The Paris Match by Kate ClaybornContemporary RomanceApril 7, 2026 by Berkley Review by Melanie Sometimes, it takes me longer to finish a book that I’m reading with my eyes, especially if the book is boring and not holding my attention. It took me a week to finish this book but let me be perfectly clear, that was not due to boredom. I parse out a Kate Clayborn book like my 15 yo parses out the pricey macarons from Ladurée, the famed French patisserie with its flagship store in Continue Reading
New Release Spotlight- The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn
The Paris Match by Kate ClaybornContemporary RomanceApril 7, 2026- Berkley About the paris match: Physician Layla Bailey has spent over a year telling herself she's moved on from a painful but amicable divorce from her college sweetheart. Staying friends with her ex seemed like the mature thing to do, but when Layla is invited to her former sister-in-law’s destination wedding in Paris—where Layla once spent her own romantic honeymoon—she knows her commitment to maturity might be Continue Reading
Retro Review: Beginner’s Luck by Kate Clayborn
Review originally posted on 11/21/2017 by Kini. Beginner’s Luck by Kate Clayborn (Chance of a Lifetime #1)Contemporary RomanceOctober 31, 2017Lyrical Shine Favorite Quote: “What does that mean?” I’m intentionally vague with my question. Maybe I’m asking what it means for Beaumont’s pursuit of me. Maybe I’m asking what it means for him and his job. But maybe I’m asking what it means for him and me. Because when I think of being “involved” with Ben, I think about his clothes Continue Reading
Review: Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn
Georgie, All Along by Kate ClaybornContemporary RomanceJanuary 31, 2023 by Kensington Review by Melanie There’s something so lyrical and almost poetic about Kate Clayborn’s prose that just immerses you in the world she creates, her words are lush and evocative, so full of vivid imagery that you can almost smell the air or feel the heat of a sun-warmed wooden dock under your feet. Georgie, All Along is no different, an expansive book, to borrow a word from the author herself, about Continue Reading
Joint Review: Love at First by Kate Clayborn
Love at First by Kate ClaybornContemporary Romance02/23/2021 by Kensington Joint review by Melinda and Melanie Melinda: Kate Clayborn has become one of the top contemporary authors for me that I look to for emotion and character development. I’ve come to appreciate the love and care that comes through with her writing so much. However, Love at First strikes an uneven tone for me and had flashes of that brilliance that I expect from her, but it didn’t feel like it was carried all Continue Reading
Smexy’s February TBR
Angela: I have so many books to read this month. So. Many. And I think they are all historical romance for some reason. There are like seven million historical romance books coming out on the 9th. Wild Rain (Women Who Dare #2) by Beverly Jenkins Historical Romance 2/9- Y'all Ms. Bev is an auto-read for me and I've been putting this off so I have it to look forward to. The Duke Heist (The Wild Wynchesters #1) by Erica Ridley Historical Romance 2/9- I was drawn in by the cover and then I Continue Reading
Melanie’s Most Anticipated of 2021
Contemporary: Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron - out 3/2/2021; the cover is gorgeous, the heroine was introduced in Farah's debut novel, The Chai Factor and I'm excited for her story. Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert - out 3/9/2021; I adored the first two books in this series and am eager to delve into the final book. How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole - out 5/25/2021; I mean, just look at that gorgeous cover. I'll pretty much read anything Alyssa writes and this one is Continue Reading
Kini’s Final Top Ten
How it started How it's going Almost 5 years ago Mandi DM'ed me to ask me if I ever wanted to write a review for Smexy and I did. I wanted it so bad. Little did she know- I'd been an avid Smexy reader for quite some time. I knew that if Mandi, Tori, or Sheena loved a contemporary, I was going to love it too. And they asked ME to join the crew. To say I was excited was an understatement!Mandi and Tori taught me so much about blogging and reviewing. They were both adamant that we be honest Continue Reading
The Chicks Gaslighter Album but make it Romance
Melinda and I have been DMing not stop about the new Chicks album since it debuted. We both love it. When Melinda pitched this list to me for a post on Smexy, I couldn't say yes fast enough. In the comments, tell us your favorite song from this album and what romance novel you would match it up with. Huge thank you to Melinda (@MelindaEdits) for this post. The Chicks released their 8th studio album on July 17th and I’ve probably listened to it at least 300 times since then. I can’t Continue Reading
Kini’s Friday Kisses- Mini reviews for books by Kate Clayborn, Tasha L. Harrison, Roni Loren, and Emily Belden
Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn- I actually read this months ago but just waited to talk about it. I didn’t love this book. It was a good but not great read for me. It felt more like women’s fiction, but that is fine with me because I enjoy WF too. There was a lot of emphasis on the Meg’s work and it felt like too much at times. There is a subplot where Meg and her roommate/former best friend work on repairing their relationship but it also felt like this was a more important relationship to Meg Continue Reading