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When Yesterday Ends
Not yet published
Expected 28 Jul 26Nettles Hollow is as good a place as any to restart your life. At least, Ambrose Howl hopes so after his life falls apart.
The town’s got everything he needs: a general store carrying his favorite cigarettes, a library he could get lost in, and a hedge witch who immediately befriends him. He settles in as an herbalist, using the knowledge he’d gained from academia that he’d left behind, and for once in his life, he feels like he could be content. It’s not so bad living in some rural, far-flung town.
Until he’s visited and kidnapped by the skeleton valet of Renwick Frey, a fey lord living in hiding who is cursed to eat human hearts every five summers to remain alive. As his next victim, Ambrose saves himself by making the desperate claim of knowing how to break curses. Renwick is charmed enough to let him try, but if Ambrose can’t break the curse by summer’s end, then his heart is forfeit.
The problem? He’s never broken a curse in his life, and given the mysterious circumstances of this one, he might even die before summer ends.
The town’s got everything he needs: a general store carrying his favorite cigarettes, a library he could get lost in, and a hedge witch who immediately befriends him. He settles in as an herbalist, using the knowledge he’d gained from academia that he’d left behind, and for once in his life, he feels like he could be content. It’s not so bad living in some rural, far-flung town.
Until he’s visited and kidnapped by the skeleton valet of Renwick Frey, a fey lord living in hiding who is cursed to eat human hearts every five summers to remain alive. As his next victim, Ambrose saves himself by making the desperate claim of knowing how to break curses. Renwick is charmed enough to let him try, but if Ambrose can’t break the curse by summer’s end, then his heart is forfeit.
The problem? He’s never broken a curse in his life, and given the mysterious circumstances of this one, he might even die before summer ends.
ebook
Expected publication July 28, 2026
8 people want to read
About the author
S. Jean
14 books41 followersS. Jean (she/they) is a queer sci-fi & fantasy author writing whatever strikes their fancy at any given moment. When not writing or dreaming of what to write, they can be found dabbling in game dev and drawing!
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Copy given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
As someone who had read and enjoyed reading this author's past works before, I was really excited to dive into this one and give the ARC copy of this a read.
Unfortunately, I really didn't enjoy reading this one because the pacing was so terribly slow. I ended up giving up on the book by about halfway through.
The characters were fine, but none of them were really memorable. I found it really confusing and even disappointing how the main character was fine with putting up with a lot of the other characters' BS. Without giving away spoilers, the MC would be impacted by xyz or zyx's characters' actions behind the scenes, forcing them to progress through certain actions or obstacles that they shouldn't have been pulled into in the first place (or at least they should've been warned about it beforehand). Despite this, the MC somehow puts up with them still despite it literally giving him some serious life-and-death circumstances after a few chapters of hating them for it. That also frustrated me a lot as well.
For those who enjoy a slow-paced plot, you might enjoy this more. But for me, I was just a bit frustrated. I would have enjoyed this way more if the pacing was a lot faster, and if the MC's actions made a bit more sense.
As someone who had read and enjoyed reading this author's past works before, I was really excited to dive into this one and give the ARC copy of this a read.
Unfortunately, I really didn't enjoy reading this one because the pacing was so terribly slow. I ended up giving up on the book by about halfway through.
The characters were fine, but none of them were really memorable. I found it really confusing and even disappointing how the main character was fine with putting up with a lot of the other characters' BS. Without giving away spoilers, the MC would be impacted by xyz or zyx's characters' actions behind the scenes, forcing them to progress through certain actions or obstacles that they shouldn't have been pulled into in the first place (or at least they should've been warned about it beforehand). Despite this, the MC somehow puts up with them still despite it literally giving him some serious life-and-death circumstances after a few chapters of hating them for it. That also frustrated me a lot as well.
For those who enjoy a slow-paced plot, you might enjoy this more. But for me, I was just a bit frustrated. I would have enjoyed this way more if the pacing was a lot faster, and if the MC's actions made a bit more sense.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Advance copy by the author!!!!
Thanks first of all for the opportunity! I liked this books characters and their struggles, I especially loved the dynamic between Ambrose and Ren.
But I also am very conflicted about the pacing, that another reviewer has already pointed out: it’s slow! Too slow sometimes!😅 would have been good if things were quickened a bit in my opinion. Also English is not my first language, so maybe I am not the most reliable source, but I struggled a week to finish it.
Overall is a very original work that I recommend particularly for those who enjoy a slow burn and rhythm
And curses!!!
Thanks first of all for the opportunity! I liked this books characters and their struggles, I especially loved the dynamic between Ambrose and Ren.
But I also am very conflicted about the pacing, that another reviewer has already pointed out: it’s slow! Too slow sometimes!😅 would have been good if things were quickened a bit in my opinion. Also English is not my first language, so maybe I am not the most reliable source, but I struggled a week to finish it.
Overall is a very original work that I recommend particularly for those who enjoy a slow burn and rhythm
And curses!!!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews