Tastes Like Shakkar is the story of Bobbi and Benjamin (Bunty). It’s a retelling of Much Ado About Nothing, returning to the world of Dating Dr. Dil. Kareena and Prem are getting married and Kareena’s friend Bobbi is the wedding planner. Unfortunately, this means having to interact with Prem’s annoying chef friend Bunty. A misunderstanding leads to a contentious relationship between the two of them until they’re forced to call a truce to support the wedding. But someone is trying to sabotage the wedding and they will need to work together to uncover the saboteur. Along the way, will they find romance themselves? 

I was thrilled to read the latest book from Nisha Sharma! I enjoyed Dating Dr. Dil, but loved Tastes Like Shakkar even more! I absolutely loved the dynamic between Bobbi and Benjamin. I really enjoyed the steamy scenes between them which were scorchingly hot! They fight and love equally hard, while being ambitious and caring. I loved the witty banter between Bobbi and Benjamin and the hilarious dialogue that at times literally made me laugh out loud. 

Sharma effortlessly juggles a large cast of characters including Kareena and Prem, their families, and friends. I loved the cameos from Dating Dr. Dil. Of course, this includes the aunties!! Truly, where would everyone be without the help and chaos of the aunties? Tastes Like Shakkar is an excellent romance with plenty of chaos to navigate, swoonworthy scenes, and a rewarding resolution. I can’t wait to see Deepak and Veera’s story next! 

Thank you so much to Nisha Sharma, Avon, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Art of Scandal is the story of Rachel, the wife of a scheming politician who is running for election. While their marriage is fizzling, Matt is all too quick to use her to his advantage for the campaign. When Rachel finds out he’s cheating on her, Matt agrees to pay her in order to keep the news from the press. Rachel will be the perfect wife one last time…except she’s finally trying to figure out who she is again. What happened to the artist she once was? Rachel meets Nathan, a young artist who is fascinated by Rachel. Will Rachel keep her bargain with Matt or pursue her passion with Nathan? 

The Art of Scandal is an outstanding debut. Rachel is a character that you won’t be able to look away from. The explosive opening scene drew me in- from the dialogue to the deep secrets exposed. Nathan and Rachel have excellent chemistry and find each other right when both of their worlds are changing. Their romance is captivating!! Nathan’s difficult relationship with his father Beto is exacerbated when Beto receives a cancer diagnosis. Nathan’s grief and sense of loss upon hearing this news felt realistically portrayed. I really enjoyed Rachel’s relationship with her daughter Faith and how connected they were. 

I hope there are more stories in this world! The Art of Scandal is an unputdownable and scandalously good romance. I am so impressed with this debut and eager to see what Regina Black writes next!

Thank you so much to Regina Black, Grand Central Publishing, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When Hattie’s mom became the headmistress of Northanger Abbey School, Hattie’s life changed forever. Hattie’s mom is cold and distant, her older sister is annoying, and she’s worried about her brother. Worst of all, Hattie’s father died unexpectedly a week into moving to Northanger Abbey. Four years later, Hattie is now in her senior year of high school and applying to colleges. All she wants is to make her mom proud. To her dismay, she’s saddled with being the ambassador to Kit- a scholarship student who firmly believes in ghosts. As Kit and Hattie argue over the existence of ghosts, she discovers that some of the things she’s left buried will come back to haunt her. 

Ghosted is an excellent YA contemporary. Hattie deals with realistic issues such as college application deadlines while wrestling with stories of the ghosts that walk Northanger Abbey. Hattie is such an earnest character who is doing her best to juggle all of her tasks without dropping any. She is such a good sister, while also struggling to acknowledge the grief that she and other family members are feeling. I enjoyed the ghost stories and how Hattie allowed Kit to draw her further out of her shell. I love how Amanda Quain portrayed grief and the many forms that it can take. This would be perfect for readers who enjoy Jane Austen retellings, ghost stories, and characters bringing out the best in each other. 

Thank you so much to Amanda Quain, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Verity has never left the safety of life at Highmoor. She’s the last of the cursed Thaumas girls and desperate for adventure. When she tries to plan a trip, her sister Camille forbids her and reveals that Verity has always seen ghosts. Verity’s world is shaken, so she hastily decides to accept an invitation to paint the portrait of a young man. At the Bloem’s floral estate, peacocks scream in the night and the meaning of flowers holds dangerous messages. Verity must unravel the secrets of the estate before she becomes permanently intertwined with the mysterious legacy of the Bloems.  

Erin A. Craig is one of my favorite authors! She excels at fantastical stories with that creeping sensation that something isn’t quite right. I could not put this book down! Verity’s ability to see ghosts was fascinating and I loved the twist that she doesn’t initially know if she is talking to a ghost or a real person. The vivid descriptions of the estate and flowers were beautiful. I enjoyed how Verity was able to use the language of flowers to communicate and reveal secrets. 

I loved Verity’s bond with her sisters, which held even when she tested it by leaving the safe haven of Highmoor. I enjoyed the cameos from Annaleigh, Camille, and learning what happened to the other sisters from House of Salt and Sorrows. The world-building was richly detailed and it feels like there are more stories to tell in this world. There were SO many excellent twists! I can’t talk about most of them without spoilers, so I'll just say that I highly recommend you pick up House of Roots and Ruin. 

The ending made me shriek! Craig is so elegant with her writing and can change the trajectory of a story with two simple lines. I can’t wait to read the sequel and find out what happens next! Readers who enjoy a spooky atmosphere, complicated family dynamics, and a house with dark secrets will love House of Roots and Ruin! I would recommend this for readers who enjoyed House of Salt and Sorrows (Erin A. Craig) and Within These Wicked Walls (Lauren Blackwood). 

Thank you so much to Erin A. Craig, Delacorte Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Summer Girl is my favorite Avalon Bay novel yet! Cassie is back in Avalon Bay to witness the reopening of her family’s former hotel. While there, she hopes to find a fling for the summer. Enter Tate, who has a reputation for it. When they first meet, they decide that it’s better if they just stay friends. The grand reopening of the hotel and the reappearance of Cassie's mom make things complicated enough. Tate jokingly agrees to wingman Cassie as she searches for the perfect summer fling and ends up taking it very seriously. As their friendship deepens, they must decide whether they want something more… 

The Summer Girl is a sweet summer romance. It was so fun to be back in Avalon Bay! I loved the cameos of the Hartley twins, Mackenzie, and Genevieve. Tate is serious book boyfriend material and I loved his relationship with Cassie. Cassie and Tate initially have a slow-burn romance and then promptly descend into intense attraction. I liked how they challenged each other to grow in a positive way by having tough conversations with the people in their lives. I really enjoyed how Cassie’s relationship with her dad and stepmom deepened and she gained more insight about her mom. Readers who enjoy friends to lovers, complex family dynamics, and steamy romance will love this book. The Summer Girl is the perfect relaxing and lighthearted beach read! 

Thank you so much to Elle Kennedy, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

 The Raven and the Dove drew me in with its beautiful cover! Lyana is a princess of the doves, looking for her mate and hoping that they accept her illicit magic. She is immediately fixated on Rafe, the  handsome heir of the ravens. Unbeknownst to her, Prince Xander is the true heir to the ravens and Rafe is his half-brother. To protect his brother’s secret (he was born without one hand), Rafe agrees to compete as Xander in a tournament to find a mate. Lyana and Rafe meet and are intimately connected even after the ruse is revealed. Despite the trick, Lyana is bound to live in the court of the ravens. Yet Lyana and Rafe can’t seem to stay away from each other despite the many obstacles keeping them apart. And on the sea below, a mysterious presence lingers and plots to use Lyana as a vital piece of his plan… 

I really enjoyed this book! It’s been on my TBR for a while and I was thrilled to listen to the audiobook. The narrator does an excellent job distinguishing between characters. One of my favorite parts was the competition; I especially enjoyed learning about the other types of birds/creatures that fly. I look forward to more world-building and hopefully learning about the other courts. Cassi is such an interesting character with many deeply-held secrets. I’m so curious what her next choice will be! Lyana and Rafe have an immediate and intense connection. Due to the nature of Rafe’s deal with Xander, there is little chance for romance in the open and instead their romance is a simmering slow-burn. I hope that we see more of their romance developed in the sequel. I’m excited to see what happens next after that cliffhanger!

Thank you so much to Kaitlyn Davis and Netgalley for a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.  

Sammy Espinoza is a music critic who lost her reviewing honesty when she started dating a musician. When the diva breaks up with her, Sammy is set adrift and scrambling to reclaim her credibility. One night she hatches a drunken plan to return to her hometown and find the famous musician who once broke her heart. Sammy is positive this is the story that could save her career. But Ridley Falls holds more secrets than musicians and Sammy will have to face her past when she returns. 

Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review struck me with how emotional and heartfelt it was. Sammy has a lot to face in Ridley Falls and I loved how it was handled. She’s been estranged from her family in the Falls and she finally gets the chance to reconnect. I liked Max Ryan, the musician love interest, but my favorite part was the found family that Sammy has built. I especially loved her best friend Willa and her wife Brook. They provided such a strong support system for Sammy. I disliked how long it took Sammy to tell Max the real reason she was initially trying to connect with him. I think it was handled as well as it could’ve been, but I felt frustrated with Sammy as she stalled! 

Overall this was a funny and enjoyable romance. Readers who love second-chance romance, queer found family, and reconnecting with estranged family will love this. Readers who enjoyed Funny You Should Ask (Elissa Sussman), Happy Place (Emily Henry), and The Roughest Draft (Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka) should check this book out! 

Thank you so much to Tehlor Kay Mejia, Random House Publishing- Ballantine, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.