Happy Saturday! Here’s how we’re closing out August:
Tara: I am on vacation, so I’m in the middle of my annual reread of The Carlisle Series (Truth and Measure, Above All Things) by Roslyn Sinclair.
Sarah: If you had to drop everything and give a 15 min presentation could you on the fly talk about this series and convince folks to read it?
I bet yes.
Tara: Oh, one HUNDRED percent. Not a question.
I convinced a friend today, like a couple of hours ago, to read the original fic version.
Sarah: You are a powerful friend!
I am reading A Whisper of Death by Darcy Burke. ( A | BN ) An earl got robbed and had a head injury that left him with psychometry. He’s obsessed with figuring out who attacked him and nearly killed him, and ends up working with a young woman who is secretly an investigator, and is looking into why her grandmother’s investments disappeared. Ahoy slow burn across class lines.
Shana: I’ve been reading The Fall that Saved Us by Tamara Jerée. It’s a fantasy novel with a sapphic romance between a runaway angel and a succubus. The writing is just gorgeous! I keep underlining passages on every page.
I’m also barreling down to the end of an audiobook, If She Says Yes by Tasha Harrison. ( A ) It’s a steamy m/f romance between a man in his 30s and his best friend’s mom who he has been crushing on since childhood. It’s bonkers in the best way, unafraid to lean into every forbidden part of the age gap.
Susan: I’ve been reading Remnants of Filth, ( A | BN | K | AB ) which is a xianxia m/m lovers to enemies between a general and his ex, who defected to an enemy nation. Just finished volume 4 and it hit like a /train./ The emotions! The revelations! The emotional revelations!
Can’t believe I have to wait until NOVEMBER for the next volume
Sneezy: This is funny because it’s happening to you and not me
The new season of Under the Oak Tree is starting on September 3, and I’ve been trying to make it come faster through time bend no jutsu…so delusion, but it works the same
4:02
Meanwhile I’ve been giving Fly Me to the Moon a closer read.
This turned out to be a bit of a dark horse. I completely skipped the first half and had been skimming it on and off because the synopsis made it sound like the monsters are less sexy blood and biting = smexy and more humans as food, and while the art is very good, it didn’t blow me away. That was until a more recent chapter showed that the story was more thoughtful about different life spans and cultures creating very different constructs of love and relationships.
Elyse: I’m reading It Had to be You by Eliza Jane Brazier and it’s about two assassins falling in love, kind of Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
I’m at the beginning where the hero, Jonathan, has been shot and is trying to get to his brother who is a doctor. He takes a handful of pills that are supposed to help stabilize him and suddenly is reflecting about how beautiful the scenery is and is like “oh shit did I accidentally take Ecstasy?” I was cackling.
Claudia: I just finished The Earl Who Isn’t! ( A | BN | K | AB ) Sad to leave Wedgeford…
Shana: Wedgeford is the only place in England that makes me want to time travel (and shift dimensions?)
So, whatcha reading? Let us know in the comments!
Just like last time, I’ve only read two books since the last WAYR; and—just like last time—one of those books ended up being one of my favorite reads of 2024.
In the excellent SETTLE THE SCORE, Kris Ripper negotiates a tightrope between humor and angst, while also presenting one of the best portrayals of true remorse I’ve ever read in a romance. Several years ago, aspiring journalist Des, full of the self-righteous fury of young adulthood, outed professional soccer player Orion, thereby leading to a series of events that ultimately ended Orion’s career and left him largely a recluse. Eventually realizing the enormity of what he had done, Des left journalism and now spends his days writing copy for a PR & branding firm. When Des is “persuaded” by his force-of-nature boss, Vix, to approach Orion to be the face of an “everyone plays” campaign for children’s sports, Des reluctantly goes to the California mountain town where Orion lives in a spartan cabin far from the spotlight of professional sports. Before you can say “unexpected spring snowstorm”, Des is stranded by weather, and a very reluctant Orion offers Des shelter for the next few days. And, oh yeah, the guys then find a little dog lost in the snow. One of the many things I loved about SETTLE THE SCORE is that Ripper refuses to turn the book into a kumbaya story. Des may have thought outing Orion was a noble act, but it had a devastating effect on Orion’s life and career, and Des will have to come to terms with his culpability if he hopes to move forward. Des’s interior monologue (the story is told entirely from his POV) moves back and forth between self-justification and deep remorse (made more intense by Orion’s basic decency in giving shelter to the man who essentially destroyed his life). Although the bulk of the story takes place in a very compressed time frame, SETTLE THE SCORE has the feel of a slow-burn romance—a condition enhanced by the book being closed-door: there’s some on-page kissing, but anything more physical is strictly fade-to-black. In its presentation of a character trying hard to make amends for some of the inadvertent cruelty of his past actions, the book SETTLE THE SCORE most reminded me of was Alexis Hall’s TEN THINGS THAT NEVER HAPPENED, and I wasn’t surprised that Ripper thanked Hall in SETTLE THE SCORE’s afterword. If you’re looking for a well-written book that will make you laugh a lot, cry a little, and let you witness some true emotional growth, look no further than SETTLE THE SCORE. One of my favorite books of 2024. Highly recommended.
Garrett Leigh’s WILDFIRE, published in 2022 and part of the long-running, multi-author Vino & Veritas series from Sarina Bowen’s Heart Eyes Press, features two MCs with significant mental-health challenges. Kai suffers from PTSD after witnessing a fatal car accident; Joss is a professional chef with ADHD and a non-verbal form of Tourette’s. The two meet when Joss is hired to work in the V&V’s kitchen. Kai is living in the apartment above the restaurant/wine bar, and Joss starts sleeping in the extra bedroom. We spend a lot of time in these characters’ heads, and Leigh’s empathic writing helps us understand the men rather than feeling exhausted by them. Although a number of other characters from the V&V universe make appearances in WILDFIRE (especially Jax and Tanner from HEARTSCAPE), it is not necessary to have read any of the other books in the series to enjoy WILDFIRE. Joss has the self-awareness of someone who knows that his mental health sometimes makes life difficult for him. I loved his insight: “I don’t wish I was different. Just that I liked [the way I am] more.” Or, “Sometimes, for me, ADHD is literally just not doing the simple things that would make life easier.” Or, “My meds work, but they aren’t a miracle cure.” As time passes, Kai (who has previously only had relationships with women) grows closer to Joss (who appears to be bi, but Leigh cleverly sidesteps labels), and the guys have some hot sexy-times, but also have to learn how to negotiate each other’s emotional fragility and mental health situations. As Kai puts it, “Everything we’re afraid of doesn’t need to be our reality.” A nice love story with a hard-won HEA. Recommended.
Do we think BAND SINISTER could legit be categorized a great outdoors novel? One hero does teach the other to climb trees, and there’s a lot of scenery appreciation, and talk of farming. Great discussions of bucolic pleasures. Obviously SECRET LIVES is the great outdoors novel, but unfortunately I think that’s also the only one with stargazing. Although Justin Lazarus is briefly impressed that he can see stars at all when they get to the country in AN UNNATURAL VICE, they promptly go indoors because they’re tired and cold and I think it’s too great a stretch. I was sure there was at least one with fireworks at Vauxhall but it is starting to seem that is only ever referenced, not attended. I am not quite done with my complete reread of KJ Charles, after which I will no doubt have a massive reading slump, as I have no idea where to go next.
I have tried a couple other things as holds come in, mostly DNFs because it’s extremely hard to maintain my interest against a KJ Charles. I enjoyed HAPPILY NEVER AFTER by Lynn Painter, which was unexpected, as my suspension of disbelief is particularly challenged by contemporary m/f romance in recent years. Also I find rom coms are often either mean spirited or stupid (or both) to the point that I have to brace myself before trying the latest one. I’d say that anyone who likes that subgenre should absolutely run to the nearest bookstore, but perhaps my liking it is more a cautionary sign for aficionados. Perhaps it’s those who think they don’t much like a rom com who should be running to get this. Perhaps it’s everyone?
I did manage to finish ROCKY START by Crusie and Mayer. I adore her writing so it was worth it to me, but just barely. It was pretty terrible if you’re looking for even vaguely plausible events, the insta-love was particularly, spectacularly unconvincing, and I really don’t love the way Mayer meticulously catalogs the race of every character who isn’t white. I guess I should just be glad that there were non-white characters?
I read Taylor Fitzpatrick’s COMING IN FIRST PLACE because I thought my library had acquired the sequels, but alas they have not. It’s good, even without the others that I crave. It’s very difficult to write characters who behave so badly and are still sympathetic. I am not often in the mood for angst, but she makes it delicious. I have read a shocking number of hockey romances for someone with no interest in hockey, and hers are top tier.
I need to read some books to finish a couple of series, including LIONESS RAMPANT by Tamora Pierce and DEFENDING THE GALAXY by Maria V. Snyder.
Also waiting on my TBR pile is DEALING WITH DRAGONS by Patricia C. Wrede.
Hope everyone has a good weekend! 🙂
I didn’t have a much time to read as I expected on vacation – was too busy biking and kayaking with our teenagers. So I stayed up late most nights to squeeze some quiet reading time in. I really enjoyed the books I had on my list. Lucy Score’s THE BODY IN THE BACKYARD was another fun romp with the crazy bunch of characters. Cathy Yardley’s DO ME A FAVOR was a sweet read with two characters with life experience (she’s widowed, he’s divorced with older kids) – both characters need work on acknowledging and pursuing their own needs and dreams. A satisfying read.
Megan Bannen’s THE UNDERMINING OF TWYLA AND FRANK was a solid return to the world of THE UNDERSTANDING OF HART AND MERCY (which I reread just before vacation – such a great book). The two MCs are Tanrian Marshalls and have been longtime partners, neighbors and best friends. There’s huge pining on Franks’s end and obliviousness on Twyla’s. These are mature adults with grown kids and grandkids. This book is entirely told from Twyla’s perspective (a change from the first book), and we’re on a pretty huge self-realization journey with her. There were parts when I wanted to shake her cause she made some “hurtful cause I’m scared” decisions. I was definitely emotionally plugged in for this one. It has some delightful moments that made me smile. I have really enjoyed the world building in both books.
Back in regular life in which I just sent off my twin 14 year olds to their freshman year in high school – I read Lucy Score’s Knockemout series – starting with THINGS WE NEVER GOT OVER. Lots of grumpy, alpha males and the women they fall for while stumbling over all the new inconvenient feelings they’ve developed. It had a plot line that carried through all the books. Enjoyable reads.
I’ve been cruising through audiobooks since I can sometimes listen while I do mundane stuff at work and I’ve picked up knitting again to make a blanket for my mom for Christmas (Ocean waves by Melanie Adams on ravelry) I’m working my way through Ali Hazlewood’s Stem Series – I started with LOVE, THEORETICALLY – thankfully my library has them on Libby. I’ve got two novellas to go – waiting for my holds.
This week I picked up Anne Bishop’s WRITTEN IN RED, the first book in THE OTHERS series, I’m now steadily reading through the series. I read these a few years ago – they are dark books, looking at humanity’s greed and callousness towards others. An interesting read for this time in history. There’s a thread of romance through all of them – it’s extremely slow and doesn’t resolve entirely until the fifth and final book. HUGE TW for ongoing self-harm (cutting is major part of the story in all the books) suicide, assault, sexual abuse and rape alluded to.
In non-fiction reading, I’m spending a lot of time with AUTOIMMUNE PROTOCOL books/cookbooks. I was recently diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Thankfully, there’s no damage to the joints so my doc is ok with conservative management. I’m trying out changes to diet, which entails a pretty restrictive elimination diet for a period of time. No diary, no gluten, nuts, seeds, certain veggies. I’m spending a lot of mental energy thinking about food and food prep. I can’t just walk into the kitchen and pick up anything and eat it. I am seeing a positive change – less pain and swelling in my hands- after 1 week, so I’m feeling encouraged and motivated.
WHAT’S NEXT by Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormick. A WEST WING retrospective, which was a formative TV show for me that’s held up in some aspects and shows its age in others. The book was fine, it definitely could have stood to be edited, I felt like it repeated itself a lot.
HAUNTED EVER AFTER by Jen DeLuca. I really enjoyed DeLuca’s Renaissance Faire series, even if it felt like the Faire was less of a setting as it went on. This was a super cute series opener, perfect summer vibes for the beach, but I read it on my deck during a massive thunderstorm which also felt appropriate.
MURDER AT VINLAND by Alyssa Maxwell. Fine, definitely not the strongest in the series, but it’s nice to be in my old stomping grounds of Newport, Rhode Island. I guess Hallmark (?) has started to adapt the series, but GILDED AGE is still going to be my soapy historic Newport of choice.
Reread THE SUNNE IN SPLENDOUR by Sharon Kay Penman. It’s summer of Tudor adjacent and it feels obligatory to pull this out close to August 22. I don’t care if it romanticizes Richard III, it still remains one of my ultimate medieval books and I’m still chasing the high of reading it for the first time.
©kkw, you are so right. Band Sinister is one of my favourite KJC novels, though it’s hard to pick a favourite. I feel it’s a bit overlooked sometimes! One of my favourite comfort reads, gives me the warm fuzzies every time.
On to my reading:
ELITE CONNECTIONS – a novella collection with m/m and f/f pairings around a secretive concierge service for the wealthy. Lots of fake-dating and billionaires – needs a little suspension of belief sometimes but if you like these tropes and are looking for something to give you the warm fuzzies, this is good.
ANGEL’S SHARE – Layla Reyne. Not finished yet but more than halfway through. A new book in the Agents Irish & Whiskey series, with lots of cameos from her other series. It’s fine as a stand-alone, but definitely better if you’ve read at least the other books featuring Aidan and Jamie. It picks up a loose end from their earlier books that didn’t look like an obviousl loose end, but it makes sense. Suspense, an established couple (and no trouble on that front), family / found family. I like it so far!
THE GAME OF HEARTS – TRUE STORIES OF REGENCY ROMANCE – Felicity Day. I’m still reading this, and really loving it! Bought it on recommendation here. It talks about real-life Regency-era courtship, romance, marriage etc., each chapter picking up a topic along the way from coming out to marriage and further, with recurring characters and their stories being told along the way, based on diaries, letters, newspaper articles and more. It’s entertaining and interesting, not least seeing what Regency romance gets right and what not. Not that I ever expected they got everything right, but some things are astonishing! Like the trope of the big wedding at St. George’s in Hanover Square? Nope, it wasn’t that usual. Members of the ton preferred to be married in private, at home, often in the evenings. And in order to do that – you actually needed a special license! So marrying by special license was very common among the nobility, but not for the reasons that most Regency romances tell us! It was also interesting to read how marriage settlements, dowries etc. actually worked.
@Midge thanks for the rec on ‘The Game of Hearts!’ Running over to wishlist that immediately.
I just finished a Tamora Pierce re-read (Wild Magic/protector of the small), which is always comforting.
I’ve also had a couple of new books that I enjoyed.
The Fragile Threads of Power by VE Schwab: good. Confusing for someone who had not read the previous series, but I did eventually figure it out. Looking forward to the next release (whenever that is)
A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston: I enjoyed it while reading it. I see why it ended the way it did, but I almost wish it had ended a chapter earlier.
Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca: I enjoyed her Ren Faire series, some more than others, but this was enjoyable. The “drifting apart from friends” plot thread really resonated with me.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna: excellent. I was sad when it was over, and wished it was a series. One of the better entries in the witchcraft genre.
Coronation Story by Jennifer Robson: surprisingly enjoyable. I had reread several of her other novels leading up to this one and wanted to live in that world a little longer, so I read this one. I had been less than thrilled with “The Gown” (did not like the dual timelines) but did like this one. I always enjoy the glimpses of her other characters.
The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer: a bit of a sophomore slump. The premise was interesting, but the story itself was a bit of a slog. I really loved The Wishing Game, which I read earlier this year, so I’ll keep an eye out for new releases.
I re-read Dance to the Piper by Nora Roberts, which shows its age a bit, and it got me thinking, since I also read Chloe Angyal’s two ballet romances this year, and would love some more performing arts romances. Maybe we could do a Rec League for Broadway/theater/performing arts romances?
Hi, everyone! Mostly not jet lagged anymore, still buried at work, and realized I’ve not read all the much in the last couple weeks, LOL.
The standouts—
Mari Carr’s KISS AND TELL, which wraps up her Italian Stallions series and launches her Storm family series. Joey and Miles, BFFs, meet Lucy, and all bets are off. I like how Ms Carr really delves into their backgrounds and how they inform their stories, and how they’re able to work through their concerns…. Totally looking forward to getting to know Lucy’s siblings in the future series!
Reese Ryan’s NEVER THE RIGHT TIME, second in her Love and Music Suite series, about Black artists and music producers in Atlanta. Nikki and Cedrick have a long past, which both ties them together and bars them from moving forward…. Really enjoyed this story, and loved how Ms Ryan gives us a peek at the music industry as well.
Kimberly Kincaid’s FEARLESS, part of her Pine Mountain and Rescue Squad series. This firefighter story was previously released but has been updated. Ms Kincaid’s writing is always excellent, and this totally worked for me. Loved the firefighting aspects, too.
Heidi Cullinan’s THE PROFESSOR’S GREEN CARD MARRIAGE (on Hoopla) was moving—one of the characters has selective mutism, and that was an interesting aspect of the story. Liked how Ms Cullinan let us see into their world.
Amy Lane’s A FOOL AND HIS MANNY (also on Hoopla) was just the sweet, lighter hearted read I needed. Big on family and found family.
Can’t believe it’s the end of August!
I don’t read a lot of contemporaries, but I tried a few this summer with mixed results. An older book by Barbara O’Neal(aka Barbara Samuel & Ruth Wind), THE ART OF INHERITING SECRETS. Readable, but stereotypical wish fulfillment for middle-aged women. The MC inherits an English estate and a title(Baroness) that she had no idea was in the family. A lot of it is fixing up ye olde run-down estate, but she also gets a hot new boyfriend, naturally. I prefer the Barbara Samuel historicals.
I enjoyed THE LAST DAYS OF LILAH GOODLUCK. But my favorite was DO ME A FAVOR by Cathy Yardley, although I haven’t quite finished it yet. The characters are absolutely loveable, and there’s lots of food descriptions and cooking.
I read the latest Sparks & Bainbridge mystery by Allison Montclair, MURDER AT THE WHITE PALACE. Still hooked on this series, even though a likeable character got bumped off, and it ended on a bit of a cliff-hanger.
I finished Michelle Diener’s Verdant String sci-fi series. A few of the middle ones were so-so, but I was glad I continued, because I really enjoyed the last 2 books, PEACE MAKER and ENTHRALLER.
I read THE TRADER’S WIFE by Anna Jacobs which is set in Singapore and Colonial Australia in the 1860’s. This book was very reminiscent of the historical sagas that were popular decades ago, from authors like Susan Howatch and Belva Plain. There is a central couple, with an MOC, but lots of other plot threads. Anyway, this was dated, but a real page-turner for me, I’m definitely reading the remaining books in the series.
I reread Robin McKinley’s Spindle’s End, which is obviously her Sleeping Beauty retelling. It has more of a T. Kingfisher-adjacent feel than I remember of many of her books, so if you’re out of White Rat it might be a good read. There are also excellent talking animals.
I happened to encounter Andrea Warner’s longform essay The Time of My Life: Dirty Dancing at Hoopla. Lots of fascinating details – unsurprisingly, the movie feels like lightning in a bottle because it beat all the odds to get made in the form we know.
I just finished FAILURE TO MATCH by Kyra Parsi. This turned out excellent and had Susan Elizabeth Phillips vibes. The grumpy billionaire forced to go to a matchmaker in order to get something from a relative he really wants. He sabotages every date until Jamie (FMC) pretends to be one of the dates to see what is going on. She is promptly outed and furious that he’s wasting everyone’s time. She is assigned as his dating coach to make sure he begins to take things seriously. I loved Jackson and how much he could appreciate a good “mean”. My heart melted at the cat room creation and I found this story just lovely and better than many of the illustrated cover stories out there. I promptly got the previous book DEAL WITH THE BOSSY DEVIL now on my TBR.
I also read and enjoyed THE PARADISE PROBLEM by Christina Lauren. Their books have been hit or miss with me but I found myself enjoying this story about two college kids who marry for the housing and then promptly divorce and go their separate ways. Fast forward 5 years and Anna finds out Liam never really divorced her and has been lying to his family about them still being married. Will Anna pretty please pretend they are still married for just a few days and a sibling wedding? I loved Anna because she was more bold and snarky than most of the heroines in the “pretend relationship” trope.
I also read FUNNY STORY by Emily Henry but found it less successful. Two people forced together because of the actions of both their ex’s. Daphne was a tad too boring and Miles was mellow to the point of being comatose at times but still enjoyable if not memorable.
Lastly I read THE PAIRING by Casey Mcquiston. I’m beginning to think RED WHITE & ROYAL BLUE was an outlier. I did not like this at all. Two former best friends then soulmates have a terrible breakup and meet again when both book a European food/wine tour at the same time. To prove they don’t have any romantic feelings left (only friends now) they decide to have a contest to see who can sleep with the most people as they travel and drink their way through Europe. If you think this doesn’t sound romantic it’s because it isn’t. “May the best Slut win” is not a good motto for a romance. YMMV.
COVEN OF ILL REPUTE by S.L. Prater: A witch and a vampire must solve a mystery while trapped together in haunted house. Complication: they are former partners. (Kindle Unlimited.)
DO ME A FAVOR by Cathy Yardley: Sweet romance between a widowed cookbook ghostwriter and her handyman neighbor. (Kindle Unlimited.)
JEWELS OF THE SUN by Nora Roberts: I’ve been taking some inspiration lately from the Time Magazine list of 50 romance novels to read. For Nora Roberts they picked the first book of a trilogy set in Ireland, which I might have read a couple of decades ago. So, basically, it was new to me! I enjoyed aspects, like our FMC finding her passion for writing and learning to trust that what she wants is important, but there’s some stuff that I didn’t really care for. There’s a sort of Irish stereotype that permeates the novel. I do want to believe that Ireland is a magical place full of passion and dreams, but in the book it’s leading to a lot of jealousy and anger issues. Our FMC punches the MMC hard enough to break his nose, and no one thinks this is a big deal.
FATED TO THE WOLF PRINCE by April L Moon: I wasn’t expecting a lot from this one when I started it. It kept my attention enough that I finished it, but I’m not sure I’d recommend it. The romance portion is fine. The world building is a little sketchy, though a lot of it is shrouded in mystery that will surely be uncovered over the course of a series that focuses on a different couple in each book. The author wanted to create a world in which our FMC has super special unique powers. Cool. In this world “omega” wolves are killed at birth by order of some sort of paranormal ruling body. Apparently werewolf Hitler was an omega wolf, and omega powers are just too dangerous to be allowed. And werewolves allow their babies to be killed if they show omega powers. And frankly, that’s really dark world building, and I didn’t feel like the author really appreciated exactly how dark. Like, none of the werewolves really seemed to care that our FMC is demonstrating omega-powers. But it is a big enough deal that babies get murdered over them? Maybe it gets sorted out in later books. (Kindle Unlimited.)
DAWN WITH THE WOLF KNIGHT by Elise Kova: A witch and werewolf work together to free a powerful nature spirit from the werewolves that want to control it. Part of the Married to Magic series of standalones. I thought some of the previous books were better, but that’s probably more a matter of some tropes appealing more than others. (Kindle Unlimited.)
THE BOYFRIEND GOAL by Lauren Blakely: I’m not quite done with this one. Let’s start with a list of tropes: There’s a one night stand, followed by a surprise reconnection. There’s a jock (hockey player) getting together with a nerd (librarian). Older brother’s friend (well, co-worker). It’s been sweet so far. (Kindle Unlimited.)
I missed out on contributing to August Part 1– distracted by Olympics and work. I’ve read several books this month I liked a lot.
Top of my list is Casey McQuiston’s THE PAIRING. I think this might be my favorite McQuiston (although it’s hard for me to nudge ONE LAST STOP out first place on my McQuiston list). I’ve seen some reviews that critiqued the presentation of the MCs– both bisexual, one non-binary– as stereotyped descriptions of sex-obsessed queer people, but that wasn’t my reaction. Some aspects of this second-chance romance weren’t completely convincing (especially the reasons for the MC breakup before they see each other again, four years later, on a European food and wine tour they planned before the breakup). But the descriptions of the food, drink, and scenery experienced by the MCs and others on the tour are lyrical– I found myself re-reading many sentences and paragraphs just to appreciate the stunning descriptions, and then moving on to appreciate the plot and storytelling technique, with the first half of the book narrated by one of the MCs and the second half seen through the other MCs eyes. I’ll re-read this one, I’m sure.
Also enjoyed Ali Hazelwood’s NOT IN LOVE, which she describes in a note to readers as “less of a rom-com and more of an erotic romance.” I liked this darker version of a Hazelwood FMC– she became a food scientist because of childhood food insecurity; she avoids forming lasting relationships because of other past traumas and seeks only one-time hookups… until the MMC breaks through her resistance, and along the way helps her resolve a serious work dilemma. Hazelwood brings some new elements to her standard “why it’s challenging to be a woman in STEM” scenarios in this one.
Then tried a new-to-me but much-talked-about author, Julie Soto. I enjoyed FORGET ME NOT– Ama the wedding planner and Elliot the florist were a great enemies-to-lovers couple, and the storytelling concept was intriguing– her chapters move chronologically forward but his chapters look backwards. Don’t want to say too much about it since that would lead to spoilers about the resolution, but I thought it was exceptionally effective.
Can’t say the same for the Soto follow-up book (standalone with a few scenes that include characters from FORGET ME NOT), NOT ANOTHER LOVE SONG– that one was just “meh” for me. Although I did appreciate the lengthy sex scene early in the book where the FMC describes her extremely satisfying first experience with the MMC using the language of classical music (she’s a violinist). The story overall didn’t work for me; the characters seemed immature (both MCs are in their 20s but seem to behave like teenagers a lot of the time) and the villains of the story might as well have been equipped with long black mustaches to twirl– they seemed cartoonishly obvious in their villainy.
Finally, one more really good read– a memoir by former professional soccer player Georgia Cloepfil, titled THE STRIKER AND THE CLOCK: ON BEING IN THE GAME. It’s told in a series of short chapters, each corresponding to one of the 90 minutes of a soccer match (plus chapters for half time and for “extra time” at the end of a match). Cloepfil is not a big name in women’s pro soccer– she played at a small college, then professionally for six years, on six teams, in six different countries. The book describes in compelling prose what motivates an athlete to keep striving to reach the top tier of their profession, despite injuries and assorted injustices.
Cloepfil (who is now both a college writing professor and a college soccer coach) also examines how other professional athletes write about their sport, and how other writers describe professional athletes. There’s much to ponder in this slim volume about dedication to one’s craft, no matter how you define your craft. After binging on Olympic stories of “thrill of victory and agony of defeat,” Cloepfil’s book provided a quiet and much-appreciated reflection.
AGONY HILL by Sarah Stewart Taylor
New detective series set in an idyllic town in Vermont in the 60s. Good start to a new series.
Then I checked out the author’s Sweeney St. George series about an art historian studying funerary art. The characters are great and I enjoyed it but I’m very disappointed this other series was unfinished without a proper resolution between Sweeney and her love interest.
I have “Good Duke Gone Wild” by Bethany Bennett right now – it’s a historical but feels rather modern, or maybe I’m just not used to seeing the attitudes kind of fit modern ones in some ways? Not quite far enough in yet to decide, but the author has clearly set up a couple of characters as the MCs of future books.
Next up will be “Haunted Ever After” by Jen DeLuca. I love the setting and the premise, so we’ll see how it plays out. I’ve never read any of her books, as the previous ones didn’t appeal to me.
I’m waiting on the library list for Casey McQuiston’s newest, “The Pairing”, to come in. Not really feeling enthused about reading it, though, and I’m not sure why. Like another commenter pointed out, maybe exes competing to see who can sleep around most in Europe isn’t the right premise for a romance. It feels like it’s trying too hard to be edgy (right down to the promo boxes they sent out with contents that some book reviewers objected to being sent without their consent).
Currently reading: Take Two by Shira Anthony, and Nuts and Bolts by BL Maxwell (ARC). Just finished: For Never & Always by Helena Greer. For Elyse: I read It Had to Be You recently – and shouted aloud when I recognized a hotel the characters stay in! It’s fun when something like that happens.
This is coming to you live from me listening to the Red Dead Redemption 2 Soundtrack. Damn, the music in this slaps, though.
Apparently, I am in a very witchy mood of late, based on my reading. I think it’s my brain rebelling about the fact that it is ungodly hot where I am (get bent, Florida). There was Island Witch, which was last WAYR, and was followed up by Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix. This was set at a home for pregnant teenage girls in 1970. Obviously, there is probably never a great time to be an unmarried teenage girl, but this was a particularly bad time. At this particular one, the girls are wildly mistreated by the staff at the home, including a doctor that dismisses their needs and a “social worker” that pressures them into giving up their children so that they can be sold to a nice couple. The book reminded me of The Reformatory in that it takes a place that was selling itself as a place for improvement and is instead a place for people in power to victimize those they see as less than themselves. Since we know I love women’s wrongs, I greatly enjoyed it when the girls decided to take any power for themselves that they could get. Then I pulled out Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle. Doyle is also Scarlett Peckham, who wrote one of my very favorite historicals, The Rakess. This one was very good, with some very funny moments. I did feel like the Bleak Moment was a bit too Bleak, but that might be because I was rooting so hard for the main couple. The Side Hustle jumps back in this week, and we’re doing picture books, so there was also some time with Ferdinand by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson, and The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch by and Michael Martchenko. It’s actually fun when I get to spend some time with picture books, since I kind of skipped them as a child (I learned to read a little too fast, which I imagined is a common thing around many of people reading this website). I did not know what an Introvert Icon Ferdinand really was, and The Paper Bag Princess had one of the better “men aren’t shit” moments I’ve ever seen in a book. Which brings us to now, in which I am reading The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy. I really like the weird west feel of the setting, there is a Very Good Dog, and I am really enjoying the ostensibly mean back and forth of the leads as they pour their heart out to each other in letters. Thanks a lot of time lately playing RDR2, any western cowboy or Southern-coded character sounds a lot like Arthur Morgan in my head (which is fine, since Arthur is DEAD SEXY).
So until next time, may we all have sexy cowboy voices in our heads as we read about sexy cowboys.
Despite doing a lot of reading this week, it was pretty meh, so not much to report.
However, I am enjoying NEVERNIGHT. Halfway through – it’s dark and awesome. The main character, Mia Corvere, is a teenaged girl who has dedicated her life to avenging her family, so she naturally joins a secret society of assassins. Picture NONA THE NINTH meets Harry Potter/Hogsworts – really excellent. The worldbuilding feels like if Venice was relocated onto Arrakis/Dune. Very cool. Reading it slowly to savor it.
Hope everyone is well!
I’ve read a lot, just haven’t found time to post.
ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK by Chris Whitaker: excellent small town, mystery thriller. Twists all the way down.
FUNNY STORY by Emily Henry: Really enjoyed it.
BEFORE I LET GO by Kennedy Ryan: All the feels and uncomfortable truths.
THE LAST WORD by Elly Griffiths: The fourth in her Harbinder Kaur series, not a good place to start, so I’ll try again with the first. Lots of potential.
WINTER LOST by Patricia Briggs: The end of the world is nigh, unless Mercy saves the day. I will never tire of these books.
SIPSWORTH by Simon Van Booy: An elderly woman feels she has nothing left now that she’s outlived every family member and friend. She returns to England where she grew up and waits for the end. And then a mouse shows up and changes everything. So many wonderful feels as she works through grief and loss. Highly recommended.
Well, I’m kind of shocked at my reading over the last couple of weeks. Apparently, retirement wins you a lifetime membership in the Bad Decisions Book Club. Guess I’ll have to resign from the Suzy Homemaker Society. . . . Just kidding. The SHS threw me out before I turned 40.
Back in mid-August, I read Ilona Andrews’ Sanctuary, a novella introduced in episodes on their blog, so technically my second reading. Sanctuary features Roman, post-shift Atlanta’s sexiest Volhv. Not only would I “read a laundry list” if it was written by Ilona Andrews (a quote, but damned if I can remember who by), I’d happily read it a second time and thoroughly savor it within a few months of the first read.
Goodnight, Mr. Wodehouse by Faith Sullivan. I bought this primarily because I adored P. G. Wodehouse back in the 60s when I was teenager. Basically, the book follows the life of Nell Stillman from the turn of the (20th) century until the 60s. Historical events are punctuated by cultural references from the midwest of that era & books read by Nell and her circle. Despite the uplifting blurb and the unsentimental yet old-fashioned writing style, this is not a cozy read, and it is certainly not a romance. It was a surprisingly compelling story, but by the end, I felt that the narrative was emotionally manipulative and the grief seemed like just this huge pile on.
Lizzie Grace series by Keri Arthur.
I think someone mentioned this in the last Whatcha Reading post. I hadn’t read a new-to-me urban fantasy in a few years, but the antipodean setting beckoned. I read 4-5 books in order and enjoyed them, but I wasn’t blown away by them. I expect I’ll finish the series, but probably won’t reread. My only real complaint is that every book has a towering body count and a whole lot of undeveloped red shirt characters.
Kissing Tolstoy & Kissing Galileo (Dear Professor duology) by Penny Reid.
I’ll read and reread most anything by Reid. This pair of novellas is not her best work, but there’s still enough to draw me in and keep me engaged, particularly with Kissing Galileo.
Miranda in Retrograde by Lauren Layne.
Layne is an autobuy for me, and Miranda did not disappoint. Denial of tenure sparks an existential crisis for scientist and professor, Miranda Reed. After moving into her aunt’s townhouse, Miranda launches a major reboot, applying her big, brilliant brain to an exploration of astrology. There is a little triangle situation with a nice guy and a grump, and a nice slow burn thing going on. Characters and conversation are at Layne’s usual high level of excellence.
Love at First Spite by Anna Collins.
Wolf in the Garden by Allegra Hall
The Hollywood Marriage Bargain by Lila Monroe
DNFs: These were ok but didn’t grab me, and I just lost patience with them.
Seduction by Amanda Quick.
I think this was maybe mentioned in a sale post recently and it was a Quick I did not have. I loved the down-to-earth heroine who tries to negotiate terms for her marriage of convenience only to discover that she has no recourse when hubby breaks his word. Hubs is a remorseless alph-hole at the outset, but his bride is a delightfully creative thinker. Basically, it’s the learning curve for both of them that makes this story work. The only thing that bugged me was the epilogue which hinted at a sequel featuring two of the supporting characters, and I wants it. Does anyone know whether there was ever a follow-up to Seduction?
Sweet, Savage Death by Jane Haddam.
This 1984 mystery is very much an artifact of its time. I’ll always savor the wit and precision of Haddam’s writing, but she isn’t shy about having a character blurt out a racist screed. I read it as character development rather than an endorsement of the attitude. There are also some negative references to weight. And then there’s the smoking, so much smoking. I do plan to read the rest of the five book series as I’m curious to see what direction she take them in.
Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh (Wulfric’s book)
Sweep of the Blade by Ilona Andrews (Maud’s book)
Comfort reads. I needed a palate cleanser.
The Mysterious Heir by Edith Layton.
This was my first time reading this oldy but goody. I’m pretty sure the process of choosing an heir as described here is pretty inaccurate, but I was able to roll with it. I enjoyed the characters and the gentle humor more than the melodrama. Another much appreciated palate cleanser.
Just for the Summer & Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez.
I read the first couple of Jimenez’s Friend Zone books a few years ago and liked them well enough to make Jimenez an auto-buy, Weirdly, it took me this long to actually read a couple more. And ohhhh, the feels. These were so well written, full of deeply felt angst seasoned by gentle humor and a fundamental kindness towards the weirdest quirks of human nature.
Finding Mr. Write by Kelley Armstrong.
I was never able to get into Armstrong’s paranormal/urban fantasy work, though at the time I tried them, there was Just. So. Much. Choice. However, I’m currently in the midst of Finding Mr. Write and enjoying it so much. It reminds me a bit of my fav Emily Henry novels, i.e., the bookish ones. I dearly hope that Armstrong continues to explore rom-coms.
I just read the 13th book of Seanan McGuire’s Incryptid series (Aftermarket Afterlife, told from Mary’s POV), and IMO, it was both awesome, and the most intense of the series.
I enjoyed The Unlikely Pair by Jax Calder, which triggered me to re-read her rugby series.
I’m a fan of Zarah Detand, but there are a few of her books I hadn’t read yet because I’m not a fan of the “celebrity” theme when it’s not sports. But I was lacking anything else to read, so I tried Beautiful Rhythm which is about a concert pianist and the guy who moves in next door. I ended up enjoying it – it’s told solely from the pianist’s point of view, which I liked because he’s really the one who grows in the story (bi/gay-awakening) while his love interest is such a likeable character all along.
On the heels of that, I started reading You’re My Beat by the same author. I’m maybe half way through and it’s fine, just my least favourite of her books so far. A rock star takes his best friend’s brother’s dance company on tour and I don’t really buy it, and I’m not loving the rock star main character.
Still, I highly recommend Detand’s books, especially the EPL soccer ones.
@PamG, this is all I could find on Jayne Ann Krentz’s website, but I also haven’t read Seduction so I don’t know whether this is what you were referring to: https://jayneannkrentz.com/faq/#sequels
I crushed THE PARADISE PROBLEM because Anna is *fantastic* and I kept cackling with laughter. That was way more successful than TANGLED UP IN YOU which I honestly mostly skimmed.
Thanks to the previous WYR, I went on a Sarah Wallace bender and read 6 books in 3 days – all the MEDDLE & MEND books plus BREEZESPELLS AND BRIDEGROOMS.
I really enjoyed THE NOVICE DRAGONEER by E E Knight and would recommend to Tamora Pierce or Naomi Novik fans. Maybe a bit YA compared to Novik but the dragon biology and world building is solid. Along the same lines, I am halfway through THE OBSIDIAN TOWER by Melissa Caruso and it’s suitably epic and goth.
@Big K I tried NEVERNIGHT and can see the appeal but I had an immediate break in my suspension of disbelief when the super amazing stealthy assassin is smoking on her stakeout. It seemed like such an easy way to get caught that I couldn’t buy it any longer. I can definitely see how they could be addictive though. (I’d go deeper into some of my bigger critiques if I could work out the spoiler tag)
@Shanna – I loved The Fall that Saved Us by Tamara Jerée! I hope you write a review. I thought the last 1/4 ish wasn’t as strong as the rest of the book but I didn’t care much because I loved the characters so, so much. And there’s a sequel to come.
The only new book I’ve read this month is Queen of Dreams by Kit Rocha and I LOVED IT! I might like it even more than book 1. In general, I like reading about lovers/partners having to figure out how to work together and I thought the ways Ash, Sachi and Zanya negotiated their relationships one on one and as a triad was really interesting and satisfying. I also loved seeing both Sachi and Zanya come into their powers.
I’ve been doing a lot of re-reading. Like kkw, I reread Band Sinister by KJ Charles and I’d forgotten what a delight it is. Same for Unfit to Print.
Other re-reads include:
Work For It by Talia Hibbert (m/m contemporary)
4.5 stars. Emotionally satisfying and sexy mm romance between two lonely, damaged men who spend a couple intense weeks together at an elderflower farm (as one does!)
The Hate Project by Kris Ripper (m/m contemp)
4.5 – my favorite of the Love Study series. Two grumpy acquaintances have pity sex, become frenemies with benefits and then develop inconvenient emotions. Like most of Ripper’s books, it’s stronger on queer community than romance, but that works for me. I like hanging out with these guys.
I think your enjoyment of this book depends on how well you can handle being in the head of our narrator Oscar – an anxious, depressed underachieving 29 year old. Read the sample.
Over the past two weeks ~
— enjoyed The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren which is a contemporary romance that takes place several years after a marriage of convenience (for family student housing, a novel reason!). The male lead asks the female lead to attend his sister’s wedding with him as his wife. His family is tremendously wealthy and severely dysfunctional; she needs the money he offers.
— read the children’s book A Thousand Glass Flowers: Marietta Barovier and the Invention of the Rosetta Bead by Evan Turk for my summer reading bingo as I needed to read a book about invention. It is about Marietta Barovier who lived in Murano, Italy, during the early Renaissance and her invention/rediscovery of millefiori glassblowing.
— so enjoyed The Unlikely Pair by Jax Calder which I read the previous week that I read it again!
— For my local book group, I read An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong. This is a nonfiction book about animals (including humans) and their senses; it includes the five senses we typically think of along with several others. It is incredibly well researched; if you like footnotes, you will be very happy. While it is dense with facts, it is written in a very approachable style.
— quite enjoyed the contemporary romance, Triple Play by Aimee Rivkin. This is a romance with three leads — a woman who left home to become a ballerina but was a pole dancer for six years; her new boyfriend, a multimillionaire baseball player who is unaware of her past; and the man who was her favorite customer in her pole dancing days. The latter is a minor league player just brought up to the major league who might lose that position as it’s the same position that the other man plays. (A willing suspicion of disbelief could come in handy!) Due to weather and cancelled flights, the trio ends up driving from Boston to Florida. I would happily read more by this author.
— read the contemporary romance The Last Days of Lilah Goodluck by Kylie Scott. Lilah saves the life of a witch who then makes a number of predictions for her such as her boyfriend is cheating, the winning lottery numbers, the name of her soulmate, and her death in a week. This was an enjoyable read.
— quite enjoyed Just Say (Hell) No by Rosalind James, a New Zealand set contemporary romance featuring an artist and a rugby player. I believe it was @Maureen who mentioned this in a HABO.
— read with pleasure another contemporary romance by Rosalind James, Just Say Yes. This book, also set in New Zealand, featured a single mother ballet dancer and a rugby player.
Finally bit the bullet and read The Dastardly Miss Lizzie by Viola Carr. I had been putting it off because I enjoyed the other two in the series so much I didn’t want it to end and I was afraid the ending would be too dark. Surprisingly it turned out to be fairly reasonable, all things considered, with relatively happy resolutions for all concerned, with the possible exception of Mr Todd, but knowing him I suspect he manages to escape somehow despite turning himself in. (I have visions of that cartoon bit where the perp manages to ooze out from under the dogpile of police and run off while they’re flailing about.) I still feel like I missed a book in this series though, because there’s never a straight-out story about how Eliza met Mr Todd in the first place. If there is one out there somewhere please let me know.
Currently reading The Book of Kells by RA MacAvoy. I’m a big fan of her Black Dragon books but this one, despite her usual excellent writing, has not aged well in some respects, and I’m having a hard time liking the male protagonist. There’s an age gap romance that I’m finding squicky, and the ML tends to dissociate from reality too much despite needing to keep his wits about him in an unfamiliar place and time, as well as reading modern constructs into the behavior of people around him rather than inquiring into the current meanings.
@PamG – There is no true sequel featuring the secondary characters Daregate and heiress Anne Silverthorne from Amanda Quick’s Seduction. If you look at the next regency she published (Surrender, which is about an impoverished lord who makes his money at the gaming tables while he pursues an heiress who prefers not to wed), you can see she slightly reworked and renamed the characters.
I’ve always found this telling, since I never thought JAK was particularly good at sequels. She can set an infinite number of books in the same world just fine, but carrying characters from one book to the next has never been her strength.
Thank you, @Kareni, for my best laugh this week: ” if you like footnotes, you will be very happy.”
I aim to please, @LML!
Aha time to get some mint tea and blow up my TBR again 😀
I finally read The Last Hour of Gann (all the cw) after hearing it rec’d soooo many years ago on the podcast. I just remember Jane imitating the lizard lady desperately trying to compliment the fmc, who everyone finds shockingly ugly because she’s an alien, and says her name is really beautiful. It was what made me think ok, ok, I’m willing to be convinced. I was expecting a tough and harrowing read but I didn’t expect the funny or sweet parts, or the musings on god and faith, my goodness. I really loved how she handled telling the history of the planet, making you wait that long for the shoe to drop – the pacing was so on point. Finishing it gave that mix of closure and awe like after finishing some long, long, epic fanfic that (more importantly) the fic author has managed to finish. A rare experience, you have to pause to savor that feeling, it doesn’t come around very often.
DO READ REVIEWS before going in, Book IV is really tough and there’s a lot of content warning stuff throughout.
I started Kate Clayborn’s Georgie, All Along – it’s about a young woman figuring out what she wants to do with life in the form of an “ask a cute guy to help me do my bucket list” story. Usually when I’ve read this setup, the heroine is more surefooted, she knows what she wants to do: she wants to do this bucket list, but Georgie specifically doesn’t know what she wants, that’s why she’s doing it. It’s a charming twist and I felt for her because that’s every 20-something year old. The opening sure is clunky though – I keep rearranging it as I go. I want to like it and I think she writes quite well, just not well enough to cover the slow start. I will pick it up as soon as I find my Kindle, I’ve lost it for a week now 6__6
I also picked up John Wiswell’s Someone You Can Build a Nest In which is a very sweet and gorily slurpy love story between a shapeshifting “monster” and a human woman. The initial plot conflict is when Shesheshen (shapeshifter) decides she loves Homily (human), seeing her as a good person who would be a worthy parent: someone you can build a nest in. She realizes that Homily probably wouldn’t want to go along with matriphagy and is like, HMMM what do? Then, further reveals of their pasts and secrets shows that there is actually quite a lot of overlap of those pasts and secrets, which complicates things even more. It obviously alludes to heavy things like how to be yourself in a world that thinks you’re a monster, or, navigating toxic family relationships – but it’s also determined to have fun. I’m about halfway through and it’s succeeding: it’s fun and thoughtful and imaginative, it’s a good hang!
@fichen1, @Deborah
Thanks, y’all. I had looked but could not find anything. I get why she wouldn’t go back to it now, but she certainly did tease a sequel in that epilogue.
Maybe I’ll check out Surrender. I read it in the ancient days, so it’ll be just like new. Amirite?
I know everyone has their own style and I don’t want to change that, but out of curiosity, what do people want in these book notes? Just Title and Author? Do people want a mini review or something more like a star rating? I like to note if I picked something up from Kindle Unlimited, but is that something that matters to anyone else? Should I make a note if a book is particularly spicy or if it is closed door? Should I note the gender of the protagonists? How many books is too many, or should I just pick the most memorable one or two from the last couple of weeks?
I appreciate learning what other people are reading, and I want to make my own small contribution to the community a little bit better next time around.
@C, such an interesting question. Everyone who comments describes their reading differently, which is one of the reasons I enjoy “Whatcha Reading” so much – so many voices. I HATED writing book reviews in school so my comments are often title, author and why I enjoyed the book or series. Sometimes I do think to myself “that wasn’t very helpful” and wish I had a better book-critic vocabulary.
@AC,
What I find useful in a review is:
1) Things I liked and why
2) Things I hated and why
As long as I know what elements are in the book, I can decide for myself if those are things I would like or not.
@C: I prefer something more than title and author, but I will take whatever is given. I enjoy seeing the wealth of books that we are all reading!
@C
I’m happy to read whatever a commenter wants to give me on the books they’ve read. I also like context offered from their own experience. Over time, with regular reading, members of the Bitchery will get a sense of what your priorities are and how your assessment relates to their own tastes. I’m all about the conversation, even if it only takes place in my own head.
@C: Everyone has a different approach and style (which is one of the reasons I love the WAYR posts), but for me, I write what I myself like to know about a book: title, author, series (and, if the book is part of a series, do you need to have read the previous books in the series), any triggers or content warnings, the tropes, a basic outline of the plot, are there things the writers does particularly well, are there things that could have been handled differently, is there a quote (or two) that sums up some aspect of the story, and, ultimately, do I feel comfortable recommending this book to others.
@C, I agree with the other responses to your query. I like to get more than a list of titles and authors, but appreciate the variety of approaches (and varieties of level of detail) that WAYR posters provide. Like @PamG, I’m “all about the conversation.” And if you want to let me know that something you liked a lot is on KU, please do!