After many years and many recommendations I finally read The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms! I first heard about this book during a library program we used to do called "Which Book Next" back in probably 2013/2014. During the program, we library workers would take the last three books library patrons read and enjoyed, and suggest a next read. This book was a very popular choice.

So, I'm so glad to say I finally tackled this one with two trusted buddy reading pals, and it was wonderfully challenging, unexpected, and thought provoking. Yienne is brought in to fight to take the place of the man she finds out is her grandfather. She is also searching for answers about her dead mother while trying to not lose her life. There are gods and intrigue and violence and it was one I appreciated being able to unpack with friends as I read.

And wow, those gods. Especially Nahadoth. Whew, Lord of the Night you make me flush.

Roommates and friends Riley and Paul agree to enter a sex tape context to help Paul get over his recent breakup and for Riley to submit a new entry better and even hotter than the one she made with the ex who broke her heart last year. Both roommates have also been absolutely pining for each other, but unsure of the other's feelings, they agree this is sex as friends and for the contest only. But, their sparks and immediate chemistry start making their practice sessions and tapings more emotional and hotter than they both could have dreamed, and lead both to wonder maybe they could have it all.

Super fun, I enjoyed this a lot. A first read of this author for me.

So tonight during the live 100th episode taping of the FatedMates podcast I found out Christina Lauren wrote as my pal WhenFunmiMetRomance coined, a "breastseller." No yucking my yum people but I am a fan okay? This audiobook was short, so filthy (and I mean that in the best way), and just what I needed to keep me company for two hours while doom scrolling Twitter this eve. Max Stella and his Petal are new parents and exploring Sara's changed body and trying to enjoy their kinky sexy life as much as possible while also balancing a newborn baby.

If you aren't into babies/post-natal body sex, maybe pass, but I found this delicious.

Joey found out she's the 'other woman' when she surprises her boyfriend of two years at his home.
Furious, heart broken, and on her way to celebrate her brother's upcoming Halloween wedding, she is stunned to find out the handyman working on her parents cottage is none other than the boy who helped her protect her brother from bullies in high school.

Chris is all grown up, and no longer rocking the wallet chain, Nirvana tshirt, and kind of stoned attitude. He's all bearded hotness and is totally into helping Joey forget her ex.

Chris, in love with Joey since forever, cant believe he's finally got her in a bed he made with his own hands, but he promised not to ask her to stay. So he won't ask, he will just convince.

Deliciously dirty and so fun, I love this series! I've never read sex scenes where the character's can be so kinky but can also laugh, be a bit awkward sometimes, and just are so honest. Feels refreshing and real.

10.31.20 - 11.1.2020 - annual Halloween re-read. Great choices. Will do again.

I devoured Make it Sweet by Kristen Callihan (3.21).

An actress needing an escape after being axed from a popular TV show fights feelings for the ex-hockey player with THIGHS for days who is secretly baking her the most luscious cream filled pastries at his grandmother's estate

reviewing for Library Journal - link to come.

CW: parental death (off page), cheating (heroine breaks up with ex for cheating), discussion of dieting/weight as part of being "in Hollywood," concussion.

What happens when a buttoned up and laminator-loving people-pleaser finds out her new roommate is NOT her longtime crush but instead is a famous sex-worker who not only is super great but also is making her feel very un-roommate like feels?

A great and horny story, that's what!

The Roommate by Rosie Danan was one of my most anticipated debuts of 2020 and I LOVED reading it. Great banter, super simmering sexual tension, characters who defied my expectations. I adored the squirmy anticipation I felt while waiting for Clara and Josh's heat to explode.

The shining moments of the romance come through when Clara and Josh are together on page and I loved that the story was told in dual 3rd person POV. Their is also a great cast of secondary characters, including Josh's ex girlfriend and coworker, who I hope gets her own story some day.

Josh enjoys his work and is proud of his work, and I was appreciative of the conversation around sex-work, although the conversation does stay firmly in the white, cis heterosexual space.

Of note, the word "crazy" is used multiple times by both Rosie (to describe her thoughts/actions) and by others TO Rosie and thinking about Rosie. For a book that handled sex work thoughtfully I'd hope a bit more care could be taken to consider the impact of using this word as a cavalier description.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced reading copy.

Listened to on audio September 2020
The dual narrators were absolutely perfect as Josh and Clara, bringing the simmering tension to life. I forgot how slow-burn (yet SO full of heat) this romance is, with both Josh and Clara so intent on it just being for Clara's education. I loved this book so much, and I'm glad I have it on audio and in paper.

A divorced couple keep gravitating toward each other, unwilling to move on from the love they knew was real, but cannot have their HEA without realizing what they really want out of life. Emotional and sexy, this is a great relaunch of Zoe York's classic Pine Harbour series.

I adored all the feelings this story gave me, and I love a good second chance romance, but I do wish Rafe had groveled even more. The full cast of characters makes me excited to read more books in this series!

CW: hero kisses another woman and brings her to diner where heroine works (they are divorced at this time), hero is a cop, gun violence, drugs (secondary characters involved in a police case).

I received an ARC for review from Netgalley.

So this is definitely one of my absolute favorites of 2020. An enthralling combination of P&P character archetypes, banter, and delicious sexual tension shaken together to create a perfect trope-cocktail. Also I am a certified astrology enthusiast so Elle's passion and career was the perfect garnish.

AH. For real though, this is a perfect example of opposites-attract and it gave me all the squirmy heart and pants feelings I love in romance novels. Darcy and Elle's simmering attraction is ever present on page, and the build up to their first sex scene was whew, real good. The fake-dating aspect felt perfect for the story and wasn't drawn out to a heartbreaking massive break. These two pretty quickly realize they really like each other *heart eyes.*

Plus, the cast of secondary characters (BRENDAN OMG) and the Seattle setting were so great. Elle's family is crappy and my heart hurt for her, so do know this could cause some pain (they belittle her career and accomplishments and only celebrate their other kids' who attain life goals like marriage, babies, and "good jobs").

And AH the descriptions of Darcy & Elle's wardrobe/fashion choices, the great world-buidling (their apartments, the escape room date, the thrift store, the Japanese burger restaurant) made me want to jump into the pages of this book and live in their world.

What a debut! I am so excited to get more from this author.

ALSO I couldn't remember if I actually read Elle's astrology chart in the book? The author did answer the question though here so I'll note it:
Darcy - Capricorn Sun, Pisces moon, Taurus rising
Elle - Pisces Sun, Scorpio Moon, Pisces Rising

I listened to 80% of the book and found the narrator to be a bit stilted and over emphatic at first, but I did bump up the speed to 1.5% and that helped me, and I settled into her narration as the story progressed. An enjoyable listen for sure!


*I received a review copy from Netgalley audio

I adored Well Met, but I never fell in love with Stacey's hero in this romance. Truly, he didn't deserve her, and we readers never really got to know him. He's off page most of the book, and we mostly get Stacey's reactions to his words, which while very sweet, made me suspicious. She also forgave him for fooling her so quickly, and then had to be the one to track him down for the big grand gesture at the end. I wondered if having a dual POV would have helped, but honestly it was more the fact they were barely together on page.

I loved seeing Simon and Emily plan and have their wedding and DeLuca's writing is sparkling, but overall the premise just did not work for me. I was pleased to see Mitch & April interacting a bit in this story and have high hopes for their book which is up next.

I received a free ARC from Netgalley for review.

Glommed in an eve, this library ebook hold I put on eons ago really hit the spot. I have to say the promise of Lady Sophia getting revenge on Cannon really fizzled out but whoa their bedsport sure didn't! These two were banging all over the Bow Street house. And Cannon was delightfully grunty/growly and very into making sure Sophia enjoyed the sexy times (see the bouncing exercise chair/horse sex)!!!

Frankly I cared not about Sophia's brother and the mystery stranger but this is me, someone who doesn't care about mysteries. What can I say, I'm here for the banging.

Also a great sickbed scene complete with a fainting hero who claims nothing is wrong with him (merely a gunshot you know) and using the pain of an injury to quell a boner. Good times.

CW for attempted assault, some outdated lack of clear consent, blood/medical gore/gun violence, fatphobia