Olivie Blake’s books always have this perfect mix of sharp wit, weird-but-wonderful ideas, and a lyrical magic that’s impossible to describe— Januaries might be my favorite yet. With Januaries, every story felt like its own tiny universe, pulling me in completely. Some were strange, some deeply moving, a few downright haunting—but all of them were undeniably Olivie.

Olivie Blake has a very distinct writing style, that comes through in each of these stories - different as they may be.
There are themes of destiny and free will, as well as the permanence or unpermanence of death in many of the stories in this collection, which made them seem similar sometimes, but they all managed to be wholly original.
Though two or three of them were a bit too wild for me personally, I loved this collection as a whole and recommend it to anyone.
The stories are great discussion starters and would be an interesting pick for a bookclub in my opinion.
4.5 stars

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found "Januaries" by Olivie Blake to be a captivating collection that showcases the author's versatility and creativity. The stories are diverse, blending elements of fantasy, romance, and introspection, each offering a unique perspective. While some narratives resonated more deeply with me than others, the overall quality of writing is commendable. I would recommend this anthology to readers who appreciate imaginative storytelling and thought-provoking themes.

I ended up DNFing this title - I love all of Blake's other work and I am VERY excited and have preordered Girl Dinner, but I couldn't settle to get into this one. The pacing was a little off for my and my ADHD couldn't cope very well with it.

The stories I did read were typical, high quality lyrical style. Thank you so much for this opportunity.

God how have I fallen in love with this book. It's been years since I tried to get into short stories and this book has finally done it! The characters the style of writing and the world.buikding was so captivating that the second I got my teeth in it I couldn't wait to devour it all.

A brilliant collection of short stories! One I will definitely return to over the years. I love Olivie Blake🩷

Thanks: Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

I adored this collection of stories. I have to admit that some of them didn't quite speak to me as much as the others, but on the whole, they're all beautifully lyrical and full of those metaphors we've come to love so much in Olivia Blake's writing.
I just loved all the depictions of love she has touched on, and the magical worlds she has created and the relationships between the characters.
If you're a fan of Olivia Blake's writing or if you're looking for something that will make you think about love and romance, I'd highly recommend giving this collection a try.

A selection of short stories but Olivie Blake. I enjoyed every one of them. Interesting, well written, enjoyable stories. Would recommend this is all her Fans. I’m will be reading more of her books.

Olive Blake can do no wrong- this collection of short stories I would argue has something for everyone all delivered with Olivie Blakes razor sharp wit, clever storytelling and beautiful prose! There are fairytales, twisted tales, assassins, occultists and strong themes of love, betrayal, fate and everything in between. These stories are complex, some were really confronting for me and others made me feel all the feels- I actually don't think I've read an Olivie Blake book that hasn't made me cry!

The book is split in to seasons which I really loved, I think it gives you an invitation to slow down and let this book linger to read with the seasons and that felt beautiful, my favourite stories were "A Year in January" which I resonated with so much, "Monster Love" which offered a really interesting perspective on motherhood and made me ponder my own relationship with being a mother and "The Wish Bridge."

My only real criticism of the stories is that I loved some of them so much that I wished they were full length novels.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Januaries” is a mesmerizing, thought-provoking collection that perfectly showcases Olivie Blake’s signature blend of lyrical prose, intricate storytelling, and sharp wit. Each story feels like stepping into a different world—some whimsical, some dark, all infused with magic, philosophy, and deeply human emotions. From fairy tales with a modern twist to multiverse assassins and occult love affairs, every piece offers something unique and unforgettable. The themes of love, fate, and identity linger long after the last page. A must-read for fans of Blake’s dreamy, cerebral style.

This was my first Olivie Blake book and now I get what all of the hype is about. Even as someone who doesn’t usually read fantasy, I loved this collection of fantasy stories, because they are so well-written and character driven. The stories in this book all centre around relationships, from sublime love stories to dark tales of revenge, so they’re still fun reading for those of us who aren’t usually into stories about fairies, witches and demons. I was surprised by how much I loved this, and now I want to binge all of the author’s books!

This is a great mix of stories with a pretty common theme in my opinion. There are stories for everyone and that’s the best thing about anthologies. The thing I struggle with for anthologies is that there are some stories I really enjoyed and would’ve preferred for them to be fleshed out in their own stories.

(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review)

Olivie Blake has one of the most interesting and magical writing styles I’ve ever come across. Every short story in *Januaries* is written beautifully, drawing you in and immersing you completely in each unique tale. The collection is whimsical, witty, and just the right amount of weird—exactly what you’d expect from Blake.

What stood out to me most was how, even though all the stories revolve around the same themes of love, magic, and betrayal, no two stories felt alike. Each one brought something fresh and unexpected to the table. With short story collections, there’s always that fear that some of the entries might not resonate, but that wasn’t the case here. Every story hit the mark, and I found myself captivated from start to finish.

The creativity on display is truly incredible. The collection features such a wide variety of tales, from poetry to Greek mythology retellings, magical bridges, and even fairies answering Craigslist ads. It’s a testament to Blake’s imagination and talent that she can weave such wildly different stories into a cohesive and enchanting collection. No matter your taste, I genuinely think there’s something here for everyone.

Januaries is a novel that is filled with different short stories. I liked how each story had different themes, and made us, the reader feel attached to the story and characters as it went on. This totally shows how much skill Olivie Blake has as a writer. As much as I liked all the stories, I find the first one, featuring the magical bridge one of the most memorable ones. I wished that some stories were longer, but perhaps, some are best in its current format.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a collection of stories of love and sometimes betrayal. I think there is at least one story for every reader. Each story has its own length, writing style and universe. There are some stories that I've loved such as the ones in the "spring" and "summer" part and others that I didn't connect as much.
I think this book is to be appreciated at a slow pace and enjoy each unique story for what it is.
I highly recommend reading this book, who knows you might find your favorite story of love or betrayal or both.
It might even get you out of a reading slump like it did for me.

(I rated it 3.5/5 on Storygraph.)

Her books always bring this mix of sharp wit, weird-but-wonderful ideas, and a kind of lyrical magic that’s hard to describe. Januaries was NO EXCEPTION. short story collections aren’t usually my thing. I prefer sinking into a full-length novel and getting to know the characters over hundreds of pages. But with Januaries, it felt like each story was its own little universe, pulling me in and refusing to let go. Some were strange, others moving, a few downright haunting—but they were all undeniably Olivie. ✨

The collection is split into seasons, which I loved because it gave the whole thing a natural rhythm. There’s such variety here—witches, fairytales, multiverses, and even a set of wedding vows (yes, really). A few standouts for me: The Wish Branch was a gorgeous crossroads romance that I’ll be thinking about for a long time, The House somehow packed a full punch in so few pages (it's one of my favorites), and To Make a Man? I definitely need more from that world immediately.💝

What really struck me was how each story tackled such big themes—relationships, power, mental health, motherhood—all through these imaginative, almost whimsical lenses. And her prose? Chef’s kiss.🤌🏻 It’s lyrical without being over-the-top, witty without trying too hard.

Oh, I loved this collection of short stories so, so, so much. There’s a part of me that is always looking for a level of fantasy that perfectly clicks with me, and quite often I find that the stories I pick up just fall short. I can never say what, exactly, they were missing, but there’s just something not fully there - yet somehow this book scratched every itch. Blake weaves these wonderfully fantastical tales, but adds in her unique humour, and wistfulness, and has brought forth a collection of tales that I, frankly, never wanted to end.

The book is split into the four seasons, with each short story somehow corresponding to that season - when not always necessarily in nature, in feel. Each season also begins with a beautiful illustration, depicting a scene from one of the short stories.

My absolute favourites here include ‘The Animation Games’ where two not-quite-lovers get pulled into an eternal cat and mouse death chase, ‘Monster Love’ which is a unique take on motherhood, ‘Sous Vide’ where a student takes up feeding demonic entities to help make ends meet, and ‘A Year in January’ which spoke to me in ways that I’ll struggle to write down.

I read a lot of short story collections, and this one has already become a firm favourite. Some stories are full of longing, some lean towards humour, and others are simply beautiful dreamscapes. Each one is special and unique, and I adored the whole collection.

Thank you to the publishers, and Netgalley, for the copy to review.

Januaries is a masterful blend of magic, heartbreak, and human introspection, showcasing Olivie Blake’s signature wit and imagination. This collection of 14 short stories brims with whimsical twists, dark humor, and emotional depth, creating a unique tapestry of love, betrayal, and second chances. From a wish-granting spirit on the brink of burnout to a Victorian orphan navigating an occult romance, each story offers a new lens through which to view the extraordinary and the mundane.

The characters are delightfully complex and imperfect, struggling with desires, regrets, and relationships that linger beyond time and space. The themes range from the power of forgiveness to the resilience of love, all wrapped in enchanting narratives that feel both familiar and otherworldly. Blake’s ability to merge fairy-tale whimsy with modern sensibilities is particularly striking, and her exploration of multiverse assassins, magical Craigslist ads, and poetic heists keeps the reader constantly engaged.

This is a collection for fans of magical realism and those who enjoy pondering life’s deeper questions. If you’re looking for a book that’s equal parts thought-provoking and entertaining, Januaries is a perfect pick. It’s not just a read—it’s an experience.

Thank you very much for this eARC.
Olivies Writing is so good, this was pretty enjoyable. Like every story collection, some are a miss, but still, a nice read.

I don't typically gravitate toward anthologies of short stories as, in my experience, they often only include one or two really excellent stories that make an impact. Januaries is different in that I only struggled with two stories and the rest I wished were full books.

Every story was so very different and each of them gripped me in a different way. I was never quite sure where they would go and for 80% of them, I was sad when they ended.

Even though they were short, every world and character was fully realised and I was able to understand them quickly. I do think my favourite story was about the bridge as it was such a simple premise but done so beautifully.

Whether you enjoy story anthologies or not, I would recommend giving Januaries a try as each story is beautifully written. Plus an anthology where only two stories don't resonate is incredibly rare.