Kate Canterbary writes for me. I mean, I know she doesn't actually write FOR me 🤣, but her stories speak to me in a way that few others do. She has a gift for combining humor and sass with very real, hard-fought emotion, along with a heaping spoonful of spice. 😏 I've read a lot of bangers so far this year, but In a Rush will be a contender for my favorite book of 2025. 💖

I'm going to be up front and say that I am biased because I am in my 50s, so this spoke to me in a way I was unprepared for. This is a book primarily concerning two characters in their 50s, their complicated lives, their long friendship as a firm basis for romantic love, and frustrating adult children with all of the awesomeness that comes with those relationships. Notwithstanding the fantastical elements of the book, Bannen did an amazing job writing about the complexities of love for older adults, and also, some of the insecurities and tribulations (and forgiveness) related to younger love. In short, this was a book about love that spans generations and speaks openly about it all. I went into it for the tale and ended it with tears in my eyes from the beauty of the story. Highly recommend. ❤️ 

I adore omegaverse and tentacles, so put both of them together? Magic. Also hot, but mostly magic. 😍 Horvat has a way of writing characters that I feel like I would want to be friends with and this story is no different. Gideon and Siurin were so sweet, and their love escapades were a pleasure to read. 💘 

I figured this was the start to a new quartet, so the ending would be painful, but wow! Just ... ouch. 🥺 This slow burn of a book was a master class in building tension and then paying it off. If you are a fan of SJMs A Court of Silver Flames, then I think Iron & Embers will scratch that very particular itch. Now that I'm caught up in the Thezmarr universe, I get to patiently (😑) wait for Thorns & Fire's release in July 2025. This was such a great ride!💖