I love love LOVED it! This was my first Sarah Grunder Ruiz book, but as you know... The order doesn't matter to me! But this book is a *vibe* for sure. Sarah Grunder Ruiz turns all of my favorite tropes on their head - from forced proximity to friends to lovers, there's a unique take on so many. Not to mention the sexiest Irishman alive, a chef who makes delectable homemade pizza rolls and is the grumpiest grump to ever grump. He can call me kitten any day.

But it's more than just a love story and that's what I love most. Nina has issues, from the trauma of her knee injury to the distrust stemming from a family betrayal, and we get to watch her journey towards change. It was so realistic, speaking as someone who has MANY therapy receipts floating around, and I loved that it wasn't easy for her.

I'm going to turn on Glass Animals and wait for Last Call at the Local now thank youuuuuu.

*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

There's something about a Sarah Gailey novel for me. She's able to maneuver between genres so easily and her entry into horror is something else entirely. It's macabre, it's ooey gooey icky, and marvelously creepy all the same. I definitely want to pick up a physical copy to reread because I feel like I missed some parts. The audio itself was spotty at times, but I think it's just because of the speed I was listening to it at. Add in some creepy music and it's solid gold.

*Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*

It's kind of hard to classify this book - it's kind of a mix of romance, contemporary, and women's fiction. Maybe like a romtemporary? Either way it's unlike anything I've ever read. While I predicted a fair amount of the plot points, I still found it enjoyable to read (and screamed in vindication when I was right). I loved the dichotomy of Florence as a romance author whose family is in the business of death, and her hometown was oh so charming. The cast of side characters here really rounds out the story and brings elements of humor to what would otherwise be a somber story. And the narration was amazing! I loved her voices during Florence's romance story drafts in particular.

Overall if you want a story that'll subvert your expectations and leave you hopeful, this one's for you.

*Thank you to PRH Audio for the gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review*

A steamy enemies-to-lovers fake dating workplace romance that has you jetsetting off to Spain? Uh yeah. It really has it all. I loved Lina's growth throughout and Aaron's devotion to her, though I did spot a few moments where he was displaying some toxic masculinity. So he won't be my book boyfriend and that's okay. It was a great book that kept me intrigued and I can't wait to read the sequel!

So freaking cute and just LGBTQIA+ perfection. I can't wait to read the next 2 volumes!

Reminiscent of Ninth House and Peter Pan, this is a slow burn urban fantasy that will have you on the edge of your seat. I'm a sucker for any book with elements of thievery and magic, so this kind of grifter/con artist meets shadowy underworld vibe was perfect. The overall plot is fairly predictable, though I'm not sure what the ramifications of the ending will be for Book 2. What will even happen in Book 2?? Needless to say, I'm in.

This is a weird mix of The Inheritance Games and House of Hollow, but I think horror fans will love it. It's creepy and full of betrayal, gaslighting, and confusion. I'm still at a loss for words with exactly what *happened*, but it's unlike anything I've ever read so there's that.

*Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review*

This is a slow burn if I've ever seen one, definitely living up to the Friday Night Lights comparison. At Seton, football is everything. But when a secret comes out that could jeopardize everything... you get to see who your friends are. Aly goes from being on the outside to being smack dab in the middle of everything as Britt and Parker battle it out. And what starts as a simple cheating scandal becomes so much more... It's gripping, told through alternating timelines that lets the reader add up everything we've missed. But the last chapter before the epilogue really drives the book home and I wish we'd gotten to see inklings of it sooner. Definitely a drama for the ages.

*Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

This is the year of books written specifically for *moi*. Because as a "crazy" ex-girlfriend and prolific crush-haver, I related so much with Tara. (And that doesn't even begin to talk about her influencing and book loving!). With a bucket list of exes, Tara tries to find out what went wrong in each relationship and if there's still a spark left. Yet all the while, the heat with her roommate Trevor continues to grow. Honestly if a man is actively watching The Bachelor with you, wife him up. But more than that, I loved how vulnerable Tara is throughout and the mushier side we get to see of the normally stoic Trevor. Also the third act conflict didn't make me retch, so that's always a plus.

I'd recommend this to anyone who wants to read a cinnamon roll romance, grew up wanting Belle's library, or just wants to fantasize about hot firefighters in crocs.

*Thank you to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I really enjoyed many aspects of this book. From the atmosphere to the thrilling narration, it really sucked me in. However I feel as though this was marketed as a thriller, when it's really more of a drama. This is ultimately a book about survival, but we end up so wrapped up in the affairs of other couples that we lose sight of it. It could be a difference in markets though, as American thrillers tend to be far more gory and fast-paced. But if you want a slow burn suspense at sea, you may want to pick this one up.

*Thank you to Simon Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*