The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu MandannaParanormal RomanceAugust 23, 2022, by BerkleyARC Review by Angela This is probably the most charming book I've read in a good long while. It kind of reminded me of a cross between Practical Magic and Mary Poppins, taking the very best parts of each and mashing them together into a wonderful found family paranormal romance. Mika Moon is a witch. A fabulously warm, positive woman who finds joy in the simple things in life Continue Reading
Review: Ruby Fever (Hidden Legacy #6) by Ilona Andrews
Ruby Fever by Ilona AndrewsHidden Legacy #6Urban Fantasy RomanceAugust 23, 2022, by AvonARC Review by Angela Anyone who knows me knows I am an Ilona Andrews fangirl. I will read anything they write. This husband and wife writing duo is at the very tip-top of my fantasy genre pyramid and I can't get enough. Ruby Fever, Hidden Legacy #6, was my most anticipated book of 2022. So when it hit my Kindle I pushed everything aside and sat down to read, starting right after work and staying up Continue Reading
Review: Rival Radio by Kathryn Nolan
Rival Radio by Kathryn NolanContemporary RomanceMay 20, 2022, by That's What She Said Publishing Review by Melanie I normally review a lot of ARCs for Smexy but I have to make an exception for this book, which came out in May of this year. I don’t know how I managed to miss a book that so very clearly tapped into all of my romance novel catnips but I’m glad I finally got my eyeballs on it because I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a workplace romance with two bickering radio hosts Continue Reading
Review: Bend Toward the Sun by Jen Devon
Bend Toward the Sun by Jen DevonContemporary Romance August, 9, 2022, by St. Martin's Griffin Review by Melanie Don’t let the phrase “A Novel” on the cover fool you. Lush, evocative, poignant, Bend Toward the Sun is one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve finished it. It also happens to be one of the most romantic books I’ve read in a long time, with a HEA so perfectly sweet and tender. This book will definitely show up in my top reads of 2022 list at the end of the year. Continue Reading
Review: Reverse by Kate Stewart
Reverse by Kate StewartRockstar RomanceJuly 16, 2022Self-Published Review by Jen Kate Stewart is one of my fave authors. I LOVED the Ravenhood trilogy (one of my top reads of 2020), The Underdogs series and Drive. Reverse is the sequel to Drive. You must read Drive first, there just isn’t anyway for Reverse to really make sense without knowing that story. I read Drive years ago and the gist is, there’s a major angsty love triangle between Reid, Stella and Nate. Stella is a budding Continue Reading
Melinda’s Audio Minis: Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey & The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope
Just Like Home by Sarah GaileyHorrorJuly 19, 2022, by TorAudio ARC Review by Melinda This book begins with Vera coming home to take care of her dying mother. And everything is just…off. Her mother is hostile towards her, there’s something living under her bed, and her father was a serial killer who may be haunting the house, so things are complicated! We get bits and pieces of their backstory revealed, combined with pieces of what’s currently going on; but there are still so many 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: Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan
Thank You for Listening by Julia WhelanWomen's FictionAugust 2, 2022, by Avon Review by Melanie First, let's get this out of the way: I hate the term women’s fic. No need to dismissively label an entire genre just because it focuses on a female protagonist’s journey. Just call it fiction. We’re not going around labeling Franzen as men’s fic, are we? (Wait, ARE we?!?) So, yes, while I have labeled it as women’s fiction per the publishing industry standards, please let it be known that I Continue Reading
Review: Fire Season by KD Casey
Fire Season by KD CaseyUnwritten Rules #2LGBTQ RomanceJuly 19, 2022 by Carina Press Review by Kate H. Baseball might be my least favorite sport to read about, but I loved this book. Now I have to go back and read Unwritten Rules, the first in this universe. Fire Season can standalone, I will attest to that. I just want to read more KD Casey. Two divorced men, both professional baseball players, meet during the fire season in the Bay Area of California. Through the course of a Continue Reading
Review: Eclipse the Moon (Starlight’s Shadow #2) by Jessie Mihalik
Eclipse the Moon by Jessie MihalikStarlight's Shadow #2Science Fiction RomanceJuly 12, 2022, by Harper Voyager Review by Angela This author has quickly become one of my absolute favorites in the fantasy/sci-fi genre. When one of her new or upcoming releases hit my Kindle I drop everything and settle in for a rollicking good time. I'm never disappointed. Eclipse the Moon is the second book in this series, which began with Hunt the Stars and the introduction of this world and the now Continue Reading