My Review of A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano ♡

Nothing like a good ballet story!

Summary of A Midnight Dance (2021):

"Ella Blythe knows all theater romances end in tragedy—but still dares to hope for a love story of her own. As mysterious happenings unfold in her ballet company and past secrets threaten her future, she must discover if she’s dancing toward destruction—or grace."

Tropes: Victorian gothic atmosphere, ballet setting slow-burn romance, unexpected love interest, Faith-centered heroine, no spice, mystery elements, who done it?

Content Warnings (TWs): emotional manipulation, gaslighting, psychological tension, grief and loss, high-pressure artistic enviorment, mentions of benefactors. 

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𝑀𝓎 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌

"Good Tidings of Good Joy"

Bless this joyous day, the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I feel a tremendous amount of love and gratitude to our Heavenly Father who blessed the world with his greatest gift, allowing us to see God, to live and walk amongst Him, to witness his miracles and blessings, and be saved by Him for all eternity.

Christmas looks different for us all. Some of us will gather with friends and family. Others will spend time alone. There are those who will spend the day far from home and those who chose not to acknowledge this day at all. However, if there is one thing that is certain, it's that no one is beyond the reach of Jesus. I pray that no matter our circumstances, we can all create space in our hearts to accept Jesus Christ and God's love for us all. There is no better gift than that.

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"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

John 1:14

Happy Christmas Eve: My Visit to the Fantasy of Trees (2025)

The annual Fantasy of Trees is a holiday benefit in Knoxville in which proceeds go to The East Tennessee Children's Hospital. I attend this event every year with my mom and it's always a fun time and a great way of ringing in the Christmas season.

 

My Review of Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett ♡

Light academia, Icelandic folklore, Faeries, enchanting yet witty prose, and a heartwarming grumpy-sunshine romance = a perfect 5 star read!

Summary of Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries (2023)

Tropes: slow-burn romance, grumpy/sunshine dynamic, magical academia, found family, whimsical/enchanted setting, witty banter, mystery elements.

Content Warnings (TWs): mild peril, subtle tension, some scary magical creatures, minor character conflict.

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As the weather turns colder, the days shorter, and we approach the end of 2025, I found myself craving a cozy, immersive fantasy book to wind down with and fully lean into the winter season. Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett seemed like exactly the kind of book I was looking for. It has been on my TBR for a while but I put it off after stumbling on a few reviews that suggested this book is better suited for the colder season. Now that I've read it, I'm so glad I made this choice.

𝑀𝓎 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌

What a delight from beginning to end! I find Heather Fawcett’s writing so enchanting and effortless. Her whimsical imagery drew me in immediately, bringing the story to life from the very first chapter.

The plot, characters, setting, faerie elements, and subtle mystery are all thoughtfully well written. Everything and everyone matters to the story which pulled me in so completely that I felt like I was living within it instead of reading it. I was also pleasantly surprised by how funny the book is; the witty dialogue and banter earned a lot of laughs from me which was definitely a treat.

As I reflect on the characters, Emily Wilde resonated with me deeply. Her curmudgeonly nature, love of solitude, and devotion to her work felt incredibly relatable, yet the story gently challengers her to be more thoughtful and aware of the people and world around her. I saw parts of myself in Emily, along with glimpses of my own growth. I'll add here that I loved the journal-style narration. It’s educational, adventurous, and reflective, which added depth to Emily's character and made me feel invested in her work.

Nature in the story is treated almost like a character itself, both beautiful and a little unsettling which is in my opinion such a perfect way to complement the wintry setting. That balance gives the world extra depth, full of wonder and quiet tension.

Of course, Wendell Bambleby deserves his flowers too. He’s charming, witty, and utterly delightful; the perfect contrast to Emily’s grumpiness (she's trying her best!). As the story unfolds, it becomes clear there’s much more to him than meets the eye. His devotion to Emily, combined with his charm and cleverness, makes him a very Bri-approved MMC and a fascinating character in his own right.

And the romance! Because of course I must talk about it. The subtle, slow-burn relationship between Emily and Wendell was heartwarming and so uterly satisfying. It never felt rushed, and I loved how it developed alongside the characters’ growth and the story’s unfolding mystery. Watching them navigate their feelings and differences made their connection feel genuine. I just think these two goobers are so cute together and have delightful chemisty!

Overall, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries was a charming, immersive read that stayed with me long after I finished it. I loved seeing Emily grow through her challenges and taking the time to notice the wonder in the world around her. It reminded me, in a quiet way, to do the same in my own life. I’m thrilled that this is just the first in the series, and I can’t wait to continue the adventure and see where Emily and Wendell’s journey takes us next!

Thoughtful Sunday: How Mary's Story Encourages Me

 Luke 1:46-47

and Mary said,

"My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

My Bible reflection for today focuses on Mary's Song of Praise. When Mary is chosen to bear the Son of God, she experiences a tumultuous period in her life. While her circumstances called her for her to feel shame and despair, instead Mary glorifies God and rejoices in the story He is writing. This young woman exhibited more strength, courage, and steadfast devotion than many of us could fathom. Yet Mary's story  serves as encouragement to us, all of us, to trust in God's process. 

I am someone who feels deeply and as a result, struggle with things like anxiety, self-depreciation, shame, and even guilt. My life has not always gone the way I planned or anticipated but the amazing thing about God is that He's shown me time and time again that not only am I exactly where I need to be, but that being where I am has allowed me to live a life that serves him fruitfully. Through my current circumstances, the story God is writing of my life is one that I hope exhaults him and carries out his will. I trust in him to see me through every stage of my life, just as he did Mary.

The Tender Vine Is Born

 

Before I begin my blogging journey, I figured I'd make an introductory post explaining a little about myself and the purpose of this blog. And what better time to do it than the start of my Christmas break?

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My name is Briana, Bri for short, and I created The Tender Vine because I wanted to curate a more intimate and intentional online presence for myself. Over the past few years, social media has started to feel mentally and spiritually draining. I’ve spent a lot of time moving between platforms and never really sticking to one, partly because my interests change, but mostly because I’ve grown tired of the culture around them. Algorithms, trends, rage baiting, constant discourse, cynicism, and the normalization of bigotry. It's simply too much for someone like me who is a sensitive person by nature.

This blog will be my space to reflect honestly on my faith, to write about what I’m learning, and to share how I’m trying to grow closer to Christ in everyday life. It’s also a place for me to share my love of books, to track what I’m reading, share my thoughts, and review what resonates with me along the way. I want The Tender Vine to be personal, intentional, and grounded in faith, with a little of my life sprinkled in. 

I chose the name for my blog because it reminds me that spiritual growth isn’t rushed or forced. Staying connected to Christ matters more than appearances or clout, and I’m learning to trust that growth happens over time when I remain rooted in Him.

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Lamentations 3:22-23 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

    his mercies never come to an end;

 they are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.