to keep you from doing it alone."
This story starts with a six year old Sophie Rue that breaks a very old vase at her grandmother’s house. Trying to fix it, she uses magic, but because she doesn’t fully understand what she’s doing, that one small spell creates cracks in the magic running through Rosewater Bend.
As soon as she can, Sophie leaves the Bend,moving from place to place, fixing everybody else’s problems while avoiding her own.
But the never forgets.
Years later, the land calls her back and Sophie is forced back home to face everything (and everyone) she’s been running from. Only to realize… leaving didn’t protect anything. It actually made it worse. Her absence gave the damage time to grow.
Now holding everything together with metaphorical rubber bands and tape is Kaia Chamblee—the town’s guardian, and the one woman Sophie has been fighting not to admit she’s in love with.
Kaia has been holding it down, protecting the land the best she can, but the truth is, the Bend needs Sophie.
The whole story is this push and pull:
Sophie fighting her responsibility at every turn
Kaia pushing her to face who she is and what she needs to do
And that tension?? Whew.
The romance between Sophie and Kaia is tender, soft, and real, but also carries this quiet tension because Sophie is so damn reluctant, the whole time I was like girl 🗣🗣THAT IS YOUR PERSON.
But what I loved most is that this isn’t just about magic.
This story is about:
facing the hard things
forgiving yourself
allowing yourself to be vulnerable
accepting who you are
and realizing you are worthy of love… and being loved.
The writing was beautiful, the kind of beautiful where you have to stop and reread a line because it just did something to you.
I don’t annotate like that, but I highlight, and my Kindle was LIT UP.
Just color everywhere.
If you like sapphic romance + enemies-to-lovers tension + soft magic + emotional healing, go ahead and add this to your TBR
March 18, 2026
Fixing Sophie Rue pulled me in IMMEDIATELY because what do you mean a child touches something she shouldn’t and suddenly the whole house feels… awake!? The opening had that eerie, magical edge that lets you know this story is not about to be light and fluffy. From there, you’re dropped into a town where magic is tied to legacy, responsibility, and something much deeper beneath the surface. The atmosphere alone carried this book—everything felt tense, watchful, and just a little bit off in the best way.
Sophie as a main character had me going through it because she’s dealing with a lot, but at the same time… girl, you cannot keep running forever. Coming back home forces her to face things she clearly tried to leave behind, and the way the town reacts to her lets you know there’s history there. Then you’ve got Kaia, who has been holding everything down, and that tension between them? Yeah, it was doing EXACTLY what it needed to do. Their dynamic added so much emotional weight to the story without taking away from the bigger picture.
What really stood out to me were the themes running through this story—accountability, running vs. facing your past, community vs. isolation, and how power always comes with a cost. There’s also a strong thread of grief and inherited responsibility, especially in how different characters carry what was left to them, willingly or not. The story keeps asking: what happens when you avoid what you’re meant to face? And when it finally catches up to you, what are you willing to give to make things right?
Overall, this was a solid 4-star read for me. The atmosphere, the tension, and the emotional layers all worked really well together, and I loved watching Sophie slowly come into herself. Add in the complicated relationships, the sense of community, and that constant feeling that something is watching and waiting… yeah, I was locked in. Definitely one of those stories that sticks with you after you finish.
Sophie as a main character had me going through it because she’s dealing with a lot, but at the same time… girl, you cannot keep running forever. Coming back home forces her to face things she clearly tried to leave behind, and the way the town reacts to her lets you know there’s history there. Then you’ve got Kaia, who has been holding everything down, and that tension between them? Yeah, it was doing EXACTLY what it needed to do. Their dynamic added so much emotional weight to the story without taking away from the bigger picture.
What really stood out to me were the themes running through this story—accountability, running vs. facing your past, community vs. isolation, and how power always comes with a cost. There’s also a strong thread of grief and inherited responsibility, especially in how different characters carry what was left to them, willingly or not. The story keeps asking: what happens when you avoid what you’re meant to face? And when it finally catches up to you, what are you willing to give to make things right?
Overall, this was a solid 4-star read for me. The atmosphere, the tension, and the emotional layers all worked really well together, and I loved watching Sophie slowly come into herself. Add in the complicated relationships, the sense of community, and that constant feeling that something is watching and waiting… yeah, I was locked in. Definitely one of those stories that sticks with you after you finish.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fixing Sophie LaRue is a deeply atmospheric story about returning home, confronting past mistakes, and learning that some wounds, magical or otherwise, can only heal when we face them directly.
Sophie Rue has built a life around fixing other people’s problems, but she has never managed to fix the one that matters most: the magic she broke as a child. When strange disturbances begin to stir in Rosewater Bend, Sophie is forced to return to the hometown she has spent decades avoiding. Unfortunately for her, the town remembers. The land itself seems alive with the consequences of her mistake.
What follows is a compelling blend of small-town magic, buried secrets, and emotional reckoning. The setting of Rosewater Bend feels vivid and alive, with the landscape reflecting the story’s restless magic. The tension builds slowly but effectively as old forces awaken and Sophie realizes that avoiding the past has only allowed the damage to grow.
One of the book’s strongest elements is the relationship between Sophie and Kaia Chamblee, the town’s steadfast guardian and the woman who never truly left Sophie’s heart. Their shared history adds emotional depth to the story and makes the magical conflict feel deeply personal. Watching Sophie confront both the consequences of her childhood mistake and the love she has been afraid to acknowledge adds a powerful layer of vulnerability to the narrative.
At its core, this novel is about accountability, healing, and the courage it takes to return to the places and people we once hurt. Readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy and small-town magical settings will likely find a lot to appreciate here.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Sophie Rue has built a life around fixing other people’s problems, but she has never managed to fix the one that matters most: the magic she broke as a child. When strange disturbances begin to stir in Rosewater Bend, Sophie is forced to return to the hometown she has spent decades avoiding. Unfortunately for her, the town remembers. The land itself seems alive with the consequences of her mistake.
What follows is a compelling blend of small-town magic, buried secrets, and emotional reckoning. The setting of Rosewater Bend feels vivid and alive, with the landscape reflecting the story’s restless magic. The tension builds slowly but effectively as old forces awaken and Sophie realizes that avoiding the past has only allowed the damage to grow.
One of the book’s strongest elements is the relationship between Sophie and Kaia Chamblee, the town’s steadfast guardian and the woman who never truly left Sophie’s heart. Their shared history adds emotional depth to the story and makes the magical conflict feel deeply personal. Watching Sophie confront both the consequences of her childhood mistake and the love she has been afraid to acknowledge adds a powerful layer of vulnerability to the narrative.
At its core, this novel is about accountability, healing, and the courage it takes to return to the places and people we once hurt. Readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy and small-town magical settings will likely find a lot to appreciate here.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely adore T. Ashley's books, and I was super excited to be able to read/edit another one. Her writing is always so smooth and clear; it pulls the reader right into the thick of things. Her words always feel like a whole experience that I just want to wrap myself in from start to finish.
This one started with such intriguing beauty. T. Ashley always tells such versatile stories that I was instantly hooked and plowing along to find out what would happen for these characters next. Her storytelling has such rich feeling, and her books are like a total vibe. I love immersing myself in her words. There is always a feeling of finding and discovery in her stories, and they are always told in such a flowing and lyrical prose.
Watching the truths unravel as the details of Sophie’s mystery unfolded held my attention completely from page to page. There was plenty of tension and emotion as Sophie and Kaia were reunited and tasked with an assignment by the elders.
I loved this story and hope there will be more from this world of characters again soon.
This one started with such intriguing beauty. T. Ashley always tells such versatile stories that I was instantly hooked and plowing along to find out what would happen for these characters next. Her storytelling has such rich feeling, and her books are like a total vibe. I love immersing myself in her words. There is always a feeling of finding and discovery in her stories, and they are always told in such a flowing and lyrical prose.
Watching the truths unravel as the details of Sophie’s mystery unfolded held my attention completely from page to page. There was plenty of tension and emotion as Sophie and Kaia were reunited and tasked with an assignment by the elders.
I loved this story and hope there will be more from this world of characters again soon.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-arc!!!
4 🌟
This story was on the shorter side but so immersive! We jump straight into the story of Sophie Rue a woman who at the age of six used magic and in the process created cracks in the magic running through Rosewater Bend. 20 years later she returns to the small town and finds the cracks still there. The town wants her to fix it, and Kaia must become her protector for them to bring balance to the magic and for Sophie to unlock the truths she’s been running from.
This was a great story of magic, self-discovery and forgiveness. It was packed with tension, action and mystery and T. Ashley’s writing just took me on an amazing journey! The romance story alongside Sophie’s journey of self-forgiveness was beautiful and I adored Kaia and Sophie! I really loved this book, the writing was amazing and I will definitely be reading more of T. Ashley’s work!!
4 🌟
This story was on the shorter side but so immersive! We jump straight into the story of Sophie Rue a woman who at the age of six used magic and in the process created cracks in the magic running through Rosewater Bend. 20 years later she returns to the small town and finds the cracks still there. The town wants her to fix it, and Kaia must become her protector for them to bring balance to the magic and for Sophie to unlock the truths she’s been running from.
This was a great story of magic, self-discovery and forgiveness. It was packed with tension, action and mystery and T. Ashley’s writing just took me on an amazing journey! The romance story alongside Sophie’s journey of self-forgiveness was beautiful and I adored Kaia and Sophie! I really loved this book, the writing was amazing and I will definitely be reading more of T. Ashley’s work!!
March 21, 2026
Fixing Sophie Rue reads like a melody.
Sophie closes her bookshop and turns to the road unknown for another town she can fix, other stories she can mend. But the road knows her and knows what she truly needs. That is how she ends up back in her hometown, in her old house, haunted by the ghosts of her past mistakes.
She was just a child when she broke the land. She was but a teenager when she made it bleed.
I'm in love with this book and how much it made me feel. The prose was lyrical, luring me in from the first page and kept hold of my heart until the end. I cried and I laughed and I fell in love with Sophie and Kaia's love story.
This second chance romance has all the elements I look in a romance novel, but blended with old magic elements and emotional growth makes it a perfect pick for witchy romance readers.
Sophie closes her bookshop and turns to the road unknown for another town she can fix, other stories she can mend. But the road knows her and knows what she truly needs. That is how she ends up back in her hometown, in her old house, haunted by the ghosts of her past mistakes.
She was just a child when she broke the land. She was but a teenager when she made it bleed.
I'm in love with this book and how much it made me feel. The prose was lyrical, luring me in from the first page and kept hold of my heart until the end. I cried and I laughed and I fell in love with Sophie and Kaia's love story.
This second chance romance has all the elements I look in a romance novel, but blended with old magic elements and emotional growth makes it a perfect pick for witchy romance readers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fixing Sophie Rue touches on all of these themes in such a beautiful and thoughtful way. The way that T. Ashley weaves the pain and the magic of these characters into her storytelling is nothing short of beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed following Sophie as she learned to stop running and face what scares her. Returning home, returning to who you are and being proud of that is something that can be difficult for most adults, but T. Ashley does an amazing job at showing how that can be done in a raw and emotional way.
Special shoutout to Zephyr and Nyx and now I need my own familiar. K thanks.
There are some repetitive aspects of this book that made me stop at 4 stars just because things like that stick out in my brain, but I truly enjoyed this book so much. I was captured immediately.
Special shoutout to Zephyr and Nyx and now I need my own familiar. K thanks.
There are some repetitive aspects of this book that made me stop at 4 stars just because things like that stick out in my brain, but I truly enjoyed this book so much. I was captured immediately.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fixing Sophie Rue opens with a captivating scene about why she is the adult she is in the first place. Sophie's a character that runs from her duty, her responsibilities all her life due to this defining incident from her youth. I enjoyed reading about her moments of working to move past this character flaw. The romance is light, but Sophie and Kaia's chemistry is evident. Pacing and stakes of the novel picks up towards the end, which I also enjoyed!
Overall, Fixing Sophie Rue has beautiful phrasing throughout that I eagerly went back to reread because they were written so well. This is a novel about facing responsibility, and what presently waits for you from the past. I'm interested to see where the next book goes.
Overall, Fixing Sophie Rue has beautiful phrasing throughout that I eagerly went back to reread because they were written so well. This is a novel about facing responsibility, and what presently waits for you from the past. I'm interested to see where the next book goes.
April 9, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and to T. Ashley for the arc of this book.
This is a beautiful story about finally facing the problems you have been running from all your life.
Sophie realizing she’s not alone and she doesn’t have to face it alone. Kaia her childhood friend has been protecting the town waiting for her return. Sophie will have to rely on her and the town in order to save it when she is used to doing everything alone.
I love the raw emotions and honesty by both characters in the story. I liked learning about the ancestral magic. I loved the cute animals, the found family of the town and the sweet romance of the story. This is a quick read but a very powerful and meaningful one. I highly recommend if you need a little magic in your life.
This is a beautiful story about finally facing the problems you have been running from all your life.
Sophie realizing she’s not alone and she doesn’t have to face it alone. Kaia her childhood friend has been protecting the town waiting for her return. Sophie will have to rely on her and the town in order to save it when she is used to doing everything alone.
I love the raw emotions and honesty by both characters in the story. I liked learning about the ancestral magic. I loved the cute animals, the found family of the town and the sweet romance of the story. This is a quick read but a very powerful and meaningful one. I highly recommend if you need a little magic in your life.
March 23, 2026
This is a hard one because I really liked the premise of it, a young girl who didn’t know what she was doing and altered the course of her life however it just felt like it was missing something.
The way it was wrote was odd for me, it was kind of like hidden meanings inside the chapters but without an explanation, I don’t know if that makes sense . But the actual plot got lost in places
Saying that though I did enjoy the enemies to lovers part and learning to forgive someone for past mistakes, I thought that was well written
Overall it was an enjoyable enough read.
* full disclosure I was given this book in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley*
The way it was wrote was odd for me, it was kind of like hidden meanings inside the chapters but without an explanation, I don’t know if that makes sense . But the actual plot got lost in places
Saying that though I did enjoy the enemies to lovers part and learning to forgive someone for past mistakes, I thought that was well written
Overall it was an enjoyable enough read.
* full disclosure I was given this book in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you for the ARC!!!!! This book has everything I want: mystery, action, magic, love, yearning, and tension. It starts off as a mystery and then evolves into a rich magical world. Even though it’s not a long book, the author was still able to fit all of these elements into such a short story. As a non-native English speaker, I also really liked her writing style. It was so smooth and flowed effortlessly. I’ve already recommended it to two of my friends who also happen to enjoy this type of book. They’ll be reading it once it’s out!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you T. Ashley for the ARC.
Genre: sapphic, fantasy, romance
“I am trying to keep you from breaking.” “And I’m trying to keep you from doing it alone.”
Fixing Sophie Rue takes readers along for a story that’s filled with yearning, memory, mystery, magic, love, and self-acceptance. There’s lots of longing here… in the romantic sense and the kind where one wants to be understood and forgiven by self and others.
T. Ashley, you’ve knocked yet another magic realism book out of the park.
Genre: sapphic, fantasy, romance
“I am trying to keep you from breaking.” “And I’m trying to keep you from doing it alone.”
Fixing Sophie Rue takes readers along for a story that’s filled with yearning, memory, mystery, magic, love, and self-acceptance. There’s lots of longing here… in the romantic sense and the kind where one wants to be understood and forgiven by self and others.
T. Ashley, you’ve knocked yet another magic realism book out of the park.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a heavy read—definitely not your typical magical sapphic romance. The story explores grief and other dark themes, which gave it emotional depth but also made it feel intense at times. The writing was strong, but the metaphor-heavy style sometimes made the plot hard to follow, and the pacing felt a bit slow. I think a few flashbacks could have helped provide more context and clarity. Overall, it was well written but not the easiest read for me. 3/5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐
April 11, 2026
This is an ARC, and all reviews are my own.
This was such a good story. I am not usually a fan of slow burns, but I thought it was definitely necessary in this story to give you everything you needed. I also loved that I was engaged the whole time during the world-building. I love paranormal and sapphic books, and this was just so beautiful to read. It's my first read by this author, and it won't be my last.
Thank you, NetGalley and T. Ashley, for the advance copy of the book!
This was such a good story. I am not usually a fan of slow burns, but I thought it was definitely necessary in this story to give you everything you needed. I also loved that I was engaged the whole time during the world-building. I love paranormal and sapphic books, and this was just so beautiful to read. It's my first read by this author, and it won't be my last.
Thank you, NetGalley and T. Ashley, for the advance copy of the book!
August 28, 2026
I read this book straight after reading Dating Jessica Brown. So I went in with a high from that book.
But they are not the same. This book is more grounded and deals with sadder subjects. As the other book was more lighthearted.
I still really enjoy this book. The themes like grief and running from your problems, wants and your calling spoke to me. I like the way magic is described in the book.
But they are not the same. This book is more grounded and deals with sadder subjects. As the other book was more lighthearted.
I still really enjoy this book. The themes like grief and running from your problems, wants and your calling spoke to me. I like the way magic is described in the book.
March 24, 2026
Loved it! Seeing characters from the prior book, especially Zephyr, was so fun! While this didn’t have the romcom vibe of DJB but more urban fantasy with lots of magic and mystery, it was still full of whimsy and vibes! Just let the writing style so much and she always creates such amazing characters you connect with! Can’t wait for the next one!!
April 8, 2026
I wanted to love this book… I love magical fantasy stories with deep character building and twisty turny plots. Some elements really held my attention however the relationship between Kaia and Sophie didn’t really hold true for me. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
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