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 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 loved Diana Quincy's historical romance The Duke Gets Desperate, and I've been excited to continue the series. The second Sirens in Silk book is The Earl That Got Away, a retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion. It turns out that Raya's sister and Strick's close friend knew each other years ago, and they've both been... Continue Reading →
Considering how much I loved TJ Alexander's 2025 novel, A Gentleman's Gentleman, it's no wonder that their followup has been high on my list of this year's releases. A Lady for All Seasons came out last week, and it's just as absorbing as the previous book. It starts with Verbena, a calculating woman intent on... 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 →
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 →
Emma Denny's Barden Series has been a delight from the beginning, and the trilogy now ends with A Vow Made Twice. The eldest Barden sibling, Ash, has spent years haunted by the death of the love of his life, Oliver. But now Ash's father is gone, leaving him the earl and in need of a... Continue Reading →
Happy release week to Our Ex's Wedding by Taleen Voskuni! I loved her previous book, Lavash at First Sight, and still need to read her debut, Sorry, Bro. This third novel is set in the same universe, especially bringing in characters from the first book, including a redemption for Raffi Garabedian. Ani Avakian is a... Continue Reading →
I really enjoyed Emma R. Alban's debut novel a couple years ago, and I was excited to read her new romance, Like in Love with You. In 1817, both Rosalie and Catherine are spending the season in Bath trying to get a husband. Well, their respective mothers want them to find husbands, and both have... Continue Reading →
I've been enjoying Jo Segura's Raiders of the Lost Heart series, and the trilogy comes to a close with her latest release, The Lust Crusade. This time the archeological adventures takes us to Greece. Daniela has been in love with Theo for 20 years, but never said anything, and now it's too late. He's lost,... Continue Reading →
I loved Jessica James's first Glitter Bats romance, For One Night Only, and I've been so excited to continue the series. Now the second installment is here: For Our Next Song, starring drummer Keeley Cunningham and keyboardist Jane Mercer. Now that the band is back together and they've released a new album, they're finally free... Continue Reading →
Over the last few years I've been enjoying Scotland-based romances. This made The Odds of You by Kate Dramis stand out among this week's new releases. Sage Collins quit her job to become an author, and though her first book was a bestseller, she has intense writer's block as she starts working on her sequel.... Continue Reading →
Rachel Runya Katz recently released her third romance, Isn't It Obvious? And as before, this is a delightful blend of smart characters, emotional circumstances, and an unlikely love story. This book is a lot lighter than her previous novel, Whenever You're Ready, and more in line with her debut, Thank You for Sharing. Isn't It... Continue Reading →
Farah Heron is an author I've been wanting to read for a few years, and I've finally found my entry point with her recent Christmas romance, A Little Holiday Fling. Ruby has spent years moving around Canada working in different retail jobs, but now she's about to make her and her mom's lifelong dream come... Continue Reading →
When I saw the cover for Falon Ballard's Something Wicked—first in her Idle Reputations series—I was instantly intrigued. And that it's inspired by Macbeth and Moulin Rouge? An interesting combination; sold! Something Wicked is set in a country called Avon, divided into four territories, plus a capital city. There's been political unrest for years, and... Continue Reading →
Happy release day to Sparks Fly by Zakiya N. Jamal! Her adult debut, this contemporary romance has been on my radar for months. It starts with Stella, a 27-year-old who's never had sex and never had a real romantic relationship. She wants to just get the whole thing over with, so she goes to a... Continue Reading →
Mimi Matthews is one of my favorite authors, and I'll always read anything she publishes. After enjoying Rules for Ruin, the first in her Crinoline Academy series, I was excited for the second installment: The Marriage Method is out now, and equally as enjoyable! Nell Trewlove was an orphan at the secluded Benevolent Academy for... Continue Reading →
Amanda's Book Corner 