Alex North has become one of my favorite authors in the past few years, so I was excited to read his brand new book, The Man Made of Smoke. Following several characters and a few timelines, it starts when young Dan has a brief encounter with a serial killer and one of the boys he'd abducted. Decades... Continue Reading →
Asexual representation, Mexican American women falling in love, a viral TikTok scavenger hunt—all of this can be found in Gabriella Gamez's new novel, Kiss Me, Maybe. This is the second in her Librarians in Love series, and even if you haven't read the first book yet (I haven't), it works well as a standalone romance.... Continue Reading →
As a former and soon-to-be (again!) expat, I'm always drawn to books set in other countries. This is what caught my attention about Rachel Lynn Solomon's newest release, What Happens in Amsterdam. I've been wanting to read this author for a few years, and this novel looked like the perfect, wanderlust-inducing place to start. When... Continue Reading →
It may not be summer yet, but the weather is getting nice and it's the perfect time to get a preview of more to come with Ms. V's Hot Girl Summer by A.H. Cunningham. Single mom Trinidad Velasquez is looking to finally settle down with a man years after her divorce. She tries to ignore... Continue Reading →
This week saw the release of Meryl Wilsner's fourth novel, My Best Friend's Honeymoon. When Elsie ends her engagement to Derrick, he encourages her to go on the the non-refundable honeymoon to Santa Lupita that he'd booked. Elsie takes her best friend, Ginny, who makes her promise to speak up for what she wants the... Continue Reading →
This week saw the release of Lissette Decos's second novel, Takes One to Know One. Set primarily in Puerto Rico, this enemies-to-lovers romance follows up-and-coming reggaetonero Rene ‘El Rico’ Rodriguez... and Daniela, the reggaeton-hating record label executive working with him while he records his debut album. Why I Chose This Book: I never pass up... Continue Reading →
This week, Myah Ariel released her second novel, No Ordinary Love. It follows her previous book, When I Think of You, this time diving into the music industry, a woman going through a brutal divorce, and the new chance at love she finds along the way. Why I Chose This Book: I wanted to read... Continue Reading →
Alex North has become one of my favorite authors in the past few years, so I was excited to read his forthcoming book, The Man Made of Smoke. It's due out in May, but I was lucky to receive a physical arc this month. The Man Made of Smoke has many of the themes that... Continue Reading →
Following the reprint of My Funny Demon Valentine in January, Aurora Ascher's second Hell Bent novel, My Demon Hunter, is out today. Here, instead of focusing on one of the four "brother" demons escaped from Hell, it follows the hunter sent to find them and his decision to find a human pet—ahem, girlfriend. Mist ends... Continue Reading →
Happy book birthday to Just Our Luck by Denise Williams! Donuts, a winning lottery ticket, and fake dating make for a sweet and escapist romance between two total opposites. Although I picked up her first book, How to Fail at Flirting, a couple years ago, this is my first time reading Denise Williams, but not... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, Jacqueline Friedland released her new novel, Counting Backwards. Divided between the 1910s/1920s and today, it uncovers a horrific story about eugenics, forced sterilizations, and women who have little power over their reproductive health and personal lives. It's inspired by the true cases of Carrie Buck in 1924 and what's continued to go on even... Continue Reading →
Last week, Thien-Kim Lam released her latest novel, Something Cheeky. I've been wanting to read her books, and when I saw the description for this one, I knew it was time to dive in. Zoe and Derek were best friends in college, but lost touch after she was pushed out of the program. Now Derek... Continue Reading →
Happy book birthday to Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley! This is the followup to Kilt Trip, this time following older brother Jack Sutherland and his second chance with Brooke Sinclair. They connected back in college, but a friendship-turned-romance ended badly. So badly that Brooke's dreams of being an author have crumbled. Now she's a... Continue Reading →
One month ago, Jude Deveraux released Order of Swans, the first in her Blue Swan duology. This blend of fantasy and sci-fi follows Kaley, a PhD student devoted to folklore, who gets sucked into a real-life fairy tale... on another planet. She and two companions (Tanek and Sojee) are on a mission to find a... Continue Reading →
Earlier this month, Neena Viel released her debut novel, Listen to Your Sister. This comedic yet horrifying story follows three siblings, the eldest of whom is now the official guardian of the youngest brother, a troubled teenager. Calla has been having a repeated nightmare for years, and it centers on her two younger brothers. But... Continue Reading →
Happy book birthday to The Love Lyric by Kristina Forest! This is the final book in her Greene Sisters trilogy, in which eldest sister and single mom Iris finds an unlikely connection with a popular R&B singer, Angel. But with her past and carefully constructed life, can she pursue a future with a celebrity like... Continue Reading →
Lauren Kung Jessen is back with her third romance, Yin Yang Love Song. When a celebrity bad boy teams up with a woman who works at a family business, their complementary missions seem like the perfect duet: They'll fake date to play up his heartbreaker image and promote her heartbreak-healing retreat. But what happens when... Continue Reading →
This week, Julian Winters makes his adult debut with I Think They Love You. A second chance romance, fake dating, career ambitions, complex family connections—this book offers a lot and is so richly drawn. This is my first time reading this author and I already look forward to more. Why I Chose This Book: I... Continue Reading →
Sonora Reyes has been known for their YA novels, but The Broposal marks their first adult novel. Alejandro and Kenny have been best friends since they were in elementary school and roommates for several years. But Alejandro (Han) is undocumented and limited in what he can do in the United States. Kenny decides to marry... Continue Reading →
I've been getting more into paranormal romances lately and have been particularly drawn to those with demons. My Funny Demon Valentine by Aurora Ascher is the first I've read with a demon, and though it went in some completely unexpected directions, I really enjoyed it. It was first published in 2021, but the reprint is... Continue Reading →
This week, Jo Segura released her second novel, Temple of Swoon. Following in the footsteps of her first book's characters, this one stars an up-and-coming archaeologist on a make-it-or-break-it assignment in Brazil. Too bad the photojournalist joining this dig is super cute... and secretly trying to sabotage the whole expedition. Why I Chose This Book:... Continue Reading →
Happy book birthday to For One Night Only, the debut novel by Jessica James! 2025 looks like it will be the year of music-related romances, and kicking things off is this wonderful book about a pop punk band getting back together for a one-off concert... and two of those bandmates reigniting that old spark between... Continue Reading →
When I first learned about Katie Holt's debut, Not in My Book, I was instantly intrigued. Not only do I love books about books, I'm also drawn to anything with Peruvian culture. (My husband is Peruvian and I lived in Lima for a year!) With an enemies-to-lovers romance arc and plenty of discussions around writing,... Continue Reading →
I loved Martha Waters's entire Regency Vows series, and though I knew I'd read anything she put out, I was surprised when she announced her next book: a contemporary holiday romance called Christmas Is All Around. It's such a different style of novel, starting with it not being set 200 years in the past. And... Continue Reading →
Amanda's Book Corner 