Category: Kissing Books

Hello Ghosts of Romances Past…

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date October 6, 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.

Y’all, I’m super excited right now! As of the writing of this newsletter and according to the 10-day forecast I am looking at, we are going to be in for some cooler weather next week. And by cooler, I, of course, mean under 90 degrees. Hey, I’ll take it because a drop in temperatures is still a drop in temperatures, especially when the low has been 90 degrees for the last few months.

It’s fall y’all, and this season is the extra perfect time of the year to cozy up with an engaging book or two. Sometimes, though it can be hard to pick what to read next, and that is where TBR comes in. No matter what your preferred genre is, TBR’s Bibliologists, also known as Bibs, work to find the perfect ones for you to add to your book pile. Sign up here to pick your preferred plan and wait for the recommendations to roll in!

Bookish Goods

Trope Ghost Stickers by ShadowboundSpines

These are soooooo cute! Just look at these little bookish cutes in their adorable costumes! The hard part is picking just one. But with prices starting at $4.00, you could always get all four.

New Releases

Clued in Christmas by Mia Heintzelman

Single dad Micah is as determined to make the holiday season special for his daughter as he is to avoid running into his ex, Nadia. However, with his daughter wanting to join the festivities at Love & Games, the store Nadia owns with her two best friends, this task soon proves to be impossible. As the only singleton in her friend group, Nadia just wants to make it through the holidays, even with Micah being thrown into the mix. However, someone else thinks this year is the perfect opportunity at a second-chance romance for the two and begins working on getting them on the same page.

Better Hate Than Never by Chloe Liese

Even though they were next-door neighbors growing up, Kate and Christopher can barely stand being in the same room now. When Kate makes a rare trip home around the holidays, and it becomes apparent that they will be running in the same social circles, their friends and family beg them to make amends for the sanity of everyone else. Once Christopher finds out that this animosity is due to Kate erroneously thinking he hates her, he becomes determined to prove to her how wrong she is. When they later share a kiss, it further complicates things, leaving them to wonder what their feelings for each other really are. I’m currently reading and loving this book.

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

Riot Recommendations

‘Tis the season for all the Halloween Romances! And I’m not unhappy about that at all. Hopefully, you’re on the same page with me there since that is what today’s recommendations are all about.

Boo’ed Up by Danielle Allen

In this short and steamy novella, we are introduced to Malika and Dre, who meet at a mutual friend’s Halloween party. When the other guests break out a spirit board, they break out of there and go back to her place, where they decide to have a special Halloween party of their own.

A Ghost of a Chance by Brittany Kelley

Due to some bumps in the road, pretend psychic Tara ends up moving into her aunt’s guest house. When the handsome but grumpy next-door neighbor approaches Tara, asking her to be his fake girlfriend until Halloween in exchange for a piece of land their families have been feuding over, she takes him up on the offer. When supernatural occurrences start to happen, the two find themselves being pushed together even when there isn’t an audience, leaving them to wonder if there is actually something real between the two of them.

I didn’t know about this somber chapter in Romancelandia history. With October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I felt it was important to share and remember these authors.

Build a S’more, get a fall time activity. Not purely bookish related for sure, but still fun. Also, if you haven’t tried making one with a peanut butter cup and, barring allergies, can? Try that this season cause, man….*chef’s kiss*

If you like your historical romances with a bit of mystery in them, then this list is for you.

And if you’ve been following the shipping of a certain pop star and football player, these may be more your speed.

And that is all I have for y’all today. I’ll be back in your inboxes on Thursday and in the meantime you can still find me occasionally floating around on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated!

Kissing Books

The Spy I Loved

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

Sponsored by

Last week I went to the SKULLastic Book Fair at a local brewery, and y’all I had a blast. Not only did I get to support one of my favorite local bookstores, a hometown brewery, and a BBQ food truck, but I got to spend some one-on-one time with one of my best gal pals. And I picked up three books that I was able to add to my TBR pile for this month; The Dark-Thirty, Spooksville, and Night of the Living Queers. I’m even more excited for October now!

It’s fall y’all and this season is the extra perfect time of the year to cozy up with an engaging book or two. Sometimes though it can be hard to pick what to read next and that is where TBR comes in. No matter what your preferred genre is, TBR’s Bibliologists, also known as Bibs, work to find the perfect ones for you to add to your book pile. Sign up here to pick your preferred plan and wait for the recommendations to roll in!

Bookish Goods

Ghost Reading Library T-shirt by BeforeGloryTees

Isn’t this little ghost adorable? I may or may not have squealed out loud when I saw this (I totally did). Plus I love the idea of being able to read unbothered even in the afterlife. $18.00

New Releases

Almost Paradise by Evelyn Sola

Nia is furious when Drake re-enters her world with a sudden desire to be present in the life of the son he abandoned four years earlier. Due to his power, money, and influence, she can’t fight him on this, but she doesn’t hesitate to let him know how she feels about it. Drake has many regrets in his life and new roles to adjust to, including that of a father. As the two begin to begrudgingly co-parent, they’re forced to deal with the past, present, and possible future when it looks like a happily ever after may still be an option.

The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson

MacKenzie and Noah are both wolf shifters who find themselves in need of a fake mate for their own personal reasons. For her, it’s to get her grandmother off her back, and for him, it’s to avoid losing his career due to outdated ideas about unmated alphas. While it starts off as a mutually beneficial business transaction, the fake dating soon turns into a friends-with-benefits situation. With the lines starting to blur, both question what exactly is preventing them from going from fake to real.

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

Riot Recommendations

Today is Chic Spy Day, and I gotta be honest; the idea of a chic spy seems kind of counterproductive to me. I’m more likely to notice someone who is sharply dressed rather than someone who has a more casual look. However, I can also see how it can go hand in hand when one considers all the Bond movies as well as the poster for Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

No matter what side of that fence you may fall on, I think one thing that can be agreed on is that spy romances can be extremely fun since they typically combine adventure with romance. With that said, here are the recommendations for today.

The Spy in 3B by Nana Malone

Like many people, Lyra and Marcus aren’t 100% truthful on their dating app profiles. In their defense, it is because they are spies for rival companies. They are also both after the same double agent. Oh, and they’re neighbors. While the attraction between them simmers, so does the danger associated with their jobs, and when secrets get revealed, neither knows if they will make it out alive, let alone together.

Heads up; this does have a cliffhanger ending, but luckily, you can also pick up The Assassin in 5F right after finishing this one.

In the Shadow of the Past by J.E. Leak

In this historical Sapphic romance, we meet reporter Jenny and nightclub singer Kathryn. After Jenny’s father is murdered, she goes after the man behind it, whom Kathryn is mistress to. However, Kathryn has a secret she is hiding from everyone: she is actually an undercover agent who gets trapped in the U.S. while the war in Europe continues. The two can’t deny their attraction, but it is dangerous for more than one reason, and neither is sure if their love will be enough to save them.

I enjoyed this article about how romance authors in Atlanta are connecting to the younger audience.

Congratulations to Alisha Rai and Kai!

The pain here is too true.

And that is all I have for y’all today and this week. I’ll be back on Monday with a fresh newsletter for y’all and in the meantime you can still find me poking my head in on the site that will always bet Twitter to me. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated.

Kissing Books

Hello October!

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

Sponsored by

It’s finally October y’all! And yes, I said finally because I look forward to almost everything about this month. The scary movie marathons, the spooky reading…and candy corn. Yes, I unabashedly love candy corn and look forward to eating it every season. If you’re a candy corn hater, no worries; just send yours to me, and I’ll happily take care of it.*
*Please don’t actually do this — I have no sense of self-control with candy corn; I will make myself sick.

It’s fall, y’all, and this season is the extra perfect time of the year to cozy up with an engaging book or two. Sometimes, though it can be hard to pick what to read next, and that is where TBR comes in. No matter what your preferred genre is, TBR’s Bibliologists, also known as Bibs, work to find the perfect ones for you to add to your book pile. Sign up here to pick your preferred plan and wait for the recommendations to roll in!

Bookish Goods

picture of black cat and pumpkin cook sleeve

Black Cat and Pumpkin Book Sleeve BookNerdChelcie

With the weather getting colder, there is more opportunity to read outdoors. This adorable book sleeve seems to be the perfect way to do it. I love these fluffy black kitties and wish they were real so I could snuggle all of them while reading my book. $16+

New Releases

Woke Up Like This by Amy Lea

While setting up for the senior prom, Charlotte falls off a ladder and lands directly on JT, her arch-nemesis. When they both come to, it’s 30 years in the future, they’re in the same bed, and they’re engaged. Unsure of how they got there, the two begrudgingly work together to find out what happened in the decades following that fall, how they ended up a couple, and how to get back to the past that they remember. Of course, secrets and feelings are revealed along the way, leaving both wondering what will happen if they manage to get back.

She Came at Midnight by Darva Green

Natalia is tired of being the powerless one in her family of murderous occultists but sees no way out of it. That is until the Nocnitsa, a supernatural creature, begins infiltrating her dreams, and she can’t help but be tempted by what it can give her. The only thing that the Nocnitsa wants in return is just a few of Natalia’s nights, and Natalia finds herself tempted across all fronts to agree to the offer.

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

Riot Recommendations

Since it’s officially October, I figured we would kick off this month with a few paranormal romance recommendations!

Summoning Up Love by Synithia Williams

After losing her job, Vanessa decides a visit to her grandmother’s house is just what she needs to recover and figure out how to move forward. When she gets there, she is shocked to discover that Grandma has hired the handsome Dion and his brother to check for and remove any supernatural entities. She instantly smells a con and sets out to prove it, only to discover that the spectral presence and Dion both appear to be very real, as well as the undeniable attraction between the two of them.

Good Enough to Eat by Alison Grey & Jae

Vampire Robin is looking to fight her addiction to O-Negative blood and heads to a local AA meeting to get tips on how to combat this. There, she meets Alana, a human who is battling demons of her own. While she is undeniably attracted to the other woman, Robin fights it as she is unsure if it is actual feelings or just bloodlust. Plus, she’s also worried that once Alana finds out what she really is, she will run the other way, leaving Robin heartbroken and alone.

Continuing in that vein, if you’re looking to sink your teeth into more vampire romances, here is a list of possible options.

Some witchy romances for the win!

And that is all I have for you this fine Monday morning. I’ll be back in your inboxes on Thursday and in the meantime, you can still occasionally find me over on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated.

Kissing Books

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

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

Sponsored by

We’re winding down on September and will soon be ushering in October. Time-wise, this month seemed perfectly paced for me as it didn’t speed by, but it also didn’t drag. So, no complaints there. I’m finishing my reading month with One Last Stop, The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics, and Late Bloomer, all three of which both encompass the vibes of Sapphic September and Bisexual Visibility Month. My TBR pile for next month is also almost all set. It’s a smaller stack and mostly contains horror. And, in the spirit of being accountable, it will also include more authors of color, as I am well aware that my reads for this month were lacking there.

Have you signed up for The Deep Dive yet? This literary publication features writing from Book Riot’s Editorial staff, and is perfect for both casual and power readers alike. And now is the perfect time to join, since for all of September, brand-new free subscribers will be entered to win a copy of Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler as well as five mystery books. Click here to sign up at no cost and be entered to win.

Bookish Goods

Spicy Book Stack Pin by BriarWick

I love pins of all kinds, especially bookish-related ones. I’m this close to needing another pin pennant and am perfectly fine with that. If you’re also a fan of pins and these tropes, then you should definitely treat yourself. $12

New Releases

Date for Hire by Reese Ryan

Amaya and Jet were high school classmates on complete opposite ends of the social spectrum and as such, never dated. When they meet again, she is a successful record executive who has hired him as a landscape designer. They strike up a friendship, but the old feelings quickly get stirred up again, leaving them to wonder if they can throw caution to the wind and knock down all the obstacles in their way for a second chance at a relationship.

Time to Shine by Rachel Reid

When backup goalie and team loner Landon needs a place to stay that isn’t a hotel, his gregarious teammate Casey is only too happy to offer a place. After all, he just bought a house and doesn’t like being alone. As they live together, Casey slowly begins to break down Landon’s walls, and a friendship develops between the two, which soon grows to more. However, the end of the year is fast approaching, which means that so is Landon’s time in Calgary, leaving both men to wonder what will come next.

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

Riot Recommendations

Today is Good Neighbor Day and, as such, seems like the perfect time to share some Neighbor-to-Lover romances. What is really nifty about this specific trope is that it can very easily pair up with any other trope you can think of. While friends-to-lovers is usually the go-to, there is also grumpy/sunshine, second chance, fake dating, etc…the list goes on.

The two I’m sharing today respectively fall under the Enemies-to-Lovers and Best Friend’s Sibling tropes, so if either one of those is your preference, then you’re in luck.

Feud. by Phyllis Bourne

When Alexandra inherits a home, she is overjoyed, especially when she discovers it comes with a very handsome next-door neighbor, Justice. That is, until she finds out that said neighbor is part of the family that her family has had a 100-year feud, and then the proverbial lines are drawn. Despite the family drama, though, both are drawn to one another.

Twisted Love by Ana Huang

The tragedies of Alex’s past have made it necessary for the handsome man to keep his heart icy and closely guarded. When he is tasked with watching over his best friend’s sister, Ava, her sunshiny personality threatens to melt it and break down all his walls. While they both know they shouldn’t be together, they can’t help being drawn to one another. But when secrets from the past get unearthed, will their love be strong enough to weather the storm it brings with it?

And that’s all I have for you today. I’ll be back in your inboxes on Monday and in the meantime you can still find me on Twitter under @PSribe801. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated!

Kissing Books

Love Letters in Romance

Post author By P.N. Hinton
Post date September 22, 2023

Sponsored by

We’re almost at the end of September, and out of the originally planned books on my TBR pile, I have finished five. There was one last-minute addition, specifically the arc of Late Bloomer. Since it’s Sapphic, I didn’t mind adding it in. Overall, I am happy with how I did with keeping the original list and not being overly distracted by other books. I already have a tentative list for next month, which, as one might expect, is full of horror novels. I’ve already met my Goodreads goal and have read roughly half of my (currently) purchased books, which means that now I can be just a little more chaotic with my reading.

Have you signed up for The Deep Dive yet? This literary publication features writing from Book Riot’s editorial staff, and is perfect for both casual and power readers alike. Now is the perfect time to join, since for all of September, brand-new free subscribers will be entered to win a copy of Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler as well as five mystery books.

Click here to sign up at no cost and be entered to win.

Bookish Goods

Subtle Pride Bookmark by FordandFern

It’s been a while since I shared a bookmark and this seemed perfect for the beginning of the end to this month. It’s a gorgeous and “if you know you know” way of showing off Bi-pride and, as an added bonus, a love of all the phases of the moon. Even though, just for the record, it’s never “just a phase.” $5

New Releases

Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley

Strangers and seatmates Maryam and Anna are flying to Toronto for the holidays for different reasons; the former for her sister’s wedding and the latter to meet her boyfriend’s family. When some unexpected turbulence leads to spilled secrets, an unexpected emergency landing, and being snowbound at a local inn, both women are suddenly at a crossroads in their love lives, wondering what the next step will be.

Reunions and Ruses by Marie Landry

After all the knockbacks that her life has taken, Stella refuses to show up at her high school reunion solo and convinces LeLand, her brother’s best friend, to act as her fake boyfriend for the event. As the two prepare for that night, she begins to genuinely enjoy their time together, although the hurts of the past, including a failed marriage, are still very present. Will she throw caution to the wind and try to make this fake relationship a real one, or will they part ways after the reunion is done?

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

Riot Recommendations

Tomorrow is Love Notes Day! I am a huge fan of epistolary novels, regardless of genre. But there is something about that writing style in romances that just makes me heart so happy. In some situations, it is how the main characters meet and fall in love all before even seeing each other. In others, it is how they stoke the embers of their attraction.

Regardless of the specifics, though, these types of novels always bring a big smile to my face. And that is something I want to share with y’all so, without further delay, here are a few books that feature love letters as part of the love story.

Rock Courtship by Nalini Singh

As the drummer for the hit rock band Schoolboy Choir, many people may expect David to live the stereotypical life of a rock star and have groupies constantly hanging around. However, he is a one-woman man and only has eyes for Thea. Trouble there is that she is their publicist and she has a firm rule against dating musicians or clients, which is two strikes against him. She is also fresh off a heartbreak and has no desire to be another notch in his belt. David is more than prepared to prove to her that she is it for him and he wants no one else.

Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa Medeiros

Writer Abigail knows that she should be focusing on her latest manuscript. But the pressure is high, especially with all the accolades her first novel got, so instead of doing that, she spends most of her time on the Twitter account her publicist made for her. There she meets Mark, a professor who is on sabbatical. They quickly develop a friendship and Abigail finds herself inspired by Mark’s travel adventures to write more. But then a deception is revealed which puts their friendship and possibly romance at danger.

And that’s all I have for y’all today. I’ll be back in your inboxes on Thursday with a fresh newsletter. In the meantime, you can still find me over on Twitter (at least for the time being) under @PScribe801. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated.

Kissing Books

Later In Life Romance Recs

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

Sponsored by

I am feeling really pumped about how my Sapphic September is going! I recently finished Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date and was so happy to see the evolution of her character and how she got her HEA with Stevie. Oh, and as a fair warning, the TikTok I previously shared was not wrong about the spicy level. *fans self* I won’t say which chapters they were in, but I can say that it is not Chapter 32 (although that was an emotional one).

Have you signed up for The Deep Dive yet? This literary publication features writing from Book Riot’s Editorial Staff, and is perfect for both casual and power readers alike. And now is the perfect time to join, since for all of September, brand-new free subscribers will be entered to win a copy of Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler as well as five mystery books. Click here to sign up at no cost and be entered to win.

Bookish Goods

Book Review Notepad by BxtchesReadToo

One of the other challenges I started this month was using a physical book journal to track my reading. I’ve tried this before and quickly realized I am one who needs a form to fill out for these. So, this writing pad is right up my alley with a quick way to review a book for later fleshing out. $10

New Releases

Love of My Lives by Yamile Saied Méndez

Madi knows that she should be happy with the trajectory of her life. She has a satisfying career and a successful boyfriend who she thinks will propose any day now. He even has the same initials that came to her in a dream from her abuela years before. Still, she yearns for me. When she goes to Puerto Rico to spread her abuela’s ashes, she meets someone who has her questioning who her fated mate actually is as well as everything about her life back home.

cover of A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel

A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles

When Rufus is suddenly made the Earl of Oxney, he finds himself the target of multiple people who are scheming to take the title and associated riches from him. One of these people is Luke, the son of a smuggling den, who also proves himself to be a very competent secretary. This lands the men in a partnership of sorts that soon develops into more as the attraction between them builds. But Luke did come to his role with ulterior motives, and when those come to light, it threatens any possible future the two men could have.

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

Riot Recommendations

Last week was a fairly busy weekend for me. On Saturday, a friend came in from out of town for an indie bookstore crawl. Then, on Sunday, I went out to lunch with a longtime friend and her fiancée, which was followed by a trip to Barnes & Noble.

Yes, my wallet cried.

The lunch with my friend and fiancée was really nice because I got to learn a bit more about the woman who is going to marry one of my closest friends. It also got me to thinking about how sweet a “later in life” romance can be. Just because I got married hella young doesn’t mean I don’t understand the idea of waiting. After all, marriage is work no matter how old or young you are when said knot is tied. You’re still going to grow and change as a person with your partner, regardless of whether you get married at 20 or 40. So you want to be sure of the partner that is selected.

That said, I decided to focus on some “later in life” romances today, meaning they feature a lead character who is age 40 or above.

cover of Mrs. Martin's Incomparable Adventure

Mrs. Martin’s Incomparable Adventure by Courtney Milan

Mrs. Beatrice Martin is perfectly happy living her life the way she wants to, especially when it comes to righteously spiting her Terrible Nephew at every turn. When rooming house owner Miss Violet Beauchamps shows up demanding that Beatrice pay said Terrible Nephew’s back rent, she understandably refuses. However, the two decide to join forces to take him down and find themselves falling in love along the way.

A Taste of Her Own Medicine by Tasha L. Harrison

After her divorce is finalized, Sonja finds herself in need of a job for the first time in years. She signs up for a class for entrepreneurs, hoping that establishing a business will help to provide for her and her children. What she wasn’t expecting was the attraction she would feel to the very handsome and very young instructor, Atlas. Neither can deny the attraction between them, but will they be able to overcome all the obstacles facing them? And is Sonja really ready to enter into another relationship again?

I’ve already had a wedding and, by extension, a wedding song, but I still took this quiz for funsies. And, real talk, the song I got is one of my faves.

Check out this interview with Meg Cabot about her latest witchy romance, Enchanted To Meet You.

And that is all I have for y’all today. I’ll be back in your inboxes on Monday and in the meantime you can still find me on the sinking ship that may be Twitter. Until then, happy readying and stay hydrated.

Kissing Books

It’s Time for Pirate Romances

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

Sponsored by

As of this writing, I have successfully finished This Spells Disasters, which was the first book I had on my Sapphic September TBR pile. I know it’s just the one so far and we’re mid-month, but honestly, I’m pleased with my progress. It’s been a minute since I’ve actually had a dedicated one so keeping to it is victory in and of itself. While the goal was to focus on my physical books, there are a few digital ones thrown on as well. The current ebooks are The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics and an advanced copy of Late Bloomer.

Have you signed up for The Deep Dive yet? This literary publication features writing from Book Riot’s Editorial Staff, and is perfect for both casual and power readers alike. And now is the perfect time to join, since for all of September, brand-new free subscribers will be entered to win a copy of Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler as well as five mystery books. Click here to sign up at no cost and be entered to win.

Bookish Goods

Vintage Romance Book Cover Custom Coasters

Vintage Romance Book Cover Coaster by LovesweptDesigns

These coasters serve vintage clinch cover realness. $20+

New Releases

The Key to Forever by Kelly Cain

While Tori is okay with following the footsteps of the happily single women in her adopted family, she is still curious about her birth mother and sets out to find her. She enlists the help of her childhood friend, Ethan, to help her with this task. Finally home after years of being a nomad with Veterinarians Without Borders, Ethan is looking forward to settling down and possibly getting Tori to look at him as more than a friend. However, as they work to solve the mystery of her past, they uncover things about his that could ruin their platonic friendship and completely remove any possibility of a romantic one.

Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner

When an injury sidelines soccer star Grace, new teammate Phoebe takes her spot. This naturally leads to rivalry developing between them, as well as some romantic tension that they eventually get through. After some miscommunication leads to them being at odds with where their relationship stands, they then realize that they do not have to be rivals on the field and can work together for mutual victories. However, they still must decide where their relationship stands and if there is a future for them or if it was just a fling.

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

Riot Recommendations

Tomorrow is International Talk like a Pirate Day and in honor of that, I’m going to be recommending some pirate romance novels. I know that this was a huge trope in the early days of romance, and like a lot of old-school romances, they are not without their flaws and problematic tendencies.

But they are still fairly popular nowadays, and honestly, that isn’t something I see stopping any time soon. I tried to choose some that were written after the heyday of those earlier romances, and, as always, featured more underrepresented groups in romance. Enjoy!!

Destiny’s Captive by Beverly Jenkins

Despite what his family thinks, Noah believes that it is possible to be happily settled in domestic bliss. However, he also knows that it is not for him and prefers to sail the high seas thinking no woman could tempt him to change his mind. Then his ship gets overtaken and stolen by Pilar, who is a fierce independent woman descended from a long line of pirates. After this encounter, he finds himself intrigued by her beauty and determined to track her and his ship down to try to convince her that they are meant for one another.

The Princess’s Bride by K.T. Grant

Exiled princess Daisy yearns for a passionate love affair that matches the one she had with Chelsey, her servant, when she was 18 years old. After waiting so long for her return, she agrees to marry Lord Humphrey, even though her heart yearns for another. When the pirate C.W. Dread kidnaps her as part of a revenge plot against Humphrey, both are shocked to realize that the pirate is actually Chelsey, her long-lost lover. And time has not changed the depths of their feelings for one another.

If you were a fan of Love in the Time of Serial Killers, then you may enjoy some of these read-a-likes.

No one should be f o r c e d to make this choice.

And that’s all I have for y’all this Monday morning. I’ll be back on Thursday though and in the meantime you can find me floating around on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until then happy reading and stay hydrated!

Kissing Books

Best Friend’s Sibling Romances

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

Sponsored by

Well we’ve almost made it through another work week y’all and I am happy for the upcoming weekend. Last week my family and I were involved in a car accident that ended up totaling my car. We’re all fine for the most part since the side airbags did their job for my spouse and the Teenager. Now we’re just trying to adjust to being a one-car family for the moment until a new car is procured, which is as fun as it sounds like.

Bookish Goods

Smut Reader Candle by BriarWick

The temperatures are (hopefully) dropping which means it’s the perfect time for burning a candle and reading. And this one is perfect for curling up on your favorite chair or spot on the couch with the beverage of your choice. Prices are $6.50 for a 2-oz wax melt, $11.50 for a 4-oz metal tin candle, and $22.00 for an 8-oz glass jar candle.

New Releases

Thank You for Sharing by Rachel Runya Katz

When childhood friends turned enemies Daniel and Liyah end up next to each other on a plane 14 years after their friendship ended, the brief reunion proves that time does not in fact heal all wounds. Soon after, they discover that his marketing firm has been hired by the museum she works at for an upcoming project that they now must work together on. The more time they spend together, the more they talk about what originally lead to their fall out and slowly begin to fall back into a comfortable friendship and, as time passes, into love.

Her Lumberjack Bear Mate by Arizona Tape

When Ella’s latest client at a high-end furniture shop demands she personally pick out the wood for their next purchase, she reluctantly heads to the forest near Bearton to do so. There she employs the skill of Darcy, a local lumberjack, to help find the perfect tree. The two women are complete opposites which makes for some tension-filled meetings. But their encounters also leave them wondering if there is something else simmering under the surface that could be a contributing factor.

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

Riot Recommendations

One trope I don’t think I’ve ever recommended here is best friend’s sibling. And this isn’t for any specific reason other than it never occurred to me, likely because I don’t think I ever had a crush on any of my sibling’s friends. There was a 16-year age gap between my brother and me so by the time that I was the age to get crushes, he was out of the house. And my sister’s friends weren’t exactly my cup of tea romantic-wise. Fun guys to hang out with occasionally, but not my type.

I know that it is a huge trope in the romance world and while some of the books that I’ve recommended have had that trope, I’ve never specified it as one. Well that changes today and below you’ll find a couple of books that fit the bill for it.

Being Hospitable by Meka James

When Kiki let her best friend’s sister, Charley, stay with her, she was expecting her solitude to be only slightly disrupted. What she wasn’t expecting was that Charley had become such a flirt and that she would be tempted to respond in kind. For her part, Charley is determined to get Kiki to see her as a sexy grown woman and puts all her energy into showing her how good they could be together.

Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn

Despite what the older women in her family think, Honoria is under no illusions about the lack of her musical talent. However, she also knows the only way out of the family quartet is to get married which she is determined to do. And, due to a promise that Marcus made to her brother, who is his best friend, he finds himself joining her in this endeavor. This is all made even more difficult by the very true if unspoken fact that the two are slowly falling in love with one another.

If you’re looking for more Black romance, this list is perfect for you.

You could also try these second-chance romances.

Baking romances!!!

And that’s all I have for y’all today. I’ll be back in your inboxes on Monday with another romance round-up and in the meantime you can still find me over on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until then happy reading and stay hydrated.

Kissing Books

And Of Course, There’s Just One Bed

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

Sponsored by

Happy Monday! I know we missed the last one due to Labor Day, and I am over the moon to be back to starting my work week off with y’all again! If you had the holiday off, I hope it wasn’t too hard getting back to the five-day work week again. I know that last week was very challenging for me after my four-day weekend, so here’s hoping this week is easier!

Have you signed up for The Deep Dive yet? This literary publication features writing from Book Riot’s Editorial Staff, and is perfect for both casual and power readers alike. And now is the perfect time to join, since for all of September, brand-new free subscribers will be entered to win a copy of Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler, as well as five mystery books. Click here to sign up at no cost and be entered to win.

Bookish Goods

Pumpkin Latte Book Sleeve by bookbarngalore

It’s the most wonderous time of the year for all PSL lovers!! If you fall into that camp, then this book sleeve is perfect for you. Not only will it protect your books, but it will showcase your love all year long! Prices start at $28

New Releases

Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

After losing her job, Sage Flores has little choice but to return to the home she left following the death of her youngest sister, Sky. Then, when she takes back her job at Cranberry Rose Company farm, she is tasked with Tennessee Reyes, the high school crush who broke her heart. While he is still as charming as ever, between the heartbreak of the past, the tumultuous relationship with her aunt and middle sister, and the drama in her best friend’s marriage, Sage is determined to resist the temptation. But magic is all around her — not just in her family bloodlines — and it is determined to bring these two together.

This Spells Disaster by Tori Anne Martin

When Morgan drunkenly offers to act as her crush Rory’s fake girlfriend, she never expects the fellow witch to take her up on the offer. Soon after they start, Rory appears to start becoming genuinely interested, which thrills Morgan until she realizes she may have accidentally given Rory a love potion instead of a calming one. While she is determined to still help the other woman out, she starts working to counteract the spell by showing how incompatible they actually are. However, this doesn’t seem to change anything, which leaves Morgan to wonder if it is the spell of herself that has left Rory bewitched.

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

Riot Recommendations

Today is Make Your Bed Day! Which…isn’t a really exciting holiday if you think about it. I’m sure that most of us likely associate this task with something our parents would yell at us in the morning while growing up. It’s just more interesting that there is a day that is dedicated to it.

However, it did get me to thinking of the “just one bed” trope, which I know is a Romancelandia favorite, so I went ahead and gathered a book or two that fit it to recommend it to y’all. Enjoy!

That Kind of Guy by Talia Hibbert

When author Rae needs a date to serve as a buffer between her and her ex at an upcoming writer’s convention, she turns to her new friend Zach. He agrees, thinking it will be no big deal. When they arrive at the hotel and find that their room only has one bed, both are forced to reconcile with the fact that they have very real feelings for one another.

Mrs. Mix-Up by Candace Harper

Fellow librarians Sofiya Anderson and Molly Andersen have been fighting their mutual attraction for six months. So far, it seems to be a battle they are victorious over. At least until their regional conference, when a typo results in them being signed up as a married couple, meaning one room…and one bed. Will they be able to resist temptation, or will the close quarters prove to be too much?

As this is in my currently reading pile, I am really looking forward to said scene.

Yes, Colin, it is the spicy one. ^_^

And that’s all for today, friends. I’ll be back in your inboxes on Thursday, and in the meantime, I am still over on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until then, happy reading, and stay hydrated!

Kissing Books

Celebrity Fake Dating Romances

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

Sponsored by

It’s good to be back here with y’all! If you had Monday off, I hope that it was enjoyable. This year, I took a much-needed four-day weekend. In addition to getting some reading done, I got a color refresh on my hair and went out to dinner for a friend’s 40th birthday party.

We’re now a few days into Sapphic September and Bisexual Visibility Month. While there will be a few other books thrown into the mix, my personal challenge this month is to focus primarily on Sapphic romances. As of right now, I have a total of 14 books on the pile. I know it’s very ambitious so I will be sure to keep y’all updated on that process.

Bookish Goods

Book Lover Fall Tote by RomanceBookLoverGift

Even though Fall doesn’t officially start until the Equinox on the 23rd, I think most people were ready to embrace the season change when the calendar flipped over to the 1st. This tote gives off all the autumnal vibes and is perfect to take on a book buying spree. $18

New Releases

The Art of Desire by Stacey Abrams*

After one too many love affairs gone awry, Alex has sworn off men. Instead she sets her focus on her writing skills and maid of honor duties for her friend’s upcoming wedding. Phillip is trying to acclimate back to civilian life after spending three years in a terrorist organization. As a friend of the groom, he is tasked with picking up Alex at the airport. However the shadows of his past decide to return for him, putting them both in danger while they try to outrun his enemies and fight a growing attraction to one another.

*previously released under Abrams’ pen name, Selena Montgomery

Fake Around and Find Out by Mia Heintzelman

When Gemma goes to her ex’s house for closure, she is shocked to discover that he already has a new love interest. In an attempt to make him jealous, she kisses Logan, her ex’s neighbor who is a book cover model. He also happens to be her high school crush back in town for his sister’s wedding. When the kiss goes viral and leads to unexpected and unwanted attention, the two agree to fake-date. But the chemistry between them is all too real and the lines between fake and real quickly begin to blur.

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

Riot Recommendations

The two books I’m starting my planned TBR with are This Spells Disaster and Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date, both of which also involve the fake dating trope. It occurred to me that it had been a while since I had recommended this trope, something that I intend to change today. Both of my recs happen to be celebrity romances as well; so if that is also one of your preferred tropes too, you’re doubly in luck!

Act Like You Mean It by Shae Sanders

August is on the right track to being the next big star in Hollywood. One thing that would help tip him over is having an appealing romantic partner. That is where socialite Xandra comes in, who is more than happy to take on the role of fake girlfriend. After all, it is a role she has played before. However, as the two continue on with the charade, real feelings begin to blossom leaving them to wonder if they’ve both stopped pretending to have real feelings for one another.

Purposefully Accidental by G. Benson

After an accident lands iconic lesbian actress Wren in the ER, she is shocked to discover that her old camp mate Madison is her doctor. However, the reunion is not a welcome one for the doctor, since she has less than warm feelings towards Wren for very valid reasons. When Madison turns up again as a medical consult for Wren’s latest project, the media naturally assumes they’re together and it snowballs into a fake dating situation. While there is obvious attraction between them, Madison has trouble letting go of the past, which could destroy a possible chance at an HEA for the two women.

I enjoyed this article about how fanfic-to-romance has taken the world by storm.

Pick a dish, get a romance trope.

Speaking of tropes, here are some options for opposites attract fans.

And that’s all for this week. We’ll be back to two sends next week though so you can expect me to show up in your inbox on Monday. In the meantime, you can still find me floating around on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until then happy reading and stay hydrated!