Romance / Erotica
Plot/Idea: This is a highly enjoyable historical fake engagement romance. By nature of the genre, there's a formulaic component to the plot. Nevertheless, the author adds a layer of complexity and introduces wholly charming characters that make the story feel fresh.
Prose: The author is equally adept at dialogue, detail, and action. The work authentically captures the actions, attitudes, and language of the era.
Originality: Malin delivers on the expectations of the genre, while providing an original storyline and substantive characters.
Character/Execution: Characters are not only individually compelling, but they collectively create a vivid depiction of the age. The reader is provided a first row seat into Cora and Bill's perspective and experiences, while less central characters, like Cora's parents, add to the overall reading experience.
Plot/Idea: Just a Fling is an appealing love story that balances passionate, fast, and tension-filled scenes with pockets of slow and contemplative moments. From beginning to end, readers will be swept into the world of Dawn and Callan’s romance, and all the secrets held unspoken until the very end.
Prose: Just a Fling features pacey and direct prose, similar to Emily Henry’s style of writing in People We Meet on Vacation. The writing is clean and keeps readers engaged throughout.
Originality: While the tale of a British-American summer love affair is somewhat familiar, the explorations of mental health and trauma provide welcome depth and substance. At times, the story would benefit from greater contrast between its romantic leads or greater stakes. Nonetheless, Just a Fling is a well-crafted romantic novel.
Character/Execution: Callan's struggles with his wife and daughter’s death provide a compelling contrast against the backdrop of his perfect face, physique, and personality. Dawn is well-painted as a strong, independent woman with high aspirations. While it is easy to fall into the story and into these characters’ lives, a bit more coloring of their inner and outer worlds would make the tension and world of this story feel that much richer.
Plot/Idea: The author has crafted an adventurous period work that centers on Kittie, who is forced into a marriage with a slovenly duke twice her age, and is then taken captive by the Scots and falls under the spell of alluring Moehill. Pacing is at time slow, particularly in the opening of the work, which is overly laden with description and excessive drama on behalf of the heroine. As the story finds its footing, however, it develops into a gratifying historical romance.
Prose: Brookhouse is a solid writer, although prone to excessive description at times. The pace and strength of the narrative improves as the work progresses and the author's storytelling skills are able to shine.
Originality: This work combines familiar romance conventions to stirring effect. The historical Scottish setting comes to life on the pages, through evocative descriptions.
Character/Execution: Brookhouse takes great care in developing the characters, allowing readers to see significant growth throughout the novel. Kittie in particular, evolves into a strong, smart, and capable woman.
Frisky Intentions: A grumpy-sunshine, steamy romcom. (The Frisky Bean Book 1)
by Michelle MarsRating: 7.75
Plot/Idea: This straightforward plot, following two unlikely protagonists who discover that the best matches aren't always the most obvious, allows for few twists and turns, though Mars uses a playful tone and humor to keep the story moving forward.
Prose: Written in alternating first-person perspectives between Jason and Summer, the book's lighthearted mood shines through as the couple's relationship matures. Readers will cheer for their success, and Mars delivers plenty of heat from the start.
Originality: This book lives up to its title. Mars's use of creative wordplay—particularly with the names of Summer's bakery products—along with characters who work hard to break down each others' walls, is a winning combination.
Character/Execution: Both Summer and Jason are charming and witty, willing to take risks and be vulnerable—characteristics that make them appealing as they grow together.
Plot/Idea: Everything's Better With You is a pleasant mix of classic romance tropes and unique challenges for the story's gay couple, Leslie and Joe. There are sections of the novel that feel unnecessarily drawn out, and the drama between the couple comes across as manufactured at times.
Prose: The prose is clear and engaging, compelling the reader forward even when the plot slows down.
Originality: Everything's Better With You is a heartwarming, original queer love story. Readers will appreciate the diverse characters and the ways in which domestic violence, trauma, and heteronormative masculinity are addressed (and in a way that does not feel triggering).
Character/Execution: This novel has a large cast of characters that add levity and interest to the plot—the relationship between the Payton brothers is especially enjoyable. There are parts of the novel in which Leslie's character feels slightly stereotyped (the aging jock with reservations about being openly gay), and also moments in which his qualms about Joe and their relationship slow the plot, but the happy ending is well worth the wait.
Blurb: Everything's Better With You is a sweet and steamy queer love story that follows ex-NFL star Leslie and his long-time crush Joe, a professional dancer.
Pierre's Choice - A Captivating Novel of Love and Betrayal
by Felicita "Terry" RobinsonRating: 7.75
Plot/Idea: The plot, though a bit simplistic, examines love and betrayal through a new lens. The characters are likeable and the story is engaging.
Prose: Robinson's prose is competent, though it suffers in places from awkward phrasing and inconsistent details.
Originality: Pierre's Choice prompts readers to reflect on the tapestry of love and devotion that often interlaces with regret and second-guessing.
Character/Execution: Protagonist Pierre, who feels the pressure of the heavy burden he carries, is striking in his quest to find true happiness, and Robinson skillfully portrays his efforts toward fulfillment while avoiding hurt for those he loves.
Plot/Idea: This erotic thriller kicks off with an intriguing mystery and a rising body count. As a detective finds himself entangled with a captivating psychopath, Rivers creates a scintillating and tension-filled read.
Prose: Whether conveying intimate erotic scenes or detailing aspects of a criminal investigation, Rivers's prose is smooth and highly readable.
Originality: Rivers provides a compelling blend of genres that allows for steady dramatic and sexual tension.
Character/Execution: Readers will relish the complex dynamic that exists between the two protagonists. Terana is a compelling, layered character who is deliciously wicked, while Sergeant Walker is provided an intriguing blend of fortitude and vulnerability.
Plot/Idea: Cubbison's charming Will There Be Wine? tells the story of Austen Keller, an American speech writer living abroad who, newly reeling from her divorce, finds herself thrust into the Parisian dating scene.
Prose: Cubbison's prose is effortlessly engaging. Readers will wholly empathize with Austen as she recounts her dating misadventures to both friends and via her blog.
Originality: The author uplifts a familiar story about seeking love following divorce through the Paris setting. Readers will relish being fully immersed in the city's locales and cultural touchstones.
Character/Execution: Austen is an endearing character who emerges fully through Cubbison's writing. Her friends and confidants are vividly portrayed, while the men she dates (amusingly recounted via blog entries), are provided with humanity despite their obvious flaws.
Plot/Idea: The Warrior Within is a fast-paced, interesting novel with fantastic disability, lesbian, and curvy-girl representation. Libby's journey of self-discovery is candid and relatable, as are the interactions portrayed between her and Jo.
Prose: The prose effectively moves the plot forward, though there are moments when Libby's speech patterns seem overly innocent or naïve, especially in comparison to Jo's dialogue.
Originality: The Warrior Within offers interesting twists on the typical vampire romance tropes, and readers will especially enjoy the diverse cast of characters.
Character/Execution: Most of the characters are very compelling, though the romance between Libby and Jo takes off a little too quickly. Libby is a compelling protagonist who often gets in her own way with negative self-talk, and Jo plays a solid counterpart to those struggles. As their relationship matures, it's portrayed in a more believable light—and the author interjects plenty of challenges for the couple to overcome along the way.
Blurb: A chance encounter kickstarts a roller coaster infatuation teeming with mystery, danger, and romance.
Take It All: A Small Town Hollywood Romance (Sawyer's Cove: The Reboot Book 3)
by Libby WaterfordRating: 7.50
Plot/Idea: Take It All provides an interesting combination of staple romance tropes and plot lines (forced proximity, second-chance love) with refreshing angles that make the characters more relatable (the main characters, for instance, have regular bodies and the sex isn't instant magic). There are times when this relatability sometimes works against the magic of the romance plot, though.
Prose: The prose is clear and moves the plot forward; the quotes from Gunsmoke are fun, though the podcasters feel, at times, unnecessary.
Originality: Overall, Take It All offers an interesting mix of tried-and-true and something decidedly more contemporary, though, in the end, Warner's "I'm not good enough" attitude feels a bit cliche.
Character/Execution: In theory, the imperfection of these characters is really refreshing. As mentioned above, though, there are instances when this relatability detracts from what many romance readers are looking for: awkward and cringy moments may make readers want to turn the page.
Plot/Idea: The plot is based on a romance that has a rocky start, but Hart draws readers in with a bit of mystery and appealing characters. Fans will be invested in the main couple's outcome.
Prose: Hart uses unique and original language patterns of the area and culture, adding to the novel's setting and tone while allowing readers to experience more than just the central romance; this story will create lasting imagery while appealing to the senses.
Originality: Authentic language and Hart's conscientious writing style make this a unique book that provides readers with a rich sensory experience.
Character/Execution: Hart's strong but charming characters are delightful, not only in their quest for romance but also in their determination to overcome challenging circumstances—and to take chances when it counts.
Plot/Idea: The premise of Once Upon a Subway is an intriguing one: two ex-lovers bump into each other on a Philly subway train, and in between the moments of their brief interaction the readers learn about their past. Both battling inner anxieties (and insufferable parents), Wyatt and Harper's story moves between raw reflections and romantic possibilities.
Prose: The prose is clear, efficient, and allows the circumstances to come alive.
Originality: While the narrative includes familiar romance tropes, the format is creative and fresh, and the reader will appreciate that the novel resists a predictable happily-ever-after.
Character/Execution: Romance readers will enjoy the work's romantic suspense and the candid characterization of the primary characters. Some elements are left uncertain, primarily whether Harper and Wyatt will succeed in their respective endeavors.
Plot/Idea: Daisy Does it Herself is a cozy, wholesome romance that follows a familiar pattern—but the sweet chemistry between Daisy and Alex strengthens the plot.
Prose: The novel's prose is one of its highlights: the dialogue is snappy and entertaining, and Player's style is effortlessly appealing.
Originality: An entertaining read, this novel is somewhat formulaic, though the ending will satisfy genre fans.
Character/Execution: Player's more unappealing characters—like Phil and Francesca—are stereotypical, but Daisy, Alex, and the friends she makes in Upper Finlay are interesting and fun.
Blurb: When Daisy's seemingly-perfect London life begins to unravel, she heads for the hills of Upper Finlay, a small town where she finds more than she bargained for.
Plot/Idea: While Someone Will Love Me has an engagingly twisty setup and plenty of tense character interactions, the circumstances are not always presented in a fully believable fashion.
Prose: The prose is mostly clear, concise, and moves the plot forward, but the dialogue is stilted and unnaturally formal in some places, which may feel off-putting to readers.
Originality: The novel offers a fresh take on the fake marriage trope, but many of the plot points may strike readers as melodramatic in nature.
Character/Execution: Patricia is a flawed protagonist with unique challenges and some hefty emotional baggage. Readers will feel frustrated with her treatment at the hands of others and her occasional infantilization, while rooting for her fulfillment. More broadly, characterizations across the novel are worthy of greater nuance and individuality, as they are often eclipsed by the heavy-handed circumstances.
