jessread-s;

Thanks to the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

✩🎾💍Review: 

Smeltzer serves up a delightful second chance sports romance!

“Second Serve follows estranged exes Ebba Johnson and Fisher Grant after a drunken night in Vegas leads to an accidental marriage. Instead of getting the marriage annulled right away, the two agree to see if they can make things work for the first six months. But to move forward they must confront everything that went wrong between them.

Ebba and Fisher’s love story is the perfect combination of heart and heat! Both characters are layered with many complex emotions stemming from a traumatic event that created a rift in their relationship. Alternating between Ebba and Fisher’s perspectives paint a picture of what they once had and the love that still lingers. Their marriage, unplanned as it is, not only forces them to work through their feelings, but also helps them realize how much they have grown as individuals in their time spent apart. The wistful glances, stolen touches, and sizzling “will they or won’t they” dynamic made my heart flutter! Admittedly, the pacing felt a bit fast and the back and forth between the two was repetitive at times. Still, I loved watching Ebba and Fisher find their way back to each other. Their healing journey resonates and in laying themselves bare, they are able to build something that lasts. The happiness they find in the end is nothing short of satisfying!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

✩⏳🩷Review: 

A short and sweet novella that packs a powerful emotional punch!

“Back to You” follows Allison Yang, an exhausted career woman on the verge of death, after she is given the opportunity to redo her life. 

Liang’s insightful, coming-of-age story grips from the get-go. Similar to her previous works, she incorporates magical elements to explore a common dilemma—picking a career path. Readers who are torn between pursuing their passion and what society has deemed more practical will see their struggles reflected in Allison. Prior to her untimely death, a clear picture is painted of what it’s like to choose a discipline for the wrong reasons: Allison is miserable, exhausted, and suffering from severe burnout. The second chance she is given presents her with the opportunity to change the trajectory of her life, starting with switching majors, leaving toxic friends behind, and approaching her crush. Allison and Luke have palpable chemistry, and their first date is absolutely adorable! Altogether, Liang perfectly balances themes of self-discovery and love to create an enjoyable and impactful read. 

✩👑💍Book Feature:

Huge thank you to Bloom Books for the gifted copy of “King of Wrath”! With the final book in the “Kings of Sin” series releasing next year, I’m excited to go back to the very beginning and experience Dante Russo and Vivian Lau’s story for the first time. “King of Gluttony” immediately hooked me on the rest of the series when I read it back in April. I devoured it in record time and I just know the same will be true for the rest of the books. The arranged marriage trope is one of my very favorites, so I cannot wait to read this!

Trope Breakdown: 💍 arranged marriage ❤️‍🔥 dislike to love 💋 forced proximity 💵 billionaire

Book Blurb⤵️

She's the wife he never wanted...and the weakness he never saw coming.

Ruthless. Meticulous. Arrogant.

Dante Russo thrives on control, both personally and professionally.

The billionaire CEO never planned to marry—until the threat of blackmail forces him into an engagement with a woman he barely knows.

Vivian Lau, jewelry heiress and daughter of his newest enemy.

It doesn’t matter how beautiful or charming she is. He'll do everything in his power to destroy the evidence and their betrothal.

There’s only one problem: Now that he has her...he can't bring himself to let her go.

***

Elegant. Ambitious. Well-mannered.

Vivian Lau is the perfect daughter and her family’s ticket into the highest echelons of high society.

Marrying a blue-blooded Russo means opening doors that would otherwise remain closed to her new-money family.

While the rude, elusive Dante isn't her idea of a dream partner, she agrees to their arranged marriage out of duty.

Craving his touch was never part of the plan.

Neither was the worst thing she could possibly do: fall in love with her future husband.

✩🌙🦊Book Mail:

I received the BEST book mail from Katrina Kwan! “The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox” is truly such a special book and having a signed copy means the world to me! When I first read TLOTNTF, I was just beginning my first semester of grad school. The courses were HARD and I was having a difficult time adjusting. I'm convinced the only way I made it out is because TLOTNTF was a place I could escape to in those early weeks to avoid severe burnout it's only fitting that “Love Among Thieves” came out right when I was finishing up my semester! I devoured it as a little treat.

Thank you so much Kat for writing books that have seen me through thick and thin! I'm so grateful to have served on your street team and shout about how much they mean to me! I cannot wait for your next release. 

Read on for my review of TLOTNTF ⤵️

A breathtaking fantasy romance meant to be devoured!

“The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox” follows Yue—a nine-tailed fox—and Sonam—the demon-hunter who captures her—after they are banished to the underworld together and forced to form a reluctant alliance in order to escape. 

Kwan structures her latest novel beautifully, alternating between the present timeline and the story of the Legendary Archer. As the story progresses, the two narratives converge to reveal not only how the pasts of her characters are intertwined, but how they connect to the legends of old. Each line has intention behind it and the way the end circles back to the beginning is genius. 

Kwan’s descriptive prose lends itself well to her world-building. I found her depiction of the underworld morbidly fascinating. She draws from Chinese mythology to create the ten courts of Hell and the ruthless star gods that preside over them. Each court is more haunting than the last, forcing Yue, Sonam, Sooah, and Wen to depend on one another to survive. The bond that they forge by the end is incredibly wholesome, and I found myself equally invested in the lives of the main characters and the secondary ones. 

Yue and Sonam’s reluctant allies turned lovers arc is incredibly satisfying. Their relationship development is very gradual with the two initially at each other’s throats being demon and demon hunter. I loved watching their perceptions of one another change and the attraction between them grow the further they ventured through the courts of Hell. Snippets from Sonam’s hunting log reflect this at the beginning of each chapter and I couldn’t get enoughof them! Kwan is the master when it comes to tension, angst, and yearning. 

✩🔪🐚Pub Day Spotlight:

Thank you Avon Books for the gifted copy

Happy release day to the traditionally published paperback of "My Killer Vacation!" In addition to new cover art, this edition includes an exclusive bonus novella (My Killer Role) featuring fan-favorite characters that you won't want to miss out on! I devoured this book when it was self-published in 2022 and I'm so glad to have received a shelf trophy from Avon.

Read on for my review from 2022 ⤵️

“My Killer Vacation” is the perfect murder mystery rom-com!

My favorite thing about this novel would have to be Taylor and Myles’ character dynamics. Their worlds collide when Taylor discovers a corpse in her Cape Cod rental home and Myles is hired to solve the crime. When attempts are made on Taylor’s life, the two are forced to work together even though they could not be more different. Taylor is an energetic elementary school teacher tired of living a life without risk. Myles is a big, brooding bounty hunter afraid of facing his past. But you know what they say…opposites attract! The further Myles tries to distance himself in order to catch the killer, the harder it is for him to get Taylor off of his mind. 

Bailey switches between Taylor and Myles’ points-of-views, which is something I appreciated! I loved getting the opportunity to explore their differing personalities and watch them catch feelings for each other at different times. 

Because the book takes place within the span of a week, the instalove trope is present. Though this trope is normally not my favorite, Bailey somehow made it work for me!

If you're in need of a spicy beach read with a killer twist, look no further!

✩📚✍️Review: 

*Thanks to @fiercereadsya for free copy for review*

Hur’s latest novel is a love letter to books and storytelling! 

“Behind Five Willows” follows Haewon, an illegal book transcriber from a poor family, and Seojun, the wealthy son of a noble writing under a pen name, as they secretly fight against government book banning and find themselves irresistibly drawn together.

Hur’s descriptive prose and well-researched historical details seamlessly transported me back in time to Joseon-era Korea. I was immediately drawn in by the tense environment Hur created in setting the story during a time of rampant government censorship and book banning. Much of what the characters must grapple with, including the loss of freedom, mirror issues seen in today’s heightened era of book challenges. The secrecy the characters had to maintain and the rules they toed around just to protect an activity they love tugged on my heartstrings. While the situation is dire, hope is woven into the storyline. 

Haewon and Seojun’s love story is achingly beautiful! Their romance is largely forbidden given their differences in social status, which made me adore the way these two come together all the more. Unbeknownst to them, Haewon and Seojun first connect as pen pals writing under pen names. Hur includes the contents of their letters to illustrate the depth of the friendship they forged in being wholly honest with each other. When they first meet in person, they are quick to cast judgment, which makes it harder to come to terms with their feelings once the truth surrounding their identities comes to light. Their development from despising one another to being unable to part ways is well-paced and quite frankly made me weak in the knees. The yearning and tension practically jumps off the page! Jane Austen fans will delight in the parallels between “Behind Five Willows” and “Pride and Prejudice.” I highly recommend picking this one up!

✩🦎📓Review: 

*Thank you HTP Books, a division of HarperCollins, for the free copy for review*

An entertaining, spicy small-town sports romance! 

“Bad Boy Era” follows Everly, the matchmaking mastermind of her family. She can't stand her best friend's twin brother, with his brooding Irish accent, impressive rugby skills and tattoos. But everything changes when the two are forced together in this delightful small-town romance.

Despite Everly and Conri deeming one another “off-limits,” these two were smitten with each other from the get-go, which made for a fun read! Working together on the same mountain was the perfect amount of forced proximity to get them to “scratch the itch.” The casual summer fling they eventually agree to allows them to grow closer without the risk of an actual relationship. What follows is the most delicious slow burn, sizzling spice, and next level tension that makes them second-guess their agreed-upon expiration date.

Even Conri’s tough exterior is no match for Everly’s sunshine personality. The more he gets to know her, the more he realizes that she is more than the princess do-gooder type that she projects to the world. I appreciate the ways in which he took care of her from afar and helped her free herself from the matchmaking rules she used to live by. The two truly complement each other in the best ways, his possessive side bringing out her playfulness. Their verbal sparring matches result in hilarious banter that balances well with both characters’ respective journeys of self-discovery. The happiness and love they find in their relationship mirrors the matches that Everly made for her father and uncles, making their story the best one to bring the Mountain Men Matchmaker series to a close!

Thanks to Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for the free copy for review.

✩🎬🐴Review: 

A deeply romantic and entertaining series starter!

“Fever Dream” follows bull rider Emmett after he signs up for a dating show in an effort to save his ranch. Julia Silva, the location consultant on set and the little sister of his most bitter professional rival, is the last woman who should pique his interest. But as Julia and Emmett work together, mutual distaste grows into an unexpected connection and then... something more.

The rivalry between Emmett and Julia’s brother in combination with Emmett’s commitment to the show creates a forbidden aspect of their relationship that is irresistible. As a result, their romantic connection progressed at a slow, gradual burn despite the clear chemistry between them. The tension was palpable and my heart practically leapt out of my chest by the time they found their way together. All the playful back-and-forth, knowing glances, stolen kisses, secret rendezvous, and subsequent spice made the wait worthwhile! 

A lot of my love for this book stems from Silver’s complex characters. Both experience unspeakable tragedy in their pasts and their inner struggles—Emmett with his fear of commitment and Julia with her distrust of men—were written so well. I absolutely melted as they brought each other back to life. 

“Fever Dream” is a great start to Emerald Lake series. The distinctive setting and rich cast of lovable side characters are sure to appeal to small town romance fans. I’m excited to see what’s to come for the rest of the Brandt siblings! 

➾ NOTE: I think it is important to touch base on the recent controversy surrounding this book in which early readers found a problematic passage where a little boy was described as having a tan so dark that he appeared “dirty.” While I can confirm that this passage was removed in later drafts, it's important to be aware of the valid criticisms brought up by readers and the harm that was caused. 

✩🌱🌌Review: 

*Thanks to @torpublishinggroup for the free copy for review*

A captivating, romantic dystopian fantasy that will keep you on your toes!

“Seek the Traitor’s Son” follows Elegy Ahn—daughter of a bounty hunter, now a committed solider—after she and the most ruthless general of an enemy nation, Rava Vidar, are both summoned to hear a prophecy. Brought face to face, they learn that one of them will lead their people to victory over the other…but they don’t know which. And at the center of both of their fates: a man. A man that, Elegy is told, she will fall in love with.

Roth’s atmospheric prose effortlessly immerses readers in a futuristic version of Earth populated by two warring nations—the people of Cedre and the Talusar empire. Both differ vastly in terms of customs and beliefs and I enjoyed familiarizing myself with them in alternating between the different character POVs. The most notable difference between the two peoples is their view of the Fever—the Cedrae avoid it while the Talusar worship it. Roth’s magic system, namely the gifts given to those who survive exposure to the Fever, is unlike anything I have ever read and deeply entangled with the concept of time, which I found fascinating. Tensions and conflicts arise from the Fever with both countries competing for total dominance, which directly impacts Roth’s cast of characters when they learn of their role in the prophecy. The politics they must navigate and the twists this book takes kept me on pins and needles!

Elegy and Theren’s love story is devastatingly beautiful. I particularly enjoyed watching their fates intertwine over the course of the novel as their reluctant partnership turned into something more. Both initially resist the pull between them for several reasons, the biggest one being a tragedy that occurred in their shared past. My heart ached as they slowly but surely gave in to their intense yearning despite the pain it caused them. 

The final chapter of this masterpiece left me breathless and begging for more! I eagerly await the final installment. 

✩🍎🏹Review: 

*Thanks to the author and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*

An exhilarating, spicy heist romance!

“Love Among Thieves” follows Adelina Choi, a hacker with Robin Hood tendencies, after she targets the wrong man. Instead of turning her in, West, a retired conman-turned-single-dad, makes her an offer she can’t refuse. Help him pull off the ultimate heist and she’ll walk away with an equal cut of the money. As the job heats up, so does the tension between them.

Kwan’s action-packed, fast-paced romantic thriller drew me in from the very first page! The cleverly written twists had me on the edge of my seat as the stakes heightened with each chapter. I particularly enjoyed the compelling dynamics between the crew members as they navigated their contrasting personalities to get the job done. 

Adelina and West definitely steal the show with their entertaining banter and sizzling chemistry! The two could not be more different, but the heist is what ultimately brings them together. Initially, Adelina was determined to keep West at arm’s length, but it is impossible not to develop a soft spot for him! As the novel progresses, forced proximity and stifling tension transform their reluctant partnership into something more. Along the way, both characters grapple with their own family drama, but seemed to grow from it with the support of each another. They complement each other perfectly and the spice is oh so good as a result. All in all, Kwan’s signature blend of humor and heat make this a must-read! 

✩🤠🤎Series Reveal:

I am delighted to present to you... River Hollow Ranch, a new four book series by @micaleasmeltzer !! Book 1, ‘Free Spirits,’ is expected to release in early 2027. If you like small town vibes, ranch rivalry, and cowboys, then this series is for you!

‘Free Spirits’ Trope Breakdown ⤵️ 🤠 Cowboy romance 🤎 Best friend’s brother 🐴 Reverse age gap 🥃 He falls first

You can add ‘Free Spirits’ on Goodreads now. I cannot wait to get these books in my hands 🤎

✩🍎🏹week 9 thief prompt:

All books look better in purple 💜🪁🪻☂️ especially “Love Among Thieves”!

Happy Monday! Around this time next week, “Love Among Thieves” will be out and I cannot wait for you to get your hands on it! Until then, there is still time to preorder Kwan’s upcoming spicy heist romcom wherever books are sold! 

ABOUT THE HEIST⤵️

😎🍎🏹 Billions of dollars on the line. One irresistible distraction. 💵💻✨

Genre: Romantic Thriller 🍎 heists with spice 🤍 black cat x golden retriever 🏹 single dad 🍎 forced proximity 🤍 he falls first 🏹 secret identities

Love Among Thieves by Katrina Kwan is out May 12, 2026! Pre-order your copy today!

Preorder here: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/797478/love-among-thieves-by-katrina-kwan/

✩🩰🏒Review:

Khabra’s second sports romance is en pointe!

“Spiral” follows Elias Westbrook, a rising hockey star, and Sage Beaumont, an aspiring ballerina, after they agree to fake date to achieve their goals. As the expiration date on their relationship looms ever closer, the line between what’s fake and what’s real begins to blur. 

The romance between these two tortured souls was beautiful! With their dreams on the line, their fake relationship not only allows them to change their public image, but also grow closer to one another. I really enjoyed the vulnerability between these two as they opened up about their past trauma. Elias takes care of Sage despite her insistence on being independent. At the same time, Sage is very in tune with his needs and helps him break out of his shell. They truly complement each other perfectly. The sizzling slow burn and build up of tension between them as they gradually abandoned every rule they set had me swooning. I loved nothing more than when they came to the realization that they can do what they love and still have each other!

Admittedly, the ending felt a bit rushed due to a conflict that was introduced within the final few chapters, but I was incredibly satisfied with how things wrapped up. 

✩🍎🏹week 8 thief prompt:

We’re officially 14 days from launch! If you haven’t been convinced to preorder “Love Among Thieves” yet, I’m hoping that this fancast will do the trick! 😎 It was so fun pretending to be a casting director this week. After much thought, I can’t see anyone else playing Adelina and West but Michelle Mao and Damian Hardung!

“Love Among Thieves” has all the makings of a great movie (heists, humor, heat), so here’s to hoping that it gets adapted one day! If you like the sound of a lovable, golden retriever ex-con man teaming up with a grumpy, Robin Hood-esque hacker to steal $50 million from an Italian crime boss, this book is for you!

ABOUT THE HEIST⤵️

😎🍎🏹 Billions of dollars on the line. One irresistible distraction. 💵💻✨

Genre: Romantic Thriller 🍎 heists with spice 🤍 black cat x golden retriever 🏹 single dad 🍎 forced proximity 🤍 he falls first 🏹 secret identities

Love Among Thieves by Katrina Kwan is out May 12, 2026! Pre-order your copy today!

Preorder here: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/797478/love-among-thieves-by-katrina-kwan/

✩🍓🍽️Review:

A deliciously steamy billionaire romance!

“King of Gluttony” follows Maya Singh—top marketing executive—and Sebastian Laurent—heir to a culinary empire—after they are forced to set aside their rivalry and work together to promote a collaboration between their two families. The line between love and hate is thin and the longer they work side by side, the more it begins to blur. 

Maya and Sebastian’s childhood rivals-to-lovers romance is positively sublime! At the novel’s start, both characters are overcoming personal obstacles—Maya is working herself to the bone to prove her worth while Sebastian is still sorting through his complex emotions in the aftermath of a traumatic accident. Their childhood rivalry serves as a source of motivation for the both of them, pushing them to grow and reach new heights. Being in close proximity not only creates swoon-worthy tension, but also helps them acknowledge their feelings for one another after years of deflecting with banter. The characters have a lot of history together and Huang does a fantastic job slowly revealing the extent of their emotions from both of their perspectives over time. 

I truly adored the two romantic leads. Maya’s perfectionist tendencies are incredibly relatable. Sebastian stole my heart with the way he encourages her, cooks for her, and takes care of her, specifically when their roadtrip to Vermont goes awry. I love a man who is so down bad and his French pet name for Maya made my heart melt. It is worth mentioning that miscommunication does play a role in the delay of Maya and Sebastian’s relationship, but I found it didn't take away from my enjoyment while reading. Everything wraps up so nicely in the end that the obstacles they had to overcome felt worth it. 

✩🏒📔Review:

Khabra’s sports romance debut is perfection!

“Collide” follows honors student Summer Preston after her thesis advisor forces her to do her research with the hockey team’s captain, Aiden Crawford. Once their worlds collide, their connection is hot enough to melt an ice rink. 

Obsessed doesn’t even begin to describe how much I love this book! I could not get enough of Summer and Aiden’s dynamic. I love a man who is down bad for a prickly FMC! Summer makes her distaste for hockey players clear from the very beginning. Aiden isn’t willing to back down, however, and is content with waiting for her to realize that what exists between them is more than a mere situationship, which I adored. His unwavering support of Summer’s endeavors and the way he took care of her as she navigated her rocky relationship with her father made my heart melt. As the novel progresses, he continues to show up for Summer in more ways than one despite her insisting she was okay with being independent and I ate it up!

“Collide” is truly the perfect book to start the series. Readers are bound to fall in love with the huge cast of lovable characters. I’m so glad I finally picked this one up and I look forward to devouring the subsequent books!

✩🏛️🩸Review:

Roth pens a powerful, thought-provoking reimagining of “Antigone.” 

“Arch-Conspirator” follows Antigone, living in the last habitable city on Earth, after she decides to rebel against her militant uncle Kreon for the right to store her fallen brother’s genes in the Archive.

Roth’s gripping, atmospheric prose and well-drawn characterscombine to make a total page-turner! Using Sophocles’ Athenian tragedy as the foundation for her dystopian novella, she constructs a futuristic world that is wholly unique and her own to explore themes like bodily autonomy, morality, and authoritarianism. As a classic literature lover, I really enjoyed reexamining the play’s central ideas in a new way and through the perspective of a strong heroine at that.

Whether you’re familiar with the source material or not, “Arch-Conspirator” is a must-read!