Vivi and Finn are already in love with each other when they meet up again. That means the romance is about them figuring out that the strong feelings Vivi and Finn are already in love with each other when they meet up again. That means the romance is about them figuring out that the strong feelings they already have are entirely mutual, rather than watching feelings develop on one or both sides. This worked well for me, because Get It Right is a novella, so it only has so much space to convince me of their HEA.
Each of Us a Desert is told in the first person from Xochitl’s perspective, as she shares her own story back to SolÃs. Because she’s telling it to herEach of Us a Desert is told in the first person from Xochitl’s perspective, as she shares her own story back to SolÃs. Because she’s telling it to her god, reading it can feel like eavesdropping on a prayer, listening to secrets and musings that are too personal to even put into a journal. She talks about how her aunt passed on the role of cuentista when Xochitl was only eight years old and how unfair it is to have had her childhood ripped away. We also see Xochitl’s crisis of faith as she continues to keep stories, learning that everything she’s been told about SolÃs and her role in town might not be true, and seeing how people treat her like a resource instead of a person.
Reading it was like watching a 90s action movie: lots of style, little substance. As soon as I figured that out, I was able to forgive some of its proReading it was like watching a 90s action movie: lots of style, little substance. As soon as I figured that out, I was able to forgive some of its problems and just roll with it. Like, why does Marisol see such heinous shit happening to women when she’s growing up? Because it’s the backstory for her big hero moment. That’s not okay, but it bothered me less once I noticed the 90’s-action-film vibe, because the pattern recognition part of my brain kicked in.
I found the style easy to get into, since there’s no real angst, other than the question of whether Ashley can ever come out. It’s Not the Marrying KiI found the style easy to get into, since there’s no real angst, other than the question of whether Ashley can ever come out. It’s Not the Marrying Kind is a gentle, smalltown story with a super slow burn to the romance. Also, I enjoyed the “only one bed� tropey goodness later in the book that feels like an homage to Curious Wine.
Rae and Steph are the perfect opposites-attract pairing and I enjoyed seeing them move from strangers to caring about each other, to eventually fallinRae and Steph are the perfect opposites-attract pairing and I enjoyed seeing them move from strangers to caring about each other, to eventually falling in love. I especially appreciated seeing why they were reluctant to open their hearts: Steph had never had a serious relationship before and Rae had had one, but it had crashed and burned. It helped me believe in their happily ever after, since they each had so much to overcome and they did it together.
The age gap element of this romance was the absolute standout for me. It’s one of my favourite tropes ever, so I was thrilled by how much we get to seThe age gap element of this romance was the absolute standout for me. It’s one of my favourite tropes ever, so I was thrilled by how much we get to see into Adrienne’s perspective, her insecurities around dating someone so much younger than her, and how much of that is about her body and how much older it is than Morgan’s. That felt very real and made it one of the most satisfying age-gap romances I’ve ever read.
This book follows Abby through her turning point, capturing how life can drastically change when you click with the right person. Abby’s connection wiThis book follows Abby through her turning point, capturing how life can drastically change when you click with the right person. Abby’s connection with Jordan is as bewilderingly exciting as her connection with Marcus is steady and boring. And this story isn’t just about Abby saying yes to a relationship with Jordan. It’s also about Abby saying yes to herself, dropping the expectations that others have of her.
The writing itself is deft and incisive, propelling the reader through every event and conversation at lightning speed. At the same time, The SubtweetThe writing itself is deft and incisive, propelling the reader through every event and conversation at lightning speed. At the same time, The Subtweet’s story is incredibly layered, asking a number of questions without necessarily coming to any answers. Who are creators of colour creating their art for? Should they be trying to achieve a certain level of commercial success? If they want to live off their art, how much of that depends on creating for (or perhaps pandering to) white audiences? Is callout culture working for or against artists, especially artists of colour? How many talented brown women are creating art and most of us will never know who they are?
The princess is probably my favourite character, even though we don’t get insight into her thoughts in the same way we do for Elsenna. She’s blind, haThe princess is probably my favourite character, even though we don’t get insight into her thoughts in the same way we do for Elsenna. She’s blind, has strong friendships with artists, and is wildly underestimated. I loved seeing her go toe-to-toe with Elsenna and I would have happily read another several hundred pages about her.
Being Hospitable is told in the first person, shifting back and forth between Kiki and Charley’s perspectives. They’re differentiated well enough thatBeing Hospitable is told in the first person, shifting back and forth between Kiki and Charley’s perspectives. They’re differentiated well enough that I could keep track of whose perspective we were following at any given time.
There’s a lot of sex and not a lot of plot to this story, which was perfect by me. I was looking for something to distract me from the bad news in the world and this did a great job.
Sometimes I loved Dale and Mai, because they had such a tremendous capacity for love, both for each other and for Dale’s three sons. Sometimes I wanteSometimes I loved Dale and Mai, because they had such a tremendous capacity for love, both for each other and for Dale’s three sons. Sometimes I wanted to shake them because they’re both hotheaded and fly off the handle easily. That said, even when their actions, words, or thoughts raised my eyebrows, I still understood why they were behaving badly, because they’re both SO damaged by their previous relationships. That makes them slow to trust, quick to anger, and even quicker to second guess each other’s motivations. I fully believed that they love each other and will live happily ever after, but I also hope they go for some therapy so their years ahead will be a little less tumultuous.
This is a novel in verse, which means that it’s written entirely as poetry. It shifts between Camino and Yahaira’s perspectives, who each share their This is a novel in verse, which means that it’s written entirely as poetry. It shifts between Camino and Yahaira’s perspectives, who each share their experiences from the day their father dies until a couple of months later. Shifting back and forth between them, we see these girls grapple with very similar feelings and issues, even though they’re thousands of miles apart and don’t know about each other.
Entangled by Melissa Brayden is the first book in the new Tangled Valley Romance series. If you like wine and/or pairings that start off antagonistic,Entangled by Melissa Brayden is the first book in the new Tangled Valley Romance series. If you like wine and/or pairings that start off antagonistic, then this is the book for you!
This book pissed me off so much that I bailed almost a quarter of the way in. As a genderqueer woman, I cannot recommend it and I regret picking it upThis book pissed me off so much that I bailed almost a quarter of the way in. As a genderqueer woman, I cannot recommend it and I regret picking it up in the first place. I was so mad about this book that I rage wrote the whole review on my phone while laying in bed, because this was supposed to be my fun bedtime read. You know you’re mad when you’re willing to write a whole ass review with just your thumbs.
Wrong Number, Right Woman came to me at exactly the right time. I was ready for a romance with zero angst and adorkable characters, and boy howdy did Wrong Number, Right Woman came to me at exactly the right time. I was ready for a romance with zero angst and adorkable characters, and boy howdy did this deliver. It’s so gentle and sweet, it’s like a warm hug and I enjoyed it very much.
The Secret Ingredient’s premise appealed to me because it has two chefs falling in love in a small town. I expected a fun comfort read and was pleasanThe Secret Ingredient’s premise appealed to me because it has two chefs falling in love in a small town. I expected a fun comfort read and was pleasantly surprised when it delivered more than that, especially through one of the leads, Adah.
The worldbuilding in Floodtide is also excellent, bringing magic to early nineteenth-century Europe in a way that feels authentic. Titles and names haThe worldbuilding in Floodtide is also excellent, bringing magic to early nineteenth-century Europe in a way that feels authentic. Titles and names have been created that are uniquely Alpennian, and the author has provided a helpful pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book for those who are interested in such things. Jones’s writing style is also so gorgeous, yet precise, that it’s impossible not to be spellbound by it.
This story is beautifully written and the romance has an incredibly slow burn to it. It’s not so slow as to be frustrating, however, and it works becaThis story is beautifully written and the romance has an incredibly slow burn to it. It’s not so slow as to be frustrating, however, and it works because Jo and Liza have to grapple with their feelings. Most friends-to-lovers romances I’ve read drive the tension with “but what if she doesn’t feel the way I do? I don’t want to ruin our friendship!� While there’s a bit of that, the tension worked especially well for me because it’s more about Liza having to decide what to do about Christopher. Her decision doesn’t just impact her, it affects her whole family who’s also hoping for that new life in the United States. This brings higher stakes into the romance in a way I’m not sure I’ve seen before and really liked.
This. Damn. Book. Truly, it broke me. It’s so good and everything about the way it’s written works for me.
The other real standout, apart from the charThis. Damn. Book. Truly, it broke me. It’s so good and everything about the way it’s written works for me.
The other real standout, apart from the characters, is the way Zak shows that grief doesn’t only happen after someone dies, starting well before they’re gone because you know you’re going to lose them.
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