Romance / Erotica
Plot/Idea: Jake Holloway is a broken man—haunted by his wife Mary’s tragic death the same day she vowed to leave him for someone else—when an unexpected accident launches Lexie Morgan into his life. The sparks are immediate, and Wayne delivers a will-they-or-won’t-they that feels every bit as dramatic as it does genuine. Added to the mix is the intriguing mystery of Mary’s pregnancy when she died, leaving Jake with a premature daughter to raise—a daughter whose true biological ties are teased out over the course of this engaging novel.
Prose: Wayne’s prose boils across the pages, suffusing the romance between Jake and Lexie with serious heat, while crafting an authentic, vivid setting.
Originality: The singularity of Wayne’s novel lies in the breathtaking connection between the two main characters—a connection that infuses the narrative with purpose and, ultimately, hope, that second chances could mean the growth of something beautiful.
Character/Execution: Jake and Lexie are two wounded souls, and Wayne expertly interlaces their history with the present, transporting readers into a stunning saga of loss, passion, and new beginnings after the most devastating of endings. Their interplay feels real every step of the way, and Wayne gifts them with extraordinary depth throughout.
Plot/Idea: Ryan delivers the perfect balance of setting, plot, and characters in this appealing novel, allowing the story's drama to unfold organically and with an even pace throughout. Despite their differences, the sparks between Annie and Whit are hard to deny, and readers will quickly be swept into their tale.
Prose: Ryan's skill at storytelling is evident throughout, with crisp, clear writing that still manages a rich nuance in nearly every scene. Descriptions are a definite strength in this book, worked seamlessly into the storyline to enhance the plot and keep readers informed of behind-the-scenes action.
Originality: The dynamics between the main characters are memorable here, but even more so is Ryan's ability to craft a striking setting that readers will remember long after the last page.
Character/Execution: Ryan precisely defines the main players, gifting them with relatable motives while making their connection undeniable. Readers will sympathize with Annie's luck and root for her happiness with Whit, despite his somewhat unlikely-hero status.
Plot/Idea: In The Cruel Dark, Northwick delivers a superb work that blends romance, mystery, and the supernatural, all set against a historical backdrop. The story flows engagingly, with twists and turns that hold the reader captive and wanting more.
Prose: The author is a gifted writer, able to convincingly recreate a bygone era, simultaneously telling a captivating story, moving the plot line forward and seamlessly recounting past events. The writing is succinct but telling, holding the reader's interest as the story unfolds.
Originality: This is an original work, populated with memorable characters and events that will stay in the reader's mind. The author does a fine job making the work stand apart from others in the romance field with rich detail, particularly relevant in a period work, while the supernatural elements are a delight.
Character/Execution: Characterization here is handled expertly, with a well-defined protagonist with a history of mental illness who is suddenly finds herself in an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous situation as she works to find herself.
Plot/Idea: Witty, humorous, and compulsively readable, this delightful romp through rumors and romance is masterfully plotted by Archer as the story’s dramatic irony builds between the League of Meddling Butler's meetings and the ramifications throughout high society London. Readers will be eager to see what the League of Meddling Butlers cook up next.
Prose: Regency fans will delight at Archer’s witty dialogue, sense of humor, and colorful characters– along with the lush, romantic descriptions that bring the world to life.
Originality: The typical regency romance gets a humorous makeover through the League of Meddling Butler’s constant interference as well as unique twists on the typical society events– such as a parody poetry reading and a rudderless regatta race.
Character/Execution: Headstrong and fiery Lady Jemina Forney will appeal to all Austen lovers as a slightly anachronistic heroine who knows herself to the bitter end. Duke Jasper, meanwhile, confronts his own stern expectations and embraces Jemina for who she really is.
Blurb: Witty, humorous, and compulsively readable, this delightful romp through rumors and romance is masterfully plotted.
Plot/Idea: This is a delightful and clever work that captivates and lifts the spirit. Liddy-Jean and her mission to right the wrongs in her world are a breath of fresh air; her antics are consistently endearing and her approach to life, something we can all learn from.
Prose: The writing here is convincing as the author details the thoughts and actions of Liddy-Jean, who suffers from a cognitive disability. The author does a stellar job maintaining Liddy-Jean's voice as she puzzles out solutions to the problems she sees.
Originality: Liddy-Jean Marketing Queen and the Matchmaking Scheme is wholly unique romance, as the protagonist, who has a cognitive disability, discovers her talents, which might include matchmaking. She entertains, problem solves, and restores joy to her fellow characters and in her reader.
Character/Execution: The author does a capable job with characterization across the board, but Liddy-Jean is sparkling. Her depiction is realistically presented as a combination of childlike innocence mixed with spot-on intuition.
Plot/Idea: In this fetching queer romance, Merrill alternates chapters between Arthur and Ethan to expose their hang-ups and reveal their growing affection for each other over a period of two weeks. The novel executes trademark romance beats in a tender, often funny way, which is sure to satisfy readers.
Prose: Merrill crafts two distinct voices for her couple–vulnerable and innocent Ethan contrasts well with acerbically funny and loyal Arthur. However, the pace of the story can lag when interrupted by too much extraneous exposition or when the spotlight shifts to the side characters who, while lovable, take away real estate from our main couple.
Originality: Merrill subverts potential conflicts regarding workplace romance and other power dynamics by shifting these conflicts into opportunities for conversation and exploration of a character’s vulnerabilities and anxieties. The result is a refreshingly gentle and funny romance novel that prioritizes queer joy over angst.
Character/Execution: Ethan and Arthur are distinct characters, brought to life with evocative details and rich backstories. Readers easily root for them to give into their feelings and learn how to be vulnerable with each other and will also love the community of surrounding queer characters, who have unique voices, trials, and tribulations of their own.
Blurb: Funny, tender-hearted, and full of steamy romance, readers looking for queer joy will fall in love with Earthquake Ethan's cast of lovable characters and its tale of starting over, breaking your own rules, and caring for one very opinionated, plus-sized cat.
Plot/Idea: Keala takes readers on a rollercoaster of emotions as Shane and Emily navigate love, abuse, and the need for approval and security. The characters draw readers in from the first chapter, as a younger Emily falls for Shane, even though he is several years older and well-known for his string of girlfriends. Their romance ultimately proves toxic, but still, it's hard to look away from their encounters.
Prose: Keala successfully evokes empathy and frustration for both Shane and Emily, through compelling, powerful prose that hints at the hurt, fragility, and desperation of Emily's situation. The writing is buoyed by a strong vulnerability and authenticity, hinting at the actual events that inspired this story.
Originality: This novel's basis in real events elevates it on many levels, granting readers stunning insight through the very real—and relatable—protagonists, both of whom possess traits stemming from trauma and abandonment.
Character/Execution: Emily is instantly likable and relatable; even though she makes questionable decisions, Keala's development of her character elicits a desire to protect and shelter her from what readers may guess is coming. Shane serves as a sobering, recognizable reminder of the paths love can take when tormented by unresolved trauma.
Blurb: A breathless, cautionary tale of love and insecurity.
Plot/Idea: Stevens has crafted an enticing story of romance, passion, fantasy, and action, skillfully weaving an intricate plot and world populated by numerous races of people, including the Febren, Milesians, and the Fae Clan of Vodreylia.
Prose: Bad Fae is exceedingly well-written, detailed yet concise, wooing readers as they fall under the story's spell. Dialogue, action, and description are all expertly handled—which is especially impressive, given the complexity of the world in which the action takes place.
Originality: Bad Fae boasts an intricate, detailed plot that unfolds in a well-structured, captivating fantasy world. Stevens fashions one-of-a-kind characters and distinctively memorable places.
Character/Execution: Stevens excels at characterization, particularly with Yana and Dain, who are inexorably drawn to each other in brilliant bursts of volatile heat and energy.
Plot/Idea: This charming story will remind readers to never give up on true love. Through the shifting perspectives of Jaden and Keri, Amante delves into a sweet, second-chance romance, delivering a satisfying twist in the end that, along with a little foreshadowing, will entertain readers.
Prose: The writing is fluid, with natural conversations between the main couple and smooth transitions between chapters. Readers will immediately feel connected to both Jaden and Keri through Amante's eloquent prose.
Originality: Lost love is a common theme for the genre, but Amante makes this book unique through the circumstances that lead Jaden to rediscover a spark from his past.
Character/Execution: Both primary characters feel relatable and engaging; Keri is resolute in her feelings toward Jaden, even when he refuses to give up pursuing her, and readers will be cheering for him to succeed. Despite his past, Jaden ends up being a very likable character.
Blurb: A charming story that reminds readers faith and hope can spark new beginnings.
Plot/Idea: Woeppel offers readers an entertaining, fast-moving story of Birdie—a superhero placed on a leave of absence and sent to therapy to improve her rapport with "normal" humans—whose life transforms when she meets Aiden. That shift gives Birdie the path to discovering—and appreciating—her true self, and readers will relish experiencing the ride alongside this forceful lead.
Prose: Polished prose and snippets of humor make this a fun read, and Birdie's sarcasm often steals the spotlight. Woeppel crafts smooth transitions and believable situations, even in the context of this story's unusual main character.
Originality: Birdie's plight is a curious one: an unconventional, flippant superhero who must learn to love herself before she can truly help others. That motivation adds dimension to a plot that is already highly amusing.
Character/Execution: Birdie is an enjoyable character with smarts and flair; she will remind readers of the importance of self-love, all while striking a serious blow in favor of female power. Aiden, and Birdie's newfound friend Evie, allow Birdie to grow naturally, advancing her development throughout the story.
Plot/Idea: The Trouble With Roommates takes the forced proximity trope to a new level as two enemies find themselves stuck in the same condo spending the pandemic together. While readers may have to suspend some disbelief, they'll relish watching the circumstances unfold.
Prose: Makansi capably strikes a balance between humor and heart as two unlikely companions go kicking and screaming into experiencing life-altering events together.
Originality: The author offers a fresh spin on familiar romantic tropes by staging the story during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Character/Execution: Makansi features flawed but ultimately likable characters stuck in circumstances they never could have expected. Their individual growth throughout the novel will gratify and move readers.
Plot/Idea: With relatable moments this addition to the Accidentally Undercover series travels to Spain and includes plenty of culture and language. The pace of the plot coupled with a mix of romance and mystery will keep the reader engaged and guessing who is truly sincere.
Prose: Merrill's prose is smoothly crafted and nicely evocative. The author has worked overtime to ensure readers can decode the native language of the characters. Details and descriptions between the sheets are succinct yet engrossing and tasteful.
Originality: Being part of a series, this addition allows the reader to travel and experience the culture of Spain through setting and language. Well-researched, the author has created an authentic setting and included real-world situations creating a valuable addition to any adult LGBTQ collection.
Character/Execution: Randall Sutter is an effective protagonist as he sets out for a second act following the demise of his band. Throughout, the individuals Randall encounters and becomes embroiled with, are relatable yet enigmatic; readers will eagerly turn the pages to learn who they can truly trust.
Plot/Idea: This perfectly paced and detailed work is absorbing, bolstered by a storyline that will transport and captivate readers from their first introduction to Vivienne. North's subtle plot gems, including Vivienne's caricature of Brick's mother, are amusing—added bonuses to an already strong novel.
Prose: North is a talented and engaging writer, able to create interesting and layered characters as well as an appealing storyline, while balancing just the right amount of action, dialogue, and description.
Originality: The charisma between North's characters makes this novel distinctive, and readers will be immediately transfixed by their individual arcs.
Character/Execution: North portrays well-defined characters who will woo readers. Vivienne's defiance and spunkiness are never overdone, while Brick is also immensely likable and straightforward, offering readers a clear understanding of who he is and what his motivations are.
Plot/Idea: La Bella Luna is a lovely story that, while it is stalled by a slow beginning, picks up speed as Diana leaves behind a humdrum existence and lackluster fiancee to explore the splendors of Italy and find herself in the process.
Prose: The prose style is smooth, upbeat, and approachable. The author's approach to showing the primary characters through others' perspectives, is both novel and effective.
Originality: While pulling from beloved tropes, La Bella Luna also offers a fresh take on how a life diversion can lead to finding a happiness one never knew was lacking.
Character/Execution: The author convincingly portrays Anthony as a boring cheapskate and shows that Diana is perfectly complacent about his mediocrity. Perhaps too effectively, Diana initially comes across as dull and uninteresting. But readers who invest in her story will be rewarded as her experiences abroad breathe fresh life into her character.
Plot/Idea: Cay blends regency romance with murder mystery in this solid finale to the When the Blood Is Up series that both reveals new secrets and brings prior events to a gratifying closure. Cay brings great care to her worldbuilding, providing a seamless reading experience.
Prose: Cay’s lush writing captures both the glamour and the hollowness of the era's high society without sacrificing character interiority.
Originality: As with the other titles in the series, A Lady's Resilience stands apart within the regency romance genre by way of its mystery element. The work also surprises via its focus less on 'who' is responsible for the central murder, but the 'why' behind the culprit's actions.
Character/Execution: The author offers ample backstory for leads Jane and Emma, providing them with contradictions and complexities, while also vividly portraying the challenges and underestimation facing women of the era. Love interests are suitably alluring, while Andrepont proves to be a terrifying antagonist.
Plot/Idea: Prendeville's engaging, adventurous story line appeals from the start; the novel is forged in a bygone era, ripe with danger and intrigue, but brimming with opportunities for the key players to connect and bond.
Prose: Prendeville convincingly depicts the story's time period with believable characters and authentic customs and dialogue. The prose sparkles, prolific in historic references, and the sparks between Maggie and Bash are both tenderly and powerfully wrought.
Originality: Strong, appealing characters boost the novel's appeal, and Prendeville's skill at constructing a believable setting amplifies its individuality.
Character/Execution: Characters in this spirited venture are finely honed, particularly Maggie, who is fierce, determined, and quite atypical given the time period. Her personality builds naturally over the course of the novel, and the interplay between her and Bash is exciting.
