Rakes of London #2: How to Ruin a Rake by Kate Pearce

Lady Allegra Musgrove, daughter of an aristocrat who scandalized society by marrying a famous Italian opera singer, is forced from London to her family’s Norfolk estate after another disgrace. As she's getting ready for her trip, she’s abducted by a masked man.  The masked man turns out to be Lord Max Devereaux, son of a duke. A sudden accident strands them together and she must rely on her wits to keep them safe. To avoid attention they pose as brother and sister and set off on an unplanned journey filled with one-bed inns, shifting fortunes, and growing attraction. Secrets from both their pasts and questions about family property complicate their path, and they must decide whether scandal can become something like love. ❤️🔥✨ 

I loved this mix of classic Regency scandal and modern sensuality: a strong, inventive heroine; a roguish but redeemable hero; witty social tension over class and reputation; and an enemies-turned-lovers arc that blooms during a forced, intimate journey. The added layers—a family ostracism backstory,  the marriage-for-honor pressure from fathers, and a mystery about Max’s inheritance—give emotional stakes beyond the bedroom scenes. I found the book addictive: steamy, heartfelt, and satisfying for readers who want erotic chemistry alongside period detail and a satisfying happily-ever-after. 💫📚💍

This book is set to be released September 29, 2026.  Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington publishers for an ARC of this book.

A Hope Harbor Novel: Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore (A Hope Harbor Novel) by Brittanée Nicole book review

Penny Darling runs Bonfire & Bliss, a cozy romance bookstore in Hope Harbor. After a public broken engagement, Penny prefers fictional book boyfriends to real romance—until Jake “Monty” Montgomery, her high‑school best friend and now a struggling author, moves back home. Monty can’t find his words, and Penny sees a chance to help: she’ll teach him how to write the perfect book boyfriend if he pretends to be her real boyfriend. Their fake‑dating plan keeps the town’s nosy residents off Penny’s back, but as they work together—late nights in the shop, apple‑orchard walks, and small moments under autumn moons—their long‑buried feelings surface. What begins as practice turns into real attraction, filled with warm community scenes, found‑family support, and a slow‑burn romance that blends sweet tenderness with spicy moments. 

 

I loved Bonfire & Bliss Bookstore for its quintessential cozy‑fall atmosphere: a small New England town, a romance bookstore full of charm, leaf‑strewn scenes, and community warmth. The friends‑to‑lovers plus fake‑dating premise delivers satisfying tension and emotional payoff—years of mutual pining give the romance weight, and the slow build makes each confession and kiss feel earned. The novel balances sweetness and spice well; it offers steam without undercutting the tender, character‑driven core. Hope Harbor’s ensemble—a meddling grandma, a hilarious town group chat, and lovable side characters—creates a found‑family feeling that amplifies the story’s heart. Readers who like bookish banter, gently imperfect protagonists, and cozy settings will find this a comforting binge. 🎃🍂 I loved it because Penny and Monty felt real: their history, vulnerabilities, and gradual trust made their relationship believable and moving. The bookstore setting was pure comfort—perfect for anyone who loves books about people who love books. Overall, it’s a soft, cozy, feel‑good romance with just enough spice and a delightful sense of community. ☕️🍁✨ 

Pub Date Aug 11, 2026 | Thanks to Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Sweetwater Peak #2: Free Falling by Lyla Sage book review

 Yay!  I'm so happy to re-visit Sweetwater Peak! 

Clarke Cartwright is barely keeping Toade’s Antiques open while she tries to ignore the persistent ghost of her childhood crush’s father. When Leith Wilkes—charming farmer and longtime crush—returns home to manage his family’s ranch, an odd clause in his inheritance and Clarke’s accidental spill of Wilkes family secrets force them into a fake relationship to protect both of their legacies. As they stage affection for the town, real feelings grow. Clarke wrestles with burnout, undiagnosed depression, and a paranormal gift she resists; Leith must face the responsibilities of the farm and what he truly wants. Their bond deepens through honest conversations, family tensions, and the gentle supernatural threads woven through Sweetwater Peak. Free Falling is a cozy, second-chance small-town romance with a touch of ghostly mystery, warm cameos from the Rebel Blue world, and a focus on emotional growth and found family. 

Romance readers will love this book because it mixes several beloved romance ingredients: fake-dating that turns genuine, childhood-crush tension, and slow-building emotional intimacy. The dual POV gives both leads distinct voices and lets readers watch real communication and growth rather than manufactured misunderstandings. The small-town setting—cozy, slightly spooky Sweetwater Peak—feels lived-in, with recurring characters and cameos that reward series fans. The paranormal element adds gentle mystery without overwhelming the romance, and family stakes (the antique shop, the Wilkes farm) raise the emotional investment. Mental-health representation—Clarke’s high-functioning depression and burnout—is handled with care, adding realism and empathy to her journey. I loved Clarke’s vulnerability and resilience—her push to keep Toade’s alive while managing burnout felt authentic and moving. Leith is a grounded, emotionally available hero whose steady support never feels performative; his feelings show up in small, consistent actions that made their romance believable. The way family dynamics and legacy pressures shape both characters added real stakes beyond a simple meet-cute. Cameos from the wider Rebel Blue world were a fun bonus, and overall the book struck the perfect balance of cozy, spooky👻, and emotionally satisfying—exactly the kind of romance I want to read!

Pub Date Sep 22 2026 | Thanks to Random House | Dial Press Trade Paperback | NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Dashing Rogues and Ruined Librarians #4: Trysting with a Poisoned Pen by Sandra Sookoo book review

Ruined librarians???? Yeeeeesssss!!! Sign me up 🔥! I am a little disappointed in myself for not knowing about this series. I just jumped into book #4 and easily read it as a stand alone, I am ready to go read the first three. 

When a scandalous manuscript exposes intimate confessions, William Gardener, the 12th Earl of Wolcott, and Miss Charlotte Primrose find themselves thrust into a forced engagement neither wants. William, a rakish Earl weighed down by a family curse of short lives and unhappy marriages, has long avoided commitment—preferring stargazing, botany, and the company of women—until Charlotte, a bookish viscount’s daughter sidelined by society for her spectacles and curves, ignites an unexpected attraction in a bookstore. A compromising incident during a tryst leads to public discovery and an arranged engagement; Charlotte occupies herself cataloguing William’s library while they navigate growing desire and mutual affection. As midsummer nights bring them closer through passionate encounters and intellectual companionship, a vindictive enemy weaponizes a memoir of their exploits, creating danger and scandal. Amid laughter, steam, and intrigue, both must confront fears and social pressure to decide whether to risk everything for the love they secretly want. 

 

Historical romance readers will enjoy this novel for its witty, sensual Regency atmosphere, strong emotional growth, and blend of scandal, humor, and mystery. The book balances steamy romantic scenes with character development—Charlotte’s growing confidence and William’s opening to vulnerability—while the poisoned-pen threat adds tension and stakes beyond the central romance ✒️🕵️‍♀️. I found it warm, funny, and thoroughly engaging: a cozy, fast read that delivers charm, heat, and a satisfying emotional arc. So good!!! If Regency librarians are your jam, this book is a must ❤️

Winston Brothers #3: Beard Science by Penny Reid book review

Jennifer Sylvester is Green Valley’s reluctant Banana Cake Queen, trapped under her parents’ control and social-media fame. Desperate to break free and choose her own life, she catches the eccentric, scheming Cletus Winston committing a crime and blackmails him into helping her find an acceptable husband. Cletus is brilliant, manipulative, and used to pulling strings—but Jennifer’s quiet strength and surprising cunning unsettle him. As they spend time together plotting and testing boundaries, Jennifer grows confident and independent while Cletus finds his carefully ordered plans disrupted by real feelings. Their relationship moves from antagonistic bargaining to slow-burn attraction, full of sharp banter, small-town charm, and heartfelt moments. Along the way the Winston family’s warmth and the town’s quirky characters add humor and depth, even as the book also touches on heavier themes like emotional control and the costs of family expectations. By the end, both characters have changed: Jennifer claims her voice, and Cletus learns vulnerability—and love—on his own unexpected terms. 

I like this book because it blends classic rom-com tropes—enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine, fake dating/blackmail, and slow burn—while grounding them in vivid, quirky characters and a warm small-town setting. Penny Reid’s voice is distinctly witty: dialogue crackles with clever banter, and her characters feel alive and lovable. The push-and-pull between a manipulative mastermind and a soft, underestimated heroine creates satisfying tension and gradual emotional payoff. Readers who enjoy found-family dynamics will relish the Winston clan’s chaotic support and humor; those who favor character-driven growth will appreciate Jennifer’s journey from people-pleaser to self-possessed woman. The book balances laugh-out-loud moments with tender scenes and sexual heat, so it suits readers who want both emotional stakes and lighthearted fun. Even when darker topics appear—control, parental pressure—the novel treats them as real obstacles the couple must face, which gives the romance emotional weight. Overall, it’s a cozy, smart rom-com with memorable chemistry and a hero who genuinely grows, making it a treat for fans of contemporary, character-forward romance. 

The Very Definition of Love by Sophia Benoit book review

A witty Regency romance about Harriet Bancroft, a fifth-season wallflower who’d rather compile a dictionary of bawdy slang than find a husband. When Harriet is discovered in a compromising moment with the notorious rake Lord Alexander, she (sort of) kidnaps him and forces an elopement: a marriage in name only so each can pursue their interests—her lexicon, his libertine pleasures. Predictably, propriety gives way to curiosity. Alexander, used to fleeting dalliances, finds himself disarmed by Harriet’s intelligence, humor, and fearless appetite for language; Harriet learns that the man assigned to “teach” her the meanings of indecent words may also teach her his heart. Their slow-burn courtship is rich with expert banter, affectionate longing, and neatly paced emotional growth, punctuated by a miscommunication that threatens the hard-won intimacy before a satisfying reconciliation. 

Historical romance readers will love this book for its Regency setting, top-tier banter, and perfectly executed tropes—enemies-to-lovers, marriage of convenience, forced proximity, and the beloved one-bed scenario—alongside a unique twist: a heroine obsessed with scandalous vocabulary. The chemistry is hot; the “sex lessons” balance heat and humor without undercutting the characters’ emotional arc. I loved it! Harriet is so funny and charming.  The HEA was a great resolution after some tension. The cover seems to be original and unique.  I love the sort of pinup Regency vibe in pink. Highly recommended. I couldn’t put it down and you’ll want to preorder it.  It's out June 23, 2026.

Thanks to NetGalley and Zando Projects for a ARC eBook.

Maggie and Arthur's Magic Moment by Leslie René book review

 

Maggie Linden, a linguistics and incantation-translation professor, steps out of her comfort zone to attend a Beltane masquerade with her best friend and fellow professor, Dahlia.  Part of the masquerade involved wearing a mask with a spell on it meant to lower inhibitions. This leads to a mysterious kiss between Maggie and a masked stranger. Back at the university an accident in alchemist Arthur Taliesin’s lab releases a dangerous pall that makes much of the university building uninhabitable. This accident forces Maggie and Arthur to share an already tiny basement office. Their forced proximity sparks tension, banter, and slow-burning attraction as they juggle final exams, research, and a magical threat that could unravel the campus. Maggie offers to help Arthur reverse the pall. Working together reveals layers beneath his gruff exterior and challenges Maggie’s assumptions. The novel blends cozy campus life, an inventive rune-and-alchemy magic system, and emotional growth as the pair confront professional stakes, past hurts, and the consequences of miscommunication. I enjoyed the character dynamics, fun worldbuilding, and the escalating stakes that lead the story through to its romantic payoff. 

This novel delivers a classic slow-burn romance wrapped in a magical-academic setting. The enemies-to-lovers/forced-proximity tropes are executed with warm, witty banter and palpable yearning—two professors who spar intellectually and emotionally make for irresistibly charged scenes. The characters are layered: Maggie’s determined vulnerability and Arthur’s guarded competence create satisfying chemistry and believable growth. Readers who enjoy emotional, character-driven romances will appreciate the way intimacies build through conversation, collaboration, and shared danger rather than instant attraction alone. I was drawn to the novel’s combination of cozy academia and imaginative magic.  Maggie’s voice made me root for her immediately: she’s capable, chaotic in the best ways, and emotionally honest. Arthur’s grumpier outer shell masking real tenderness felt satisfying. (I have to admit that I didn't know how the author intended for Arthur's last name to be pronounced) Their teamwork to solve a tangible threat gave the romance purpose beyond personal longing; their professional respect grows alongside their attraction, which made the payoff feel earned. A great choice to add to your TBR pile.  I loved it!

This book will be released on July 28, 2026.  Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an ARC of this eBook.