Leigh Kramer

Headliners (London Celebrities #5) by Lucy Parker {review}

Genre: Contemporary Romance

 

My Review - 5 Stars

This was one of my most anticipated books of 2020 and it was utter perfection! Nick and Sabrina are rival TV hosts who are forced to team up on a morning show. This is enemies-to-lovers at its finest, written with Parker’s trademark wit and it gave me so much life. Nick and Sabrina had crackling chemistry and I loved watching their expectations of one another get upended. Nick has a sense of his true feelings for Sabrina first but the extra delightful part of this story was how everyone knew they were into each other but them. There’s a sense of “finally!” and “of course we knew” from everyone around them and that made me laugh each time.

One of my favorite parts of Parker’s books are the pitch perfect character details, like Nick’s niece Pippi’s facts and Nick playing darts and loving gherkins. Sabrina has her knitting with her at all times and we get to see her projects progress, as well as watch Nick get into knitting as a result.

Add in the layered characters and nuanced examination of grief and strained family relations and now you know why I couldn’t put it down. Sabrina’s mother died when she was young and Pippi’s mother died recently. They have some lovely bonding moments. I’m always interested in seeing how grief evolves over the years and there’s interesting interplay with how Sabrina’s loss impacted her relationship with her father, in addition to them dealing with the fallout from events in the previous book. Sabrina and her sister have very different relationships with their father and how they respond to him now is different as well. Family is so complex and complicated and I was relieved there was no forced forgiveness or even a full mending. Some family relationships are always going to be strained because of past actions. The way this was explored felt so authentic to me.

There is a small mystery concerning who is sabotaging their show. I had a feeling about who was behind it the moment they appeared on page but I wasn’t sure about the why until the final reveal. Mostly, I appreciated how the saboteur unintentionally got Nick and Sabrina to join forces and all that ensued from there. They are a dream team in so many ways.

I adore Lucy’s books and humbly suggest you read The Austen Playbook (about Sabrina’s sister Freddy) first for full context of why Sabrina and Nick loathe each other. It’ll make Headliners that much more satisfying. What a marvelous story!

Note: I want to address representation because Nick is a Black character and Parker is a white author. A Black author certainly would have written Nick with more nuance because they’re writing out of their own experience. I especially appreciated that there wasn’t a teachable moment about racism, which so often seems to happen when white authors write about characters of color and always feels clunky to me. I am white and leave final judgment about the representation up to Black readers.

Race or ethnicity was pointed out only for characters of color. If you’re going to describe characters of color, then you need to also spell out that white characters are white. It cannot be left to the reader’s assumption.

CW: past death of parent (heroine’s mother was hit by a delivery van, hero’s niece’s mom died in a hiking accident), past infidelity, references to a side character’s children’s cancer charity

 

Synopsis

Sparks fly when two feuding TV presenters are thrown together to host a live morning show in Lucy Parker’s latest enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance.

He might be the sexiest man in London, according to his fan site (which he definitely writes himself), but he’s also the most arrogant man she’s ever met.

She might have the longest legs he’s ever seen, but she also has the sharpest tongue.

For years, rival TV presenters Sabrina Carlton and Nick Davenport have traded barbs on their respective shows. The public can’t get enough of their feud, but after Nick airs Sabrina’s family scandals to all of Britain, the gloves are off. They can barely be in the same room together—but these longtime enemies are about to become the unlikeliest of cohosts.

With their reputations on the rocks, Sabrina and Nick have one last chance to save their careers. If they can resurrect a sinking morning show, they’ll still have a future in television. But with ratings at an all-time low and a Christmas Eve deadline to win back the nation’s favor, the clock is ticking—and someone on their staff doesn’t want them to succeed.

Small mishaps on set start adding up, and Sabrina and Nick find themselves—quelle horreur—working together to hunt down the saboteur…and discovering they might have more in common than they thought. When a fiery encounter is caught on camera, the public is convinced that the reluctant cohosts are secretly lusting after one another.

The public might not be wrong.

Their chemistry has always been explosive, but with hate turning to love, the stakes are rising and everything is on the line. Neither is sure if they can trust these new feelings…or if they’ll still have a job in the New Year. 

 

Buy the book:

Amazon (affiliate link) | Barnes & Noble

 

Disclosure: I won an advanced digital copy from the author in a giveaway. I received a free print copy from Harlequin Publicity Team. I'm friendly with the author on Twitter.

The Widow Of Rose House by Diana Biller {review}

Genre: Historical Romance

 

My Review - 5 Stars

CW: past domestic violence

This was one of those books where I knew I loved it within a few pages. Where I had to text my friends who had already read it so I could tell them how much I loved it and then I texted other friends to tell them they needed to read it. Where my love for the story only continued to grow as I read and I marveled at the story I was experiencing. Where I immediately knew I was going to have to buy my own copy since I was borrowing it from the library.

So, yes. I absolutely loved this one. My heart grew three sizes whenever I picked it back up to read. When I first heard about this story, I didn’t think it was for me. The cover is rather misleading and I’m not much of a ghost story person. But friend after friend raved about it and Aarya’s wonderful review for Smart Bitches sealed the deal. I’m so glad I gave it a chance!

First, let’s talk about our heroine Alva. I admired her so much. She was failed by everyone in her life, first her parents in marrying her off to an abusive jackhole, and then the man she married, who was only using her for her wealth. She endured the relationship for 10 years before leaving him and he still made her life hell, spreading all kinds of lascivious rumors. Then luckily he died. There are references to the abuse throughout the story so bear that in mind if that is a trigger for you. I was very relieved Alain was dead, although she still has to deal with his vile brother so she’s not fully free of that family.

Liefdehuis is her chance to start over. She has a contract to write an interior design book, in spite of her notoriety. Her interior design philosophy and even learning about the history of interior design, especially upper vs middle class, was so fascinating. Things seem like they’re finally moving in the right direction…only there’s a ghost and now the workers refuse to come near the house. She doesn’t want to ask Sam for help but she has no other option and spending time around him makes her want to hope for more. But it’s such a big risk and Alva doesn’t think she can do it, no matter how much light he brings into her life. The angst of this!

Alva then decides it’s okay to do a little something for herself and suggests they have an affair. But he already knows he’s in love with her and tells her so and that she can have more than what she’s settling for if only she’ll try. But she’s too scared and I totally understood why! He said he was going to believe in a happily ever after for her until she could believe it for herself. Hello, swoon!

He was the purest heart. Alva deserved to be loved by him, even if she didn’t believe love was real. What a gift to watch the evolution of their relationship. And that doesn’t even include the steamy scenes. There are only a couple but they are worth their weight in gold. The anticipation! Sam describing what he wants to do to her! Alva finally experiencing a good lover! Use of contraception in a historical romance! I was here for all of it.

It’s no surprise Sam stole my heart. He’s a sunshiny dream and my absolute catnip. I had forgotten how much I love absent-minded professors/oblivious-to-their-handsomeness-heroes. At 7% in, a maid sighed as he walked in the house and he was like, "aw, she's glad she's back inside where it's warm.” It cracked me up! I was one smitten kitten and he proceeded to win me—and Alva—over time again as the story proceeded. Sam has had a very easy life and it’s hard for him to fully understand what she’s overcome and what is on the line. But he’s so good and patient with her, upfront about his feelings but not pushy. And that patience pays off in the end and I was so happy for them both.

Concerning the ghost, there are a couple of scenes where characters are haunted, one of which did freak me out. I am a wimpy reader and this stayed on the acceptable side of freaked out for me. It helped that Sam was so curious about the ghost and wanted to know more about it and that he had no fears for the ghost to use against him. I really appreciated how the ghost story was resolved and found it to be rather moving. It tied together really well with the story as a whole.

I saw this described as a romcom in the marketing copy (blerg) and I wouldn’t go that far. But there is some great humor throughout, especially when Sam’s marvelous family is on the page. I am very interested in stories for his siblings and for his best friend Henry. It made me laugh out loud a couple of times. But mostly, this was just a super enjoyable reading experience and I will be highly recommending it everywhere.

CW: past domestic violence, ghost, institutionalization (side character), mental health, threats of violence, past gaslighting

 

Synopsis

A young widow restores a dilapidated mansion with the assistance of a charming, eccentric genius, only to find the house is full of dangerous secrets in this effervescent Gilded Age debut novel

It's 1875, and Alva Webster has perfected her stiff upper lip after three years of being pilloried in the presses of two continents over fleeing her abusive husband. Now his sudden death allows her to return to New York to make a fresh start, restoring Liefdehuis, a dilapidated Hyde Park mansion, and hopefully her reputation at the same time. However, fresh starts aren't as easy as they seem, as Alva discovers when stories of a haunting at Liefdehuis begin to reach her. But Alva doesn't believe in ghosts. So when the eccentric and brilliant professor, Samuel Moore, appears and informs her that he can get to the bottom of the mystery that surrounds Liefdehuis, she turns him down flat. She doesn't need any more complications in her life―especially not a handsome, convention-flouting, scandal-raising one like Sam.

Unfortunately, though Alva is loath to admit it, Sam, a pioneer in electric lighting and a member of the nationally-adored Moore family of scientists, is the only one who can help. Together, the two delve into the tragic secrets wreathing Alva's new home while Sam attempts to unlock Alva's history―and her heart.

Set during the Gilded Age in New York City, The Widow of Rose House is a gorgeous debut by Diana Biller, with a darkly Victorian Gothic flair and an intrepid and resilient American heroine guaranteed to delight readers.

 

Buy the book:

Amazon (affiliate link) | Barnes & Noble

Favorite Nonfiction of 2019

Out of the 270 books I read this year, only 20 were nonfiction. Not quite what I'd hoped for. I did make a slight improvement compared to last year, mostly thanks to finding a couple of good audiobooks. I'm going to try to do that more in 2020, as well as get back on track with reading memoir. Here are my favorite nonfiction books of 2019. If you've read them, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

This post contains affiliate links.

 

 

How We Fight For Our Lives by Saeed Jones

I have no words to do this book justice. Simply stunning in every way. Saeed Jones is incomparably talented: his words sing, slay, and soothe. Through vignettes of his life as a Black gay man from the South, he examines and interrogates race, sexuality, and loss. One of the best memoirs I’ve ever read.

I've had the pleasure of hearing Jones speak and I imagine this would be marvelous as an audiobook. Should he ever have an event near you, by all means go.

CW: racism, homophobia, beating, death of parent, grief

 

 

 

 

 

This Will Only Hurt A Little by Busy Philips

If you're looking for a good audiobook, here you go! I was familiar with Busy Philipps from her stint on Dawson’s Creek, one of my favorite shows while it aired. And I certainly enjoyed seeing her friendship with Michelle Williams continue over the years. But I knew very little about her life going in to this. Her stories were gripping and I was fully enthralled, whether she was talking about teenage hijinks, past relationships, or the times she performed as a live Barbie for a toy expo. It's very well written and I was constantly impressed with how she'd draw a story to an end.

The audiobook production really elevated my experience. Busy narrates it herself and that brought a whole other layer of appreciation, as she reacted to her words. There were a few times you could hear her getting choked up. Or she’d laugh in places to bring the emotion of a lighter story more fully to life. Her voices for different people were great. I’m not going to follow her on Instagram any time soon but she has a new fan in me and I look forward to seeing where her career goes next. (Read my full review.)

CW: anxiety, postpartum depression, rape/sexual assault, injuries requiring surgery, unplanned pregnancy, abortion, death of loved ones, reference to friends dying in a plane crash, 9/11, sexism, misogyny, graphic details of pregnancy and labor, fat-shaming, drug use (there may be more but this is what I remember post-car ride.)

 

 

Burnout by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski

I wish this book had existed 15 years ago! I don’t know if I’d still be a social worker but I would have managed my career differently. This book helped me see how it didn’t matter how airtight my self-care practices were and why burnout happened anyway. It also showed me why I’ve been exhausted the last few years, even though I have more margin than ever—I did not know to label my current experience as burnout but it makes so much sense. I have not done a good job of completing the stress cycle and now I have more ideas and tools on how to do that.

I also appreciate the way they name and call out the patriarchy. It’s a huge layer of what women experience and I hadn’t thought about the specific and pernicious ways it impacts burnout and my sense of well-being. Yes, I can point to the ways the patriarchy has negatively impacted my life and the complicated emotions I carry or are dragged up by the news. But since this is how it’s always been, even if the #metoo movement is starting to bring about some changes, I never thought about the year after year toll. It was so helpful and validating to read those sections and be reminded that it’s not okay. The book made me angry in places—stupid patriarchy. But it was also extremely moving and engaging. I laughed and I cried. Burnout was not just a game-changer. It was life-altering. Every person who identifies as a woman would benefit from reading it. I’m so grateful to Emily and Amelia for writing it. (Read the full review.)

 

 

Sissy by Jacob Tobia

Powerful and equal parts moving and funny, Sissy skillfully breaks down the gender binary and our understanding of what it means to be trans. Tobia shows the importance of moving beyond the “usual trans story,” which is often packaged for cis consumption and does not always honor the trans community. This is illustrated through sharing their own story of understanding their sexuality and then their gender. Tobia discusses the ways they experienced gender-based trauma, some due to limited information and understanding while they were growing up and some due to transphobia. But what takes this book further is Tobia’s assertion we have all experienced gender-based trauma due to the patriarchy. This is a timely message and I hope people will take it to heart. It’s so important to be able to own your identity and express yourself the way you want to and for us not to be beholden to the limitations of gender stereotypes.

I was very moved by the way Tobia shared the things they will never get over, the ways they were marginalized and excluded, and why there are things we shouldn’t, in fact, get over. I hadn’t thought about it in that light before but I was nodding my head in agreement.  They can be a bit heavy-handed with the gay/queer stereotypes. Not all LGBTQ people like glitter and flowers, for instance. But overall this is a marvelous memoir and I'm so glad I read it. I'm reviewing this as a cishet woman and as always, I encourage you to seek out reviews by trans and nonbinary reviewers.

CW: homophobia, transphobia

 

 

The Vagina Bible by Jennifer Gunter 

I’m going to make a bold claim: if you are a person with a vagina, you need this book. Whether you read it front to back or use it as a resource tool, it is one of the most important books I’ve read for my own health and well-being and I commend it to everyone. I’m a relatively informed cis-het woman and I still learned so much in this book.

Dr. Jen Gunter writes in an accessible, engaging style. Her astute insights and observations are interspersed with humor and wit. Her goal is to empower and inform and she more than did the job. I especially appreciated how she showed the role of patriarchy in women’s health: "Medicine has been steeped in man-splaining from the start.” We need so much more research and information on vaginas and vulvas and she is shining a bright light for us.

There are chapters like how to discuss concerns with your doctor, as well as chapters on topics like menopause, genital hygiene, Toxic Shock Syndrome (not as big of a risk as I thought!), and hair removal. It’s one of the most thorough resources I’ve ever read and I feel so much more empowered as a result, as well as more aware of what I didn’t know before because of how little good information is out there. We are constantly exposed to poor research and often gaslit for our concerns so it is beyond helpful to have a guide at the ready should you experience any symptoms or receive a diagnosis. (Read the rest of the review.)

 

 

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Related:

Favorite Nonfiction of 2018

Favorite Nonfiction of 2017 

Favorite Nonfiction of 2016

Favorite Nonfiction of 2015

Favorite Nonfiction of 2014

Favorite Nonfiction of 2013 

 

Favorite YA of 2019

This year I learned YA is actually a category, not a genre. I'm still not clear on the difference but I'm glad to now be aware. This the type of book I reach for most after romance. I lean more toward fantasy than contemporary, which is reflected here. Here are my favorite YA novels of 2019!

This post contains affiliate links.

 

 

A Spark Of White Fire and A House Of Rage & Sorrow (The Celestial Trilogy) by Sangu Mandanna

Please read these two books and join me in the agonizing wait for book 3. Sorry not sorry. This is a Mahabharata-inspired space opera. You don't need to be familiar with the Hindu myth to enjoy this. Sangu Mandanna is an incredible author and I’m so glad this series put her on my radar. Her plot is engaging, perfectly paced, and never lets up. There’s one twist and turn after another and I really don’t want to say much about the actual plot because it was such a delight to experience.

Esmae has all kinds of complicated family dynamics and that’s before she sneaks into a competition and ends up winning, thus enabling her to return home to Kali for the first time since she was a baby. She’s such a great heroine and I loved seeing how her expectations didn’t always match reality and the way this changed things for her.

Max was wonderful, even if he’d been misunderstood his whole life. (Hello, catnip.) His parents the king and queen adopted him and he feels like he’s not the kind of son they wanted. Except he is a fantastic strategist, level-headed, and all around great and it broke my heart to see the way they reminded him he was not related by blood. (Heads up for those in the adoption community that some of the language and treatment of adoption may be triggering.) Besides Max and Esmae, I also loved Titania, the sentient warship. I loved that she wasn’t bloodthirsty despite being a warship. Every scene with Titania was top-notch and had such great humor. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the wonderful inclusion of gods and goddesses and how this mythology is woven through the story. (Read the full review of A Spark Of White Fire.)

CW: toxic family members, abandonment, violence, betrayal, grief, adoption

 

 

Muse Of Nightmares by Laini Taylor

What a powerful conclusion to this duology. It’s dense with action and characters and I had no idea how the intersecting threads would resolve, particularly for Sarai and Strange. All hope seemed lost at the end of Strange The Dreamer (one of my favorite books of 2017) and yet Sarai has a chance thanks to Minya’s gift. But of course it comes with a mighty price.

While Strange was an ode to books and reading, Muse is more a story about what happens when we are lost to our grief and need for revenge. Grief can twist and distort us, as we see with Minya and Nova. Half the time, I wasn’t sure if I was rooting for them to be crushed or redeemed. They do awful things but they’re treated with compassion and we can clearly see why both became this way.

Laini Taylor’s world-building was amazing per usual. The ghost characters have different abilities compared to other ghost stories—a saving grace for Sarai—and the arc with the two Ellens had me rapt. All of her angel demon monster books are inventive but I was particularly impressed with how things came together in this one. I have no idea how she came up with the idea for this story but I’m so glad she did.

CW: past rape, child slavery, slavery, violence, murder, attempted murder, grief, domestic violence, toxic parents, child abuse

 

 

I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver

I’m so glad this book exists in the world. This is an #ownvoices story about a nonbinary teenager coming out and then processing the aftermath. My heart broke for the way Ben's parents treated them but their estranged sister's olive branch gave me so much hope and I really enjoyed watching the evolution of their relationship with Hannah. And of course I loved their friendship with Nathan, even how resistant Ben was to see it as friendship at first, until Nathan’s charm wore them down. It was such a sweet love story.

I do hope that the next major YA story about a nonbinary teen will include a supportive coming out experience, minus any homophobic and transphobic parents. And of course, no forced outing. (Thankfully that didn’t happen in this book.) Yes, these are common experiences but I do wonder why so many of the touted LGBTQIA stories include these plot elements and what that says about cis-het readers being more comfortable with LGBTQIA pain and trauma than with their Happily Ever Afters.

FYI this is great on audiobook.

CW: toxic parents, character kicked out of their home after coming out, references to homophobia and transphobia, underage drinking, depression, anxiety, panic attack

 

 

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

This is Six Of Crows meets Ocean’s Eleven meets The Librarians, with a dash of Indiana Jones. If that doesn’t reel you in, I don’t know what will. The Gilded Wolves is a historical fantasy set in 1899 Paris centered around a crew of friends. In this world, the Order of Babel rules. Some people are divinely gifted with Forging affinities, allowing them to change or enhance creation. But as you might suspect, not all is well in this world. There’s the Fallen House, which no one will talk about. There’s a House without an heir. And, oh, there’s the way the Order doesn’t always act in everyone’s best interests.

Enter Séverin, the denied heir of House Vanth, who delights in reclaiming the items sold off from his House and tracking down Order items for those who will pay him. He’s assisted by Zofia, Laila, Tristan, and Enrique, each of whom bring a great deal to the table. There’s such a great sense of humor throughout, no matter the stakes. This was a suspenseful read, to be sure, but more than anything else it was fun. The ending makes for an incredible set up for book two and I cannot wait to see where Chokshi takes us next. (Read the full review.)

CW: racism, colonialism, death of a loved one, grief, references to past bullying, past child abuse (neglect, mental, emotional), anxiety attacks

Disclosure: I received an advanced copy from BookishFirst in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

The Astonishing Color Of After by Ruth XR Pan

CW: suicide, attempted suicide, depression, grief, micro-aggressions

This book was a wonder! It's a luminous exploration of grief, taking place after Leigh's mother dies by suicide. Leigh both knows and doesn't know about her mother's depression. Kids, especially teens, notice so much more than we ever think they do. So, of course, she knows when her mom is having a bad day but her parents never address it with her and she's even sent away during the worst of it, literally shut out from her family. Not talking about depression and suicide only makes the stigma worse and it is no wonder Leigh does not know how to relate to anyone afterward.

Instead, she comes to believe her mother is a bird. She believes the bird is giving her a message, that there's something her mother is trying to convey. There's an element of magical realism but at the same time, I wondered if it was a specific manifestation of her grief. There's rich symbolism throughout the book, from the bird to the cicada—both the lone cicadas Leigh sees in Taiwan and her mom’s necklace. Leigh is an artist so she also attaches meaning and emotions to specific colors. Even though this grapples with heavy subjects, it's also interwoven with lighter moments of connection and belonging. The flashbacks also center around Leigh's best friend Axel and their burgeoning love story and I adored all of the uncertainty and unknowns of going from friends to something more. I loved every part of this reading experience and look forward to whatever Pan brings us next. (Read the full review.)

 

 

Wicked Fox by Kat Cho

I super enjoyed this story! I was not familiar with the gumiho legend so I can’t say how this retelling compares but it did make me want to read up on it and see where the series might go next. Miyoung and Jihoon’s relationship developed brilliantly. I loved them together. She was so prickly, especially in comparison to his good-naturedness. But they have more in common than they originally think, thanks to absentee parents. How they deal with it is entirely different, of course, but the story did a great job of exploring this. For the record, I am not a fan of his mom or her dad. At all.

There are bold choices in the plot, which paid off for me. I was very sad about one particular development but I couldn’t see a way out of it either. The ending really freaked me out. I am very curious about how the next book will develop as a result.

CW: death of loved one, grief, kidnapping, violence (not gory or explicit), absentee parents, character in coma

Disclosure: I received an advanced copy from BookishFirst in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

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Related:

Favorite YA of 2018

Favorite Fiction of 2017

Favorite Fiction of 2016

Favorite Fiction of 2015

 

Favorite Romance Novels of 2019

I still read a variety of genres but romance continues to be what I reach for by far the most. It was near impossible to narrow down the books for this list and since I was rather ruthless with the other three posts, I decided to go a little wild with this one and wound up with 32. Even so, I left off a number of favorites. What a marvelous reading year it was!

Side note so I can be mushy for a moment: while I love reading romance, I especially love the romance reading community. Connecting with fellow readers and authors has brought so much joy to my life. I never could have envisioned the opportunities that have come my way as a result, from beta reading manuscripts to being a #RomBkLove host to appearing on one of my favorite podcasts. But far and away the best part is the friendships that have emerged. You will never find more passionate readers than the ones in this community.

Yes, Romancelandia has its problems, as have been well documented in recent weeks. There is much work to be done. But there are so many lovely pockets. Where RWA goes from here, who can say? I'll be championing HEAs for everyone regardless.

 

I read contemporary romance the most so that's the biggest category here. The other categories are historical, fantasy and PNR, romantic suspense, and erotic romance. I have specified if a romance is closed door. If there's no note in the book description, then it's open door.

This post contains affiliate links.

 

 

Contemporary Romance

Dreamers series by Adriana Herrera

Adriana Herrera’s Dreamers series is a standout of the year for me. Do you ever finish a book and just want to hug it to your chest because you’re speechless with love for it? That’s how I felt when I finished reading these books. (There's still one more to come.) That this marks Adriana Herrera's debut makes it all the more impressive. She is such a welcome voice in the romance world, each book a master class on how you to intersectional feminist romance.

In American Dreamer, Ernesto is a first generation immigrant from the Dominican Republic. He moves from NYC, where he’s lived for 27 years, to Ithaca where his mother and younger sister now live in order to make a real go of his Afro-Caribbean food truck business, OuNYe. He’s giving himself six months to turn his side hustle into a success.

Jude is a white youth services librarian. He lives a mostly quiet life as he’s still processing the pain of being cut off by his family for being gay. He doesn’t trust people to be there for him or for relationships to go anywhere. Instead, he’s focused on getting funding for a library bookmobile, as a way of getting services to children and teens in more rural areas. The library truck will help fill in the gaps of what those smaller town libraries can provide. This is especially important to Jude because he learned to love himself in part because of his library.

Nesto and Jude were so sweet together. I loved the uncertainty despite their clear attraction to one another. Nesto doesn’t want to be distracted from the food truck and Jude doesn’t want to be hurt again. And yet they really like each other and so a slow exploration of a relationship begins. The pace was so true to who these men are and respectful of Jude’s fear of being discarded by the person he loves. When they finally do take the next step, it was magical.

CW: racism and xenophobia (this is countered), religious homophobia (including a scene where a pastor tries to make the gay character “repent”), family cutting ties due to religious homophobia,  cancer/death of a family member, grief

Read my full reviews of American Dreamer, American Fairytale, and American Love Story. 

Disclosure: I received advanced copies of this series from the publisher or the author. Adriana has become a friend and I beta read her FF holiday romance Mangos and Mistletoe.

 

 

One Day To Fall by Therese Beharrie

I just want to gush about this book! It made me smile throughout and there’s a lovely sense of humor, even as the characters dealt with hard things. Parker and Sophia have magnificent tension, from the moment they run into each other at the hospital. The barbs turn into banter which then turns into conversation over the course of 24 hours together. I don’t think this type of short timeframe has ever worked so well for me. I was fully invested in their world and I loved all the glimpses we got of Cape Town.

Beharrie has a really deft hand in getting her characters to confront their weaknesses, while also putting the building blocks in place for their romantic relationship. No matter what Parker and Sophia are figuring out, their romance is front and center and what a delicious ride it was. They were so good for one another and I absolutely believed in their HEA. Such a gem! (Read my full review.)

CW: past death of parent (brain tumor), grief, parent diagnosed with dementia, past parental abandonment, references to labor/delivery

 

 

Eight Cozy Nights by Julia Wolf

I don't typically include holiday romance on my annual list, in part because I plan on doing a list of solely that. But I loved Eight Cozy Nights so much that I bought it in both ebook and print and, more importantly, the hero is now one of my all-time favorites so I had to include it. 

This Hanukkah romance was amazing! I completely bought into how Larissa and Yo’s relationship evolved over the course of 8 nights. Larissa and her neighbor Yo don’t get off to the best start when they first meet. But when she can’t find her menorah and he can’t find any candles, they decide to band together for one night and that leads to the next and suddenly they’re taking full advantage of not having work (for him) or school (for her) that week. Larissa is in grad school for bioethics and her studies were fascinating. Larissa tends to be more serious but we get to see her fun side, like her glee when it snows and how she interacts with her nieces and nephew.

Yo has been added to my Favorite Hero canon. He took her to the downtown public library and he bragged about the wingspan of his snow angels! Is he my dream man? Did he make me swoon repeatedly? Did he make me smile from his antics and from how fully and quickly he fell for Larissa? Absolutely on all counts. My heart bursts at the thought of them spending Hanukkah together for years to come. (Read the full review.)

CW: none noted.

 

 

A Prince On Paper (Reluctant Royals #3) by Alyssa Cole

This is my favorite book in the Reluctant Royals series, which is saying something because each book is astoundingly good. Nya and Johan’s arcs resonated with me in some particular ways. Not only that, Nya is my favorite heroine of this series. She decided to live as though her dreams were attainable and that meant so much to me. I loved watching her slowly fall for Johan, even as she navigated whether she could trust what he says to her. Nya’s dad lied to her in some grievous ways so trying to trust a playboy when you’ve always been a good girl causes a fair amount of angst. And yet Nya and Johan can really see one another and be themselves and this was so tender and sweet. They were so good together!

Johan is the dreamiest. And yet he had so many layers! There’s the playboy front he presents to the world and then there’s the man who feels too much, who’s always trying to help the people around him. Gah, he gave me so many feels! He kept trying to protect himself from falling for Nya because he believes everyone will ultimately leave him. He’s been through some hard times and while he’ll benefit from therapy, I was really gratified by the progress he made and how he was able to open himself up to being loved. (Read the full review.)

CW: references to past parental abuse, death of a parent, grief, bullying

 

 

Where Love Grows by Jay Northcote

Jay Northcote is marvelous as always. Stephen is still recovering from Guillain-Barré syndrome, which completely derailed his life. He’s always tended to be a loner and it’s very hard for him to accept he needs help, much less accept it from strangers. He doesn’t want to try another house cleaner and he definitely doesn’t want someone else repairing the garden that was his pride and joy.

Luke, on the other hand, is grappling with addiction. He quit using substances but alcohol is still very much a temptation, although he isn’t ready to admit he has a problem there either. He’s essentially retired early from work after making a mint and has too much time on his hands. When a mutual friend suggests Luke head out to the country for the summer and help Stephen out, both men are wary but agree to give it a try.

These two were barely interested in each other at first but then there are these zings of awareness even though they both have very good reasons to not test the water. They shouldn’t do anything more and yet they do and it was such a lovely evolution. Of course, things do go awry at one point, forcing the men to own up to their true feelings, as well as take concrete steps toward health and wellness. They both had such wonderful character arcs and I adored them together. (Read the full review.)

CW: Guillain-Barré syndrome, depression, past suicidal ideation, substance abuse, alcoholism, past death of parents (cancer, suicide, heroin overdose), ableism

 

 

Layover by Katrina Jackson

This was a perfect novella. Lena is a travel blogger and Tony is a podcaster. The glimpses into their respective careers were fascinating, especially since I’m a long-time blogger who would never want to do it full-time. Lena has been using travel so she won’t have to process her mom’s death two years prior but coming back home for a layover shifts things for her in ways she did not anticipate and I loved how this was handled.

Music plays a great role in the story. I also loved how the Oakland/East Bay setting factored in and what it meant to them. Tony is one of the swooniest heroes I've encountered in a while and the ending was so wonderful, I actually teared up.

CW: death of parent (heart attack), grief, side character announces pregnancy

 

 

 

 

 

Rend (Riven #2) by Roan Parrish

This book ripped my heart out, as I knew it would. Parrish focuses on Matt and Rhys, the married couple we met in Riven. Matt (Mexican-Italian) grew up in foster care and had a traumatic childhood; Rhys (white) is the first serious relationship he's ever had and he doesn't know what marriage should look like. Rhys, on the other hand, grew up in a stable, loving family and all he's ever wanted was to have the same relationship as his parents and to not have to choose between his partner and his career as a musician.

Their relationship is going well until Rhys goes away on tour and suddenly Matt realizes he's not doing as well as he thought he was since Rhys came into his life. We get Matt's POV and so we're right there with him throughout all the uncertainty and insecurity. Matt can never quite believe Rhys chose him and is certain Rhys deserves much better.

This book packed such an emotional wallop. I cried more than once and was tearing up in other places. I just felt so deeply for these characters and was rooting for them to find their way back to each other, no matter the doubts plaguing Matt. I loved watching them choose one another again. It was so deeply satisfying, as are all of Parrish's books. Her writing continues to astound me. (Read the full review.)

CW: references to childhood abuse and neglect, references to past bullying, grief, death of a minor character

 

 

Teach Me by Olivia Dade

What a gem of a story! It's the kind of book that makes you laugh out loud one moment and tearing up the next. Martin and Rose are both in their early 40s, which fed my deep and abiding need for seasoned romance. They’re both divorced and I really admired how this aspect was treated. Rose is an ice queen to Martin’s cinnamon roll soul. They’re both great teachers and I really wish I’d had history teachers like them. I was invested from the moment they met and loved how they kept drawing closer and closer to each other, despite the barriers in place. This is some of the best character development bar none and I especially appreciated Rose’s arc.

I typically avoid single parents in my romance but Martin was a remarkable father and I loved his teenage daughter. Speaking of which, the side characters were the actual best. The other teachers, Rose’s former in-laws…they added so much depth to the story. Truly, I loved this book with my whole heart! Olivia Dade is a remarkable author and I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

CW: classism (which is countered), past child abuse (physical and emotional), past death of a parent, grief, divorce, scheduled school lockdown drill, past infidelity, past workplace sexual harassment, childhood poverty, fatshaming (which is countered)

 

 

The Chai Factor by Farah Heron

If you enjoy the enemies to lovers trope, have I got the book for you! The Chai Factor is an incredible debut that kept me glued to its pages.

This book has some of the best character growth I’ve ever read. But I have to admit, I wasn’t sure about Amira, our Muslim engineer heroine, at first. Things aren’t going as she planned with her degree and she’s heading home to finish her grad school thesis in peace. When Amira gets to her grandmother’s house, she learns Duncan and the rest of his barbershop quartet just moved in to the basement. I almost cackled at Amira’s horror over sharing space with him. There’s banter and sparks and animosity aplenty. They do not bring out the best in each other at first but the evolution of their relationship had me absolutely captivated. I could not get enough of their romance once they finally gave in to their feelings.

The plot delves into religious homophobia and workplace sexism. This is set in Canada and Islamaphobia, xenophobia, and racism are just as big of issues there as they are in the United States. This book had great humor and heart and I’m really excited to see what Farah Heron does next.

This is pretty closed door. However, it doesn’t shy away from Amira’s interest in dominating, which set it apart from other closed door romances I’ve read. (Read the full review.)

CW: Islamaphobia, xenophobia, racism, sexism, homophobia, closeted characters, divorce, reference to past racial profiling, sexual harassment, reference to side characters’ substance abuse, reference to past child neglect, unnecessary use of “spastic” as descriptor, eating disorder, hospitalization for eating disorder

 

 

Breaking Character by Lee Winter

If you love fake relationships, please do yourself a favor and track this story down! Pure catnip on a couple of different levels.

Elizabeth and Summer are both actresses who are closeted lesbians. Bess is 37 and a veteran in the industry, working on a popular medical drama that she hates. Former child actress Summer is in her mid-twenties and hoping her new role on Choosing Hope will help her get more serious parts in the future. They are complete opposites: Bess is a snobby ice queen while Summer is a literal burst of happy sunshine.

Bess is offered a coveted role in a movie but the director believes she’s dating Summer. Insert fake relationship trope! They have to convince the director their love is real and this is what finally gets Bess to see Summer in a less snobby light and winds up getting Summer a role on the production as well. There’s no escaping each other!

I just adored Summer and Bess together. They have things to work through, such as how to handle their careers and when to come out but this is completely in their control and I was glad that forced outing was not a part of this plot. This was a delight to read and I look forward to reading more by this author. (Read the full review.)

CW: toxic friendship, Hollywood diet culture, closeted characters, Summer mimes shooting herself in the temple, Kill Your Gays trope on TV show

 

 

Fall by Kristen Callihan

CW: depression, past attempted suicide, parental abandonment, grief

I adore this series to pieces! This novel deals with front man Jax’s depression and past suicide attempt with so much grace and compassion. The depression representation is truly top notch. I’ve dealt with depression and suicidal ideation and reading this made me feel so seen. 

Stella lives a lonely life. She’s a Professional Friend but she doesn’t have any real life friends until John. Her loneliness and aloneness were palpable and kept making me cry. She’s such a beautiful force of nature and it hurt to see how she has to handle everything on her own and how she’s still dealing with her dad’s abandonment once she turned 18. I loved watching her open up to John and the rest of the band by extension. She really brought light and life with her wherever she went and she deserved to receive some of that back.

Jax and Stella’s meet-cute in the grocery store was so memorable. Jax tells her his name is John and it was interesting to see the dichotomy of who he thinks he is as Jax vs. John and what he wants Stella to think of him when he’s presenting as John. They have a slow burn relationship and it’s so worth the wait. Their banter brought me so much joy and I also loved their friendship. It made for some extra steamy scenes once they finally happen!

 

 

Tikka Chance On Me by Suleikha Snyder

Bearded motorcycle club enforcer + good girl working at her family's Indian restaurant = banter, nerdery, so much heat! This novella was absolute perfection. Suleikha Snyder has become my go-to when it comes to the short form. No one else comes close to what she can do with a novella or short story. The characters crackle on the page and the tight plot keeps me turning pages, marveling over how she can do so much with so little. I adored Trucker and Pinky together. Such an unexpected combination on the surface but their respective nerdery makes them an amazing couple. The odds were very much against them and I was delighted by how Snyder brought it all together. From here on out, any time I hear the word "soon," I'll think of them.

CW: none noted

 

 

 

 

The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez

CW: infertility

This story has emotional heft and hit all the right notes. It made me laugh out loud and it made me cry. Watching people realize they’re worthy of love is one of my favorite things and the payoff for Kristen and Josh’s happily ever after has given me so much life.

Kristen is one of the most refreshing heroines I’ve encountered in a while. She’s salty, hilarious, irreverent, and fiercely loyal to her friends, even though she doesn’t like most people. Kristen has had horrific periods for years and they’re only getting worse so she’s made the decision to have her uterus removed and be done with menstruation altogether. She really wrestles with what she sees as her body’s brokenness and how this has ultimately led to her inability to conceive on her own. 

Josh is consistently there for Kristen through thick and thin. And even when they’re resisting their feelings for one another, as Kristen is dating someone else, he puts her first. He’s just a tremendously good guy, the kind I, as a single woman, want to believe still exists in this world. Josh loves Kristen exactly as she is, not in spite of her flaws but because of them. The progression from friends-to-lovers was so engaging. (Read the full review.)

CW: infertility, grief, OCD, motorcycle accident, death of a secondary character, character on life support

Disclosure: I received an advanced copy from Forever Romance in exchange for an honest review. The author and I became friendly during the course of this book's release and she asked for my input about the story's medical aspects before final edits were due.

 

 

The Austen Playbook (London Celebrities #4) by Lucy Parker 

Lucy Parker's books are like being wrapped up in a warm hug. I adore her brand of contemporary romance: London theatre scene + grumpy hero + plucky heroine + lovely sense of humor. Freddy is cast in The Austen Playbook, a live action Jane Austen-inspired TV event where viewers choose the outcome of each scene. The rehearsals take place on the estate belonging to theater critic Griff, who does not think much of Freddy’s recent roles. Freddy’s grandmother and Griff’s grandfather had an affair back in the day but what they don’t know is a major secret that could be their undoing. (Thankfully it’s clear from the start that there’s no way Freddy and Griff could be related. That is not the secret! I won’t spoil what it is but it is a big revelation that has huge implications for their families.)

Freddy and Griff should not be drawn to each other and yet they are. Add a little forced proximity and of course they give in and it’s so delightful watching them fall for each other, in spite of the reasons not to. Griff is such an uptight grump, a great foil to Freddy’s vivaciousness and spontaneity. They’re able to push each other; Freddy showing Griff how to be a better, more encouraging brother, Griff encouraging Freddy to stand up to her manager father and go after the acting roles she really wants. I adored them together and was fully caught up in their relationship.

CW: infidelity, sabotaging cast member, reference to death of a loved one, reference to past car crash

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy from Harlequin Publicity Team.

 

 

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang 

Khai and Esme’s story was gripping and angsty but still had humor and spirit. I could not put it down and I could not have loved it more.

Because of some ill-timed words from a relative years ago, Khai doesn’t believe he knows how to love. His extended family also generally ignores his autism diagnosis. He believes he cannot feel so he focuses on work, to his mother’s chagrin and so she heads to Vietnam to find him a wife. Esme, a maid and a single mother, worries she’s not good enough. She takes the opportunity Khai’s mom offers her and along the way, develops feelings for Khai. People who don’t believe they’re worthy of love wreck me. This book gave me so many feels. Watching those two figure out they do love each other and they can make it work was an absolute gift. 

The way it highlighted the immigrant experience was especially thoughtful. Be sure to read the moving Author’s Note to learn more about the inspiration for Esme’s character.

CW: ableism, grief, references to death of a loved one

 

 

Hoosier Daddy by Ann McMan and Salem West

I wasn't sure what I thought of this one at first but then I quickly got sucked into the story. And the more I read, the more I loved it. More importantly, it got me thinking about how it fits into the romance genre as a whole, which I laid out in the full review. (It's probably the best review I've ever written.)

Friday Jill is a college graduate working on her graduate degree, a low level supervisor at a local factory in southern Indiana, and a lesbian with few good romantic prospects in her small town. She’s unfulfilled but doesn’t feel like she has many options. Her life is a series of rinses and repeats. She and her coworkers are on edge because Krylon Motors is set to be bought out by a Japanese giant and there are rumors about labor union organizers coming in.

So it’s really not a good thing when one of the organizers turns out to be very attractive and seemingly interested in Friday. She can barely take her eyes off of El but there are more reasons for them not to test the waters. And yet life keeps making their paths cross, often in funny ways. Friday and El have great chemistry. There are very real stakes between them. How can a factory supervisor date a union organizer? Especially since organizers don’t stay in one place for long and Friday is rooted to Princeton and Owensville. I had a guess as to how it might play out but my heart was in my throat while I waited for it to work out. The ending was more than satisfying. FYI, this is closed door.

CW: workplace sexual harassment, death of a coworker

 

 

Historical Romance

An Unconditional Freedom by Alyssa Cole

An Unconditional Freedom marks the end of the Loyal League series, a series that needs to be on the every reader’s TBR. The way Alyssa Cole centers the narratives of free Black and enslaved people during the Civil War is not to be missed. I can't stop marveling over not only what Cole accomplished in this story but the series as a whole. She crafted an amazing story with staying power. While the first two books in the series dealt more in intrigue, An Unconditional Freedom examines the cost of enslavement.

Daniel was a free Black man when he was kidnapped and sold in to slavery. While his friends were eventually able to free him, he bears scars both literal and figurative. His quest for revenge leads him to join the Loyal League and he doesn’t care much about making friends, nor does he have much faith in America. His arc really pulled on my heartstrings.

Janeta is Cuban and her family moved to a Florida plantation after her mom, her father’s former slave, died. Her whole life she’s been told she’s special, she’s not like the enslaved, even if they have the same color skin. And eventually she stopped asking questions about the enslaved in the fields and believed her parents’ lies. But then her dad is thrown in jail by the Union army and her love interest tells her the only way he can be freed is if she spies on the Loyal League.

Daniel and Janeta faced high stakes and I had no idea how their happily ever after would come about in the midst of all they faced and their seemingly opposite goals. But it came through!  It was a slow burn but it was worth the wait. They were so good for one another, so good at seeing the best in one another once they got past their first impressions.

CW: slavery, racism, violence, threats of sexual assault

Disclosure: I received an advanced copy from Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

Briarley by Aster Glenn Gray

This is a MM Beauty & The Beast retelling set during WWII. All the more impressive is this is a novella. It’s one of the best historical romances I’ve ever read, as well as one of the best BATB retellings I’ve ever read. The author reinterprets the source material in ways that give it so much more nuance. It’s thoroughly feminist, right down to the parson refusing to send his daughter in his place. Edward consistently puts others’ needs above his own and that leads to the dragon holding him captive instead.

What initially starts off as an adversarial relationship between the two men slowly transforms into a friendship. Edward believes Briar is capable of love and wants to help him break the curse. He finds him a dog, who is missing his back legs from an accident years prior, and it was so touching to watch Briar care for it! Briar’s transformation does not happen overnight. Far from it. He’s been stuck in his ways for almost 120 years (he was 20 when the curse struck) and, spoiled privileged brat that he is and was, he wants it reversed without lifting a finger. His emotional arc was beautiful to watch and I was in awe of how Gray built toward it. (Read the full review.)

CW: war, homophobia, religious homophobia, bombing, house fire, leg injury

 

 

Brazen and the Beast (The Bareknuckle Bastards #2) by Sarah MacLean

I was primed to love this book because of my own, albeit much less goal-oriented, Year Of Leigh. I was 100% here for The Year Of Hattie. Hers didn’t turn out quite the way she originally imagined either. Hattie is 29 and she’s got things to do before she turns 30. Her plan covers business, fortune, home, future…and losing her virginity so she’ll be off the marriage market and maybe then her dad will start to seriously view her as in line for succeeding him at his business. Her plan does not involve finding an unconscious man tied up in her carriage when she’s supposed to be on her way to said virginity-losing. Best meet cute ever.

Whit grunts more than he speaks and his reputation as Beast precedes him. But Hattie isn’t afraid of him and she’s willing to do what it takes to keep her family safe and get the keys to her dad’s kingdom in the process. Whit was super swoon-worthy and I loved his awe of Hattie and her badassery. They are both forces to be reckoned with, albeit in different ways, making for quite the team.

When this wasn't making me smile with glee, it made me cry. Hattie is my favoritest and Whit must grunt forevermore. This book was a gift. 

CW: sexism, past child abuse, violence, past attempted murder, bombing, fat-shaming (which is countered), panic attack

 

 

The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite

Astronomy, embroidery, and lady love FTW! I could not handle how good this was. The way Lucy described astronomy was vastly more interesting than the astronomy class I took in college. The way the story explored science and art and what validates each discipline was nuanced and lovely. It was heartbreaking to see how Catherine’s skill with embroidery had been overlooked and downplayed and I loved watching her come in to her own in accepting her talent. Also: I now desperately want a shawl with the whole night sky embroidered on it.

There were so many tender, quiet moments between Lucy and Catherine, really building up the tension and the angst until they decided to act on their attraction. Catherine is healing from a toxic marriage, while Lucy is grappling with not being acknowledged as an astronomer simply because she’s a woman. Their faith in one another was wonderful to see and the evolution of their relationship as they felt the effects of that faith was beautiful.

Plus, the writing was gorgeous and there were some great twists. I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series!

CW: sexism, past emotional abuse, past death of parent, toxic marriage, anxiety

 

 

A Duke In Disguise (Regency Imposters #2) by Cat Sebastian

This is Cat Sebastian’s first m/f pairing but it’s still queer as hell. Verity has only been with women before and doesn’t find much to commend about men. She certainly never wants to marry a man, as it strikes her as a raw deal for women. Ash, on the other hand, has been in love with Verity for years but knows he doesn’t have a shot with her, at least not something long-lasting. Because he was orphaned at a young age, he does not want the possibility of his children being bastards. So there’s Ash, pining impossibly over Verity and there’s Verity, being a kickass woman getting stuff done. When they have to ship her brother off to America to keep him safe from the authorities, Verity sees her old friend Ash in a new light and forgetting all the reasons why they shouldn’t be more to each other. There was so much unrequited longing and yearning and angst between these two and I could not get enough of it. I loved every development of their relationship.

There are real obstacles in their relationship at the start of the book but then as events unfold, the stakes get even higher. I wasn’t sure how they’d be able to navigate their differences. I really liked how Verity had to learn about the true nature of friendship, that there isn’t a ledger of checks and balances as she’s believed but that people are there for one another because they care. It was a lovely development in a lovely story.

Also: I loved the cat in this story. More cats in books, please.

CW: seizures, domestic violence, attempted arson, attempted murder, threat of violence, grief

 

 

Fantasy and Paranormal Romance

Lord Of The Last Heartbeat by May Peterson

I was completely enamored with this story from page one. It’s clear Mio is in trouble, although we don’t know how or why. When he meets Rhodry and asks for help, I was drawn even further into Mio’s plight. He was so sweet and pure, so tangled up in what to do and how he might escape his mother Serafina. My heart went out to him and I could see why he was drawn to the strength Rhodry exuded. But Rhodry, a bear-soul, had troubles of his own thanks to a curse and I had no idea how the ghosts and demon might affect them all. All I knew was I was in their corner, desperate for things to work out, and I could not read this fast enough.

Rhodry and Mio’s love story is a slow burn but it’s effective. They have to deal with the threat of Serafina, as well as Rhodry’s curse. Rhodry has to wrestle with the power dynamics between them: not only is Rhodry wealthy, he’s also a great deal older than Mio and now serving as his protector. He wants to do right by Mio and be sure he’s not taking advantage of him. But once they finally act on their feelings, I swooned. They were so good to one another. All in all, a wonderful debut from May Peterson. The side characters were incredible and I cannot wait to see what happens next in this series. (Read my full review.)

CW: murder, violence, loss of voice, toxic parent, suicidal ideation and attempted suicide, grief and loss, past infidelity, references to homophobia, mind control

 

 

Spellbound by Allie Therin

Oh, just squeeing over this 1920s paranormal MM romance with magical relics and wonderful diversity! Rory was super antagonistic and not having it, while Arthur was completely smitten.

Rory’s abilities lie in psychometry. He can see an object's past by touching it, a rather valuable commodity for someone who works in an antique shop. But his abilities also have put him in danger so he’s essentially been hiding out the past few years while working for the kind Mrs. Brodigan. He can be surly and distrusting but for good reason. And yet, something about Arthur calls to him.

Privileged though he may be, Arthur was so aware of the power dynamics between them and I loved him for it. He was constantly checking in with Rory, to make sure he was on board and that Arthur wasn’t taking advantage of him. I thought it was a great touch for Arthur to not have any magical abilities—he may be wealthy and white but he can’t do the things his team does.

The banter between Rory and Arthur was top notch. I loved everything about how their relationship evolved. It was so sweet and made my heart grow three sizes. The side characters are magnificent. I want to know more about all of them, especially Jade with her telekinesis. The story does a great job examining class differences and identity while whisking us along for a wild ride of a magical mystery. In closing, I need book 2 right now. FYI: This is closed door.

CW: xenophobia, racism, institutionalization, abusive father, past death of a parent

 

 

Caroline's Heart by Austin Chant

This is such a sweet Western/historical fantasy romance novella! Austin Chant writes with economy, each word chosen with care. This is the second novella I’ve read by them and they are so clearly a master of this form. Roy and Cecily were richly drawn characters. Roy is a cowboy with a heart of gold. I loved how Cecily’s magic figured into the story. Her grief after the death of her lover five years prior is a living, breathing thing and Chant explores this with compassion.

CW: altercation leading to gunfire, death of a loved one, grief, homophobia, transphobia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dark Needs at Night's Edge (Immortals After Dark #4) by Kresley Cole

I read the last 14 books in the IAD series this year so of course I had to mention it! This, along with Kiss of a Demon King and Sweet Ruin, is my favorite of the series. The series is best read in order but on the positive side, you have the whole first season of the Fated Mates podcast to accompany you.

Conrad was so brooding and manly (vampirely?) and the perfect balance to Néomi, the effervescent ballerina ghost. On the surface, it seems like they'll never find a way to be together and this led to the right amount of angst for me. But of course, we must trust Kresley to make a way where there seems to be no way and I absolutely loved how she accomplished this. I could not get enough of this story and I'm so intrigued by the larger arc of the series.

CW: heroine was murdered by a spurned lover, mental health, grief, kidnapping, violence

 

 

 

 

Romantic Suspense

Every Last Breath by Juno Rushdan

Every Last Breath is an impressive romantic suspense debut. Filled with twists and turns, the fast pace still allowed for plenty of character development and the romance balanced with the action. I’m sure Rushdan’s real life experience as a former military intelligence officer came in handy and it helped me trust her characters would come out fine in the end.

This is also a second chance romance. Maddox believed her almost-fiancé died nine years ago, only to find he’s very much alive while out on a mission. A mission in which she needs his cooperation in order to prevent a pandemic from happening. Cole, on the other hand, is pissed. He thought Maddox betrayed him all those years ago and he’s not going to make working together easier on her.

Complicating all this is that Maddox is a covert operative for Gray Box, a secret government outfit and she was wrapping up college back when she and Cole dated. He has no idea how capable she is in the field or what a kickass woman she’s become. I loved both of these characters. They are both tremendously strong and have overcome so much to get to where they are. If you love books about people who are excellent at their jobs, this is the book for you. (Read the full review.)

CW: assassinations, attempted murder, violence, kidnapping, hostages, threat of pandemic, past death of loved ones, past late-term miscarriage (cervical incompetence), reference to past panic attacks, grief, psychiatric hospitalization due to depression and grief, prejudice/racism, brief reference to past diagnosis of child leukemia (appears to be in remission), reference to 9/11

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy from Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

Erotic Romance

Craving Flight by Tamsen Parker

This was so, so good! Pairing BDSM with Orthodox Judaism is an unexpected choice but it made more sense than I would have originally guessed. Tzipporah was a fascinating character and I loved learning about why she was so drawn to Orthodoxy when she’d grown up with parents who were more secular Jews. Her work as a professor was similarly fascinating. She grapples with the ways she doesn’t entirely fit in with her religious and professional communities and I thought this was really well done.

Then there’s Elan, the neighborhood butcher whose wife died a few years prior. He’s a big burly man, super Orthodox but he agrees to an arranged marriage with Tzipporah, even though she’s divorced and sometimes forgets which ingredients aren’t kosher. When she summons the courage to tell him she’s interested in BDSM, not only is he down, he has a whole treasure trove of supplies. There are some really great steamy scenes but what was most interesting was how they so easily connected sexually, yet had to work to connect emotionally. The story evolved in such a lovely way and I really appreciated the exploration of faith and sexuality. 

CW: past death of a spouse (cancer), past divorce, past infidelity, hero’s deceased wife was infertile, discussion of family planning, pregnancy in epilogue

 

 

Tactical Submission by Ada Maria Soto

One of the best BDSM romances I've ever read. Isaac was so tuned in to Jack and his needs. It was incredible. Their relationship built so organically, starting first at an exclusive club and then moving to Isaac’s home. In addition to exploring kink, the story does a great job of illustrating a polyamorous relationship. Isaac and his wife Amalie have an open marriage and she has a girlfriend Lydia. While the story centers around Isaac and Jack, we also get to see Isaac at home with Amalie, as well as glimpses of Amalie and Lydia. Just as Jack has to work on accepting his need for submission, as well as his ideas around what constitutes as masculinity, he has to adjust to the idea of a poly relationship. Isaac is so patient with him throughout and does a great job of reiterating and respecting boundaries.

My only wish is that the ending hadn’t been so abrupt, especially given what they had just experienced. It would have been good to see more of them reconnecting and processing not only what their relationship went through but the circumstances that brought them back together.

CW: house explosion (not belonging to main characters), references to autopsies and ways of dying, SWAT team raids, references to meth labs and drug houses, active shooter situation, domestic terrorism, references to team members getting injured or killed, military training references, anxiety, PTSD, fear of being outed, reference to a past patient who died

 

 

Twisted Wishes series by Anna Zabo

I waited to read this series until all three books were out and what a treat it was! This series is rock star romance at its finest. It's queer and kinky and centered around some of the most intriguing characters you'll ever encounter. The series builds on itself in some lovely ways, while also providing a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at life for musicians on the road. The band is on the cusp of stardom when we first meet them. (Read my series review to get content warnings for each book.)

Syncopation follows Twisted Wishes front man Ray Van Zeller in the aftermath of a heated confrontation with the band's old drummer. But the new drummer Zavier Demos, and incidentally Ray's high school crush, doesn't make things any easier.

In Counterpoint, lead guitarist Dominic “Domino” Bradley is one thing on stage and an entirely different persona off it. When he meets computer programmer Adrian Doran at a restaurant, he's Dominic, quiet and unassuming, and Adrian has no idea who Dom really is.

Finally, we end with Reverb, centered around bass player Mish Sullivan and her new bodyguard David Altet who is charged to keep her safe from a stalker. Only Mish doesn't think she needs a bodyguard in the first place.

 

 

Just Past Two (Come In Threes #2) by Elia Winters

They say you never stop learning about your partner, no matter how long you’ve been together. That is especially true for Abby and Sam who have been together for 10 years and married for 7 of those. After attending Abby’s college reunion, Sam hears stories about Abby’s wilder side and after a chance experience with voyeurism, the two decide to spice up their relationship. 

This book is deliciously steamy and it does a great job of exploring kink and polyamorous relationships. But what I really loved was the way it delved into Abby and Sam’s sense of identity as individuals and as a couple. They each had an idea of who the other person was, particularly Abby’s belief that Sam was predictable and dependable and would think less of her for her past exploits. Abby has to work through her shame about her past and figure out whether some parts of her adventurous side are worth resurrecting. Sam, on the other hand, has to work through and accept that what he thought was off limits and wrong is actually right for him and for their marriage. As they try out their fantasies, they have to keep checking in with themselves and each other. Their reactions and fears and interests felt so organic. Their ability to be honest with each other through each evolution of their relationship was wonderful to see and a great roadmap for any relationship.

CW: none noted

Disclosure: I received an advanced copy from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

A Lesson in Thorns by Sierra Simone

It should surprise no one that A Lesson In Thorns was everything I never knew I always needed. Sierra Simone’s talent is unparalleled and I love this new direction for her work. She explores the intersection of the sacred and profane in such fascinating ways. And her prose never ceases to blow me away. Symbolism galore and I ate it up with a spoon.

This had such a dreamy, fairy-tale quality and yet it was very much rooted in reality, albeit with a slight magical glaze. Poe reconnects with several friends twelve years after a memorable summer as pre-teens. She’s there to work as a librarian but also to see if she can find clues as to her missing mother’s whereabouts. Thornchapel, a remote manor with gothic vibes, holds the key to it all in true Sierra Simone fashion.

Sierra’s title of erotic theologian is firmly in place as the story delves into rituals and holy holidays, all with the lens of kink and sex. The story explores virginity as a construct, the meaning of sex, and the way we engender religion and God in some really interesting and thought-provoking ways. The group has to decide what they think about Imbolc and the ritual sex at its center; they have to imbue it with meaning and figure out what parts of the ceremony to keep or reclaim and what to make their own. And yes, let’s be honest: the end result is hot.

There was a good amount of angst and a good amount of satisfaction at certain developments. This is a four book series. There is a reveal in Feast Of Sparks that is not for everyone but I trust Sierra to see us through.

CW: parental abandonment, grief, references to abusive father, references to past rape

 

 

The Rose by Tiffany Reisz

Tiffany Reisz took me on another magical and steamy adventure, this time centered around Greek gods and mythology. The Rose was absolutely delicious from start to finish. Whereas The Red was about Mona, The Rose follows her daughter Lia, freshly graduated from college and running an escort business on the side. (You don’t have to read The Red first.)

Lia receives a wine cup for her graduation that turns out to be a special Rose kylix which can bring sexual fantasies to life. Lia decides to test out the cup with August, a Greek businessman and friend of her parents, at her side. Each one of Lia’s fantasies is about empowering her, whether she’s the gender swapped goddess Eros seducing the prince Pysche or trying out consensual nonconsent as Briseis with Achilles and Patroclus. There’s nary a minotaur (readers of The Red will understand) but there are sex scenes that are just as bananas and well worth the read. Even as August and Lia are bringing Greek myths to life via the Rose kylix, August is wooing her and seducing her. He’s definitely not all that he seems, which only made me more intrigued. He was such a good complement to Lia and I loved how he looked after her in ways big and small.

The book has Reisz’s trademark sense of humor. There are a few reveals that kept me guessing and really made for a satisfying story. Reisz is a genius no matter what genre she writes. This is wildly hot, incredibly good. I continue to be Team Reisz. I have no idea how she’ll top this but I sure will enjoy seeing her try!

CW: reference to rape, consensual nonconsent/rape fantasy, blackmail, bad first time

 

 

 

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