Review: Hollow by Karina Halle

Hollow by Karina Halle
Series: A Gothic Shade of Romance, Book 1
Publisher: Ace
Genre: Erotic Gothic LGBTQIA Romance 

ISBN: 9780593952344
Release Date: October 7, 2025
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Kat Van Tassel's life was predestined from childhood; she was to marry her best friend, Brom Bones. But Brom vanished from Sleepy Hollow years ago, leaving Kat alone to enroll in Sleepy Hollow Institute, a shadowy university for advanced witchcraft run by her powerful family. And now she finds herself drawn to the school's enigmatic new teacher, Ichabod Crane, as he delves into dark magic.

When Brom returns, suffering from amnesia and a dark transformation, the trio must confront gruesome murders attributed to a vengeful spirit, The Headless Horseman, while navigating their tangled relationships.

As Kat, Ichabod, and Brom seek answers, their bonds deepen, and forbidden desires take hold. But Sleepy Hollow holds secrets more sinister than they imagined. The Headless Horseman lurks, threatening to claim them, while something even more terrifying looms in the shadows. Embark on a journey of dark mysteries, desire, and danger in the eerie heart of Sleepy Hollow.

Karina Halle’s reimagining of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a mix of erotic tension, gothic romance, shades of horror, fantasy, domination, and mystery. That may sound like a lot but Halle blends it together beautifully in this sexy, captivating tale. It's been a long time since I devoured a book in one sitting – staying up way too late because I couldn’t stop reading – but Hollow is just that compelling.

The atmosphere of the Sleepy Hollow Institute is creepy and enthralling. Kat Van Tassel has hidden her magic most of her life but here she comes to learn, and quickly is pulled toward the new professor, Ichabod Crane. Kat has an open heart and a curious mind; Crane has dark secrets and a brain that loves nothing more than a mystery. Their chemistry is palpable and I liked watching the sexual tension bubble then boil over. And what of the third member of this trio? Brom Bones is a mystery even unto himself. He has blank spaces in his memory and at times he is not wholly himself. He doesn’t remember Crane but there’s something about the man that both draws and angers him. And Kat, his beloved best friend is now a woman who can no longer be solely his. All three of them are compelling protagonists; each has shared wants and desires that draw them together. But there are also secrets, especially for Crane and Brom, that are still to be unpacked and explored. I loved the beginning of their romance and cannot wait to see what Halle does in the second half of their story to build on the strong foundation she establishes here.

In Hollow, one mystery leads to another. The secrets of Sleepy Hollow are fascinating and the pieces Halle has put on the board are deliberate and I am sure will come together in the next book. I loved the worldbuilding, the creepiness (and this is coming from someone who does not do horror), and am desperate to learn more. I don’t want to say too much because I came into this book not knowing anything other than it was a dark and sexy retelling of a classic and the discovery of what lies behind the Institute’s gates was part of the thrill of the read.

Hollow is a perfect blend of eroticism and storytelling. I absolutely loved the magnetic pull between the three leads, the desire between all of them rich and transfixing. The story itself was atmospheric and engaging, each piece of the puzzle only making me want more. I cannot wait to see how it all ends in Legend!



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: To Kill a Badger by Shelly Laurenston

To Kill a Badger by Shelly Laurenston
Series: The Honey Badger Chronicles, Book 6
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Paranormal Romance 

ISBN: 9781496730206
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Nelle Zhao is a social media maven who knows what matters. And the only thing that matters right now is survival. Not easy, though, when her honey badger teammates attract trouble the way she attracts attention. She didn’t know when it became her job to protect the ones she cares about from themselves, but even she has to admit…she’s really good at it. Too bad some people don’t appreciate when she’s being helpful. Especially Keane Malone, who doesn’t know how to accept a friendly paw. But Nelle excels at helping! And at ignoring other people’s irrational demands, such as doing it all alone. Keane, poor pretty kitty, doesn’t understand the kind of assistance a shit-starting honey badger like Nelle can truly offer…

Keane knows two things—he doesn’t like other people, and he is going to crush the de Medicis, an evil coalition of male lion shifters who are not only snatching innocent humans for fun and profit, but also killed his father. And for once, he may not be able to fight this fight alone, forcing him to let long-legged, jet-setting Nelle join the fight. And getting close to Nelle is suddenly bringing out his roar…

I come to Shelly Laurenston’s Honey Badger Chronicles expecting a lot of action, a lot of nonsense, more characters than I care to count, and a dash of delightful romance. Unfortunately, only three out of the four were present in To Kill a Badger. The book is billed as being Nelle and Keane’s story, which I was absolutely excited to read. The tiny bits of character that were doled out (few and far between) and the scraps of a love story were charming when they popped up on the page and I do wish there was more of that. They had great chemistry and their back-and-forth was really fun to read about. But Nelle and Keane, as charming as they are, are afterthoughts in their own story and nothing would have been missed by leaving them out of it entirely, which is not a good sign for a romance.

To Kill a Badger is a lot of action and a paper-thin plot that gets very repetitive and only really becomes important at the very end. Mostly, this story is about Charlie MacKilligan whose legacy becomes more mythic as the series goes on. I like Charlie a lot, but the baking and the third act action didn’t break new ground for the series. The other stars of the series are the “crones,” middle-aged badgers who are over-the-top and out-of-control. They are entertaining in small doses, but again, their antics took over way too much of the book.

I wanted to enjoy To Kill a Badger as much as I have the rest of the series, especially since I like Nelle and Keane so much, but this book just fell flat for me. The plot was a jumble that didn’t seem to matter very much and many times it felt like a rehash of past plots. Laurenston’s books are rarely boring, but this one I kept putting down. Yet while this book wasn’t for me, I will certainly pick up more Honey Badger books because as a whole I enjoy the series and the shenanigans the MacKilligans and their friends get into.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell

The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Time Travel Romance 

ISBN: 9781250373519
Release Date: September 16, 2025
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Tess Bright just scored her dream role starring in an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. It's not just the role of a lifetime, but it’s also her last chance to prove herself as a serious actress (no easy feat after being fired from her last TV gig) and more importantly, it’s her opportunity to honor her mom, who was the biggest fan of Jane Austen ever. But one thing is standing in Tess’s way—well, one very tall, annoyingly handsome person, actually: Hugh Balfour.

A serious British method actor, Hugh wants nothing to do with Tess (whose Teen Choice Awards somehow don’t quite compare to his BAFTA nominations). Hugh is a type-A, no-nonsense, Royal Academy prodigy, whereas Tess is big-hearted, a little reckless, and admittedly, kind of a mess. But the film needs chemistry—and Tess’s career depends on it.

Sparks fly, but not in the way Tess hoped, when an electrical accident sends the two feuding co-stars back in time to Jane Austen’s era. 200 years in the past with only each other to rely on, Tess and Hugh need to ad-lib their way through the Regency period in order to make it back home, and hopefully not screw up history along the way. But if a certain someone looks particularly dashing in those 19th century breeches…well, Tess won’t be complaining.

Tess Bright hasn’t been herself since the death of her mother. Her career is on the edge of failure and scoring the lead in an adaptation of Northanger Abbey is both her last chance at being taken seriously as an actress and a way to honor her Jane Austen-loving mother. There’s just one problem: her co-star, Hugh Balfour. Hugh is her opposite in every way. His acting pedigree is stellar, he’s organized where she’s chaotic, stiff where she’s sunshiny, and he cannot be more clear in his dislike of her. But when an accident on set sends them both back in time, Tess and Hugh will have to stick together in order to find a way back home. Can it be long before these two opposites attract?

The Austen Affair is an utter delight! Madeline Bell pays homage to Austen while not trying to recreate her work in this incredibly charming story.

Tess is an endearing heroine who is messy but truly kind. Bell does a really good job of depicting someone struggling with grief, which Tess most certainly is. Her mother was her best friend, her center, and Tess hasn’t really moved on. Getting tossed into the past is like having her Janeite mother with her, in a way. Tess grabbed my heart with her bright nature that not even grief can subdue. She’s spirited and charming and an utter delight to read about. As for Hugh…well he’s no Henry Tilney. The method actor is unyielding and judgmental when we first meet him. He’s Type A and kind of rude to Tess, but when they are sent back in time they have no choice but to join forces. The longer they are forced to play a role, the more Hugh opens up and he is completely endearing when he does. Hugh is struggling with the declining health of his father, the grief inevitably coming for him as much as it had for Tess. He also has anxiety, isn’t the best at expressing his emotions (for all that he’s a great actor) and is a case of still waters that run deep. I absolutely loved seeing him open up to Tess, thrilled as the two learned they could trust and lean on each other.

Though grief is a theme in The Austen Affair, the book overall feels light on its feat and the pages fly by. Between Hugh’s research and method acting and Tess’s love of Austen, the two manage to do fairly well in the nineteenth century. I enjoyed their adventures, the spirited exchanges, and the love that developed between Tess and Hugh. Normally I can take or leave a time travel romance, but in this case with both Tess and Hugh traveling together, it absolutely worked for me. I cannot wait to read more of Bell’s work because she really nailed it with The Austen Affair. The Austen references worked, the writing felt smooth, the pacing was on-point, and the romance was just lovely.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Ghost Business by Jen DeLuca

Ghost Business by Jen DeLuca
Series: Boneyard Key, Book 2
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance with Paranormal Elements 

ISBN: 978-0593641231
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Boneyard Key, Florida, is the only home Sophie has ever known. Her love for its supernatural history has flourished into a career, as she guides the one and only ghost tour through the town’s can’t-miss haunted spots. And while her bank account isn’t full by any means, her heart is. Or at least, it was. But there's a newcomer in town. The son of a Fortune 500 businessman, former theater kid Tristan has grown his tours from a fraternity fundraiser to a multicity ghost tour conglomerate. It’s doing well, but not well enough—if he can’t prove that he’s solidly in the black by the fall, Dad’s going to pull his funding, spelling the end of his career. Boneyard Key, with its haunted reputation, seems like the perfect place to boost his bottom line.

When the two ghost tours clash, Sophie’s expletive-filled rant goes viral, and the rivals strike up a deal. Whoever has the most successful business by summer’s end stays, while the loser must ghost. But the more Tristan comes to appreciate Boneyard Key, the more Sophie comes to appreciate Tristan, and what starts as begrudging respect becomes something spicier. Can they put their feuding businesses aside to make room for a chance at love, or is Boneyard Key too small for two ghost tours?

Return to Jen DeLuca’s Boneyard Key, where if there’s a chill in the air it’s more likely a ghost than the Florida weather. Ghost Business features two rival ghost tours, one historically accurate, one theatrical, as they compete to see who’ll be the last girl or ghoul standing.

Sophie loves her home of Boneyard Key. She’s passionate about the history of her town and honors the dead on her tour. It’s not a living, but it’s her passion and she’s the only ghost tour in town…until Tristan shows up. The splashy guy with big theater kid energy has a host of haunted tours throughout the country and he’s got just a few months left to convince his CEO dad that he can make a killing running ghost tours. Who cares about true stories when you can provide entertainment? Boneyard Key is the perfect setting for Tristan, but it’s a splash of cold water when he finds out there’s another ghost tour in town. Tristan and Sophie inevitably clash and when their spat goes viral, they make a bet: whoever has the most ticket sales by the end of summer will get to keep their ghost tour going.

I really enjoyed the first Boneyard Key book, Haunted Ever After. I loved the human and spectral residents of Boneyard Key and was delighted to learn about both. The town and its residents are as charming as ever in this story, which definitely makes me hope DeLuca has more books planned. But the heart of the story is Tristan and Sophie’s romance. I liked Sophie for the most part and really wanted to see her succeed. Tristan took a little longer to grow on me, his privilege as much of a turn off as his charm was a turn on. He’s a good guy overall, but not the most interesting hero to read about. He and Sophie are good together, but they lack the spark of chemistry I was hoping for. Their love story just didn’t draw me in as much as I would hope. That being said, I was still entertained by the book overall because I liked all the characters and the setting. All in all, Ghost Business isn’t DeLuca’s strongest book, but it is fun and I am very much looking forward to future Boneyard Key books.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Framed in Death by J.D. Robb

Framed in Death by J.D. Robb
Series: In Death, Book 61
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Futuristic/Mystery/Suspense 

ISBN: 9781250370822
Release Date: September 2, 2025
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible
J.D. Robb Reading Order

Manhattan is filled with galleries and deep-pocketed collectors who can make an artist's career with a wave of a hand. But one man toils in obscurity, his brilliance unrecognized while lesser talents bask in the glory he believes should be his. Come tomorrow, he vows, the city will be buzzing about his work.

Indeed, before dawn, Lt. Eve Dallas is speeding toward the home of the two gallery owners whose doorway has been turned into a horrifying crime scene overnight. A lifeless young woman has been elaborately costumed and precisely posed to resemble the model of a long-ago Dutch master, and Dallas plunges into her investigation.

A mediocre artist with delusions of grandeur turns to murder to fuel his work in Framed in Death. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is on the hunt for a madman with wealth and ego, but all the money in the world can’t stop justice.

J.D. Robb’s In Death books generally fall into more case-centric stories and more personal/relationship-focused stories. Framed in Death is the former and luckily the case itself was interesting. The villain is despicable in so many ways, his narcissism and absolute lack of value for human life, indeed for anything other than himself, came alive on the page. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Eve, Peabody, and their associates pull together to track down the leads and stop the killer. When it’s a case-focused book such as this one, it’s tough to say much without spoiling the enjoyment of readers for the story so I’ll leave it at this mystery was entertaining from first page to last.

While the case is at the forefront of this book, Eve and company keep on living their lives as they work. Roarke may not be central to this case, but he’s there is a supporting role and his scenes with Eve are always engaging. Their ever-expanding circle of loved ones also play strong supporting roles and for those who have been following The Great House Project, there’s fun to be had there. All in all, Framed in Death is a solidly entertaining entry in the In Death series. Eve, Roarke, and their friends are always wonderful to spend time with, the mystery was engaging, and I finished this story a well-satisfied reader.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: A Silence in Belgrave Square by Jennifer Ashley

A Silence in Belgrave Square by Jennifer Ashley
Series: Below Stairs Mysteries, Book 8
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Historical Mystery 

ISBN: 9780593549933
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible
Jennifer Ashley Reading Order

Kat Holloway knows that her beau and confidante Daniel McAdam has a talent for dangerous work as a Scotland Yard agent. At long last though, Daniel’s coldhearted boss has promised that after a final mission, his debt will be repaid, and he’ll finally be free. However, Daniel must risk his life one last time, masquerading as a secretary to an elderly viscount who could be the mastermind behind the recent plots against the Queen and her government.

Using her contacts throughout London, Kat discovers several of her friends and colleagues have been victims of vicious blackmail. They’ll do anything to protect their scandalous secrets, even conform to the blackmailer’s political agenda. If Kat and Daniel wish to save each other and the Crown, they must prove the blackmailer’s identity and evade those who will stop at nothing to eliminate them.

Amateur sleuth and professional cook Kat Holloway is back at it in A Silence in Belgrave Square. Between highborn women being blackmailed and her beau, Daniel McAdam, being sent on a life-threatening undercover mission, it’s all Kat can do to keep her wits about her and get the tea cakes out on time.

Jennifer Ashley brings to the forefront another Fenian plot that will endanger many. Daniel’s boss, who’d sooner seen the man dead than free of service, has sent him undercover in a way that prevents Kat from contacting him. Kat isn’t one to sit on the sidelines, so the ever-expanding network of her and Daniel’s contacts is activated. What I liked best about A Silence in Belgrave Square is all the connections Kat has formed. Her friendship with Hannah, a con artist she goes way back with, is engaging and interesting to see play out on the page. Said friendship gives the story a bit of extra energy it needs.

There are two different mysteries at the heart of the book and Kat is making the most of her resources to solve both. I liked watching her put the pieces together, knowing what questions to ask and who can help her get the information. The mysteries aren’t as compelling as watching Kat solve them, but that didn’t overly bother me because I look to the Below Stairs Mysteries more for the relationships than the puzzle of the day. And speaking of relationships, longtime fans of the series will be excited to see things finally progress somewhat for Daniel and Kat, though what happens I’ll leave readers to learn on their own. A Silence in Belgrave Square is an entertaining read and as always, I enjoy spending time with Kat and company and I’m sure fans of the series will feel the same.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: He Falls First by Jill Shalvis

He Falls First by Jill Shalvis
Series: Colburn Brothers, Book 1
E-Book Publisher: That’s What She Said Publishing, Inc.
Print Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary Romance 

ISBN: 9781464243899
Release Date: August 5, 2025
Source: Author
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Audible
Jill Shalvis Reading Order

No one is going to convince her to fall in love again…

Ryder Colburn has his hands full running the family business and caring for the ailing father who’s a virtual stranger from the cold, heavy-handed man he used to be. He’s got zero free time for hobbies or women. Or so he thinks until one walks into his life… and the path of an oncoming car.

Ryder doesn’t mind playing the hero for the skittish, scarred chef Penny. Maybe it’s the secrets in her eyes or the scar on her chin. Whatever the reason, he’s compelled to get closer.

Penny’s learned her lesson and now she’s paying the price. That’s why she’s sharing a dilapidated house in a tiny California town with her feisty grandmother and tween brother living off the leftovers from her catering job. It’s a far cry from her dream life. But who needs dreams… or love… or sex when there’s amateur plumbing projects to tackle and breakfast casseroles to bake?

One thing’s for sure, she’s never falling in love again. Not even with the sexy, snarky contractor who keeps testing the walls she’s built.

A caring hero who’s good with his hands, a sassy heroine who has been burned in the past, a cast of quirky characters, and a bird with tons of personality make He Falls First a sweet and charming story. Jill Shalvis kicks off her Colburn Brothers series with Ryder Colburn, the eldest of said brothers, and Penny Rose, a talented chef who is determined not to fall for his charm.

Both Ryder and Penny know what it means to be responsible for their family. Ryder grew up in an abusive household and now cares for his ailing father. He’s also running a business, keeping an eye on his siblings, and mourning the death of his best friend. Ryder has a lot of weight to carry but he’s got strong shoulders and an even bigger heart. Penny is working herself to the bone to keep her family afloat and she has scars of her own that are still fresh. She can be sassy and sweet, but don’t let that fool you – she’s got a strong spine underneath it. She and Ryder fit like lock and key and their romance was easy to fall into. I liked that Ryder was patient and understanding, seeing not just Penny’s skittishness but her strength. They learn to lean on each other, which I really loved.

It wouldn’t be a Jill Shalvis novel if there weren’t a significant cast of big personalities and He Falls First is no exception. Penny and Ryder’s family and friends are there to support, interfere, and generally stick their noses into our protagonists’ story. It’s fun without being overbearing, the bounciness balancing with the seriousness. Familial love is just as important as romantic love in this story which was sweet. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed He Falls First and I’m very much looking forward to Caleb and Tucker Colburn’s books.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Atonement Sky by Nalini Singh

Atonement Sky by Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling Trinity, Book 9
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Paranormal Romance 

ISBN: 9780593819524
Release Date: July 15, 2025
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible
Nalini Singh Reading Order

Justice-Psy Eleri Dias knows the end is near for her, her mind one step away from fatal psychic exposure. In the short time that remains, she is determined to atone for an act of omission that has haunted her for a long, cruel decade. But that decision not only means facing a powerful changeling wing leader, but also putting herself in the path of a serial killer.

Falcon wing leader Adam Garrett is fiercely protective of his family and his clan. After losing his parents as a teenager in a shocking act of malice, Adam has no forgiveness in him for the J-Psy who betrayed him, betrayed them, at the most painful moment of his life. But the evil that stalks his territory will allow him no respite, forcing him once more into contact with the J he has never been able to forget.

Everything that could’ve been between Eleri and Adam was lost years ago, a shimmering promise crushed. As they work to uncover a monster, the moment of reckoning looms ever closer. Soon, there may be no more time left for either atonement...or love…

It’s a race against time to both catch a killer and save a protagonist in Atonement Sky. It’s almost the end of the line for J-Psy Eleri Dias. After multiple reconditionings, she’s almost at the point of Exposure. Before she goes, she wants to atone for an action she didn’t take when she was just an intern. An action that let a killer go free and broke the heart of the one man who was meant to be hers.

Eleri is both strong and fragile, her shields almost gone and no hope for her. Her personality is muted which makes the start of the story a bit slow. Adam Garrett, Wing Leader of WindHaven, is a falcon who is strong of heart. He’s bruised by what he sees as a betrayal from years ago, but he comes around and is a wonderfully protective hero. He and Eleri have a connection neither can deny, but – for lack of a better way to explain it – it didn’t feel as earned as other Nalini Singh couples’ bonds have. I enjoyed their love story, but it was missing some of the depth I’m used to in Singh’s stories.

There are two plotlines that work with the romance but are more prominent: the hunt for a serial killer and the inevitable degradation of shields Eleri and many other Js face. Eleri comes to Raintree to track down the killer and the hunt was entertaining. What was more of a mystery, however, was how Singh would manage to create a happily ever after when one half of the couple is running out of time. The twists and turns the story took were intriguing and the solution a satisfying one that I didn’t expect. The ramifications are sure to be felt as the series goes on and of course, familiar faces join in with the newer ones to solve the problem.

I went back and forth on how to rate this story a bit because I wanted more from Adam and Eleri’s romance, but overall I did thoroughly enjoy Atonement Sky. Singh is a wonderful writer who continues to draw me in and the world she has created is vast, fascinating, and full of unique personalities. While I could happily spend forever with DarkRiver and SnowDancer characters, the WindHaven characters absolutely drew me in and I hope to see more of them in future Psy-Changeling Trinity books.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice by Cynthia Timoti

Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice by Cynthia Timoti
Publisher: Bramble
Genre: Contemporary Romance 

ISBN: 9781250343475
eBook Source: Publisher
Audiobook Source: Purchased by Reviewer
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

She's salty, he's spice--there's no room for sugar in this fake relationship, but it may be sweeter than they think…

Ellie Pang has had enough of her controlling family who has been micromanaging her life since her type 1 diabetes diagnosis. When her parents orchestrate a public proposal from their business partner’s son, a proposal that goes humiliatingly viral, Ellie escapes to the other side of the country to put her dream of opening a sugar-free bakery into action. After all, she’d done her research. How hard can it be?

She hits a snag when her storefront turns out to be a dump and in need of major renovations. Worse, the only person who can help her turn things around is Alec Mackenzie, her brother’s best friend and the man responsible for crushing her teenage heart ten years ago.

But Alec has a proposal of his own: he needs a pretend girlfriend in order to cement a business deal. All they need to do is feign love and affection, while trying not to maim each other. As the thin line between hate and fake-madly-in-love starts to blur, buried secrets resurface, and Ellie must learn to trust her heart.

After an ultimatum from her mother and a viral proposal gone wrong, Ellie Pang is ready to start over. She breaks out of the box her parents have put her in and moves across the country to start her own sugar-free bakery. Except the minute she walks into her new store, she sees the disaster in front of her. Luckily/Unluckily for her, Alec Mackenzie – her old crush turned nemesis – is in town and has contacts to help her. All he needs in return is a fake girlfriend. Except, as we all know, fake dating has a way of turning into something all-too-real…

Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice is a cute story of enemies to friends to lovers. Cynthia Timoti’s debut novel has a lot of promise, although I had mixed feelings about the story overall.

I was on board with Ellie’s move at the beginning. She’s determined to make the life and business that she wants, which I appreciated. But when Ellie gets around Alec, she can be kind of petulant and frustrating. Her reasons for being upset with Alec made sense when she was a teenager, but not so much years later. Alec is kind, hardworking, and a little stuffy. I liked him as a hero but wanted a bit more depth from him. The development of their romance was predictable with the expected obstacles, stubborn protagonists, and interfering third parties. It was entertaining enough, but not as much as I would have wanted from a love story. That being said, I think there’s a lot of promise and I want to see how Timoti’s work develops in the future.

Where Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice shines is in the Type 1 Diabetes representation. Ellie has T1D and you can tell Timoti knows what she’s talking about. The way she weaves T1D rep into the story is fantastic and it was central to Ellie’s character without making it the only thing interesting about her. I really appreciated the care and attention to detail that was given to not just how Ellie managed her T1D but also how she stood up for herself in the face of others’ reactions to it. I also really enjoyed watching her build her sugar-free bakery and wish there was more time in this story devoted to it because it was wonderful. While I liked but didn’t love Ellie and Alec’s love story, there’s enough to enjoy about Cynthia Timoti’s writing that I’m very much looking forward to reading more of her work.



FTC Disclosure: I purchased the audiobook and received the eBook for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: The Love Fix by Jill Shalvis

The Love Fix by Jill Shalvis
Series: Sunrise Cove, Book 8
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance 

ISBN: 9780063353442
Release Date: June 24, 2025
Source: Author
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible
Jill Shalvis Reading Order

Lexi Clark’s life is falling apart around her, so when she’s summoned home to Sunrise Cove, the last thing she wants to do is face all the complications she left behind. Her past, her stepsister Ashley, and especially her infuriatingly gorgeous childhood nemesis-turned-crush Heath Bowman.

Yep, Lexi’s pretty sure being home again just might kill her. She’s an overachieving art appraiser who doesn’t believe in trust, love, or Happily Ever Afters. Free spirit Ashley, on the other hand, is so full of life it hurts to look at her. But Lexi can’t refuse Ashley’s plea to honor their late mother’s final wish to make amends with the people she’d wronged. So, on behalf of her estranged mother’s estate—and with Heath in tow as the executor—Lexi embarks on a road trip to repay all the people her gambling addicted mother owed money to.

Complicating everything are the feelings that well up for Lexi: for her mom, for Ashley, and most of all, for Heath. And for the record, she doesn’t like it, or the way he has of scaling the walls she’s built around her heart. The road trip shenanigans that ensue are both funny and heartbreaking, but Lexi finds something shocking along the way. Acceptance. Family. And unbelievably—if you ask Lexi anyway—love.

The Love Fix is a story of facing the past, lowering your walls, and moving forward into a brighter future. Jill Shalvis’s final Sunrise Cove novel has romance, humor, loving and nosy family members, and a cute animal – all what you’d expect from this series.

Lexi has returned to Sunrise Cove after years away to help settle her mother’s estate. Lexi has reason to be hurt and bitter about her mother’s neglect, but the journey she takes in delivering the letters her mother wrote brings her closer to two people. The Love Fix has two love stories: one familial, one romantic. I really liked seeing Lexi become close to her stepsister, Ashley. Ashley is cute as a button and overly eager to try and convince Lexi to stay and be a real family. She’s got the traditional Shalvis supporting character quirks and no boundaries but she’s genuinely kind so it’s sweet.

The other love story is the main draw of the book and that’s the romance between Lexi and Heath. Like Lexi, Heath has been hurt by a parent who should have protected him. He’s used to people only wanting him for what he can do for them so like Lexi it’s hard for him to let down his walls. He and Lexi have had chemistry for years so their fall into love was believable. The romance was a bit understated, but it was enjoyable.

For all its heavy themes, The Love Fix is a breezy summer read overall. Everyone in the story is likeable and it was easy to root for the characters. That being said, as a longtime Shalvis reader I will say it isn’t her most memorable story. I wanted to feel more depth to the characters and sometimes it was tell rather than show with them. Overall the story felt a little shallow but it’s good to pass the time with. You don’t have to be familiar with the Sunrise Cove series to read this book so if you’re looking for a good beach read, The Love Fix will hit the spot.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady

Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance 

ISBN: 9780593640845
Release Date: June 3, 2025
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Rivalry and romance spark when two bookstore managers who are opposites in every way find themselves competing for the same promotion.

Despite managing bookstores on the same Boston street, Josie Klein and Ryan Lawson have never interacted much—Josie’s store focuses on serious literature, and Ryan’s sells romance only. But when the new owner of both stores decides to combine them, the two are thrust into direct competition. Only one manager will be left standing, decided by who turns the most profit over the summer.

Efficient and detail-oriented Josie instantly clashes with easygoing and disorganized Ryan. Their competing events and contrasting styles lead to more than just frustration—the sparks between them might just set the whole store on fire. Their only solace during this chaos is the friendship they’ve each struck up with an anonymous friend in an online book forum. Little do they know they’re actually chatting with each other.

As their rivalry heats up in real life, their online relationship grows, and when the walls between their stores come tumbling down, Josie and Ryan realize not all’s fair in love and war. And maybe, if they’re lucky, happily ever afters aren’t just for the books.

Battle of the Bookstores is an absolutely charming read. It’s bright, fun, sweet, and a love letter to readers. Author duo Ali Brady knocked it out of the park with this delightful story of rival bookstore managers falling in love.

Confession: Enemies-to-lovers isn’t my favorite trope. But watching Josie and Ryan trade barbs and go from enemies to friends to lovers? Utterly delightful. Ryan is the manager of a romance bookstore and he’s just about the perfect hero. He’s sweet, kind, and is a champion of the romance genre. I absolutely adored his bookstore, Happy Endings, and only wish it and the employees in it were real. Ryan has insecurities he hides and the biting comments from his rival, Josie, bring them out. Josie has a hard outer shell that hides her own insecurities. She runs a literary fiction bookstore and aspires to be a valued voice in those circles. While she turns her nose up at romance novels at the beginning, I enjoyed watching her move outside her comfort zone.

When the owner of both stores decides to combine them and make Josie and Ryan compete for who will be the last manager standing, the gloves come off. But what neither competitor knows is that they are each the other’s favorite person in the online bookseller community they’re a part of. Shades of You’ve Got Mail run through this story as Josie and Ryan spar in person then share hidden truths online.

Ryan and Josie are both easy to root for and their love story was a delight to watch unfold. The romance tropes are called out which makes it a lot of fun for fans of the genre. The authors mostly eschew false drama for more engaging, character-building moments. And I was just as if not more charmed by Ali Brady’s love letter to readers. Battle of the Bookstores knows and appreciates its audience and it shows in all the best ways. I finished Josie and Ryan’s story a well-satisfied reader and I am definitely looking forward to reading more Ali Brady books.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts

Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Romantic Suspense 

ISBN: 9781250370853
Release Date: May 27, 2025
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Natural Resources police officer, Sloan Cooper, and her partner had just taken down three men preying on hikers in the Western Maryland mountains. Driving back, she pulled in at a convenience store—and walked right into a robbery in progress. One gunshot from a jittery thief was about to change her world.

After being shocked back to life on the operating table, she has a long recovery ahead, so she moves back to her parents’ peaceful house in Heron’s Rest. As for the boyfriend who dumped her via text while she was in the hospital, good riddance.

She may be down, but she’s not out. So when a woman vanishes, leaving her car behind in a supermarket parking lot, Sloan searches online for similar cases. She finds them, spread across three states. Men and women, old and young—the missing seem to have nothing in common. And the abductions keep happening.

Luckily, the new man in her life shares her passion for solving this mystery. But it will take every ounce of endurance to get to the dark heart of this bizarre case—and she's willing to risk her life again if that's what it takes to stop the horror.

A strong heroine coming back from a devastating injury, a handsome hero who is good with his hands, lots of home renovation, loving family members, a few adorable dogs, and villains who must be stopped – Hidden Nature has all the hallmarks of a classic Nora Roberts romantic suspense. I’ve been a fan of Nora Roberts for decades so it pains me to say that as much as I wanted to love this book, it isn’t up to her usual standards.

Sloan and Nash are likable protagonists. Sloan is recovering from a gunshot wound when she comes home to Heron’s Rest and she is determined to get her strength back. Roberts’s newsletter revealed that her starting point for this book was learning about the Natural Resources Police Department and honestly seeing Sloan’s job was one of the more interesting parts of the story. Nash left the high-powered world of Wall Street to become a contractor in Heron’s Rest. He’s strong and guarded, but incredibly kind and very supportive of his younger brother. Separately, our hero and heroine are entertaining, which is good because it takes quite a while for them to meet. Together, they are a solid couple whose romance is understated and honestly could use a bit more time and attention. The story dragged a bit until things started picking up with them so more time with the romance would have perked things up. And while I do love home renovation and have enjoyed it in many a Nora Roberts novel, it took over this story way too much for my liking.

Another couple is at the heart of Hidden Nature and that’s the villains, Clara and Sam. They are, in a word, creepy. Their mission is horrible and I didn’t love reading about it over and over when it didn’t feel like much new was added in the repetition. It felt like they had as much page time as Nash and Sloan, which just didn’t work for me (but your mileage may vary). Hidden Nature isn’t bad, but having read and loved the majority of Roberts’s work, it just doesn’t compare.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Dream On, Ramona Riley by Ashley Herring Blake

Dream On, Ramona Riley by Ashley Herring Blake
Series: Clover Lake, Book 1
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Female/Female Contemporary Romance 

ISBN: 978059381599
Release Date: May 13, 2025
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Once upon a time, Ramona Riley was a student at a prestigious art school, with dreams of landing in Hollywood as a costume designer to the stars. But after her father’s car accident, she had to quit and return to her small New Hampshire town, Clover Lake, to help take care of her younger sister. Twelve years later, Ramona is still working at the town’s café, all but given up on her dream. But when a big-budget romantic comedy comes to Clover Lake to film, she wonders if this could be her chance. There’s only one problem—Dylan Monroe, her first kiss and Hollywood’s favorite wild child—is the star.

Dylan Monroe has always lived an unconventional life, having famous rock icons for parents. But she wants to prove that she’s not some chaotic, talentless nepo baby, that she has actual skills, that she’s just a normal person. To do that, Dylan takes on a project at a charming lake town—she even works at the town’s café (very quaint), shadowing a local waitress there (very cute), and asks her to take Dylan around to do Normal People Things.

But Dylan soon realizes it’s not just some small-town waitress she’s getting to know—Ramona Riley is someone she’s met before, someone who remembers her even more vividly. Before long, however, reality hits them, and both women must decide if the spark between them can fan the flames of their individual dreams, or if it will extinguish their light.

As a teenager, Ramona Riley had to drop out of RISD and give up her dreams of being a costume designer to come home and help with her family. She doesn’t regret the choice she made, but with her little sister getting ready to go to college and her father doing just fine, Ramona is feeling a little lost. Then Dylan Monroe, Hollywood’s bad girl, comes into town. Dylan is the daughter of two famous musicians and grew up in a chaotic, neglectful environment. She’s looking to prove that she’s more than some nepo baby and is desperate to change her image. The role as a shy waitress in a queer romantic comedy is just the key. But Dylan has never had a normal life or worked a normal job. So when Ramona starts showing her the ropes, Dylan takes a chance on asking the cute girl if she can show her more. Sparks fly, but both women have old wounds that haven’t fully healed. Can a fling be enough to become something more or will they fizzle out when filming ends?

Ashley Herring Blake makes celebrity-in-a-small-town feel fresh in Dream On, Ramona Riley. Ramona and Dylan’s story is sweet, spicy, and wonderfully engaging.

Dylan and Ramona met one night long ago, at a turning point in both their lives. The sweetness of that memory is something they both hold dear and it’s an utterly charming beginning to their story. Ramona is hardworking and talented, but she’s in a rut. With her sister starting college she doesn’t know how to start chasing her dreams and feels it’s too late. Then the movie comes to town along with the costume designer she’s long looked up to and it seems like fate. But how to get on the set? Well, teaching the star of the movie how to waitress is a good start. I adored Ramona – she’s just plain easy to like – and wanted to see her find all the love and happiness that she deserved. But it’s Dylan who truly captured my heart. Dylan has a lot of privilege, sure, but she is so wounded and vulnerable that it broke my heart. She is wonderfully imperfect throughout this book, making a mess of things more than once. But she tries, she learns, and she grows and it’s oh, so lovely to see. I absolutely loved her and Ramona together. They have wonderful chemistry and are funny, sometimes dorky, and totally sexy together. I hated to put this book down because I was so wrapped up in their tale.

Dream On, Ramona Riley is the first book in Herring Blake’s Clover Lake series and I loved how charming, welcoming, and queer this town was. I adored spending time there and am very much looking to seeing more of it in April’s (Ramona’s best friend) book. And while you don’t have to have read the Bright Falls series, fans of Iris Kelly will enjoy hearing what everyone’s favorite redhead is up to. Ashley Herring Blake has never let me down and Dream On, Ramona Riley is no exception. I adored Dylan and Ramona’s story from first page to last and I cannot wait to read more Clover Lake stories.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Hardly a Gentleman by Eloisa James

Hardly a Gentleman by Eloisa James
Series: Accidental Brides, Book 2
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical Romance 

ISBN: 9780063347465
Release Date: April 29, 2025
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible
Eloisa James Reading Order

Desperate after her Season comes to a spectacularly disastrous end, the Honorable Miss Clara Vetry jumps into a carriage hired to take a housekeeper to Scotland.

The laird of Castle CaerLaven has no interest in a wife, especially a love match—but when Caelan sees his new housekeeper, he changes his mind. Marriage to a delectable bookworm strikes him as a perfect arrangement.

To his surprise, Clara refuses his proposal once…and again…yet again.

When her true identity is revealed, and they’re forced to marry, Caelan realizes he has a far more crucial challenge.

He finally has Clara’s hand—but how will he ever win her heart?

After a scandal erupts when she fends off a lecherous member of the royal family, Clara Vetry is effectively banished from society. With a fair amount of freedom for the first time, what does she do? Run from her mother’s plan for her, take a carriage meant for a housekeeper, and travel to a castle in the Scottish Highlands of course. But neither Castle CaerLaven nor its owner are what Clara expect. The ridiculously handsome laird is a rough-around-the-edges widower and the castle itself is in desperate need of care. Clara isn’t sure what to do, but she’s determined to be adventurous and tackle the challenge in front of her. She’s got books and spirit, so nothing could go wrong. Unless her true identity is revealed, that is…

Hardly a Gentleman is a fun romance with characters who aren’t afraid to be earthy, messy, and honest. Clara and Caelan are delightful and their romance is bright and engaging.

Clara is a bookworm who knows what she wants and takes things in stride when she comes to CaerLaven and things aren’t what she expected. Caelan is the opposite of the refined men she’s been told she should like. He’s kind of a hot mess at first but he’s kind and takes care of his people, which makes him instantly endearing. He and Clara have excellent chemistry, and I liked that this story was different because both of them were kinda messy. Caelan is a widower and though he loved his wife, she wasn’t the match for him. Unfortunately for him, most of the village believes he’s still deeply in mourning. Clara, while attracted to Caelan, doesn’t want to be second to someone whose heart belongs to another. What follows is a love story that is sprightly, fairly low drama, and features a host of delightful secondary characters who help our hero and heroine get where they need to be.

Hardly a Gentleman is the second book in Eloisa James’s Accidental Brides series but you don’t have to have read Viscount in Love in order to enjoy this story. All in all, Caelan and Clara’s story is a delightful romp with zany, bookish characters and a romance that makes the pages of the story fly by.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Archangel’s Ascension by Nalini Singh

Archangel’s Ascension by Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter, Book 17
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Male/Male Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy 

ISBN: 9780593550038
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible
Nalini Singh Reading Order

Aodhan and Illium. Adi and Blue. Sparkle and Bluebell. Friends become lovers, their future a wild unknown.

Finally reunited in New York, they must now learn to navigate the monumental shift in their relationship. But for these two members of Archangel Raphael’s legendary Seven, there is no time to rest. As they investigate a case for the Tower that echoes the darkness from Aodhan’s past, they will be forced to confront not only the scars that mark them both, but the promise of a vast power that flickers in Illium.

The threat of ascension has haunted and troubled Aodhan’s Blue for too long, the forces of change immutable and without mercy...and uncaring of Illium’s fierce wish to remain part of the Seven. Change is a constant in an immortal’s life, and this new horizon will bring with it both terrible heartbreak and a joy extraordinary enough to reverberate through time…

Archangel’s Ascension is a breathtakingly romantic story of friends who have become lovers who are now becoming something even more, something that will stand strong and true through millennia. Nalini Singh completes Aodhan and Illium’s love story in a romance that is tender and achingly beautiful.

Archangel’s Ascension picks up where Archange’s Light - the beginning of Adi and Blue’s romance – left off. Singh takes readers back and forth from the present into the far future as the two men’s lives change and grow together. That Bluebell and Sparkle were made for each other, are meant to be best friends and partners, is never in question. But Illium still has fears he needs to confront, buried wounds from abandonment both intentional and not from those he holds close. And Aodhan…artist, warrior, and survivor, still bears scars from his imprisonment and assault. A case he and Illium take on brings those memories to the forefront and helps Aodhan move his healing forward. What makes this story special to me is how tender and open Illium and Aodhan are with each other. There are so many layers to their love that it makes scenes with them captivating. There are countless romantic moments but also ones of brightness and fun, showing the lightness between the two that comes from their centuries of causing mischief together.

Adi and Blue are the heart of this story, but their hearts contain so many others beloved by fans of the Guild Hunter series. I loved seeing their relationships with their loved ones, from Raphael and the rest of the Seven to the vampires, angels, and mortals who have made this series so wonderful. There’s so much depth to the world and that’s in large part to the connections between all the characters. What the future brings I don’t want to spoil, though the title and everything leading up to this book do tell readers what they’re in for. But uncovering when and how things happen and what goes into it was such a joy that I’m going to avoid spoiling the experience. Suffice it to say that Singh makes the journey a rewarding one and I was enthralled every step of the way. And while this book would make the perfect end chapter the Guild Hunter series, never fear that we’re saying goodbye to the characters we love. Singh has written that the series will continue and I very much look forward to more of this world.

Archangel’s Ascension is a gorgeous story that filled my heart with joy. The completion of Aodhan and Illium’s romance was worth the wait and their love story is one I can’t wait to be swept away by again and again.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows

Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows
Series: Oaks Sisters, Book 1
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance 

ISBN: 9780063416161
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Millie was never one to take the expected path. She's an entomologist who loves her job as a natural science curator, inspiring museum visitors every day. It's her dream to take a larger role in the planning of her department, so when a director position opens up, she is determined not to let anything distract her from her goals. Especially her grumpy coworker with his permanent scowl, electric blue eyes, and nerdy astronomy ties.

. . . Not that she’s spent much time noticing any of those things.

Finn doesn’t mean to glare at everyone, but he’s juggling his role at the museum, navigating the grief of losing his sister, attempting to make his nieces smile, and trying not to ruin dinner for the fifth night in a row. He can't afford to let anything slip, and certainly doesn't need anything more on his plate. Millie literally stumbling into him with her bright smile and sunny optimism, is the last thing he needs.

They want nothing to do with each other. But with Finn on the interview committee, avoidance is impossible. And Millie soon realizes it's one thing when a job is on the line. It's quite another when it's her heart.

Give Me Butterflies is an absolutely charming romance. Millie and Finn are sweet, smart, and absolutely made for other which makes it easy to root for their happily ever after.

Millie was once mentally battered down by an abusive boyfriend but now she’s standing strong and isn’t letting anyone mess with her sunny disposition. She’s a successful entomologist and is up for a director position at her museum – her dream job. But on the day of her first interview, she runs into the head of the astronomy department and things do not go well. Finn is grumpy, glowering, and her total opposite…or so she thinks. Finn may seem like a thundercloud at first, but actually he’s just a guy going through a really difficult time. He lost his sister and is now guardian to his nieces, who he loves with all his heart but is afraid of falling short as their new parent.

Jillian Meadows makes it easy to adore Millie, Finn, and the twins, Eloise and Avery. All of them are kind and loving people doing their best. The girls are absolutely sweet as can be and I loved how quickly Millie established a relationship with them separate from hers with Finn. For all that Give Me Butterflies deals with some heavy themes, Meadows makes the book feel light and airy. It’s a low-drama romance as Millie and Finn go from friends to lovers and sometimes you just need a solid love story without false drama in the third act. There’s tension, of course, but Meadows keeps things mostly organic as the story goes on.

Give Me Butterflies is the first book in the Oaks Sisters series and I cannot wait to see more of Millie’s family. I loved the Oaks and Millie’s friends, enjoyed how they welcomed Finn and the girls into their circle with open arms and hearts. All in all, Finn and Millie’s romance was a delight and I am very much looking forward to the next Oaks Sisters tale.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Fan Service by Rosie Danan

Fan Service by Rosie Danan
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Paranormal Romance 

ISBN: 9780593437162
Release Date: March 11, 2025
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

The only place small-town outcast Alex Lawson fits in is the online fan forum she built for The Arcane Files, a long-running werewolf detective show. Her dedication to archiving fictional supernatural lore made her Internet-famous, even if she harbors a secret disdain for the show’s star, Devin Ashwood. (Never meet your heroes—sometimes they turn out to be The Worst.)

Ever since his show went off the air, Devin and his career have spiraled, but waking up naked in the woods outside his LA home with no memory of the night before is a new low. It must have been a coincidence that the once-in-a-century Wolf Blood Moon crested last night. The claws, fangs, and howling are a little more difficult to explain away. Desperate for answers, Devin finds Alex—the closest thing to an expert that exists. If only he could convince her to stop hating his guts long enough to help....

Devin Ashwood was a former child star turned heartthrob on his long-running supernatural show. Now he’s forty-two, washed up, and desperate to try and get the show rebooted. His life isn’t going his way…then he finds out he may have been turned into a werewolf. What’s a wolfman to do? The only thing he can do in this wild situation: track down the moderator of the most extensive fan forum The Arcane Files had and seek their guidance. Alex Lawson had her childhood crush on Devin quashed when she met him as a teenager. The fact that he shows up in her hometown wanting her help is laughable. Until truth turns out to be stranger than fiction. Now they need to use her knowledge to help Devin learn to control his wolf. But Devin isn’t the only one with lessons to learn…

Fan Service is a love letter to fandoms wrapped up in a chaotic (in a good way) romance. I admit, I had mixed feelings about this book in the beginning but Rosie Danan pulled me in over the course of the story and I was loving it by the end.

Devin is kind of insufferable at first. He’s desperate to revive his career but he’s also just plain shallow. Alex is prickly and stand-offish which makes sense given how she’s still bullied in her town even as an adult. The first half of Fan Service was a bit slow for me because the characters and even their wacky situation didn’t really draw me in (unusual for me with Danan’s writing). That being said, the story seriously picked up at the halfway point and I fell in love with Alex and Devin. Yes, Devin is desperate and wants to be loved but as he starts becoming more human (ironic given his situation) he becomes an endearing hero who is messy and more complex than he seems at first. There are parts of his story that simply broke my heart. Alex pushes people away but Devin barrels through her walls and I loved seeing her come into her own. She’s strong, smart, and cares so much that it was delightful to see her find someone she could learn to lean on as well.

Devin’s journey into controlling his werewolf side was highly entertaining. I loved that Alex was able to use her vast knowledge of the Arcane Files fandom to help him. Equally engaging was the romance. Once things picked up between Devin and Alex, Danan turned up the heat in delicious ways. The result was a sensual, sweet, and fun romance. So while I struggled with Fan Service in the first half, I still enjoyed the second half so much that I recommend the book.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Bonded in Death by J.D. Robb

Bonded in Death by J.D. Robb
Series: In Death, Book 60
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Futuristic/Mystery/Suspense 

ISBN: 9781250370792
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible
J.D. Robb Reading Order

His passport read Giovanni Rossi. But decades ago, during the Urban Wars, he was part of a small, secret organization called The Twelve. Responding to an urgent summons from an old compatriot, he landed in New York and eased into the waiting car. And died within minutes…

Lieutenant Eve Dallas finds the Rossi case frustrating. She’s got an elderly victim who’d just arrived from Rome; a widow who knows nothing about why he’d left; an as-yet unidentifiable weapon; and zero results on facial recognition. But when she finds a connection to the Urban Wars of the 2020s, she thinks Summerset—fiercely loyal, if somewhat grouchy, major-domo and the man who’d rescued her husband from the Dublin streets—may know something from his stint as a medic in Europe back then.

When Summerset learns of the crime, his shock and grief are clear—because, as he eventually reveals, he himself was one of The Twelve. It’s not a part of his past he likes to revisit. But now he must—not only to assist Eve’s investigation, but because a cryptic message from the killer has boasted that others of The Twelve have also died. Summerset is one of those who remain—and the murderous mission is yet to be fully accomplished…

When an unassuming visitor from Rome is killed in New York shortly after arrival, Lieutenant Eve Dallas is baffled. Furthering her confusion is why her card was left with the body. She never met Giovanni Rossi, nor is his killer’s motive readily apparent. Looking into the victim and the mysterious group called “The Twelve” that has some connection to the Urban Wars of the 2020s, Eve discovers why the killer chose her. Summerset, Eve’s pain in the neck of a majordomo and member of her family (whether either wants to admit it or not), was once one of the Twelve…and he’s now a target.

Bonded in Death takes Eve, Roarke, and company through a journey of the past and I was totally here for it. The Urban Wars have been referenced throughout the series but the events are more central to this story than most others. Summerset was more than a medic in the Urbans and we get to learn of his past, and that of the other members of the Twelve. I loved learning more about Summerset’s past, enjoyed meeting the friends of his who were all a part in fighting for peace. I won’t say too much for fear of spoiling things, but I really liked meeting the remaining members of the Twelve and learning about them and their shared history. It was also nice to shine a light more on Summerset, a character who has been important but in the background for much of the series.

J.D. Robb has a way of drawing me in from the start and not letting go and the latest In Death adventure was no exception. I enjoyed watching Eve and her team work to put together a picture of the person they were hunting while having to protect a group of ex-spies who may be retired but whose skills are still sharp. Robb balanced mystery, suspense, and entertainment extremely well and I hated it whenever I had to put this book down. I recommend at least being familiar with the In Death series before diving into Bonded in Death, but if you know the main cast I think you can safely jump in here. Any time spent with Eve and Roarke is enjoyable and this latest outing should delight fans of the In Death books.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis

Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis
Series: Sunrise Cove, Book 7
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance 

ISBN: 9780063353381
Release Date: January 21, 2025
Source: Author
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible
Jill Shalvis Reading Order

When Olive Porter’s off-the-grid parents go missing, she reluctantly seeks out Noah Turner, her ex and the only person she both trusts implicitly and not at all.

As a special investigative agent for the National Park Service, Noah’s used to living under intense pressure. Or he was until he got injured on the job. Now unhappily recuperating at home while being smothered by his loving but nosy family, he’d love nothing more than a good distraction.

So when Olive shows up looking like a million bucks, he has to do a gut and heart check. Because nope, no matter what, he can’t fall for her again, the woman who once blew up his entire life and never looked back. How ironic then that his own personal hell (Olive) is also his ticket out of town. The question is, will the risk be worth the reward?

Ever since one fateful night over a decade ago, Olive and Noah have avoided each other. Now the two are back in Sunrise Cove to help Noah’s sister, who also happens to be Olive’s best friend. Neither wants to address the past or the spark between them that has never died. But the longer they’re around each other, the harder it is to deny that they’re simply meant to be.

Better Than Friends has all the hallmarks of a Jill Shalvis romance. There’s a smart, stunning heroine who gets into some awkward situations, a handsome, steady hero, a cast of nosy but caring supporting characters, and an adorable animal or two. The result? A cute and light read.

Olive has tried to turn herself into someone who has it all together, but when she comes home to Sunrise Cove to help her best friend after Katie’s husband is hurt on the job, old insecurities and wounds rise to the surface. Olive doesn’t like to rely on people and she needs to learn to lean on others. Noah’s life changed after the accident that ended his future in baseball, but it was Olive leaving town and the strained relationship with his father that really hurt him. Now Noah doesn’t want to put down roots, no matter how much his mother tries to set up him with different women.

Noah and Olive are a good match and they have an easy chemistry that’s typical of a Shalvis romance. Of course, everyone around them is working to push them together which was cute. That being said, for some reason Better Than Friends dragged for me. It took a while for things to get moving, which is unusual for Shalvis. The central conflict keeping Noah and Olive apart really wasn’t strong enough to justify an entire novel and I felt like it would have been better suited to a shorter format. The tension didn’t feel earned and it seemed like Olive and Noah kept going in circles for no particular reason other than to stretch a thinnish plot. That being said, I liked the characters and the story wrapped up in an ending that was sweet and satisfying.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Puck and Prejudice by Lia Riley

Puck and Prejudice by Lia Riley
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Time Travel Romance 

ISBN: 9780063412323
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a modern single man in possession of a hockey jersey may be exactly what a Regency woman needs to avoid the shackles of marriage... Goalie for the Austin Regals, Tucker Taylor is benched due to health issues. So he decides to visit his sister in England. But an accidental plunge into an icy pond thrusts him back to 1812 where he comes face to face with a captivating blue-eyed woman who regards him as if he’s grown two heads.

Lizzy Wooddash dreams of a life surrounded by books, engaging conversation, the presence of literary icons like Jane Austen, and... nary a husband in sight. But in Regency England, only widows like her cousin Georgie enjoy freedom and solitary pursuits, unencumbered by expectations. The only way to quickly become a widow is by marrying a dying man or killing a perfectly healthy one, neither of which Lizzy desires.

A visitor from the future might just be the husband of her dreams. Once married, they can figure out how to return Tucker to his proper time, and his absence—aka death—will make Lizzy the widow she always dreamed of becoming. Yet as sparks ignite, they soon realize that matters of the heart rarely adhere to carefully laid plans. Can their love stand the test of time, or will Lizzy get exactly what she wanted...as well as a broken heart?

It is a truth acknowledged within my own circle that if you put a Jane Austen reference in a book title or summary that I am likely to pick said book up. I’m also a fan of hockey, so between Puck and Prejudice featuring a time-traveling hockey player and Lia Riley creating a heroine who is pals with Jane Austen, there was little doubt that this would land itself in my reading pile.

Lizzy Wooddash dreams of freedom, of writing, and of not being bound by her family’s desires for her. Which is why when a confused man in strange garb shows up, lost, confused, and in need of help, the perfect solution to all of Lizzy’s problems lies with him. After battling cancer, Tucker Taylor has been benched from the Austin Regals until his doctor clears him to play. While visiting his sister in England, Tucker gets in a car accident and finds himself in 1812. What’s a man who couldn’t tell Austin from Brontë to do? Accept the help of a trio of women who not only believe him, but are determined to assist him to find a way back. In return, Tucker is all-too-happy to marry Lizzy so that she can be “widowed” to gain freedom when he finds his way home. It’s the perfect plan, except neither Lizzy nor Tucker expect to fall for each other.

Puck and Prejudice starts off slow but finds its footing as Lizzy and Tucker begin to fall in love. The story is cute and while you may have to suspend more disbelief than usual for this book, it’s entertaining enough. I liked the characters and the romance was sweet, with Lizzy and Tucker fitting each other well. That being said, the time travel bits were not as well thought-out as they could have been. I finished the book with more questions than I would have liked and there were some plot holes that left me a bit annoyed. And while I liked it when things started moving for the romance, it did feel a bit shallow.

If you’re a Janeite, there are plenty of references to Austen’s work that don’t really play a role but are cute nonetheless. If you’re not familiar with Austen’s work, missing out on those elements won’t detract from the story as it’s all very shallow and fleeting (including Jane’s presence). Overall, this was an OK story. It was entertaining enough to pass the time with and there was nothing wrong with it, but it didn’t grab my attention the way I would have liked.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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