Heroine’s Journey is the third book in the diverse, fun, feminist Heroine Complex trilogy. In theory it could work as a stand alone, but it will be easier to follow and a more emotional read if you read the other two books in the series first (Heroine Complex and Heroine Worship). More books in this world are planned, but the first three, which are intended as “the first trilogy,” make an emotionally satisfying arc about … Continue reading Heroine’s Journey by Sarah Kuhn →
Back in 2017 I reviewed Amberlough by Lara Elena Donnelly. This was the first book in a series about a slightly alternate 1920s/1930s era Europe. The first book pitted the members and patrons of The Bumble Bee Cabaret against the rising fascist party (the Ospies). You will definitely want to read Amberlough before you read Armistice. The sequel, Armistice, picks up three years after the end of Amberlough, with the characters of that novel scattered. Cordelia … Continue reading Armistice by Lara Elena Donnelly →
Firestorm is definitely someone’s catnip. There are dragon shifters. There is epic love. The word “eons” is used unironically. The hero has “azure eyes.” The heroine has “sherry eyes.” The sides of an ancient conflict are helpfully labeled “the Dark” and “the Light.” This is some epic shit, y’all, and while it’s a bit too epic for me I have the distinct feeling that several readers I know would eat this up with a spoon, … Continue reading Firestorm by Donna Grant →
For the first three-quarters of the book, Cottage by the Sea by Debbie Macomber was the gentle, reassuring romance I needed. Near the end I struggled with the treatment of a secondary character who suffers from mental health issues enough that it soured the book a bit for me. It still enjoyed it, but that short section frustrated me enough that it disrupted the overall romance. The book opens after tragedy strikes. Annie Marlow, a physician’s … Continue reading Cottage by the Sea by Debbie Macomber →
The Unconventional Governess is a funny, touching Regency romance. Set in England in 1814, it involves a woman who wants to be a doctor and a man who finds himself with an estate to run, a niece to raise, and a case of epilepsy to manage. The book is short, the emotions feel true, and the characters are lovely. Our heroine, Henrietta, is an orphan. Her uncle, a doctor, raised her and he took her … Continue reading The Unconventional Governess by Jessica Nelson →
I read this book on the plane to RWA last week after JenReadsRomance recommended it most assiduously on Twitter. I won’t embed the thread as it’s a bit spoilery (here is a link if you wish), but there was one quote that sold me on this novel. The heroine’s mother is a former supermodel, and when her daughter Dani, the heroine, calls her after a bad breakup (more on that in a moment), they have … Continue reading A Taste of Pleasure by Chloe Blake →
We always want to hear about books that you love! Please welcome this guest squee from Friday. Thanks so much, Friday! Friday is 30-something, lives in North Queensland and spends most of her working hours counting down to when she can get back to the important matter of reading, or how many more hours she has to do to be able to afford this month’s book tithe, and still be able to eat. Her current … Continue reading Guest Squee: Safe Passage by Ida Cook →
Fence is a manga-inspired comic about the fencing team of a high school boarding school. The story includes sexual and ethnic diversity, a secret half-brother, class division, and passionate rivalry between two teammates who loathe each other and are therefore, inevitably, randomly chosen to be roommates. The authors have promised romance, and while so far none has been forthcoming, if the roommates do not become lovers in the very near future I will be amazed. … Continue reading Fence Vol. 1 by C.S. Pacat →
Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Perez is a YA retelling of Tristian and Isolde, and while it contains romantic elements, it is not a romance. If you know the story of Tristian and Isolde, then you know it’s not a happy story. I’m not sure what direction Perez is ultimately going to take the legend as this is the first book in a trilogy, but I walked into it knowing enough not to anticipate a HEA. … Continue reading Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Perez →
Trail of Lightning was preordered around two months in advance and I would have waited triple that amount for this book if I had to. It’s steeped in Native American (namely Navajo) mythology, badassery, and lots and lots of violence. If you’re sensitive to graphic, gritty details, this book is not for you. It was rather early on that I knew this book was going to be amazing. And by early, I meant page two: … Continue reading Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse →
Bingo Love is a sweet romance graphic novel about true love between two Black women. Two teenagers, Mari and Hazel, meet at a church bingo game in 1963. They share their first kiss in front of church after another bingo game, but are separated by their parents. Hazel, the narrator, goes on with her life, missing Mari but marrying a veteran named James and having a stable but passionless marriage. Decades later, Hazel meets Mari … Continue reading Bingo Love by Tee Franklin →
