When Hearts Awaken by Victoria Lum is a powerful, emotional rollercoaster that will leave you breathless, heartbroken, and ultimately hopeful. This isn’t just a romance—it’s a journey through pain, resilience, and the healing power of love. 🩰💔💎

I want to issue a trigger warning because there are some HEAVY topics discussed and it was rought at times, so please be careful. However, this book tackles dark themes with grace and care. If you’re sensitive to trauma related topics, proceed cautiously, but know that Victoria Lum handles it with respect, sensitivity, and purpose.

Taylor Peyton-Anderson is everything you could want in an FMC: fierce, resilient, and stronger than the scars she hides. Ballet isn’t just her career—it’s her lifeline, her escape. Watching her navigate the shadows of her past while refusing to let it define her is gut wrenching but so inspiring. 

Charles Vaughn is the quintessential charming billionaire with a broken soul. On the surface, he’s the media’s golden boy, but beneath the façade lies a man haunted by his own demons. His connection with Taylor is raw, messy, and so beautifully complicated. The slow unraveling of his vulnerability hit me right in the heart. 🥺

This is also enemies to lovers perfection. From fiery clashes to smoldering passion, their chemistry is electric. The hate to love tension is palpable, but what makes this story shine is how their relationship evolves into something deep and meaningful. They see each other in ways no one else can, and it’s equal parts heartbreaking and heart healing.

The plot was intense. As secrets unravel and past traumas resurface, this story doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff. But through all the heartbreak and angst, there’s a thread of hope that keeps you clinging to every page.

This book is not for the faint of heart, but if you’re ready for a deeply emotional read with beautifully flawed characters, sizzling tension, and a love story that feels like a beacon in the darkness, When Hearts Awaken is worth every tear. Victoria Lum has crafted something raw, real, and unforgettable.

Thank you to Victoria Lum for the eARC of this book. 

I just finished This Wild Heart by Karla Sorensen, and OMG, this book had me in a chokehold! 🏈💍

Imagine waking up in Vegas married to a football player so hot he’s practically a walking thirst trap. Parker Wilder is broody and gorgeous, with a fake marriage trope that is already chef’s kiss, but add a sprinkle of inheritance drama and meddling families, and I was hooked from page one.

The chemistry? OFF. THE. CHARTS. Y’all, the tension between Parker and Anya was electric. Every pretend touch felt so real I was yelling, “JUST ADMIT YOU LOVE EACH OTHER ALREADY!” And let’s not even talk about the steamy scenes because… I may never recover. 🥵

I didn’t see the plot twist coming, and it hit me right in the feels. Just when you think you know where the story is headed, Sorensen drops an emotional bombshell that had me clutching my Kindle and wiping tears.

This is the perfect mix of fake marriage shenanigans, spicy romance, and heartfelt moments that will leave you rooting for these two until the very last page. If you love broody football players with hearts of gold, fierce and bold FMCs, and a dash of angst, THIS IS FOR YOU.

Thank you to Karla Sorensen and The Author Agency for the eARC of this book. 

Books like these are fun and a good time when you don't have someone in your ear telling you it sucks... and it doesn't suck. At all. I really think this is SO much better than Iron Flame (which was still good) because Rebecca Yarros had ample time to make it a great book. I loved the banter, I loved the world building, I loved the romance, I love the fantasy, and most of all, I just love the fact that a book can bring us together like this; not a Stanley cup or whatever, but a BOOK. That in and of itself is amazing in the year of 2025. Anyway, I thought it was great and I have so many thoughts and theories which is super fun, but will be keeping it to myself (and the group chat, duh) in an effort to prevent spoilers and let people enjoy it. I will be waiting for book four with bated breath! 

If you’re a sucker for tattooed single dads, fake dating, small town drama, and men who can chop wood and braid hair, Axe Backwards by Daphne Elliott is for you!

This book is EVERYTHING. So you’re trapped in a coffee shop bathroom, having the worst day ever, and the universe sends you a literal axe-wielding firefighter with a baby strapped to his chest. (Thank you, universe. 🙌) That’s how Noah Hebert makes his entrance into our Victoria’s life, and honestly? I’m still not over it.

Noah is a dream: broad shoulders, a thick beard, piercing blue eyes, and a heart so pure it could melt the iciest exteriors. Watching him be a doting dad while also low key saving the town and standing up to the FMC’s toxic family? Peak boyfriend material. 😍 And the chemistry? Off the charts! The slow burn romance builds through hair braiding (YES, really), late night chats, and slow burn falling in love—like, who gave Daphne Elliott permission to make me feel all these feelings?! 🥹✨

But it’s not all fluff. There’s a bed of secrets ready to explode (I just LOVE romantic suspense), and when it does, it sets their world on fire (literally and figuratively). The twists and small town shenanigans will keep you hooked, and don’t even get me started on the lumberjack competitions and baby sign language moments. 🪓👶

If you love your romance with a side of heart, heat, and a moose cameo (YES, there’s a moose 🫎), Axe Backwards is a must read. Don’t walk. RUN to pick this one up. It’s got every single trope I am obsessed with tied together in a perfectly emotional, cozy, and spicy package. 🖤🔥

Tattooed firefighter ✔️ Single dad ✔️ Small town romance ✔️ Fake dating ✔️ Wood chopping competition ✔️ Bonus moose ✔️

Thank you to Daphne Elliot and The Author Agency for the eARC of this book! 

If Bridget Jones, Eleanor Oliphant, and a whole lot of chaotic charm had a love child, it would be Pearl O’Reilly. 💕 This debut by Claire Frances is a rollercoaster of relatable quirks, raw emotions, and laugh out loud moments that’ll steal your heart faster than Pearl counts her way down the stairs.

Pearl is 27 and navigating life with OCD—her routines keep her grounded, but they also keep her from truly living. That is, until one wild morning when she wakes up with a gorgeous naked man in her bed (yes, you read that right 👀), and everything starts to spiral in the most delightfully messy way possible.

This book is as much about friendship and personal growth as it is about romance. Pearl’s relationship with her best friend Una is goals—warm, funny, and perfectly imperfect. And while Pearl’s romantic journey is sweet and melts your heart, it’s her inner journey that makes this story unforgettable. Watching her step out of her comfort zone, confront her mental health struggles, and learn to embrace the chaos of life is as inspiring as it is deeply moving. As someone with OCD, it was so refreshing to read about a character and her journey and really feel like it resonated. I felt very seen and validated and I LOVE that about this book and what the author was able to do. 

📖 What I loved:
✨ Pearl’s voice is everything. She’s awkward, funny, and so relatable that you’ll want to reach through the pages to give her a hug.
✨ The raw and honest portrayal of OCD. It’s not sugarcoated, but it’s handled with so much care and compassion.
✨ The balance between humor and heart. One moment you’re laughing at Pearl’s hilarious inner monologue, and the next, you’re tearing up at her struggles.
✨ The slow burn self-discovery paired with a romance that’ll leave you smiling! 

If you love books that tackle mental health with warmth and humor, characters who feel like your new best friend, and stories that remind you it’s okay to be messy while finding your happiness, To Hell With It is a must read. 🧼💕

Thank you to NetGalley, Claire Frances, and HarperCollins/One More Chapter for the eARC of this book. 

Ugh, I just love books like this. Such queer joy and fun and flirty! This book is pure Broadway glitter and queer summer chaos! If you’re a fan of Casey McQuiston or just love your rom coms packed with big personalities, swoony moments, and a sprinkle of second chance dreams, you’re going to eat this up.

Archer Read is the ultimate golden retriever protagonist—a 27 year old dreamer who quit his accounting job for the bright lights of Broadway… only to land at Shady Queens, a queer friendly Catskills resort, as a last shot at his performing dreams. Enter Mateo Dixon, his teenage celebrity crush turned smoldering, broody coworker (yes, the vibes are immaculate), and Caleb, his bunkmate slash fling who adds just the right dose of spice to the chaos. 🌶️

This book is like a musical itself—high energy, dramatic, and heartfelt. The dance scenes are electric, and the behind the scenes shenanigans are filled with juicy tension, heartbreak, and all the drama you’d expect when you throw together big personalities with even bigger egos. But what makes this shine is the way it balances the campy fun with genuine moments of self-discovery and vulnerability.

📖 What I loved:
✨ The sizzling tension between Archer and Mateo. Their slow burn romance gave me life 🔥
✨ The side characters! They’re chaotic, lovable, and messy in the best way possible
✨ So many Broadway references, it’s like a love letter to theater nerds everywhere 🎶
✨ The Catskills setting—it has that cozy yet vibrant summer camp vibe that makes you nostalgic for a simpler time

If you love romance with a heaping dose of drama, a protagonist you can’t help but root for, and a reminder that finding yourself can be as messy as a midsummer dance rehearsal, then Flirty Dancing is your next read. 💃

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

Friends to lovers? Single dad? Football romance? Past religious issues? Oh, I AM SO IN. If you’re ready for a swoony, small town love story packed with heart, spice, and a pinch of angst, Reckless Love by Willow Aster needs to be your next read. This entire series is just so good.

First off, let’s talk about Rhodes Archer. NFL superstar tight end, single dad, and down BAD for Elle. Always has been and always will be. It certainly helps that he is HOT too. Like, how do you NOT fall for a guy who’s not only hot as hell but also an amazing dad to his adorable son? And then there’s our girl, the ultimate ride or die, who’s not just Levi’s godmother but also a cheerleader for the same team Rhodes plays for, and a secret romance author. Can you say forbidden love tension?

The way Willow Aster writes the connection between Rhodes and Elle is perfect. Their history, the unspoken feelings, the stolen glances—it all builds into this beautiful, electric dynamic. And Levi? Oh my gosh, he adds so much sweetness to the story. He is such a cutie. Watching Rhodes navigate fatherhood while falling (I mean, he already was, but falling deeper) for the love of his life had me wanting more and not wanting it to end.

🔥 The spice? Oh, it’s there. And it’s the kind of slow burn payoff that is worth the reward because I was so invested in these two.

And don’t even get me started on the angst. The “will they won’t they” moments and the tension of breaking the rules hit me right in the feels. I was holding my breath, begging for them to figure it out because their love is worth the risk.

If you love sexy, emotional, small town romances with all the best tropes and a happily ever after that’ll leave you grinning and kicking your feet, Reckless Love is an absolute must read. I’m OBSESSED!

This book took me OUT. If you’re a sucker for MMF, small town romance with suspense and all the feels, let me put you onto Stolen Chances because WOW. I love a good MMF book and this did NOT disappoint. 

Single mom vibes? ✅ Twin kids? ✅ Two insanely hot guys who are polar opposites but somehow perfect together? ✅ This book gave me everything I didn’t know I needed.

Twelve years ago, Colton was the one… or at least he was supposed to be. Now, after her life fell apart, our girl is juggling twin boys, work, and the aftermath of a broken marriage. Enter Colton—the literal definition of hot—and Sammy, the quiet, mysterious off limits wild card who just so happens to be her brother in law’s brother (yes, you read that right). The tension between these three? UNREAL. I swear, every interaction made my Kindle overheat.

Second chance with a HEAVY dose of pining? Yes, please.
Friends to lovers that’s somehow spicy AND sweet? Obsessed.
Small town charm with a side of danger lurking around the corner? My FAVORITE.
Oh, and don’t forget the poly done RIGHT. The way Clio Evans balances the dynamics between these three? Absolute perfection.

The spice level is off the charts, but it’s not just about the heat; there is plenty of plot too. There’s so much heart in this story! Hurt and comfort is woven beautifully into their relationships, and watching them heal together had me tearing up one minute and blushing the next.

And that suspense subplot? Kept me flipping pages well past my bedtime. I am a huge fan of romantic suspense and Clio Evans executed it so well. I was so invested in their love story that I NEEDED to know if they’d get their happily ever after.

If you’re into steamy, emotional, suspenseful romances with a perfectly balanced poly dynamic, do yourself a favor and pick this one up ASAP. And trust me, you’ll want to visit Citrus Cove again and again. 😍

Thank you to Clio Evans and Grey’s Promotions for the eARC of this book. 

Okay, I know this is a debut novel, so I know it is not perfect, but you can tell there’s potential under the slightly clunky edges. And After Dark? It’s definitely got that unique flavor you don’t get anywhere else.

First off, the vampire cowboy boyfriend situation? I mean, come on, I am HERE for the drama. 🤠🩸 Sylas is broody, mysterious, and gives just enough “dangerous but I’d still risk it all” vibes. Add in Rowan, our unlucky FMC caught in a whirlwind of bloodlust, betrayal, and an age old vendetta, and you’ve got yourself a chaotic, messy, and kind of addicting ride.

There were definitely some bumps along the way. The plot had a few holes, and there were moments I wanted to yell, “Please explain this better!” or “Give me more depth here!” Still, the premise is super cool and unique. A vampire dark romance with murder, magic, and a sprinkle of steam? Yeah, I’ll bite. 🧛‍♂️

Kira Bates set up a fun foundation for the Georgetown Vampires trilogy, and I can see the potential for this to get really good as the series goes on. So while this one was just okay for me, I’m intrigued enough to see what’s next! I will be tuning in for book two.

Thank you to Kira Bates and Grey's Promotions for the eARC of this book. 

Maggie Gates never misses! Everything she writes is just so good. I am screaming over this book—Ted Lasso meets bodyguard romance, and I am OBSESSED. 😍

Miles Zhou is a literal ray of sunshine wrapped in Crocs, sipping on pink drinks, and rocking swim trunks like it’s a lifestyle. He’s also a badass MMA fighter turned bodyguard who could take down a threat faster than you can say apple pie. And Annie? She’s a pie making queen with a secret identity as a romance novelist, a sprinkle of anxiety fueled chaos, and enough sarcasm to keep Miles on his toes.

The vibes? IMMACULATE. We’re talking small town charm, secret recipes, and a whole lot of mystery and suspense that’ll keep you guessing. Plus, the fourth wall breaking nods to the romance genre? Chef’s kiss. 👩‍🍳💋

The romance? Sweet and spicy, just like Annie’s pies. The chemistry between these two is just so palpable and perfect, and watching Miles knock down Annie’s walls (literally and figuratively) is as heartwarming as it is hilarious. I mean, who knew bodyguard duty could be so steamy and swoony?! Also, him helping her with her, um... bedroom issues was seriously PERFECT and he is just the ideal book boyfriend. I am in love with him!

If you’re a fan of sunshine MMCs, sharp witted FMCs, and rom coms with a twist of suspense, 100 Lifetimes of Us will have you laughing, swooning, and wanting a Miles of your own!