How to Fake it in Society by KJ Charles

 

5*

This is the first book by KJ Charles that I’ve read, but I now look forward to reading more.

I loved both the leads for different reasons. Titus is honest, people-pleasing, and in definite need of a break after his landlord/ex-lover raises his rent beyond what he can pay. In desperation, he agrees to a wild scheme put forth by one of his best customers. In juxtaposition, Nico is charming, also desperate but for different reasons, and a surprisingly sincere French aristocrat who befriends Titus in the hopes that he’ll help him stave off a vicious loan shark. What starts as a friendship becomes so much more as each of them learns from the other: Titus, to not put everyone else’s needs before his own to his detriment and Nico, that there are good people in the world willing to overlook some morally questionable motivations that don’t truly reflect the good person he is. It’s no wonder that romantic feelings start to grow.

I read this in one sitting and found quite a bit of humor juxtaposed against some true villains and the absurdity of primogeniture. The chemistry between Titus and Nico was slow-burning but heartwarming. In a time when homosexuality was illegal, it’s so refreshing to read a romance in which. despite having to keep it hidden from society, the leads welcome the opportunity to turn their backs on the haute ton with their judgment and compulsive need to find rich husbands for their daughters. A delightful read!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Bramble/Tor through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.



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First and Forever by Lynn Painter

5*

I love that, no matter how bad my mood, reading a Painter romance snaps me out of it. First and Forever is a swoon-worthy, hilarious delight that had me laughing from the first scene and didn’t let up. Duffy DiStefano is snarky, tells it like it is, and isn’t one to back down from a challenge. She’s also been friend-zoned with every guy she’s ever dated because she’s so easy to like and doesn’t play the games like other women do. Lucky for her, Heisman-winning tight end Connor Cunningham likes a challenge. What starts out as an agreement to be her fake boyfriend in order to make her grieving and ailing father happy becomes so much more as they get to know each other, whether it’s scootering to White Castle or coaching a kids’ flag football team. Connor, despite his fame and devastatingly handsome looks, is an absolute sweetheart who goes out of his way to make her and her father’s life more comfortable, but is he too good to be true?

I don’t think I’ve ever laughed more while reading a romance. Whether it’s taking on a hoard of zombies or verbally sparring with Duff’s dad, Tony (an absolute hoot!), the humor doesn’t quit. Of course, at its core, this is a romance and Painter delivers incredible chemistry and some spicy scenes, too. This is one of those books that you wish you could read again for the first time, which is the highest compliment I can give. So, pick this one up for the perfect beach read. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Berkley Romance through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Down with the Ship by Chloe Jory

 

4*

With a nod to Pride and Prejudice, Jory’s debut novel hits all the high points: grumpy male lead, classism, enemies-to-lovers, the relationship between sisters, and first world problems of the rich. She sets her story in Fiji, on a yacht owned by a billionaire media family, where Stella (an uptight, recently suspended PhD art history fellow) has joined her sister Jules, her fiancé Harry and his family for a two-week cruise. Imagine her surprise when she finds out the charming, handsome first mate who came to her rescue after being injured on the beach is actually the ship’s captain, who is none too happy to see her. Although they’re at odds with each other from the outset, the chill between them thaws as they face down killer sharks, discover a romantic bioluminescent lagoon, and escape near death falling down a cliff. In the process, Stella begins to question if she even likes the life and career she’s built, especially as it’s taken her far away from the art she enjoyed making for most of her pre-college life. As Caleb observes, it’s never too late to change the course of your life to find happiness with your chosen profession.

This lighthearted, adventurous romance makes a fantastic beach read with its gorgeous Fijian setting, many humorous moments, and just enough yearning and spice to make it interesting. An added bonus is Jory’s focus on conservation efforts to save the coral reefs. Fans of Katherine Center and Christina Lauren will thoroughly enjoy this. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Neon Tiger Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Happy Ending by Chloe Liese

 

4*

Unlike most friends to lovers stories, Alex and Thea (or Ted, as he calls her) begin as strangers when they meet up at her old house and find that both his and her exes have gotten together within a week of Thea’s divorce. So what’s the best way to save face and get back at them? Pretend they’re old friends and each other’s first love. However, their fake friendship is so full of affectionate touches, genuine openness and honesty, mutual respect, and admissions of love (as in friendship, of course) that their exes and his family assume that they’re actually a couple. The question is whether either of them will be willing to make it real.

I loved the dynamic between Alex and Thea. He’s the perfect book boyfriend and she’s a kind, quirky bookseller who adores his daughter Mia. Their friendship is enviable, whether it’s cooking her healthy and delicious meals (he’s a James Beard-winning, Michelin-starred chef), helping each other kick bad habits (his smoking and her addiction to gas station hotdogs), sharing time with his precocious and adorable daughter and her dog Argos, or just enjoying cuddle time. I really appreciated her friendship with her friend Lauren (who has a good-natured competition with Alex for being Thea’s BFF). Thea’s ex, Ethan, is the epitome of a “man baby,” making you wonder what Jen, Alex’s ex, sees in him. Although we don’t see much of them, Alex’s big, loud extended Italian-American family also play a part in their journey.

Liese can always be depended on to write heartwarming romances with characters who are flawed but happily embraced by their love interests. Witty banter is always on display, and there are many hilarious moments in this story, especially when Thea “roasts” her ex. Family plays a big part as well. If you’re all about the happy endings, you’ll thoroughly enjoy her latest offering. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Gallery Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Love and Other Side Effects by Deidra Duncan

 

4*

Grief is a powerful thing, and this bittersweet romance is flooded with it. Luckily for Joss, Asher’s steadfastness, kindness, and friendship keep her from drowning in it, although her metaphorical walls are a mile high and nearly insurmountable. This lovely and frequently hilarious story by Duncan strikes a good balance between romance, humor and grief, but the path to love is a very twisted one, with many heartbreaking scenes. Joss’s denialism does start to get tedious, but Mother Nature has a wicked way of leveling the playing field. Asher is a “beautiful unicorn” of a man who has his own insecurities which he hides well behind his charm and affability. Joss's and his friendship is enviable, although I frequently wanted to shake some sense into both of them. Overall, though, I really enjoyed their story and recommend it to fans of Katherine Center, Kate Clayborn, Abby Jimenez and Christina Lauren.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Mira through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West

 

4*

Although the premise of this new romance by West is a fun one, there are subjects that are emotionally heavy and take away from the otherwise lightheartedness of the story. Foremost is Sutton’s mother who is one of the meanest characters I’ve ever read about. Her obsession with the husband who left when Sutton was 13 and never returned is in direct opposition to the love she should have for her daughter, especially since she dropped everything (including being at her new and struggling restaurant) to take care of her mother who was injured in a serious car accident. I kept hoping she had walked out and left her ungrateful mother to figure out how to pay for a caregiver/nurse.

Although I enjoyed the progression of Sutton and Elijah’s journey from strangers to lovers, any relationship that begins with deceit is bound to be rocky. Add to that the fact that Sutton would need to return to LA as soon as her mother is healed enough to take care of herself, and Elijah feels obligated to work at a job he hates in order to pay his father back for funding a boxing gym Elijah didn’t even want, and it’s no surprise there’s a third act breakup (my least favorite romantic plot device). However, I really appreciate how West resolved the conflict. Overall, this is still a funny story and one that readers will enjoy. Recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Saturday Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Your Soulmail is Attached by Joan F. Smith

 

4*

I requested this title because of its unique premise: every legal adult in the world simultaneously received an untraceable, undeletable email telling them the name and date of birth of their soulmate. So, what happens when your soulmate isn’t your current partner or they’re not alive or they’re not a romantic partner but a close friend or family member? In a world where technology has, in many respects, replaced real humans, is it any surprise that the vast majority of the world’s population believes that the information they’ve been given is absolute truth?

Smith spends most of the book focusing on the soulmate phenomenon, Olivia’s job in broadcast news, and her interactions with both her cheating ex Wells and her childhood friend Caleb, who came back into her life shortly after the emails were received. What she doesn’t do, much to my disappointment, is give readers a well-developed romance between Olivia and Caleb. Yes, they spend time together and the attraction that they had in their teens is still alive, but there’s very little chemistry and it’s one of the slowest burns I’ve read. If you like a little spice in your romances, this may not appeal to you.

Overall, however, it’s an engaging read that would be fun for book club discussions about the ethics of technology (especially AI), the impact of being stripped of free will, and the origins of the emails.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from MIRA through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
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The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn

5*

I am a big fan of Kate Clayborn’s and eagerly look forward to each new book. The Paris Match was well worth the wait. One of her greatest skills is in full evidence here: writing nuanced and flawed characters who fall in love despite some heavy damage and work to overcome their pasts in order to feel worthy of the objects of their affection. This is written in third person, but there is enough internal monologue for readers to be tuned into the innermost thoughts and fears of the characters. Griff and Layla who, on the surface, seem to be polar opposites are actually very well-matched. He is the grumpy to her sunshine, but maybe because she is a doctor and has witnessed immense suffering, she has the patience and insight to recognize that his gruffness isn’t so much a personality trait as a coping mechanism for his chronic pain. As a result of this insight and the time they spend alone together (discovering the hidden treasures found throughout Paris where they’re both visiting for a destination wedding), Layla comes to Griff’s defense when he is scapegoated by people who should know better.

Clayborn uses themes from both Beauty and the Beast and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, especially Griff’s numerous references to being a self-imposed prisoner in a “belltower” following the long ago event that left him deeply scarred in both body and mind. They both face metaphorical demons and work on themselves to reach the happy ending they both deserve. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Berkley Romance through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.



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A Girl Like Her (Ravenswood #1) by Talia Hibbert

4*

Spoilers ahead…





I read and thoroughly enjoyed Hibbert’s The Brown Sisters trilogy, but I have never read her earlier books until now. This is an edited reprint of A Girl Like Her, book one in the Ravenswood series. Although I struggled with the story in the first few chapters, I eventually got into it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Like the Brown sisters and Hibbert herself, Ruth is autistic. Her unique way of navigating the world is heavily influenced by her neurodivergency, but she’s been harshly treated by the people in the small town after they mistakenly believed the town’s golden boy (and her secret boyfriend of seven years) when he accused her of coming on to him when he got engaged to someone else. Like so many women in controlling relationships, she blamed herself and hid away to avoid the censure of the townspeople. It wasn’t until she met Evan, who befriended her and accepted her as she was, quirks and all, that she finally began to let go of her misplaced guilt. He wasn’t put off by her prickliness and eventually won her trust, giving her the confidence to face her demons.

There were difficult moments in the story that could be triggering for some readers, but Evan’s innate goodness and Ruth’s bluntness and lack of guile were refreshing. Usually small-town romances are endearing, but this one showed more of the bad behavior fueled by gossip that can ruin a person’s life. Given that Ruth and Evan are a biracial couple, I was thankful that there was no sign of racism. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. Recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Sourcebooks Casablanca through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Love Song by Elle Kennedy

5*

As a big fan of Kennedy’s Off-Campus, Briar U and Campus Diaries series, I was excited to read the romance between John Logan’s daughter Blake and Garrett Graham’s son Wyatt, both of whom we met in previous books. I was not disappointed. Childhood friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and throw in some forced proximity and a bunch of steam and voila…another winner! Readers will be delighted by how many of the characters from both series are prominently featured, often through hilarious group chats this close-knit chosen family uses to communicate. There are so many of them now that it was hard to keep all their names straight.

The family dynamics enhance the slow burn romance between Blake and Wyatt rather than detracting from it. The focus is on both of them working through their insecurities about their futures, feeling like they don’t measure up to the successes their parents, siblings and friends have achieved, However, they end up becoming each other’s champions as Wyatt navigates the music industry and Blake tries to figure out what career she might be passionate about as she approaches graduation. A subplot of a ghost story that Blake begins researching adds a mysterious element to the novel.

Although this isn’t technically part of the Campus Diaries series, it seems to me that it should be other than the fact that it doesn’t take place at Briar U. So, if you’re looking for a delightful, heartfelt story while waiting for the Off-Campus television premiere later this year, pick this one up. (On a personal note, the actor playing Allie DiLaurentis is a former student of mine. Big glow up from her days on the Barnie show!) Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Bloom Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The A to Z of Everything by Debbie Johnson

 

5*

This brilliant women’s fiction novel is an exploration of grief and a literal and figurative journey towards forgiveness. Told in alternating voices (mother Andrea through videos, audio clips, and written notes, her daughters Rose and Poppy, and even her best friend Lewis and Rose’s son Joe), it begins with the surprising death of Andrea whose dying wish is for her estranged daughters to reunite, remember the good times in their early lives, and ultimately forgive each other. Her masterful plan, The A to Z of Everything, is full of activities that go from emotionally heavy to lighthearted while exposing secrets, forcing Rose and Poppy to be vulnerable with each other, and even bringing some enlightenment, all well navigating their grief.

Damn, this woman can write! Johnson masterfully balances everything from grief and postpartum depression to hilarious karaoke nights and glitter-adorned dice games, allowing her readers to experience the emotional highs and lows of her well-drawn characters. It elicited both laughter and tears and captivated me from the start. This is a reissue, originally published in the UK in 2017. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Harper Muse through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Starter Ex by Mia Sosa

4*

This is such a cute premise that Sosa has served to us with a liberal dash of the Puerto Rican diaspora Vanessa and Jason are part of. With the culturally diverse NYC as the backdrop, these gorgeous kids navigate the beginnings of a friendship based on a lie. Vanessa is carrying a heavy secret, one that has kept her away from her loving family for years. As a way to make amends, she agrees to revive her college side gig, the starter ex, for her sister who has crushed on Jason, her best friend’s older brother, for years. When he and Vanessa start catching feelings, however, things are bound to get messy.

Sosa does a wonderful job creating a cast of characters who help drive the narrative, from Jason’s acerbic lesbian sister Denise to both of their bilingual, food-loving parents. Although both main characters carry some baggage, they also handle conflict with compassion and eventual maturity. If you’re looking for a steamy but sweet urban romance, you’ll love this book. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from G.P. Putnam’s Sons through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

No Matter What by Cara Bastone

5*

I read Bastone’s last 2 books and gave them both 5*. As I read this one and kept putting it down, I struggled to figure out what was so off-putting about this story that I couldn;t become fully-immersed. Then I realized it's because my least favorite romance trope is miscommunication, and No Matter What drowns in it. It’s a huge plot point, and I’m just not comfortable with men who can’t seem to get their thoughts out of their mouths.

If I take the failure to communicate out of the equation, I can appreciate that Bastone beautifully describes the work a solid marriage takes to survive and that a life-changing accident and its aftermath can truly test the strength of love. The pressure of surviving, taking care of a brother whose injuries are complex and slow to heal, and navigating a new normal all put a strain on Roz and Vin’s relationship. It took me awhile, but I finally figured out how her pursuit of art was her way of healing and he had his own way.

This would be an easy 5* read for someone who has no problem with poor communication, but I just couldn’t get past it enough to enjoy the story without that limitation.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Dial Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

One Week to Win the Chocolate Maker by Timothy Janovsky

4*

This is just the kind of feel-good, cute romance I’ve come to expect with Timothy Janovsky. There’s no angst, and the two male leads are open, honest, and caring. I’m not usually a fan of Instalove, but I totally buy into the fantasy of an opposites attract couple (the heir to a chocolate empire and a poor fledgling tattoo artist from a Pennsylvania blue-collar town) who find love in a week with the backdrop of the gorgeous Italian countryside. There are no villains, no heavy angst, and no poor communication skills. It’s just plain fun. Recommended.

Thanks to Afterglow Books (Harlequin) and Netgalley for the ARC. Opinions expressed are my own.

Saoirse by Charleen Hurtubise

5*

This book made me feel both uncomfortable and angry. From childhood, Saoirse (formerly known as Sarah) has been failed by the adults in her life. Her mother had her at age 16 and was ill-equipped to handle a child, especially with a drug addiction. Her stepfather is terrifying, and the “system” didn’t save her. Instead, she saved herself by escaping to Ireland with a stolen passport, and this is where the story begins. Unfortunately, it’s also where she meets Paul on the plane. The book is a series of flashbacks, using Saoirse’s haunting artwork to tell the story. It speaks to the strength this traumatized young woman has to protect those she loves and to move to another country alone while still in her teens.

Hurtubise does a phenomenal job of balancing the suspense of the past Saoirse is hiding, the abuse that leaves its psychological mark on her, a touching romance, and an indictment of the social service programs in the US and the strict, misogynistic laws in Ireland that trap women in terrible relationships where their only potentially safe option is to flee the country.

This would be a wonderful choice for book clubs but also has a number of triggers to be aware of. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Celadon Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

An Ocean of Time by Kennedy Kerr

4*

I would have given this book 5 stars for the compelling, suspenseful, romantic story. However, without warning, it ended on a cliffhanger. If I’d known, I would have waited until the 2nd (and perhaps successive) book had come out because I’m just not patient enough to wait.

If, however, you don’t mind cliffhangers, I definitely recommend this intriguing time slip novel set in Cornwall, UK in 1755. There’s forbidden romance, villainous treachery, and deep, dark secrets that keep you at the edge of your seat. Recommended. 

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Storm Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven

 

4*

I’ve now met the Newmans, and I’m richer for it. Set in 1964 (with flashbacks to earlier years), it tells the story of a “real” family who have played themselves on television for over 10 years (the earliest scripted reality TV). In addition to learning more about father Del, mother Dinah, and sons Guy and Shep, it also focuses on a changing society, especially as it concerns women’s rights. When Del is in an accident and put in an induced coma, Dinah is forced to deal with the fallout. Their “out-of-touch” show is nearing the end of its long run, but Del (writer, producer, director, and star) isn’t awake to write the finale. So, despite pressure from the studio execs and their agent, Dinah, along with young LA Times journalist Juliet (who is facing chauvinism and misogyny in her workplace), decides to take on the task herself. In the weeks leading up to the live finale, Dinah struggles with keeping Del’s condition a secret, realizes that she has subjugated who she is in deference to Del and the other men in her life, and begins to open her eyes to the fledgling fight for women’s rights at a very volatile time in U.S. history.

Although the Newman family is loosely based on the real Nelson TV family, Niven gives us a solid look into the impact being in the public eye has on not just Dinah  and Del but also their sons who had to grow up in front of the cameras. Guy is the “good” son who follows the rules and remains clean-cut and scandal-free (although he has a huge secret he’s keeping) and Shep is the “bad boy” musician who constantly pushes the boundaries and rebels against the constraints put on him by his parents’ choices.

This is very much a slow burn narrative, but Niven gives her readers plenty of juicy tidbits to keep the book flowing. Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid will love this story which has some similar themes as Daisy Jones and the Six. Recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Flatiron Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Honey Bee Mine by Sarah T. Dubb

 

5*

In a very worthy follow-up to her debut novel, Birding with Benefits, Dubb takes her readers from birdwatching to beekeeping with the same heart, humor, and steam that gained her fans in the first place. In Honey Bee Mine, she introduces us to Penny and Zander, two thirty-somethings who knew each other peripherally as teens but are now actually connecting as adults who are carrying loads of baggage from absent parents. This small town romance includes the requisite festival (the Honey Festival) and a quirky cast of secondary characters including Zander’s ex- wife Mallory, best friend Quinn (a trans woman), Penny’s best friend RJ (an asexual man), her mother and grandmother, Zander’s son Winter, and the painful memories he has of his late grandfather whose bequest of a house brought Zander back to Sullivan’s Glen after nearly two decades.


Dubb avoids the third act break-up thanks to the maturity, vulnerability and honesty between Penny and Zander. Told in third person, the story is laden with eloquent prose and thoughtful, careful dialogue. Fans of Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, Katherine Center, Kate Clayborn, and Christina Lauren will love this compelling, endearing romance. Highly recommended.


I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Gallery Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.