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: His Christmas Guardian by Cindy Dees
His Christmas Guardian by Cindy DeesRunaway Ranch #4Thriller/LGBTQ+ RomanceOct 25, 2022 by Harlequin Review by Kate H. There is a lot to like in His Christmas Guardian. For one thing, it starts us right in the middle of things, with Nicholas Kane scoping out an art auction in search of his treacherous spymaster boss, Gray. We begin with intrigue, action, and a near death experience. We learn that Nick, an operative in the US intelligence services, was left out of a deadly and Continue Reading
Review: Storm Echo (Psy-Changeling Trinity #6) by Nalini Singh
Storm Echo by Nalini SinghParanormal RomanceAugust 9, 2022, by BerkleyARCReview by Melinda and Melanie Melanie: Melinda and I were super excited to get to read an ARC of this book together months before it was released. We’re obviously huge fans of Nalini Singh as well as the series as a whole. However, that being said, this was not our favorite book in this series, not even close. But look, it’s the 6th book in the spin off series, Psy-Changeling Trinity and if you count the original Continue Reading
Review: Just Another Love Song by Kerry Winfrey
Just Another Love Song by Kerry WinfreyContemporary RomanceAugust 2, 2022, by BerkeleyARCReview by Iby Kerry Winfrey writes romcoms with small town, Hallmark-movie vibes. Even when she writes about cities, they seem to be written in the style of Gilmore Girls - there are lots of props, quirky secondary characters, and a twisty way to a happily ever after. This latest book is no exception to the rule. Sandy has spent her whole life in Baileyville, a small town in Ohio. She knows 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: You Were Made to Be Mine by Julie Anne Long
You Were Made to Be Mine by Julie Anne LongThe Palace of Rogues #5Historical RomanceJune 28, 2022 by AvonARC Review by Angela The Palace of Rogues by Julie Anne Long is currently one of my favorite ongoing historical romance series, so I was beyond excited to find out there would be another new release coming out this year. I feel like this book gives off that same cozy, found family feeling as the previous installments while at the same time having darker content and themes. When the Continue Reading
Review: By the Book by G.B. Gordon
By the Book by G.B. Gordon Contemporary Romance/Thriller/LGBTQ+Published June 14th by Carina Press Reviewed by Kate H. I love books that cross genres, but when genre expectations conflict, not all readers will be happy and I’m afraid that may be the case with this novel. By the Book is a m/m romance and a thriller – the tale of a novice accountant, Ben Coyne, and Nick Marshall, a playboy FBI agent coming up against his 40th birthday. Ben has discovered a 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: Something Wilder by Christina Lauren
Something Wilder by Christina LaurenContemporary RomanceMay 17, 2022, by Gallery Books Review by Angela I'm still not absolutely sure how I feel about this book. On the one hand, it starts out with the classic Christina Lauren charm with interesting characters, strong friendships, and lively banter. On the other hand, it is quite a bit darker than this writing duo's other novels. Labeled as an "adventure romance", Something Wilder is big on the drama and mystery, but some of the Continue Reading
Review: Birds of California by Katie Cotugno
Birds of California by Katie CotugnoContemporary RomanceApril 26, 2022, by Harper Perennial Review by Kate H. I had to go back and re-read the blurb for Birds of California about halfway through because this is one of those cases where the marketing and the content don’t match. The promotional material refers to it as a “whip smart romantic comedy.” Whip smart, I will give it, but romantic comedy? No. Birds of California is a novel Continue Reading