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!
Last week, I took two of my besties and their daughter on a tour of two of my favorite indie bookshops in Taylor. Curio Mrvosa had recently moved, and it was amazing to see their new space. I walked away with two Judy Blume faves for myself as well as some books to give as gifts. And I was finally able to pick up the 2024 Read Challenge card from Libros Bookstore as well as a few cute stickers. It was a very good bookish weekend.
Bookish Goods
Cereal Reader Candle by BookAndReverie
I love Fruit Loops and (most) puns, which are two of the main reasons that this candle caught my eye. When you add that to the fact that I’m also in my childhood nostalgia re-read era, then it is definitely worth the mention. $22
New Releases
Bid on Love by Sharon C. Cooper
Benjamin has been burned before, and so has shifted his attention away from romance to focus on being a good single father. Mahogany has had her own rough experiences with love and isn’t looking to have her heart broken again. Despite their past hurts, when their paths cross, they end up engaging in one passionate night, knowing that they will never see each other again. However, when Ben shows up as a bidder on a project Mahogany is working on, they can’t help but wonder if this is an opportunity for both of them to find a forever love.
Remedial Magic by Melissa Marr
Ellie loves her job as a librarian, baking, and investigating mysterious things. So when she sees the enigmatic Prospero in her library one day, she can’t help but be drawn to the other woman. What she doesn’t know is that Prospero is a powerful witch from another land and has purposefully sought Ellie out to help awaken her own dormant powers to help save her homeland. Neither expected love to come from this adventure, though.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
As previously mentioned, one of the things I’m focusing on this year in my reading is rereading things that I’ve enjoyed in the past and that have brought me comfort. The last four years have been, to say the least, a drain. And the cracks are really starting to show in multiple places for me.
With that being the situation, self-care is going to be something that we all need to be mindful of to help realign ourselves. For me, that sometimes includes returning to old favorites. Today’s recommendations are some that may warrant a reread this year due to the warm feelings that both gave me.
Unlocked by Courtney Milan
Years ago, Elaine’s debut into society was ruined when she was made the target of the teasing of Evan and his cousin Diane, and unable to take the constant torment, Elaine resigned herself to the role of a spinster wallflower. When word gets out that Evan has returned, Elaine is understandably upset, figuring he would go right back to treating her the way he did before she left town. However, the older Evan is a changed man who regrets the callous way he treated Elaine and wants to make up for the past. While his apology is initially rebuffed, he persists, having realized that the feelings he has always had for Elaine are love.
Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare
After a romantic tryst in the library is overheard by a young child at a house party, rumors are abuzz that the lovers are Charlotte and Piers. The two are only guilty of overhearing the other loves, but unless they can find out who they really are, they know they will find themselves married to avoid scandal. As the two work together, though, real feelings begin to develop. But Piers has a secret that means that he can never really marry, no matter how tempted he may be to do so.
If you’ve been looking to get into Molly Harper, these books are a good jumping-off point.
Take this quiz to find out which romantic music type you are.
And that is all I have for y’all today. I’ll be back in your inboxes Monday, and in the meantime, you can catch me posting over on Instagram under @pns_bookish_world. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated.