This Week: March 1st

News and Updates

Welcome to March and our month of Fairytales and Folklore! I’ve got a full week ahead of me and will be offline later this week as I head out on a solo reading retreat weekend in the mountains. However, we have a packed week leading up to it! I can’t wait to share some of my favorite stories with you this month!

This Week

Fairytale retellings have always been hit or miss for me. I either really love them, or they just miss the boat entirely. Do you feel the same way?

Monthly Reading Challenge: Fairytales and Folklore

Weekly Reading Challenge: Fairytale Retelling

Award winning author Alix E. Harrow wrote a pair of fairytale retellings following her success with Once and Future Witches – this is the first of those. While there are several fables that include cursed spindles, this book is a retelling of Briar Rose’s journey as the Sleeping Beauty.

Part A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court and part the scene in Shrek the Third when Fiona organizes the princesses for a rebellion, this book delivers a story of strong women working together for a common good. The book also includes great representation for the LGBTQ community.

If you’re looking for other great books for this prompt, try one of these reads recommended by our StoryGraph community:

Coral, Sarah Ella
The Deathly Grimm, Kathryn Purdie
The Girl in Red, Christina Henry
Twisted, Emily McIntire

New This week

Three of our early reviews are releasing this week, including our January Book of the Month. I can’t wait to see what you think of these!

Arabella’s day goes spectacularly off script when her carriage is attacked by a brooding man dressed head‑to‑toe in black—a questionable fashion choice softened only by his infuriating good looks and clear enjoyment of her sharp tongue. Given an impossible ultimatum—become the Dark Lord’s wife or return home to be traded like property—Arabella chooses the villain without much hesitation. After all, who says no to a Dark Lord who seems delighted when she fights back?

The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating (and Other War Crimes) is a witty, darkly romantic fairytale retelling packed with sharp banter, vivid imagery, powerful magic, and plenty of spice. Tiffany Hunt delivers a heroine who saves herself (and others), a romance that crackles with humor and heat, and a story full of revenge, heart, and laugh‑out‑loud moments. If you love clever fantasy romance with an empowered heroine and a morally questionable love interest, this is one release you won’t want to miss.

Caroline Herschel wanted nothing more than to prove her worth—first to her brother William, and ultimately to history. What began as support for his musical ambitions evolved into something far greater when William turned his gaze to the stars. As she helped build telescopes and record celestial discoveries, Caroline quietly forged her own legacy, one that would not only secure her place as one of history’s first recognized female astronomers but also help preserve her brother’s reputation during moments of professional peril.

In The Woman and Her Stars, Penny Haw brings Caroline’s remarkable life vividly to the page, transforming her from a supporting figure into the undeniable center of the story. Haw deftly balances accessible explanations of astronomy with rich historical detail, immersing readers in the social constraints and quiet triumphs of the 18th century. Thoughtful, inspiring, and deeply engaging, this novel will appeal to readers fascinated by science, history, and the overlooked women who helped shape both.

El Paso has long stood at the crossroads of migration, conflict, and identity—a history shaped by its position along the Rio Grande and its deep ties to Ciudad Juárez. Once a single community known as Paso del Norte, the city’s past includes frontier violence, war, and shifting borders, all of which continue to echo into the present. That history came sharply back into focus following the 2019 Walmart mass shooting, one of the deadliest attacks on Latinos in U.S. history, underscoring how inseparable El Paso’s past and present truly are.

In El Paso, New York Times reporter Jazmine Ulloa turns her journalistic eye toward her hometown, blending meticulous reporting with personal reflection rooted in family ties on both sides of the border. Ulloa connects historical decisions to contemporary political rhetoric, revealing how immigration policy and systemic racism shape lived experiences today. Thoughtful, grounded, and deeply human, the book invites readers to look beyond headlines and consider the lasting impact of border politics—while offering a vivid sense of place and community rarely captured in national narratives.

In Case You Missed It

Last Week’s Prompt

Chloe is on a mission to complete a bucket list—but this isn’t about thrill‑seeking for fun. After a serious health scare, her list is a roadmap back to living: camping, spontaneous travel, even riding a motorcycle. Each item pushes her well beyond her comfort zone, and Chloe knows she can’t do it alone. Enter the guy next door—the perfect mix of accountability, patience, and quiet encouragement—as she learns how to take risks again, both in life and in love.

I gave Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert 4.15 out of 5 stars for its thoughtful representation of autoimmune disorders and the small, realistic accommodations woven into everyday life. The slow‑burn romance is beautifully done, allowing both the characters and the reader to truly grow invested, though the pacing occasionally felt uneven. This was a fantastic pick for our Romance theme and our “written by a Black author” prompt—Hibbert’s warmth, humor, and care shine throughout. What are you choosing for this prompt?

Last Week’s Articles

When we were planning out this year’s reading challenge, February was one of the months I was most excited about—I’m always here for a good romance. 💕

This month was all about pulling from my own shelves and finally giving some long-neglected TBR romances their moment. Both of my five-star reads had been waiting patiently, and wow, were they worth it.

Did we manage to read one of your favorites this month, or did I just add to your TBR again?

Last Week’s Preview

Aurelia plans the perfect romantic getaway to Sicily—only to be abandoned when her boyfriend chooses his affair instead. Determined not to let heartbreak ruin her trip, she embraces the adventure solo…until she keeps running into the same dangerously handsome stranger. What follows is a whirlwind of passion, indulgence, and undeniable chemistry that makes walking away feel impossible. As vacation bliss gives way to real‑world complications, Aurelia must decide whether this fiery romance was meant to be fleeting—or something much darker and deeper.

With its unmistakably spicy cover art, The Ruler promises exactly what it delivers: a rich, morally gray hero, lush Italian settings, and high‑heat romance wrapped in danger. Penelope Sky pulls readers in with electric Sicily scenes and a heroine who grows into her strength, making this a fast, indulgent escape for dark romance fans. Perfect for readers craving a steamy getaway read—just be warned, the cover is only the beginning.

This book will release April 7th and you can read my full review here.

Reading Challenge Prompts

This month’s reading challenge invites us into the timeless world of fairytales and folklore. From familiar stories retold in fresh ways to legends passed down through generations, these prompts celebrate the magic, mystery, and enduring power of storytelling across cultures. Pick a prompt, grab a book that sparks your curiosity, and share what you’re reading—I can’t wait to see which tales you choose to explore this month.

This Week: March 1st

News and Updates

This Week

Monthly Reading Challenge: Fairytales and Folklore