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12

Top Ten Tuesday – My Most Anticipated Books Releasing During the First Half of 2024

January 9, 2024/17 Comments/by Suzanne

 

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.  Top Ten Tuesday has been one of my favorite memes ever since I started blogging, so huge thanks to Jana for taking over the hosting duties!

This week’s TTT topic is Most Anticipated Releases of the First Half of 2024.  This is always an easy topic just because, of course, there are always so many books that I’m excited to get my hands on.  I have ARCs for several of these so I’m glad I don’t have to wait too long to dive into them. As always, it’s mostly romance with just a hint of historical fiction and fantasy.

My Most Anticipated Releases of the First Half of 2024

 

1. BRIDE by Ali Hazelwood  –  “A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Love, Theoretically and The Love Hypothesis.”

2.  THE CATCH by AMY LEA – “A grumpy lobster fisherman tosses a fashion influencer’s impeccably curated life overboard in the next romantic comedy from international bestselling author Amy Lea.”

3.  FUNNY STORY by Emily Henry  – “A shimmering, joyful new novel about a pair of opposites with the wrong thing in common, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.”

4.  JUST FOR THE SUMMER by Abby Jimenez – “A sharp and scintillating summer novel that will make readers laugh out loud and cry happy tears from the New York Times bestselling author of Yours Truly.”

5. THE PARADISE PROBLEM by Christina Lauren – “Christina Lauren, returns with a delicious new romance between the buttoned-up heir of a grocery chain and his free-spirited artist ex as they fake their relationship in order to receive a massive inheritance.”

6. THE ROM-COMMERS by Katherine Center – “She’s rewriting his love story. But can she rewrite her own?  Emma Wheeler desperately longs to be a screenwriter. She’s spent her life studying, obsessing over, and writing romantic comedies—good ones! That win contests! But she’s also been the sole caretaker for her kind-hearted dad, who needs full-time care. Now, when she gets a chance to re-write a script for famous screenwriter Charlie Yates—The Charlie Yates! Her personal writing god!—it’s a break too big to pass up…But what is it they say? Don’t meet your heroes? Charlie Yates doesn’t want to write with anyone—much less “a failed, nobody screenwriter.”

But Emma’s not going down without a fight. She will stand up for herself, and for rom-coms, and for love itself. She will convince him that love stories matter—even if she has to kiss him senseless to do it. But . . . what if that kiss is accidentally amazing? What if real life turns out to be so much . . . more real than fiction? What if the love story they’re writing breaks all Emma’s rules—and comes true?”

7.  THIS COULD BE US by Kennedy Ryan – “Soledad Barnes has her life all planned out. Because, of course, she does. She plans everything. She designs everything. She fixes everything. She’s a domestic goddess who’s never met a party she couldn’t host or a charge she couldn’t lead. The one with all the answers and the perfect vinaigrette for that summer salad. But none of her varied talents can save her when catastrophe strikes, and the life she built with the man who was supposed to be her forever, goes poof in a cloud of betrayal and disillusion.

But there is no time to pout or sulk, or even grieve the life she lost. She’s too busy keeping a roof over her daughters’ heads and food on the table. And in the process of saving them all, Soledad rediscovers herself. From the ashes of a life burned to the ground, something bold and new can rise. But then an unlikely man enters the picture—the forbidden one, the one she shouldn’t want but can’t seem to resist. She’s lost it all before and refuses to repeat her mistakes. Can she trust him? Can she trust herself?  After all she’s lost . . .and found . . .can she be brave enough to make room for what could be?”

8.  THE WARM HANDS OF GHOSTS by Katherine Arden – “During the Great War, a combat nurse searches for her brother, believed dead in the trenches despite eerie signs that suggest otherwise, in this hauntingly beautiful historical novel with a speculative twist from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale“

9. THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah – “From the celebrated author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds comes Kristin Hannah’s The Women—at once an intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided.”

10. A HAPPIER LIFE by Kristy Woodson Harvey – “With “her signature warmth and Southern charm” ( E! Online ), the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Songbirds and the Peachtree Bluff series presents a tender and touching novel about a young woman who discovers the family she has always longed for when she spends a life-changing summer in North Carolina.”

 

* * * * * *

Question:  Are you planning to read any of these?

https://thebookishlibra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/TTT-Big2.png 203 500 Suzanne http://thebookishlibra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/trimmed-Copy-of-Bookish-Logo-copy.png Suzanne2024-01-09 11:22:532024-01-09 11:22:53Top Ten Tuesday – My Most Anticipated Books Releasing During the First Half of 2024

Romance Review – LAST CALL AT THE LOCAL by Sarah Grunder Ruiz @berkleyromance

January 5, 2024/16 Comments/by Suzanne
Romance Review – LAST CALL AT THE LOCAL by Sarah Grunder Ruiz @berkleyromanceLast Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
four-half-stars
Series: Love, Lists & Fancy Ships #3
Published by Berkley Romance on January 2, 2024
Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Romance
Pages: 368
Source: Netgalley
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop
Goodreads

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

 

Last Call at the Local is the third installment in Sarah Grunder Ruiz’s Love, Lists & Fancy Ships series and it honestly might be my favorite one yet! What I love about this series is that each book makes me feel so much. Whether I’m laughing at some hilarious banter or shedding tears about a sad turn of events, my heart is just always full the entire time I’m reading. Last Call at the Local was no exception to that and I thoroughly enjoyed my reading experience.

Set in Ireland, the story follows Raine, a young American woman who has run into some bad luck that has left her broke and with little more than the clothes on her back. She stops in at a pub called the Local, where she has a very one-sided conversation with the pub’s cat, Sebastian, and meets Jack, who is not only Sebastian’s charming owner but he’s also part owner of the Local.  Jack and Raine hit it off immediately and once he hears about the predicament she is in, he offers her a temporary job at the pub to help her get back on her feet.  Neither Raine nor Jack realize how life changing this chance encounter and temporary job will turn out to be.

I cannot even express how much I adored both Jack and Raine.  They were just so perfect together and it was a joy to watch them interact and explore their growing feelings for one another.  I also admired them as individuals though because they’re both facing some mental health challenges.  Raine initially comes across as a free spirit, and while she is to a degree, she is also living with ADHD, which makes it hard for her to buckle down and focus. That’s why, when we meet her, she has been working as a traveling musician all over Europe. She figured it was the best of both worlds, a way to make money from her passion for music, but also no set schedule, no boss to answer to, and no family to be disappointed in her.  Jack, on the other hand, is dealing with the challenges of living with severe OCD. Ruiz handles the exploration of both ADHD and OCD thoroughly and respectfully, and I felt like I learned so much by having access to Jack’s and Raine’s inner thoughts and experiencing ADHD and OCD from their perspectives.

I loved being back in this world and was absolutely thrilled to bump into Ollie and Nina again and see what they’ve been up to.  Everything about this book was just perfect and I can’t recommend it and the whole series highly enough.  If you’re looking for a book that will leave you with a full heart and a smile on your face, be sure to check out Last Call at the Local.

 

Thanks so much to Kristin Cipolla from Berkley Romance for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour.

four-half-stars

About Sarah Grunder Ruiz

Sarah Grunder Ruiz is a writer, educator, and karaoke enthusiast. Originally from South Florida, she now lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband and two children. She holds an MFA in creative writing from North Carolina State University, where she now teaches First-Year Writing.

Website | Goodreads | Instagram

https://thebookishlibra.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/last-call-lg.jpg 700 454 Suzanne http://thebookishlibra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/trimmed-Copy-of-Bookish-Logo-copy.png Suzanne2024-01-05 05:35:592024-01-04 22:54:16Romance Review – LAST CALL AT THE LOCAL by Sarah Grunder Ruiz @berkleyromance

Top Ten Tuesday – My Ten Favorite Books of 2023

January 2, 2024/36 Comments/by Suzanne

 

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.  Top Ten Tuesday has been one of my favorite memes ever since I started blogging, so huge thanks to Jana for taking over the hosting duties!

Happy New Year, everyone!  I want to start off by apologizing for my lack of blogging and blog hopping for the past few weeks. Time got away from me, and I was planning to use my vacation to get all caught up and that just didn’t happen. All plans went out the window when I ended last week by face-planting on my neighbor’s concrete sidewalk one night while taking a mis-delivered package to their house (Thanks USPS!).  I’m okay aside from a busted chin and sore jaw, but needless to say, I spent the rest of my vacation on the couch reading.  I don’t think I have it in me to backtrack and try to get caught up on comments, so I hope it’s okay if I just start fresh this week.

Okay, back on topic.  This week’s TTT topic is Favorite Books of 2023. The hardest part about this topic is narrowing down to just ten favorites.  I did it here to fit the topic’s criteria and the ten I selected are ones that just really resonated with me and have stuck with me in many cases for months after I read them.  I really do have so many more favorites though and if you want to see more, later this week I’ll be posting my top 23 reads for 2023 on my Bookstagram account.

 

* * * * *

My Favorite Reads from 2023 (in no particular order):

 

   

     

1. YOURS TRULY by Abby Jimenez

2. FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros

3. THE SEVEN YEAR SLIP by Ashley Poston

4. THE PARIS DAUGHTER by Kristin Harmel

5. HEARTLESS by Elsie Silver

6.  NONE OF THIS IS TRUE by Lisa Jewell

7.  THE FRAGILE THREADS OF POWER by V.E. Schwab

8.  THE SUMMER OF SONGBIRDS by Kristy Woodson Harvey

9.  ALWAYS ONLY YOU by Chloe Liese

10. THE UNMAKING OF JUNE FARROW by Adrienne Young

 

* * * * * *

Question:  Did we share any favorite reads in 2023?

https://thebookishlibra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/TTT-Big2.png 203 500 Suzanne http://thebookishlibra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/trimmed-Copy-of-Bookish-Logo-copy.png Suzanne2024-01-02 05:35:552024-01-01 23:15:21Top Ten Tuesday – My Ten Favorite Books of 2023
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About Me

me

Hi, I'm Suzanne. Proofreader by day, book blogger by night, devourer of books 24/7. My reading tastes: Basically you name it, I probably like it. I read a lot of contemporary and historical, both adult and YA, and I've also been enjoying more and more fantasy lately. Hobbies include: buying and hoarding of books, rambling about books to anyone who will listen, and trying to recommend books to my family and friends whether they are readers or not - because seriously, how can you not love to read books?

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Thanks to @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio #ma Thanks to @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio #macaudio2026 #partner for the gifted copies.

🔪 REVIEW - WHEN I KILL YOU 🔪

Author - B.A. Paris

Pub Date - 2/17/26

Is Nell Masters just being paranoid or is someone following her, watching her every move? It’s entirely possible since Nell is now living under an assumed name after witnessing an abduction that turned into a murder 14 years earlier. Back then, she was obsessed with finding the killer since she thought she knew who it was, but now she has moved on, until she starts getting mysterious phone calls, receiving anonymous flowers, and has this constant feeling of being watched.  Has someone figured out Nell’s real identify, and if so, how? 

This was my first time experiencing one of B.A. Paris’s psychological thrillers, and I was definitely impressed by the writing, especially the creepy, atmospheric nature of the setting, and the way this sense of paranoia and obsession that surrounds Nell. There was also a sense of unease and distrust that really held my attention and had me truly wondering who could be trusted, if anyone, including Nell.  Was someone even really following her or was it all in her head?  If someone really was following her, was it really related to what she witnessed all those years ago or was something else at play? 

I also enjoyed the use of the dual timeline to show us what exactly happened 14 years ago. That really helped to make this an easy book to binge. The pacing was a little slower than I like in the second half, but I still really enjoyed the overall experience of listening to this book and it had plenty of twits and turns to keep me guessing. 

Georgia Maguire narrates and does a wonderful job conveying the overall creepy sense of paranoia and distrust, as well as the slow build of tension and suspense. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❓QOTD - What’s your favorite read so far this month? What did you like about it?
Thanks to @berkleyromance #BerkleyPartner #Berkley Thanks to @berkleyromance #BerkleyPartner #Berkley for the free ebook.

🌴 Review - THE EXPERIMENTO 🌴

Author - Maria J. Morillo

Pub Date - 2/17/26

Maria (Marianto) Camacho thinks she has her life all planned out, but the best laid plans fall apart when her boyfriend says they need to take a break and she loses her job as a lifestyle columnist for Elias Magazine. That’s okay though because Marianto has a plan to get both of those back.  She’s going to write a juicy article for Elias about a series of experiments she’s going to try to win her ex back. 

When she lands a temp gig as a personal assistant for a judge on Venezuela’s popular singing competition, the judge ends up being none other than Simon Arreaza, a member of Marianto’s favorite band.  Marianto and Simon have incredible chemistry from the start and when he learns what she’s trying to do, Marianto recruits his help in “the experiment” in exchange for doing a big feature for his band in Elias once she gets her job back. The plan goes awry when all of that forced proximity leads to mutual attraction between Marianto and Simon.

This was such a fun debut novel! I was obsessed with the vibrant Caracas, Venezuela setting. The author’s vivid descriptions of the food and the Latin culture had me wanting to grab my passport and catch a flight there. 

I also thought the chemistry between Simon and Marianto was so hot, and I adored their flirty banter. The story itself is a fast, fun read, while the romance is definitely a slow burn since at first Marianto is so tunnel-visioned on getting her ex back that it takes her a while to realize she has a better match right in front of her.

Highly recommend The Experiment for fans of:

Slow Burn
Forced Proximity
Workplace Romance
How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days vibes
Latin Rep 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❓QOTD - What’s the setting of your current read?  Or do you have any fun plans for the weekend?
Thanks to @acebookspub @berkleyromance #BerkleyPar Thanks to @acebookspub @berkleyromance #BerkleyPartner #Berkley & @prhaudio #prhaudiopartner for the free book & #gifted ALC. 

⚔️ Review - GODS BENEATH THE ICE (Blood & Souls #2) ⚔️

Author - Alexandra Kennington

Pub Date - 2/17/26

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this romantasy duology and because it ended with a pretty intense cliffhanger, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the sequel.  I flew through Gods Beneath the Ice in just a couple of sittings, and boy, it did not disappoint!

Picking up right where the first book left off, this one does a deep dive in Reyna’s journey as she deal with the challenges and struggles that come with being a new Queen, and which are compounded by the fact that she is also learning about her new magical powers.

I loved Revna in the first book and was really impressed by her strength and resilience in this one because she goes through so many trials and tribulations. No matter how many times she gets knocked down, she continues to get up and fight.  I was fully invested in her personal journey and was equally invested in the slow burn romance between Revna and Soren.  Soren is completely devoted to Revna and I was just so here for it!

What I especially loved about this duology is how fully fleshed out the characters, world building, and the magic system are in just two relatively short books.  The author did a great job and no element of the story felt like it was lacking. 

I read this one with my eyes and ears.. Ellie Gossage and Will Damron narrate and I loved how their voices worked together.  They do such a wonderful job bringing these characters to life, and the audiobook nicely elevated my overall experience with the book. 

4 STARS

❓QOTD - Do you have a preference when it comes to series length? 

AOTD - Trilogies are typically the sweet spot for me, but I’m fast becoming a big fan of duologues.
Thanks to @acebookspub, @berkleyromance #BerkleyPa Thanks to @acebookspub, @berkleyromance #BerkleyPartner #Berkley & @prhaudio #prhaudiopartner for the free e-arc and audiobook!

🗡️ Review - HALF CITY 🗡️

Author - Kate Golden

Pub Date - 2/17/2026

Half City, the first book in Kate Golden’s new Harker Academy series, was exactly what I was looking for.  It’s the perfect blend of urban fantasy and dark academia, and it has major Supernatural and Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes. 

The story follows Viv Abbott, a young woman who works at a prestigious gallery, but who also happens to secretly be a rare kind of demon/deviant hunter called an Aeon.  She used to hunt with her father until he was killed and now she hunts alone. That is, until she has a run-in with Reid Graveheart, a reformed demon, who tells her about the Harker Academy of Deviant Defense, a school where she can study and hone her skills alongside fellow demon hunters.  Reid also happens to be a professor at the school so the two of them continue to cross paths after that first encounter.

I really enjoyed everything about this book. The world building is excellent and the magic system is interesting and easy to understand how it works.  There’s also a compelling mystery element related to, among other things, the death of Viv’s father, and there are also several intense fighting scenes that are a pure adrenaline rush. 

Viv is a feisty heroine, determined to prove herself, and while she initially comes off as a little abrasive, it’s easy to understand why and I found myself really enjoying her character.  Her chemistry with Reid is fantastic, and I loved that he’s such a complex, broody character. I was very intrigued by the demon fighting school recruiting a demon to teach there.

Sometime I struggle listening to fantasy books on audiobook, but I found this one so easy to follow along with. Teddy Hamilton perfectly captures Reid’s broodiness, while Taylor Harvey’s portrayal of Viv’s fierceness is spot on.  It’s an intense and entertaining listen and my new favorite book from this author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❓QOTD - Do you prefer light, fluffy reads or reads that are darker in nature? Or what are type reading this week?
⚾️ REVIEW - LOVE CATCH ⚾️ Author - Laura ⚾️ REVIEW - LOVE CATCH ⚾️

Author - Laura Langa

Pub Date - 2/13/26

Happy Pub Day @lauralangawrites & thanks for the #gifted copy! 

I love a good sports romance and this sweet, closed door baseball romance was an absolute delight!

Kenzie is excited to be attending her baseball player fiancé’s game so that she can cheer him on, but she unfortunately learns the hard way that he’s not the great guy she thought he was when he decides to publicly dump her mid-game.  Embarrassed and heartbroken, Kenzie goes home to lick her wounds in the house she shares with her friend and employer Travis, who also happens to be a baseball player on the same team as her now ex. What Kenzie doesn’t know is that Travis has been in love with her forever and has been hiding his feelings. He has settlled for friendship since Kenzie works for him, but as he watches her deal with her broken heart, can he continue to hide his feelings?

Kenzie and Travis are both sweethearts, and I just adored them both. I was so angry on Kenzie’s behalf for how her ex did her wrong, but at the same time, I recognized that Travis was such a better choice for her.  He’s so kind, supportive, and protective of Kenzie that it truly melted my heart.  Oh and he’s a rescue cat dad, which just had me swooning, lol. I loved how sweet he was to Kenzie after the breakup and how he did everything in his power to help her get over her loser ex.  I really enjoyed watching their relationship evolve as they move from friends to lovers.  It’s a slow burn, but the way it’s written, it’s definitely worth the wait.  And while there’s no spice, there is a beautiful first kiss that is truly swoonworthy and actually brought a tear or two to my eyes.

Love Catch is another winner from Laura Langa, and it also happens to be the second book in The Love Playbook series. Each book in that series is a full length, standalone, closed-door romcom featuring a different sport and an adorable pet, so be sure to check out them out.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

❓QOTD - This book features adorable rescue kitties. Do you have any pets? Tell me about them! 

AOTD - I have two, a black and white tuxedo cat named Ninja and a golden retriever named Winston.
💖 LOVE FLATLAY 💖 Hey book friends, I hope y 💖 LOVE FLATLAY 💖

Hey book friends, I hope you are having a good Friday. This month is flying by and, believe it or not, Valentine’s Day is already upon us. 

I’ve seen several challenges this week with people sharing books that feature Love in their titles, so I decided to scour my bookshelves and see how many I have since I’m such a huge fan of romance books. Not as many as I was expecting, but still a pretty good amount. 

Books Featured: 

LOVE is a War Song by Danica Nava
LOVE in Plane Sight by Lauren Connolly
The LOVE Lyric by Kristina Forest
Sunk in LOVE by Heather McBreen
The LOVE Simulation by Etta Easton
The LOVE of My Afterlife by Kristy Greenwood
Just Another LOVE Song by Kerry Winfrey
LOVE and Other Flight Delays by Denise Williams 
A LOVE Like the Sun by Riss M. Neilson 
LOVE at First Book by Jenn McKinlay 
LOVE and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe
The LOVE Wager by Lynn Painter
Sounds Like LOVE by Ashley Poston
LOVE & Other Words by Christina Lauren 
LOVE, Lists & Fancy Ships by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
LOVE on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood 

❓QOTD - Have you read any of these or do you have any fun plans for this weekend? 

AOTD - Hubby and I are going out to dinner tomorrow night. He’s having surgery first thing Monday morning so the rest of the weekend will be packing up and heading to stay near the hospital.
Thanks for the #gifted audiobook @prhaudio #prhaud Thanks for the #gifted audiobook @prhaudio #prhaudiopartner!

🚣 Review - RACING HEARTS 🚣

Author - Ann Adams

Pub Date - 2/10/26

Ann Adams’ debut romance, Racing Hearts, follows Katherine (Kath), a competitive rower who is going through a rough patch when we first meet her. A recent losing streak is threatening to tank Kath’s dreams of competing for gold at the summer games, and everything comes to a head when her boyfriend dumps her at the starting line of a big race and she finishes dead last and she loses her spot at the Olympic Training Center.  Determined to win her spot back, Kath reluctantly agrees to train with Adrian, a coach in her hometown. 

It was so fun watching Kath and Adrian butt heads in the beginning. The author does a great job of portraying the drive for perfection that you would expect from an athlete at that level.  Kath is a bit frustrating in the beginning because she is practically married to her stopwatch, apps, and other fitness rituals that were once a help but are now more of a hindrance.  I loved how Adrian kept challenging her to try new things, to basically get out of her own way so she can truly enjoy her sport again.  It was also entertaining to watch her train with his teen students. They were a fun group who challenged her in unexpected ways. 

The romance of course was lovely.  I enjoyed the hint of forbidden romance since he’s her coach for the summer, but mostly, I just adored how supportive, sweet, and caring Adrian was. He’s exactly the person Kath needs in her life.  I loved their chemistry and their romantic journey together, and I was also rooting so hard for Kath to make her comeback. 

Marie Hawkins narrates & does a great job of capturing Kath’s sheer grit & determination, as well as her frustration with herself.  I felt all of those emotions so much as I was listening. I also loved how she captured the opposites attract chemistry between Kath and Adrian.  I flew through this one in a couple of sittings at 1.7x speed, cheering for Kath every step of the way!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❓QOTD - Are you watching the Olympics? What’s your favorite Olympic sport to watch?

AOTD - I love to watch figure skating & skiing.
Thanks so much to @kensingtonbooks and @hambright_ Thanks so much to @kensingtonbooks and @hambright_pr for the #gifted review copy!

🏈 Review - CHASING THE RING 🏈

Author - Lauren Rowe

Pub Date - 1/27/2026

Chasing the Ring is the first book in Lauren Rowe’s Football and Feels series, and it is such a good time! 

I felt so bad for Iris when her relationship implodes on what should have been her wedding day and she is publicly humiliated on top of it, but I was cheering her on when she decided to take the honeymoon trip to Hawaii by herself. When she doesn’t count on when she makes those plans, however, is that her ex would cancel their accomodations before she could arrive at the resort, leaving her with nowhere to stay because the bungalow has already been given to Roman, a handsome football player. After a hilarious meet cute, Iris and Roman decide to share the bungalow and have a sexy week-long fling where they’re at it.

I thought this was a really fun read! After seeing Iris at her lowest when we first meet her, it was great to see her character grow and regain her self-confidence. I also loved that Roman turns out to be such a great guy. He’s trying to secure a job with a team that would have him living closer to his young son, who he misses terribly.  I love a golden retriever hero, and that’s Roman all the way. 

Roman and Iris have wonderful chemistry, and I really enjoyed watching them move from just having a good time to truly having feelings for one another.  Their journey is equal parts spicy goodness and heartwarming charm, and there were even some found family vibes that I’m always a sucker for. 

Highly recommend this one for fans of: 

🏈 Sports Romance
🌶️Spicy Romance
👨🏻 Single Dad 
🤝 Age Gap
🏘️ Paradise to Small Town
🛏️ One Bed
💸 Billionaire Romance

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❓QOTD - Have you ever taken a solo vacation? Or would you consider taking one? 

AOTD - I’ve never vacationed alone before but I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately since my husband isn’t the biggest fan of traveling. I’m not sure where I would go though. Maybe back to London to explore on my own.
❤️🩷 RED & PINK BOOK SPINES 🩷❤️ Vale ❤️🩷 RED & PINK BOOK SPINES 🩷❤️

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and I’ve been loving all things pink and red, so I thought it would be fun to pull together a book stack featuring some pretty red and pink spines.  Have you read any of these?

Books Featured:

❤️Lavash at First Sight by Taleen Voskuni
🩷What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon
❤️The Re-Do List by Denise Williams
🩷Red Card by Maren Moore
❤️Everything for You by Chloe Liese
🩷The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
❤️Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey
🩷A Love Like the Sun by Riss M. Neilson
❤️The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
🩷Book Lovers by Emily Henry
❤️So Not Meant to Be by Meghan Quinn

❓QOTD - Do you have any special plans for Valentine’s Day this year? 

AOTD - My hubby and I usually just keep it simple and go out to dinner.
Thanks to @youhadmeathea @stmartinspress #partners Thanks to @youhadmeathea @stmartinspress #partners for the #gifted review copy!

💜 Review - MAYBE THIS ONCE 💜

Author - Sophie Sullivan

Pub Date - 2/10/2026

When Charlie loses her job after an altered video goes viral and portrays her in an unflattering light, she heads to the Get Lost resort where her great uncle lives and works, looking for a safe place to land.  Grayson Keller, who owns the lodge, has also found this place to be a safe place to land after his relationship ended, so he and Charlie have something in common and become friendly with one another from the moment they meet. Neither is looking for anything serious, but can’t deny they’re attracted to one another.  They also have incredible chemistry, which doesn’t hurt matters either. 

Charlie has major trust issues because it was her own family members who put the altered video out there, costing Charlie her dream job. I loved seeing the walls she has built up around herself slowly come down as she interacts with and grows to care deeply about Grayson and his family.  This is the third book in a series, so if you’ve read the other books, you’ll recognize and love revisiting others from the Keller family. Grayson has some trust issues as well because he was hurt by his prior relationship, and I enjoyed seeing him open his guarded heart to Charlie. 

Recommended for those who enjoy:

✨Small town romance
✨Second chance at love
✨Found family
✨Slow burn
✨Starting over

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❓QOTD - What would be your dream job?
✌🏻TWO FOR TUESDAY - MINi REVIEWS ✌🏻 ✨ ✌🏻TWO FOR TUESDAY - MINi REVIEWS ✌🏻

✨Review - THE FROZEN RIVER (26 in 26, 3)

Author - Ariel Lawhon

Pub Date - 12/5/23

I don’t read it often these days, but I love a good historical fiction read and this one is a real standout.  Part of what I loved about this book is that it’s set in the late 1700s, a time period I don’t often come across when I read historical fiction. I also loved that it’s inspired by Martha Ballard, a midwife of the time period who, largely ignored during her time, deserves to be recognized.  I also really enjoyed that there’s a strong mystery element that revolves around a body that is pulled out of the icy river and its possible ties to a sexual assault. 

The writing was beautiful and very atmospheric, and I absolutely devoured it.  I was so impressed by Martha’s determination to find the truth and to make her voice heard, especially during a time when men would prefer it if women just kept their mouths shut.  The lack of autonomy women had was infuriating, but it was definitely true for the time period, and it made me sympathize all the more with Martha and the assault victim. 

A powerful read I won’t soon forget. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✨Review - INTO THE TIDE (26 in 26, 4)

Author - Laura Pavlov

Pub Date - 3/16/23

Small town romance and brother’s best friend are two of my favorite tropes, so this book was right up my alley.  Lila and Hugh have known each other forever, but they finally see each other in an all new light when Lila comes home after graduating from college.  Hugh’s best friend’s sister is all grown up, and it’s pretty obvious there’s some simmering mutual attraction, even though Hugh has a hand’s off policy out of respect for his best friend.  Things change though when Lila asks Hugh for a summer job and the two of them start spending more and more time together. 

This story was equal parts sweet and spicy, and just an all around good time! The chemistry between Hugh and Lila is undeniable, so it’s a relationship that is easy to root for. I also really enjoyed the small town vibes, as well as the side characters, particularly Hugh’s family.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❓Any series you’re hoping to read this year? Or how’s your week?
Thanks so much to @sourcebookscasa for this #gifte Thanks so much to @sourcebookscasa for this #gifted copy. 

🩷 Review - ALL TOO WELL (26 in 2026 read #2) 🩷

Author - Corinne Michaels

Original Pub Date - 8/17/24; This edition - 4/29/25

Corinne Michaels is an author I’ve been wanting to read for a while now, and I even had an older copy of this book on my 26 in 2026 TBR challenge. I’m grateful for this beautiful gifted copy because it was the perfect motivation to finally start the Ember Falls series.  I’m so glad I did too because this was such a good read!

Years ago Lachlan broke Ainsley’s heart, but now she has returned to Ember Falls to interview him for her article on former athletes.  Lachlan is now the town’s fire chief, a single dad, and he’s as sexy as ever.  I enjoyed both of these characters from the moment we meet them and was eager to see them reconnect and work through whatever happened between them when they were younger since it was clear that they had feelings for one another and amazing chemistry as well. 

I loved the charming small town atmosphere, Lachlan’s adorable daughter Rosie, as well as all of the side characters.  I look forward to learning more about some of them in future books and have already purchased the next two books in the series.

Read this one if you’re a fan of:

✨Single Dad
✨Brother’s Best Friend
✨Small Town Romance
✨Second Chance Romance

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❓QOTD - How was your weekend? What are you reading to start off the week?
Thanks to @read_bloom, @meghanquinnbooks, & @hambr Thanks to @read_bloom, @meghanquinnbooks, & @hambright_pr #partner for the #gifted eARC & ALC.

🦩 Review - JUST FOR THE CAMERAS (Bay Area Players 1)🦩

Author - Meghan Quinn

Pub Date - 2/3/26

Meghan Quinn is one of my go-to authors when I need a good laugh and she absolutely delivers in her latest rom-com, Just for the Cameras.  This is the first book in a new series, but it does feature characters from throughout the Meghan Quinn universe, so if you’re a fan of Meghan’s books, you may recognize some fun familiar faces.

I fell in love with this book from the very first moment when Graydon and Maple meet.  Graydon is a grumpy football player who, along with a couple of his teammates, have been assigned to volunteer at the local zoo for a PR campaign.  Graydon is not happy about this and is even less thrilled when he’s told he will be working with the flamingos.  As he is mocking the flamingos and whining about the whole experience, Maple, the zookeeper he’ll be working with, walks in and overhears every word.  Needless to say, sparks fly!

Grumpy-sunshine is one of my favorite tropes, so I was all in on seeing this relationship evolve and it did not disappoint.  As always, Meghan Quinn writes some of the funniest banter I’ve ever read so I ate that up.  I also love the tension of a good forced proximity romance and that aspect  was *chef’s kiss*. 

The emotional aspect of the story was great too and was well balanced with all of the laugh out loud humor and with the spicy romance element.

One of the highlights for me was the football player group chat. It was hilarious how Graydon grew from hating its existence to really becoming buddies with his teammates. I hope we see more from those guys in future books. 

I did an immersive read and adored the full cast narration, which featured many of my favorite narrators, Connor Crais, Emma Wilder, Teddy Hamilton, J.F. Harding, Jason Clarke, Stella Hunter, & Samantha Brentmoor.  They played off each other so well & it made for a phenomenal listening experience that had me cackling my way through the book! 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❓QOTD - If you could work with any zoo animal, which would you choose?

AOTD - Giraffes or pandas
🩷 BROTHER’S BEST FRIEND ROMANCE BOOK RECS 🩷

Happy Friday, book friends! Today I’m back to share some of my favorite romance reads that feature the brother’s best friend trope.  This is always a fun trope so I have quite a few recs.  If you have recs, you can add to this list, feel free to mention them in the comments below.

Brother’s Best Friend Book Recommendations:

In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams
P.S. I Hate You by Lauren Connolly
The Re-Do List by Denise Williams
Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center
Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope
If Only You by Chloe Liese
If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair
All Too Well by Corinne Michaels
Fragile Sanctuary by Catherine Cowles
Wild Love by Elsie Silver
Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage
Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn
Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood
Love in Plane Sight by Lauren Connolly
Into the Tide by Laura Pavlov
Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter
The Game Changer by Lana Ferguson
The Plus One by Mazey Eddings
The Dating Plan by Sara Desai
Comeback by Rebecca Jenshak
Just Don’t Fall by Emma St. Clair
Bridesmaid for Hire by Meghan Quinn
Say You Swear by Meagan Brandy
Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren

❓QOTD - Have you read any of these or do you have any more brother’s best friend recs to add to this list? Or what are your weekend plans?
🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧 Thanks to @prhaudio #p 🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧

Thanks to @prhaudio #prhaudiopartner for the gifted ALC.

Review - BOOKS & BEWITCHMENT 

Author - Isla Jewell

Pub Date - 2/3/2026

I’m still firmly in my cozy fantasy era, so this bookish-themed, small town witchy romantasy was right up my alley. 

Rhea has always lived a pretty average life, living with her pet parrot and working a desk job at a local insurance company.  When a grandmother she never met suddenly dies and leaves her everything, Rhea decides to pack up and head to Arcadia Falls, the quaint mountain town where her grandmother had lived and where Rhea’s mother has warned her never to visit.  What Rhea finds when she gets there is that not only has she inherited a rundown video store in need of a major upgrade, but she has also inherited a magical heritage she knew nothing about.

This story is so fun! There’s a sweet, slow burn romance with Hunter, the town’s sexy handyman, who also happens to be the son of her grandmother’s biggest witchy rival, but the real highlight of the story for me is Rhea’s journey of self-discovery as she learns to embrace her family’s witchy history and as she transforms the old video store into her dream bookstore. There’s also plenty of whimsy as the spirit of Rhea’s grandmother somehow ends up inside of Rhea’s parrot, allowing for unexpected bonding as well as some hilarious chaos along the way.

The audiobook is 10 hours and 29 minutes, and with Thérèse Plummer’s spirited narration, the time just flew by. Her portrayal of Rhea’s sassy grandmother in particular had me chuckling nonstop. 

Recommended for fans of cozy, witchy reads, small town romances, and journeys of self-discovery.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❓QOTD - If you were a witch and could have any animal as your familiar, what animal would you choose?
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