This was so much fun! I was never bored and I really enjoyed every single short story. Blake is such a great story weaver. She is an auto-buy for me.

Not sure if it was my mood when I read this but it just wasn’t keeping my interest. The collection is organized by seasons, with each season featuring a few individual stories. The stories varied in length and but all surrounded themes of magic and love. The range of writing style between stories was wildly different as well - some stories were more abstract and emotional, while some were more concrete and witty.

dnfed at 15%

I genuinely don't understand why her books get so much hype, the writing style is so pretentious in the most try hard way that it just comes across as convoluted and dry and I'm someone that loves flowery language. Her plots are overdone and trite. Her characters are so removed from reality. I just can't

I will read anything by Olivie Blake and this continued that trend! Witches, multiverse, fairytales and life lessons are all over this book and it's divided so well between seasons ranging from scifi to fantasy reads. I thought this book was so well done and she continues to write masterpieces!

This collection was such a dreamy, weird, and emotional ride—in the best way possible. Januaries is like stepping into a maze of magic, heartbreak, and sharp little truths that hit way harder than expected. Olivie Blake’s writing is lyrical and haunting, with that signature “what did I just read but also yes” energy she’s known for.

Every story had its own vibe, but they all carried this thread of love tangled with something darker—betrayal, longing, a little bit of madness. Some stories were soft and aching, others totally unhinged (in the coolest way). It felt like flipping through someone’s most magical nightmares and tender daydreams all at once.

This isn’t the kind of book you rush through—it’s the type you sit with, let it linger, and then suddenly realize one of the stories burrowed into your brain. A total must-read for fans of beautifully strange, emotionally charged tales.

I think the Olivie Blake spell may be broken for me now :(

Absolutely loved the first short story, then didn't really enjoy a single one after that, they were all 'fine' (although some I actually disliked..) but nothing stand out. Her writing style and overall sheer talent still remains remarkable! But I think it's just a bit too much for me now

Wouldn't recommend as a first OB book, but for those who know they enjoy her writing style you may get something out of it!

Thanks to netgalley for the arc

Fairytales, magic, myths and- poetry?? Olivie Blake's style lends itself beautifully to short stories, and each of these was a great read! Recommended and I hope for more collections!

What a great collection of short stories! Olivie Blake has such distinctive writing, and I think that really shone in this collection.

I really enjoyed all of these, but Sucker for Pain, To Make a Man, and Chaos Theory stood out the most for me. I would love for Olivie to write more fairytale-esque stories like the ones in the collection!

Thank you for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

there is something so enchantingly gripping about the way olivie pens her stories; and such talent remains evident in januaries, an anthology of short yet fantastical narratives.

each story constitutes a mixture of delectable and endearing characters, with romantic elements that haunt you in the way only olivie can. as you progress through this collection, you'll find yourself more and more engrossed in worlds crafted with the tenderness of olivie's prose.

I’ve loved everything that I’ve read by Olivie Blake and this absolutely lived up to my expectations. She packed so much into each of these works and I loved how unique they were while still complementing each other so well.

I enjoyed this so much and I can’t wait to hear what everyone else thinks because this really is something special✨

Thank you so much to Tor and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

Januaries by Olivie Blake is a beautifully written, introspective novel that explores themes of self-discovery, love, and change. With captivating prose and a strong emotional depth, Blake creates a compelling narrative that resonates with readers. It's a reflective and engaging read for those who enjoy character-driven stories.

I am glad I tried out this compilation of short stories from Olivie. This collection had a few major hits - I enjoyed her imaginative approach and variety. I liked the more whimsical and paranormal stories but the others were a bit more mundane and nuanced sandwiched in between. I think I am maybe not the perfect short story audience! And that’s okay. I appreciate the arc copy and I’m glad I tried them out :) thank you very much, I would like to try her longer form stories in the future.

This collection of short stories was absolutely fantastic, and I’m honestly struggling to put into words just how much I loved it. Each story had this incredible ability to hook me, especially with the way so many of them delivered a jaw-dropping twist in the final paragraph—or even the very last sentence! It was like a masterclass in keeping readers on their toes. I found myself eagerly trying to predict where each story was headed, only to be completely blindsided in the best way possible. With themes of love, magic, and betrayal woven through the pages, it perfectly delivered on its promise.

I have to admit, short stories usually aren’t my thing, but this book completely shattered my expectations. The variety and depth packed into each tale were remarkable, and the emotional punches they delivered left me wanting more. I didn’t just read these stories—I devoured them. This book has not only made me rethink my stance on short stories but also has me itching to explore more from this author. If you’re hesitant about diving into a short story collection, let this be the one that changes your mind!

Another book by this author that is worth the read. “Januaries” showcases Olivie Blake’s versatility and creativity, offering readers a rich tapestry of stories that delve into the complexities of human experience through fantastical lenses.

I’ve been enjoying Olivie Blakes writing and will likely continue to grab all of her books. Multieverse and a Craigslist add this book was just fun

favorite story probably that I've ever read in my whole life: "The House"

despite this taking me 2 months to finish, the writing is gorgeous and this collection has everything from vampires to parallel universes to romance to the underworld to magic bridges, etc. Olivie Blake is so damn talented.

Olivie Blake's books are very hit or miss for me, and that was definitely still the case between the different stories in this book. They were either 4/5 stars, or 1/2 stars, and nothing in between. That makes it very difficult to leave a rating, but I'm ultimately going to go 2 stars rather than 3 because I probably wouldn't not recommend it.

The one story that I can't recommend enough, though, is THE WISH BRIDGE. I think it's worth borrowing this from the library for this story alone (and then skipping the rest). This may be one of my favorite short stories of all time.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy!

Januaries by Olivie Blake is an intriguing and atmospheric novel with beautiful prose and a unique concept. The story has moments of brilliance, but the pacing can feel uneven, making it a bit difficult to stay fully engaged. While it doesn’t quite reach its full potential, the book still offers an enjoyable and thought-provoking read, earning a fair three stars.

I read my first and so far only 5 star book of 2025 last month!

Januaries is a short story compilation from the magnificent mind of Olivie Blake. It is weird and beautiful and haunting. It is a mixture of fantasy and sci-fi and even a little horror maybe? There are witches and demons and vampires and gods and Al algorithms. There is a focus on love in all its forms, a poignant reflection on motherhood, and one of the most beautiful stories centered on mental health that l've ever read.

The audio experience of this book was AMAZING and I highly recommend it as there are so many narrators working to give each story its own unique voice and feel, and they do each one justice!

Special thanks to @netgalley and @tordotcompub for access to an eARC of this title!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Januaries by Olivie Blake!