Hello and welcome (back)! It’s me, PN, with another edition of the Kissing Books newsletter. It’s the last week of September y’all and I am in shock that 2023 is in the distant horizon. Yes, I know that it’s still three months off, but we are certainly closer now than we were a month ago, which again is just mind boggling.
With that said, on to the rest of the newsletter!
Bookish Goods
Key to My Heart Booksleeve by BookishBling
I really only discovered book sleeves a couple of years ago but I have to say, I get the appeal of them. It is a reassuring feeling to be able to carry a physical book around, regardless of whether it’s hardback or paperback, and not have to worry about little imperfections on it showing up during the travel process. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still something to be said about a well-read book, but I like to try to keep them pristine as long as possible. $22+
New Releases
Witchful Thinking by Celestine Martin*
Lucinda loves her witchy life in Freya Grove as a high school teacher but can’t help to wish for more. One night, this wish turns into a spell that makes her unable to say “no” to any request. This also extends to her high school crush Alexander, who asks for help removing a hex from the house he just purchased, which is right across the street from hers, so he can sell it and continue to travel. Until then, these two are working closely together, which opens up the opportunities for old feelings that never really went away.
Cupid is a Cat by Lise Gold
Cupid is known to take many forms and this time it is that of a sweet ginger tabby cat. The current mission is linking Nora and Yael, two women who met when they went to a speed-dating event. When they initially meet, they are certain it was just a one-time thing. When their paths cross years later, will they take this second chance at romance that has been offered to them, through the designs and machinations of a furry friend?
*I’m super excited for this one and am eagerly awaiting my pre-order to arrive soon!
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
I recently made the somewhat questionable decision to read Book Lovers and The Dead Romantics at the same time. Now, this choice wasn’t questionable due to the books themselves because I thoroughly enjoyed both. No, it was questionable because each involve a dead parent. The former had a dead mom and the latter a dead dad. And both of my parents have since moved on from this mortal realm.
Now, this isn’t a recent loss by any means. My mom will have been gone for 31 years this upcoming November and it will have been 12 years for dad in February. Still, the grief is called a constant bedfellow for a reason, since it never really goes away. You just learn to live with it and expect the unexpected moments of getting hit with it.
That said, I still think it’s important to touch on these topics in romance. Death is inevitable, which means that you will at some point experience these types of losses while with your partner. That isn’t to say that I want to read about it all the time, but I still think it has a place and dealing with it and other painful topics is important. That’s why my recommendations today are books that deal with heavier life topics. I will include the content warnings I know of but be sure to also research on your own to prepare accordingly.
Damaged Goods Talia Hibbert
This is a second chance novella in Hibbert’s Ravenswood series that is about a woman who leaves her abusive husband for the sake of herself and her unborn child and gets a second chance at love. There is depiction of domestic violence in this so be wary if that is especially triggering. However, since it is Talia, it will still have an HEA.
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
I know that this was a very divisive book for multiple reasons but I still stand by my enjoyment of it. It’s not an easy read by any means between a sick parent, anxiety issues, and a bullying older sister. But it is a satisfying one that ends in a believable way. It’s definitely more of an HFN, though, rather than an HEA, so heads up.
If suspenseful romance is your thing, check out this list of fifteen recommendations.
Build a wedding play list and get a guess on what type of engagement ring is perfect for you.
Two of my favorite authors at one speaking engagement? Yes, please.
And that’s all I have for y’all today. I’ll be back in your inboxes Thursday and in the meantime you can always follow me on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated.