Category: Kissing Books

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Kissing Books

Have a Gentle Holiday, Y’all

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 Tshirt

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

cover of Miami Marriage Pact

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.

cover of Because You Asked

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.

cover of The Holly Dates

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.

cover of A Holiday by Gaslight

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.

Categories
Kissing Books

KNIVES, SEASONING, & A DASH OF LOVE

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

picture of Deck my Shelves T-shirt

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.

Book cover of To Catch a Raven by Beverly Jenkins

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.

cover of Liar City

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.

Categories
Kissing Books

Sexy Fox Demons and Christmas Tree Farms

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

picture of Tarot Card Book Sleeve

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

cover of The Rising Sun

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.

cover of Playing with Matches

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.

cover of Mistlefoe

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.

cover of 'Tis the Season

‘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.

Categories
Kissing Books

Holiday Ghosts, Gamers, and Nochebuena

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

picture of Holiday Ghost sweetshirt

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

cover of Game On by Seressia Glass

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.

cover of Nochebuena

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.

cover of Three Holidays and a Wedding

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.

cover of Amor Actually

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.

Categories
Kissing Books

‘Tis the Season for Bookish Joy

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

cover of Raiders of the Lost Heart

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 book cover

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.

cover of Not the Plan

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.

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.

Categories
Kissing Books

Hello Again December

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

cover of Technically Yours

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.

cover of The Toy Runners

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?

cover of Hook-up to Holidate

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.

Categories
Kissing Books

Still On the Petty Goodreads Train

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.

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

picture of plot twist bookmark

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

cover of Soul Searching in Scotland

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.

cover of Coming Down Her Chimney

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.

cover of Mickey Chambers Shakes It Up

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.

cover of The Fiancée Farce

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!

Categories
Kissing Books

Stolen Jewelry and Book Loving Felines

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.

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.

Apologies, y’all, for my brain fart last week in thinking there was a send on Thursday. I think I was already in long weekend mode since this year I had enough foresight to request Thursday and Friday off. I spent my time relaxing, eating good food, and starting my winter holiday reading with It’s a Fabulous Life. Fun fact: I’ve never actually seen It’s a Wonderful Life. But, much like Pride & Prejudice, I always enjoy the various retellings of it.

Bookish Goods

picture of bookish cat pins

Bookish Cat Pins by RatherKeen

How cute are these pins?!?! Even if you’re not a huge cat person, who can resist the contentment that these felines are displaying as they read their books? As an semi-avid pin collector, this would definitely earn a spot on my pennant. $10

New Releases

cover of Under the Same Roof

Under the Same Roof by Niobia Bryant

PI Tremaine’s latest assignment is to find a purloined necklace for the Del Rio family. The person who could help find the necklace is none other than Alisha Winters, one of the Del Rio’s rivals. Knowing she has nothing to hide, Alisha agrees to help Tremaine with the case, going so far as to invite him into her home. Close quarters soon lead to smoldering desire, but Tremaine still isn’t sure if Alisha is the thief or an innocent patsy.

cover of Breaking the Bad Boy's Rules

Breaking the Bad Boy’s Rules by Reese Ryan

Ex-drummer Vaughn has plans to turn the ranch resort he just inherited into an upscale vacation spot in the hopes of raising enough money to try to reunite his band. Allie is the designer he hired to help bring this dream to fruition, who just happens to also be his best friend’s sister. Despite the attraction, he is determined to keep their relationship professional, although Allie has other ideas. But when a new tabloid scandal shows up, Vaughn becomes determined to put the rumors to rest, even if it may mean losing out on his newfound relationship with Allie.

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

Riot Recommendations

This week, I’m still recommending other 2023 releases that may have gone under the radar when a certain reader’s choice rewards nominees were picked. Yes, I know that there are other reward options out there, but it still goes without saying that the list still leans very heavily into one specific demographic area.

cover of Much Ado About Nada

Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin

Nada is almost 30, living with her family, and recovering from a business betrayal that made her Ask Apa app launching less than stellar. Her best friend Haleema convinces her to join her at the annual Muslim conference where she can meet Zayn, Haleema’s fiancé, and his brother Baz. What Haleema doesn’t know is that Nada and Baz are already acquainted and have a complicated past. Is this conference a second chance for them, or will it just result in opening old wounds?

cover of Sorry, Bro

Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni

After Nareh turns down a very public proposal, she decides she needs to work harder to find someone who is a better match. Her mother swoops in with matchmaking plans designed to help Nareh find a perfect husband at “Explore Armenia,” a month-long event. There, she meets Erebuni, a woman she becomes fast friends with. As they spend more time together, Nareh realizes that Erebuni may be her perfect match, but as a closeted woman, she isn’t sure how to let her family know that her happily ever after may be with another woman.

After over 40 years, Harlequin is retiring the “Desire” line. While I’m excited for Afterglow, I am also a bit saddened by this. Full transparency: that is one of the reasons two books from that line were featured in today’s New Releases section.

The NYT sat down to chat with romance powerhouse Nora Roberts.

And that’s all I have for y’all today. I’ll be back in your inboxes on Thursday (for realsies) with a fresh newsletter. You can still find me occasionally over on Twitter under @PScribe801, although I am working on establishing profiles on other platforms as well and should be sharing that soon. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated.

Categories
Kissing Books

In Fact, We Do Need Bookish Patches

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.

We’re here to enrich your reading life! Get to know the world of books and publishing better with a subscription to The Deep Dive, Book Riot’s staff-written publication delivered directly to your inbox. Find a guide to reading logs and trackers, hear about why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and more from our familiar in-house experts. Get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox, or upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

Previously, Spotify announced that they would be including 15 hours of audiobook listening as part of the Premium subscription. This wasn’t projected to happen until early 2024, so I was super excited to hear it went live earlier than anticipated. I selected That One Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf after recommending it last week and listened to it all in one day because I just couldn’t not finish it.

Bookish Goods

picture of Book Lover Patch

Book Lover Patch by PatchShopLtd

It’s getting to the cooler part of the year for some of us and denim jackets also appear to be making a comeback. This patch would make a perfect addition to one because, not only does it announce your love of reading, but it’s tots adorable! $5

New Releases

cover of Luv Under Starlight

Luv Under Starlight by N.M. Patel

After her father died by suicide, Meera dedicated her life to taking care of her mother and brother and trying to pay off the debt he left behind. She doesn’t have time for anything else or the inclination to make it. To help make ends meet, she agrees to let Luke rent her extra room because she could honestly use the extra cash. What she didn’t need was the ball of sunshine that Luke was and the happiness he tried to bring into her life. After all, he’s only going to be there for three months, so there’s no need to get attached. Now, if only her heart would get on board with that sentiment.

cover of Inheritance

Inheritance by Nora Roberts

Neither Sonya nor her late father knew he had a twin. So when her Uncle Collin leaves her everything in his will, including a Victorian house in Maine, she is more than a little surprised. She is also somewhat unnerved at the stipulation that she has to live in it for three years. When she arrives, she meets lawyer Trey, who is upfront about the house being just a little haunted. As Sonya explores the house, she learns more about the history of the place, including Astrid, the legendary “first lost bride,” and works to solve the mystery of her dad and uncle as well as work to break the curse the house seems to be under.

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

Riot Recommendations

The Goodreads Choice Rewards opened up last week, and the romance nominees were, well…overwhelmingly white and straight. Harsh, but let’s be honest; there’s no way to soften that blow, and the truth hurts.

I was a bit disappointed in what was there. With that in mind, I’m going to be recommending other romance novels released this year that could have and probably should have been contenders. Because, and I genuinely say this with no maliciousness to the books that were nominated, we all know that the list there is not a great reflection of the romances that were released this year.

Now, there may be repeats for some books previously mentioned in the newsletter, although I will endeavor to avoid that when possible.

cover of Jana Goes Wild

Jana Goes Wild by Farah Heron

Jana has always been a loner, closed off from those around her, especially since the one time she let someone in, and she ended up pregnant and heartbroken. So, she resolves to stay single. Five years later, she’s a bridesmaid at her sister’s destination wedding, surrounded by almost everyone she knows, including Anil, her ex. Determined to keep him at arm’s length as well as show she’s not a complete stick in the mud, she lets her walls down to join in on all the pre-wedding events. However, this also lowers her walls with Anil, who may or may not be wanting a second chance.

the cover of Stars Collide

Stars Collide by Rachel Lacey

Pop star Eden has had a 20-year career that seems to be in danger of ending. When her recording company suggests doing a collaboration with up-and-coming Anna, she initially balks but eventually gives in, knowing she has little choice. Anna is overjoyed with the prospect of performing with Eden, hoping that it will also be a chance to break out of the “pop” mold. As the two women rehearse, an attraction develops between them, which leaves them wondering if they are willing to risk it all for love.

The Washington Post put together their picks for the best romances of 2023, and it goes without saying that I’m happy with the diversity displayed here.

I was excited to see this cover reveal for Karmen Lee’s upcoming Sapphic bowling romance.

Exciting news for Talia Hibbert fans!

And that is all I have for y’all today. There will be a send on Thursday, so you will hear from me again then. In the meantime, you can still find me occasionally poking my head out on the bird app under @PScribe801. Until then happy reading and stay hydrated!

Categories
Kissing Books

Meet Disaster Recommendations

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.

Indulge your inner book nerd and join a community of like-minded readers looking to expand their knowledge and their TBR. Subscribe to The Deep Dive, where Book Riot’s editorial staff draws from their collective expertise to bring you compelling stories, informed takes, tips, hacks, and more. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and explore the great wide world of books and publishing. Get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox, or upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features.

Last weekend I went to see The Marvels and loved it! It is a bit more emotionally driven than some of the other movies in the MCU, although the action/fight scenes are still awesome. And in typical MCU fashion, there is a mid-credit scene, so be sure to stay for that. Don’t listen to the haters: it’s a damned good movie, and I highly recommend it. It also prompted me to marathon the entirety of the Ms. Marvel series on Sunday, so my weekend was pretty MCU-related, with an emphasis on Female Empowerment, which I am always about.

Bookish Goods

picture of Procrastireading Mug

Procrastireading Coffee Mug by BooksandaCuppa

Y’all, this mug…I love this word so much and will start using it in my day-to-day life. Because let’s be honest, it really is a whole mood, even more so during the busy holiday season. $18

New Releases

cover of Next-Door Nemesis

Next–Door Nemesis by Alexa Martin

Collins is going through a rough patch of her life, which results in her having to move back home with her parents and next door to her high school nemesis, Nathaniel. When a complaint from the HOA arrives, she snaps and decides to run for President of the organization, which puts her in direct opposition to her neighbor. As the campaign goes on, the two rivals are cutthroat in their desire to win. Soon, though, the hate turns into something more, leaving both to reconcile with the fact that there may be more to their relationship than they originally thought.

cover of Whiskey and Wine

Whiskey and Wine by Kelly and Tana Fireside

Between running her adult novelty shop, Frisky Business, and a desire to avoid complications altogether, Lace has a three-month limit on all romantic entanglements. Tessa has her own hands full between moving to a new city, starting a new business, and adjusting to being a single mom to a moody teenager and an Australian Shepard. While the two women become fast friends, they know nothing more is in the cards for them. When Tessa opens her wine-tasting room next to Lace’s business, it becomes more difficult to ignore the undercurrent of attraction between them, especially when the people around them are determined to push them together.

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

Riot Recommendations

I spend a fair amount of time on TikTok because sometimes you just want to mindlessly scroll for hours. One interesting thing about TikTok is that, due to how the algorithm works, you will occasionally find the start, middle, and sometimes the ending of stories pieced together from various posters. That was the case this weekend when I first saw this video and then soon after this one. It was a perfect meet cute, and it warmed my heart just a bit.

It also got me thinking that while I enjoy meet cutes, I kind of prefer meet disasters. I think that is one of the reasons I’m enjoying You, Again so much in addition to the homage to When Harry Met Sally with the “enemies-to-friends-to-lovers” vibes. The setup is the same for the most part, except for the encounter itself. And while I still go “Awww” with the cute factor, I chortle with the disaster, especially since I know it will still end well. If you’re someone who doesn’t mind a little bit of second-hand embarrassment, you may enjoy that trope too, in which case these recommendations should be perfect for you.

cover of That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf

That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming

When Brie threw that drink, she was aiming for someone else and certainly didn’t intend to hit Felix. She also didn’t intend to throw a love potion, but you know what they say about best-laid plans and hindsight. Now she has her hands more than full trying to convince a lovestruck werewolf she is not his mate. Although, she doesn’t exactly mind all the words of affirmation and help with the chores that come along with being the object of Felix’s affection.

cover of Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

Eve is a bit of a walking disaster and always manages to cause chaos wherever she goes. Still, she is determined to prove to her family that she can be successful and heads to a local B&B to interview for the open chef position. The interview doesn’t go as planned, though, and to make matters worse, she ends up running into the owner, Jacob, with her car. Now, the two have to work together while he recovers. Before too long, Eve’s sunshiny nature proves to be strong enough to melt Jacob’s icy exterior.

And that’s all I have for y’all today. I’ll be back in your mailbox on Monday with a fresh newsletter, and in the meantime, you can still sometimes see glimpses of me on the bird app under @PScribe801. Until then, happy reading, and stay hydrated!