A sapphic paranormal romance with a huge twist you don’t see coming? SAY LESS.

I loved this book! Despite reading it at the end of May, the Halloween and fall vibes were so immersive, it had me reaching for a cozy blanket and a pumpkin spice latte (if they were still available, that is). Ann Rose nails the slightly spooky, slightly whimsical aesthetic that makes A Hexcellent Chance to Fall in Love feel like the queer Halloween rom com I didn’t know I needed.

The concept is SO clever and smart: a mysterious Halloween store that appears and disappears like clockwork, a woman cursed to come and go with it, and the one person who might change everything. Pepper is such a unique and layered character; funny, self-aware, a little tragic, but filled with heart. I also loved Christina as an FMC. Their chemistry is immediate and electric, but there’s a bittersweet edge because you know their time is running out… or is it? I do not want to spoil it, so that is all I will say.

What really sold me is how smart and twisty this story is. Just when you think you know where it’s going, it hits you with that twist, and suddenly everything changes. It's not just a romance, but it's a story about memory, sacrifice, fate, and second chances. And yes, the ending is totally satisfying! I was surprised but also very happy witht the way it ended.

If you're in the mood for a queer love story wrapped in Halloween magic, with a cursed FMC, a fresh twist on fate, and a reminder that love sometimes requires a little trick and treat, then A Hexcellent Chance to Fall in Love should be at the top of your TBR, especially for the upcoming holiday season.

🧡 Spooky, sweet, and spellbinding. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, Ann Rose, and Berkley for the eARC of this book. 

I loved Red Card with everything in me. From the very first page, I was completely hooked and yep, I devoured it in one sitting. The emotional pull, the chemistry, the tension… this book had me in a chokehold in the best way.

Cillian? Oh my heart. That man has been through it, and his emotional vulnerability was written so beautifully. You just feel every bit of his pain, growth, and softness. And Rory? She’s the kind of FMC I adore; she is strong, grounded, hilarious, and her ENERGY? Immaculate. She lights up every page.

The friends to lovers trope here is perfection and I thought it was done so well. Sweet, slow burn, and that jealousy? Had me squealing. Watching them fall for each other felt so natural and earned.

I need more from this world ASAP. The team, the banter, the found family vibes are things I never wanted to end. Maren Moore, I’m begging you, give me spin offs, bonus scenes, literally anything!

If you are looking for a rugby romance with real heart, spice, and characters you will want to be best friends with, Red Card is it. 🫶🏻

Thank you to NetGalley, Maren Moore, and Forever for the eARC of this book. 

He Falls First is classic Jill Shalvis, with a little more grit and heart than some of her past titles, and I loved every second of it.

This is the start of her new Colburn Brothers series, and let me just say that Ryder Colburn is the kind of book boyfriend we don’t get enough of. Broody but gentle, tough exterior with a gooey, protective center. He’s dealing with the trauma of his past while trying to do the right thing, even if it means caring for the very person who caused him and his siblings so much pain. You just feel for him.

Penny is a strong FMC. She’s back in her hometown trying to pick up the pieces after an abusive relationship, caring for her family, and trying to get her feet back under her. She’s funny, independent, and guarded, and totally not ready to fall for someone like Ryder. And yet, she does. But what’s refreshing here is that he falls first. And he falls hard. Hence the title.

Their chemistry is undeniable but slow burning in a believable way. Ryder is so patient and kind with her, and Penny’s journey toward trust and healing felt really honest. I appreciated how their shared trauma didn’t turn into drama, but instead became a quiet bond between them.

Also, shoutout to the quirky side characters (Pika-boo the budgie might’ve stolen a few scenes), and the Colburn family setup has me so excited for what’s to come in the series. There’s definitely a solid foundation here for future books, and I’m already placing bets on who ends up with who.

A couple of things felt a little rushed toward the end, but overall, this was heartfelt, healing, and exactly what I wanted from a small town romance with depth.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jill Shalvis, and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC of this book. 

After watching Maxton Hall on Amazon, I was completely hooked on the story and needed more of Ruby and James in my life. So imagine my disappointment when I realized the books hadn’t been translated into English yet... total heartbreak. But then, I saw Save You as an ARC and got accepted, and honestly, I couldn’t have been happier. Thank you so much to Berkley and NetGalley for the chance to read this early!

Save You picks up right where Save Me left off, and the emotional rollercoaster doesn’t let up. Ruby is devastated by what she believes is James’ betrayal and tries to disappear into herself, while James spirals, using every bad coping mechanism in the book. It’s raw, it’s messy, and it hurts, in the best, most addicting way.

Ruby’s growth in this book really stood out to me. She doesn’t just run back to James, and I respected that. She takes her time, processes everything, and only opens the door again when she’s ready. James, on the other hand, is fully in redemption mode because he knows he messed up and is actually willing to do the work. Their scene at the observatory? Perfection. I felt like James finally got it.

Lydia remains one of my favorite characters. Her loyalty and growth were beautiful to see, and I love that we got her perspective this time around (along with Ember’s, which brought some added dimension too). Their POVs helped round out the world and gave insight into side plots I now need answers to, especially after that cliffhanger!

There were moments that genuinely made me tear up, and I wasn’t expecting the emotional depth to hit quite so hard. These characters feel real; they are flawed, complicated, and trying their best.

I need Save Us immediately. Like, yesterday.

If you loved the Maxton Hall series and crave emotional slow burn drama with heart and character development, this sequel delivers.

I usually love Laura Pavlov’s small town romances because they’re sweet, funny, and full of charm but You, Me, and Forever just didn’t quite land for me.

The setup is a familiar one: you hook up with a hot stranger during a wild one night stand who you think you will never see again, only to find out he’s the new big deal billionaire developer in town… and he’s here to destroy your beloved wedding venue, in order to gentrify the town to make himself more money. Okay, that is kind of icky. Myles is charming on the surface, but it was hard to root for a guy who shows up in a close knit Alaskan town with plans to bulldoze a place that clearly means so much to the people who live there, all to make more money. In 2025, that just gives me the ick.

Add to that the repetitiveness of the endless back and forth of “we shouldn’t”/“we did anyway”/“but we can’t”/cue hookup again, and it started to feel like the story was going in circles rather than building momentum. The conflict didn’t have much nuance, and the resolution felt a bit too easy and convenient.

It’s not bad, it’s just… predictable. A one night stand turned enemies to lovers setup can be super fun, but here it felt kind of superficial and formulaic. I never fully connected with the characters or felt like their relationship developed beyond lust and light banter. Honestly, it felt more like “surface steam” than emotional depth.

Still, Laura Pavlov’s writing voice is easy and engaging, and if you’re just looking for a light, steamy escape with a small town backdrop, this might still be worth checking out. Just maybe don’t expect it to blow you away.

Hat Trick by Chelsea Curto absolutely stole my heart. This isn’t just a hockey romance; it’s a story of resilience, healing, and learning to love yourself again after everything falls apart. Chelsea tackled such an important and often overlooked subject, which is life after a life changing injury, with so much care, heart, and authenticity.

Riley Mitchell was a phenomenal character. Watching him go from the heights of NHL success to having it all ripped away in an instant was gut wrenching. His journey through grief, anger, and rediscovery was powerful and emotional. You could feel the weight of his loss, not just of his leg, but of his identity. And yet, through it all, I rooted for him; not just to heal physically, but to find peace, purpose, and love.

Enter Lexi Armstrong. The moment she was on the page, I knew she was exactly what Riley needed. She’s independent, no nonsense, and bursting with sunshine. Her unwavering support, balanced with just the right amount of sass and tenderness, made her the perfect balm to Riley’s emotional wounds. Their chemistry was instant, their banter was electric, and their slow burn evolution from friends with benefits to something deeper was really perfect and fit their journey so well.

Chelsea Curto simply cannot write a bad book. Hat Trick is everything I want in a sports romance: deep emotional layers, a vulnerable but strong MMC, an independent and fierce but supportive and healing FMC, sizzling spice, and a beautiful found family. Most of all, it shines a light on what happens after the spotlight fades, and how love can show up when you least expect it.

Highly recommend for those who love emotional friends to lovers romance with heart, heat, and a whole lot of healing. Riley and Lexi’s story is one I won’t forget any time soon.

We get it, Conor... you think she’s too young. Now shut up and kiss her.

Problematic Summer Romance gave me exactly what I wanted from an Ali Hazelwood novel: her signature banter, witty internal monologues, all the tension, and that trademark storytelling magic that somehow feels both grounded and giddy at once. Ali’s prose is effortlessly charming, and Maya’s voice, which is equal parts self-aware, chaotic, and sincere, pulled me in from the first page.

The Italy setting was chef’s kiss. Taormina made for a lush, romantic backdrop, and the destination wedding chaos only added to the fun. I loved the callbacks and appearances from characters in Not In Love because I feel like Ali Hazelwood is building out a little interconnected universe, and I’m absolutely here for it.

That said… if I had to hear Conor remind Maya one more time how “inappropriate” or “wrong” it was to be attracted to her, I might’ve chucked my Kindle into the Ionian Sea. We get it, man; you’re older, she’s younger, and you’ve got a complicated relationship with her brother. The repetition bogged things down a bit and made me wish we could fast forward to the good stuff (which, when it finally happens, is every bit worth the wait).

While this isn’t my favorite Hazelwood book, I still adored it. There’s just something about the way she writes that feels like comfort and excitement in equal measure. It’s messy, sweet, funny, and full of heart. A great summer romance with a touch of angst, a lot of sexual tension, and a satisfying payoff.

Recommended if you love:
✔️ Age gap angst
✔️ Brother’s best friend 
✔️ European vacation romance/destination wedding
✔️ Grad student shenanigans
✔️ Flashback chapters
✔️ Ali Hazelwood being in her Ali Hazelwood era 

I really wanted to like this book. Autumn and Zane had such adorable potential, and the setup was promising with small town charm, fake dating, and cozy fall vibes, and it had all the right ingredients for a seasonal romance I could fall in love with.

Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t work for me.

The writing felt overly cliché and even awkward at times, pulling me out of the story rather than drawing me in. I understand and even enjoy a fast moving romance, but this one took insta love to an extreme that didn’t feel believable or emotionally grounded.

Zane, as the swoony billionaire, also didn’t land well for me. His attitude, like he could get whatever he wanted just because he’s the future CEO, didn’t add depth or charm to his character, and at times made him come off a bit entitled rather than endearing.

That said, I can totally see how others who are looking for something light, cute, and trope heavy might enjoy this one. It has all the right fall aesthetics, some sweet banter, and a happily ever after. It just wasn’t the right fit for me.

Thanks to NetGalley, Lyra Parish, and Avon for the eARC of this book.

Summer People by Brittanee Nicole and Jenni Bara is the kind of book that reminds you exactly why you fell in love with romance in the first place. It’s not just about tropes or clever marketing, but it’s about heart. This story swept me off my feet in the most unexpected and emotional ways, and I felt things I haven’t in a long time while reading a romance. 

Libby and Fisher's love story was everything. From their rocky, “summer people” start to their deeply emotional, slow burning connection, every moment felt earned. I loved how layered their characters were. Both Libby and Fisher are scarred by trauma and tragedy, both a little lost, but somehow finding peace and growth in each other and within themselves. Their personal journeys were as powerful as their love story, and I appreciated that neither character was just a placeholder for the romance. They grew, both individually and together.

And Fisher? OH MY GOODNESS. He’s the kind of book boyfriend you don’t forget. Grumpy, broody, loyal, and the kind of man who would move mountains for the people he loves, especially his niece Sutton, who completely stole my heart. Sutton was such a smart, adorable, and complex little girl. I adored her, and my heart ached for everything she had been through, but she also brought such warmth and light to the story.

This book had the perfect blend of heartfelt emotion, romance, and spice. The grief and trauma woven through the story were handled with such care and sensitivity, but never weighed it down. Instead, they deepened the impact of the love story and made every sweet, steamy, or hopeful moment feel even more earned.

Add in the small town island setting of Monhegan, Maine, a place so remote and charming it’s almost a character of its own, and you’ve got the ultimate summer read. And can we talk about that cover? STUNNING.

Brittanee Nicole and Jenni Bara are both fantastic writers individually, but together? They’re magic. Summer People is not just a book, but it’s a feeling that hit me really deeply. And I’ll be carrying it with me long after summer ends.

Thank you to The Author Agency, Brittanee Nicole, and Jenni Bara for the eARC of this book. 

🔥🥵🌶️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Never fall for a Foxx brother”—yeah, well... too late. I’d be on my knees for any of them, but Daddy Ace? The oldest, grumpiest, filthiest Foxx brother? He is the moment.

This finale of the Bourbon Boys series delivered everything I hoped for and then some. Bourbon and Proof is an intoxicating blend of slow burn tension, explosive chemistry, high-stakes secrets, and all the emotional payoff I’ve been craving since book one. Ace and Hadley’s story is layered with so much history, aching pining, and electric back-and-forth that I practically devoured every page.

Let’s break it down:
-Best friend’s brother? Yes, please.
-Marriage of convenience? Done right.
-Small town drama? Fiasco, Kentucky never disappoints.
-A morally grey, bourbon empire running protector who’s all growl and filthy praise in the sheets? We’ve got Ace Foxx for that.

Hadley is the perfect FMC; she is sharp, sassy, and completely unafraid to stand toe to toe with Ace. Watching her finally bring him to his knees (literally and emotionally) was so satisfying. Their history is messy, emotional, and gorgeously written. You feel every beat of their tension, from bar fights to bourbon fueled bar hookups to a literal game of chess as foreplay (yes, really and it’s as dirty as it sounds).

There’s real romantic suspense here too because there is mystery, danger, and plot twists that actually tie up the overarching threads of the trilogy. It was smart and gripping, and never pulled focus from the love story. The author didn’t just write spice; she wrote soul.

Also, the epilogue. Devastating. Beautiful. Perfect. I’m not a crier, but it hit me square in the chest. And if you’ve followed this series from the start, it will feel like saying goodbye to family.

Victoria Wilder outdid herself with this one. Every line between Ace and Hadley was either sizzling, hilarious, or heartbreakingly tender. The found family, the callbacks to past characters, the bourbon metaphors, the French 75s, the journals, Griz (arguably the best side character ever), and that final scene... I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.

Read if you love:
Small town romantic suspense
Alpha protectors with a soft spot for one woman
Strong FMC who won’t play by anyone’s rules
Emotional heat balanced with edge of your seat tension
Found family and series wide closure that feels earned

Ace and Hadley? Top shelf. Always. 🥃💔💍🔥

Thank you to Luna Literary Management and Victoria Wilder for the eARC of this book.