Once Upon a December by Amy ReichertContemporary Romance/Magical RealismPublished on October 4, 2022 by Berkley Reviewed by Kate Once Upon a December is a Christmas-themed romance novel with a magical twist. Astra and Jack met years ago at the Julemarked, a magical Christmas market Jack lives in, but Astra doesn’t remember. Over the years, she continues to run into Jack, but she’s married. As the book opens, she’s divorced, she meets Jack again, he tells her about the Julemarked, and they Continue Reading
Review: You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky
You're a Mean One, Matthew PrinceTimothy JanovskyLGBT Contemporary RomancePublished October 4, 2022, by Sourcebooks Casablanca Reviewed by Kate You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince is a perfectly acceptable Christmas romance novel. It’s a combo of It Happened One Summer and Boyfriend Material, with a splash of Hallmark movie. Luckily, unlike Hallmark Christmas movies, Matthew and his love interest, Hector, do kiss earlier than the last page, for those of you who care about that kind of Continue Reading
Review: Husband Material by Alexis Hall
Husband Material by Alexis HallLondon Calling #2LGBT Contemporary RomancePublished August 2, 2022, by Sourcebooks CasablancaReviewed by Kate I’ll admit to being a little wary about Husband Material, being that it is the sequel to Boyfriend Material, which in my opinion is a self-contained romance novel. Husband Material doesn’t feel like what one might expect from a romance novel, but it is still strongly focused on the relationship arc of the characters and ends with a happily ever Continue Reading
Review: No Funny Business by Amanda Aksel
No Funny Business by Amanda AkselContemporary RomancePublished by Berkley on July 12, 2022Reviewed by Kate No Funny Business is, in theory, a book I should love. Two stand-up comics go on a road trip across the country together? Delightful. Unfortunately, though the premise was great, it just didn’t work for me in practice. Olivia Vincent is a lawyer by day, stand-up comic by night. Raised by her single dad who died of lung cancer prior to the book’s beginning, she moved to New York Continue Reading
Review: A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin
A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie IrwinHistorical RomancePublished July 12th, 2022 by Pamela Dorman Books Reviewed by Kate A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting doesn’t break any new ground in the Regency romance genre, but it is a very enjoyable debut novel. Kitty Talbot’s parents are dead, and she, along with her four sisters, are left with a huge amount of debt. So off Kitty goes to London, with her sister Cecy in tow, to snag a wealthy husband before the family cottage Continue Reading
Review: Six Ways to Write a Love Letter by Jackson Pearce
Six Ways to Write a Love Letter by Jackson PearcePublished July 5, 2022 by Sourcebooks CasablancaContemporary RomanceARC Reviewed by Kate Six Ways to Write a Love Letter is unapologetic Taylor Swift fan fiction in romance novel form. The female main character, Vivi Swan, is an internationally known pop star who is tall, blond, and constantly wears bright red lipstick. The book takes place mostly during her tour, where our male main character, Remy, has been pulled in to play drums Continue Reading
Review: The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat SebastianHistorical RomancePublished June 7, 2022 by AvonReviewed by Kate I had some trouble getting through The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes. While I enjoyed it overall, the story struggled with pacing issues. The correspondence between Marian and Rob in the beginning of the book drew me in. However, when it moved on to the action, it started with a bang, but then kind of meandered all the way to the end. The story feels somewhat disjointed and Continue Reading
Review: Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare
Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare Contemporary Paranormal Romance Published April 19, 2022 by Berkley Reviewed by Kate I have been enjoying the influx of witchy romances onto the romance market right now, but Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare fell short for me. To illustrate just how much, I will share that when it came down to finishing my taxes, or finishing this book, my taxes were done first. The main issue that I had with Go Hex Yourself is the inconsistent pacing. The first Continue Reading
Review: Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson
Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa FergusonContemporary RomanceFebruary 15, 2022 by Thomas NelsonReviewed by Kate Meet Me in the Margins is a very cute, very bookish, romance. It has Hallmark channel movie vibes and is an enjoyable read. Meet Me in the Margins stars Savannah, an acquisitions editor at a literary fiction press, and William, the new boss, who happens to be the son of the owner of the publisher. Savannah is also an aspiring romance author, and one day in an attempt to hide Continue Reading
Review: Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria BellefleurWritten in the Stars #3LGBTQ Contemporary RomancePublished February 1, 2022, by Avon Reviewed by Kate Count Your Lucky Stars is an excellent follow-up to Bellefleur’s previous books, Written in the Stars and Hang the Moon. Count Your Lucky Stars follows Margot, best friend/business partner of Elle and Brendon, main characters of the first and second books, respectively. Margot isn’t really sold on love and is content to be single Continue Reading