Katie True has no prospects. Returned to the suburbs of Chicago, she knows that her job in the mall is a dead-end. Until one day, a mysterious customer enters the shop and turns her entire world upside down. The customer has a photo of a dead woman on his phone- who just so happens to be her coworker Marley. What happened to her coworker and is the photo real? When the police are slow to intervene, Katie takes on the task of discovering what really happened to Marley, armed with her trusty tarot cards. 

I couldn’t stop reading once I started! Play the Fool was such an interesting book; I felt immediately hooked by the wild premise. Katie is a deeply messy and chaotic character with an enormous heart. I loved how Katie never stopped looking for Marley, even at the expense of her own safety and security. I enjoyed how Katie used her tarot cards to gain deeper meaning into situations. One of my favorite side characters was her brother Owen, who has autism. He is a deeply caring and quietly brilliant sidekick to Katie as she tries to figure out what she wants to do with her life and searches for Marley. I would recommend Play the Fool for readers who enjoy action-packed mysteries, tarot cards, and heartfelt characters. 

Thank you to Lina Chern, Bantam, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Infamous is the story of Eddie and Rose. While Eddie is determined to make her own way in the world without bowing to societal norms, Rose must consider her family in the choices she makes. Best friends from the beginning, Eddie is shocked and hurt when Rose becomes engaged to a man who prides himself on the breeding of rabbits. When an irreverent and charming poet meets her and promises her literary success, Eddie and Rose find themselves forced to decide what is truly most important. 

I absolutely LOVED Infamous!! It solidified Lex Croucher for me as one of those authors that I will read anything they write- grocery receipts included! Croucher writes incredible historical queer romance. Their writing is witty and joyful, while not ignoring serious social issues of the time. I personally loved the LGBTQ+ and non-binary rep! 

 Lex Croucher writes about queerness, diversity, hilarious shenanigans, and an aching love between two friends who know almost everything about each other. Nash is such a well-written and entertaining character and also I wanted to slip through the pages and push him off a cliff. The supporting cast brings in a beautiful element of queer found family, especially with Valentine and Dayo. I could have read books about their lives as well and hope to see them again!

Eddie and Rose have a yearning, slow-burn love story that I could read over and over again. I highly recommend Infamous! This book would be great for readers who love Little Women (Eddie is similar to Jo Marsh). I also think readers who enjoy authors like KJ Charles, Alexis Hall, and Freya Marske would enjoy Infamous. 

 Thank you to Lex Croucher, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is one of the best historical queer romances I’ve read. It is the story of Sir Gareth and the smuggler Joss Doomsday. Yet the first time they meet, they don’t exchange names. Months later, both are shocked to discover that they are living on the same Marsh. Gareth has come into an inheritance from his estranged and selfish father. Meanwhile, Joss must do all he can to keep his family smuggling ring running smoothly. When Gareth begins receiving threats in regard to his late father’s finances, he must ask the last person he wants for help. Joss and Gareth must work together to escape with their lives and hearts intact. 

KJ Charles does queer romance so unbelievably well and incorporates the historical aspect in a genuinely interesting way. The stories of the people who live on the Marsh are both heartbreaking and thrilling. Sir Gareth has no idea what he’s walked into as “outmarsh,” and Joss must be the one to explain the way things are done in this marsh far from London. I devoured this book; I read it in two sittings. I couldn’t put it down! One of my favorite aspects was the found family, especially the Doomsday clan. The Doomsday clan is a diverse, overall inclusive, and simply fascinating family. I’m so excited that we get more stories in this world!!

Gareth and Joss strongly remind me of the relationship of Ed and Stede in Our Flag Means Death- while neither knows much about the other’s world, they find a way to meet in the middle. Gareth is thrust into the nobility from being a humble clerk and he is given room to make mistakes along the way and grow from the experience. Joss has the weight of the world on his shoulders and yet somehow manages to make Gareth a priority. I loved Joss’s protectiveness and Gareth’s sense of justice. Gareth and Joss have one of my favorite  dynamics and romances- you won’t be able to look away! 

I loved the Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen so much! Gareth and Joss have a beautiful, pining romance that defies expectations. The supporting cast is also excellent, especially Joss’ mother, grandfather, and Sophy. They all feel distinct and hilarious in their own ways. I would recommend this book for fans of Our Flag Means Death, Bridgerton, and readers who enjoy queer historical romance. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series and see what KJ Charles writes next! 

Thank you so much to KJ Charles, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
 

The Wicked Bargain is the tale of Mar, a transmasculine and non-binary young pirate who has had their entire crew and family ripped away from them in a single night. A sinister creature known as El Diablo has called in a bargain made with their father for safety and legacy. When Mar somehow survives the night, they find themselves on a ship with a ragtag crew. Most annoying is Bas, who is arrogant and enjoys ordering Mar around. But when Mar is given a choice to bring their father back, they must use all the magia and alliances they possess to try and outwit El Diablo.  

I couldn’t put The Wicked Bargain down! Gabe Cole Novoa has created an intricate world filled with dangerous magic, sky-high stakes, and lovable characters. I always want to read diverse, inclusive pirate stories and am thrilled to be seeing more of them. Mar is such an excellent character and I loved watching how they learned to trust themselves and how their control over their magia grew. Bas and Mar have a searing, slow-burn romance that you won’t be able to look away from. I loved the supporting cast as well, including Tito and Dami. Dami is a chaotic and mysterious gender-fluid demonio, who helps Mar learn to unleash their magia for good. I really appreciated how Novoa wove in so much beautiful Spanish. It was always clear what was being said if a direct translation wasn’t provided. 

The Wicked Bargain is a book I would recommend to anyone, but especially readers who love diverse and LGBTQ+ reads. The Wicked Bargain is an adventurous, clever, and epic story that won’t soon be forgotten after the last page. I would highly recommend it! I can’t wait to see what Gabe Cole Novoa writes next! Readers who seek stories with queer love, pirate adventures, and found family, such as from stories like Our Flag Means Death, will love The Wicked Bargain. 

Thank you to Gabe Cole Novoa, Random House Books for Young Readers, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Divine Rivals features a world where gods and goddesses battle and recruit humans to their cause. One of those humans was Iris’ brother Forest. With no word from him in months, Iris works as a journalist, competing to become a columnist. Her rival is Roman Kitt- an arrogant and condescending colleague. Iris decides that she must try and cover news of the war that is going unreported. Iris applies to be a frontline correspondent…only to discover that her rival has as well. Luckily, Iris has her penpal Carver to talk to via an heirloom enchanted typewriter. As she gets to know Roman, is he truly as bad as she thought? How far will Iris go to bring news of the war on the front? 

Divine Rivals is a beautiful, magical treat of a book. Rebecca Ross writes in a lyrical way, filling the pages with  sensory details. I loved the creation of the magical heirloom typewriters and how it allowed Iris and her penpal to lay their souls bare while never knowing the real person on the other end. This was such a great creative choice and never feels contrived. Divine Rivals doesn’t shy away from the horrors of war and who pays the real cost when higher powers fight. There is plenty of love, loss, and learning how to live with grief in this book. 

Rebecca Ross writes stunningly vivid scenes and beautiful prose in dire circumstances. Iris and Roman have an achingly heartfelt romance set against the backdrop of a brutal battle between mysterious forces. Iris is a fierce and determined journalist who never stops looking for her brother- it is impossible not to root for her! Roman initially appears cold, but his icy veneer holds secrets beneath. I seriously loved them both and enjoyed seeing them get to know each other beyond the newsroom. Their chemistry was excellent; I couldn’t believe the cliffhanger ending! I can’t wait to see what happens next!! 

I would highly recommend Divine Rivals to anyone. Readers who enjoy authors such as Joanna Hathaway (Glass Alliance trilogy), Rosaria Munda (The Aurelian Cycle), and Roshani Chokshi will enjoy Divine Rivals. If you enjoy rivals-to-lovers, magical penpals, and delightfully slow-burn romance with epic stakes- then you need to read this book! 

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