Welcome, or welcome back, to the Kissing Books newsletter. I’m PN Hinton, your guide to all things romance-related. Thanks for taking the time from your day to give this a read! I hope that this newsletter helps to brighten up your day just a little bit more.
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Last weekend, I went to a local Renaissance Fair with my spouse and another friend. It had been a couple of years since I had gone to one, so I was very excited. And this particular one is fast becoming one of my favorites because it’s not overly crowded and small enough to enjoy in one day. I didn’t go completely overboard with spending this time, which is always a plus. One thing I did snag was a cute little hair dragon, which I will share below. As for now, onto the rest of the newsletter!
Bookish Goods
Never Too Many Books Octopus by QuillandCauldronDTX
I’m sure more than a few of us can relate to this aquatic cutie. It is a fact of life that there are never too many books. There’s just not enough time to read them all. $24
New Releases
Beyond Expectations by Natasha Allen
Serena and Rhett grew up in different worlds. She was the daughter of a mechanic who had to put in the hard work and dedication to become a lawyer, while he was born into money. When their paths cross, there is an undeniable spark between them. But, despite being drawn together, both are aware that their differences may prove too difficult to overcome.
Only and Forever by Chloe Liese*
Tallulah is a cynical author who needs help with the romantic thread in her latest novel. Viggo is a die-hard romantic who needs help with the impending opening of his bookstore. When they realize that they each have a specific set of skills that would be helpful to the other’s problem, they agree to be temporary roommates/co-workers. The close quarters quickly lead to the simmering attraction between them fully igniting. However, both have very different views on love and marriage, which makes it difficult for a happily ever after to be on the horizon for them.
*currently reading
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
Today’s recommendations have an oddly specific theme: mistaken identities that are centered around identical twins swapping places. This trope tends to be more prevalent in historical romances, but there are a few contemporary gems that can be found. I have one of each for your reading consideration today. Enjoy!
Scoring with the Wrong Twin by Naima Simone
When her vivacious twin asks her to swap places with her for a modeling shoot, shy Sophia reluctantly agrees. There, she meets handsome tight-end Zephirin, and there is an instant and mutual attraction. But, as he thinks she’s her sister, their initial meeting is tinged with deception. As the two get to know each other better, Sophia knows that she will eventually need to tell Zeph the truth, even if it results in her missing out on her own happily ever after.
The Husband Trap by Tracy Anne Warren
When the spoiled Jeanette refuses to go through with her marriage, her wallflower twin sister Violet steps in for the role of bride. Soon, Violet finds herself having to navigate high society as Duchess to the handsome Adrian while simultaneously keeping her real identity a secret. Because while Adrian may be happy with how his marriage turned out, all that may change should he discover which twin he married.
If you’re looking for even more mistaken/secret identities, this list has you covered.
Behold my tiny hair dragon! As of now, they’re nameless. But I’m thinking of something that starts with “S”.
And that’s all I have for y’all today. I’ll be back in your inboxes on Monday with a fresh newsletter, and in the meantime, you can find me posting over on Instagram under @pns_bookish_world. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated.