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a page for book addicts! 2026📖: 58/75 insta • goodreads • tiktok • other

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy for review

✩🌅🍂Review: 

A haunting, deeply emotional conclusion!

Picking up where the previous installment leaves off, “Daybreak” follows Ophelia and Alex as they fight through betrayal, heartbreak, and deadly new threats. 

I loved watching these two tortured souls find their way back to each other amidst all the drama and danger! With all sense of trust lost between Ophelia and Alex coming off the events of book 1, they are back to square one in their relationship. Both are desperate to move on, but unable to forget what they had. Woods masterfully captures the depth of their lingering feelings through Ophelia’s news subscriptions and Alex’s e-mail drafts. The longing and angst only heighten when they are in one another’s presence, creating a delightful forbidden attraction. The introduction of a new anonymous tormentor is what ultimately pushes them to open up once more and undergo significant growth.

While some of the plot points felt repetitive, more chapters are written from Alex’s point-of-view in this book, which was a nice change of pace. The reader learns more about his relationship with his sisters, his childhood, and his struggles with depression. Woods handles the subjects with great care while incorporating her signature blend of suspense and snark into the storyline. The mystery itself is more of a subplot, but the clues fit together in a satisfying way. With all the sorrow and stress the characters contend with, their happily ever after is hard-won!

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✩🥀🏰Review: 

A striking romantic suspense novel!

Set at an elite university in the Scottish Highlands, “Nightshade” follows Ophelia Winters, an outcast, as she faces murder and mystery while being drawn to the son of her sworn enemy Alex Corbeau-Green. 

This book was definitely on the heavier side of what I usually read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! Despite both characters having dark pasts that haunt them, the love that blossoms between Ophelia and Alex is soft and tender. The moment they meet, a delicious push-pull dynamic forms. Ophelia’s hatred for Alex’s father initially extends to him by association. The more she learns about his complicated personal life beyond the headlines, however, the more her feelings begin to change. The tension and flirty banter ignite an intense yearning that made my heart melt. Amidst the steamy and suspenseful moments, they find some semblance of peace and healing in each other.

Woods does a fantastic job weaving red herrings and bits of foreshadowing into the storyline to create a gripping murder mystery. A couple of plot points were easy to pick up on, but a majority of the twists I did not foresee! It was satisfying to piece everything together and unmask the villain. I look forward seeing how the second half of Ophelia and Alex’s story unfolds in book 2!

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*Thank you @elisekova and Del Rey Books for the free copy!*

✩🃏⚔️Review: 

A sweeping, sizzling sequel!

Picking up where the previous installment leaves off, “Prince of Swords” follows Clara Graysword as she risks everything to change the world and her fate. 

With Kova’s highly immersive world having been established in “Arcana Academy,” the pacing picks up and the stakes heighten! Clara is a complex, compelling protagonist and I really enjoyed reading from her point-of-view as she hunted down all the elements to summon the World. The more she learns about the history of Oricalis to carry out her undercover mission, the more startling truths come to light. No one is who they seem and Kova’s unexpected twists left me speechless. I delighted in piecing together each character’s hidden motivations and their role in Clara’s story. 

Clara and Kaelis’ entanglement adds a layer of intrigue that made the pages fly! Bound together by fate, their alliance is tested by the secrets they hide. Despite the distance Clara tries to keep, the tension and yearning is inescapable. The moments where they lay themselves bare were some of my favorite. Kova definitely dials up the heat and I couldn't get enough!

In a cruel turn of events, the wish Clara is granted is not what she was expecting and the last chapter ends in a brutal cliffhanger. I look forward to seeing what Clara does with the cards she has been dealt in the final book!

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*Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for providing me with a free digital copy for review*

✩🍽️🐊Review: 

A delicious workplace romance that has all the ingredients for the perfect summer read!

“Yes, Chef” follows Jack Hartman, a down-on-his-luck chef, and Poppy Winfield, a determined social media maven, after they strike a reluctant deal to bring a beloved restaurant back to life.

There is so much to love packed in these pages! The sunny Florida setting, the mouthwatering dishes, an adorable feline friend, and two leads that are practically soulmates. Jack and Poppy’s grumpy/sunshine dynamic is positively scrumptious. The tension and banter Reilly creates is thoroughly entertaining and contributes to the characters’ scorching chemistry. Not only does the spark between them apply to the extra-steamy scenes in and out of the kitchen, but also to the emotional and tender moments they share. Despite having a “no strings attached” relationship, the two open up about the hardships they are facing; Jack is grieving the loss of his mentor while Poppy is trying to prove to her family that she fits in. I particularly appreciated the novel’s portrayal of ADHD and mental health. Jack and Poppy’s character arcs are phenomenal, with both growing individually and as a unit. Their gradual development from casual fling to inseparable pair is wonderfully satisfying! The intense, yet rewarding restaurant environment is the finishing touch that makes this book that much more perfect to devour!

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Thanks to NetGalley and Spotify for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review

✩🩺🩸Review: 

Hazelwood brings the spice, drama, and suspense to her latest paranormal romance novella!

“Unbound” follows Lilit of Nineveh, a powerful, five-thousand-year-old revenant, after after the man she was never meant to love, Roman Martin, is caught in the crossfires of a blood game of vengeance. When everything comes crashing down, Lilit must choose between the world she has sworn to protect and the overworked and relentlessly kind ER physician that stole her heart. 

The duet style narration in this audiobook is absolutely sublime! Tara Fatehi and Dean Miller sound fantastic together, adding to the believability of Lilit and Roman as a couple. Fatehi brings Lilit to life with a distinctive accent while Miller manages to capture Roman’s intense yearning by infusing emotion into every single line. I also appreciate how seamlessly both narrators shifted between different intonations, pitches, and accents in voicing the whole cast of side characters. 

The story itself is so much fun! I particularly loved Lilit and Roman’s development from strangers to lovers. Roman is the embodiment of the “he falls first” trope and he falls HARD. Seeing how consumed he is by thoughts of her made my heart flutter! Given that Lilit is an immortal, she tries not to form an attachment to him, but his gentle, patient personality keeps her coming back for more. Without giving too much away, someone catches wind of this and tries to exploit her emotional vulnerability. With Roman’s life at stake, Lilit tells him all the secrets she has been hiding, thereby removing the final hurdle in their relationship. The inevitable spice following the dangerous situations the pair had to face is extremely satisfying! 

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Thank you Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for the free copy for review.

✩🖋️🪨Review:

A propulsive, nail-biting sequel!

“A Forsaken Prophecy” picks up where the previous installment leaves off, following Nina Harrow and Patrick Colson as they set off in search of an infinite supply of idiom that will determine the course of the war.

With Nina’s ruinous betrayal creating a rift between them, tensions are high as she and Patrick try to figure out a way to move forward. McEwan cleverly uses the circumstances of their temporary partnership as a way to test their self-control. The yearning intensifies with each stolen glance and lingering touch, creating an irresistible “will they, won’t they” dynamic that keeps the pages turning. But love is not enough, and, despite Patrick’s initial hesitance, the two work towards rebuilding the trust between them. Their story, while far from over, is heart-achingly beautiful. 

The multiple perspectives allow for readers to explore different regions of the trench alongside Nina and Patrick while staying abreast of what is happening in Kenton Hill through Donny’s point-of-view. I particularly enjoyed further immersing myself in the world of Belavere in reading excerpts from ‘The Stewards Testaments’ at the end of certain chapters. The long-lost myths shed light on the country’s history and how it differs vastly from the version embraced by the House of Lords. McEwan juxtaposes the two different accounts to convey that those in power often rewrite history for their own gain. As the truth unfolds, shocking revelations are made just in time for the explosive ending. McEwan truly outdoes herself and will leave fans clamoring for more!

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Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

✩🌼🥼Review: 

Christina Lauren are back and better than ever with this striking, STEM rom-com.

“The Romance Revival” follows Dr. Emery Finch after a tragic accident takes her husband Luca from her. Desperate not to lose him, she breaks every rule, using the classified technology she’s developed to bring him back to life. Doing so, however, wipes his entire memory, including their troubled marriage. It may be a miracle of science, but for Emery it’s her one shot at a second chance.

Christina Lauren’s evocative prose and well-drawn characters are what bring this story to life! Emery and Luca could not be more different from one another, but their starkly opposite personalities complement each other in a way that makes it impossible not to root for them. Prior to the accident, the two rely on their physical chemistry to sustain their marriage, but it slowly begins to splinter as time passes due to lack of communication. Luca’s brush with death serves as a wake-up call for Emery in particular, whose work-life balance was nonexistent. The journey they go on to find each other again is well-paced and beautifully messy. The forced proximity encourages them to finally open up about what went wrong with Emery promising to be more present and Luca pledging to be more vocal about his needs. I especially love how Christina Lauren contrasts the memories that Luca regains with the couple’s present to showcase their growth. In finding a way to move forward together, they fuel the hope that's packed into these pages and ultimately fall in love for a second time. Admittedly, the thriller elements woven into the final act felt a little out of place, but they did not take away from my overall enjoyment of the book. 

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Thank you Atria Books for the free copy for review

✩☔️🎙️Review: 

Humor, heat, and heart create the perfect storm in this electric,  traditionally published debut!

“In Stormy Weather” follows Quincy Monroe and Sebastian Dunn, two rival meteorologists, after they set aside their grudges to chase storms together during a record-breaking hurricane season in Florida. 

Curto continues to deliver on bringing readers relatable heroines working in male-dominated fields. Despite having a PhD in atmospheric sciences, a popular online weather show, and a large social media presence, Quincy still has to prove her worth when her dream job is accepting applications. With all the snide remarks thrown her way and the countless hours spent researching, chasing storms, and creating content to educate her audience, it is uplifting to see her find happiness and a sense of purpose as the story progressed.  

I thoroughly enjoyed being thrown into the heart-pounding action with Quincy and Sebastian as they chased storms together. The charged chemistry between them is positively exquisite! Both characters have a lot of history and it was delightful watching their rivalry transform into something more as they unknowingly grew closer through their verbal sparring matches and constant one-upping. They are their true selves around each other and being in close proximity helps Sebastian find the joy in meteorology again. It also forces Quincy come to the realization that he is not the selfish man she thought he was. Instead, he is incredibly supportive of Quincy and her career. The tension created by the pull between them builds up to steamy moments that are nothing short of satisfying. I look forward to what’s to come for the other characters in Quincy and Sebastian’s tight-knit friend group! 

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

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✩🏒📓Review: 

A riveting roommates-to-lovers romance!

“The Final Score” follows Jack Baker, a hockey player, and Abigail “Abby” Thompson, a grad student, after living under the same roof breaks the ice between them. 

On top of some hilarious banter and Ferguson’s trademark spice, I loved the depth of the characters in this one! Both move in together with emotional baggage. While Abby is working through her tumultuous relationship with her father, Jack is struggling to accept what a life without playing hockey looks like. Ferguson handles the topic of mental health with care and the characters’ vulnerability reads as raw and relatable. 

The roommates out of necessity plotline was phenomenal, creating the perfect amount of forced proximity for their connection to develop naturally. Spending every day together allows the two to grow closer and work through their hardships side by side. Despite Abby initially trying to keep her distance, they compliment each other perfectly and the slow build up of tension culminates in so many swoony and heartfelt moments. 

The dialogue was repetitive at times and the third-act breakup felt a bit abrupt, but I still found the book enjoyable overall. 

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

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Thank you to NetGalley and the Ace Books for the free digital copy for review

✩🩻🗡️Review:

A heart melting, high stakes conclusion to a charming romantasy duology. 

“The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy” follows Aurienne Fairhrim, a healer, and Osric Mordaunt, an assassin, as they work together to learn more about the deadly Pox deliberately unleashed through the Tīendoms whilst wrestling their growing attraction. 

Knightley is back and better than ever with her signature humor and wit! With the world having been established in the previous installment, Aurienne and Osric’s relationship is given the space to flourish. With the two finally acknowledging their feelings, the only thing keeping them apart are the opposing Orders they belong to. As a result, the yearning, tension, and flirty banter intensifies, creating an agonizing slow burn with phenomenal pay off that is well worth the wait. Along the way, both characters undergo significant growth. Their partnership pushes them for the better and helps them realize that absolutes don’t exist. The subsequent professions of love and spice were beyond swoon-worthy!

Beyond the romance, the politics and the larger mystery that unfolds add a layer of intrigue that propel the plot. Knightley expertly balances laugh-out-loud moments with nail-biting, high-pressure situations, making it truly impossible to put this one down. 

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✩📚✨Q2 Check-in:

Reaching the halfway point of 2026 calls for spotlighting some of my favorite reads from this past quarter (see slide 2)! 🥳📖💗

These books gave me a place to escape to as I wrapped up my first semester of grad school and started up my second. I met the messy, tattooed chef of my dreams in “Yes, Chef,” was empowered by Quincy’s character in “In Stormy Weather,” and absolutely lost my mind (complimentary) as I turned the final page of “Eyes of Kings.” I cannot wait for these books to hit shelves so that I can scream about them with the rest of the world! 

Going into this next quarter, I’m hoping to read more and review less while I’m on vacation. I did something similar around the same time last year and it felt very freeing to read for fun without any expectations ☺️

💬 How has your summer been? Any fun plans in the works?

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Thank you to NetGalley and the Berkley Publishing for the free digital copy for review

✩🌪️📸Review:

If there’s one novel that is sure to take the world by storm, it’s Frances’ romance debut!

“Chase Me If You Can” follows Sloane Michaels, a wedding photographer hoping to branch out into landscape photography, after an accident forces her to spend the storm chasing season with Wes Talbot, a legend among storm chasers and her personal frenemy. As they race through hail, high winds, and stormy skies, Sloane realizes that the feelings blooming between them are more charged and dangerous than the tornados they’re chasing.

Sloane and Wes’ rivalry turned romance is truly heart-stirring! I love how their verbal sparring matches and constant one upping over the years create a charged connection that becomes irresistible once they are forced to storm chase together. The electric tension and mutual pining make the spice all the more satisfying!

Even though the story is only told from Sloane’s perspective, both characters are complex and have emotional depth. Sloane is the quintessential eldest daughter. She takes on a caretaker role at a young age, bending over backward to make sure her younger brothers and mother want for nothing. I loved watching her prioritize herself for once and chase after her dreams with Wes’ cheering her on. It was a joy to watch Sloane slowly realize that there is more to him than the rich, flirty, Texas wildcard she thought she knew. The more she gets to know Wes, the more she lets herself loose until the two are able to be wholly themselves around one another. 

The storm chasing aspect of the story is fun, fresh, and thrilling! Frances clearly knows her stuff, drawing from her own experience as a photographer and storm chaser to inform the story and make it feel realistic. I eagerly await her next release!

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✩🏒🎭Review: 

A spicy, bingeable hockey romance! 

“The Score” follows aspiring actress Allie Hayes after a breakup results in a casual hook-up with hockey star Dean Di Laurentis. But what was supposed to be one night of “no-strings-attached” fun quickly turns into something more. 

Allie and Dean’s chemistry, both physical and emotional, is off the charts! Once they enter into a friends with benefits relationship, it is impossible for either one to deny how well they fit together. There is a level of underlying trust and vulnerability needed with their arrangement and I loved watching them slowly but surely find comfort in one another. The intimacy that builds over time lays the groundwork for the softer, emotional moments where they open up, which helps both characters grow significantly. The banter is sublime and even had me laughing out loud at times! It’s safe to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one.

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✩☀️🦩Mini Reviews:

Tis the season for these easy breezy summer romances! I had a blast listening to the audio narration to and from work!

🏕️🔥S’more of You: This steamy rivals-to-lovers romance between two camp counselors is full of Bailey’s trademark humor & heat, but ultimately fell flat for me. Despite being adults, the behavior of the characters came off as very juvenile, which made me cringe at times. 

🐴🎶Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy: I really enjoyed this small town, second chance romance! Like her bestselling Lucky River Ranch series, this short story is set in Hartsville, Texas, a town with lots of charm and personality. I only wish it was longer, as I felt that the characters got back together too quickly. 

🍰✈️One Hot Summer Wedding: Ballard’s story follows Lucy after her past and possible future collide when a surprise invitation whisks her away to a destination wedding. I wanted to love this one, but I couldn’t stop thinking about how much I hated the FMC’s childhood “best friend” the entire time I was listening to the story unfold. Nonetheless, Lucy and Beckett’s reunion extremely satisfying. 

📸⛺️Girls Just Wanna Have Sun: Lacey pens a sweet, sapphic romance! This story follows Morgan, a photographer, after a chance encounter with the one that got away has her preparing to risk it all for love. The atmospheric setting and tangible chemistry between the characters made for a fun, feel-good read. The “only one tent moment” was the cherry on top!

🐢☕️Summer Staycation: This story is so stinkin’ cute and very well-paced! It follows a neurodivergent heroine after she meets a kind out-of-towner who’s just what she needs to shake up her life. “Summer Staycation” truly is strangers to lovers romance at its finest. 

🏒💜Summer Thaw: Jenshak’s hockey romance is definitely my favorite of the bunch! It follows Hattie Cannon and Colin Jettson, team leaders for a women’s and men’s hockey team, after they are forced together, while keeping their players in line—and their feelings in check. Jenshak executes the “it’s always been you” trope so well. My heart was melting by the end!

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✩🐦‍🔥🧪Cover Reveal:

I am delighted to help reveal the cover of ‘Ambrosia’ by Katrina Kwan!! 

Genre: Fantasy murder-mystery

✨Official Blurb:✨

The legend of Mulan meets dark academia in Katrina Kwan’s thrilling new standalone, an intoxicating potion of murder mystery and alchemy about a woman who must disguise herself as a man to infiltrate a prestigious university to find her husband’s killer.

Li and her husband, Zhen, left their home country of Huay so he could join the University of Quartë’s world-renowned Order of Alchemic Science as a tenured alchemist—a position available to only the most brilliant minds in the field. Li’s world is shattered when his body is found in a frozen river.

Zhen’s death is ruled a suicide, but when Li examines the body, she discovers gold in his veins. This could only be the work of an elite alchemist, meaning Zhen was, in fact, murdered by someone at the Order, likely one of his own colleagues.

When the police brush off her concerns, Li takes matters into her own hands. She cannot simply walk onto campus, however, as women are forbidden from studying the higher alchemic sciences. Very well: she will pose as a man to gain entry to the university’s hallowed halls and uncover the truth of his death. But as she infiltrates the deepest parts of the Order, she soon discovers that her late husband kept dangerous secrets of his own…

‘Ambrosia’ is up for preorder now from Saga Press on all major retailer sites and is expected to release on January 26th, 2027. Don’t forget to mark it as “want to read” on Goodreads to be made aware of future giveaways!

Cover designed by Ella Laytham.

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Thanks to the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

✩🎾💍Review: 

Smeltzer serves up a delightful second chance sports romance!

“Second Serve follows estranged exes Ebba Johnson and Fisher Grant after a drunken night in Vegas leads to an accidental marriage. Instead of getting the marriage annulled right away, the two agree to see if they can make things work for the first six months. But to move forward they must confront everything that went wrong between them.

Ebba and Fisher’s love story is the perfect combination of heart and heat! Both characters are layered with many complex emotions stemming from a traumatic event that created a rift in their relationship. Alternating between Ebba and Fisher’s perspectives paint a picture of what they once had and the love that still lingers. Their marriage, unplanned as it is, not only forces them to work through their feelings, but also helps them realize how much they have grown as individuals in their time spent apart. The wistful glances, stolen touches, and sizzling “will they or won’t they” dynamic made my heart flutter! Admittedly, the pacing felt a bit fast and the back and forth between the two was repetitive at times. Still, I loved watching Ebba and Fisher find their way back to each other. Their healing journey resonates and in laying themselves bare, they are able to build something that lasts. The happiness they find in the end is nothing short of satisfying!

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

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Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

✩⏳🩷Review: 

A short and sweet novella that packs a powerful emotional punch!

“Back to You” follows Allison Yang, an exhausted career woman on the verge of death, after she is given the opportunity to redo her life. 

Liang’s insightful, coming-of-age story grips from the get-go. Similar to her previous works, she incorporates magical elements to explore a common dilemma—picking a career path. Readers who are torn between pursuing their passion and what society has deemed more practical will see their struggles reflected in Allison. Prior to her untimely death, a clear picture is painted of what it’s like to choose a discipline for the wrong reasons: Allison is miserable, exhausted, and suffering from severe burnout. The second chance she is given presents her with the opportunity to change the trajectory of her life, starting with switching majors, leaving toxic friends behind, and approaching her crush. Allison and Luke have palpable chemistry, and their first date is absolutely adorable! Altogether, Liang perfectly balances themes of self-discovery and love to create an enjoyable and impactful read. 

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