‘One Night Only’ review: Catherine Walsh’s debut romance explores love after a one night stand

A witty and remarkably fun story, One Night Only is Catherine Walsh’s debut novel. It features an architect terrified of (yet starved for) an intimate and romantic connection and a bartender-entrepreneur looking to sweep her off her feet. When Sarah…

‘While We Were Dating’ review: Jasmine Guillory offers a dreamy and steamy celebrity romance

Are you a fan of stories with the ‘fake relationship’ trope? What about with a romance between two characters that have tangible, passionate chemistry together? Are you a fan of Jasmine Guillory’s The Wedding Date series? Would you love to…

‘Out of Character’ review: Annabeth Albert expands ‘True Colors’ universe with ex-friends to lovers sequel

Content warning: This novel will contain elements of homophobia (outward and internalized), as well as sexual content broaching on new adult scenes.  Out of Character is an expansion of Annabeth Albert’s True Colors universe, but while it serves as a…

‘An Emotion of Great Delight’ review: Tahereh Mafi returns to realistic fiction to explore collective and individual trauma

After the completion of her Shatter Me series, Tahereh Mafi showcased her versatility as a writer by shifting gears from speculative fiction to contemporary fiction. Her last YA novel, A Very Large Expanse of Sea, features a hijab-wearing Muslim American…

‘Dial A for Aunties’ review: Jesse Q. Sutanto’s delightful novel is a love letter to Indo-Chinese culture

Jesse Q. Sutanto’s book Dial A for Aunties is not your average murder mystery novel. If you are looking for your next terrifying whodunnit thriller, then it’s best to continue looking—Dial A for Aunties is not that book. It is,…

‘Wild Mountain Thyme’ review: Romance is lost amid inconsistent storytelling

Wild Mountain Thyme is a wildly imbalanced ride from start to finish. It begins with scenic views of Ireland: gorgeous green meadows settling into the foreground of a serene countryside. The calmness is quickly interrupted by a voiceover from Christopher…

‘The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany’ review: Lori Nelson Spielman weaves a magical story about a generational family curse

International bestselling author Lori Nelson Spielman returns with her third book, The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany, a contemporary fiction set in the Italian countryside. Through beautiful prose, Lori Nelson Spielman immerses readers in the alluring setting of an even more…