I've been really into paranormal romances lately, particularly ones with demons, ghosts, or other spooky vibes. This week Chip Pons released his second novel, Dearly Departed, about a funeral director (and former God of the Underworld) and the cheerful florist who's caught his eye. Hayden and Levi couldn't be more different on the surface, but... Continue Reading →
Happy book birthday to You Won't Forget Me by Mazey Eddings! This was one of my most anticipated romances this year. It's my first time reading this author, but I always love a book with music at its core. Here, Cubby Clark is the frontwoman for an up-and-coming band, but they're off to a rough... Continue Reading →
Here's a book that surprised me this year: Puck by Samantha Allen. I was offered an ARC of it a few months ago, and I was intrigued that it's inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream—even though I'm not especially familiar with this Shakespearean play; what kind of English major am I?!—and that the main character... Continue Reading →
Between 2012 and 2013, I lived in Valencia, Spain while pursuing my master's degree. Someday I'll live in Spain again, but until then, I'm always chasing that feeling through books. This led me straight to The Valencia Expat Club by June Patrick, set exactly in my "home" city. Thirty-year-old Dahlia has just gotten divorced, and... Continue Reading →
I've been looking forward to Keshe Chow's adult debut, Strange Familiars, which just came out a couple weeks ago. The first in the Seamere College Duology, it's set in a magical version of our world at a London university, where two veterinary science majors are competing for the top spot upon graduation. Gwendolynne Chan and... Continue Reading →
I read and enjoyed Vaishnavi Patel's first two novels, and I've been excited for her latest release, We Dance Upon Demons. This is a bit of a departure from her earlier works, most notably because it's contemporary fantasy as opposed to historical fantasy. It's also very heavily focused on current issues regarding abortion rights and... Continue Reading →
This year I've been increasingly drawn to horror novels set around the world, including African horror in particular. House of Margins by Tlotlo Tsamaase piqued my interest for its setting in both Botswana and South Africa, its focus on African literature, and a missing person mystery told through the lens of a true crime podcast.... Continue Reading →
A book I've been looking forward to all year is Startup Hell by Caitlin Rozakis. When her boss summons a demon and promptly dies, Morgan suddenly has a problem on her hands. But both she and Lucareoth (Luke) are just trying to meet their respective sales quotas, and he's now stuck on her plane, so... Continue Reading →
Happy book birthday to The House of Now and Then by Edward Underhill! This is my first time reading this author, and what an impactful book to start with. Harlowe is a 31-year-old trans man who has just ended a long relationship with his boyfriend. To regroup, he rents a (shockingly cheap) cottage in Cape... Continue Reading →
I really enjoyed Julian Winters's adult debut, I Think They Love You, early last year, and I've been excited for more from him. The 24 Carter Gold series continues with Last First Kiss, in which Jordan and Jamie find their way to each other. Both were introduced in the previous book, and here we get... Continue Reading →
I loved Katie Holt's debut novel, Not in My Book, and I've been looking forward to her next book. It's out this week: The Last Page, about a NYC bookstore that must carry on after the beloved owner has passed away. Ella has been a manager there for years, and Leo had told her he'd... Continue Reading →
I often like my books to come with a side of darkness. This led me to Death's Daughter by S.A. Barnes, the first in her Children of the Old Ones series. This dark academia romantasy is set in a college town in Massachusetts, where Jocasta is trying to live a normal life, despite secretly being... Continue Reading →
I've read and enjoyed two historical romances by Diana Quincy. Now she is publishing suspenseful women's fiction as Diana Awad. Her first novel in this genre is As Far as She Knew, which came out at the beginning of April. Amira Abadi has been in a happy marriage with Ali for over twenty years, and... Continue Reading →
Last month, Fartumo Kusow released her novel, Winter of My Spring. I was instantly interested in it for its setting in Somalia and focus on three girls struggling to survive being kidnapped by terrorists. Being prisoners is horrific, but what will life after escaping look like for Rada and her friends? What I Liked: Showing... Continue Reading →
One of my most anticipated books of 2026 is out now: Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker. I've wanted to read this author since she released The Keeper of Night in 2021, and I'm glad to finally be diving in now. The title Japanese Gothic may recall Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, but that's where... Continue Reading →
Jessica George's debut, Maame, was one of my favorite books of 2023, so I've been excited for her follow-up. Her second novel, Love by the Book, is out today, and though it's different in scope, it's equally compelling. It focuses on two seemingly opposite women who are both at a crossroads and just need a... Continue Reading →
CG Drews recently released their adult debut novel, You Did Nothing Wrong. This psychological horror follows Elodie, the 22-year-old mother to her six-year-old son, Jude. She spent years with her neglectful parents in Australia, but upon meeting Bren, she packed up her life to live with him in the United States. Bren has a large... Continue Reading →
For a couple of years, I've been anticipating Ana Holguin's novel, Second Chance Duet. So much so that, while I was waiting for it, I read her first book, Up Close & Personal! At long last it is here, and what a treat it is. Celia García is a composer whose goal is to score... Continue Reading →
Last year, I adored Mia Sosa's romance, When Javi Dumped Mari, so I've been ready to jump into more of her books. Today sees the rerelease of The Starter Ex: It first came out as an audiobook in 2024, and now it's available in print and ebook editions as well. In a nod to How... Continue Reading →
The Encore by Juliet Izon wasn't initially on my radar, but when I saw it on NetGalley, I was instantly intrigued. It starts with Anna Buckley and Will Pendleton in 2003, when they're both students at a prestigious school studying music. They're friends, not lovers, but one hookup before they part ways leaves Anna pregnant.... Continue Reading →
Happy release week to Maria J. Morillo's debut novel, The Ex-Perimento! This romance has been on my radar for many months, and I was so excited to get my hands on it. Set in Caracas, Venezuela, it follows Maria Antonieta (Marianto), a lifestyle columnist with her whole life planned out down to the letter. But... Continue Reading →
Last May, Nisha J. Tuli released her first contemporary romance, Not Safe for Work. I had never read her before, but was excited for this workplace romance set at a resort in Hawaii. Trishara and Rafe have been rivals for the past five years that they've worked at his dad's company in Chicago. Now they're... Continue Reading →
Lately I've been getting into mysteries again, and I was excited for this week's new release, The Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera. This debut novel follows Siriwathi, a Sri Lankan immigrant and taxicab driver in New York City. While working late one night, she picks up a man on his way to the airport, but... Continue Reading →
This year, I find myself increasingly drawn to medieval stories, and this is what piqued my interest in Ryan Collett's new novel, George Falls Through Time. George is going through a rough time: recently broken up with, unemployed, and stressed about life's mundanities. Then a heightened moment of stress literally sends George falling through time,... Continue Reading →
Amanda's Book Corner 