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.
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It’s time for our Spring Break! I’m looking forward to some long-overdue family time. It’s been more than a few minutes since we have been able to do something like that and even if we just do a few in-town activities, the important part is that we will be spending it together. One thing I hope that we get to do is bowling, specifically at an alley that is designed to look like it is underwater, or maybe spend a couple of hours at multi-entertainment places.
Bookish Goods
All the Cool Girls Read Romance by OpalandJuneShop
I mean, where’s the lie? Seriously though, I love the message of this shirt because I am and always have been a loud and proud romance reader, and I’m tired of the haters trying to make me feel like it is something I should be ashamed of. And this shirt is a great way to make that statement without having to vocalize it. $29.00
New Releases
Spin the Block by Reese Ryan
When some negative press threatens Karris’s fundraiser for her former high school, the pop princess asks fellow classmate Ward to reprise the role of her fake boyfriend. Ward, a celebrity DJ who is looking to change his career path to that of a songwriter and producer, knows a musical collaboration with Karris would be extremely helpful. But he is hesitant to take part in a romantic one, fake or not, knowing that their feelings for one another have never been fake.
Lean in to Love by Catherine Lane
When Maya falls in love with Hollywood starlet London, her roommate Rory finds herself being dragged into a whirlwind romance. This also lands her squarely in the sight of London’s agent, Ellis. While the two women are initially at odds with one another, when it becomes apparent that Maya may not be as enamored as she seems, Rory and Ellis have to put aside their differences to save the reputations of London and Ellis and find themselves slowly falling in love along the way.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
One of today’s new releases involves the fake dating trope, which is a personal favorite. Another version of this trope is the marriage of convenience trope, which, while more prevalent in historicals, dark romances, and/or romantasy, is still fairly popular. Because even if both parties and the family themselves know that it is supposed to be just on paper, there are others that aren’t in the know and think it’s real. And I don’t think I’ve ever really done this trope before or, if I have, it’s been a while. So today seemed like the perfect time to rec some of those!
White Whiskey Bargain* by Jodie Slaughter
When a new moonshiner group moves to Harlan, Kentucky determined to do whatever it takes to become the top operation, the two established groups know they have to work together to eradicate this threat. It is soon determined the best way to do this is through a marriage of convenience. While Hannah and Javier both intend to keep this a business-only marriage, they soon find themselves fighting an attraction neither expected while still maintaining the safety, security, and financial flow of their respective businesses.
*Also, current hubby buddy read.
With You Forever by Chloe Liese
Rooney is super sunshine which makes her the complete polar opposite of grumpy Axel. That hasn’t stopped her from developing a crush on him, which only gets worse after they share an unexpected passionate kiss during a party game. Since he seems to not reciprocate these feelings, she has resigned herself to keeping those feelings locked away. But when they both find themselves in troubled waters where the best solution is a marriage of convenience, it isn’t too long before she starts to suspect that Axel is not as unaffected by her as he appears to be.
I don’t know about y’all, but I love a good romance about a romance author.
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That’s all she wrote for today y’all! I’ll be back in your inboxes on Thursday with a fresh newsletter and in the meantime, you can always give me a follow over on Instagram under @pns_bookish_world. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated.