✨ Star crossed lovers? ✅  
✨ Shakespeare vibes? ✅  
✨ Practice dating that turns way too real? ✅  
✨ Soft, shy hero and a jaded, reluctant romantic? Hell yes.

Chloe Liese is one of my favorite authors and I love everything she writes. This book had me in a chokehold from page one. Jules and Will are both so convinced love isn’t in the cards for them, but the way they fall anyway. Utter perfection. The tension? Off. The. Charts. And let’s talk about Will Orsino—quiet, reserved, but absolutely yearning? This man is the definition of soft boy who simps HARD and I was eating it up.  

Chloe Liese gives us tender, heartfelt moments, steamy slow burn chemistry, and a romance that feels fated in the best way. If you love emotional depth, disability rep, and characters who will make you swoon, this one’s for you.  

💘 Fake dating but make it practice dating  
📚 Shakespeare retellings (Twelfth Night lover here)  
🥹 Soft, shy MMC who absolutelys worship his love interest  
🔥 Slow burn but WORTH IT  

This book is a love letter to romance, and if you’re not already obsessed with Chloe Liese’s writing, this will be the one to change that. 😍💫  

I am not usually a marriage in crisis trope kind of girl, but Hannah Bonam-Young did not disappoint and OF COURSE SHE DIDN'T! 

High school sweethearts to high stakes heartbreak and healing... this one is for the hopeless romantics AND the realists.

Sarah and Caleb Linwood had it all—seventeen years of love, partnership, and shared life. But what happens when you lose yourself in the person who knows you best? This book dives headfirst into that question, with Sarah desperate to rediscover her independence and Caleb doing his best to hold on.

When a disastrous gala pushes their marriage to its breaking point, they agree to tackle their problems head on with the most unhinged plan ever: a couples’ hiking therapy retreat. Let’s just say… these two are not outdoorsy. What unfolds is a raw, hilarious, and deeply emotional journey as Sarah and Caleb battle the wilderness—and their past grievances—to figure out if love alone is enough to survive.

The way every moment felt so relatable. It’s messy, but real—like the love story most of us grow up dreaming about, layered with all the complications of adulthood. The chemistry between Sarah and Caleb is electric but nuanced. You feel the history between them in every argument, every tender moment, every glance. The humor is perfection and so balanced in a book like this. Couples therapy in the woods is the comedy of errors I didn’t know I needed, with plenty of “are they going to make it out alive” moments.

Out of the Woods is for anyone who’s ever loved deeply but wondered what happens when love is tested. It’s about finding yourself within a relationship—and deciding if you want to keep fighting for it. Think Marriage Story meets The Hating Game, with a side of emotional catharsis. 

Also, the cameos of Win and Bo were everything I needed and I am so happy! 

If you’re into second chance romance (but make it a first chance at truly knowing yourself), this one’s a must read. Hannah Bonam-Young has officially earned a spot on my auto buy list!

This book is giving Brooklyn 99 but with ALL the queer, romantic, murder mystery chaos you never knew you needed. Think Jake Peralta’s energy meets The Charm Offensive’s emotional depth—except instead of solving crimes for his career, Detective Rav Trivedi might just risk it for love.

Rav is EVERYTHING. A sassy, suit loving, whip smart British detective navigating the NYPD homicide squad as an outsider. At 29, he’s a total boss with a solve rate that screams iconic. But when a high profile murder lands on his desk, things get spicy. Enter Jules, the ridiculously hot and suspiciously charming rock star who’s got motive, no alibi, and way too much chemistry with Rav.

The banter? 🔥
The tension? 🧨
The vibes? Immaculate.

It’s the perfect mix of slow burn yearning and high stakes crime solving, with twists that keep you guessing and sweetness that keep your heart aching. The murder mystery keeps you hooked, but the romance steals the show. You’ll root for Rav and Jules even as you yell, “DON’T FALL FOR THE SUSPECT!”

It’s murder cute in the first degree, with all the humor, heart, and heat you’d expect from a Brooklyn 99 + MM romance mashup. If you love smart detectives, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, and sizzling tension with a side of murder mystery, RUN to pick this one up!

Thank you to NetGalley, Erin Dunn, and St. Martin's Press for the eARC of this book.

Fake dating, small town charm, a nerdy cowboy, and a bourbon making boss who’ll steal your heart? Bourbon Summer is a perfect cocktail of swoon, spice, and second chances! 🍹💘

When Addie finds herself in the ultimate cringe situation—having to attend her ex-boyfriend’s wedding to her former best friend—she panics and blurts out the one thing she shouldn’t: that she’s bringing her boss, Tenor, as her date. Cue the fake dating shenanigans when Tenor, a co-owner of Copper Summit distillery, agrees to play along. But what starts as a charade quickly turns into stolen glances, cozy picnics, and a tension that’s so delicious, you’ll want to sip it slowly.

Y’all, Tenor Bailey is the small town grumpy bachelor with a secret soft side we dream about. He’s guarded but giving, and every sweet gesture (homemade meals from his mama? 🥹) had my heart melting faster than bourbon over ice. Addie, on the other hand, is every relatable, trying to keep it together FMC you root for from page one.

The chemistry between these two? Top shelf. That one drunken crawl into his bed? Absolutely sent me. The tension is so thick, you could cut it with a bourbon soaked knife. And the emotional payoff? Just perfection for those who love a reluctant bachelor turned total softie.

Walker Rose has created a story that feels like a warm summer evening—bitter, sweet, and with just the right amount of burn. Perfect for fans of Devney Perry and Elsie Silver, this book will leave you dreaming of small towns, distillery tours, and your very own fake dating romance.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 stars)

Thank you to Walker Rose and The Author Agency for the eARC of this book. 

If you’re into accidental Vegas marriages, fake relationship tropes, and slow burn falling for real, this book is EVERYTHING. Walker Rose just keeps blessing us, and I am NOT okay.

One wild weekend in Vegas + one wealthy, devastatingly handsome CEO + one small town school teacher = the most chaotic and swoony ride ever. Gideon James isn’t just a random stranger; he’s a link to Autumn’s Montana roots and the key to saving her family’s land. Cue the fake newlywed shenanigans, shared goals, and… you guessed it, undeniable sparks.

Fake marriage, opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine vibes, and "we’ll end this eventually" denial that had me screaming! Gideon James is suave, broody, and surprisingly soft under all that CEO polish. The way he grows to adore her? Seriously perfection. Small town charm meets Vegas glam: The setting shifts were perfection—one minute, glitzy Vegas drama, the next, cozy Montana feels.
The chemistry was done really well and the tension is palpable. It builds and builds until you just KNOW there’s no faking this anymore. Beneath all the bourbon deals and playful bickering, this story is about family, trust, and finding love in the most unexpected places.

This book is for anyone who loves tropes done RIGHT, a balance of humor and heart, and a perect MMC who gives "I’d do anything for her" energy. Walker Rose has officially made this series a fave for me and it just keeps getting better and better!

Auction fundraiser romances are my favorite, so Bourbon Bachelor is the ultimate meet cute fuel I’ve been craving. I couldn’t put this down!

Our girl is a sweet, no nonsense fourth grade teacher who gets voluntold by her besties into bidding on Tate Bailey—the ruggedly hot, emotionally unavailable single dad and bourbon heir—at the town’s charity auction. Except, surprise! They bid for her. And when sparks start flying, the chemistry is STRAIGHT FIRE.

Auction + small town + single dad + opposites attract? Sign me up.
The banter between these two! Their history starts rocky—parent/teacher drama, anyone?—but the forced proximity and sizzling tension? 10/10.
Tate is the perfect combo of broody and vulnerable, peeling back his layers to reveal a heart that’s just waiting for the right person.
I love how relatable Scarlett is. She’s skeptical but strong, done with people putting her down, and ready to fight for what she deserves.

This is for anyone who loves a cozy small town romance with a side of tension and heartfelt growth. Plus, Tate’s son? Total scene stealer and he was just the CUTEST kid.

Bourbon Bachelor is equal parts sweet, spicy, and so good. It is a must read if you’re a sucker for a reluctant love story with all the feels. Walker Rose knocked it out of the park.

✨ 4 Stars | Runaway Bride x Damaged Mountain Man ✨

Oh, Bourbon Runaway absolutely swept me away! I thought the first book was okay, but this one? SO. MUCH. BETTER. If you’re into small town romance with ALL the feels, this book will hook you from page one.

We’ve got a runaway bride who ends up hiding out in a rugged, brooding mountain man’s cabin—and oh no, he just happens to be her high school boyfriend’s brother. 😱 The tension is so there and the chemistry is deliciously forbidden. I love that it is the storm that traps them together!

Summer is a fiery, resilient FMC, and I loved how her bubbly energy broke through his gruff, self-imposed walls. And can we talk about the emotional weight? This isn’t just a romance; it’s a story about healing, guilt, and learning to love again after loss. His vulnerability will shatter you, and her determination to love him anyway will piece you back together.

The slow burn is SO worth it—every stolen glance, every close call, and when they finally give in…brace yourself for all the feels and all the spice. 🔥

💭 Tropes: Runaway bride, small town romance, brother’s ex, forced proximity
📖 Steam: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
🎧 Vibes: Emotional, tender, and wildly romantic

✨ 4.5 Stars | Grumpy Billionaire + Wild and Reckless Guardian ✨

Oh. My. God. This book was EVERYTHING. And by the way, I guessed the twist early on, but it sure did not hurt any less.

 If you’re a sucker for dislike to lovers with sizzling banter, reluctant single dads, and a “forbidden but I can’t resist you” vibe, Just Like That is going to own your heart.

JP King? The ultimate grumpy billionaire with a soft spot he can’t hide when it comes to his son. And Hazel? Wild, reckless, and unapologetically herself. Their chemistry? Off the charts. 🫠 The tension between them is like fireworks in every chapter, and when they finally come together? HOT. 🔥

What I loved most is how their relationship builds slowly as they’re forced to coparent (cue all the emotional depth). Watching JP’s cold exterior crack under her carefree charm was so satisfying, and the way they balance each other is peak romance perfection. I was looking forward to his book because he is described as most like his father, Russell King, who is not a good man, but JP King pleasantly surprised me! Add in the emotional layers of family, sacrifice, and personal growth, and you’ve got a book that tugs at your heart while keeping it spicy.

If you love strong single dad dynamics, a healthy dose of snark, and a swoony grump melts for her story, this one’s for you. Just like that, you’ll be obsessed. 🖤

💭 Tropes: Grumpy x sunshine, single dad, dislike to lovers, close proximity
📖 Steam: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
🎧 Vibes: Billionaire drama, heartfelt family moments, super cute kid, and a spicy slow burn

Okay, let’s talk about Bourbon Lullaby. I went in with high hopes because I like the ideas of haunted foster kid turned whiskey mogul? Childhood connection? Bourbon fueled tension? It had the potential to give all the Devney Perry and Elsie Silver vibes, but… I think it was just too messy and was not great for me. 

The concept was strong. Myles—the brooding, storm reading, trauma ridden whiskey distiller—could have been such a compelling character. And the idea of a childhood bond rekindling under complicated circumstances? I was ready for all the angst and heart. Plus, I do love a good whiskey-themed setting (because vibes, obviously).

But the characters were inconsistent. Myles and the FMC felt like two different people every other chapter. One minute they’re angsty, the next it’s insta love with no build up. The names and details were weird and confusing—I found myself flipping back to figure out who was who and what was happening more than once. Grammar? Editing? Missing. So many errors, it felt like I was proofreading instead of enjoying the story. The plot felt like the author was trying to mash up ideas from other romances without fully fleshing out the story. By the end, it went from meh to just plain bizarre.

If you’re looking for something similar but way more polished, stick with Devney Perry or Elsie Silver’s Chestnut Springs books. 

Protecting the Witness is a thrilling and emotional MM romantic suspense novel that strikes the perfect balance between action and romance. Kimberly Knight and Rachel Lyn Adams craft a story that is equal parts sexy, dangerous, and deeply emotional, keeping readers hooked from the first page to the last.

Courtland Wilder is a driven, no nonsense cop whose commitment to his job leaves little room for personal connections. When his undercover investigation as a bouncer intersects with Ryan Ashford, a confident and successful finance professional, sparks fly despite their seemingly opposite worlds. The chemistry between Court and Ryan is undeniable—steamy, magnetic, and surprisingly tender as they navigate their initial no strings attached connection.

The plot takes a gripping turn when Ryan becomes an eyewitness to a murder, throwing their budding relationship into chaos. The protective instinct Court feels for Ryan is palpable, and the lengths he goes to shield him add layers of tension and vulnerability to his character. The twist of Court’s secret identity being exposed introduces a gut wrenching conflict that tests the trust and love they’ve built.

The pacing is excellent, with moments of high stakes action seamlessly woven into the intimate and emotional beats of the romance. Both main characters are deeply layered—Court struggling with the moral compromises of his undercover work and Ryan wrestling with his feelings of betrayal and love. The dual POV narration brings their thoughts and emotions vividly to life, making their struggles and triumphs feel personal and real.

Protecting the Witness delivers everything fans of romantic suspense could hope for—pulse pounding danger, sizzling chemistry, and a love story worth rooting for. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, with just the right amount of angst and redemption to leave readers satisfied. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a steamy, suspenseful, and heartfelt MM romance.

Thank you to Kimberly Knight, Rachel Lyn Adams, and The Author Agency for the eARC of this book.