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.

The Society of Scandalous Witches #1: The Bewitching Miss Blair by Darcy McGuire book review

Clio Blair, a defiant fire witch who can speak to the dead, is summoned by her Scotland Yard uncle to help solve the murder of Viscount Beachley and the disappearance of his wife. Thrust into the glittering but dangerous world of the ton, Clio must hide her magic while drawing on the Viscount’s lingering memories to follow a trail of secrets. She’s partnered with Lieutenant General Thomas Grey, a brooding, scandal-shadowed officer bound by honor to assist the investigation. Their sharp banter and mutual distrust slowly give way to a fierce attraction as they face ghostly threats, social danger, and conspiracies that reach deep into high society. Solving the crime may save them both, but the passion that ignites between them threatens to consume everything they’ve been trying to protect. With steamy chemistry, well-paced mystery beats, and a satisfying standalone ending, this witchy Regency-set romance blends danger, humor, and heat. 
I loved this Regency paranormal because the enemies-to-lovers sparks were electric ⚡, the heroine was fiercely original and fun (that raven stole every scene), and the blend of mystery and magic kept the plot moving without stealing the heart of the romance. The chemistry between Clio and Thomas felt earned and deeply satisfying ❤️‍🔥, and the historical atmosphere was vivid enough to feel transportive while still allowing the paranormal to brighten the story’s edges 🕰️🔮. Overall, it’s a steamy, entertaining read that hit all my wants—wit, danger, and a happily-ever-after I wanted to root for💕.

Feral Love #2: Prey for Me by Allie Oleander book review

Margot, a resilient woman carrying trauma from a controlling, religiously fanatic ex-husband, finds safety and longing tangled together when Caine—her longtime secret obsession—reenters her life. Caine has quietly watched Margot for years; when she becomes single again and needs to house-sit for his brother, he seizes the chance to protect her and finally make his move. Their relationship grows from simmering friends-to-lovers tension into a fierce, consensual primal-play romance: masked encounters, fear play, and dark eroticism threaded with humor and genuine care. As Margot’s ex escalates from threatening messages to stalking, the stakes rise beyond bedroom games to real danger. Caine’s protective devotion—equal parts golden-retriever sweetness and shadowy intensity—grounds Margot as she reclaims autonomy, sexuality, and trust. The novel balances heated scenes with sharp banter, emotional beats, and a cat-and-mouse mystery that keeps momentum through a tense, satisfying arc. Prey for Me stands darker than its predecessor but still keeps the series’ blend of kink-positive intimacy, character depth, and the spooky, haunted-house atmosphere that fans love. 

The chemistry between Margot and Caine is visceral: long-built yearning pays off in scenes that are erotic, consensual, and emotionally charged. Fans of darker romance will appreciate how kink and primal play are treated respectfully and integrated with character growth rather than mere titillation. The novel inhabits a vivid “haunted” ambiance that amplifies the danger and intimacy, appealing to those who like mood-driven settings (haunted houses, shadowy nights). This book delivers on multiple levels: it’s sexy, smart, and emotionally resonant. I appreciated how the kink elements were portrayed as part of a trusting, communicative relationship rather than exploitative—this made the spice feel integral to character rather than gratuitous. The suspense subplot elevated tension and gave the romance urgent stakes; when danger intruded on their play, the characters’ reactions revealed depth and growth.  I didn't know what to expect going into it, but I loved it!  A definite must add to your TBR.  

This book is set to be published September 22, 2026.  Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for an ARC.