Author: Frances Denny

Frances Denny is a writer and book reviewer.

A New Year, A Look Back

Published by Frances Denny on January 15, 2026

It’s a new year, and with it comes a moment to reflect on the one just gone.

A meaningful experience I’ve had this last year, was delivering a speech for Hope Night, an event run by the New Zealand Eating Disorders Clinic (NZDEC). I spoke about my journey as someone who has recovered from anorexia, and about how being neurodiverse moulded that experience. Sharing something so personal was daunting, but also deeply affirming. I’m honoured that my speech will be featured on the organisation’s blog.

I also had the opportunity to speak as a neurodiverse writer for the Hyphen Project, an organisation dedicated to helping gifted neurodiverse teens in New Zealand thrive within the education system. Being able to talk about writing, creativity, and neurodiversity to a community that truly understands the importance of those conversations was incredibly rewarding.

On the creative front, this year has been one of steady progress, even in the face of some challenges. While one manuscript is still out on submission, I’ve been pouring my energy into my current project. I had hoped to have this manuscript ready by the end of the year, but catching long Covid slowed my momentum. Even so, it’s now almost ready to go to a developmental editor, a milestone that feels both exciting and a little surreal.

This year, I have some new goals. I’m planning to be more active on Instagram and Threads. How that goes remains to be seen 🤣. I’m also aiming to have my latest manuscript ready to send to my agent soon. Fingers crossed.

Hope this year is a good one for everyone.

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My Favourite Reads of 2025

Published by Frances Denny on January 15, 2026

This year’s been a bit disappointing on the reading-front. However, I did read three fantastic books:

THE CASTLE OF OTRANTO by Horace Walpole

An interesting read. It resembles Hamlet quite a bit with its main character being haunted by his father. Walpole acknowledges being heavily inspired by the Shakespeare tragedy. I also love how the story blends a realistic historical setting with the supernatural, something that was revolutionary at the time.

FALLEN’S FIRST by Kassidy Coursey

I LOVE THIS BOOK. The seven deadly sins as hot demons. I’m in!
If you want to read my full review, click here.

A PACK OF BLOOD & LIES by Olivia Wildenstein.

A female teen werewolf must survive amongst a male dominated pack and compete for the role of Alpha. I’m not a huge fan of werewolf books, but I did enjoy this one. The writing is clean, and the main character Ness is full of personality.

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Fallen’s First by Kassidy Coursey

Published by Frances Denny on August 23, 2025

I received this ARC in an exchange for an honest review.

Fallen’s First by Kassidy Coursey is a dark fantasy retelling of the biblical story of Adam and Eve but using the Seven Deadly Sins of Hell instead. The story follows Saer, the demon of Pride, and his siblings as they carry out Lucifer’s command: to harvest human souls that will fuel the creation of his infernal army. Each demon is bound to serve Lucifer without question, and to love and worship him above all others. But Saer begins to defy that order when he falls for Neyu (Lust) and enters a forbidden relationship that threatens not only the two of them, but their entire demonic kin if Lucifer discovers the betrayal.

I was lucky enough to beta read this book back in 2023, and I loved it then. Reading it again now, I love it even more. The writing is tight, the characters are vivid, and the emotional depth lingers long after you’ve put the book down.

At its core, Fallen’s First explores the question of blind loyalty. It asks that when someone holds authority over you, should it bring with it your obedience, even when a command goes against your conscience. The story also digs into how people tend to shift blame downward, often targeting the powerless instead of holding those at the top accountable.

As for the banter, there’s so much of it. Watching the dynamics between the demons is a highlight, especially the twins Alus and Arek, who love to get under Saer’s skin.

Overall, I truly loved this book. It’s the first in a trilogy, and I highly recommend you read it if you love dark fantasy, forbidden romance, and a “found family” of colourful demons.

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Thoughts From My Interview With Te Waha Nui About Auckland’s New Romance Bookstore, Enamoured Books

Published by Frances Denny on May 29, 2025

If you’re an Aucklander and head-over-heels for the romance genre, I recommend checking out the new bookstore Enamoured Books, that has recently opened in Remuera.

Last week, I was interviewed by reporter Sophie Albornett of Te Waha Nui, where we discussed why a romance-dedicated bookshop is on-trend, and why the romance genre isn’t likely to ever go out of style.

To read the article where I was interviewed, click here.

According to the New York Times, Romance continues to dominate book sales, with print sales going from 18 million in 2020 to over 39 million in 2023.

This marks a pretty significant change from just a few years ago, when romance was actually the top-selling genre in digital formats but not in print.

A 2024 report by the Publishers Association of New Zealand (PANZ) revealed that 80% of Kiwis prefer reading physical books, with only 5% reading exclusively on e-readers and 14% using both formats.

This coincides with the changes we’ve seen in the growing print sales of romance books.

Why might physical copies be back in fashion? Besides them being tactile and nice to hold, I do believe there is one significant factor at play here:

TikTok.

It’s no secret that TikTok, or more specifically “BookTok”, has been one of the main drivers of sales in the romance genre. According to The Bookseller, roughly 15% of book titles were discovered via the TikTok platform in 2022, and that number is likely to have grown since that study.

You might have noticed “bookfluencers” are more likely to showcase print books than eBooks. Possibly because print books are more visually appealing than eBooks – but that’s just me speculating.

So, why is romance the most pushed fictional genre on platforms like TikTok? Well, that’s possibly answered with the demographic that reads romance.

Women – they take up 80% of romance readers. According to the Pew Research Centre, women are not only more likely to read books than men but are also more likely to read fiction.

On platforms like BookTok, the trend shows that female “bookfluencers” tend to market fiction (especially romance), while male creators often focus on non-fiction.

Why do I believe romance is never going out of style? It’s because it’s a genre that is reliable. Readers know what to expect: the protagonist wins the heart of the love interest. And familiarity and hope often is a source of comfort during uncertain times.

Despite its success, romance still gets dismissed – often because it’s a genre associated with women.

However, it doesn’t change that romance resonates with millions of readers. And with the growing number of print sales, and romance readership – especially in post-pandemic years – Enamoured Books has opened at the perfect time.

So, if you’re a romance lover, Enamoured Books will be the perfect place to find your next heart-stopping read, connect with other like-minded individuals and form a community.

This really is the era of romance.

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MY FAVOURITE READS OF 2024

Published by Frances Denny on December 30, 2024

As 2024 comes to an end, I’ve put together a list of my favourite reads this year.

I haven’t read as many books as in previous years, hence the short list below, because, among other less exciting reasons, I’ve been finishing a YA gothic romantasy, which is due to my agent in March.

As some of you know, last year I signed with a literary agent and this year I went on submission with an upper-YA gothic romantasy. In the meantime, I have written another book (the one that’s due in March) and am in the final stages of editing it. I’m keeping my fingers-crossed for both these manuscripts to be picked up by a publisher in the new year. XD

Enough about me, here’s the list of my favourite reads:

THE PROJECT by Courtney Summers

GENRE: Young Adult, Thriller, Literature

Just a warning, this is not going to be an easy book to forget. The way Summers takes us into the mind of someone being seduced by a cult is truly clever. Lo is a fantastic character. She’s angry, quick-tempered, emotional, impulsive. She reads like an actual teenager, which isn’t guaranteed in YA these days.

All the characters are well-developed and interesting. I particularly love the relationship between the two sisters, Lo and Bea, although their story is heartbreaking.

Would definitely recommend to anyone who likes a good mystery and a good cry.

A CURSE FOR TRUE LOVE by Stephanie Garber

GENRE: Young Adult, Romantasy

Yes, I finally got around to reading the last book in The Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy. And it was…

Wait a sec while I finish swooning…

SO CUTE! It’s a sweet ending to a sweet trilogy. Although I guessed the twist early on, I didn’t care because gah, Jacks and Evangaline got their happy –

I’ll shut up now.

A WINTER’S PROMISE by Christelle Dabos

GENRE: Young Adult, Fantasy

I really enjoyed this book. It’s set in a steam punk future where the leading families of the celestial islands (also called Arks) have family spirits that protect the islands. The protagonist, Ophelia, a member of one of these leading families, finds herself in an arranged marriage to a foreign man from a powerful clan and must travel to a dangerous Ark called the Pole. I loved Ophelia. She’s a breath of fresh air in the YA fantasy genre. She’s quiet, stubborn, curious, misunderstood and underestimated. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

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Crafting a Young Adult (YA) Romance Novel

Published by Frances Denny on May 22, 2024

Duration: 2 hours

Where: Heart of Bays Community Centre, Browns Bay, Meeting Room 2, 1st Floor

Facilitator: Frances Denny is a writer of young adult paranormal romance. She is signed with New York literary agency, Arc Literary Management. Her latest manuscript was a finalist in the Page Turner Awards.

Cost: $20

Outcomes:

1. Discover how to harness the YA voice.

2. Master the structure of romance, the way the industry wants.

3. Analyse some examples of YA writing and discuss what makes them YA.

There will be a five-minute break in the middle, where I’ll provide juice, water and biscuits.

What you will need:

· A pen or pencil.

To sign up, visit Eventbrite here.

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Crafting a Young Adult Romance

Published by Frances Denny on January 20, 2024

Cost: $40
When: Saturday February 3rd
Time: 10am – 12pm
Where: Heart of Bays Community Centre, Meeting Room 2 (first floor), 2 Glen Road, Browns Bay, Auckland, New Zealand

Frances Denny is signed with a New York literary agency. Her latest manuscript was a finalist in the Page Turner awards, and is currently out on submission. In this workshop, she will be drawing on her research and industry experience to take you through the craft of young adult romance writing.

This will include:

Learning what romance is, and what qualifies as romance
Knowing the key differences between “adult” and young adult “YA” romance
Discovering how to harness the YA voice
Mastering the structure of romance
Analysing some examples of YA writing and discussing the techniques

If you are an aspiring YA romance writer living in Auckland, please consider signing up to this workshop. To sign up, send me an email at francestroubler@gmail.com, and put in the subject line, Crafting a Young Adult Romance Workshop. Looking forward to seeing you there!

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MY FAVOURITE READS OF 2023

Published by Frances Denny on January 1, 2024

To celebrate the end of 2023, here’s a list of books that I enjoyed reading this year.

A SNAKE FALLS TO EARTH by Darcie Little Badger

GENRE: Young Adult, Fantasy, Mythology

AMAZING! Beautiful writing, well researched. An adorable friendship between Nina, a Lipan girl, and Oli, a cottonmouth (snake) boy from the land of spirits and monsters. So much to love about this book. Also, if you’re someone who likes their shapeshifters behaving like the creatures they shapeshift into, this is the book for you. Darcie has clearly put a lot of research and care into giving the cottonmouth boy convincing snake-ish quirks and thoughts.

THE CURSE OF THE SPECTER QUEEN by Jenny Elder Moke

GENRE: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mythology

What an engaging and entertaining story! Funny. Fresh characters. Read it in two days. Also, I did not see that twist coming. If you love Celtic gods, the 1920s, and high-stakes action with a sense of humour, this is the book for you.

OF BEAST AND BEAUTY by Chandra Hahn

GENRE: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Fairy Tale Retelling

Loved it. Usually, Beauty and the Beast retellings irritate me when the beast isn’t, well, a beast. While the book’s opening could give you the impression that we’ve got another story with a handsome beast – yawn – you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that’s not the case at all. We have a beastly beast who causes havoc. However, the identity of this beast, is what the characters must solve. And what a twist that is!

There’s so much more to this book too. Such as a fascinating protagonist in Rosalie. Her relationship with King Xander is so moving.

I would definitely recommend to romantasy lovers.

WE WERE LIARS by E.L Lockhart

GENRE: Young Adult, Contemporary

I read this book as part of my exploration of the history of young adult literature. I must say, I was sceptical when I read that Cadence, the main character, has amnesia – a very common trope, particularly in the 2010s, and usually poorly researched. However, I was pleasantly surprised that Cadence’s amnesia had nuance. Overall, I found this book heartbreaking, leaving me feeling empty for weeks.

A DEADLY EDUCATION by Naomi Novik

GENRE: Young Adult, Horror, Fantasy, Romance

A voicey, cynical main character? Tick. A school that wants to kill you? Tick.

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MY FAVOURITE BOOKS OF 2022

Published by Frances Denny on December 27, 2022

To celebrate December, here’s a list of my favourite books I read this year.

THE RARKYN’S FAMILIAR by Nikky Lee

GENRE: Young Adult, High Fantasy, Dark Fantasy

If you haven’t read my review, here’s the link.

This young adult fantasy is for those who enjoy Garth Nix and Trudi Canavan. The worldbuilding is amazing and the characters are complex. The second book in the series, THE RARKYN’S FALL, is yet to have a release date, so I’ll be keeping an eye out for that.

THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS by Ali Hazelwood

GENRE: New Adult, Contemporary, Romcom

Who doesn’t love a story about two nerds finding love? THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS is a new adult romance between a stem-science university PhD student and a professor – yes that does not sound appropriate but they’re only fake-dating, and the professor isn’t teaching any of her classes – the two made sure of that. So, it’s all goods.

I think.

Just read the book. It’s good.

KINGDOM OF THE WICKED TRILOGY by Kerri Maniscalco

GENRE: Young Adult, New Adult, Paranormal/Gothic Fantasy, Romance

Soooo…this was kind of a guilty pleasure read. It’s not deep, but it’s a lot of fun. The premise is a witch must team up with a prince of Hell to uncover the truth behind the murder of her twin sister. Along the way, there’s blood, demons, goddesses, magical tattoos, mystery, death, and sex…lots of sex. Chapters of sex – a small addition to the trilogy…

*Looks sideways*

ANATOMY: A LOVE STORY by Dana Schwartz

GENRE: Young Adult, Gothic/Paranormal Romance

Set in 1800s Edinburgh, the story follows wannabe surgeon Hazel Sinnett who uncovers a dark secret regarding the disappearance of its citizens, and it’s not all to do with the Roman fever. If you enjoy gothic romance and you didn’t faint when you dissected a frog in biology, you’ll love this book. One thing to note, Schwartz compares this book to FRANKENSTEIN. I see this book as more like THE STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE. Or maybe a mix of both. You decide.

ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART and THE BALLAD OF NEVER AFTER by Stephanie Garber

GENRE: Young Adult, High Fantasy, Romance

ONCE UPON A TIME meets SABRIEL – definitely! Heartbroken Evangeline makes a deal with the Prince of Hearts (Jacks) to mend her heart. But striking deals with immortals isn’t wise, and Evangeline must travel to the magical and mysterious North to save herself and those she loves. If you don’t mind your childhood faith in true love and happily-ever-afters being destroyed, you should read this trilogy. The third and final book, A CURSE FOR TRUE LOVE, comes out September next year and Garber better let Evangeline and Jacks have their happy ending. Or I’ll cry.

CIRCE by Madeline Miller

GENRE: Adult, Fantasy, Mythology, Retelling

Superb. Incredible. Rich. Hands down, my favourite book of this year. It’s Greek mythology from the perspective of the enchantress/minor goddess, Circe. Through her point-of-view, a spotlight is shone on the misogyny of the Greek gods. Despite this, Madeline Miller is able to weave in hope, love, joy and passion through her complex and rich characters. Definitely worth a read.

LITTLE THIEVES by Margaret Owen

GENRE: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Retelling, LGBTQ+

Very few books accurately portray PTSD, but Owen has nailed it in this retelling of the Goose Girl. I absolutely believed Vanja and her experience. Vanja, daughter of Death and Fortune, escapes her parents by stealing the identity of her old friend, the princess Gisele. There’s so much I liked about this book, especially the shape-shifting demigod, Ragne, who is given the responsibility of “keeping an eye on Vanja.” I think Ragne should have her own series. The second book in the duology comes out next year. Will totally be reading it.

THE FORBIDDEN WISH by Jessica Khoury.

GENRE: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Retelling

I rarely like Aladdin retellings because they are often Disney rip-offs and have little to do with A THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS. However, this retelling is an exception. Aladdin felt so real, as did the description of his appearance and behaviour as a peasant in ancient Arabia. And he was likeable. Zahra, the genie and narrator, was also a fascinating character. It’s not often books are told from the perspective of an immortal, and I thought Khoury did a good a job at making her feel believable.

THE CATS WE MEET ALONG THE WAY by Nadia Mikail

GENRE: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia

The world is ending, and we have a road trip, and we don’t want the world to end because we love the characters and their cats so much. Yes, I was moved by this book. It was so sweet, so sad, so human. If you want to have faith in humanity during hard times, read this book.

WE ARE OKAY by Lina LaCour

GENRE: Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+

I talk about WE ARE OKAY a lot because it’s SO FLIPPIN’ GOOD. It’s the first book that’s made me cry – EVER. The story follows Marin, who, after the death of her grandad and main caregiver, fled to New York without telling anybody. However, Marin must still face the tragedy of her grandfather’s death, when her ex-girlfriend and best friend Mabel visits with questions. I loved this book so so so so much and FINALLY a story with accurate lesbian and authentic mental health rep.

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Vale

Published by Frances Denny on November 19, 2022

STACEY L. PIERSON

Stacey L. Pierson’s Vale is a YA paranormal murder mystery about a group of teens who are all hiding something regarding the disappearance of an old friend.

The first thing that struck me about this book was the TV-script style of Stacey’s writing. It reads like I’m watching a television show; the layout, the immediacy of the writing, the fast pace, is all reminiscent of a TV show. And it works perfectly for the large cast.

The second thing that struck me was how well Stacey has characterized Vale High School. The High School itself feels like a living organism, as all the students are described in dispassionate terms of how they function in the school. And the school feels like it’s watching them.

Lastly, I love how Charles’s epilepsy is drawn. Stacey has mentioned this aspect of the book is #ownvoices and it reads as an authentic portrayal. So many books that feature characters with disabilities or conditions make a big deal about the disability/condition, but Charles is just allowed to be a regular character who is in no way different from the rest of the cast.

Double lastly, that twist at the end was totally unexpected!

Overall, Vale is an engaging read that I definitely recommend to those who love YA and mystery.

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