“The only one worthy of life, laid down His for mine. Now I am welcome into the Kingdom, for the tree awaiting me has already been occupied.” -The Gospel Gallery
Releases October 14, 2025
Synopsis From Genesis to Malachi, the Old Testament tells more than the story of a people–it unveils the Devine narrative of redemption, a prophetic tapestry woven by the hand of God Himself. Hidden in its pages are glimpses and shadows, promises and symbols, each pointing forward to the coming Messiah. In The Gospel Gallery, these timeless accounts are brought to life through the artistry of poetry, revealing the Good News of salvation was present from the very beginning, concealed in plain sight until the appointed time.
The Gospel Gallery was like a glimpse into the depthless wisdom and truth found in Scripture. The poetry paints beautiful pictures while also acting much like a Bible study, in that it emphasizes the Word of God while expanding on the incredible prophetic messages that point to Jesus.
The idea of poetry delving further into the Old Testament to portray the prophetic messages of Jesus Christ is a marvelous idea, bound to pull readers in and spark a desire to know more of what the Bible has to say. We often limit Jesus to the New Testament and disregard how He has been present all along–from the Garden of Eden to the promises in Revelation. It’s astounding how both the Old and New Testaments point to the coming and fulfillment of Jesus Christ. Not only does this show God’s intentional and sovereign hand, but it also leaves infallible evidence that the Bible is a reliable historical source of truth and wisdom.
The Gospel Gallery highlights this.
I love the Scripture at the top of each new section, followed by poetic images that encourage readers to engage with the Bible. I read the references before the poetry, as was intended by the author, and this made the journey through The Gospel Gallery all the more powerful. The poetry itself was lovely, flowing with Scripture and painting intricate pictures of God’s mighty and merciful hand. Before I read The Gospel Gallery, I had fallen into a slump in my personal Bible study. My motivation was waning, and it was taking a toll on my spiritual health. But God surely used this book in some ways to encourage a new desire for His Word. Enhanced by beautiful chapter art, each poem presented a new opportunity to embark on an adventure into the past, where truth and wonder were beheld.
It was a joy to journey back through the Old Testament, guided by poetry that spoke of the love and intentionality of God. Thank you to the author for reaching out and sharing this book with me in exchange for an honest review.
Final Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Recommended Age: all ages
Genres: poetry, theology, Christian living
Follow the author on Instagram: @jamin.step
“Do not think that I have come to abolishthe Law of the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17 ESV
Loved this book. In a world so focused on overworking itself, in a culture so set on hurry, this book is a burst of light and truth. I don’t know Tara, but she apparently knows me! Overbooked and Overwhelmed helped me in more ways than one, covering all the facets of distraction and the overwhelming results of people-pleasing.
I was going through a particularly busy season when I picked up this book. I felt overwhelmed and empty, knowing I had failed once again in prioritizing God first and giving Him more than a few minutes of my day. I’ve gone through this cycle before, and thankfully I quickly recognized the signs: –Saying yes to everything social in fear I’d miss out or hurt someone’s feelings –Feeling guilty for not doing “more” to prove I can work hard or love people –Hitting burnout, mental, and spiritual exhaustion to the point where I was unmotivated to do anything –Reverting to old mind-numbing habits like doom-scrolling to avoid exhaustion
And then I saw an ARC copy of Overbooked and Overwhelmed at my workplace and thought, “That’s exactly how I feel!”
Tara’s words are filled with a refreshing Biblical truth, reminding one that our ultimate purpose here on earth is not to do everything or overbook, but to glorify God in everything and to keep our eyes set on Him. This is a difficult task when the world around us is so loud, echoing the busyness of our schedules, but praise God we rely on His strength and not our own. Tara tackled all I’ve struggled with in the past and am currently battling with in the present, as well as opening my eyes to new things keeping me from diving deeper into my relationship with God. By His grace, God used this book to help me grow closer to Him.
I’ve been learning that saying “no” is okay and allowed. I even started to practice it. At first, there was guilt, questioning whether I had made the wrong decision or acted rudely and selfishly. I felt the fear of missing out. But then, a weight lifted from my shoulders, and I could feel my soul ease to a calm knowing I prioritized rest over overwhelm and striving to please others instead of God. There is balance to be found in rest and work. Both are important, and Tara’s book helped me see that. God didn’t call us to be distracted. He called us to be efficient, to work hard, but also to rest and be still in His presence.
Thank you for this reminder, Tara. I pray God uses this book to help people find comfort and satisfaction in Christ alone, teaching them to lay down the need to fill something only God can.
I had to return the ARC copy to the bookstore I work at. But as soon as it releases in August, I’m buying my own copy to annotate!! There are too many quote-worthy things not to highlight and underline, like these:
“The life we long for is found in spending our energy on assignments, callings, and situations that are worth it. The life we long for is found in putting our focus on the God things.”
“So when that time comes, remember that you don’t need to say yes to the things that everyone else is doing for the sake of being relevant or liked or approved. You’re only accountable to give your eyes to the One who called you to build, just like Nehemiah. You are here to please God, not man. Yes you’re here to love people, but true godly love does not give in to the fear of man.”
“The effort we put into our relationship with God, whether it’s a great effort, little effort, or no effort, will produce something.”
“Distraction opens the door to distancing ourselves from God, distance opens the door to disconnecting ourselves from God, and disconnection opens the door to complete soul overwhelm.”
“Burnout wasn’t the result of my busyness. Burnout was the result of putting God on the back burner and not allowing Him to sustain me.”
“One of satan’s tactics throughout Scripture is to get God’s people to forget what He has said and promised. When that happens, it’s easier for the enemy to convince them they continually need to do more and to be more. Yet Jesus reminds us in John 10:10 that ‘the thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.'”
This book felt like a hug from God. His faithfulness is astounding, and Tara’s book is a wonderful reminder of it. If you find yourself overwhelmed with everything going on in your life, if you feel exhausted and incapable of rest and stillness, if you wonder how you can balance the busyness of this life while still keeping God first, I highly recommend this book. Overbooked and Overwhelmed provides deep and lovely insight into the root of distraction and exhaustion, giving the reader hope in knowing that even in our burnout, God is still faithful. Even when we’re not all there, God is always here.
Final Rating: 5/5 stars
Recommended age group: all ages, but those in their teens and older may find this book the most helpful
I had seen this book everywhere, and the beautiful cover never left my mind. I thought I’d try it to catch up on my reading goal. I then proceeded to binge it in three days, and the way it ended destroyed me. SOS.
It’s safe to say Powerless lived up to the hype in every way. This story was written like prose and filled with many heart-pounding scenes that captivated me until the end. When I find a book to devour, I DEVOUR it.
Powerless has every single thing you can imagine in a fantasy book. Enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, touch her and (XP), epic battles, and a dystopian world you can’t help getting lost in. Was it predictable at times? Sure. Did it keep me on my toes? EVERY. SINGLE. CHAPTER. Most of the time, I had no idea what would happen. The frustration I felt while reading this book is palpable. Powerless takes on themes of Hunger Games, Throne of Glass, Divergent, and Once Upon A Broken Heart, but with its own twist of originality.
However, although Powerless is a story of survival and brutal rulers, gore and violence are abundant. I’m not a big fan of murder and death, and there was a lot in this book. The internal monologues were a bit disturbing at times, too. Many scenes were gruesomely depicted, to the point that I almost DNFED. Thankfully, most of those aspects were kept brief. Mild profanity was also used.
As for the romance, it was surprisingly clean for a “romantasy.” There was the occasional implication here and there, but they were vague at most. Even so, we see many scenes where the characters flirt, touch, and prompt various sexual insinuations, all of which become a bit much at times. There are no sex scenes or anything further than “hand on waist” and “kiss but not a kiss.” You get the steam but not the spice, I guess? But I just want a slightly warm blanket or no heat at all (okay, what am I even saying at this point?). The slightest touch and interactions were amplified through the characters’ thoughts, making me squirm and expecting things to take a dive for the worst. But I suppose the so-called “steam” is expected in an enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance, especially between characters who constantly deny their infatuation with one another.
Pae and Kai’s relationship sometimes seemed rushed and depthless, but the author conveyed the beauty of their need for one another. Their connection’s emotional and relational aspects were executed wonderfully, and the banter is top-tier. I swear they made me laugh on every page.
Powerless was a thrilling read, and how it ended left me feeling bamboozled. Betrayed. Utterly SHOOK (seriously, Lauren, why must you break our hearts?). However, as much as I would like to continue with Reckless, I will not be doing so because of personal beliefs and convictions. The violence and potentially heightened romance have me setting aside this trilogy, though I thoroughly enjoyed Powerless.
This review is for all my Christian readers who may be tempted to divulge in this book! I hope it aided in your decision-making on whether or not to read Powerless.
!TRIGGER WARNINGS! Mentions of suicide, murder, gore, violence, death, profanity, anxiety, panic attacks, torture, depictions of torture
Final Rating: 4/5 Stars
Recommended Age Group: 16+
Genres: romance, fantasy, young adult
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'” Romans 12:19 ESV
Keyholder, The Wells of Power Book 1 by Danielle Harrington
“You have changed my mind.” –Keyholder
> Enemies-to-lovers > Thrilling and suspenseful > Powerful concepts > Unpredictable > Epic fantasy world-building
Need I say more?
*tremendous sigh*
This book. Ohhhhh this book. I struggled with how to review it. All I could do was stare at this blank page, wondering how to fully encapsulate such an incredible story. The best way to understand how marvelous this book is is to read it for yourself. And I’m not just saying that so you’ll read it (although you definitely should). When I first received an ARC copy from the lovely Danielle, I didn’t read it right away because I knew I’d want to binge it, and I had no time to do so *insert tears here.* Sure enough, I read this book in THREE DAYS. On. My. Phone. Mind you, it was nearly 500 pages long. I have no regrets, except now I don’t have this book to look forward to after work. AND NOW I HAVE TO WAIT FOR BOOK 2- It’s okay *deep breaths.* Bear with me as I try to capture the brilliance of this story in a six-minute review.
Briefing Beware of the darkness, and those who seek to conquer it… Octavia Fletcher, the daughter of Rustwick’s wealthy wheat overseer, finds herself bloodbound to a key that holds an ancient magic coveted by all the kingdoms of the land. The Well of Eternal Healing in Hritza has been shrouded by a veil of impenetrable darkness for a millennium, its precious waters cut off by the gods of old. But now, Octavia possesses the key that can unlock it. Captured by a bounty hunter with a mysterious past, Octavia must fight to survive a slew of enemies who are keen to steal her–and the key’s power–for themselves. But danger lurks not only in the evils of men. The darkness surrounding the fallen Kingdom of Hritza is creeping past its boundaries for the first time since its creation, and anyone caught in its clutches perishes. Time is running out–not only for Octavia, but for all the Wells of Power gifted to humanity. Only the Keyholder can walk through the darkness and reverse its destruction, but can Octavia endure long enough to do so? And can she survive her own heart when it comes to the bounty hunter who has proven time and time again that he will do anything to save her?
First Impression 5/5 Chapter one leads with Octavia’s fierce personality. Not only do we get a glimpse of who our main character is, but we also meet her heartwarming family and the devastating situations they face. Danielle had the waterworks going within the first couple of pages. In addition, we have a beautiful world of intrigue that seems vast and unending. The unique lands and the purposes they uphold are slowly revealed with each chapter in the most enticing ways.
Character Development 5/5 *slams hand on table* Let’s talk about the characters in Keyholder, starting with the heroine, Octavia. She is an absolute beast, taking the conflicts thrown at her with strength and fearlessness. I can’t say too much about the character growth without spoiling anything…but let’s just say these characters bloom through the darkness they’re surrounded by, including Azariah, the bounty hunter *swoons.* A man chained by his past, adamant on not trusting or loving again. Talk about ripping my heart out. Then…we have…the VILLAINS. I think Danielle is now notorious for evil villains. They are despicable in every way, yet the perfect ingredients for suspenseful storytelling.
World-Building 5/5 Where to even begin with the world of Keyholder? It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read (and I’ve read a LOT of fantasy). Each land is magical in its own way, alive with beauty, intrigue, and an underlying ominous layer. We have the Wells of Power that amplify each land in fertility, bountifulness, euphoria, beauty, prophecy, costly metals, and healing. As the story goes on, we see Octavia experience each land and the wonders they hold. You can tell, without a doubt, how much precision, time, and effort Danielle put into creating this world to make it the best it can be. The settings were effortlessly imagined. I couldn’t look away. Keyholder has some of the most fantastic world-building I have ever encountered in fantasy.
Emotions 5/5 *covers eyes* Tears. That is all there is to say. So many tears and emotions, so much frustration and heartache. This story is woven with brutal circumstances that bring the characters through outstanding refinement. Keyholder is formulated to wound one to the core, and yet, beautiful in the way Danielle manages to show how darkness doesn’t stand a chance when paired against a hopeful heart and determined spirit. Octavia and Azariah experience a whirlwind of turmoil. But through the shambles of their heartbreak, light pierces through in the most unique and unexpected ways. These characters feel deeply, and as a result, so will the reader.
Style 5/5 The first books I read by Danielle were those from The Hollis Timewire Series, and they were phenomenally written. But Keyholder…it was like I took a dive into the pages, for I quite literally watched everything happen from the sidelines, as if I were in the story myself, wholly transported into another word. The pace was breakneck, keeping the reader hungry for more and balanced with the perfect suspense and plot twists. There was a mystery in each sentence and questions in every chapter. I would’ve read this book in one sitting if I didn’t have a job! To put it simply, I couldn’t stop reading, and I adore it when that happens. Keyholder is fabricated like the waves of the sea: consistent, powerful, strong, unpredictable, and beautiful. Not once did I falter while reading with such smooth readability. The story had me captured from beginning to end. Danielle’s growth as a writer is unmistakable in this book, and it’s a lovely thing to see.
Cleanliness 4/5 The “cleanliness” level of this book is the only area I would say needs to be approached with caution; however, the things included I know were written specifically for the story that needed to be told and for the hope that needed to be unleashed. As mentioned in the synopsis above, Octavia is hunted at every turn. Cruel, horrible people provide many violent situations. There is brutality, gore, depictions of torture, and death. These things do become a bit intense, but I wouldn’t say they’re unbearable (although it depends on the reader. For reference, I’m personally sensitive to the mentioned elements and was able to read this book without any major issues). I’d also like to note there is talk of sexual assault and an attempted sexual assault scene, though it doesn’t expand further than that. The author was sweet enough to tell me exactly when the scene occurs, knowing I can’t particularly handle these details, and I am so grateful to her! Even though I skipped that part, it wasn’t long, and nothing above an attempt happened (as voiced by the author). There is also mild profanity, but hardly noticeable. I include these details to help readers triggered by specific things like I am. But I read this book in full and saw the beauty within the darkness, just as Danielle intended. Yes, Keyholder was heartbreaking and tear prompting, but it was also an astounding story with a robust layer of truth and hope.
Conclusion 5/5 If I could type out the frustrated scream I gave while reading the final chapters of Keyholder, it would be in all caps, like this: AGGHHGHHGHHGHHGH. The ending was phenomenal and unexplainably thrilling. The way things tie together. The revelations and discoveries. The tears shed. *sigh* When I was close to the end, I had to keep checking how many pages I had left because there truly wasn’t enough time for everything that needed to happen to happen. I utterly devoured this book with no choice, for I HAD to know what would happen. Only to be betrayed by a cliffhanger. It gets a pass, though, since Danielle gave SOME conclusive details. I don’t know if I can physically wait for book two. But I will try because I MUST know the end of this story. Questions were answered only to be replaced with even more. *cries* Danielle Harrington knows exactly what I want to read and writes it. Not only that, she writes it well and with so much love and passion. I am so grateful to be a part of her author journey, and I look forward to reading more of her books (regardless of how terrified I will be of the ending).
Final Rating: 5 stars
Recommended Age Group: 16-18+
!Trigger Warnings! Death, violence, gore, mild profanity, depictions of torture, mentioned sexual assault, attempted sexual assault
Genres: fantasy, romance, new adult
Thank you, Danielle, for loving your readers and giving us stories worth reading. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the Keyholder journey. This book will take flight (it already has, to be honest), and I can’t wait to see it soar!
Follow the author on Instagram: @djharrigtonwriter
“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14 ESV
Julia Rose Books 