Bookseller & Reviewer

Queer Bookseller at The Ripped Bodice! Masters in Criminology & Caffeine Lover . Insta/Goodreads: ashley_dang096 Rep: Asian (Vietnamese), she/her & LGBTQ /BIPOC Rep.

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3/5

Book Blurb:

Bollywood body horror collides with erotic obsession as a die-hard fan resolves to replace her retiring screen idol, blurring fantasy and flesh in a dark, intoxicating debut.

Priyanka is a Bollywood uber-fan who has been obsessed with film star Ayesha Sen since she was a kid — she's watched her movies over and over, and knows her dances beat for beat. But after a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet her idol goes awry, and Ayesha announces her impending retirement from movies, Priyanka decides that if Ayesha isn't going to live the life she's supposed to, Priyanka would be more than happy to take over for her...

Aditya Bidikar (The Department of Truth, Blue in Green) and rising star artist Som (Crocodile Black) present a twisted exploration of celebrity culture, identity, and image that's perfect for fans of The Substance, Perfect Blue, Black Swan and David Cronenberg.

Collects #1-4.

Review:

Bollywood body horror mixed in with erotic obsession and parasocial relationships. This was definitely a interesting read and it sucks you in, the ending leaves you a little "huh" but overall the body horror aspect was cool and the obsession was a interesting storyline. I was intrigued by the twist and turns of the story and it makes a really intriguing read.

Release Date: November 24, 2026

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

*Thanks Netgalley and Image Comics for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb:

HE HAS CALLED TO HER ALL HER LIFE, BUT SHE COULD NEVER REPLY. . . The brand new haunting, gothic, sci-fi novella from Meg Smitherman . . . -- Midonia, a freelance interplanetary transporter, is on thin ice after a fatal accident on the job. So she doesn’t argue when she’s given the tedious task of flying devout Sister Irena to a remote fringe planet, where a tiny religious colony worships a strange deity called Anguish. Until now. When a solar flare grounds her ship, Midonia finds herself stuck with the cult-like sisters. Even worse, he comes to her in the night, his familiar voice louder than ever. He invades her mind with his hunger, sparking a ravenous obsession that will be near-impossible to escape.

Review:

A freelance interplanetary transporter finds herself on a mysterious planet... being drawn in by a voice.... a god that awakens something in her that has been laying dormant all her life, a hunger, an obsession... a rage. Part sci-f-, part horror romance, this was a gothic read that has you intrigued from the very start! I love a story that has many twist and turns and Meg never disappoints! I also am obsessed with the female rage aspect of the story and who can resist a alien/dark god romance?? I had a blast reading this one!

Release Date: July 30, 2026

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

*Thanks Meg for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 1/5

Book Blurb:

A man who’s back from the dead meets a woman who’s from somewhere even worse in Clay McLeod Chapman’s new horrormance about love, possession, and just a little murder.

After a traumatic accident that almost cost Jordan his life, he’s finally starting to feel normal again. Well, maybe not normal. Everything tastes like ash, and when he looks at the people around him, their faces start to melt. At least he’s not dead, right? His friends are doing their best to get him back on his feet, maybe find someone to talk to, perhaps even find someone to take his mind off his last failed relationship.

Then he meets Lilith. The two share an instant connection but after a wild and passionate night together, she ghosts him. Jordan searches the city for Lilith, desperate to see her again. But when a woman claiming to be Lilith shows up, wearing a different face but knowing intimate details about Jordan, he worries he’s losing his grip on reality. As he grows closer to this mysterious woman, he discovers that happily ever afters sometimes come at a cost. How far will Lilith take him, and how much darkness will he embrace to find love?

Devil Inside is a dark, demonic romance for fans of: 

horror romance with an HEA

morally grey characters who are perfect for each other

paranormal and supernatural monster romance

fast-burn relationships

touch HIM and die feminine rage

Review:

A man gets into a bicycle accident and dies for two minutes... only to come back and take a bit of hell with him... and now finds himself dating a literal demon who hops from one body to the next. Let me start off by saying, this book did not work for me on either the romance or horror front. Reading this, especially after the huge discussion in the movie Obsession, just felt kind of gross. I love horror romances, I love a good possession story, what I did not vibe with? This book. The writing is not great, and the character arcs are barely there, you aren't ever really rooting for anyone and the romance felt lackluster at best. This book is one that plays heavily into the "dub consent" when in fact there is little to any consent and if anything the women who are possessed just play it off as it being completely fine... for the most part. The main male lead is just a bummer, let's be so for real, he gave me such an ick and the whole "feminine rage" where?? WHERE ? I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT. The ending of this book felt like a BAD take on the Supernatural Sam x Ruby romance arc... and honestly I am just happy to have finished reading this book and being done with it.

Release Date: August 11, 2026

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

*Thanks Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3/5

Book Blurb:

Necromantasy is the new romantasy in Hopeless Necromantic, a debut romantic fantasy for fans of Gideon the Ninth,The Irresistible Urge to Fall for your Enemy, Long Live Evil or Assistant to the Villain. SHE RAISES HELL. HE RAISES THE DEAD. WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG? 

When new recruit Helspira takes on the doomed mission that no other soldier wants, life—and death—start to get a little complicated. Helspira must play escort to Sikras—a frustratingly handsome necromancer with the power to raise the dead—as he attempts a mission that he's failed twice before; stopping an undead army at the edges of the kingdom. 

No one thinks he will succeed. Not even Sikras. But the more time the two spend together, the more they find they can imagine a brighter future. As secrets come out and the two grow closer—and Sikras's lively skeleton companion Benjamin tries desperately not to be a third wheel—will Sikras' and Helspira's changing feelings for each other be enough to overcome the growing danger?

RAISE A GLASS. RAISE THE DEAD. JUST DON'T RAISE YOUR HOPES.

Review:

A cozy romantasy featuring a Necromancer who is tired of everything being forced to go on another mission and the determined recruit who wants to stop an undead army from taking over the kingdom. Sikras is a disgraced necromancer who used to work for the queen, but after the death of his wife, who was also killed by his best friend... he's had enough and wants to isolate himself. Yet when Helspira, a demon recruit appears before him and drags him back to go on a new mission for the queen... he has no choice. Sikras finds himself opening up himself to Helspira and maybe just maybe, they can stop the army of undead that's coming for them. This was a story about healing, about grief, and about friendship and opening yourself up to love again. It was a surprisingly sweet and touching story, it deals with a lot of heavy topics but also has many light moments. Its the first book in a series and if you like your cozy fantasy romances with a touch of heart, I'd definitely say give it a go.

Release Date: June 2, 2026

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

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

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3/5

Book Blurb:

An unnerving, hypnotic, modern gothic thriller set on a remote Irish island, where an artist is caught between deadly secrets, ancient superstition, and echoing madness. For fans of Simone St. James, Eve Chase, and Jennifer McMahon.

Off the southern tip of the Beara Peninsula lies Beanna Dubh, an island of savage beauty, its jagged cliffs lashed by Atlantic winds and infested by thousands of crows. Untouched by 21st-century advances, the islanders live under the strict rule of the church, while clinging to old superstitions of the crows as harbingers of disaster. To this desolate, unforgiving place Grizela Urquhart fled, seeking sanctuary from brutal bullying in her native Glasgow.  

40 years on, Grizela still remains an outsider—the eccentric painter viewed with distrust and barely tolerated. The feelings are mutual, for she has discovered there are as many secrets on Beanna Dubh as there are crows. 

When she stumbles upon the body of a young priest with a diabolical symbol drawn on his chest, the crows darken the skies, and Grizela is plagued by demonic whispers only she can hear. The islanders’ suspicions fall on her, but she fears the answers lie in her tortured past.  

As mass hysteria grows, Grizela scrambles to protect the innocent—a quartet of young girls she has taken under her wing. When she uncovers dark truths behind the girls’ mysterious midnight gatherings, her grip on reality unravels and she is faced with an impossible choice: do the unthinkable to protect the girls as the whispers urge, or come out of hiding to face the sins of her past.

Review:

A modern gothic set on a remote Irish thriller where an artist must grapple with deadly secrets, a community rife with superstition, and madness threatening to take over at any second. An eccentric painter finds herself in the middle of a mystery case when the body of a young priest is found with a strange symbol drawn on his chest. As more bodies begin to appear with symbols on them, the artist finds herself under suspicion but who is really behind it... and how is it connected to the group of young girls under her protection? This felt like a slow burn thriller and it's one for anyone who likes a small community filled with dark secrets. I found it to be an okay mystery for me, and I did like the whole "superstitious community" and think it would make a good autumnal day mystery read.

Release Date: July 28, 2026

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

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

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 4.5/5

Book Blurb:

Wes After years of longing to fit in, I’m ready to give up and settle for a life meant for someone else. Staying on my family’s property was never the plan, but the pressure to stay is constant. When a chance meeting at a concert goes awry, I find myself drawn to the beautiful woman I threw a punch for. Through endless texts and hours long phone calls, our friendship grows, taking my heart along with it. When circumstances force us together, I know this is my shot to earn her affection – and more importantly, her trust.

Dahlia When a tattooed cowboy comes to my rescue at a concert, I’m more enamored than I’d like to be. And when that tattooed cowboy starts chipping away at the indestructible walls I’ve built around myself? I’m done for. Yet, I still hold fast that we can’t be more than friends without losing it all. Being with Wesley is easy and I find myself drawn to the future that could be, if I could only get out of my own way.

Review:

I absolutely had so much fun reading this!!! What an amazing time and it's the perfect cowboy romance with a friends to lovers relationship that you could ever want!! The dynamic between the two characters was just amazing and they had so much chemistry. I adored their relationship so much and the friendship and care they had for one another was so sweet. I can't wait to read the next book in this series and would absolutely read anything else this author writes next!

Release Date: August 7, 2026

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

*Thanks Luna Literary for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 5/5

Book Blurb:

Centuries after the events of the #1 New York Times bestseller Wings of Starlight, two fairies must battle a dangerous magic—and their growing feelings for each other—in order to save their home in the Winter Woods of Pixie Hollow.

When frost fairy Periwinkle travels too close to the forbidden border where Spring meets the Winter Woods, she unknowingly discovers a thread of a lost magic. And, for the first time, she begins to dream. While Periwinkle’s dreams start sweet, they slowly morph into more disastrous visions of the Pixie Dust Tree—the life source for all of Pixie Hollow—destroyed. Soon Periwinkle is confronted by a sparrow man who knows two secrets: one, that Peri has been dreaming, and two, that the Winter Woods is in terrible danger. 

The infuriatingly handsome stranger introduces himself as Weaver, claiming to be a dream-talent, the last of his kind. There's a chance he can spin Periwinkle's dreams into dream thread which could protect the Pixie Dust Tree. But to do so, they will have to embark on a quest to find a magic spindle and scissors in the legendary lost fairy workshops of dream-talents past.

Peri begins a reluctant journey with Weaver through the uncharted heart of the Winter Woods. But dreaming is dangerous, and as Peri’s dreams begin to unravel, she will start to question everything she thought she knew. For in Winter even beautiful things can hurt you… and Weaver is no exception.

Return to Pixie Hollow with this exciting new story set in the world of Wings of Starlight several hundred years in the future.

Review:

Return to Pixie Hollow in this new journey featuring a frost fairy who must work together with a dream weaver solve the strange nightmares and unravel a long lost magic. Periwinkle is a popular and beautiful frost fairy, known for her kindness and thoughtfulness. Yet when she travels too close to the border between the Spring and Winter Woods, she discovers a lost magic... and her dreams begin to awaken. Periwinkle then meets an infuriating handsome stranger named Weaver, who claims to be a dream-talent, one of the last of his kind... and he could help Periwinkle with her dream thread. Periwinkle and Weaver must work together to save the Pixie Dust Tree... but the closer they go to saving the tree the closer they become... and Weaver is a hiding a secret that could destroy them both. Filled with magic, adventure, and a touch of romance, this was just another fantastic new journey in Pixie Hollow. I had such a fun time reading this and absolutely adored the adventure that it took me on. Periwinkle and Weaver were a really sweet couple and I just felt like this was just a wonderful take on a new Pixie Hollow story!

Release Date: August 4, 2026

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

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

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 5/5

Book Blurb:

For janitor Hannah Harvey, cleaning up messes is the family business. Literally. When she finds herself pregnant from a one night stand with a stranger, she decides that a baby is one mess she’ll take on alone.

Out of her depth, but determined, Hannah decides to save herself the drama of ever telling the father. This seemed easy enough when he was only Barry Wright, hockey all-star living across the country, but becomes impossible when he gets traded to her city and trains in the very facility she cleans.

After crossing paths with a very pregnant Hannah, Barry is eager to help. But how do you help someone hellbent on proving they can take care of everything alone?

Desperate to keep him at arms length—but failing more with each of his attempts to care for her—Hannah will have to decide if love is worth the mess.

Review:

When a one night stand with a hot hockey player leads to an unexpected pregnancy... janitor Hannah Harvey does not expect to ever involve the guy she had a one night stand with in her kid's life... too bad that he's surprised her and is back in her life and he's more than determined to not only be a part of the kid's life but to also win Hannah's heart. This was such a cute book, it's the perfect amount of romance and spice. I was hooked from the start!! Seriously, Barry is the dream guy, he's so sweet and caring and he wants to support Hannah in everything. This book is such a great read and I adored it.

Release Date:June 18, 2026

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

*Thanks Kath Richards for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb:

Revisit Rapunzel and Eugene from Disney's Tangled as they race to protect a neighboring kingdom in this thrilling fantasy adventure penned by the New York Times bestselling author of Little Thieves.

A cunning king. A devious princess. Best. Week. Ever.

Rapunzel knows nothing about her neighboring kingdom, Astera – and not just because she only left her tower a month ago. The famously reclusive island has limited its contact with outsiders for decades. So when a suspicious invitation arrives welcoming Rapunzel to the Asteran princess’s coming of age ceremony, and offering her a chance to be useful for the first time since she lost her healing powers, Rapunzel accepts – and unwittingly plunges herself and her companion, Eugene, into a tangled knot of political intrigue and magical secrets.

Eugene is just happy to get one last adventure with Rapunzel before his criminal background catches up with him and prevents their happy ending. Yet as they’re drawn further into the country’s problems, they uncover truths about Eugene’s parentage that point to deeper unrest in Astera, and suddenly the fate of their own kingdom, not just their personal dreams, is at stake.

Thrust into a power struggle between Astera’s beloved princess, Verette, its domineering king, Enver, and a mysterious secret society, Rapunzel and Eugene race to protect their home from an unsettlingly familiar threat and discover that the past can either hold them back, or help them blossom.

Review:

Rapunzel and Eugene's adventures continue after Tangled in this new story about them getting used to their new lives and uncovering new secrets and protecting a neighboring kingdom. Rapunzel is not used to being a princess but she's determined to prove her worth and when a neighboring kingdom needs help, she's going to give it to them. Eugene knows his time as Rapunzel's companion is possibly coming to an end because what kingdom would want a thief as their princess's significant other... but he's happy to just be around her even if this could be their last adventure. What Eugene does not expect is that this new kingdom is related to his past... that he's about to unlock secrets about who his own parents were and what truly happened to him. I absolutely adore Tangled and this was a really fun continuation of the story featuring the two characters and seeing their relationship blossom as well as the new adventure unfold with them. It was such a fun read and honestly, I would have fun with this if it were even made into a animated short or sequel film for Tangled!

Release Date: July 28, 2026

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

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

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3/5

Book Blurb:

The remaining members of a ghost hunting show return to the haunted manor that may have killed their friend in this “moody, character-driven” (School Library Journal, starred review) contemporary gothic debut perfect for fans of She Is a Haunting and Delicious Monsters.

Four teens went into the manor, three came out.

In July, Georgia Perry and Jules Park—secret girlfriends, covert art thieves, and cohosts of a popular YouTube ghost hunting show—step into a haunted house to steal a priceless painting. A few short hours later, there’s a knife in Jules’s chest and Georgia is waking up in a pool of blood with no painting and no memory of how she got there.

Now it’s October, and Georgia is underwater. She hasn’t been to class in weeks, and she’s avoiding her old crew—and only friends—like the plague. But when the three remaining thieves get a call from the man who paid a hefty sum to keep them out of jail, demanding that they return to finish the job, Georgia has no choice but to return to her old life.

As the estranged friends scramble to steal the painting with no cover story and no leader, they quickly realize that something is very, very wrong, and it’s not just the suffocating memory of Jules or the prying eyes of their viewers. Between the strange shadows that begin to trail them and the nightmares plaguing Georgia’s sleep, only one thing is certain: something followed them home from De Lys manor, and it will do anything to keep them from going back.

Review:

Trying to solve the mystery of the ghost who killed their friend while dealing with an art heist and relationship drama...nobody said being a ghost hunter would be easy. This one was a slowburn mystery with many POVS yet the voices felt indistinguishable. I really wanted to like this because the premise sounded fun and the cover was stunning... but the problem is that it just left me bored. The character relationships were messy and the voices between them all just did't feel well fleshed out. This was too slowburn for me unfortunately and I wish I could like this more. While it's a miss for me, if you enjoy slow burn horror mysteries, definitely give it a go.

Release Date: July 28, 2026

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

*Thanks Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 2/5

Book Blurb:

A woman returns to the mysterious lodge in the woods where she once worked, and to the inscrutable creature that bound her there, in this haunting Appalachian gothic horror from singular voice Jen Julian. Perfect for fans of Alix E. Harrow and T. Kingfisher.

"A mesmerizing and spell-binding tale, beautifully told, that you will not want to end. You, too, will never want to leave Deerhaven." – Bitter Karella, author of Moonflow

This is the story of Moth, who earned her name working for the Winter Folk.

Every year, the mythical Winter Folk gather at a secret lodge, a place known only as Deerhaven.

Moth was a housekeeper there once. A trusted confidant of Mr. Oslin, the enigmatic master of the house. 

But Deerhaven is dangerous. The rules are exacting. The consequences for break them are dire.

Moth has not been allowed back in decades. Still, she feels its call. She will finder her way back. She needs to see him again. No matter the cost.

Review:

An Appalachian gothic horror mystery with a bit of a Spirited Away vibe! This was definitely a unique story and its got a bit of a slower read for sure but I do think that it could be fun for anyone who enjoys a naturey gothic vibe kind of story with a slow tempo. While it wasn't for me, I can see others enjoying this.

Release Date: July 21, 2026

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

*Thanks Netgalley and Orbit Books | Run For It for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3/5

Book Blurb:

A deliciously twisted, fast-paced YA horror, where debutante dreams become bloody nightmares—perfect for fans of House of Hollow and Their Vicious Games.  It’s 1921, and Mrs. Caroline Reginald Kane, the last surviving descendant of a family of oil barons, has invited four young debutantes to visit her at Greystone Manor. There, they'll compete for the ultimate prize: to become heir to her unspeakably vast fortune.

But only one girl can win.

And the manor is watching.

Dorothea is a thief, and the best liar in the American Northeast. Her mother vanished at Greystone years ago, and she’s determined to find out why—so long as no one uncovers her secrets first.

Vaughn isn’t crazy. She was born for this life—and she won’t let anyone come between her and the fortune she deserves.  

Birdie doesn’t know why she’s been invited, but she believes everything happens for a reason…and that reason just might be divine.

Elspeth is called “pretty as a peach, dim as a doorknob.” But she sees things that the others can't: whispering birds, shifting doors, and a language that should never be spoken.

And there’s something else hidden behind these walls. Something sinister.

It doesn’t plan to let them leave alive.

Review:

Four strangers, the opportunity to become an heir to a vast fortune... and a manor that is filled with secrets. Set in the 1920s, the last surviving descendant of a family of oil barons holds a competition at her manor, in which four young debutantes have the opportunity to compete to be named her sole heir... yet the moment they get there things feel off. This is a YA mystery horror with a splash of historical setting! I think this was definitely a unique horror mystery and following multiple different characters as well as taking in the historical setting was a unique vibe. While it was just okay for me, I do think that this could be a fun read for other YA mystery horror fans, especially if you love female friendship/survival stories.

Release Date: July 14, 2026

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

*Thanks Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb:

One queen exiled. Another headed for the gallows. Both hungry for revenge. England’s most infamous queens unite in vengeance against Henry VIII.

Anne Boleyn is going to die, and neither her cleverness nor her witchery can save her. So when her late rival, Catalina de Aragón, miraculously appears in her cell at the Tower of London on the eve of her execution, very much alive and offering a daring escape plan, no one is more surprised than Anne.

Lina doesn’t have Anne’s magic—but she has just as much hate for England’s wretched king. Severed from her daughter and stripped of all her influence, Lina breathes only for the Hellebore Sisterhood, a clandestine and powerful society with a vested interest in keeping both queens alive . . . and using their particular skills to advance womankind.

Anne and Lina’s old rivalries pale in comparison to a common enemy. And they're not alone. Anna von Kleve, Kat Howard, and even Catherine Parr all have their own bones to pick with the king. One by one, they capture their pawns, infiltrating the court and eliminating the men who plotted against them. Always inching closer to their true target . . .

And they want his head.

Review:

A new reimagining of the wives of Henry VIII, but this time they've faked their deaths and they are determined to get revenge against him. Anne Boleyn is about to die... and the last thing she expects is to see that her last visitor is none other than the supposedly deceased queen, Catalina de Aragón... alive. Lina saves Anne and offers her a deal, and together they decide to save Anne's cousin, Kat from him. This new reimagining of the Henry's wives and the last days of his life was such an interesting read. I love this specific historical time and the new spin on the wives was a delightful reimagining. It's a fantastic time and honestly., if you want something fun, filled with female rage, and revenge, absolutely give this one a go.

Release Date: July 21. 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 reiew*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 5/5

Book Blurb:

A single night changes everything between a grumpy cowboy and his sister’s best friend, the woman he’s secretly pined after for years, in this spicy, surprise pregnancy, age-gap, marriage-of-convenience, small-town romance. No one plans on accidentally getting pregnant by their best friend’s grumpy older brother.

Heath is too hot, too serious, and absolutely has no business being the star of my fantasies. I thought our banter over the years was the closest to foreplay we’d ever get. Until the romance of a wedding and unexpected flirtations lead to a night tangled in the sheets together.

It was supposed to be a no-strings-attached, years-in-the-making romp that we’d forget as soon as the sun came up. And Heath delivered over and over again.

It was all going to plan until I saw those two pink lines. What I didn’t count on was Heath getting down on one knee and popping the one question I never thought I’d hear coming from his mouth. But he has something I need, so a marriage of convenience is a means to an end. Who says romance is dead?

Except Heath has a way with words and cares for me in ways I’ve never experienced. Not to mention his plans for our upcoming bundle of joy, or how every touch reminds me of that night when his name fell from my lips.

Soon, playing house starts to feel natural, and I find it hard to picture my life without him. One night might have tied us together, but will it be enough to keep us from unraveling the knot?

Review:

Tethered to this fantastic series in the best way possible. I absolutely adored the romance between Charlie and Heath in this new book in the series! The characters had such a strong chemistry and their romance just felt so sweet and I adored every second of their story. The romance in this book was just so well done and I was hooked from the very beginning! This book just captures your attention from the very start and it's the perfect book for anyone who is a fan of cowboy romances!

*Thanks Luna Literary for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Release Date: July 17, 2026

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

*Thanks Luna Literary for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 5/5

Book Blurb:

From New York Times bestselling author Corinne Michaels comes the first book in the new Heartstone Ranch series.

Tristan Stone is off limits.

It doesn't matter that the grumpy, single dad did nothing wrong. He's a cowboy and his last name means I'm bound by blood to hate him. My family would never be okay with me having feelings for our enemy.

When he stops—in the pouring rain—because I have a flat tire, the last thing I expect is for him to help me.

I do my best to ignore the water sliding off his hat and how he fills out those jeans. My best, however, is not good enough. Each night I close my eyes and dream of a future we can never have. And after he defends me at the bar and we share one magical dance? It only gets worse.

I know I should forget about him, but when I find him alone one night, I offer up a no-strings attached relationship that we both promise to keep secret. Sidelong glances across property lines morph into clandestine meetings under the stars wrapped up in each other's arms.

It doesn't matter that our families will never approve or that he's told me he can never love again, I crave him.

Soon our no feelings agreement is in tatters, and my heart belongs to that broken cowboy. Will he break it or will he defy them all and choose us instead?

"A must-read small-town romance with all the delicious heart Corinne Michaels does to perfection. You don't want to miss this read!" - Catherine Cowles, New York Times Bestselling Author 

Review:

Rival families, a forbidden romance, best friend's brother, single dad... and all the romance and chemistry you could want in this stunning small town romance. The first book in the new series from Corinne Michaels and I absolutely devoured it. Tristan Stone is off limits, not only is he from the rival family... but he is her deceased best friend's husband. Lark knows she's not supposed to want him but the heart wants what it wants... and Tristan has to discover whether or not he's willing to fight for the woman that his heart wants... or lose her forever. I adored the chemistry between the two characters and I am so so excited for the next book!

Release Date: June 16, 2026

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

*Thanks Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca | Sourcebooks Casablanca for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 5/5

Book Blurb:

Award-winning stories from the world of All the Murmuring Bones and The Briar Book of the Dead, this is a compendium of fantastic tales from the dark gothic heart of the Sourdough universe. Witches, assassins and pirates are brought to life in immersive, sinister and magical prose.

Within these pages, coffin-makers work hard to keep the dead buried and their own murderous urges in check; poison girls are schooled in the art of marital assassination; books carry forth stories and forbidden secrets; a young witch wreaks a terrible revenge on an old lover; the Little Sisters of St Florian devote their lives to knowledge good and bad; a dying forest god is reinvigorated; mermaids and seamstresses make dangerous bargains; changelings bring havoc. Saints slumber, hind-girls dance across the countryside, bears show their true colours, and the fate of the upper and lower worlds rests on the whim of a volatile plague maiden…

Comprised of three collections (Sourdough and Other Stories, The Bitterwood Bible and Other Recountings and The Tallow-Wife and Other Tales) these award-winning stories form much of the foundational mythology for Slatter's dark fairy-tale gothic Sourdough novels. Exquisite, compelling and rich with unforgettable characters, these tales layer and intertwine in the dextrous hands of a master storyteller.

Review:

A collection of stories from th fantastic gothic fairytale world of A.G. Slater. Mixing romance, pain, magic, and so much more together in this rich and fantastical universe. it's a must read for fans of dark fairytales because all the stories hook you and the flow of the book and the collection is just fantastic. I had such a great time reading this and it definitely was a classic Slatter book for me.

Release Date: June 9, 2026

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

*Thanks Netgalley and Titan Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3/5

The darkly atmospheric and gruesome tale of Jack the Ripper unfolds against the backdrop of a Victorian London reform school, as a young inmate sets out to find the identity of the elusive serial killer in a riveting new book perfect for fans of The Square of Sevens and Enola Holmes. **DELUXE STENCILED EDGES**

London, 1888. Committed to the Whitechapel Hall Reform School for “incurable delinquency,” Adelaide “Dell” Morton is a precocious, defiant misfit. She’s also a voracious reader of the sordid, sensationally popular Penny dreadful stories. In a stroke of luck, she’s found a kindred spirit in her poised roommate, Pippa. Their obsession is only further fueled by the Jack the Ripper murders blazing a trail of terror throughout London’s seediest streets . . . right outside Whitechapel Hall’s front door.  

Desperate for adventure, they embark on their own investigation—and discover an ally in Noah, son of the local butcher. The trio’s budding spywork soon yields shocking results: Why was straightlaced Whitechapel teacher Miss Kaye escaping the school the night of the latest crime? Could Jack the Ripper be a she? Delving into Miss Kaye’s background, Dell is both horrified and thrilled to find that within Miss Kaye’s past lies a chapter dark enough to rival any Penny dreadful . . .

Dell’s fixation with Miss Kaye reaches dangerous heights while a series of suspicious events leaves Miss Kaye in sole command of Whitechapel Hall. Trapped in their teacher’s ever-tightening web of control, the young detectives devise a risky plan to track her. But what ensues may only propel them into secrets, lies, ruthless acts, and betrayals that go back decades—and a confrontation that will irrevocably change the fates of all involved . . . if they survive.

Review:

A new spin on Jack the Ripper as young girls from a reform school in Victorian London try to find the elusive killer. Adelaide "Dell" Morton has been sent to the Whitechapel Hall Reform school because shse's too different, and there she meets Pippa, her roommate who adores Penny Dreadfuls just as much as her. With the Jack the Ripper murders happening around them, both girls decide to investigate and it doesn't help that their own teachers might be more involved in the case than either of them anticipated. Mystery, intrigue, and more come together in this YA historical mystery. This definitely had an Enola Holmes kind of vibe to it and I do think that readers of historical mystery with friendship and YA-ish shenanigans could have fun with this.

Release Date: March 31, 2026

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

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