Author: P.N. Hinton

Red String = True Love

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date January 5, 2024

Sponsored by

Welcome, or welcome back, to the Kissing Books newsletter. I’m PN Hinton, here to share my love of the romance genre with like-minded readers through a myriad of ways.

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!

After about a week to ponder on it, I’ve nailed down a few of my bookish goals for this year. One is to read more audiobooks since that is a format that I’ve been remiss in consuming. And with the changes to Spotify Premium, I’ll have more of an incentive since I’m essentially paying for it. Another is to (seriously) be more mindful of book spending, having a better balance of keeping up with the new books I get and working on all the other unread books in my library. While maybe not overly ambitious, it’s enough for me and something that is easily obtainable.

Bookish Goods

Go Away, I’m Reading Pen by DrilonRose

I am a sucker for a good pen and always have been. And since another goal I’m planning on this year is to write and journal more, this pen will be perfect for that, even if I wouldn’t exactly be reading while using it. $10.

New Releases

Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen

Rooney is a firm believer in the Chinese legend that says everyone is tied to their one true love with a red string of fate. After an amazing first date with Jack, she is sure that she has found the person at the end of her string. The only issue is that Jack doesn’t believe in fate at all. Will Rooney be able to convince him to go on faith alone and take a chance on true love?

cover of Don't Want You Like a Best Friend

Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban

Beth is about to embark on her debut season while Gwen is preparing for her fourth one. The one thing they share in common is that neither wish to get married and decide to set up their parents instead. However, as that plan begins to come to fruition, a wealthy viscount has set his sights on Beth. This development causes the two women to realize that their feelings have moved from being platonic, and they’re left wondering what type of future there may be for them.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

Today is Clean Off Your Desk Today, which, frankly, sounds rude as heck. It also sounds like a way to diminish the little joy that office workers have in personalizing their space.

Seriously though, starting the new year off with a clean or even rearranged desk sounds like a good idea. I rearranged mine to make it a little more joyful to look it and to give myself a better balance of energy.

The unofficial holiday for today did lead me to today’s recommendations, which are office or workplace romances. Enjoy!

One Tough Cookie by Delise Torres

Karina is an aggressively independent woman who is happy with her career at the Singular Cookies, Inc. and living without love. When she meets Ian, the company’s new mechanic, she starts to develop the kind of feelings for him that she actively tries to avoid. She soon comes to the realization that it is okay to rely on someone and that sometimes love is worth the risk.

Paper Love by Jae

When Susanne’s mother sends her to go help save her uncle’s stationery store, to say she’s less than thrilled would be an understatement. Anja, the only full-time employee at the store, is also less than pleased with her new boss, which leaves the two women instantly at odds. But as they begin to work together, initial impressions change, and they find themselves looking at each other with different eyes.

Take this quiz and find a book recommendation to start 2024 off with.

And that is all I have for you today. I’ll be back in your inboxes Monday and in the meantime you can find me over on Instagram under @pns_bookish_world. I still occasionally poke my head in over on the bird app under @PScribe801 but the former is definitely the most active. Until we meet again, happy reading and stay hydrated.

Kissing Books

Most-Anticipated Romance Releases of 2024

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date January 3, 2024

Sponsored by

Happy New Year, y’all! Welcome back to the Kissing Books newsletter. And 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.

My New Year’s Eve was relatively low-key. I hung out with some close friends during the day, did a party watch for the last episode of The Haunting of Hill House at night, and then watched the ball drop with my family before heading to bed. All in all, a pleasant way to usher in the new year.

Bookish Goods

picture of Romance Reader Heart Necklace

Romance Reader Heart Necklace by CraftyEliseShop

I’m in a lot of “eras” right now, and one is my necklace era. I am serious in saying that I have to wear a necklace every day if for no other reason than to have something to fidget with. And since I’m a romance reader, this is definitely one I wouldn’t mind adding to my rotation. $13

New Releases

Sunflower by Aricka Alexander

Autumn is a single mother whose sole focus is to make sure that her daughter Sydney is taken care of. So, she is not looking for a relationship when Winter comes into her life. However, the attraction between the two women is instantaneous, and soon Autumn is left wondering if Winter is worth the risk of opening up her heart once again to the possibility of love.

Last Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

When a mistake causes the nomadic Raine to get stuck in Ireland, she has little choice but to settle in her for the near future. One night at the pub aptly named the Local, she runs into the owner, Jack, and ends up insulting him and his business. Rather than taking offense, Jack offers her a short-term job to help him revive it. But when feelings begin to develop between the two, they find themselves wondering what will happen once their business arrangement ends.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

For today’s recommendations, I’m going to mention a few of the books that I’m looking forward to this coming year. If 2023 was any indication, we can look forward to a lot of awesome releases this year. And while I am not certain I will get to all of them, these are two of the ones I will definitely be making a priority.

The 7-10 Split by Karmen Lee (5/21/24)

Between friendly rivalries and one passionate kiss, bowlers Ava and Georgia had quite the past before they ended up working at the same school. When the school principal announces that there is money in the budget for a school bowling team, the only catch is they have to coach it together. This leaves both women struggling to stamp out the attraction that still exists while leading their team to victory — and that soon proves to be a futile effort.

cover of A Little Kissing Between Friends

A Little Kissing Between Friends by Chencia C. Higgins (5/28/24)

Music producer Cyn and erotic dancer Jucee have been best friends for years. And during that time, they’ve managed to keep their relationship firmly platonic. But the events of one chaotic night result in the women looking at each other with different eyes and, in turn, causes them to wonder what would happen if they added some “benefits” to their friendship.

That’s all I have for y’all today. I’ll be back in your inboxes on Monday with a fresh newsletter. In the meantime, you can still find me over on the bird app under @PScribe801 and on Instagram under @pns_bookish_world. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated.

Kissing Books

Goodbye, 2023!

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date December 27, 2023

Sponsored by

Welcome, or welcome back, to the Kissing Books. I’m PN Hinton, here to share my love of the romance genre with like-minded readers through a myriad of ways.

Y’all, this is the last newsletter of 2023! I know I sound like a broken record, but I can’t believe that 2024 is only three days away. Overall, this year was rough for me for multiple reasons, although December was mostly good, something for which I’m grateful for. So, it is with the most cautious of optimisms that I am looking forward to 2024. I am manifesting all the positivity and needed changes, even if there will be growing pains. Such is life, though, and my hope is that at the end of it all, I’ll be closer to the person I’m supposed to be and the life I’m supposed to have.

It’s happening, readers — we’re bringing paperbacks! Whether you (or a reader you know and love) hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you’re on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. The holidays are here, and we’ve got three different levels for gifting (to yourself or others) to suit every budget. Get all the details at mytbr.co.

As a reminder, there will not be a send on Monday, so you won’t hear from me again until the 4th of January.

Bookish Goods

Mini Reading Journal by thepeachypolkadot

With New Year’s around the corner, a lot of us are likely thinking of bookish goals for 2024. If you’re one who prefers a physical record, this travel-friendly journal is a good way to keep up with what you’re reading next year, including your thoughts and feedback on it. $16

New Releases

Before we dive into today’s new releases, I messed up last week, and the new releases I sent for last Thursday actually came out this week. Oof. I got a bit turned around in the calendar. However, I made sure that today’s mentions are ones that are releasing this week. (Triple-checked the dates, I did!)

Paternity Payback by Sophia Singh Sasson

Willa has the opportunity to interview Jack, which would help with her journalism career. However, he is also the man who broke her heart years prior, so she has more than a few reservations about it. Still, she uses her charm to try to get him to reveal some of his secrets. But soon, desires and other secrets come to the light, including the daughter that came from their affair and Willa never told Jack about.

Second Duke’s the Charm by Kate Bateman

Dowager Duchess Tess’s husband died on their wedding night, and while that left the young woman well off financially, it also left her a virgin. She wants to experience that type of pleasure, but she is not interested in giving up her independence for it. Justin didn’t want to be a Duke, but since he inherited the title, he will fulfill the task. He sees Tess as the perfect candidate for a marriage of convenience. When Tess’s secret career as a spy for Queen Charlotte starts to affect their marriage, Jack finds himself feeling he can’t trust his wife even as desire and love begin to blossom between them.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

For the last recommendation of this year, I’m going to recommend two books that surprised me with how much I liked them. I know how that sounds; since I’m not in the habit of reading books, I won’t enjoy it. I always expect to enjoy the books I pick up. But whenever I enjoy a book more than I expected to, it makes them stick out in my mind just a little bit more.

Rather than give a synopsis of said titles, I’m going to elaborate a bit on why I enjoyed them to the extent that I did.

Role Playing by Cathy Yardley

Have I recommended this book before? Yes. Am I doing it again? Absolutely, because this book was amazing, and I was blown away with how much I enjoyed it. Not only is it a later-in-life romance, but there is so much diverse representation here that it really stands out. If you haven’t read it yet, be sure to rectify that soon: you won’t regret it.

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

While overall I have enjoyed everything by Ali, I will admit that I was a bit underwhelmed by her second novel. So, I went into this with tempered expectations and was surprised with how much it resonated with me. I identified with Elsie on multiple levels, and Jack to me, is the best hero in any of her books so far.

And that’s all I have for y’all today. Another reminder that there will not be a send on Monday due to the holiday, so it will be a week before we meet again. In the meantime, you can find me over on the bird app under @PScribe801 and Instagram under @pns_bookish_world. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated. I’ll see you in 2024.

Kissing Books

Have a Gentle Holiday, Y’all

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date December 20, 2023

Sponsored by

Hey y’all! Welcome, or welcome back, to the Kissing Books newsletter. I’m PN Hinton, here to share my love of the romance genre with like-minded readers through a myriad of ways.

Last weekend, I went to a surprise party for my Uncle’s 70th birthday party. I’m pleased to say that it was a genuine surprise for him and he was so happy to see everyone there celebrating his birthday. He’s actually a Christmas baby, but it was decided to celebrate before then for obvious reasons. While I didn’t enjoy the turnaround day trip, because that’s never fun, I did enjoy my time with my family.

Speaking of Christmas, there will be no newsletter this Monday or the following one due to the holidays. But you can still look forward to hearing from me on those Thursdays!

And last but not least, reminder that Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help with the perfect bookish gift! We pair our customers with a professional book nerd (aka bibliologist) who just gets them. They fill out a survey and then sit back and relax as we pick books just for them. We’ve got three levels — recs-only, paperback, and hardcover — and you can gift a full year or one time, so there are options for every budget! Get all the details at mybtro.com/gift.

Bookish Goods

Merry Bookmas T-Shirt by BlueRoseDesign

This seems perfect to wear come Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, especially if you have new books waiting to be opened and read. $15+

New Releases

Miami Marriage Pact by Nadine Gonzalez

Gigi needs a husband fast in order to access her inheritance. She thinks that chef Myles is the perfect candidate. After a passionate wedding night, their faux marriage starts to develop into a real one that could result in a happily ever after for them. That is, of course, provided they are able to overcome the jealousy surrounding them, determined to break them apart.

Because You Asked by A.E. Bennett

Isolda has never really known love, since once she gave her husband an heir, she was promptly ignored. When she’s left widowed and discovers that there is another arranged marriage in her future, she runs away in search of solitude. Eustace, who is also widowed, has opened a secret clinic to help the women of the Realm receive basic healthcare. When the two women cross paths, they are surprised by the attraction that blooms between them and have to work on balancing that while also fighting those powers that would seek to control them.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

In honor of Christmas being so close and it being a week before we will meet again, I wanted to leave you with even more holiday romances to curl up with whenever you have downtime in the possibly busy coming days.

The Holly Dates by Brittainy Cherry

Holly hasn’t given up on romance despite the road bumps she’s encountered in her life, including getting left at the altar on Christmas Eve. Kai has sworn off romance due to bad experiences. When he notices Holly showing up at his restaurant with a different date every night, his grumpiness grows so much that he offers to help her find a suitable partner if for no other reason than to get her to go somewhere else. Over the next weeks, Holly’s confidence grows substantially. This change has the added effect of making her more appealing to Kai, leaving him to wonder if he is really over love after all.

A Holiday by Gaslight by Mimi Matthews

In order to help ensure her family doesn’t end up cast out in the streets, Sophie has resigned herself to marrying outside of her class. However, after two months of being courted by the cold Edward, she’s not sure if she will be able to go through it and ends it, much to the chagrin of those around her. In an effort to give him one last chance, she invites Edward to her home for Christmas to prove to her that if they marry, her life won’t be somber and sad. And once they get to know each other better, they wonder if their first impressions were wrong and if there is hope for a good love match for them.

Check out these romances that take over the course of just one day.

And that’s all for today. As another reminder, there will not be a newsletter send on Monday so it will be one week before you hear from me again. However, you can still give me a follow over on the bird app under @PScribe801 or on Instagram under @pns_bookish_world. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated.

Kissing Books

KNIVES, SEASONING, & A DASH OF LOVE

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date December 15, 2023

Sponsored by

Happy Holidays y’all!! Welcome, or welcome back, to the Kissing Books newsletter. I’m PN Hinton, here to share my love of the romance genre with like-minded readers through a myriad of ways.

Y’all, Christmas is one week away, which means that 2024 is two weeks away. My eyes bugged out just writing that, even though I’m ready to see what the new year brings. I have been through a lot over the last 12 months, so it’s been a year. However, I am fairly happy with the person I am turning into, so I am looking towards the new year with mostly optimistic eyes.

I don’t have much to update in terms of reading since I haven’t been doing a lot of that this month. Woe to my planned TBR. However, I am already starting to plan my goals for next year and, as always, will share them once I get them finalized in my head.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for that bookish special someone in your life this holiday season? Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help! Here at TBR, we pair our customers with a professional book nerd (aka bibliologist) who just gets them. They fill out a survey and then sit back and relax as we pick books just for them. We’ve got three levels — recs-only, paperback, and hardcover — and you can gift a full year or one time, so there are options for every budget! Get all the details at mybtro.com/gift.

Bookish Goods

Deck the Halls T-Shirt by TheDazzleDesignCo

While I love the idea of ugly holiday sweaters, the practicality of them in my home state is less than ideal. So, ugly holiday T-shirts are a nice compromise, and this is perfect for the holiday season. $25

New Releases

cover of Swipe Right in Time for Christmas

Swipe Right in Time for Christmas by C. Elizabeth Ward

While Naomi is content to stay single, all of her friends think it’s time for her to re-enter the dating world and sign her up for a dating app. Javier is the new owner of the lounge where Naomi and her friends have their weekly girls’ night and noticed her right away. From that moment, he has been drawn to her, but her overly cautious nature makes it hard for him to break down her walls. Will he be able to convince her to trust love again and give him a chance?

cover of Knives, Seasoning, and a Dash of Love

Knives, Seasoning, & a Dash of Love by Katrina Kwan

Alexander is a grumpy up-and-coming force in the culinary world. Sunshiny Eden, on the other hand, may have over-embellished her skills in order to land a position as his sous chef. As the two work closely together, tempers and other passions begin to simmer and soon spill over.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

For today’s recommendations, I’m going to highlight two of my top reads from this year. One is a Beverly Jenkins, which I’m sure no one is surprised by. The other is a *very* slow-burn M/M romance that I read for a book club and ended up enjoying more than I thought I would. As such, I am eagerly awaiting the second book, which rumor has it will be steamier than the first.

To Catch a Raven by Beverly Jenkins

When a less than moral Pinkerton blackmails their respective families, Raven and Braxton are forced to work together for her — their mission? They pose as a married couple and domestic workers to infiltrate the home of a former Confederate official who is believed to have stolen the Declaration of Independence. Under the guise of matrimony, they quickly give in to their mutual attraction to one another while trying to recover the lost document, neither wanting to fully think about what will happen to their blossoming relationship once the mission is over.

Liar City by Allie Therin

When three people are found murdered at a Seattle marina, empath Reece is called to the scene. Once there, he finds out one of the victims is the author of a strict anti-empathy bill, which means that others like him are in danger of being blamed. Against his better judgment, he must join forces with Grayson, a government agent known in some circles as The Dead Man, to find out who is really behind the murders and stop them before it’s too late. All the while, he has to fight a simmering attraction to the other man, who is someone that he can’t get a read on, even with his empathic powers.

Here are some more Christmas romances if you’re still looking to scratch that itch.

Or you can check out this list of ‘snowy’ romances.

That’s all she wrote for today, friends. Don’t worry though; I’ll be back in your inboxes on Thursday. As always, you can give me a follow over on the bird app under @PScribe801 or Instagram under @pns_bookish_world. Until we meet again, happy reading and stay hydrated.

Kissing Books

Sexy Fox Demons and Christmas Tree Farms

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date December 13, 2023

Sponsored by

Hey y’all! Welcome, or welcome back, to the Kissing Books newsletter. I’m PN Hinton, here to share my love of the romance genre with like-minded readers through a myriad of ways.

Christmas is just nine days away, and while that revelation would normally send me into a mini-panic, this year I’m actually calm. I think a lot of that has to do with me realizing that while gifts in general are nice, they are also not necessary to enjoy the spirit of the season. I’m still going to give gifts, mind you, but I’m being mindful about quality over quantity. After all, it is the thought behind the gift that makes it special. And if that is something that you needed to be reminded of, then I hope that your spirits are a little bit lighter now.

And if you need a little gifting assistance, Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help! Here at TBR, we pair our customers with a professional book nerd (aka bibliologist) who just gets them. They fill out a survey and then sit back and relax as we pick books just for them. We’ve got three levels — recs-only, paperback, and hardcover — and you can gift a full year or one time, so there are options for every budget! Get all the details at mybtro.com/gift.

Bookish Goods

Tarot Card Book Sleeve by NeedlesRiddles

By now I’m sure everyone is well aware of my love of Tarot cards. It’s probably why a majority of my gifts from my book club were Tarot related. If you’re likeminded and like to protect your books and/or e-readers when you carry them around, then this is perfect for you too! $14

New Releases

The Rising Sun by Twyla Turner

Out of all her friends, Kennedy is the hopeless romantic, which is why she questions being the last one left single. This thought leads her to pack her bags for a solo trip to Asia in the hopes of finding some inner peace. To her surprise, she runs into Koji, the boy who broke her heart back in college. Koji has always regretted letting the expectations of his overbearing parents interfere with their relationship. Now that the opportunity has presented itself, he is determined to do whatever it takes to show her that he is worth the second chance.

Playing With Matches by Georgia Beers

Elizabeth has been called back home to help her family’s B&B as they prepare to host her ex’s wedding. Not wanting to be pitied for still being single, she claims that she is dating local woman Cori. While Cori initially has hesitations about the ruse, she eventually agrees to play the part of fake girlfriend for the duration of the wedding celebration. As the days pass, the lines between fake and real blur, and they’re left wondering if this scheme is Fate’s way of bringing them together for real.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer, but somehow I still feel as busy as ever. If you’re in the same boat, then you may be finding it difficult to take a pause for reading, but it’s still important to take time for yourself, no matter what. And if reading is one of those ways, then I still firmly believe you should keep to it. If novels are harder for you to get into, check out these holiday novellas which will satisfy your reading desire while also being mindful of limited extra time.

Mistlefoe by Kimberly Lemming

When Ruby goes searching for the fox demon that cursed her father, she never expected him to be so attractive. Lucca, said fox demon, agrees to lift the curse — provided she agrees to be his fake mate for the upcoming week-long Winter Festival. Knowing that her family’s livelihood depends on it, she agrees to the week-long ruse. What she didn’t know is that from the moment Lucca clapped eyes on her, he knew she was his Fated Mate and has no intention of letting her go once the celebration is over.

‘Tis the Season by L. Dreamer

After a lifetime of misjudgments and mistakes, Bridgette has settled into a career as the owner and operator of Dirty Hands Farm. The farm makes it a point to employ ex-cons who are looking to make a better life for themselves after serving their sentences. Olivia is a prosecutor who is well on her way to climbing the ladder in the legal world and tying the knot with her long-time boyfriend. When the two women cross paths at the Dirty Hand’s Christmas Tree farm, their lives are forever changed in ways neither could have predicted.

I recently heard about Third State Books, which is a new indie press focused on highlighting Asian American voices. One of their upcoming books is Pride & Preston Lin, which is a modern spin on Pride & Prejudice and I am super excited for it!

As previously mentioned, it’s also that time of the year where people talk about their ‘best of’ lists. Here is one for the best five romance books in 2023.

Pick some winter activities and get your own holiday movie!

And that’s all I have for y’all today. I’ll be back on Monday with a fresh new newsletter, and in the meantime, I can still be found flittering around on the bird app under @PScribe801. You can also give me a follow over on my new-ish Instagram @pns_bookish_world. Until we meet again, happy reading and stay hydrated.

Kissing Books

Holiday Ghosts, Gamers, and Nochebuena

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date December 8, 2023

Sponsored by

Happy Holidays y’all!! Welcome, or welcome back, to the Kissing Books newsletter. I’m PN Hinton, here to share my love of the romance genre with like-minded readers through a myriad of ways.

I hope that all of your spirits are doing well this month. I won’t lie; it’s been tough over on my end. I’m working through it and trying to remain as positive as I can. As with everything else, though, there are really good days and really bad days. To help with this, I’m trying to focus on things that genuinely bring me joy, small or large, such as my holiday music mix on Spotify.

Clearly, I love all the songs that are on there since I made it. But there are a few that will always lift my spirits no matter what. Those are This Christmas, specifically by the Temptations, as well as this specific version of The Little Drummer Boy that they have because it was one of my Dad’s favorites. I also really like Puppy for Hanukkah by Daveed Diggs because it’s flat-out adorable. Hopefully, one of those helps to brighten up your day too!

The holidays have arrived, and so has our new paperback level at TBR! If you (or a reader you know) are just over-carrying around bulky hardcovers or are looking for a more budget-friendly option, we’ve got you. Check out all the offerings at mybtro.com/gift, and give personalized reading recommendations customized for any and every reader.

Onto the rest of the newsletter!

Bookish Goods

Holiday Ghost Hoodie by AlbertClothingUS

I’m sure that by now, we all know that reading ghost stories at Christmas was the norm during Victorian times. The trend is making a comeback, and although I’m too late this year to add a lot to my TBR, that doesn’t mean I can’t plan for next year. And this would be a perfect reading shirt to do that in. $25.

New Releases

Game On by Seressia Glass

Samara is an avid gamer who uses her skills as a DEIA consultant to fight for equal representation in the gaming world. When she posts a righteous critique of the game Legendsfall, the fallout is pretty much what she expected it to be. What she didn’t expect was to be approached by Aron, the CEO of the studio behind the game, to collaborate to help make all his games more inclusive. As they work together, their relationship evolves from slight adversaries to something more. However, both are very aware of what could happen if their relationship goes public and how the blowback could affect them both personally and professionally.

Nochebuena by Stephanie Shea

Despite being a divorce lawyer, Camila considers herself to be a hopeless romantic. So when her parents announce that they are separating three weeks before Christmas, it is a shock to her system that forces her to shine a light on her own current marital troubles. Meanwhile, her wife Sutton is dealing with a particularly nasty bout of imposter syndrome, and her in-laws’ separation isn’t helping. Will they be able to overcome the current difficult season in their own marriage, or are they also destined for a separation?

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

For today’s recommendations, I wanted to highlight two first-time reads that I’m hoping to get through this holiday season. In general, I try to keep a relatively low number for the last month of the year since I know how busy it can be. Even with that, I still want to make a concentrated effort to get through those two, at the very least.

Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley

When Maryam and Anna found themselves on the same flight to Toronto, they never expected to go through a near-death experience or spill their deepest secrets to one another. They also didn’t expect to have to deal with the aftermath of those revelations after an emergency landing had all the passengers staying at the Snow Falls Inn, or the romantic possibilities that it brought their way.

Amor Actually: A Holiday Romance Anthology by Various

In this collection that is a more diverse spin on Love, Actually, you’ll get to experience seven different stories, all taking place on Nochebuena, about couples in all kinds of paths of life and the various ways they find love for Christmas.

Check out some of these later-in-life romances.

Even more holiday romances!

Choose between rom-coms and get your love language.

That’s all she wrote for today, friends. I’ll be back in your inboxes on Thursday, and in the meantime, I’m still occasionally over on the bird app under @PScribe801. I’ve also started a bookish Instagram @pns_bookish_world, which you can also give a follow to if you’re so inclined. Until we meet again, happy reading and stay hydrated.

Kissing Books

‘Tis the Season for Bookish Joy

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date December 6, 2023

Sponsored by

Happy Holidays y’all!! Welcome, or welcome back, to the Kissing Books newsletter. I’m PN Hinton, here to share my love of the romance genre with like-minded readers through a myriad of ways.

This weekend is my book club’s annual Book-mas celebration, and I’m very much looking forward to it. This is the one month of the year when we do not pick a book to read. Rather, we focus on getting together to eat good food, relax, and just have a good time. Plus presents! I’m going to attempt to make a Yule Log cake, so wish me baking luck!

In reading news, I’m still working my way through It’s a Fabulous Life, Game On, and Bride and am thoroughly enjoying all three. In other things bringing me joy, Murdle is a part of my daily routine, much like Wordle, and each day, I work to keep my impressive-to-me streak going strong.

It’s happening, readers — we’re bringing paperbacks! Whether you (or a reader you know and love) hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you’re on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. The holidays are here, and we’ve got three different levels for gifting (to yourself or others) to suit every budget. Get all the details at mytbr.co.

Bookish Goods

a sweatshirt with a picture of a snowy cabin and the text "You had me at small town Christmas romance"

Christmas Romance Shirt by RebelRushCo

This shirt is perfect for anyone who can’t resist a snowed-in love story or a Hallmark-style Christmas romance. $32+

New Releases

Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura

Archaeologist Corrie’s lifelong dream has been to go on an excavation to the Mexican jungle and try to locate the remains of ancient Aztec warrior Chimalli, who also happens to be her ancestor. When she gets the opportunity to make this trip, the only drawback is that she will be working with Dr. Ford, a fellow archeologist and former classmate with whom she has a complicated past. But when they both begin to notice signs that their site may be compromised by an outside party, they mutually agree to put their differences aside to find the culprit, while simultaneously trying to ignore their mutual attraction.

cover of Second Chances in New Port Stephen

Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander

After a scandal threatens TV writer Eli’s career, he returns to his childhood home to recalibrate. He’s more than a little nervous as this is his first time home post-transition and becoming sober. Once there, he works to survive his overbearingly loving family as well as tries to hide the fact that his dream career is more nightmarish than he lets on. When he bumps into single dad Nick, who is also his ex, this just adds another layer of complication. As the two start to hang out again, old feelings stir, and they both must decide if this fate is handing them the opportunity for a second chance at romance.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

Today, I have a few more 2023 releases that may have flown under your radar or are already on your TBR pile waiting to be read.

Something Wild and Wonderful by Anita Kelly

While Alexei and Ben both intended to take their hike along the Pacific Crest Trail solo, a series of unexpected circumstances kept throwing them together. Neither man intended to find love on this journey, especially considering their different personalities. But Fate seems to have a different plan in mind, and soon, love enters the picture. The one question that can’t be ignored is if it will stay once their journey is over or if it was just a passing fancy.

Not the Plan by Gia de Cadenet

Isodora is working hard to ensure that her boss wins a spot as a U.S. Representative since that will put her in arm’s length of her dream job of being a congressional aide. Karim is the attractive man who also happens to be campaigning for her boss’s political rival. While they both feel drawn to one another, they also know that, due to the conflicts of interest, they should remain apart. But they soon give in to their desires and as election nights draws closer, they both can’t help but wonder what will happen to this newfound relationship when the results are read.

Take this quiz to find out which Ali Hazelwood character you are. My result was a very accurate attack.

Kissing Books

Hello Again December

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date December 4, 2023

Sponsored by

Greetings and salutations! Welcome, or welcome back, to the Kissing Books newsletter. I’m PN Hinton, here to give you the rundown on the world of romance, including new releases, recommendations, and other entertaining ways to pass your time.

Well December is here, and with it the last month of 2023. I know that a lot of people really look forward to this time of the year. Soon we will be in a new year and *almost* halfway through the current decade, which is just…wow. Hard to believe. Instead of focusing too hard on that, though, I’m going to try to make the best of this season, even though I’m already beyond exhausted.

Before we get into the picks — the holidays have arrived, and so has our new paperback level at TBR! If you (or a reader you know) are just over-carrying around bulky hardcovers or are looking for a more budget-friendly option, we’ve got you. Check out all the offerings at mybtro.com/gift, and give personalized reading recommendations customized for any and every reader.

Bookish Goods

picture of gingerbread bookstore sticker

Gingerbread Bookstore Sticker by BlissfullyBookedCo

This adorable sticker seems like the perfect way to kick off December. Even though I feel gingerbread is an acquired taste that I do not share, I know that this cookie in all its various forms tend to go hand in hand with the holiday season. $4

New Releases

Technically Yours by Denise Williams

When a scandal threatens the reputation of OurCode, a nonprofit coding program aimed at high schoolers, Pearl will do anything to help salvage it, including working with Cord, the man whose heart she broke eight years earlier. When they reunite to help OurCode, the sparks are still there, but both know that it would not be a good idea to entertain them. However, it soon becomes apparent that they cannot ignore their feelings and have to determine the best way to balance it all.

The Toy Runners by Adriana Herrera

This steamy anthology, comprised of three novellas previously released by Herrera, includes a Sapphic Santa pairing, an arranged marriage where the soon-to-be bride has eyes for the brother of the groom, and a bodyguard grumpy/sunshine pairing. This collection is the perfect way to kick off the holidays!

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

I’m taking a semi-break from the petty train today and will be recommending holiday romance books. Now, to be fair, both of these were released in 2023 (one just in the last few weeks) so I suppose it could still be considered a jab.

But the second one listed was just released, so I would think it was too new to be considered for a nomination. And the first one mentioned is an inspirational one, which means that it is an “off the pages” romance, and we all know that those almost never appear on the list. Which is an entirely different conversation I don’t have the spoons or word space for.

Enjoy!

cover of You Make it Feel Like Christmas

You Make it Feel Like Christmas by Toni Shiloh

Between being single, unemployed, and having to witness her sister get married to her ex-boyfriend, the holidays are not looking so holly-jolly for Starr. Then she discovers that Waylon, her brother’s BFF, will also be in attendance and things start to look up. And since she’s helping him make over his deceased mother’s shop, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the spark between them. Will it be enough to convince her to stay, or will she decide to go back to the big city?

Hook-Up to Holidate by Priscilla Rose

When Indigo and Vega first met at the bar, they were both just looking for a fling to blow off some steam from the respective stressors in their lives. Things get completed when they discover that Vega is Indigo’s new boss, and then even more so when Indigo asks Vega to be her fake date for her family’s holiday get-together. As they spend more time together, though, they soon discover that they both want something more than a temporary affair.

Design a romantic holiday movie and get a treat to eat. Y’all, some of these options are unhinged! I freely admit to going through and picking darker ones before creating a more traditionally sweet movie.

And that’s all I have for y’all for today. I’ll be back in your inboxes on Thursday with another newsletter and in the meantime you can find me still over on the bird app under @PScribe801. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated.

Kissing Books

Still On the Petty Goodreads Train

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date November 29, 2023

Sponsored by

Power up your reading life with thoughtful writing on books and publishing, courtesy of The Deep Dive. Over at our Substack publication, you’ll find timely stories, informed takes, and useful advice from our in-house experts. We’re here to share our expertise and perspective, drawing from our backgrounds as booksellers, librarians, educators, authors, editors, and publishing professionals. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and then get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox. You can also upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

We made it through the last week of November y’all! I hope that whatever you do this coming weekend is super restful, especially if there was a lot of hustling and bustling last week. As for me, I’m going to see one of my closest and longtime friends tie the knot. I’m beyond happy for her and that she finally found her person and that come Monday, she and her fiancée will officially be Mrs. and Mrs. Big hearts all around.

Bookish Goods

Plot Twist Magnetic Bookmark by AllMyQueensShop

I am more than fairly confident I’ve made this exact face multiple times in my reading life. Because sometimes those plot twists really do catch you by surprise. Or the unexpected super spicy scenes. $6

New Releases

Soul Searching in Scotland by Shyla Colt

One year after being left at the altar, Zenaida journeys to Scotland with a to-do list, determined to find herself and return to the strong woman she was before. There, she meets Fraser, a handsome and charming Scotsman who seems to be the perfect candidate for a travel fling. However, Fraser knows he wants more than just a handful of memories with her and resolves to convince her to give him a second chance.

Coming Down Her Chimney by Imani Jay

When Amy lets her best friend convince her to accompany her to visit the latter’s parents, she isn’t expecting Kareem, her friend’s brother and lifelong crush, to be in attendance as well. Kareem also wasn’t expecting Amy to be there either, having harbored his own crush for more than a few years. Both are determined to ignore it as they have been, but when Amy is the highest bidder on Kareem for a bachelor auction, both quickly realize it will be harder to hold their feelings back.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

Keeping with the semi-petty train (at least I’m honest) I have two more recommendations today for books that could have been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards. Today’s recommendations are two that actually really shocked me with being overlooked, considering how highly anticipated both were in Romancelandia. While it could be argued that this was just in my wing, I still stand by the statement and they could have at the very least gotten a nod.

Mickey Chambers Shakes It Up by Charish Reid

Between being an adjunct professor with a small summer schedule and living with a chronic illness that results in multiple medical bills, Mickey has more than quite a bit on her plate. She figures that taking the part-time bartender gig at Diego’s bar will help with money troubles and get a break from academia. Diego, who also happens to be one of Mickey’s students, hires her even though he is worried about the way the power dynamics will shift on a regular basis. However, he also cannot deny the sunny optimism that Mickey brings to his bar and his life, and soon, they’re both wondering if a relationship will be worth the risk.

The Fiancée Farce by Alexendria Bellefleur

When Tansy invented a fake girlfriend in romance cover model Gemma, she didn’t expect their paths to cross. However, when it turns out she is the cousin of her stepsister’s fiancé, she finds herself in lurch. However, Gemma is also in need of a fake romantic partner and quickly steps into the role. When they discover that this faux relationship would be beneficial in multiple ways, they quickly step into the roles of lovers. But of course, as often happens, real feelings soon develop.

If y’all are hungering for bodyguard romances, then this list is for you.

Here is a list courtesy of EW full of holiday romances to pick up this season. A few of these are already on my TBR!

And Publisher’s Weekly recently put out this article showcasing Black romance authors and their love of the genre.

And that’s all she wrote for today. I’ll see y’all next time and in the meantime you can still find me over on the bird app under @PScribe801. Until we meet again, happy reading and stay hydrated!