Blythe Hawthorne has never let anyone tell her what to do—not society, not her overprotective father, and certainly not the man she’s bound herself to, no matter how rude and insufferable he is. In fact, she’s determined to be a thorn in his side for the rest of her days, even as he ensures that her life in his palace is anything but a fairytale. But as Blythe discovers a new side of herself linked to his past, she’ll have to decide if she’s willing to let an unexpected spark ignite…and to discover the truth about who she really is.
Purchase Link: Belladonna | Foxglove | Wisteria
I chose Wisteria because it’s the third book in the Belladonna series, and I’ve been completely obsessed from the beginning. Truly obsessed. I already don’t know how I’m going to exist without these characters once the series ends. There’s only one short novella left after this, and while I will absolutely read it, part of me almost doesn’t want to, because then it’s really over.
I’ll admit, it took me a little longer to fully sink into Wisteria than it did the first two books. That wasn’t because the story was weak, but because of a shift in focus. The first two books centered mostly on Signa and Death, and I was deeply attached to her story. Wisteria shifts its attention to Blythe and Fate, and it took me a bit to emotionally let go of one character and start investing in another.
Once it pulled me in, though, it really pulled me in. By the end, I was completely invested, couldn’t put it down, and was openly sobbing.
Structurally, this book continues the story woven throughout the first two novels, but the world-building deepens significantly here. With each installment, the stakes feel higher, the lore richer, and the emotional weight heavier. We’re introduced to new layers of the world, new characters, and pieces of the past that add so much depth to what’s already been built. It’s definitely a slower burn than the earlier books, with strong enemies-to-lovers energy and twists you can feel coming but that still manage to knock the wind out of you when they arrive.
When it comes to characters, I had a very real love-hate relationship with Fate. Sometimes he genuinely annoyed me. Blythe did too. They both have bold, abrasive personalities, and watching them clash and bicker wasn’t always easy. I didn’t feel the immediate connection to them that I felt with Signa and Death. That said, they grew on me, and by the end, I cared deeply about both of them and the paths they were walking.
Emotionally, this book delivers everything. Hope, longing, romance, and the deep desire for things to turn out okay. There’s also a lot of sorrow. Loss, death, and sickness are woven throughout this series, and the characters feel those things deeply. As a reader, you feel them too.
One of the ideas that lingered with me most after finishing Wisteria was the concept of how small we are in the grand scope of time and humanity, and yet how much meaning each life holds. The story suggests that every life threads significance into others, that actions ripple outward, and that even the smallest moments matter. Everything connects. Everything counts.
I would absolutely recommend this series, and Wisteria in particular. I genuinely think this will go down as one of my favorite series. It’s perfect for readers who love gothic-leaning fantasy with romance that’s emotional, intense, and tantalizing without being explicit. It’s for anyone drawn to the idea that there may be more to this world than what we can see, and who enjoys stories that personify abstract forces like fate and death in ways that feel haunting and meaningful.
New York Times bestselling author
Prior to becoming an author, Adalyn spent four years working in live theatre, acted as the managing editor of a nonprofit newspaper, and studied storytelling as an intern on Nickelodeon Animation’s popular series The Legend of Korra.
Local to San Diego, Adalyn spends her non-writing days by watching too much anime, and by playing video games with her two dorky dogs.
Website: adalyngraceauthor.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoradalyngrace/
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