Welcome to the Kissing Books newsletter. If you’re a regular reader, I’m glad to see you again. Or, if this is your first time here, I’m glad that you joined us. I’m PN Hinton, and I’ll be your guide through all things romance-related.
2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!
I’ve finished my first book of 2024 and didn’t really enjoy it, which makes me a bit sad. It was just mid, and the only reason I powered through was it was the book club pick and I didn’t want a DNF this early in the year. I’m hoping that this is not indicative of how the rest of my reading year will play out, otherwise, that would make for a very “meh” one indeed.
Bookish Goods
Audiobook Mug by AudiobookAddicts
Truer words have never been spoken. When I worked in an office, there were many days where an audiobook made the commute bearable, especially whenever I did end up stuck in traffic. And domestic chores are a little bit less dull when you’re listening to a good audiobook. $14
New Releases
Run, Run Runaway by Dahlia Rose
As Lux is walking down the aisle to marry her fiancé, she realizes that she has no interest in marrying the man at the end. Rather than commit to a life she didn’t want, she turns runaway bride with her best friend, Hudson. What she doesn’t know is that Hudson has been in love with Lux from the moment they met or that he is the son of a Norse winter god. And now that he has the opportunity to show her every aspect of himself, including his deity status and desire for her, he has no intention of holding back.
The Night Island by Jayne Ann Krentz
In this new romantic suspense novel, when podcast host Talia makes plans to meet Phoebe, she is shocked to discover that the other woman has seemingly vanished. She meets Luke shortly after, who is also searching for Phoebe, and she is instantly and understandably distrustful of him. However, the two soon realize they must join forces to not only find the missing woman, but to escape a killer that has their sight set on the two of them and solve the mystery they have both been working on.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
Last week, I got my very first tattoo as part of my anniversary celebration with my spouse. I waited so long for two different but connected reasons. One was because I wanted to make sure that my first tattoo was meaningful to me because I didn’t want any “ragerts” later on. Another is I wasn’t sure how I would react to the pain level since my threshold is fairly low.
While it wasn’t what I would call pleasant by any means, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Honestly, I’ve had menstrual cramps that were worse. And I can say that I’m now officially part of the demographic that immediately starts planning their next one.
In honor of that, today’s recommendations are books that feature tattooed main characters.
Hate to Want You by Alisha Rai
Ever since the tragedy that made their families rivals years prior, former lovers Livvy and Nicholas have allowed themselves to have one night a year to give into the passion and love they still feel for one another. This year, however, Nicholas has decided that he is through following the rules of a game started by his megalomaniac father and sets out to convince Livvy that as long as he has her, he is willing to forsake everyone else.
New Ink on Life by Jennie Davids
After surviving breast cancer, Cassie is ready for a new lease on life and decides to become an apprentice as a tattoo artist. When she shows up at the Thorn & Thistle, owner MJ begrudgingly gives her a job, figuring if nothing else, Cassie’s background in business will help the struggling shop. But when clients begin to flock to Cassie for her tattooing style, MJ is left having to rethink her initial impression of the other woman, especially when an attraction begins to simmer between the two of them.
And that’s all I have for y’all today. I’ll be back in your inboxes on Monday with another round-up of romance related goodness. In the meantime you can find me over on Instagram under @pns_bookish_world, and occasionally still posting over on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated.