Welcome, or welcome back, to the Kissing Books newsletter. I’m PN Hinton, your guide to all things romance-related. Thanks for taking time from your day to give this a read! I hope this newsletter helps to brighten up your day just a little bit more.
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It’s the beginning of July and, per the Council of Spooky Bitches, the start of Halloween season! I’m a total Halloween girly and am here for all those vibes. As such, I am planning to share bookish goods and recommendations to celebrate. However, I know that some people prefer Christmas in July and will be sharing things that channel those vibes as well. After all, both can exist peacefully.
Just wanted to give another reminder that Thursday is a holiday for us in the USA, meaning there will not be another send until next Monday.
Bookish Goods
Bookish Rearview Decal by SeasideSorcery
This little decal is adorable and so tiny that it won’t be considered a driving hazard. Plus, it’s a nice way to get a little boost of serotonin if you’re ever stuck in traffic by reminding you of the physical or digital book you have waiting for you at home, since you’re likely already listening to an audiobook in the car. $5.00
New Releases
Down South Bayou by Aricka Alexander
After breaking up with her boyfriend of five years and angrily leaving their apartment, Cheyenne is almost hit by a car. At the last minute, she’s pulled to safety by WNBA player Harley. When they cross paths again at one of Harley’s matches, they enter into a friends-with-benefits relationship. However, things get complicated when real feelings begin to develop. Is there a chance for them to find true love together, or will their respective trauma from failed past relationships prove too insurmountable?
Just Playing House by Farah Heron
When Marley has the opportunity to become a celebrity private shopper, she is ecstatic. That is, until she finds out that her client is Nikhil, the boy who took her to prom, slept with her…and then ghosted her. Despite their past, Nik seems eager to have her as his stylist. He even offers to move in and help her while she recovers from an elective double mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery. Marley is about to see a different side of Nik she never expected and is left wondering if she should take another chance on him.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
For today’s recommendations, I have two books that show what happens when grumpy/sunshine people are put in close/forced proximity. What can I say — it sounded like something fun going into a holiday weekend. Enjoy!
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
When Eve’s parents tell her she needs a sense of direction in her life, she does the only sensible thing and drives away in anger. The impromptu road trip leads her to Jacob’s B&B where she interviews for the chef position. She’s promptly turned down and then “accidentally” hits him with her car when leaving. Left with little choice, Jacob begrudgingly accepts her help. The more time he spends around the sunny optimistic, the harder it is for him to keep up his frosty exterior or ignore their simmering shared attraction.
Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare
After being raised on her father’s fanciful tales of romance, Izzy can’t help but have a rose-tinted outlook on life. When she finds she’s inherited a castle, she’s even more convinced that there is a happily ever after in her future. But then she discovers that Ransome, Duke of Rothbury, already inhabits the castle. And, he isn’t interested in sharing the castle with anyone, least of all someone with fanciful notions of love. However, he still finds himself unable to remain impervious to her smiles and is soon rethinking his outlook on love.
In more Bridgerton drama, Julia Quinn herself came to tell the fandom as a collective whole to calm down. Regardless of how anyone feels about said change, this is not a good look for Romancelandia at all.
After rumors circulated for months, Spotify finally announced that their Premium plan, which includes 15 hours of audiobooks, will change from $10.99 to $11.99 this month. While a dollar may not seem like a lot in the long run, if you’re like me and forget to use those hours, then downgrading may be a good thing to consider.
Brynne Weaver did the cover reveal for the final book in the Ruinous Love Trilogy. I know that news, plus the one about Butcher & Blackbird being optioned for a movie adaptation, have all the dark romance lovers super stoked.
And that’s all she wrote for today. If you’re ever interested in what I do between the sends, you can always give me a follow over on Instagram under @pns_bookish_world. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated!