Naymon makes a promising debut with this contemplative contemporary whose sensitively drawn characters express themselves through poetry. Feeling stifled by her advertising job, Leigh Simon is both delighted and nervous to upend her life by moving from Boston to the North Carolina mountains for an MFA program in poetry. The “Taylor Swift–enthusiast sorority-girl Ohioan” doesn’t fit her own preconceived notions of what a serious poet might look like, but her high school crush–turned–fellow graduate student Will Langford does. Leigh is torn between scorning his pretention and longing for his approval. As their rivalry intensifies, they each work to parse the meaning from every line the other writes—wondering which pieces are about them. Their forced proximity necessitates more trust, and they slowly open up about what drove them apart after high school and help each other cope with complicated family lives. Naymon keeps the poetry accessible, and it’s a lot of fun reading between the lines to understand the protagonists’ true feelings. Second-chance romance fans will find this hits the spot. (Feb.)

Reviewed on 12/06/2024 | Details & Permalink

This humorous but far-fetched second-chance romance from Hameroff (Till There Was You) finds self-proclaimed “job-hopping flake” Ali Rubin leaving a chef gig in New York City to try her hand as a wedding planner in Baltimore. Eager to prove she’s no longer the impulsive college student who got a matching tattoo with a charming one-night stand during her study abroad in London, she hopes to wow both her family and her new boss with her plans for the wedding of the scion of the renowned Black-Eyed Susan hotel. Ali is stunned when she runs into her British fling, Graham Wyler, at her favorite café in Baltimore. Despite immediately rekindled sparks, Graham is oddly hesitant to flirt, confusing Ali—until she discovers that his grandfather owns the Black-Eyed Susan and he’s the groom in the wedding she’s designing. It’s a marriage of convenience as a favor to a friend, but that doesn’t stop Ali from feeling betrayed. Though the romantic tension between the leads is sweltering, their path to a happy ending is beset by melodrama, culminating in a grand romantic gesture that feels unearned, especially in the face of Ali’s earlier proclamation that grand gestures don’t equal true love. The comic banter and plentiful pop culture references keep the pages turning, but the love story falls flat. (Feb.)

Reviewed on 12/06/2024 | Details & Permalink

Former frenemies agree to a friends-with-benefits arrangement in Williams’s high-drama third Peachtree Cove contemporary (after Waiting for Friday Night). Since Peachtree Cove, Ga., won a best small-town award, business at Tracey Thompson’s bed and breakfast has been booming. Though the hype boosted her bottom line, Tracey prefers to stay under the radar, having grown up as the talk of the town due to her parents’ many scandals. But when her husband cheats with and impregnates Tracey’s assistant, she’s pulled back into the rumor mill. To make matters worse, it’s Brian Nelson, Tracey’s judgmental high school frenemy and current flower supplier, who uncovers the affair and breaks the news. Tracey’s friends encourage her to prioritize herself while waiting for the divorce to be finalized, so she looks for a lover—and she’s shocked when Brian volunteers, hoping to explore his long-held crush. Then Brian’s ex-wife returns, claiming her child is his, and Tracey finds herself facing yet another scandal. Is her budding romance with Brian worth the risk? Williams ramps up the familial drama, adding tension to the heartwarming romance, and Brian’s gentleness postdivorce is especially endearing. Series fans will be pleased. Agent: Tricia Skinner, Foreword Literary. (Feb.)

Reviewed on 12/06/2024 | Details & Permalink

Transporting readers to a gaslamp world, Burgis (the Regency Dragons series) unfurls an enchanting fantasy rom-com. After the sorceress Saskia overthrows her murderous uncle and usurps the throne of Kitvaria, she’s viewed by her people as a terrifying witch. She’s really just trying to protect them, however, especially as her kingdom teeters on the brink of war with a neighboring empire. She would much rather concoct powerful new spells in her laboratory than deal with court politics. When dark wizard Fabian shows up on her doorstep, she assumes he’s come to fill a vacancy in the castle’s messy magical library and hires him without a thought. But Fabian is no mere librarian: he’s the very archduke who’s supposedly trying to invade Saskia’s land. Fabian himself is on the run from his traitorous father-in-law and was hoping to find asylum in the much-feared kingdom of Kitvaria. As mutual attraction simmers between the two heads of state, Fabian’s disguise wears thin, but revealing his true identity may very well start a war. Burgis keeps the pages flying while impressively balancing political intrigue, slow-burning romance, and comic relief. Readers will be enchanted. Agent: Molly Ker Hawn, Bent Agency. (Feb.)

Reviewed on 11/29/2024 | Details & Permalink

Tieu (Fancy Meeting You Here) sets this lackluster rom-com at a high-stakes high school reunion. In 2003, Rachel Dang was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by her high school classmates, and she planned to live up to expectations. An extremely hardworking teen, her only pleasure was talking to her AIM crush, SuperxSaiyan8, later revealed to be her classmate Danny Phan. Danny’s just as smart but lacks Rachel’s work ethic, and when he scores higher than her on an AP exam, their text-based relationship sours. Twenty years later, Rachel gets an invitation from Danny to attend their reunion and receive an award for her career success. What Danny doesn’t know, however, is that Rachel’s recently been let go. Rather than being upset by the layoff, she feels unburdened and ready to explore other options for her once carefully planned life. Danny, meanwhile, has become a successful businessman. The night of their reunion, a quick errand turns into an unexpected misadventure, over the course of which they come to realize that their feelings have not diminished in 20 years. Tieu’s characters feel tragically trapped in high school, and their relationship issues could be easily resolved through one honest conversation that the plot repeatedly contrives to delay. Readers won’t be convinced that these two will work. (Feb.)

Reviewed on 11/29/2024 | Details & Permalink

A pair of magical glasses offers 40-something sports reporter Tanika Ryan a second chance at life and love in this sultry rom-com from Richardson (The Build Up). Tanika’s failing eyesight has her squinting at the teleprompter and messing up her lines at work, leading her bosses to reassign her coveted Thursday Night Football spot to a younger woman. She finally casts aside her pride and heads to the eye doctor—reuniting her with widowed optometrist Gideon Miles. The pair first met at a wedding and Gideon hasn’t been able to get Tanika out of his head ever since, so when she walks into his office, he’s determined to win her over. Meanwhile, a mysterious stranger approaches Tanika while she’s picking out her glasses and guides her to a pair that alters how she views the world, allowing her to see people’s auras—especially the appealing glow around Gideon. Even with this magical intervention, their relationship hits speed bumps in the form of Tanika’s intense career focus as well as Gideon’s jealousy over the athletes she works with and his lingering grief over his late wife. The humorous banter between the leads brings both characters to life, and Richardson’s frank depiction of workplace ageism hits home. Add in just a hint of magic, and this proves a delight. (Feb.)

Reviewed on 11/29/2024 | Details & Permalink

Johnson charms in her cute and inclusive sequel to Taco ’Bout Love. Ari Bent juggles her roles as a single mother to six-month-old twins and manager of her sister Paisley’s second taco truck. So she’s harried and covered in spit-up when she runs into a gorgeous man from her past while shopping for groceries. Talent Malone, who’s just come back to Texas from New Orleans, is ready to pick up where they left off years ago—but he doesn’t tell Ari that he’s fresh out of a secret engagement with country superstar Haven Sandersong. Soon, Talent is working side by side with Ari in the taco truck, adding his own unique creations to the menu as they rekindle their romance. When the taco crew lands a catering gig for a high-profile retreat, they’re thrilled—until Ari proudly announces she’s persuaded Haven to perform at the retreat, and Talent realizes if he doesn’t come clean quickly, their romance might be all too brief. Johnson continually raises the emotional stakes, building to a believable and dramatic crescendo. Fans of foodie and second-chance romances won’t want to miss this. (Feb.)

Reviewed on 11/29/2024 | Details & Permalink

Williamson’s erotic debut brings to life a sexually charged and grisly version of life in 409 CE, where Alaric of the Goths is drawn into an enemies-to-lovers struggle with Julia Augusta, daughter of the late Roman emperor, Theodosius. Following Theodosius’s death, Julia’s brother, Honorius, orders Julia into an unwanted marriage. After an attempt to poison Honorius fails, Julia is out of options to escape the engagement and encourages Alaric, who is at court for a hostage negotiation, to kidnap her. They flee together, headed for Alaric’s territory but facing danger even among his allies. Julia hopes to seduce Alaric into helping her usurp Honorius’s throne, but he initially refuses her advances, despite palpable mutual attraction, prioritizing a homeland for himself and his people. After finally caving to lust, their fragile relationship is torn apart repeatedly by deadly threats and their own insecurities. The cycle of sex and conflict grows repetitive and makes it hard to see a future for the central couple. Meanwhile, the dizzying pace of the ever-shifting politics gives the narrative an unfocused feel. Still, fans of dark erotica and forbidden romance will find plenty of steam to enjoy. Agent: Ellen Scordato, Stonesong. (Feb.)

Reviewed on 11/29/2024 | Details & Permalink

Kenney follows Beautiful Villain with a steamy modern tribute to Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray that replaces Wilde’s wit and transgressive sexuality with a heaping dose of angsty romantasy tropes. Baz Allard, a 20-something artist in Charleston, S.C., is the last surviving descendant of Basil Hallward, the painter of Dorian Gray’s magical portrait. She meets the immortal Dorian when he asks her to paint him a new one, as the original has begun to decay and he worries his hedonistic life is under threat. Baz refuses Dorian’s initial offer, but he persuades her to give him two weeks to convince her by taking her under his wing and showing her all the pleasures life has to offer, while also introducing her to influential people in the art world. The story moves at a steady clip and has plenty of heat and magical intrigue to hold readers’ attention. Wilde fans, however, will likely be disappointed by the central relationship: the dynamic between brooding, bisexual bad boy Dorian and Baz, who comes off as a manic pixie dream girl, has more in common with Twilight’s Bella and Edward than the original Dorian and Basil. The result is best suited for die-hard Kenney fans with no attachment to the classic work she’s riffing on. (Feb.)

Reviewed on 11/29/2024 | Details & Permalink

Lovise’s scintillating second Secret Society of Governess Spies Victorian romance (after Never Blow a Kiss) reintroduces Perdita’s Governess Agency, a front for an all-female spy ring set up by a mysterious figure code-named the Dove. After Frankie Turner’s younger sister, Fidelia, goes missing, the Dove offers to help find her if Frankie will take on an assignment. Frankie agrees and is placed as a governess in the household of Jasper Jones, the self-made owner of an infamous London gambling hall. The Dove believes that Jasper is the mastermind behind the Dowry Thieves, a group of men who have recently managed to force wealthy but “outspoken and troublesome” women into marriage. After finding nothing tying Jasper to the scheme, Frankie uses her brilliant mathematical skills to comb through the financials of each member of the Dowry Thieves—all while fighting her intense attraction to Jasper. When he learns of her investigation, he offers to help by gifting her with a dowry large enough to lure the goup’s leader into the open. It’s a dangerous gambit—and it only grows riskier when there’s love on the line. Lovise’s admirable, norm-bucking characters have intense chemistry. Sensual love scenes and simmering suspense combine to make this a true page-turner. (Feb.)

Reviewed on 11/29/2024 | Details & Permalink