Actual rating 3.5 stars.

Henry Finch, a former rare books librarian after being betrayed by his mentor, is now employed with a private investigation firm that specializes in recovering lost and stolen books.

Still reeling from the events leading to his resignation from his beloved job and the start of this new position, he isn't expecting to be launched right into a high stakes undercover assignment, especially not with the badass ex-copy Delilah Barrett.

Delilah herself isn't exactly thrilled to be saddled with the sexy librarian she'll need to train on the fly, but apparently she and Henry have special something that attracts the notice of the potential thief.

Delilah and Henry fight their real attraction while also convincing everyone they are helplessly in love newly-weds.

High society, balls, dinners, and secret passageways set the scene for a delicious romantic suspense novel with the potential for a series.

I did quite love the story the way I hoped. I wanted more banter and push and pull from Delilah and Henry. I also am assuming Henry is either Black, or a man of color, as he is constantly described as having "brown skin," but it was so ambiguous to the point I was distracted. Why not just be clear?

Also, content warning for sexual harrasment and power abuse in a professional relationship. Delilah's character quits her job after being embarrassed by a supervisor who she was in a relationship with at her previous job.

The Pleasure Chest is absolutely bonkers and bananas, and never takes itself to seriously.

I live-tweeted my reading experience which, in my opinion, is the best review ever. Check it out here:
Sweet Betsy Ross! Pleasure Chest live!

CW: discussion of past rape/sexual assault; domestic violence (off page); police (main character is a cop).

Jessie Martinez is a young police offer, all she's ever wanted to be, especially after having a female officer treat her with respect when she had to go through a rape test kit. While Jessie is fulfilled by her career, she's less thrilled with her love life, having had just one too many heartbreaks. She's is enjoying her membership at the local swingers club, having hookups and playing with other couples, but Jessie wants more.

She is also entranced by a mysterious woman named Sirena, a "unicorn" at the club, a beautiful bi-woman who loves to play with couples, but is stirring up some jealousy and trouble within the club's ranks. Jessie is tasked to find out Sirena's story in order to keep the club under the radar of the Sheriff.

Featuring more suspense than I thought from the description, this is a fairly violent romance with high angst, but I did like the depiction of Jessie and Sirena's sexualities. There is no bi-erasure and I appreciated the handling of the reasons why Jessie does not enjoy penetrative sex and how they both work together to have great, consensual sex.

I'm intrigued to read more by this author and was glad to find a romance between two women!

So I bamboozled my own self with a secret baby romance because I thought I was starting a DIFFERENT Katee Robert book, but by the time I was going I figured I would finish it.

The sex scenes were quite delicious and I was super excited about a potentially great and responsible depiction of condom use that unfortunately went south. Hero has one condom in his wallet. He knows this, and after they bang it out he insists they leave the swank hotel to procure more condoms before preceding with their evening. Alas, this conversation happens before he pulls out so womp womp, the condom is broken. They do not discuss getting Plan B, which at this point I was like shit, I'm in a secret baby romance (remember I was not responsible and did not read the blurb).

So, secret baby is not my favorite trope for many reasons. I also don't typically like billionaire romances, so this combination didn't do it for me personally. The hero is also super domineering, which to some may read as "sweet" and to me read "controlling" and "inappropriate." He loses track of her, but when she finds him to tell him he's going to be a father, he INSISTS to the point of pretty much carrying her caveman style she move him in with. He makes her eat and comments on her eating "for the baby."

Anyway, fun writing aside and sexy face-sitting too, this book wasn't really for me.

**I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review.

Rory Archer and Zeke Sherwood, friends forever in both life and their work as Robin Hood-style con artists, are embedded as brother and sister into a doomsday cult with a mission to find evidence to bring it down.

Rory wants a chance to prove herself after she spectacularly blew up a con when her relationship with Zeke's big brother and fellow con artist Cal failed. But Rory is finding the mission difficult not just because it's leader has set his sights on her for his next baby-maker, but because she finds herself looking at Zeke in a whole new light.

Zeke has always been in love with Rory, but built a wall around his feelings after she chose his brother. Now, in the confines of the cult, he can't help but wonder if Rory's interest is because they are trapped, or if it is real.

Lust, longing, and love turn this romantic suspense into a wild, sexy, and emotional ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Slow-burn but so hot when these two finally give in to their urges.

I did feel a bit lost, as I haven't read the first two book in this series in such a long time, and I could not remember Zeke and Rory from the other stories. You may want to start with those before picking it up, but it can standalone.

CW: Physical violence, humiliation of some characters, talk about fertility, threat of sexual violence (but never carried out), addiction used as a cover for a character.

Thank you to the author for the free review copy!

So, this was delightfully silly, cute, and fluffy. Honestly, I could really give to flips about rescuing bunnies especially with the state of the world we are in, but once I let that go I enjoyed this a lot.

Marshall is a total grump who is brought around by a firm, yet sunny, veterinarian who makes him work for every chance he gets with her. Dr. Augusta "Gus" North is the competence porn heroine of your dreams, who can both wear a suit and heels with aplomb but can also castrate a rabbit in ten minutes or less.

The titular "kissing contract" comes about because Gus doesn't want Marshall to distract her while they count and remove the bunnies that have overrun his private island work zone, but they've already kissed once before they make it, so we all know the heat is for real between these two. I adore when characters hook up right away, then deny their feeeeelings and hormones while constantly coming this close to riding the train to pound-town.

Also, there's a loophole found in regards to oral (him on her) sex, and that was a fun good time for me too!

I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review

Well. That was entirely satisfying and quite steamy. I mean, it is Naima Simone, so really 'nuff said. I adore this quick romance of an almost 40yo Professor getting her happy with a hot young tattoo artist, who just ope, happened to be one her students. I also was totally fine with the way this power imbalance was handled and you can read this for free on KU.

So I was pretty much all in for this romance until I hit the last quarter or so, and it devolved from there. I loved the romance and how tenderly the aspect of Jordan being Levi's best friend's widow was handled. While a big part of the plot, it wasn't really angsty and overwrought. Levi has always been in love with Jordan, she was firmly in love with her husband, he died, and it is now five years later and she is ready for her life and finding new love.

Okay, romance is great, check. That said, I did not like how Jordan acted as a reporter. I felt she was very unethical and acted in a way contrary to what she was hoping to achieve as a female sports reporter. It is one thing for her to have feelings and start having sex with the subject of her assignment (Levi), which I felt was handled kind of okay, but a whole other thing for to be hiding in bathrooms to spy on the owners of the hockey team she's embedded with. Plus, if you are going to be exposing the sexism, harassment, and trolling women face while trying to do their jobs, maybe stop with the butt jokes about one of the young rookies on the team?

I recently read a different romance featuring a woman reporter who is asked to do a piece on her ex, and that story was miles ahead in making me feel like the profession was being depicted correctly and respectfully.

*I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review*

Part of the DARE line, promising quick, steamy romances featuring couples exploring their desires, I picked this one up because the heroine is a ballerina who decides to do one night of burlesque at an exclusive club. Ever since Flowers in the Attic I have been sort of fascinated with ballerinas/dancers (I know I know) but here at least that is explored in a very sexy and consensual way.

Hot, and great chemistry between the couple, but I wanted a bit more emotional depth from the hero.

**Full review will be posted on Library Journal**

I received a free, finished copy in exchange for a fair review, these are just some quick thoughts:

Absolutely amazing banter abounds in this love story between an ice-queen matchmaker and the scruffy-looking, cravat-less former prize-fighter now gaming hell owner across the lane. Plus he has a one-eyed sassy cat!

I adored Reed so much, especially how despite being a big man with rough hands and scars from his past as a prize-fighter, he was the most gentle and slow and understanding of Ainsley's trepidation for becoming close to any man. So sweet and so delicious. I did want to punch him in the face when he decided to do that finally fight despite her protestations and just assumed she would stay home with their many children and give up her matchmaking agency. Like what? No way.

Also, the banter and chemistry is SO GOOD between these two but the secondary characters are pretty much infuriating. I was angry at Ainsley's sisters and their rich husbands for not helping more or realizing that the agency was doing so poorly. Um, hello, one of the sister's husbands couldn't hire a door man to keep Ainsley safe?! Also there is a slight mystery about the agency's benefactress and rich client that was okay, but felt like kind of a throw away?

That said, even if read for the banter, this was a nice series ender (I did not read the previous books).

Also a few CW hidden behind the spoiler, one having to do with the cat!

Ainsley's former fiancee physically abused her, verbally abused her, and sexually assaulted her. He almost rapes her when she tried to break it off with him (all events are described and do not happen on the page). He does return and tries to catch her in the house, but she is able to hide from him and the cat attacks him. The cat is hurt in the attack and the reader and Ainsley and Reed do not know if the cat is dead or not for some time. I was worried y'all! The cat lives. ALSO they do not bang until they are married! Which is cute for reasons and I felt handled the baby situation splendidly. Both characters are totally into making a baby and talk about it. So cute and I like this more than when characters ignore birth control talk.