This book was EVERYTHING!!! A geeky, queer, slow-burn romance with older characters. A prickly heroine with social anxiety whose son just went off to This book was EVERYTHING!!! A geeky, queer, slow-burn romance with older characters. A prickly heroine with social anxiety whose son just went off to college befriends a man in an online gaming group who she assumes is like 21, but is actually 50. Also this has unexpected queer rep that was beautifully handled - Aiden is bisexual and demisexual, though he is just learning those words. Also Maggie is half Asian her son is white-passing, so this touches on the challenges of having a less visible identity.
I just loved everything about this- the slow-burn friends to lovers romance, the way things heat up towards the end, the way the characters take care of each other, and the relatability of what it's like to be an older introverted geek trying to interact with other parents in your community. Easily My favorite romance of 2023 so far and I can't recommend it enough. Heads up that Aiden has some extremely homophobic and racist family members and there is a good bit of external drama. But I really like this kind of external conflict in a romance where their relationship with each other is solid.
I find it interesting that there are people saying they read like teenagers, not like adults around 50 and I disagree. Honestly I think part of the point of this book is the experience of being older and responsible in many ways, while not feeling like your interests fit what is expected of you for your age. And there is something to be said for how you can reach different turning points in your life where there is change and transition, rediscovering who you are and who you want to be. I feel like I'm there in my mid-30's as my kids are getting older and I can imagine you would also have it in their situation- she's newly an empty-nester and he's retired from the career he had for years. ...more
The King's Spinster Bride is a campy barbarian romance novella that may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I found it to be immActual Rating: 4.5 stars
The King's Spinster Bride is a campy barbarian romance novella that may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I found it to be immensely entertaining. Parts of it are a little out there, but it's very self-aware in those portions which made it work for me. A princess saves the life of the barbarian kings 8-year-old son. Now, 16 years later he's a grown man returning to claim her as his bride. But if they are to be married, she must undergo the barbarian wedding customs which are as follows:
Day 1: the groom publicly tears the clothes from his bride to show she is not hiding anything Day 2: the groom must pleasure his bride with his mouth to prove he is worthy of her bed Day 3: the marriage is consummated
So yeah, it's definitely over the top, but consent is always very clear and it's done in a campy and sometimes comedic way. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this and hope to pick up more from Ruby Dixon in the future! ...more
I am quickly becoming a fan of Courtney Milan! Her prose and technical writing skills are among the best in the romance genre. She writes smart historI am quickly becoming a fan of Courtney Milan! Her prose and technical writing skills are among the best in the romance genre. She writes smart historicals that don't erase the existence of people of color in Regency England, and I love her sense of humor. The Heiress Effect made me literally laugh out loud on multiple occasions, and you get two romances in one!
Miss Jane Fairfield is a wealthy, curvy heiress determined to protect her younger sister by not getting married until she comes of age. How does she do this? By wearing grossly over the top clothing and insulting everyone publicly while acting as if it isn't purposeful and she's just oblivious. It's truly hilarious. Mr. Oliver Marshall is the bastard son of a duke with lofty ambitions and the last thing he needs is a ridiculous woman in his life, but his kindness gets him past Jane's facade and the truth of who she is will get him into all kinds of trouble.
Meanwhile, Janes younger sister suffers convulsions and has been subjected to torturous experimental "healing" methods by her guardian. We get a very sweet romance between her and a man from India studying law at university. I really loved this and will continue to read from this author. ...more
This is SUCH a fantastic historical romance novella! It's a well-paced marriage of convenience story with a pitch perfect approach to the nuances of cThis is SUCH a fantastic historical romance novella! It's a well-paced marriage of convenience story with a pitch perfect approach to the nuances of consent and assault as they may have been experienced by less privileged women in history. Not to mention a beautiful example of positively reclaiming sexual experience for a victim of assault or trauma.
Serena Barton was let go from her position as governess and is now demanding compensation from the man who coercively bedded her and left her pregnant and penniless. His man of business, the notorious Wolf of Clermont, has been tasked with getting rid of her. Instead, he finds himself being drawn in by her strength and determination, to the point of offering himself in marriage so save her unborn child from being a bastard. There is more to it than that, but this was smart, sweet, and immensely satisfying. I LOVED the way this approached the consummation of the marriage knowing that Serena has been a victim of sexual trauma. I won't spoil the details, but it is sweet and sexy and all about enthusiastic consent. I cannot recommend this one enough! ...more
Oh my goodness, Rafe might be one of my all time favorite heroes! He is such a cinnamon roll and the "It's alright just to be a calm and gentle guy."
Oh my goodness, Rafe might be one of my all time favorite heroes! He is such a cinnamon roll and the characterization is just SO good. As the parent of an almost 6 year old, I loved the little things he does right as a caregiver. (Asking if the twins want a hug or a high five, being willing to let a puzzle take an hour, etc). This story follows a single mom (and brilliant surgeon) in need of emergency child care after being left in the lurch by her nanny. Enter Rafe: a tall, tattooed male nanny with a motorcycle and softest heart ever.
Given the premise of Rafe, I was a little nervous this might veer into being creepy or having really unbalanced power dynamics. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the author deftly weaves a story that stays away from those pitfalls, all while creating an absolute cinnamon roll of a hero! Rafe is older than Sloan and is straightforward about his attraction to her from the get-go. Consent and equal power feel very well crafted here. This is also a beautiful example of flipping traditional gender roles and expectations. I absolutely loved it!
I adored Rafe as a character, loved Dr. Sloan as a brilliant working mother, and was impressed with how the children were depicted. Sloan is a Black woman who is an ACTUAL genius and the youngest to ever complete medical school. The only think that brought this down slightly is totally a personal thing. There is a LOT of sex in the second half of the book, and I wish that had been cut down on a little bit in favor of more character development. Your mileage may vary, but I prefer a more plot heavy book with maybe 2-3 sex scenes. This had significantly more. That said, I loved the characters and the relationship development so much, and we get nuanced handling of race and what it's like to raise biracial children. My own kids are also biracial and I very much connected with that element of this story. So even though the second half of the book was a little heavy on the steam for my taste, I'm going with 5 stars because this is a book and characters that will stick with me. ...more
A very silly (but in a good way) Highlander romance full of attractive and nice, but not too bright characters trying to solve a murder mystery. ThereA very silly (but in a good way) Highlander romance full of attractive and nice, but not too bright characters trying to solve a murder mystery. There are also lots of steamy bits involving kilts. This was very entertaining and often quite ridiculous. Thanks to my friend Mara from Books Like Whoa for sending me a copy and telling me to read it!
After an untimely death, Greer has become a new Laird, but he still spends a lot of time wearing kilt, hooking up with maids, and swimming in the loch. Saidh has seven (yes, seven!) brothers and grew up riding astride, swearing, and generally behaving in unladylike ways. Which makes her the perfect match for Greer, except that they are threatened by a hidden enemy. Silly, but a whole lot of fun....more
PSA: If you are a traditional fantasy reader looking to get into fantasy romance, THIS is the book for you!
Despite a slow start, Reign & Ruin is a brPSA: If you are a traditional fantasy reader looking to get into fantasy romance, THIS is the book for you!
Despite a slow start, Reign & Ruin is a breathtaking debut full of political intrigue, realistic-feeling action scenes, interesting world-building, fully fleshed out characters (including some fantastic side characters), and a slow-burn romance that gave me everything I love and so many feelings! If you like romance that feels like a true partnership with respect, entertaining banter, friendship, emotional vulnerability, a powerful heroine, a hero who isn't too much of an alpha-male, AND a couple of steamier scenes that are well-handled, then definitely pick this book up. I really loved it and felt deeply invested in the relationship, which few romance stories are able to accomplish for me. But for fantasy readers who are nervous about picking up a romance, fear not! This is a very plot-heavy book with lots of potential for a larger plot through the series that will keep your attention. I feel like this is the perfect bridge book between high fantasy and fantasy romance.
Naime is heir to the throne of Tamar, but her father, the Sultan, is slowly losing his mental stability and the Council is pushing for her marriage to one of their sons, rather than see her rule as a Queen. But Naime is a powerful mage and a brilliant tactician with plans of her own, including hopes of an alliance with neighboring country Sarkum.
Makram is the younger brother of Sarkum's ruler and is the leader of their military. A powerful mage in his own right, his family loyalty blinds him to the severity of his brothers faults and leaves him with deep scars from childhood insecurities. In hopes of preserving the hope of an alliance, he secretly travels to Tamar where he meets Naime. Political games and slow-burning sparks ensue!
The world of Reign & Ruin is inspired by the historical Middle East and draws significantly on that culture and history. It is worth noting in the author bio that she served as a military officer and spent time in Beirut. That experience shines through and offers a realistic feeling to scenes involving action and military aspects, as well as scenes dealing with trauma from experiences in battle. It feels sensitively handled and with nuance I appreciated.
In general, there is a lot of richness to this story. It deals with gender, trauma, politics, and the challenges of caring for a parent with something akin to dementia or Alzheimer's. And is is a beautiful romance. If you can't tell, I really loved this. The first 50 pages are definitely slow and could have been more tightly written, but then the pace really picks up. And as this is a debut novel, I'm very excited to see what else we get from this author. I hope to continue on with this series and would definitely recommend it. I received an advance copy of this book from the author for review. All opinions are my own....more
The final installment in the Iskari Chronicles, The Sky Weaver nicely pulls together threads from the previous two books, whilActual Rating: 4.5 stars
The final installment in the Iskari Chronicles, The Sky Weaver nicely pulls together threads from the previous two books, while also containing a great f/f enemies to lovers romance! I might recommend this to fans of the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas- a political fantasy with a strong romantic element. I really enjoyed this one and would love to see it on more people's radar. Safire and Eris are great characters and the development of their relationship is well-developed.
Safire is the Commandant for her cousin, the king of Firgaard, certain her place is as a soldier for her country. Eris is a thief and pirate, known for her ability to get past any lock and magically disappear. But circumstances draw Safire and Eris together, and they must decide where their loyalty lies and whether love can exist in the midst of competing players. Their stories will also intertwine with that of mythological figures in unexpected ways. The Sky Weaver was interesting and a strong conclusion to this series of companion novels, answering some questions introduced with the mythology in book 1. I was sent a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own....more
The Princess Plan is an incredibly charming historical romance with a murder mystery subplot. I picked this up while I was sick and it totally hit theThe Princess Plan is an incredibly charming historical romance with a murder mystery subplot. I picked this up while I was sick and it totally hit the spot! Eliza Tricklebank is a spinster and commoner who publishes a ladies gazette with the latest gossip. She cares for her blind father, repairs clocks as a hobby, has a scandal in her past, and no longer cares what anyone in society thinks. So when circumstances throw her in the path of a foreign prince, she is the first person not to bend over backwards for his every whim. Which, of course, he both hates and loves. Their interactions are gold, and I always love when a person with less privilege pushes back against a person with more privilege.
Added to this, they are trying to solve the murder of Prince Sebastian's personal secretary, which occasionally leads to shenanigans. This includes Eliza's sister and best friend, so the girl posse is also fantastic. I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable slow burn romance with a couple of steamier scenes later in the book that really move the relationship forward. Highly recommend if you are looking for a fun comfort read. I received an advance copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own....more
A Week to Be Wicked might be my favorite Tessa Dare yet! It made me actually laugh out loud and I am always a sucker for nerdy heroes or heroines in rA Week to Be Wicked might be my favorite Tessa Dare yet! It made me actually laugh out loud and I am always a sucker for nerdy heroes or heroines in romance. This historical definitely hit the spot. We follow a bookish bluestocking, geology nerd, and wallflower (Minerva) and rakish Colin (Lord Payne) as they set out on the road to a scientific conference where Minerva hopes to present a paper despite being a woman. Leaving everyone to think that they actually eloped, Colin is out for a financial prize and Minerva is willing to risk being "ruined" for the sake of career success. But of course, sparks fly and both characters are more than meets the eye.
I always love plots where a nerdy hero or heroine who has been overlooked gets the sought after partner who sees their underlying sexiness. Yes, clearly it's also throwback wish fulfillment for my geeky and much more awkward teen self, but it doesn't fail to be enjoyable and A Week to Be Wicked does that beautifully. This is also an example of Tessa Dare at her funniest, plus charming nerd-humor thrown in for good measure. This was a whole lot of fun, and quite steamy! Definitely a new favorite and one that helped me better understand the things I love in romance....more
The Austen Playbook is a fun contemporary romance featuring a bubbly actress from London's West End and a gruff, snarky theatrActual Rating: 4.5 stars
The Austen Playbook is a fun contemporary romance featuring a bubbly actress from London's West End and a gruff, snarky theatre critic. It's an opposites attract romance with a bit of a mystery subplot about family secrets, and I found it to be really enjoyable!
Frederica (Freddy) Carlton comes from a long line of serious actors and her father/manager is pushing for starring roles in high-brow dramas. Unfortunately, Freddy's true love is more along the lines of musicals and romantic comedies, but in an effort to make everyone happy and avoid conflict she just goes along with other people's plans for her life. Until an opportunity arises to act in a mashup of Jane Austen with an interactive murder mystery, one that she can't say no to. Little does she know the performance will take place at the country estate of her harshest critic....
Griff has an icy exterior and writes pointed reviews, but he cares deeply for his family and sacrifices financially to maintain the family estate. And he can't resist Freddy's joyous approach to life. But things happen and family secrets threaten to come between them....
This is a lovely, fluffy romance with fleshed out characters and clear arcs of development that feel realistic. If you are looking for a Slytherin/Hufflepuff sort of romance, this may be the one for you! Thanks to Harlequin for providing me with a copy for review. All opinions are my own....more
This was my first book by Courtney Milan but I will definitely be reading more from her! The Duchess War is a slow-burn historical romance with feminiThis was my first book by Courtney Milan but I will definitely be reading more from her! The Duchess War is a slow-burn historical romance with feminist underpinnings that is heavy on plot and character development.
Minnie is a quiet wallflower with a scandalous past, and the last thing she wants is to draw attention to herself. But Robert, the Duke of Clermont, definitely notices her and it's going to get them both into trouble. I enjoyed the development of their relationship, the substance of the backstory we get, and the emphasis on workers rights and the conditions of factories and slums during that period. Oh, and a fantastic discussion of sexual assault and power dynamics!
Minnie is a very smart woman who flies under the radar. Her interactions with Robert are great and she delivers some fantastic lectures. I also loved how the sexual relationship between them was handled. They are first together on their wedding night and, as it turns out, both are technically virgins. I appreciated having a male without a lot of experience, and the way their communication in figuring things out was handled. Minnie is unashamed in sharing what she finds pleasurable and they are happy to communicate and learn together. That was beautifully done.
Overall, this was a very positive experience. The pace is a little slower than what I usually expect from historical romance, but if I anticipate that from this author going forward I don't think that will be a problem....more
One of my friends kept raving about this book so I finally decided to pick up a copy and I'm so glad I did! Radiance is a fantasy romance involving anOne of my friends kept raving about this book so I finally decided to pick up a copy and I'm so glad I did! Radiance is a fantasy romance involving an inter-species arranged marriage with conflict that is external to the primary relationship. And the main characters are just lovely. They are smart, kind, good communicators, and Brishen is just SUCH a good guy!
Brishen and Ildiko are dutiful, recognizing the importance of their political alliance and are committed to making the best of their marriage, despite their physical disgust for each other. While they both have essentially human bodies, they have physical differences that each of their people find disturbing about the other. They develop a friendship and eventually overcome their aversion to each other and fall in love. Like I said, they are wonderful, grounded people who truly care for each other. This is really what should be #relationshipgoals. All the conflict is external (such as Brishens super creepy mother) but they work together to navigate political turmoil and other difficulties.
This is a beautiful story that is very low on drama and angst. Which means it might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it also might be a great introduction to romance for people who don't think it is for them....more
Empire of Sand is a debut tour de force, a stunning fantasy inspired by Mughal-era India, and my newest personal obsession! A perfectly paced page-turEmpire of Sand is a debut tour de force, a stunning fantasy inspired by Mughal-era India, and my newest personal obsession! A perfectly paced page-turner with deep characterization, well-crafted world-building, emotional resonance, and rich thematic content that explores power, empire, love, gender, trauma, oppression, and mixed-race identity, among others. This one came highly recommended to me by a friend and fellow reviewer, so when the publisher sent me a copy for review I was thrilled. Now I'm just wondering, what took me so long to pick this up?!
In a patriarchial world ruled by an emperor, Mehr is the illegitimate daughter of an empirial governor and and Amrithi woman. Her mother's people are outcasts, nomads, and are slowly dying off. But they also have magic in their blood, as distant descendants of the Daeva. When Mehr attracts the attention of the long-lived Maha (the spiritual head of the empire), she is pushed into a marriage she doesn't want, in service of an empire she despises. Now Mehr must survive, and find her own path to power.
Seriously, from the moment I began, I did not want to put this book down! Mehr is such a compelling character, with great inner strength and capacity for love. The book took so many unexpected turns and in several places where I thought I knew where it was going, it gave me something at least a little bit different, if not wildly so. That is incredibly refreshing after how many fantasy books I read. This book goes to some dark places (check CW for more on that below), but the heart of it is so hopeful and beautiful. There is a relationship in this book that I absolutely love and this author handled difficult issues and scenes with such care, places where things easily could have gone very wrong. I also appreciate that Mehr is a different sort of strong heroine, with a power that is quiet and strategic rather than brash. And I would also call this a quietly feminist fantasy. I adore so much of what it is doing here.
This was almost a perfect book in my opinion, hitting just the right balance of in-depth character work, strong and complex relationships, political intrigue, action, world-building, powerful themes, and an emotionally resonant climax with a hopeful tone. And that ending was just....perfect. I am stunned by how much I loved this and you can bet I will be recommending it a lot! Thank you so much to Orbit Books for getting this into my hands! All opinions are my own.
CW include forced marriage (manipulation), magical control of character actions (including the threat of its use for rape, i.e. trying to force one person to rape another), physical abuse & violence, murder, depictions of blood and bloodletting, rituals, intimidation, cults, sterilization, enslavement, attempted genocide, possibly others as well....more
Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany)
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