Librarian Bernie becomes a viral meme after making an unfortunate "disapproving" face during a surprise proposal in her library. She is also an unabashed feminist but gets dragged into a magazine story written by Colin who is trying to keep his job at a fashionable eMagazine. Colin wants Bernie to go on 30 dates in 30 days to see if he can turn the undateable frumpy librarian into a dating success story. Too bad it seems like Colin should be the one dating Bernie.

Really uneven, and while I applaud the uber-feminist Bernie calling out bro Colin, I didn't really believe their love story. Also, this was 350 pages, and there was absolutely no smooching until like page 350. There were many subplots which could have gotten the ax, including the ridiculous tension between Colin and his younger, female coworker who in all reality SHOULD have his job. Not sure if I will read any more of these.

Oh, just delightful. Lady Pandora, game-maker, wallflower, dreamer, gets stuck in a fancy chaise lounge trying to retrieve a lost earring for a friend who wants to avoid scandal. Too bad Pandora is the one caught in a scandal, as the dashing man who rescues her from said chaise is accused of ruining her.
Super sexy, confident, and handsome Gabriel is actually quite pleased with this turn of events, as he finds Pandora's eccentricities delightful. Asking her and her family to spend a week at his estate, Gabriel hopes to convince Pandora that marriage is on the table, despite her adamant refusal to be tied down. Pandora doesn't want any man taking away her rights, especially since she is on the cusp of launching her board game empire.
Gabriel, modern way ahead of his time, is out to show Pandora that he can be a man deserving of her love.

I really liked this. Gabriel is such a doll, and what a great story. Exactly what I needed right now.

After moving to the same town as her online friend (and crush) "Alex," Bailey puts off meeting him IRL. An artful dodger at heart, Bailey is scared to meet Alex and also developing feelings for her work nemesis, the super hot surfer Porter. Bailey, struggling from a past trauma that causes her to avoid all conflict, finds herself falling in love and finding her true, better self as the summer progresses.

A wonderful kissing book from Jenn Bennett, a perfect summer read! From the beaches of California, the silly tourist trap summer job, and the hot kiss of first love. I want to smoosh this book to my chest and squee.

The book gets pretty steamy, and the two main characters have sex which is described in an appopriate for YA way. That said, Bennett includes a TERRIFIC bit (twice) about how Bailey knows how to masturbate to orgasm despite her "sexual inexperience" which is awesome.

A very tame romance featuring a public librarian who is pulled into an intrigue by a handsome stranger who needs her mad research skills. Basically ridiculous wish fulfillment and way too long. The twist at the end made me forgive some of the earlier ridiculousness, but I do not think I will be continuing on with this series.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

Roanoke girls all have beautiful brunette hair, big boobs, haunting eyes, and tend to die young or disappear. Lane finds out she is Roanoke girl after her mother's suicide. Sixteen years old, she finds out she has family in Kansas, a family her mother fled from for dark and horrible reasons. These reasons come to light during the one fateful summer Lane spends on the Roanoke farm with her cousin Allegra, her Grandad, her Gran, and two obedient servants before she too flees.

Years later, her cousin Allegra is missing, and she is drawn back into a spider web of lies and secrets so horrible she herself has kept them all these long years. Will Lane become the next Roanoke girl, or will she finally break the cycle?

A darkly atmospheric story with lush prose and dirty secrets VC Andrews would be proud of. The audiobook narrator was superb, bringing you right into the story with her throaty, Southern accents. Listening to this made me feel dirty, yet thrilled.

Billionaire heiress and boutique wine shop owner Jordan Rhodes agrees to help undercover FBI Agent Nick Macall plant a bug during one of her rich associate's swanky fundraisers. She only agrees because the FBI in turn will release her twin brother early from his prison sentence. She has to pretend Nick is her new love interest, and while they only planned for the ruse to last one evening they unfortunately spark the jealousy of Jordan's associate, who also wants to date her. To avoid him finding out about the investigation, Nick and Jordan must continue the charade. All those fake dates lead to real heat and their new feelings and relationship threaten to upend the op and Jordan's brother's chances of release.

Super fun and sexy, with smart and able women characters, another fun Julie James. I've preferred other titles better, but still worth a quick read.

Sydney has loved cold Tristan Pierce her whole life, pining after him as a young girl and secretly dating him after he finally realized she was no longer a child. After Tristan's mother died in a horrific car accident, Tristan made the decision to leave their small California town and head to NYC. He asked Sydney to go with him, but without love on the table and a secret baby in her belly, Sydney refused.
Now Tristan is back working alongside Sydney at Pierce Brothers and their past attraction is as hot as ever. He's met Sydney's daughter but has no idea he is the father. Will the secret ruin everything or create the family Syndey always wanted?

I had issues with the latter half of this story, all of which are very spoiler. Not my favorite in the series, mostly because of the actions of Tristan.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

She thought the loud hotel sex neighbors were simply annoying, but Assistant US Attorney General Cameron Lynde finds out one of her hotel neighbors was murdered AND she's the only one who saw the suspect leave the scene. Now she's under FBI protection, throwing her back into contact with Agent Pallas, an agent who publicly embarrassed her on the news and has recently been brought back to Chicago after the end of his punishment assignment in Nebraska.
Before THE INCIDENT leading to Jack's transfer, both shared a mutual interest which to both of their chagrin, seems to burn just as hot as before. Can they get past their misgivings and focus on the case?

I love James' characters and especially her strong leading ladies.

A dysfunctional family of adult siblings learns their oldest brother's shenanigans has lost them the "nest" inheritance they were banking on for various reasons, some noble, others less so. With a rotating cast of characters, a funny story that ended up being a bit too twee and likable for me.

The audiobook narrator was excellent, and I'll be featuring this title as my library's next Book to Art Club pick. Not sure yet what craft we'll do!

Alice's father "wins" her a Marquess in a card game, completely foiling her plan to travel to India with her brother and deliver her translation of a rare fragment of the Kama Sutra. Nicholas horrified that someone took advantage of his ailing father's madness is also horrified to learn he is expected to wed Alice even though she is quite alluring. Nicholas is convinced he will also succumb to the family's history of insanity and had vowed to never wed. However, it seems he and Alice can have a marriage of convenience. He can teach her the ways of lovemaking to better aid her translation and give her the status of a married matron, allowing her to travel to India on her own. Love will not be on the table, but it may creep in despite their best intentions.

Another cute, fun story by Lenora Bell. A bit too jammed packed with various story lines, I did appreciate the attempt to discuss the horrific conditions for those deemed "insane" during the time period, and the relative ease of which people who didn't quite fit the mold were able to be committed. The kama sutra stuff was a bit much for me.