Ash & Books

Just a girl who has a lot of hobbies . Insta: ashley_dang096

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb:

A swoonworthy YA supernatural romcom where two academic rivals are trapped as ghosts to haunt the same house. They'd kill each other...if they weren't already dead.

Tessa Sinclair is a winner. Winner of spelling bees, science fairs, and scholarships. So when she finds herself unexpectedly dead after a graduation party in an abandoned mansion, she's none too pleased. What's worse, her Harvard-bound, Mr. Perfect academic rival, Reed Walker, is there too—deceased, smug, and annoying as hell.

Being a ghost is hard enough, but it's a thousand times worse having to haunt the same house as your nemesis. But as Tessa and Reed retreat to RIP in their respective corners of the mansion, a mystery unfurls about the exact cause of their deaths.

Though they'd rather die (again) than work together, they'll need to overcome their differences to hunt down a murderer on the loose. And should they happen to fall for each other along the way...Who ever said you can't find love after death?

Review:

Two academic rivals trapped as ghosts who now have to solve their murder while trying not to murder each other as well! Tessa is a straight up student who is a bit of a straight laced student but when the one guy who gets under her skin, her perfect academic rival, Reed, dares her to go to a party... and they both end up murdered and trapped as ghosts... they'll have to set aside their differences to work out what happened to them and how they can stop the murderer.... but being trapped together means facing a secret that Reed has, he's always been in love with Tessa. Romance, mystery, and so much more in this fun paranormal YA romance. It was a cute read and a fun murder mystery!

Release Date: May 12, 2026

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3/5

Book Blurb:

Heartstopper meets Before Sunrise in this irresistible, swoony YA rom-com about two boys unexpectedly falling in love over the course of one night in Paris.

Ben Lim is so excited for his French Club's trip to the most romantic city in the world: Paris. Ben's even made a to-do list of all the things he wants to accomplish, like see the Mona Lisa IRL and read a book in a sophisticated cafe. Also, Ben's parents honeymooned in Paris, and being there will help Ben connect more to the memory of his late dad.

But things go wrong the first night when Ben misses curfew and finds himself locked out of the youth hostel...until morning.

Also locked out? Tyler Travers, the most popular and handsome boy in school. Who, oh yeah, happens to be Ben's former friend and current nemesis.

Ben cannot deal with Tyler's entitled-jock attitude. But now that they're thrown together, the two of them end up roaming around Paris and stumbling upon some cool sights--like the glittering Eiffel Tower, a drag show in the Marais, and even a chance to "borrow" a moped.

As their misadventures take them all across the city, Ben fights his growing attraction to Tyler, which was NEVER part of the plan. The two of them couldn't be more different. Besides, Tyler doesn't even remember that they were once friends. Right?

Acclaimed author Stephan Lee (K-Pop Confidential) brings the City of Light to dazzling life in this enchanting, funny, and adorable rom-com about croissants, crushes, and kisses that's perfect for fans of Alice Oseman and Jenny Han.

Review:

Two former friends, a class trip to Paris, and one night of adventure to complete a bucket list and possibly fall in love. Ben and Tyler used to be best friends but when Tyler moves away and comes back and ignores Ben... it breaks Ben's heart. Now Ben is determined to make the most of his Paris trip... too bad Tyler is also on it and too bad that Ben is locked out of the hotel with Tyler. Now both of them are stuck in the streets of Paris... but this is where adventure begins. Roaming the streets, sight seeing, and finally addressing what went wrong with their friendship, Ben and Tyler get one night to make everything right. This was a very sweet fluffy second chance romance between two former friends and I do think if you like Heartstopper, you should give it a try.

Release Date: May 5, 2026

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Scholastic | Scholastic Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb:

Midsommar meets Fear Street in this modern, sea-soaked folk horror debut about fighting to survive, and fighting to be yourself.

Seventeen-year-old Lindsay Weinberg has just gotten kicked out of another prep school, and has consequently found herself shipped to her Uncle Levi's farm in the cold, isolated town of Marbury, Maine.

When Lindsay arrives at a big, old farmhouse miles from civilization, she is greeted by her uncle’s new wife, a goy with a little too much Jesus decor for Lindsay’s taste—with Uncle Levi mysteriously away on a business trip. Not only that, but Lindsay isn’t the only teen staying there. In fact, there is a small group of teens going through some kind of reform program. Up at dawn. Manual labor all day. No phones, computers or tablets.

Things start to feel hopeless until Lindsay meets the twins, Phin and Cass. They live on an island off the Peninsula’s coast—and they have internet. Lindsay convinces the others at Haven House to sneak out for a party on the island, and the night is incredible. At least…what they can remember of it. All of them wake up in their beds with sea-shell mementos, no memory of how they got home, and wicked hangovers. All of them except one. And as the disappearances and mysteries pile up, Lindsay and the others realize that they have become involved in a terrifying fight to survive, before the Cove claims them all.

Review:

Midsommer meets Fear street in this story about a girl who is sent to an isolated town only to find that she is being placed in a reform group with other teens.... and strange things begin to happen such as sea shell mementos appearing and disappearances begin... This was a good summer horror mystery YA read with a very light touch of romance. It's a fun summer read and I enjoyed the overall coastal mystery/setting. It's a fast and easy read for sure.

Release Date: May 5, 2026

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb:

Roll the dice, strike up the band, and get ready for a swoon-worthy summer! A charming gaming romance that blends the magic of D&D with the camaraderie of band camp—from the bestselling author of Dating and Dragons!

Questing for love . . .

Hazel Buchanan has her senior year mapped out: Win respect as color guard captain, kick off her first D&D campaign, and steer clear of distractions. But her plan takes a critical hit when Max—her former best friend and longtime crush—returns to town with drumsticks in hand and an unexplained chip on his shoulder.

Hazel and Max can’t help bickering every time they’re together, and thanks to meddling parents, he’s invading her D&D game too. As Dungeon Master, she’s ready to shut him down, but D&D has a way of bringing people together like nothing else. Is this rivalry masking something more? With dice rolling and emotions spinning, Hazel might be in for more than she planned . . .

Review:

Former best friends and now rivals in band camp, Hazel and Max reunite as they begin to play D&D together as they try to mend their friendship, fall in love, and survive band camp! Hazel has her senior year planned out and is determined to lead color guard to victory, play her first D&D campaign, and succeed... what she doesn't plan on is meeting her former best friend who she had a giant crush on, coming back into her life and hating her. Max is back and now in the rival group in band camp, and to top it off he's treating Hazel like he'd rather be anywhere but near her. Hazel can't figure out what happened to Max and she can't escape him either because his mom is her parents D&D friend... so he'll be coming to her house every week. Hazel and Max can barely stand to be in the same room without bickering but when she invites him into her D&D campaign he agrees. As they spend more time together and re-learn each other... maybe romance can happen if they roll the dice right... or maybe they are just too different? This was another cute addition to the very sweet and charming series from Kristy. I absolutely love this series so much, each book has such an adorable couple and premise. I think if you like a former friends to lovers, rivals to lovers, second chance at romance, kind of vibe, then this one is for you!

Release Date: May 5, 2026

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's Books | Delacorte Romance for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 5/5

Book Blurb:

When a sinister spirit invades an isolated community, three lives will be forever altered, in this dark gothic fantasy from “one of the most consistent and insightful authors of psychological thrillers writing today” (CrimeReads). “Richly atmospheric and peopled with exquisitely delineated characters . . . the novel builds to a genuine shocker of an ending. Readers will be hooked.”—Publishers Weekly A rebellious young woman desperate to escape her predetermined life.

The handsome but married priest who has caught her eye.

And the resolute schoolteacher who values science above all.

In 1910, on a small, remote island that boasts more sheep than people, the fates of Charlotte North, Jasper Hill, and Ruth Russel are perched on the edge of a cliff, and a strange wind is blowing. . . .

When an ancient tower—rumored to have once imprisoned a witch—crumbles, it releases something powerful: a restless spirit that knocks inside the walls and sends household objects flying. A spirit that seems to be drawn to Charlotte, who sees in it a potential for power and change.

But first she must overcome Jasper’s piety and Ruth’s fierce determination to banish the terrifying entity. Only then will she gain the power to claim the life that she desires.

Review:

A stunning and atmospheric dark gothic story about seizing control and the power of determination in a world set to break you down. A young rebellious woman in love with a married priest determined to escape her predetermined life...even if it means letting a demon in and the resolute school teacher who has spent her life breaking norms and following her path despite the hardships as they all collide paths on an isolated island set in the 1900s. This book was another fantastic book by Camilla Bruce, this book is for the rebellious girls, for the girls who are willing to do whatever it takes to get what they want and I LOVED IT. Its the perfect mixture of gothic story with female empowerment and filled with twist and turns. Charlotte is a lonely girl, constantly being punished by her mother, and when she falls for a married priest, it's the last straw. Charlotte is tired and determined to get what she wants... and if that means letting a demon with powers who wants to give her everything to her heart's content in? So be it. I also adored Ruth, the school teacher who gave up her wealthy inheritance to be freed from her family's constraints and to follow her own path. I loved how caring Ruth was and how true to herself she maintained. I am a sucker for these kind of stories and settings and I devoured this book in one read!! It was fabulous and perfect for me.

Release Date: May 19, 2026

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 5/5

Book Blurb:

Avery Alarch has always been the worst witch at Caerwyn University. Now she’s got twenty-four hours to conjure a familiar or get kicked out for good—a fate that means losing her magic forever and being stuck on a dreary island with nothing but regrets. Desperate times call for desperate spells. So when Avery stumbles on a forbidden grimoire, she decides to risk it all. One little summoning later, she’s expecting a cute magical cat. Instead? She gets Felix, a six-foot-six cat shifter with a bad attitude and a knack for trouble. He’s her mortal enemy, magically bound to her by an illegal spell, and very much not purring. He wants her dead. She wants him gone. Neither of them gets a choice. The only way out? Solve a string of enchanted riddles before their magical link destroys them both. Of course, that’s easier said than done when Felix keeps tying Avery up in shadows, and their bickering is starting to feel a little less hostile and a lot more heated. As they unravel puzzles and secrets, Avery and Felix find themselves at the heart of a conspiracy that could upend the supernatural world. And despite every rule and reason, sparks are flying in all the wrong (or right?) ways. Get ready for claws, curses, and cat-astrophic chemistry in A Game of Cat and Witch, the first laugh-out-loud installment in the Monstrous Shifters series. Perfect for fans of My Funny Demon Valentine and Assistant to the Villain, Ruby Rune’s debut is a magical, banter-filled paranormal rom-com you won’t want to miss. Tropes:

Forced Proximity

Just one dorm/bed

Enemies to lovers

Touch her and die

Academy setting

Witch + Cat Shifter

Fated Mates

Literal Black Cat MMC

Underlying Mystery Plot

Review:

WHAT AN AMAZING PARANORMAL ROMANCE!!! I love a witchy paranormal romance and this one blew my mind. I was completely hooked from the first chapter and I will absolutely be reading everything Ruby writes next. The story is so well done and the characters have such great chemistry. Seriously, this is the kind of paranormal romance that will have you absolutely feral for more (and trust me I am begging for more already). I loved this one so much and will be telling everyone to read it!

Release Date: May 10, 2026

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Ruby Rune for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 5/5

Book Blurb:

“Thank you for your interest in our school, but we regret to inform you that…” you’re not special. You’re too average. You’re too boring. Well, in that case, she’ll have to show them just how interesting she can be. Elizabeth Zhang is well aware of her place in the world. She’s in the tenth percentile for likability, the seventieth percentile for attractiveness, and the ninety-ninth percentile for academics. While she’s never been the most beautiful or the most liked, she knows she has the intelligence and ambition to achieve her greatest dream: Harvard Law School. But when Harvard rejects Elizabeth for not standing out enough—which she knows means she's just another boring Asian female—her carefully constructed life falls apart. What shocks her even more is that Laura Kim, a classmate at Columbia, got in. Elizabeth can’t figure out how this could have happened. Why was Laura accepted? What makes her so interesting?

At first, she follows her because she’s just curious. What Laura orders for lunch. Where Laura shops. What Laura’s hobbies are. All of these things must contribute to her overall package, what makes her an acceptable person to Harvard. But still, Elizabeth just can’t see it. The only thing she sees is that Laura has taken her spot.

A spot that she knows she deserves after working so hard. A spot that she’ll simply have to take back.

Layered and subversive, this novel brings to light how, in the face of societal expectations and self-inflicted pressures, a person can unlock the darkest parts of themselves and show how far they’re willing to go to achieve their vision of success.

Review:

Just how far would you go to prove that you aren't boring? When Elizabeth gets rejected from her dream school: Harvard Law school after thinking she'd be a straight acceptance... she's left confused. Surely this has to be a mistake? When she asks her admissions advisor, he gives her an answer: she's a "boring asian female". This starts Elizabeth's spiral into trying to get accepted in again, to getting it corrected, to proving she's not boring.... and if that means stalking and trying to ruin the life of the other asian female student who got accepted into the program.... then so be it. Elizabeth will do just about anything to change... even if it leads to crimes. This book was crazy, the twist and turns had me going "oh girl do NOT go there... and she did". I was hooked from the start and the ending had me laughing because OF COURSE. Seriously this book is absolutely crazy, it's like if Joe from You only cared about getting into college, literally crazy. I was hooked and had a fantastic time reading this.

Release Date: April 28, 2026

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 2/5

Book Blurb:

From the author of What Wakes the Bells comes a rich, gothic fantasy steeped in Germanic folklore about a girl who enters a dangerous, magical hunt with the goal of winning the death of her predatory overlord. Perfect for fans of Adalyn Grace, Maggie Stiefvater, and V.E. Schwab. Some monsters are born. Some are made. All can be killed.

Once every few years, the Scavenge Moon rises. From beyond its pale glow steps the Breimar Stag, an otherworldly creature with eyes of burning gold. Any reckless adventurer who chooses to join the hunt for the stag only has until the Scavenge Moon sets to claim their prize—if they catch it, they are granted the death of any person of their choice. And if no one catches it, the stag will claim one of the hunters' souls instead.

Katrin has lived on the border of the forest her whole life, raised on tales of the Folk that dwell within. As a gamekeeper for the baron who rules over the region, she is saddled with the onerous task of escorting the entitled nobles who descend upon her home for the Breimar Hunt. None of them respect the forest or its legends, and Katrin is only too happy to let them risk their foolish necks for what they see as a cheap thrill.

When her beloved cousin becomes the latest target of the baron's lecherous appetites, Katrin knows only his death will keep her family safe, and the only way she can claim his life is to win the hunt herself. But something hungry has begun to stir in the woods, something even older and more powerful than the stag. As the horrifying, mutilated bodies pile up, Katrin begins to question where the true danger lies.

Review:

A gothic fantasy filled with Germanic folklore about a girl who enters into a dangerous magical hunt with the goal of killing her predatory overlord. Katrin is a hunter but finds herself in the role of prey to her predatory lord who has his eyes set on not only her, but her young sister as well. Katrin's only solution" enter into the magical Stag hunt and if they can catch the Stag then they are granted the death of any person of their choice but if no one catches the stag then every one of the hunters who enter forfeit their souls. The premise of this sounded fantastic but it just fell a little flat for me unfortunately. I did love the ace rep that was shown in Katrin and I thought the story felt unique. I just felt like the story was too slow for me and that I didn't exactly vibe with how the story played everything out. While this one was a miss for me, I do think fans of slow slow burn gothic stories could have fun with this one.

Release Date: May 12, 2026

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 1/5

Book Blurb:

The highly anticipated young adult thriller about a serial killer's daughter and her race to solve the crimes of her family's twisted past before it's too late—from E. Kennedy, aka New York Times bestselling romance author Elle Kennedy! The world is hunting for answers—but what if the truth leads straight to you? "A taut, empathetic thriller.”--Publishers Weekly, Starred Review "Appealingly creepy and dark."--Kirkus Reviews

Ten years after her father—the infamous serial killer Gabriel Thorn—was caught, Ryan Shipley is back in Starling, Tennessee, trying to lay low. No one can know who she really is. No one can know the truth about her past.

But as fresh eyes dig deeper into the case, old secrets refuse to stay buried. Cryptic texts, eerie coincidences, and a chilling note leave everyone wondering—does Ryan know more than she’s letting on? As the truth unravels, one thing becomes clear: in a town full of secrets, Ryan might be the biggest mystery of them all.

Perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Jeneva Rose—get ready for a thriller packed with twists you won’t see coming.

Review:

The daughter of a serial killer tries to move on with her life only to find out that someone knows her true identity... yet she is determined to solve her father's secret: where the missing bodies of all his victims are. Gabrielle Thorn "Ryan Shipley" is the daughter of a famous serial killer who never revealed where the bodies of his victims were after he was arrested, even during his execution he remained silent. Gabrielle is determined to move on with her life and stick with her new identity... and just be a teen girl living a low profile life and finding romance at a new school. Too bad the town she moves to is obsessed with her father and solving the case... and the victims family members all go to her school too. When the FBI show up and ask for her help to find the bodies, and Ryan begins receiving threatening texts to stop looking for the bodies... she has to find out before its too late and by doing so unravel a town filled with dark secrets. I was so intrigued by the initial premise but the actual execution of this story was sorely lacking. I love a teen murder mystery, but this book was 70% boy drama and self pity, I was expecting more of a Spencer Hastings from Pretty Little Liars detective vibe and what I got was someone who really did not want to investigate anything until the last 15% of the book. I truly wish this worked better but as someone who adores YA mysteries and thrillers with romance, this definitely wasn't as great as it could have been for me. I will say if you like YA mysteries that lean heavier on teen drama and less on mystery solving, then yeah this is a great one for you.

Release Date: June 30, 2026

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's Books | Delacorte Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 2/5

Book Blurb:

Wondrous, dark, and dripping with all manner of fantastical swamp creatures, this lyrical novel in verse from debut author Brianna Jett follows a fierce teen hunter driven to kill the monster threatening her town and everyone she loves.

I’m the only one left hunting the monster, the only one left with a chance of saving us all.

Raised in a town surrounded by a labyrinthian, man-eating swamp, Lili craves nothing more than to track down the monster lurking in its depths and kill it.

The monster’s curse claims the flesh and bone of every adult in town, stealing them away, piece by piece. For generations, people have tried to kill it or escape the town altogether, but every path out of town leads them right back in.

Caleb, a bookish boy with dreams of freedom, is hungry to escape. He thinks that with Lili’s help and knowledge of the swamp, he can make a map to freedom. And Lili hopes that with a better sense of its territory, she might finally find and kill the monster.

Together, they chart the swamp’s shifting terrain. Sharing in the danger and the beauty of the landscape sparks a friendship between them—and then something more. However, what they discover disrupts everything Lili thought she knew about the town, her father, the monster—even herself. The truth at the root of the curse could devour them all. And Lili must decide if risking her life to be the town’s savior is worth sacrificing her own chance of escape.

Review:

A lyrical novel in verse featuring a teen hunter who has to kill a monster that is threatening her town. This definitely was such a unique premise and the overall story was told in a unique way. I do think that fans of novels told in verse would have a fun time with this because of the story itself and how the arc plays out. While this one didn't hit the spot for me I do think it was a unique read.

Release Date: May 12, 2-26

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Page Street YA for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3/5

Book Blurb:

Hyper-competent Ellie thinks she’s going through perimenopause, but discovers she’s actually turning into a werewolf in this feminist, dark-comedy debut

The head of a company she started from the ground-up, the worried mother of a troublingly secretive daughter, and the wife of an easy-going man who always has her picking up the slack—Ellie is already juggling too much. So, it's an inconvenient time to find herself beset by strange physical changes: hair sprouting in new places, running hot, trouble sleeping, losing time, finding bloodstains in all her clothing. And underneath it all, a boiling rage that threatens to disrupt the life she's worked so hard to build.

Her doctor diagnoses perimenopause. But it's another twenty-eight-day cycle that's taking hold, one that involves fur, teeth, and a not-insignificant amount of howling at the moon—and that gifts Ellie incredible strength and speed. Her new power's thrilling, as is releasing the anger she’s suppressed for years—especially as it turns out that there are some problems that can be solved with violence: The terrible new hire who is sabotaging her careful plans. The creep who's stalking her daughter. Only, the beast within isn't easy to control, and its bloody trail is getting harder to hide. With an obsessive hunter on her trail and a growing fear of what she's becoming, Ellie must find a way to yoke her fury before she tears through the people she loves.

A deeply gratifying, highly addictive and provocative read, Femme Feral is an exhilarating expression of feminine rage, with a warning: If you swallow your anger, it's sure to come back with a bite.

Review:

When a woman begins to transform things only begin to spiral for her as she leans towards her more violent nature. Ellie is the head of a company who begins to find strange changes happening to her body... with hair growing... temperature rising... and her rage being harder to contain. While her doctor has diagnosed her with perimenopause she knows that its something else. This was definitely a fun read and I do think that fans of female rage will have fun with it. I love a transformation story and one that deals with female rage.

Release Date: May 12, 2026

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Viking Penguin | Penguin Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3/5

Book Blurb:

AMAZON'S MAY SCI-FI & FANTASY PICK! Sarah Gailey's MAKE ME BETTER is an eerily seductive look at the desire for community connection and self-improvement---and the darkest places inside us all. Urgent and yet timeless, this read is perfect for fans of Shirley Jackson, Ari Aster, and Patricia Highsmith. An exclusive invitation. A remote island infamous for its miraculous ecology. A once-in-a-lifetime chance to fix everything that's broken. But sometimes growth requires sacrifice.... WELCOME TO KINDRED COVE. Celia is so tired of being alone. All she wants is to have a family—to belong to someone. That's why she's going to Kindred Cove for the annual Salt Festival held by the secluded community that lives there. They promise that healing is possible. They promise that transformation is inevitable. There is no grief at Kindred Cove, because there is no suffering. Nothing is ever lost.

Celia knows that, at that mysterious island surrounded by that impossible, ever-growing reef -- she will find herself.

She’s ready to be healed. She’s ready to be transformed.

She's ready to believe.

Review:

A remote island, an exclusive invitation, and a mysterious group of people... a mixture of Midsommer meets cult betterment story. I am a huge fan of Sarah Gailey books and while this one didn't hit the spot for me, I still found it to be a fun read and I do think that it's a great one for fans of cult stories. Sarah builds such a unique storyline and the overall "betterment" storyline was fun to read about. I can't wait to see what Sarah writes next and for fans of Midsommer and A Cure for Wellness, I do think you could have a fun time reading this.

Release Date: May 12, 2026

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group | Tor Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb:

A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times, People, Book Riot, Southern Living

Handsome con artist Ulises has long charmed lonely women via letters in order to steal their money, but money is hard to come by in 1940s Mexico. Ulises knows his looks won’t last forever, and he’s desperate to get his hands on a real fortune.

He thinks he’s found it when he captivates his newest correspondent, Perla, the owner of a small-town boardinghouse in picturesque Veracruz. But when he meets her, he finds something he didn’t expect. The woman has a niece, Inés, who is as observant as she is desperate to escape her aunt’s household.

When Inés discovers Ulises’s true intentions, she wants in on the scheme. They’ll convince her aunt that Ulises is a great catch, Perla will marry him, and her money will vanish. Easy, fast, and clean. But Perla is not the desperate, silly spinster Ulises imagines. She harbors secrets. And although Ulises does not believe in true romance, Inés is more alluring than he bargained for. Suddenly, a simple plan may become perilously complicated.

Venture into the streets of a small town where a patina of convention and good manners conceals a cauldron of avarice and lust.

Review:

A con artist looking for his new mark, a young woman willing to kill for freedom, a marriage built on lies, and the lengths we'll go to to get what we want. Ulises is a handsome con artist who makes his living by charming lonely women via letters in order to steal their money but its hard in 1940s Mexico. When he finds a new mark in Perla, the owner of a small town boardinghouse, what he doesn't expect is that he might be falling for Inés, the niece of his new wife who is willing to do anything for her freedom. Inés immediately aware or Ulises's con and offers to work with him if he helps her escape... but their forbidden romance only grows more dangerous as the con might be revealed. Lies, betrayal, and forbidden romance all come together in this unique story that had me hooked on all the drama from the very first chapter.

Release Date: July 14, 2026

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3.5/5

Book Blurb:

A sizzling sapphic enemies-to-lovers romance between two rival tennis superstars, taking place during the US Open!

Nothing fades faster than a former prodigy—and Inés Costa is dangerously close to disappearing.

Once queen of the court, Inés is limping through qualifiers. And after losing her biggest sponsor to Chloe Murphy, the sport’s fiery new favorite, she and her bank account are running on fumes.

Chloe, known as much for her talent as her temper, is a top seed for the upcoming US Open. But thanks to broken rackets, code violations, and the inability to play well with others, her “favorite” status is slipping away.

However, when they are forced to share the same side of the court, and the world surprisingly doesn’t implode, Chloe makes an offer: she’ll fund Inés’s journey to the US Open, but only if Inés agrees to be her hitting partner and teach her to keep a level head.

It’s strictly business, but somewhere between practice drills and tour stops, the line between rival and something more begins to blur.

As the summer burns toward Flushing Meadows, their sizzling tension catches fire. With a trophy in sight and emotions running high, will their romance double fault at set point?

Tropes:

Sports Romance

Rivals to lovers

Celebrity

Pro-Athletes

Sapphic Romance

Forced Proximity

Open Door

Dual POV

Only One Bed

Mixed Double Partner’s Ex-Girlfriend

Review:

A sapphic sports romance set during the US Open?! I love to see it! One kiss from the past, now rivals on the court, and potentially partners both on and off the court. Filled with drama, second chance at romance, and rivals to lovers on the tennis court! This is the second book in the series and can be read as a standalone! It's a fun sapphic tennis romance and I definitely think that if you like queer tennis romances, you should give it a go!

Release Date: April 7, 2026

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 5/5

Book Blurb:

The stakes have never been higher in this spicy F1 forced proximity romcom for fans of Heated Rivalry!

🏎️🏎️🏎️

Race car driver Johannes Muller is on a hot streak this season and seems destined to claim the championship win … until his performance unexpectedly falters. Gone is his cool confidence – on the track he can barely qualify, let alone take home the trophy.

The team’s race engineer, Caleb Hughes, is determined to get his star driver back in pole position, but soon the sparks flying over the radio are more chemistry than competition.

In a sport where everyone gives it their all at all times, it’s not long before Johannes and Caleb realise that their racing line is leading them towards a collision they won’t be able to walk away from unscathed…

Tropes

Opposites attract

Forced Proximity

Spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Sports romance

Review:

A charming and delightful queer F1 romance between a driver and his race engineer! Forbidden romance, opposites attract, and workplace romance! This was such a cute read and its the second one in the series, however you could absolutely read it as a standalone. Johannes is a driver on his way to becoming a world champion... the only thing is that his boyfriend (the future team principle of his opposing team) just dumped him at his best friend's wedding after stringing him along for years. Johannes needs to get his head and his heart together and what he doesn't expect is to be comforted by his race engineer, Caleb. Caleb is determined to make sure Johannes gets pole position and aiming to get him to win the world championship... yet the closer they become the more they both can't deny the chemistry brewing between them. I absolutely adored the relationship between these two, it was such a sweet friends to lovers romance and I just had so much fun getting to see them fall in love. Definitely a must read for fans of queer sports romance!

Release Date: March 20, 2026

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3/5

Book Blurb:

Exhilarating, dangerous, and seductive, Witch Season is an action-packed and fiercely romantic contemporary fantasy from debut author and screenwriter Julia Bianco.

That is the price of magic–not just the blood, but the pain to bring it out.

Katherine Barnes is an enforcer, charged with upholding the rules of the notorious Los Angeles-based Aestas coven. It’s her job to maintain order and bring unsettled witches–people who aren’t aware they have magic until it explodes out of them in a catastrophic burst–into the coven’s fold. As a former unsettled witch, Katherine owes her life to Sylvia Page, coven leader and silver-haired rebel who founded Aestas years ago.

When Silas Khatri, heir to Noctis, the most powerful coven in the world, arrives to take Aestas to task for some of their more unconventional practices, Katherine’s dislike for him reaches blistering levels. She hates his money, his good looks, his coven’s dangerous attitude towards unsettled witches. She can absolutely overlook that he sets her off in more ways than one.

But a powerful threat is about to rise. Stronger than any one coven. More insidious than the decades-long power struggle that exists in the hidden witch world. One that will pull Katherine and Silas together despite their differences. And one that will lead to an all-out war.

Review:

An urban fantasy witchy story with a touch of romance about a witch enforcer who must confront betrayal, lies, and possibly romance as her newest case leads her down a thorny path. Katherine is a rule follower who spends her day trying to make sure witches don't go berserk with their magic and she absolutely adores her coven leader, Sylvia. Yet when Silas, the heir to the most powerful coven in the world, comes to inspect Katherine's coven she hates him immediately... but she has to work with him when strange things begin to happen and someone close to her might be the cause of it. I felt like this book had the potential to be an amazing one but it just fell in the middle for me. I felt that Katherine just never clicked with me and she felt so much more immature than I was expecting her to be. The ending of the book leaves room to a potential second book and the romance definitely ends in a way that makes you hope for a second one after everything. I would say it's a good witchy urban fantasy story and one that I think could be a fun series if theres a second book.

Release Date: June 30, 2026

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 2/5

NO ONE DOES SUMMER ROMANCE LIKE KATHERINE CENTER.

She wants him to help her woo someone else. Genius. Foolproof. Can’t go wrong. DELUXE EDITION―a gorgeous hardcover edition featuring beautiful sky blue sprayed edges!

After a lifetime of being bad at love, JoJo Burton vows to solve her intimacy issues once and for all at her sister’s destination wedding on a cruise ship. Armed with pop psychology, she diagnoses herself with a fixation on the neighborhood guy who was her first crush and first kiss (and who just happens to be a newly-divorced wedding guest). Determined to woo him for closure, she ropes in her childhood bestie, Cooper Watts, as her wingman. Cooper: who RSVPed no, but showed up anyway. Cooper: who moved to London without a word four years ago. Cooper: who broke her heart.

Shipboard antics abound in this witty, heart-tugging, childhood-friends-to-lovers romance, as JoJo and Cooper team up, fake flirt, slow dance, share a cabin, sing duets, get jealous, answer long-held questions, and finally, at last, discover truths about each other that will change everything.

Review:

What would you do if your best friend who ghosted you for years suddenly shows up on your wedding day to help you escape it and then ends up on the same cruise as you? Jojo and Cooper were best friends, and then suddenly he abandoned her and went no contact.... until now at her wedding where he tells her to stop it and to run away... which she does. JoJo believes she's cursed, that everyone she falls for she immediately falls out of love with... and the only person who can fix her is her childhood crush and first kiss, Finn, the same guy her sister invited to her cruise wedding. Coincidentally, Cooper is also on the cruise and JoJo is determined to fix their friendship and find out why he left her all those years ago... She needs Cooper's help to help her woo Finn... but she's beginning to realize that she might have been wrong all along and the right guy for her is the one who's been there for her her entire life. This was a friends to lovers story and I really wish I did love it more. I adore Katherine Center books but this one was a miss for me unfortunately. I just felt that JoJo was too immature for me and honestly Cooper was such a lovable love interest and he was waaaaay too good for her. JoJo read like an 17 year old girl rather than someone in their late 20s. This book read more YA/New Adult rather than as an adult romance. So while this was a miss for me, if you like very quirky/2000s rom com romances, then give this a go.

Release Date: May 19, 2026

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*