'The Roommate Arrangement' by Samantha Markum

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

"When Blair accidentally becomes college roommates with her brother’s best friend, sparks fly in this hilarious rom-com from bestselling author Samantha Markum, perfect for fans of Lynn Painter and Emma Lord.

Blair might be a little type-A, but she never thought of herself as completely overbearing…that is, until her two best friends drop her from their housing arrangement a week before her pre-college summer coding program is about to start.

Blair knows if she switches to an on-campus dorm, her parents will make her give up her expensive sculpture class with her dream mentor in order to pay for it. Desperate, she agrees to be the fifth roommate to four off-campus sophomores who are also in a last-minute bind. But things get complicated when one of her new roommates turns out to be her brother’s best friend, Jamie Atwater.

Blair begs Jamie not to tell her brother about the new living arrangement. Her brother would go straight to their parents, who would definitely not approve, and all her plans would fall apart. So they strike a deal: she’ll help him finish coding the app he’s building if he promises to keep her secret.

Spending more time together shouldn’t be a problem. Sure, Jamie has a new haircut, a mysterious tattoo, and a year’s worth of earned muscle, but it’s not like Blair is noticing. After all, they’re only roommates, right?"


My Review:

I really enjoyed this YA coming-of-age read! It tackles some important and relatable issues while also delivering witty banter between love interests and an amazing found-family. 'The Roommate Arrangement' has a great inclusive cast of LGBTQIA+ characters and fantastic anxiety rep, and a very swoony book boyfriend.  

'The Roommate Arrangement' releases on January 27, 2026 - pre-order your copy here!

#NetGalley – I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'Finding Her Edge' by Jennifer Iacopelli

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

"For fans of Emma Lord and Abbi Glines, Jennifer Iacopelli’s swoony, romantic new novel follows elite ice dancer Adriana Russo as she finds herself drawn to both her old dance partner and her new one.
Adriana Russo is figure skating royalty.

With gold-medalist parents, and her older sister headed to the Olympics, all she wants is to live up to the family name and stand atop the ice dance podium at the Junior World Championships. But fame doesn’t always mean fortune, and their legendary skating rink is struggling under the weight of her dad’s lavish lifestyle. The only thing keeping it afloat is a deal to host the rest of the Junior Worlds team before they leave for France.

That means training on the same ice as her first crush, Freddie, the partner she left when her growth spurt outpaced his. For the past two years, he’s barely acknowledged her existence, and she can’t even blame him for it.

When the family’s finances take another unexpected hit, losing the rink seems inevitable until her partner, Brayden, suggests they let the world believe what many have suspected: that their intense chemistry isn’t contained to the ice. Fans and sponsors alike take the bait, but keeping up the charade is harder than she ever imagined. And training alongside Freddie makes it worse, especially when pretending with Brayden starts to feel very real.

As the biggest competition of her life draws closer and her family’s legacy hangs in the balance, Adriana is caught between her past and present, between the golden future she’s worked so hard for, and the one she gave up long ago."


My Review:

This was a really sweet and fun Contemporary YA read! We follow ice dancer and narrating character, Adriana, as her family gears up for an international competition in two months' time. She's the responsible middle sister and in charge of her family's ice rink and hotel-like property when her fellow Junior ice skaters visit to prepare for the upcoming competition. She finds herself face-to-face with her former ice dance partner, Freddie, whom she has feelings for, while the media throws her into a fake-dating scheme with her current ice dance partner, Brayden, whom her older sister has a crush on. Teenage hormones and skating shenanigans ensue and it's a lot of fun to read.

'Finding Her Edge' is soon to be a Netflix series. Grab a copy here!

#FindingHerEdge #NetGalley – I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'Deathbringer' (Deathbringer, #1) by Sonia Tagliareni

5 magical stars!

Book Blurb:

"For fans of Naomi Novik and Kerri Maniscalco, a dark academia romantasy steeped in necromancy, forbidden love, and a twisty murder mystery set within the perilous halls of a magical institute, as a death mage who hates her magic and a poison mage who hates her are forced to work together to stop a killer before one of them is next.Born with the ability to speak with the dead, Viola hates her magic. It killed her sister, Olivia, and if she doesn’t learn why, it will kill her too. Her only hope lies within the perilous walls of Gorhail Institute of Magic, where Olivia spent her final days.

There, Viola clashes with Sylas, a poison mage whose magic stems from three magical snakes. Immortal, tormented, and reckless, Sylas is tethered to a life he never asked for and haunted by guilt for his father’s death. His hatred for death mages runs deep, and he’s determined to keep Viola at a distance. But when an attack forces him to heal her, their fates become intertwined by a magical bond that threatens to upend his loyalties—and his common sense.

As more students start turning up dead, Viola and Sylas are drawn into an uneasy alliance that pulls them deeper into Gorhail’s treacherous passageways, where secrets fester beneath the stone and the dead do not rest. And as enemy lines begin to blur and their undeniable attraction grows, Viola and Sylas uncover a chilling someone is hunting mages for their magical relics, and if they can’t uncover the killer in time, Viola will be next."


My Review:

I really enjoyed this New Adult Dark Academia! The story really came to life for me when our two narrating main characters meet. The chemistry between them sparked as they bickered and resisted each other, and turned tender once they got together.

The romance between Viola and Sylas was my favorite part, but there's something for everyone! Author Sonia Tagliareni gives readers a rich history of politics and magic classes, and there's a murder mystery afloat, as Viola, Sylas, and their friends try to solve a chain of murders before they become the next targets. Grief over lost loved ones is portrayed really well, and readers should note that before diving in.

'Deathbringer' ends in cliffhanger. I'm very much looking forward to reading the rest of this series; wish it was available to dive into right now!

Releasing on May 12, 2026 - pre-order a copy here.

I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'The Swan's Daughter: A Possibly Doomed Love Story' by Roshani Chokshi

5 enchanting stars!

Book Blurb:

"In this lush and romantic novel from New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi, a prince is only as good as his beating heart and a maiden is only as good as her honest word. But when love and the truth become impossibly tangled, the two must figure out how to survive together, or fall completely apart.

To find love is a curse ...

Prince Arris knows that marriage means murder. Thanks to a poorly worded wish to a sea witch, all one needs to rule the Isle of Malys is the heart and hand of the kingdom’s heir. Historically, this has been construed quite literally.

Thus, Arris expects that the day after his marriage and murder he will wake up as a sentient tree alongside the rest of his predecessors. His only chance at a long life is finding true and lasting love. When Arris's parents announce a tournament of brides to compete for his hand and heart, a slew of eligible, lovely and (possibly murderous) bachelorettes make their way to Rathe Castle. Amidst glittering balls in ozorald caves, strolls through menageries of daydream trees and pearl crocodiles, tea time on glass boats and kisses that leave his head spinning, Arris cannot tell who is here out of love for him…or lust for power.

Until he meets Demelza.

As a veritas swan, Demelza’s song wrings out the truth. Forced into hiding, Demelza strikes a deal. Arris will provide her with safekeeping in exchange for her truth-telling song to sort through his potential brides.

While Arris is used to dodging death threats and Demelza is accustomed to fighting for her voice to be heard, to survive the tournament of brides requires a different kind of bravery. And perhaps the bravest thing one can do is not merely protect one’s life, but find the courage to chase a life worth living."


My Review:

An enchanting and original fairy tale, 'The Swan's Daughter' was a joy to read! Though Prince Arris has always known he is doomed to be murdered by the wife he must someday marry, he is a delightful dreamer and maintains so much hope and optimism. After several failed engagements, his family hosts a large selection of potential brides, to participate in balls and various tests, to give Arris his best chance at finding a wife who would let him live the longest.

On the run, veritas swan Demelza ends up at his castle to hide, pretending to be one of the potential brides. The two strike a bargain and help each other. As they grow close, they each realize the danger they might pose to each other.

Releasing on January 6th - grab a copy here!

#NetGalley – I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'The Prince of Mourning' by Jenn Bennett

5 magical stars!

Book Blurb:

"Belladonna by Adalyn Grace meets A Study in Drowning in this sizzling gothic romantasy that follows the forbidden romance between a young nurse and a mysterious young man imprisoned by a dangerous occultist.

After receiving a strange summons, eighteen-year-old nursing student Molly O’Rinn finds herself the private live-in nurse for a wealthy young man in his haunting Hudson Valley mansion. But after arriving at his secluded estate, Molly discovers that her handsome employer is not what he seems, and most surprising of all is what rests deep inside the mansion’s walls.

Perhaps not what, but who…

A young man about Molly’s age—at least in appearance—is a prisoner of the estate, locked behind magical barriers. Nin is royalty, the son of a legend. He is not human, not of this world…and not like anyone Molly has ever met.

Molly should stay away from him. But Nin is a terrifying yet strangely attractive being, and soon both Molly and Nin find themselves drawn to each other, sparked by a connection neither of them can deny. But as the two become entangled in a forbidden affair, outside forces start to press in.

Because Nin’s legendary father is looking for his son, and he’s not the only one.

To keep Molly safe, Nin must find a way back to his realm or suffer the consequences. Even if it means choosing his princely duty over love."


My Review:

I loved this gothic, atmospheric YA Romance! We follow nurse-in-training Molly O’Rinn as she navigates her way through an unexpected new assignment in upstate New York, surrounded by suspicious house staff, an eccentric wealthy patient, and a mysterious and handsome boy (Nin) whom the staff deny exists. Molly defies Nin's warnings for her safety and explores the sprawling estate, searching for all the truths that everyone keep hidden from her. The ghost of her friend and fellow nurse accompanies her and provides great comedic relief. As Molly and Nin's affection for each other grow, so do the suspicions of her eccentric patient, and in combination with outside forces from Nin's past, it becomes harder to spend time together and learn the truth.

Nin the Sorrowful, Prince of Mourning, is not of this world and it shows. He is such a gentleman and is protective without crossing lines, and he is a delight to read! I hope to see more of him and his world, and this book does leave the option open for additional books in a series, but it also does have a satisfying conclusion and no cliffhanger.

'The Prince of Mourning' releases on October 28th, perfect for the spooky season! Grab a copy here.

#NetGalley – I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'We're a Bad Idea, Right?' by K.L. Walther

5 risky stars

Book Blurb:

"The business of love gets messy when two best friends decide to fake a romantic relationship in this uproarious and swoony novel by the bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules.

Audrey Barbour has had enough of following the rules. Eighteen years of being the perfect daughter—exceptional grades, enviable college acceptances, tame dating history—and still, her parents don’t trust her enough to let her study her passion, glassblowing, on a prestigious fellowship.

So when her best friend Henry proposes an outrageous fake-dating scheme to win back his ex-girlfriend, it feels like the first step to shaking up her perfect life. And the second? That comes when Audrey’s parents go out of town, sparking a high-risk, high-reward solution to pay for her fellowship—renting out her family’s Connecticut mansion online. With the help of her new fake-boyfriend, it shouldn’t be hard to pull off… right?

But when her best intentions start to unravel, Audrey will have to reckon with who she is, what she wants, and what it really means to play life by her rules—all with her heart on the line."

My Review:

I love how author K.L. Walther's characters are always so clever and witty with each other, and so creative when brainstorming to break the rules. 'We're a Bad Idea, Right?' is no exception. Here we we follow Grace and James' cousin Audrey through her last few weeks of high school, including fake dating to drum up interest from an ex and a would-be partner, a lucrative scheme of renting out her property while her parents are out of town, and a great group of friends who help along the way.  

This is a companion novel to 'While We're Young,' though readers need not have read that book to enjoy this one. As always, the cameos of older Walther characters were incredibly enjoyable.

'We're a Bad Idea, Right?' releases March 3, 2026, pre-order a copy here!

 #WereaBadIdeaRight #NetGalley – I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'Thrown for a Loop' by Sarina Bowen

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

"Fans suspect that the bad boy of hockey has a few skeletons in his closet. They have no idea he also has a sparkly bodysuit… #toepick!

When they met at figure skating camp ten years ago, Chase Merritt was a scrappy hockey player from the wrong part of town, and Zoe Carson was the up-and-coming ice princess. They fell in love faster than you can say triple toe loop, until Zoe makes a fateful error that ends up costing Chase dearly.

Almost a decade later, their fortunes are reversed. Chase is the MVP of the New York Legends hockey team, while Zoe—their new skating coach—has years’ worth of personal and professional bruises. It’s hard to face him again—all six feet and two hundred pounds of muscle and swagger.

And anger. Chase is in hot water with management, and refusing to work with Coach Zoe no matter how badly he needs to shore up his stride—and his image. Until a journalist digs up an old video of Zoe and Chase performing a skating program, and the internet goes wild.

Management seizes on the opportunity for a P.R. redemption, ordering Zoe and Chase to reprise their flashy routine.

Skating with him again—to a love song, of course—is pure agony. But it’s also Zoe’s only chance to unpack the truth of what really happened that night ten years ago. And to at least find forgiveness, if she can’t win back his heart."


My Review:

Fantastic and swoon-worthy Adult Rom-Com for every fan of figure skating, ice hockey and 'The Cutting Edge' movie from 1992!

I really enjoyed both the dual POV and the dual timelines. We get to see Zoe and Chase in present day and their memories of their magical summer together, nearly 10 years prior. In both timelines, their witty banter and chemistry is off the charts and a joy to read.

'Thrown for a Loop' releases on November 4th, grab a copy here!

#NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'A Queen's Match' by Katharine McGee - A Queens Duet #2

5 royal stars!

Book Blurb:

"In the sequel to A Queen's Game, broken hearts and secret loves lead three princesses to their final marriage matches, and their rightful places in the history books--from the New York Times bestselling author of the American Royals series.

As Queen Victoria tries to match her grandchildren with powerful marriages across Europe, matters of the court and matters of the heart collide for three princesses as they close in on the end of their marriage seasons.

Exiled French princess Helene d'Orleans had no choice but to break it off with Prince Eddy--but that doesn't mean she doesn't have a broken heart. And now her parents have their sights on another prince for her...but his heart is already taken.

The queen finally understands that her beloved granddaughter Alix of Hesse isn't interested in a match with Prince Eddy...but the Queen does not approve of Alix's true love. So where does that leave her?

And May of Teck? She's just looking for a crown. So with Eddy back on the marriage market, she's biding her time, letting his heartbreak settle, before she makes her move.

Set in the last glittering decade of the monarchies, A Queen's Match is the thrilling conclusion to the story that began in A Queen's Game."


My Review:

This clever Historical Fiction duet, based on real people and events, was so very well done! Even if you don't know what actually happened in real life, this series is an amazing YA read! It's about three princesses and several princes and has all the humor, romance, cunning, and schemes that Katharine McGee readers have long enjoyed.

In this 'Queen's Duet,' Queen Victoria of England tries to play matchmaker for her many grandchildren, spread throughout the thrones of Europe. Her favorite granddaughter, Alix of Hesse, rejects the proposed match to the future king of England, Prince Eddy. Prince Eddy, meanwhile, has fallen in love with a French princess, whose family is banished from France. And May of Teck schemes in the background, determine to secure a crown for herself at any cost.

I love how the author tied everything up, to align with real-life events, while also granting readers a satisfying conclusion to the spin she put on all the characters.

Highly recommended YA reading!  Grab your copies:

A Queens Duet #1 -  'A Queen's Game' by Katharine McGee 

A Queens Duet #2 - 'A Queen's Match' by Katharine McGee

#AQueensMatch #NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

The Mirror Chronicles by Rachel Huffmire

The Mirror Chronicles by Rachel Huffmire is a compelling trilogy, with a novella, that cleverly re-imagines several fairy tales into one cohesive and thrilling time travel adventure.  Start with 'Snow White's' tale, dive right into 'Sleeping Beauty' reimagined, conclude the trilogy with a fabulous take on 'The Snow Queen,' and finish with a 'Cinderella' novella.

Highly recommended reading for fairy tale fans and all YA readers!

The entire Mirror Chronicles series is available on Amazon and is part of the Kindle Unlimited program. Grab a copy here!

Snow White's tale - 'Shattered Snow' by Rachel Huffmire - Mirror Chronicles #1

"Time travel is illegal… But only if you get caught.

Keltson Grammar is a vigilante hacker who doesn’t mind breaking a few laws. Hiding behind mirrors, he rescues unfortunate souls in the past and leads them to happier endings. However, a single misstep could send a time-traveling huntsman on his trail. If he finds Keltson, history will be reset to its original dismal fate and Keltson’s future will be permanently behind bars.

Lilia Vaschenko is a Russian Mechanic surrounded by cinderblock towers, ladders she cannot climb, and a glass ceiling that holds her down like a casket. She'll do anything to escape—even work for the world's most wanted renegade.

Margaretha is a young German countess who wants nothing more than to forge her own path in life. But when she discovers a mysterious mirror in the woods that transforms her world into shadows and ice, her future shatters. Will she ever find who she was truly meant to be?"

'Sleeping Beauty' reimagined - 'Spinning Briar' by Rachel Huffmire - Mirror Chronicles #2

'The Snow Queen' - 'Saving Winter' by Rachel Huffmire - Mirror Chronicles #3

'Cinderella' re-telling - ' Sculpting Fables' by Rachel Huffmire - Mirror Chronicles novella

'Fake Skating' by Lynn Painter

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

"From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies Lynn Painter comes a heartfelt and banter-filled rom-com about childhood sweethearts whose icy reunion in their hockey-loving hometown unexpectedly thaws when they fake a romantic relationship.

Growing up, Dani couldn’t help but follow around the adorable son of her mom’s best friend. Funny, kind of nerdy, and a little soft, Alec was always down to hang with Dani when they were little. From play dates on the playground to sneaking into movie theaters, Dani and Alec were inseparable. Until Dani moved away. Alec promised they’d stay in touch—except, they didn’t.

Flash forward and Dani is back in Minnesota for her senior year, she and her mom living with her grandfather. Dealing with the fallout of her parents’ devastating divorce, Dani wouldn’t mind a nerd-out with the cozy and comforting Alec (and maybe a chance to confront him on his MIA status for all these years). But teenage Alec is nothing like the kid Dani remembers. He’s a hockey star in a town where hockey players are worshiped as gods. Dani’s place as his shadow has been taken up by drooling female fans…and he loves it.

Dani is resolved to ice out her former best friend until an unlikely series of events brings them together—and forces them to fake being a couple. Once forced together, the former childhood sweethearts begin to reconnect, unearth complicated family secrets, and face their true feelings towards each other…including the real reason Alec has been pushing Dani away all these years."


My Review:

Another wonderful Young Adult book from author Lynn Painter, full of witty banter and a sweet clean romance between these childhood-best-friends to high school sweethearts. There's small town 'hockey is life' and there's the jealous boy next door, and there's family drama, and so very many curse words out of these athletes. I love the duel POV, with both Dani and Alec narrating and sharing their feelings with readers.

 Releasing on September 30th - grab a copy here!

#NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'Right Where We Belong' by Farrah Penn

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

"Past and present collide in this swoony romance when a girl searching for a sense of belonging may have found it in an unexpected—and undeniably charming—visitor from the nineteenth century.

Delaney Carmichael's final year of boarding school at Ivernia is not off to a great start. Losing her father has left her feeling completely unmoored—both emotionally and in terms of what she wants to do with her future. So when Delaney discovers that Ivernia—the one stable place in her life—is on the brink of shuttering its doors, it feels like the last straw. If life is measured in what she has to lose, then does anything matter?

Desperate for a solution, Delaney makes a wish—for a way to save Ivernia. The universe's response? Enter Lord William Cromwell of Dunbry, a tall, handsome, and woefully out-of-place-boy from nineteenth-century London. At first, Delaney thinks this charming English heartthrob might somehow be the answer to her problems, but when disastrous consequences begin to unfold at an alarming rate, she realizes that if she can't return William to where and when he belongs, the present could unravel completely. Much to Delaney's dismay, the only person capable of helping her is her brother's infuriating best friend, Sumner, a boy who seems dead-set on getting under her skin. With time quickly running out, can the two set things straight before the past begins messing with the present in irreversible ways?"


My Review:

This is a beautiful Young Adult coming of age story with a delightful time travel element where our narrating main character finds her place. Tender, emotional scenes of grief are portrayed very well. There is a clean YA romance sub plot and it is very sweet, and it does not overpower the story. Highly recommended!

Releases October 28th - pre-order a copy!

#RightWhereWeBelong #NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'Red as Royal Blood' by Elizabeth Hart

5 royal stars!

Book Blurb:

"The Inheritance Games gets the royal treatment in this paperback original thriller that combines courtly intrigue, succession drama, and romance.

Ruby has never found a puzzle she couldn’t solve. Even though she’s destined to spend the rest of her life as a servant to the royal family, her mind itches for a true challenge. But no puzzle could prepare her for the king’s decision to name Ruby as the next heir to the throne just before his death.

Thrown into the viper’s nest of court, Ruby is forced to contend with a kingdom in crisis, the dead king’s angry wife, and the three entitled and annoyingly handsome princes. Then, as if being newly crowned queen wasn’t enough, she discovers a note left by the king that claims he was murdered . . . and that she might be next.

Unsure of who she can trust, Ruby makes uneasy alliances with each of the princes as she tries to solve the king’s murder. But with the clock winding down, she will face her most difficult challenge finding the truth before the killer comes for her."


My Review:

'Red as Royal Blood' was so well-written, and the mystery so full of twists, that it lived rent-free in my mind overnight after reading, and I dived back in for a re-read immediately the next day. The slow-burn sweet romance played out exceptionally well, and it was so much fun to read everything again while knowing the ending.

Ruby, our narrating main character, is so likeable and clever, and easy to root for. Everyone is shocked when the King suddenly dies and it's revealed that a kitchen maid with no family history was made heir. The eldest living Prince seems full of rage and suspects there is more to Ruby's identity or relationship with the late King. His charming younger brother has been her secret friend and chess partner, and is baffled by this turn of events. The youngest Prince seems out-of-sorts and in a daze. Their mother alternates between ignoring Ruby and throwing daggers at her with her eyes. And the court advisors throw one thing after another at her. And yet, Ruby unravels the mystery of the King's murder and manages to keep her head.

'Read as Royal Blood' releases on November 18th - pre-order your copy here!

#RedasRoyalBlood #NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'House of Hearts' by Skyla Arndt

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

"Solving her best friend's murder means infiltrating a secret society, resisting a forbidden love, and running from a vengeful ghost in this sophomore novel by the author of Together We Rot.

Violet Harper knows her best friend was murdered. Even if everyone else has labeled her death a “freak accident,” Vi is sure she’d been trying to tell her something right before she died. Cryptic messages about her friend’s elite boarding school, her whirlwind romance, and the mysterious secret society she was entangled in all point to a more sinister fate.

So, Violet does what no one else seems willing to do: She transfers to the same fancy school to dig into the society’s murky history and find out what really happened to her friend. She knows the truth might not be pretty, but what she doesn’t bargain for is the handsome boy at the center of it all—Calvin Lockwell, the brother of her prime suspect and descendant of the school’s founder. He’s obnoxious and privileged, and Violet can’t deny their haunting attraction. It soon becomes clear his family is hiding a dark secret that may not be of this world, and suddenly Violet’s following her friend’s doomed footsteps down the rabbit hole. Even as details emerge of a deadly curse plaguing the school, she can’t escape her true feelings for Calvin. But loving him may be the last thing she ever does."


My Review:

I loved following narrating main character Violet to a beautiful gothic boarding school for her senior year. Her quest to discover the truth about her best friend's murder leads her to join the elite school's secret society and to get close to the siblings of her friend's boyfriend. Navigating through school secrets, a family curse, and a haunted, elaborate labyrinth, Violet finds more than she bargained for. Readers will be captivated and charmed.

Releasing on September 2nd - pre-order a copy! 

#HouseofHearts #NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

Cover Reveal: 'Next Level Love' by Shameez Patel

'Playing Flirty' Book Blurb:

"A board game designer is forced to work alongside her nemesis in this charming and geeky rivals-to-lovers romcom perfect for fans of Olivia Dade and Jen DeLuca.

For Rose Marie Jones, risks are a hard no–except for Game Night. For one precious evening a week, Rose can forget about her demanding boss and her lackluster sex life and focus on beating the pants off her friends. But none of them brings out her hyper-competitive side quite like William Ashdern.

Her best friend’s half-brother, William is the paragon of a sexy nerd. The tall, dorky, and handsome game designer is Rose’s playing nemesis. But when Rose decides to enter a contest with the board game she’s secretly invented, there’s only one person who can help her win.

Now what has always been a game between Rose and William is getting a lot more serious. And after spending her entire life trying not to lose, Rose might finally be ready risk it all–and play to win."


'Playing Flirty'  Review:

Absolutely loved this slow-burn Adult Rom-Com, full of gaming and geek culture and a silent, broody love interest. 'Playing Flirty' is all about found family and shenanigans, while also about discovering who you are, and unlearning some of the bad stuff from childhood. Highly recommended!

‘A First Time for Everything’ by K.L. Walther

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

"From the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules comes a fun new coming-of-age romance full of dating disasters, powerful firsts, and the importance of family.

Madeline has always been extremely close to her family, so she is shocked when her older brother gets engaged without including them (or even giving them a heads up!). Mads has never been the biggest fan of his fiancée, Katie, so in order to remain one happy family, she is determined to bond with Katie before the big day, which includes reluctantly agreeing to be a bridesmaid.

During a late-night bridesmaids-only game of "Truth or Dare" Mads is cornered into revealing she has never been kissed or even been on a date, which spurs the other girls to unite on a quest to find Mads the perfect plus-one for the wedding. Next thing she knows she’s navigating a series of disastrous dates that include some major misunderstandings and mishaps.

All of a sudden Mads finds her heart tugged in different directions: to Connor, the boy next door who knows her best. To Marco Álvarez, the former classmate who knows how to push all her buttons. And to some of the new suitors who surprisingly aren’t all bad.

As the wedding draws nearer, Mads has to figure out who she wants most as a forever dance partner, while also making sure her brother isn't making the biggest mistake of his life."


My Review:

Loved this one! Author K.L. Walther continues to absolutely knock it out of the park with every new release! 

I was fully invested in Madeline’s dating journey and the year leading up to Austin and Katie's wedding. This was such a great coming-of-age story, as Mad wades through first dates with new people, and bridesmaid shenanigans with a group of ladies a little older than her. I also really liked how close she is with her parents and brother, and how supportive the family is of one another. Her perfect friendship with the boy-next-door, and the witty banter with an acquaintance who suddenly seems to be everywhere, are charming and a joy to read.  

Was delighted to see cameos from across the KLW Universe! Mer and Wit get speaking roles, and several other beloved characters are mentioned.

Releasing on June 3rd - pre-order a copy!  

#NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. 

'Steel & Spellfire' by Laura E. Weymouth

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

"A devastatingly gifted mage with clandestine romantic connections to a Royal Guard joins the court social season in an attempt to undo past wrongs, only to fall under suspicion when a creature with powers shockingly like her own begins slaughtering her fellow debutantes.

Pandora Small has two ruling objectives: first, to keep the prodigious extent of her power secret, in a world where mages are feared and governed by suffocating laws. Second, to find her wealthy and noble-born patron, a shadowy figure bound to Pandora by magic, who stole her childhood and grew her power until she became a weapon rather than a girl. To that end, she’s posing as an Ingenue, a privileged and petted young woman of strictly limited abilities, who is allowed access to the royal court’s social season in order to find a husband and patron to control her magic.

But on Pandora’s arrival at court, Kit Beacon, one of the most promising members of the Royal Guard, inadvertently learns the true scope of her power. Privately sympathetic towards mages and the difficulties they face, Beacon decides to keep Pandora’s secret. But when someone or something with powers terribly like Pandora’s own begins slaughtering her fellow Ingenues, Beacon’s resolve to keep what he knows about her private is put to the test.

Tasked with protecting all the girls in the palace, not just one, Beacon will have to decide whether Pandora is a suspect or an ally, while to win his trust, Pandora will have to let him know more of her still—the worst of who she is and what she’s done. Because only unity between them during the social whirlwind to come will enable Pan to find her patron and Beacon the killer, and ensure they both see justice meted out."

My Review:

This fabulous YA Fantasy read combines lush world building, a unique and interesting magic system, and a sweet slow-burn YA romance between our two narrating characters, Pandora and Beacon. With well-developed supporting characters who add to the already-present humor and witty banter, this was a captivating and fun read. There's also a thriller/mystery aspect, with Pandora (and readers) not knowing who her powerful and malicious patron is, and it was fun to guess (even when my guesses were wrong).

Releasing on July 22nd - pre-order a copy!

#SteelAndSpitfire #NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. 

'The Thrashers' by Julie Soto

4 stars!

Book Blurb:

"Either you're in or you're out.

Welcome to the Thrashers, the elite friend group at New Helvetia High.

They’re everything everyone wants to be.

Jodi Dillon was never meant to be one of them. Julian, Lucy, Paige, and the infamous Zack Thrasher are rich, sophisticated, and love attention. Jodi feels out of place, but Zack’s her childhood best friend, so she’s in.

Then Emily Mills, who desperately wanted to be a Thrasher, dies—and the whispers about the Thrashers begin. As Emily’s journal surfaces, detectives close in, and Jodi faces an impossible choice: betray her friends or protect herself.

But as eerie messages and strange occurrences escalate, it becomes clear—Emily isn’t done with them yet.

A twisty thrill-ride of unforgettable drama and suspense that "encapsulates the vulnerability of adolescents playing adult games" (Ali Hazelwood) from USA Today bestselling author Julie Soto, The Thrashers will keep you up at night desperate to read just one more page."


My Review:

This YA suspenseful thriller captivated me from the very first moment and kept me on my toes. I sat, riveted, through all the twists and turns, fully immersed and invested in narrating character Jodi Dillon's journey. This is an excellent and well-written book, but it is very dark. I encourage all readers to check the Content Warnings before reading.

'The Thrashers' releases on May 6th. Pre-order a copy today!

#NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'Come As You Are' by Dahlia Adler

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

"Hot on the heels of a broken heart, Everett “Evie” Riley arrives at Camden Academy ready for a new beginning - one far away from her cheating ex-boyfriend, the sister who stole him, and the best friend who let it happen. But her fresh start is stopped in its tracks when she's accidentally placed in an all-boys dorm, with no choice but to stay.

When rumors and gossip about Evie's housing predicament spread like wildfire, she decides the only way to survive is to lean into her questionable new reputation... but she's definitely going to require help. Her grumpy emo dorm mate Salem Grayson isn't exactly her first choice, but he does need her help to repair his relationship with his parents every bit as much as she needs his to learn how to be cool. And so they make a pact - he'll teach her how to be bad, if she teaches him how to be good.

It's a flawless plan, except while Salem thrives academically, even romantically, and - annoyingly enough - even physically, Evie's quest feels like one dead end after another, and the girl she's becoming certainly doesn't feel remotely cool. But when Evie realizes what she wants more than anything, she'll have to contend with her thrice-broken heart and figure out how to become someone capable of chasing happiness.

Dahlia Adler’s Come As You Are is about refusing to accept less than you deserve, and realizing that the best relationships are with people who know exactly who you are."


My Review:

This is an absolutely fantastic coming-of-age story with a slow-burn YA romance and the best witty banter I've seen in a long time! Readers follow Evie as she starts her sophomore year of high school at a new school and finds her footing and her voice.

Back home, she was the perfect daughter, perfect sister, perfect girlfriend; and it was never good enough. Those around her treated her poorly. So when her fresh start begins with placement in an all-boys dorm and both administration and her dorm mates treat her like it's somehow her fault, she starts to think about how someone else would handle this. She hatches a plan to learn to become a badass who does not get walked all over by others.

She quickly meets and befriends her "grumpy emo dorm mate Salem" and they enter into a pact - Evie will help him improve his image with his parents, and Salem will help her learn "how to be cool." What ensues is so much witty banter and humor. It's a joy to watch Evie slowly find herself and build confidence and realize that she is seen, for exactly who she is, and that it is enough.

This is my new favorite Dahlia Adler book and one of my all-time favorite YA Contemporary reads. Highly, highly recommended!

Releases May 27, 2025 - preorder here.

#NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'The Rose Bargain' by Sasha Peyton Smith

4 stars!

Book Blurb:

"The Cruel Prince meets The Selection in this captivating duology opener brimming with heart-pounding romance, vicious competition, and beautiful, cruel fae, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven, Sasha Peyton Smith.

Every citizen of England is granted one bargain from their immortal fae queen.

High society girls are expected to bargain for qualities that will win them suitors: a rare talent for piano in exchange for one’s happiest childhood memory. A perfect smile for one’s ability to taste.

But Ivy Benton’s debut season arrives with a shocking twist: a competition to secure the heart of the Queen’s fae son, Prince Bram. A prize that could save Ivy’s family from ruin… and free her sister from the bargain that destroyed her.

Yet every glittering fae deal has a rotting heart—and at the center of this contest is a dark plot that could destroy everything Ivy knows.

Sweepingly romantic and deceptively enchanting, this alternate history romantasy will enthrall readers of Holly Black, Stephanie Garber, and Adalyn Grace."


My Review:

Really enjoyed this one! It's YA Fantasy set in Regency England with court intrigue, rumors ruining girls' futures, and magical fae bargains costing everyone a finger, a toe, or a tooth (or similar).

At the center is Ivy, second daughter of a family struggling financially after her older sister's Season went badly. Ivy and her sister are close and genuinely care about each other, and it was so sweet to see.

Ivy competes at the palace to become the Fae Prince's bride against 5 other girls, complete with beautiful gowns and accessories, etiquette lessons, and a chaperone for time spent with the Prince. It was a very pleasant surprise to me how well fleshed-out these secondary characters and how developed their backstories are, including that each had a narrating chapter of their own.

Releasing February 4th, grab a copy!

#TheRoseBargain #NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

‘And They Were Roommates’ by Page Powars

4 stars

Book Blurb:

"A hilarious, unputdownable second-chance-romance about the most unlikely, gay roommate mishap. Perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Gwen & Art Are Not in Love.

Romance is the last thing on Charlie’s mind.

On his first day at Valentine Academy for Boys, Charlie’s carefully crafted plan to hide his identity as the school’s only trans student is set in motion. Only to be immediately destroyed. Charlie has been assigned the worst roommate in the world (possibly the universe): Jasper Grimes, the boy who broke Charlie’s heart the year before he transitioned.

Except, Jasper doesn’t recognize Charlie.

Who knows how long until Jasper realizes the truth? Charlie has one shot at freedom and a dorm room all to himself, but only if he helps Jasper write love letters on behalf of their fellow students first. No problem. Charlie can help Jasper with some silly letters.

Long nights spent discussing deep romantic feelings with Jasper? Surely, no unintended consequences will arise…"


My Review:

I enjoyed this coming-of-age story in which we follow Charlie through his first year at a prestigious boarding school. Upon arrival in the boys' dorm, transgender teen Charlie's anxiety spikes (understandably) when he's surprised to learn that he has a roommate and that physical education (gym class) is mandatory. What’s more is that his roommate is his ex!

This could become a disaster at any time – his roommate could recognize him and out him, his physique could raise questions in Phys Ed, he could fail to remain in the top 5 ranking of his class and lose his scholarship.  The anxiety is real, and well-represented. 

Thankfully for Charlie, and readers, he falls into a great friend group and enjoys his time at boarding school.  The fun of reading Charlie’s story is learning how.

Releases on May 27th, grab a copy!

#NetGalley – I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.