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From the New York Times bestselling author of Frankly in Love and Super Fake Love Song, perfect for fans of John Green and To All the Boys I’ve Love Before and both are now in paperback! | Super Fake Love Song: A young adult romantic comedy about identity and acceptance. “Don’t miss this sweet rom-com about identity and belonging.” —HelloGiggles | Frankly in Love: Two friends. One fake dating scheme. What could possibly go wrong? | “Charming, funny, romantic.” – Popsugar
Hello again romance readers. I’m PN Hinton, your companion for the world of romance. I hope your spirit is doing well today. If you’re new to the Kissing Books newsletter, welcome and enjoy your stay. If you’re a long-time reader, welcome back; it’s good to see you again.
I need another show to watch now that Loki is over. I know that the season finale divided a lot of people but personally I enjoyed how it all came together. I’m looking forward to how it will change future movies. And we are thankfully getting a second season cause that cliffhanger though…
I know a lot of fans were upset because of the Sylvie aspect, which I could take or leave. Maybe it’s the English Major in me but I took it as a metaphor for him learning to love himself. Because if you don’t love yourself then you can’t expect others to. Honestly I didn’t ship him with anyone on the show, not even Mobius. Why, you ask?
Loki doesn’t need a boyfriend or girlfriend right now. He needs a real friend. Like, a friend that is his friend first and then maybe Thor’s. And all the hugs because sweet niblets, that ending.
Cover Reveals
I’ve got more cover reveals for y’all today! First there is this one for A Kiss at the Mistletoe Rodeo by Kathy Douglass, yet another holiday romance. I see you romance authors trying to prevent me from being a Grinch this year! And I appreciate it.
Then there was this one for Alexandria Bellefluer’s Count Your Lucky Stars! Guess this means I need to pick up Hang the Moon soon, huh? (looks ashamed in romance book nerd).
Then there’s the one for Becky Michael’s A Rake Like You. ALL THE COVER GOODNESS!!
Recommendations
I’ve noticed recently that one of the biggest selling points for a romance is how well ‘the grovel’ is done. It seems there are people out there who want the hero or the heroine to crawl across broken glass dipped in lemon juice with skinned knees to show the depth of their remorse and it’s like…no. It’s not for me. It’s a power play that brings to me someone feeling they’re beneath someone else and showing it.
Now, this isn’t to say that I don’t believe in apologies. Despite what the movies say, you’re going to say sorry to your loved ones…a lot. That’s just factual. And you have to mean your apology; so, your actions need to speak louder than words. Don’t just talk about it; be about it.
Still, the word grovel indicates a level of imbalance that I just can’t get behind. I know that a lot of that is just how I interpret the word. I prefer the term “make-up.” This is where either one or both parties acknowledge their wrong doing in the situation. It’s a much healthier resolution for me because it shows a level of talking and working it out and actively trying to be better themselves and work on their relationship. Here are some of my recent reads that I personally found had good make-up scenes in the book after the third-act conflict. They may not have been grandiose, but they are satisfying.
The Hate Project by Kris Ripper
I don’t think enough people talk about this book and that really makes me sad. I loved this M/M romance about two grumpy people who start off as enemies with benefits before slowly developing in the framework of an actual relationship. This of course leads to one of them getting scared and running away before having to return to the object of their affection and explain his reasoning. There are so many good things about this book and how it deals with anxiety and mental health, as well as being culpable for one’s actions.
Knit, Purl, and a Baby Girl by Hettie Bell
This sweet sapphic romance about a bisexual girl who finds herself pregnant after a one-stand with an ex and the woman she meets when she visits Planned Parenthood for her options. I found that this was a little more fast paced than I normally prefer in my romances but I still enjoyed it. What sets this apart for me is that both women had to have their own apologies to each other after their fight. One of them even had to admit that she had to apologize for her actions because she didn’t stay within the boundaries that she set for herself, which made the conflict even harder to deal with. It’s just…trust me, it’s a sweet book that again doesn’t get enough promotion since its release and really should.
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Honestly, anyone of the Brown sisters books would apply here but I’m picking Dani because I feel I don’t show her as much love as her sisters. This one is again recommended because of how believable it is as well as Dani realizing that the misunderstanding was all on her and her misconceptions on some things. I also love how this came about with a sister-and-friend ranting session and she came to the conclusion with gentle prodding from her friend and not so gentle from her sisters. Because you know…sisters. So, she is the one who has to make the amends. Anyone can be humbled and everyone should at one point.
And that is it for today. I will see y’all Monday with another edition but if you want little snippets of me before then give me a follow over a Twitter under @Pscribe801. Have a great weekend and remember to do at least one thing just for yourself. Until next time!