Review: On the Edge of After: A Norland Story by Britt Wolfe

BLURB

A chance meeting. A country on edge. A love that could change everything.

Widowed family lawyer Merritt Clarke isn’t looking for love. Grief has carved out a life of quiet routine, where work keeps her steady and Sophie, her loyal husky, keeps her company. Then a chance New Year’s Eve encounter introduces her to Beau Laurent—handsome, steady, and carrying a life far more complicated than he lets on. For the first time in years, something stirs.

She doesn’t know that Beau is Norland’s Minister of Finance. She doesn’t know the weight he is already carrying, or how quickly the ground beneath the country’s leadership is about to shift.

Drawn together by chemistry neither of them expected, Merritt and Beau find themselves in a relationship that refuses to stay private. Political ambition comes with scrutiny, and Norland’s capital holds rivals, old loyalties, and secrets ready to be used. As an election looms and pressure builds around Beau’s role, their connection is tested by public attention, the ghosts of their pasts, and the simple fact that loving him means stepping into a world that does not forgive weakness.

When danger reaches them, Merritt is pulled into a reality of power, protection, and choices she never asked to make. With the country watching and everything they have begun still fragile, she and Beau must decide whether what they feel is worth the risk of losing the lives they have spent years building.

BOOK LINKS 🔗 

GOODREADS | AMAZON | STORYGRAPH  |  AUTHORS WEBSITE 

REVIEW 

On the Edge of After: A Norland Story by Britt Wolfe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

BOOK: On the Edge of After by Britt Wolfe (Format: e-book)
I saw a post on the author's Instagram feed about this book being free to read and knew I had to pick it up for my October reads—and I’m so glad I did.

 
TITLE: On the Edge of After
Author: Britt Wolfe
Status: Read | Rating: [4.75/5 ⭐]
Progress: Read [437] of [437]
QUICK IMPRESSION
I started reading this book during breakfast and was so completely hooked by the characters that I kept reading whenever I could, and even went to bed early and finished in the wee hours of the morning!

QUICK NOTES
This book is a second-chance romance with a political backdrop, and the author created a scenario that, although completely fictional, felt so relevant—especially at the moment, with us going into elections for our next government here in NZ. I would definitely vote for Beau's Progressive Alliance party; I wish we had a party here with their views! 🤔
Anyway... suffice to say, I really enjoyed the political aspect of the book.
As for the romance...
I really connected with Merritt. I could have easily been in her shoes if fate had been cruel (🙏🏼 I'm so grateful I still have my hubby), so the emotional resonance was easy to fall into, making this a very emotional read for me. Others may not feel the same way... but I always base my reviews on my personal experience 🤷🏼‍♀️. Be prepared for an emotional ramble...
At 55%:
🖤 I definitely didn't trust Delphine...
💔 I really hurt for Merritt...
😍 And Beau? Total swoon.
At 64%:
🖤 My issues were verified 😡
🫣 I thought Beau may have lost his 🤯
Thankfully, 🖤 slipped up and I breathed a sigh of relief 😮‍💨, and by 68% my hopes for Merritt and Beau were looking positive 😍❤️‍🩹
QUOTES TO KEEP
• “That isn’t innovation. That’s exploitation with better branding.”
• “You can carry what you had with Everett and whatever comes next at the same time. One doesn’t make the other less real.”
• “I love the life I have when you’re in it, and I want all the ordinary days we haven’t had yet.”
KEY CHARACTERS
• Merritt Clarke: FMC / Divorce Lawyer. Merritt lost her husband Everett in a car accident and has been unable to move forward; work is her only escape from her grief.
• Beau Laurent: MMC / Minister of Finance. Divorced, but still has close ties to his ex, Delphine, through their children.
(There are more, such as Delphine Moreau: Beau's ex, who gets an honorary mention because she was so easy to dislike. Quinn and Sylvie, Beau's security detail, are also key characters who I clicked with.
FINAL THOUGHTS
• The Good: I loved the political worldbuilding! It was just enough to set the backdrop for the romance without being overly political—which I appreciated, as I'm not really into real-world politics (it's too depressing in our current world... but as I said earlier, I wish we had a party like Beau's!). The pacing was great, and I deeply connected with Merritt. There are scenes in this book that I could directly identify with from my own life, and the author did a brilliant job with the emotional tone throughout.
• The Bad: Honestly this was very nearly a 5 ⭐, but Merritt's friend Avery is a character who confused me at the end of the story, - this was the reason I settled on 4.75 at the end there was an epilogue that somewhat gave an answer, but it was a total 180 character change and I guess the author will reveal more about that in the next book.)I guess some people might take the political worldbuilding to heart if their views differ, but for me, it was just a fantastic fictional backdrop with policies I wish existed in reality.
• Verdict: I loved disappearing into this author's world for the last 20 hours 😁. I'm so happy that Instagram's algorithm brought this author to my attention!


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AUTHOR BIO 

Britt Wolfe is a Canadian author of novels, novellas, poetry, and emotionally devastating horror stories disguised as entertainment.

Her work blends grief, love, memory, and the aching hum of nostalgia—often with a twist of Taylor Swift, a splash of 90s pop culture, and a quiet scream into the void. She writes for the girls who made mix CDs, the boys who never said how they felt, and the readers who feel too much and keep going anyway.

Britt’s catalogue includes The Songs To Stories novella series (each inspired by a different Taylor Swift song), the horror collection The Hollow Hours, the poetry-and-prose time capsule Dial-Up and Daydreams, and her debut novel Fading Away, which reimagines what might’ve happened if Kurt Cobain had been given the chance to fade away instead of burn out.

She lives in Calgary with her husband, her husky soulmate Sophie, and a semi-possessed cat named Lena. She writes full-time, dreams big, and believes in second chances, slow burns, and stories that change us.

If you like your books a little heartbroken and a little haunted—you’ve come to the right author.

Review: The Overbooked Suite by Michael Wolsiefer

 BLURB 

Neil endures his soul-crushing corporate job, placates his demanding family, and suffer through a relationship with a girlfriend who constantly gaslights him. His only sanctuary is his daily coffee break with his coworker, Sonya. Sonya is fierce, blunt, and beautiful—everything Neil secretly wants.

When a scheduling disaster at a San Diego conference leaves Neil homeless, Sonya offers to share her upgraded suite. Suddenly, the safe distance of the office is gone, replaced by late-night balcony confessions and the undeniable electricity of shared space. But the conference brings ghosts: Neil’s toxic girlfriend is blowing up his phone, and Sonya’s abusive ex-boyfriend has arrived, determined to lure her back with a lucrative job offer. To protect the woman he loves, Neil has to stop playing it safe. He’ll have to face down her past, sever ties with his own, and finally admit that he doesn't just want to be her best friend—he wants to be her forever.

The Overbooked Suite is a steamy, dual-POV, forced-proximity romance for anyone who's ever fallen for the person who was quietly, patiently there all along — perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez. 

REVIEW 

  The Overbooked Suite by Michael Wolsiefer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

BOOK:The Overbooked Suite by Michael Wolsiefer (Format, ebook)

A Slow-Burn Romance Driven by Drama and Indecision

Title: The Overbooked Suite
Author: Michael Wolsiefer
Status: Read
Rating: 3/5 ⭐⭐⭐
Spice level:🌶️

QUICK IMPRESSION

​Michael Wolsiefer’s debut novel, The Overbooked Suite, is a classic dual-POV, forced-proximity romance with workplace drama, toxic exes, and slow-burn angst.
The setup is full of potential: Neil and Sonya go from daily coffee-break co-workers to sharing a suite at a San Diego conference, forcing their long-harbored feelings into the open.

QUOTES TO KEEP

• “You two will grow with each other, but it takes time to grow something. A tree isn’t strong in weeks, it takes years, it needs roots, nourishment, care. You will get there. You need to let someone nourish you for a change. Moving or not moving, same job or new job, it doesn’t matter as long as you have someone who loves you and supports you through it all."

FINAL THOUGHTS

​While the premise sets up an ideal environment for instant sparks, much of the narrative focuses on the agonizingly slow burn between the two leads. In fact, roughly 80% of the book is spent watching Neil and Sonya dither around their true feelings.

Sonya seems to be the more focused presence. She has been there for Neil listening to him and his issues with Tessa (an influencer, totally self absorbed... I couldn't understand why he hadn't got out the relationship months ago). Sonya has morals so she has been giving Neil the space he needs to make his own decision, she doesn't want to push him.

For me Neil was a frustrating male lead, he is plagued with self-doubt, his upbringing makes him prioritize family obligations, and guilt over leaving a bad relationship before his own happiness. This for me was very frustrating and I was literally wanting to slap him around the head a number of times.

I am used to reading books where the male protagonist is bold, self assured, Neil’s constant overthinking and passive behavior was my biggest issue with this character. He struggles to step up, make the right choices, or own his feelings without spiraling into panic, leaving you practically yelling at the pages for him to finally "man up" and take action.

When breakthrough moments finally happen, the sudden leap into intense commitment feels jarring after so much hesitation, only for his signature cold feet to return almost immediately the next morning.

​That said, l did have one character that I loved. Sonya’s mother has a brief but standout presence, offering genuinely wise advice (see quote)

The subplot with the other conference attendees, one being Sonya’s ex Brian keeps the plot moving forward even when the romantic progression hits a lull.

Verdict: For me both characters were too indecisive, I spent most of the book muttering at them, there wasn't much comedy but if you enjoy heavy angst, emotional hesitation, it might be more your style.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review

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AUTHOR BIO

I live in Indiana with my wife and five children. I am very passionate about writing, art, and creativity. I love telling stories about social barriers and how characters overcome them. This is the first of several ideas that am crafting into larger stories and series. 

When I'm not writing or working a full-time job, I'm playing board games with my family, working outside with my garden and koi pond, or finding the next location to travel to. I'm a big advocate for those with Celiac Disease ( I have it myself). I'm a huge ally for those suffering from mental health issues and write opinion pieces online about my journey. 

Website  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads

Review of As Death Loves Me—A Grim Reaper Romance by Hannah Bronwyn

 

Book Links 

https://amzn.to/4hlbaOf

Blurb 

THE GRIM REAPER expected the flowers to wilt when he walked past. To bend their heads and shed their petals, marking a life of endings. His purpose intertwined with the force that brings life to death. He certainly did not expect the day when A MORTAL would defy these odds while he reached for her hand.

As the newest restoration specialist at the New Haven Museum, Birdie Priest's job is simple: preserve the pieces, find their history, and go home. Then a portrait she uncovers has no face. A broken pocket watch starts ticking, and Birdie dies. This should be the end. Instead, she finds herself tethered to Rip, a grim reaper with a dangerous attitude and no memory of who he used to be.

Only by unraveling what’s buried in her soul can she set herself free?

Bound under the weight of a hollow eternity, Rip has spent his existence ferrying souls and working in the town’s library. Now, during the one death that goes wrong, he's pulled into a stranger's unfinished life and forced to confront everything he doesn't understand about his own. Even despite their inexplicable bond deepening, a lurking darkness plots his undoing.

However.

There's more to this town than meets the eye, and some truths might cost them both everything they have left.

As Death Loves Me is a slow-burn paranormal romance for fans of grumpy immortals and stubborn heroines who refuse to sit idly by and accept their fates. Beneath the cover is a cozy small-town mystery, a found family worth fighting for, and a love that defies death itself.

Review 

As Death Loves Me—A Grim Reaper Romance by Hannah Bronwyn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars

I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of As Death Loves Me, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read and review!

This book kicks off with a thought-provoking prologue set in 1844 that immediately hooks you in. I completely misread who the prologue was describing until the very end, but it did a fantastic job of compelling me to keep turning the pages.

From there, we jump to the present day following Birdie (Benevolence Priest), an art restorer moving to a new job at a museum in New Haven, Indiana. Birdie is a bit of a quiet art nerd who mostly keeps to herself. Her background was a little confusing to piece together early on, but everything made much more sense as her history and mysterious flashbacks unfolded.

The side characters really added flavor to the spooky, mysterious atmosphere:

🔻Sal: The ancient security guard who is the only one to give Birdie a warm welcome on day one.

🔻Kane: Gives off decidedly creepy vibes right out of the gate.
🔻Gabby: A potential friend with a secret past who puts Birdie through a hilarious (and cringey ) blind speed-dating scene.

Then, of course, there is the Grim Reaper himself—whom the author humorously named Rip (R.I.P.—loved that touch!). Rip is classic morally grey: disillusioned with his immortality, rude, and carrying a heavy burden. While he starts off cold and resistant to any connection, the tether drawing them together eventually forces him to realize how much he cares for Birdie.

Note for romance readers: this is a slow-burn/low-spice dynamic where the connection builds alongside the plot.

What worked well:
The overall concept, blending paranormal elements, gods, and museum mystery.
The town’s spooky history and the mystery behind the damaged painting Birdie is restoring.


The epilogue, which tied up several lingering questions and gave us the happy ending. But I wish that the actual rediscovering of each other was given instead of telling us the outcome.

Final thoughts:

It's a solid 3.5-star read with a really intriguing premise. With a bit tighter line editing and plot pacing, it could easily be a 4+ star book. If you enjoy urban fantasy, paranormal mysteries, and a slow-burn romance, it's definitely worth checking out!

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Author Bio 

Hannah Bronwyn is an emerging author and pop culture enthusiast with a love of spring, soda in glass bottles, baking chocolate chip cookies, playing dominoes, and crafting bookmarks — when she isn't writing, she's probably thinking about writing, or texting her friends about zodiac signs and saying “that is so true” until she falls asleep when she should actually be writing. Find her socials here