Oh this one is going to be SO big.   And it’s definitely going to be my personality for a while Grab your coffee and your glossary - because you’re going to need both.  The coffee because you will stay up until 3AM to keep reading. And the book’s Glossary because Demi Winters will throw you right into a complex, twisty and utterly haunting story and trust you to do your job as a reader to keep up with the action. That’s my favorite part.  *** The details:  The Road of Bones is one of the top Romantasy books I’ve read all year on all fronts: storyline, character work, writing style, world-building. All of it. It’s the first of two (and counting) books in Winters’ The Ashen Series.  It’s recently been picked up by Random House and a gorgeous hardcover comes out November 5.  Until then, you can read it on Kindle!  The first thing I’ll say is that this was an easy five-star, but it’s not an “easy” read. The best books never are, and I loved every second of Winters’ storytelling. It was utterly unpredictable - I never knew where this one was going, and if you’ve read enough Romantasy you know how incredible (and rare) that can be.  Viking-inspired Romantasy: get your glossary ready FMC with a mysterious background, unknown even to her Road trip with some reluctant heroes, or honorable bandits depending on how you look at it  Found family  Multiple POVs  Only one horse To Silla: Girl, you have got to stop wandering into the woods without a blade at the ready. To Everyone Else: You have got to run to preorder The Road of Bones (and Kingdom of Claw). Thank you to Dell Romance for the advanced e-copy of this title in exchange for an honest review. Perfect for fans of Sarah A. Parker and Penn Cole.

Bookseller and undercover romance writer Caro Danvers is in for more than she bargains for when it comes to Dorian Whitaker - the handsome Duke who, unbeknownst to him, reads and loves her novels. Having had and lost his love match, like any good Duke, widowed Dorian is seeking a practical match this time. His estate needs an heir. Enter the very impractical and vivacious Caroline Danvers, whose frankness and beauty catch his star-of-this-novel blue eyes. The title is, perhaps, a bit misleading as our bookseller is the true star. This is a story of a mystery solved, a hurt processed, and ultimately, one of self acceptance. These two characters had very real barriers to a happily ever after - it’s the kind of conflict that got me immediately invested and kept me engaged. I adore books that tell the stories of people who write books - especially in the regency era where a women’s work in this space was something to hide. For this reason, fans of Bridgerton’s Penelope and Ne’er Duke Well’s Selena will love Good Duke Gone Wild . Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for an e-ARC of this work in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a stunner. First of all, thank you to the Bookstagram friends who “voted” for The Seven Year Slip to be my travel read for our trip to Denver this spring.  You officially have all my trust. Is the book a part of the trip for anyone else?  I just always remember the fictional world I was in when I travel, so the pressure is really on to pick a winner.  Ashely Poston’s The Seven Year Slip is one of those rare books that I feel I could recommend to any reader in my life. The story itself was everything I was looking for - I couldn’t put it down. It has the perfect amount of romance and magic (which is to say, not too much of either), of grief and joy, of stillness and action, of sour (lemons) and sweet (meringue). But, believe it or not, it was the Author’s Note at the end of the novel that made this a 5-star read for me.  I almost didn’t read this part.  So, first thing’s first, if you have read the book but not the Author’s Note, run to your bookshelf. These final pages took this from a memorable book, to an unforgettable read.  The way Poston talks about her writing process—and seeing how her process and life reflects back the book so perfectly—left me with a lump in my throat, left me rethinking the entire story I’d just read. Like I was a different reader (person?) before that moment – which, for those who’ve read this book, is kind of the point. If you’re open to it, The Seven Year Slip  will probably haunt you. And the Author’s Note will make you a part of the story.  You’ll have to decide if that’s a good thing – but I think it is. And I think it’s the best part about being a reader.

Before there were books about fae, there were fairytales.  Before there was fiction, there was folklore.  Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries is unlike anything I’ve read recently. For me, Fawcett’s book is something like the folklore it catalogues, but the larger story arc (of Emily’s journey) offers the detail and exposition we so often miss in classic fairytales or fables.  Emily becomes part of the stories she adores - and what could fantasy readers love more than that?  It’s smart, witty, and does not follow the recent formula for fantasy reads - it’s committed to something more timeless, hangs onto a thread connecting fantasy to the reality we know — which is a point in its favor.  I adored this work and will be continuing the series soon.

Hey you. Everything they said was true. All of it. 🔥You who love ACOTAR. 🔥You who own multiple editions of Throne of Glass. 🔥You who can’t stop thinking about Fourth Wing. 🔥You who thinks she’s already read her favorite Romantasy series and has nothing to look forward to. Penn Cole’s The Kindred’s Curse Saga is for you. Imagine the most popular Romantasy series you’ve read and loved – just like that read, this world is not going to let you go. Sure, you’ll now be chasing the experience of reading Penn Cole’s series for a while, but you wouldn’t take it back for the world. And, you know the drill, these books will become ones you’d trade about anything to get to read for the first time again.   These books are why we love reading. Because you can be in a slump, thinking you’ve already read the best that BookTok or Bookstagram has to offer – and then stumble upon a series like this and start the process all over again. So, if you need a reminder that there will be another unexpected “Roman Empire” Romantasy series, do yourself a favor and pick up Spark of the Everflame . (Note: your TBR will likely go up in flames after that because you’ll want to start Glow , and then you'll need to start Heat after that). The reader in me loves how completely immersive Diem and Luther’s story is. The literature student in me loves the gorgeous writing and expert pacing. The skeptic in me discovered that these are characters I could easily root for and believe in. And the book reviewer in me would pick this as her “one recommendation” for you, if pressed.   Here you’ll find slow burn (honestly, it's top tier) and eventual spice as the series progresses, political intrigue, found family, “he falls first.” Strength and moral compasses, deception and bargains. And THE best declaration from a love interest I’ve ever read. Still not convinced?  How about these for endorsements? I started this series less than two weeks ago and am already nearly d one with the third book. I tried to pace myself and draw this out, I really did.   This past month I read some of the best books of the last few years – many of which were also 5-stars for me—but Cole’s are the ones I continue to think about. And perhaps most telling of all – these books are available on Kindle Unlimited, but 20% of the way into Spark of the Everflame , I’d ordered all three of these gorgeous hardcovers. The final installment, Burn of the Everflame , comes out June 1st.  You still have time to catch up and join in the fun next month!

Finished all the Romantasy series that everyone on your socials has read and recommended? And now you don’t know what to read next? Allow me to introduce you to A COURT THIS CRUEL & LOVELY (Book 1 of the “Kingdom of Lies” series) by Stacia Stark - a Romantasy series that deserves WAY more hype! There’s more to the fairytale then meets the eye. Always has been. We know it—and so does Stark. As someone newer to the fantasy genre, I have noticed - and loved - that the backbone of these stories (and honestly the true source of conflict in them) is usually how those in power lie to the masses to control them. Or lie to themselves to justify inequity. Or rewrite history to the point where no one knows what’s true anymore. Stark’s work tackles this important theme — and I think she does it better than most. You get the romance here, and definitely the spice, the “stay up ‘til 2AM world you don’t want to leave as a reader” - but she also showcases some of the darker/truer aspects of the fantasy genre. This is fictional escapism at its finest. Prisca is one of my favorite fantasy FMCs so far. She’s brave, sassy, astoundingly loyal (but in a smart way) AND she’s consistently likable across the series. IYKYK.

You know me, I love a good debut - and this one delivers. Happy Pub Week, Alexandra Kiley! Kilt Trip is a great example of why we don’t judge a book by its cover. For the record, I like this cover – but it (along with the title) suggested to me that the book would be entirely light and fun…a quirky beach read you will most certainly enjoy but most definitely won’t think about again. Instead, readers may be surprised to find that Kilt Trip has a lot of substance. To start, Kiley covers the various shades and forms of grief. How it appears out of nowhere. How one seemingly unrelated detail can punch you in the gut when you least expect it. How the places we travel—and the places we’ve never been—can seep into our soul. As a result, there is something familiar—something relatable—about the feelings these characters go through…as if a reader’s own nostalgia is brought out reading this story about the power of nostalgia. We know exactly what Addie is going through because we’ve been there – even if we haven’t been there. So, yes, this was a sweet and cute read. It gives us everything we’re looking for in a romance novel. But it was also relatable and very moving at times. Finally, while I’ve never been to Scotland, I can tell the author has. This story was well-researched and written, including details both large and small that lend it authenticity I enjoyed and trusted as a reader. (And modern Scotland is an underutilized book setting if you ask me.) Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Fans of Bridgerton, this one’s for you. Spice Level: Season 1 (which is to say, VERY spicy).  I love a regency romance and Ne’er Duke Well was fantastic - a standout romance read for me this year. NOLA born and raised, Peter Kent inherits a dukedom. After moving to England, he discovers he has a younger brother and sister. In his quest to gain custody and increase his respectability, Lady Selina Ravonscroft attempts to find him a wife. Things don’t…go to plan.  Respectability is not Peter’s forte. Or his goal.  I dare say Peter Kent is one of my favorite regency MMCs.  Real life or fiction, it’s always the funny guy for me. The one that can make you laugh, anytime but especially when you’re worried.  That’s Peter. Irreverent in many ways, but ultimately has his priorities straight. I shared in Selina’s relief multiple times throughout this story, based on Peter's reaction to a situation alone. There cheers for the “everything will be alright” guy that we can believe. Ne'er Duke Well is out June 23. I've already pre-ordered my copy from Blue Cypress Books (which is one of my top endorsements after reading it on my Kindle!). Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. Vasti's second installment, Earl Crush , is in the works for Winter 2025 and I cannot wait.

Devoted Romance Reader: this is a five-star, sure thing. Read it yesterday. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wary/Scandalized Austen Fans: this review is for you. From its title, both rom-com fans and Austen scholars know what to expect from “Emma of 83rd.” Having been on the scholarly side of this house, I’m sure there are those who will take issue with this book. An Austen-inspired (and spicy!) rom-com on the Amazon bestseller list? Some will shudder. But likely those who know so much about Austen they forget how SHE approached writing and storytelling. Now alive for new readers, is “Emma of 83rd Street” the same experience as reading “Emma”? Absolutely not. [It’s 👏🏼 not 👏🏼 trying 👏🏼 to 👏🏼be 👏🏼.] But did the friends-to-lovers trip hit you in the gut here too? Absolutely. Know this: Emma of 83rd Street is a story that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s clear the authors know Austen (and know her well), and from the title to the character names, they aren’t going to shy away from the fact that their inspiration was a literary legend. [My favorite scene that illustrates this point was when the two were clearly watching a movie that I imagine was the modern Pride and Prejudice 😂.] This is adaptation done right. So often those who base a modern story in the shadow of a classic literary masterpiece —like Jane Austen’s “Emma”—treat nods to the original narrative as if these details are surprise “Easter eggs,” not trusting their readers to see it.  Not the case here. What could have been heavy-handed, was instead delightfully clear. Bellezza and Harding know what they trying to do with this book. And what they aren’t. As a 21st-century rom-com, I adored this read. It’s modern enough for those who love a popular best-selling modern romance novel. And it’s enough of its own modern romance, that fans of Austen should not be scandalized. While the title and character names are direct, the overall homage to Austen and her project  is subtle and charming. I cannot wait to read Bellezza and Harding’s next installment, Elizabeth of East Hampton (out Aug 20).

An instant classic. “Not Another Love Song” was my first Julie Soto book, but after finishing this ARC, I immediately went to buy another and preordered this one for my shelf. Gwen and Alex, both musical prodigies, are connected by strings - both the visible/orchestral kind and the invisible strings of their pasts that they discover as the story progresses.  Romance readers: I have never seen tension done so well.  Never.  I promise.  Some of the hottest scenes I’ve read in any romance novel happened when these characters weren’t even NEAR each other. And, it’s clear that Soto took her musical theme to heart with regard to the pacing of this story. Beautifully done. Believable. Balanced highs and lows.  Lastly, I adored the reader’s note included at the beginning of this novel - hearing about the inspiration behind this story made me instantly invested and altered my reading experience in the best way. It made me want to love this - and I did. Bravo! I’d love to see more authors “take a cue” from Soto on this. The last line of this novel? Are you kidding me? What a simple, perfect TONIC, And, yet, I find I can’t wait for Soto’s encore. Thank you to NetGalley and Read Forever Pub for an eARC of this work.

The best compliment I can give When The Moon Hatched is that 730 pages were not enough.  Sarah A. Parker has given us a Roman-Empire/Even-Mood-Readers-Will-Not-Get-Distracted-By-Other-Books kind of read with this one.  Stunning writing, “show” over “tell.”  A plot structure you haven’t read before.  Probably my favorite MMC of all time.  Incredible pacing. A world to get LOST in - and love every second of being unmoored.   When the Moon Hatched is an easy five-star, but not an easy read.  By this I mean, Parker’s work is not Romantasy 101. So, while I would not recommend starting with this book if you’re not used to fantasy, if you’ve read and loved some of the popular Romantasy books…I think you’ll love this one even more. Just like I did.  There are enough familiar details to keep you grounded as you learn about this world…   Closed-off female assassin  Misunderstood king  Forced proximity  Found family  Slow burn  Elemental+ magic, dragons  …but when I tell you that this is SO NEW AND SO ORIGINAL…bet.

⭐️Five stars for The Five-Star Weekend⭐️ Elin Hilderbrand is at the top of my auto-buy author list, and even having read more than 15 of her books, The Five-Star Weekend is my favorite (at least until the new one comes out on June 11). Somehow I waited until the weather turned summery to read this one, perhaps wanting to draw out the last couple Nantucket novels. It’s as good as everyone says. 🩵 For me, the setting is the star of her novels - and while that is still true here - the most incredible part of The Five-Star Weekend is the premise. You will love it. You will wonder why you didn’t think of it. You will want to try it. Simple idea. Complex results. Sad stories. Hopeful characters. If you love a beach read with some depth, this one is for you. And, if you want to come back here and weep when Swan Song releases next week, I’ll be here. Well, physically I’ll be here. Mentally, I’ll be in Nantucket, Massachusetts.