Two gamer girls, one forbidden romance, and a game they're both playing to either win or lose it all. What if the one girl you've fallen in love with just so happens to be completely off limits because 1. she's your twin brother's new girlfriend and 2. you also have a situationship you haven't gotten out of... talk about complicated. Remy is a tattooed, pierced up, drummer girl who is the polar opposite of her twin brother. She's got one goal: steal her brother's cute new girlfriend, Fauna. Fauna is a sweet bubblegum princess girl who adores her kittens and has a secret. Remy and Fauna definitely shouldn't be left alone together... yet despite being polar opposites they can't seem to keep their hands off one another. Yet with so much potential damage if their romance is discovered and the fact that Fauna has her own secrets that could destroy her... can a relationship really work out for the two of them? Oh I absolutely adored this book!! The romance was so good, it really was so well paced and THE LOVE, THE SUPPORT, THE GIRLSSSSSSS. I love an opposites attracts and the dynamic between Remy and Fauna was *chef's kiss*. I have been a huge fan of Kat's books and this one was especially for me, it's the perfect amount of forbidden romance and spice. It's so good, I will absolutely be recommending this book to all my sapphic book lovers out there.

Release Date: January 9,2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Kat Blackthorne for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A adorable return back into the Wanna Waffle world with our favorite boyband Apollo and a look into their life and possible future. Filled with heartwarming moments, mischief, and just a sweet atmosphere, this was such a cute return into one of my favorite cozy reads. I adored the first book and this book expands on both the band members, the family, the fame, and of course the romance! This book serves as a bridge for the duology's forthcoming conclusion and I would absolutely recommend picking this series up if you love cozy cute romances or sweet k-drama vibes. I love the way each of the characters are so well fleshed out and distinct from one another ( I am of course, a Max bias girl). The interactions between the band and the Hans was so sweet and you just feel like you can make yourself right at home with them. I adore the way Irene writes these characters and the world she builds. If Apollo was a real band you bet I would be buying their concert tickets and following along with all the band drama. Its a cute read and an overall great series that I definitely would recommend!

Release Date: January 7,2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Irene Te for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Second chance romance, new awakenings, and danger both from a haunted past and opening your heart up to new, or rather 2 new people. Sarah is a single mother raising two boys, still reeling from the fact that her husband and his twin brother were involved in terrible crimes together. Sarah is still healing from the terrible treatment from her ex. Sarah's starting over... but then there's two men in her life that have also decided it's time for her to start fresh in the romance department as well: Colton Hayes (her teenage crush that broke her heart and tried to win her 12 years ago on her wedding day to her awful ex) and Sammy Harlow, her friend and new brother-in-law's brother. Colton Hayes has been in love with Sarah and has always considered her the one that got away, he's pined for years and is determined to not let her get away this time... except he's also crushing on Sammy. Sammy has always known Colton but they've never crossed the line, but now he's also begun to notice Sarah.... Three people, one small town, and a whole lot of drama as they navigate a poly relationship for the first time, oh and deal with the fact that someone is leaving threatening comments on Colton's posts, trashing their place, and threatening Sarah, and did I mention Sarah's ex husband is also out of jail but he might not be the person behind this... so who is? Sarah has to navigate dealing with old scars and opening herself and her heart up to being loved. This was a fantastic read for me. It perfectly captures everything I could ever want in a MMF romance!! It's sweet, it's hot, and its even got suspense! The found family aspect of this book was top tier and the way the romance played out was amazing. I adored the dynamic between the three characters and how supportive and caring they were of each other. The spice was next level and I absolutely loved this small town world that Clio has built. I can't wait for book 3 in the series!!! If you love second chance romance, great MMF stories, and a fantastic small town suspense vibe, absolutely pick up this book!

Release Date: January 21,2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Grey's Promotion for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

He's the young Italian chauffeur who dreams about becoming a star and they're the power couple who offer him a deal of a lifetime.... fame, romance. and everything his heart could ever desire.... it's almost too good to be true. This is one of the most enticing, swoonworthy MMF romances I've ever read, I was literally gasping and clutching my pearls at every page. It's a sexy read that captures you from the first chapter and has you gripped until the last page and even then this ends on a cliffhanger that has you BEGGING for book two. Giana has a way of writing that perfectly captives and draws you in. The dynamic and relationship between the three characters was so interesting and I can't wait to see it further fleshed out in the second book. I was so engrossed in this book I literally stayed up until 5 am to finish it. I simply could not put this book down for even a second. The drama, the spice, please please please let me read that second book and inject it into my veins. I will absolutely be recommending this book to everyone!! This book will have you screaming and kicking your feet while also punching the air and crying. I loved every second of this book and need the second one in the duology immediately!!





Release Date: January 23, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Giana Darling for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

It was only suppose to be a simple game... but for a liar like her falling for her mark was never part of the plan and what started off as a lie begins to feel like the truth as she's swept off her feet by the hot billionaire who is hiding his own secrets. Saoirse is beautiful, a dancer at a club, and has spent most of her tie conning rich men and steal money from them with her partner Gage... yet when Gage gives her a new mark named Xavier she finds herself falling for her mark for the first time. What started off as a con begins to feel very real as Xavier sweeps her off her feet... the only problem is that it's all a lie and when Xavier finds out will he still love her? This is the second book in the series and immediately picks up after the first one with Xavier finding out who Saoirse really is and her admitting everything and trying to get out of the life with Gabe (who is her partner but she's afraid he'd hurt her). Xavier has been searching for his son Harrison and dealing with the truth of Saoirse. He can't let her go but he has to figure out if he can forgive her and how to stop Gage from attacking him. Harrison hates his father and blames him for what happened to his mother and throughout the book he is plotting Xavier's downfall. Xavier and Saoirse work through everything and agree to be with one another, but have to find a way to stop Gage before he destroys Saoirse... I loved the way this book immediately picks up after the first book and it just feels like you're constantly moving through the story. The spice is fantastic and I can't wait for book 3 to see what happens next. I am absolutely invested and sucked into the romance that is happening between Xavier and Saoirse. I would absolutely recommend this book for fans of age gap romances with a bit of twist and turns!!

Release Date: Janury 24,2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Luna Literary for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Freshly dumped by her girlfriend she finds herself stranded with said ex's dad for the holidays... it was only suppose to be three days and then she'd be gone, yet three days with this hot sweet billionaire has them both craving for more. Despite coming from worlds, can they really make it work? She was only suppose to stay for three days and disappear from his life... but one kiss has him realizing that he won't miss another chance and to throw caution to the wind and finally be with the woman he's fallen in love with. Oh I absolutely devoured this book. This is the perfect age gap romance filled with spice, charm, and a romance that any girl would want. I loved the relationship between the two characters so much and they were both so charming and sweet to one another. The dynamic between them made sense and when reading the book you can instantly see why they are perfect for one another. I loved reading this book and it can be read as a standalone but I would highly recommend reading this entire series because it will have you smiling so much!

Release Date: January 28, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Luna Literary for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A fae romantasy retelling of Cinderella featuring a golden retriever-esque fae prince who falls for a poor human girl who makes a bargain with a witch that will change both their lives. The story follows Raewyn, a human girl who's family is poor and she needs to find a way to feed her sisters and find medicine for her father, and Stellan, a fae prince who dreams about marrying for love. When they meet and Raewyn saves Stellan, he gives her an invitation to the ball his father is hosting. The very night Raewyn goes to the local witch to try and sell her something in order to make ends meet but the witch gives her a new bargain: if Raewyn attends the ball (which she never intended to in the first place) and do a service for the witch (which she will tell her at a later time) then said witch will plant a garden to feed her sisters and cure her father. The bargain is too good to turn down and Raewyn immediately agrees.... yet when she arrives at the ball she realizes too late that she has been enchanted and that she is enchanting both the prince and the entire royal court. Raewyn must keep up the act but finds herself thrown in a love triangle between the two princess. Unfortunately I did not care for this story at all. I love a fun retelling of a classic fairytale but I just found myself so bored by this take. I didn't care all that much for the characters and wasn't all that invested in the slow burn romance. I didn't feel any chemistry and the story just felt kind of dragged on. I wish i could like the story more but I won't be continuing the series as it isn't for me but I do think maybe other fantasy slow burn romance readers might have a fun time with this.

Release Date: February 14, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Oxford South Press and The Nerd Fam for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

She's a reality TV star who wants to save a Christmas festival and he's the grumpy town manager who wants her as far away as possible from his town. Cat King wants to save Merry, Connecticut's Christmas Festival, especially after the flood that had damaged the town. She wants to help the town rebuild, get the festival back in time, and put it all on tv to help raise money, the only issue is that the grumpy town manager, Noah Yates wants her as far away from possible and wants nothing to do with her show. Noah is a single dad who wants to be a role model to his daughter and to rebuild his town after the hurricane season wrecked it. He does not want Cat to make his town look pathetic on her tv show, he does not want her anywhere near his town, he doesn't trust her but he doesn't have a choice in letting her go ahead with her show because he so desperately needs the funds to help rebuild. Cat is dangerous for Noah, she's beautiful, famous, and gets under his skin. Noah and Cat get off on the wrong foot except their animosity towards each other might fuel another emotion, lust. One kiss and suddenly they can't stop wanting each other, and it's going to take a Christmas miracle to fix Merry and to figure out their feelings for one another. This is a Christmas romance between a feisty actress and a grumpy town manager. Cat and Noah are an enemies to lovers trope romance, yet if I'm going to be honest, I really didn't feel anything for them and didn't really get their romance. They both felt a bit immature (though to be fair, Noah is way worse, seriously I was fed up with this man the entire book). It didn't feel like a Christmas romance and I kind of wish there was just more holiday or more emotional storyline. I found myself just getting a bit bored with the story but managed to get to the end. While this one didn't work for me if you enjoy enemies to lovers with a bit of reality tv show mixed in give this one a go, it might be for you!

*Thanks Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books, Bloom Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

From the moment he met her, he knew she was the one... now he'll do whatever it takes to become her perfect monster. Augustus is a bronc rider, he's famous, he's handsome... and from the moment he laid eyes on Stetson, he knew she was "the one" for him and that no one and nothing would ever compare. Augustus is at least 10 years older than Stetson and when he meets her he knows she isn't ready... but that doesn't mean he won't play the long game. All her life Stetson has been looked over, hated, and stepped on and when her parents' pass away and leave her with a farm that has been run down, she has to fix it... even if it means returning to the small town that hates her and is filled with horrible memories of the abuse her father had done to her. Stetson is not one to give up and she is determined to repair the cattle farm... despite the fact that no one can help her. Stetson also harbors a secret... her taste in romance is much much darker than anyone can ever know and she's never been able to find the perfect person...or monster to match her... until she hires the extremely handsome and grumpy Augustus to her farm... little does she know he's orchestrated it all and has been following her for 10 years, watching her, obsessing over her... and waiting to show her the depths of his monstrous love for her. Two people, so deeply entwined, and a twisted obsessive monstrous love that lies between them. Oh I absolutely LOVED this book!! It's so well written and the way to romance unfolds, between Augustus's past and Stetson's present, the way they are perfectly made for each other... Landyn Hill has perfectly captured the dark romance cowboy genre and I CAN'T WAIT FOR BOOK 2!!! I loved how much Augustus was obsessed with Stetson, just how far his love for her went, and I adored how Stetson was just as insane for him, that they perfectly knew each other. The story was absolutely engrossing and I am a complete fan of Landyn's now!! I WILL READ ANYTHING YOU WRITE!!!

Release Date: February 14, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Luna Literary for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*