Book Review: "Tilt" by Emma Pattee

Wow. This was such a powerfully written book, one which filled me with anxious tension.

It’s the first day of Annie’s maternity leave, as she’s nine months pregnant and ready to give birth. She decides to go to IKEA to buy a crib for the baby, as she and her husband haven’t gotten around to that task yet. In the middle of shopping, a massive earthquake hits Portland, Oregon, throwing the city—and Annie—into utter chaos.

“Last I checked, your father and I have $836 in a checking account at Wells Fargo, a Subaru with 160,000 miles on it, and a two-bedroom apartment we can only afford because the landlord feels too guilty to raise our rent or kick us out. And here I am, thirty-seven weeks pregnant at IKEA. On a Monday. With a credit card I’ll probably die before I pay off.”

With no way to reach her husband because phone lines are down, and with the streets either wrecked or clogged with traffic, Annie decides to walk to the cafe where her husband works.

As she walks through the streets and witnesses the destruction first-hand, Annie reflects on her life, her marriage, and her anxieties over the impending birth of her baby. Her emotions spiral through fear, anxiety, grief, and anger, and she grows more uncomfortable physically.

Along the way she encounters examples of human kindness as well as the chaos that occurs during natural disasters like this. She’s not fully sure that she and her husband are ready to be parents (or adults, for that matter), especially as she witnesses the anxieties of parents.

Emma Pattee is a climate journalist, and that expertise is truly evident in the imagery she uses. I felt like I was walking beside Annie, seeing the same destruction and feeling aftershocks along the way. This book really made me think how I’d handle being in this situation.

Book Review: "Wedding Dashers" by Heather McBreen

This book was exactly what I needed! What a fun, sexy, and surprisingly emotional debut this was.

Whenever her sister Allison was sad or in trouble, Ada fixed it. She was there to pick up the pieces every time Allison’s relationships would go bad. But when Allison gets engaged after only knowing her fiancé for a short time, Ada keeps waiting for the other shoe to drop. And she might have told Allison that marrying Collin wasn’t the best idea.

The relationship between the sisters is definitely strained, which is why Ada is taking a budget airline to Allison’s fantasy wedding at a castle in Belfast. Of course, the travel gods are not on her side—her flight is canceled and there’s not another one for at least several days, which means she’ll miss the wedding.

As her travel karma goes from bad to worse, a meet-cute with a handsome man helps ease the pain. It turns out this stranger, Jack, happens to be the best man at Allison’s wedding, so the two plan to travel together—a plan that is fraught with roadblock after roadblock. They can’t deny their obvious attraction to one another, but Ada and her boyfriend of 8 years are on a break, and Jack has a reputation for being a bit of a player.

“I wish there was a word for it. The space between longing for someone but not quite loving them.”

Wedding Dashers is definitely a slow burn, and Ada’s early indecision is a little irksome, but the chemistry between her and Jack is excellent. Are there surprises? Not really. Did it matter? Not with the banter, the steam, and the emotion, not to mention the setting!!

Book Review: "More or Less Maddy" by Lisa Genova

“She’s bipolar. That word gets thrown around without a medical license all the time, mostly by boys to describe girls as crazy. It’s a derogatory dart meant to demean and dismiss its target. But those boys aren’t doctors, and Dr. Weaver isn’t hurling names.”

Maddy’s first year at NYU was definitely stressful, but isn’t that the case for most college freshmen? There’s dealing with a roommate, dealing with all of the work and exams, as navigating her emotions after her high school boyfriend broke up with her just before college.

She often feels like the black sheep of her family. Her sister and brother excel at everything, her mother cares tremendously about appearances, and it’s no wonder Maddy is always sad or anxious. But it all seems rather innocuous until her mood swings blossom into a full-blown manic episode, and she is diagnosed as bipolar.

“But this chose her. Without her consent, like an arranged marriage, till death do they part. She wants an annulment, a divorce, an open window onto a fire escape, a new doctor, a time machine. Some way out of this.”

Despite her doctor’s advice to lead a more tranquil life, Maddy decides what she wants is a career as a stand-up comedian. Of course, the pressure and the constant fear of rejection doesn’t count. And at times she’s convinced she’s writing Taylor Swift’s biography or being involved with one TV show or another.

This was a tremendously powerful, emotional book. It really captured the rawness of depression and bipolar disorder. But at the same time, there are touches of humor which lessens the heaviness of the book. Lisa Genova always tugs at my heartstrings with her books, and this one is no exception!!

Book Review: "PS: I Hate You" by Lauren Connolly

“Arguably, hiding myself in a closet is in everyone’s best interest. These strangers want to watch me cry prettily. (But is that even physically possible? Who can have saltwater leaking out of their eyes and not look like a flushed, snotty mess?)”

Maddie’s older brother Josh died of cancer before he turned 30. He was the adventurous one, always trying to get Maddie to try new things and have fun. And this didn’t stop with his death: in his will he requested that she spread a portion of his ashes in each of the 8 states he never visited.

But Josh had one more trick up his sleeve, in that he assigned her a partner for her trips—Dom, his best friend. Maddie was in love with him for as long as she can remember, until one thing sent her running across the country to get away from him. Dom has always been a stickler for rules, so he’s not letting Maddie handle the ash-spreading herself, no matter how much vitriol she sends his way.

As they make each trip, there are awkward moments and emotional ones, as well as times when all Maddie wants is to be as far from Dom as possible. Along the way, they discover things about one another and each of their relationships with Josh, and Maddie realizes she must come to terms with her other fears and issues. She also must realize that her feelings for Dom have never dissipated; they’ve just grown stronger.

I’m a sucker for the found family trope, and I loved Maddie’s relationship with Dom’s family. Her mother and grandmother were written as one-dimensional monsters, and it broke my heart to see the way they treated her.

I wanted to love this book but it felt so schizophrenic to me. At times it was so moving and powerful; other times, Maddie was difficult to sympathize with and the miscommunication between her and Dom drove me crazy. It also got sooo steamy and it felt odd to me. But even with all that, I still cried, so…

Book Review: "The Backup Plan" by Eden Finley

Y’all know I love my sports romances. Well, Eden Finley is one of the writers who have stoked that love!

Thad dreamed of nothing more than becoming a professional baseball player. He spent so much time playing and practicing, but when it came time for the draft, he was hit with the realization that he just wasn’t good enough. Dream: dead.

Now, angry and bitter, he’s pursuing his backup plan of becoming a sports agent. He’s interning at King Sports, one of the biggest firms working with queer athletes. He’d probably like the job and be good at it if he weren’t so mad. But dealing with athletes who are living his dream isn’t easy.

Kelley is a rookie pitcher and he’s on his way to becoming a superstar. He’s also under a lot of scrutiny: his fathers were the first out football players to win a Super Bowl and his brother is a star quarterback. While news of Kelley’s coming out is met with the usual mix of support and derision, his need for approval and his worry about what people are saying about him is only exacerbating his anxiety.

Thad is assigned to watch over Kelley on a two-week stay out of the public eye and off social media. At first, Thad resents that Kelley, who has everything Thad has ever wanted, is acting this way. But then he realizes how tough the pressure is and how much it feeds into Kelley’s other issues, and then Thad shifts into protector mode. And, of course, the animosity between them shifts into something intense, something deeper.

This was a good story, full of memorable characters, great steam, and terrific banter. It’s also a real examination of anxiety and fear of disappointment and disapproval, and how debilitating they can be. I’ll be waiting for book 2 in this series!

Book Review: "Drop Dead Sisters" by Amelia Diane Coombs

“If you have an older sister, there’s a good chance that she’s almost killed you at least once since childhood.”

Remi doesn’t see her family often, and that’s not really a problem for her. Her parents are hippies and ever since she was young, she’s had the sense that her two older sisters, Eliana and Maeve, don’t like her very much. So she’s kept her distance, physically and emotionally.

But her parents have planned a camping trip for family and friends, to mark their anniversary and serve as a family reunion of sorts. Remi is definitely not looking forward to any of it, including the camping part, but she doesn’t want more grief for skipping it.

Remi begins arguing with, and feeling slighted by, her sisters not long after the trip starts, and she wishes that she could just head for home. But when a dead body is found at their campsite—and then disappears—the sisters start to bond as they try to figure out what happened and who was responsible. (There’s nothing like a dead body to mend fences.)

As Remi tries to reconcile her desire to become closer to her sisters with the lingering hurt and resentment she’s felt through the years, she’s also dealing with some other big issues. She’s considering quitting her job to work with a college friend at her start-up, and there’s a handsome park ranger who keeps showing up to chat with her.

The premise of this was cute, but the book tried to be a version of Knives Out, and that didn’t work. Instead of quirky, the whole missing body thing just felt silly. Oh well…

The book will publish 11/1.

Book Review: "Bi-Partisan" by Dallas Smith

This was all kinds of sweet and romantic! It’s also the start of a new series called District Love, and I’m always excited when books take place here in Washington, DC.

Jamie is a first-term congressman from North Carolina. He really feels like he’s making a difference, even though he hates the constant pressure to go after supporters so he can raise money for re-election. He’s not even assured a second term, with his district being redrawn.

Lately, Jamie has been coming to the realization that he is bisexual, even though he’s never been with a guy. But with an election on the horizon—and the possibility his opponent might be ultra-conservative, it’s probably not a good time to come out. However, he agrees to go to a trendy queer bar with his friends.

Adrian is a handsome veterinarian and cat dad. His social anxiety keeps him from dating, and makes crowds a bit challenging, but he’s not above going out dancing with friends. And when his eyes meet Jamie’s across the crowded bar, the two of them are quickly drawn to each other, to the delight of their friends, all of whom think both men could use some romance.

Of course, a photo of Jamie and Adrian leaving the bar is quickly leaked online. Rather than turn this into a crisis, they agree to pretend they’re in a relationship, so that no one thinks Jamie’s sleeping around. We romance readers know what happens with fake dating, but would a real relationship with a politician be the right prescription for Adrian, who’d rather spend time alone or with animals?

Thanks so much to Pride Book Tours for a copy of the book and for inviting me on the tour. I loved the combination of emotions, humor, and a dash of steam in this book, and really appreciated the discussions about social anxiety and chronic illness, which doesn’t usually happen in a rom-com. I’m all in for the next book!!

Book Review: "You Had Me at Happy Hour" by Timothy Janovsky

My second book in a week featuring a bartender/mixologist…this is the best way to experience cocktails without a hangover!

Julien is a certified sommelier working in a bar/restaurant owned by his aunt and uncle. He dreams of becoming a master sommelier, which will help him write his ticket out of small-town Bethlehem, PA.

In an effort to attract more business to the restaurant, Julien’s aunt and uncle decide to hire Greg, a tremendously handsome mixologist who had gained some notoriety on TikTok. They believe with Greg’s cocktail-making skills and Julien’s expertise about wine, a huge flow of customers should be imminent.

But after Greg and Julien’s initial meeting fizzles awkwardly and their subsequent interactions go awry, business is flowing…away from the restaurant. So the two are tasked with creating new happy hours at the restaurant which can feature fun cocktails and excellent wine. That means they have to overcome whatever issues they have with one another and work together. Or else.

Of course, the awkwardness hides the strong mutual attraction between the two at first, but it’s not long before their feelings for each other intensify. But with Julien’s OCD and Greg’s anxiety and ED issues, the road to casual sex isn’t as smooth as it should be. And as their relationship heads towards love, both panic in their own ways.

I’ve read all of Timothy Janovsky’s books and this may be my favorite. I loved how he balanced the banter and the incredible steam with the serious emotional issues both Julien and Greg were dealing with. It turned what could have been a typical M/M rom-com into something more complex, and I loved it.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for the advance copy. The book will publish 7/23.

Book Review: "The Ex Vows" by Jessica Joyce

It’s been a while since a romance hit me so hard in the feels that I sobbed happy tears. But Jessica Joyce’s upcoming book, The Ex Vows, caused a waterworks, and I loved every minute of it.

Georgia and Adam were childhood best friends, and when Eli moved to town, the group became a close-knit trio, as much family as friends. That closeness remained as they went to college. Then Georgia and Eli fell in love, moved in together, and slowly but surely, their relationship disintegrated, as much for what they didn’t say as what they did.

Now, Georgia and Eli haven’t seen each other in 5 years. She’s back home in the Bay Area, while he is in NYC. But with Adam getting married, and their both being his “best people,” it’s coming time for them to see each other again. They’re both determined not to fully reveal how far apart they’ve drifted; instead they plan to present a united front for Adam’s sake.

As disaster after disaster occurs in the week before the wedding—the venue burns down, they can’t find someone to make them a cake, their DJ fell through—Georgia and Eli band together to solve all of the crises. At the same time, they both realize how intense their feelings still are for one another, despite both dealing with their own crises and issues. Can they have a second chance, or will the same things doom them again?

I seriously loved this book, with its friends-to-lovers plot as well as chosen family. It’s emotional, seriously steamy, funny, and absolutely beautiful, and I love Joyce’s treatment of anxiety and fear. I could totally see this as a movie!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Berkley for the advance copy! The book will publish 7/16.

Book Review: "The Prospects" by KT Hoffman

I am obsessed with hockey romances, and now I can add this baseball romance to the list of books I love. I seriously found myself grinning like an idiot while reading this.

Gene Ionescu is the first openly trans professional baseball player. It’s been his dream for as long as he could remember—his dad was a baseball player, too—but he never imagined that given who he is, he’d have the chance to make his dreams come true.

His happiness is upended when his former college teammate and close friend, Luis Estrada, is traded to Gene’s minor league team. For reasons Gene never understood, Luis just stopped being his friend one day, so their reunion is a bit awkward, even more so when Luis takes over for Gene at shortstop.

The two can barely have a conversation, let alone find a rhythm to play together successfully. But Gene is determined to make their on-field connection work, and after extra practices, they start to become friends again, too. Little by little, as the season moves on, they start to open up to one another, and Gene finds himself hoping—and yet fearing—that Luis’ interest in him is more than just baseball-related.

The closer they draw to one another, the more the line blurs between their relationship and their ambitions. Does love mean giving up your dreams for a safer path, or is love worth the risk of pursuing what you want? Can they have everything they want, personally and professionally, or is that too much?

I couldn’t love this more if I tried. It’s sweet, sexy, funny, and hopeful, and although this situation is more fiction than possibility right now, it’s fun to dream of this kind of world. KT Hoffman has made me a fan of his for sure!!

Book Review: "What Happened to Nina?" by Dervla McTiernan

Having read—and loved—Dervla McTiernan’s last book, The Murder Rule, this was one of my most anticipated books in the first quarter of this year. And wow, it blew my expectations out of the water.

Nina and Simon were childhood friends who started dating in high school. Although they went to different colleges—Simon to Northwestern and Nina to the University of Vermont—they were determined to make the long-distance thing work.

But since they both went away to school, Simon has become more possessive, more quick to anger, even a little bit violent. When they go to his parents’ vacation home in Stowe, Vermont, they hope to spend the week climbing (which they both love) and strengthening their relationship. But Simon comes back without Nina, telling everyone they broke up and that Nina went to meet another friend.

Nina’s parents suspect Simon had something to do with her disappearance, and they press the police for answers. But Simon’s father is rich and powerful, and both he and his wife are determined to protect their son at any cost.

It’s not long before guilt and innocence are muddied by rumors and innuendo, and both sides dig their heels in. Can Nina’s parents allow justice to take its time? Can Simon’s parents understand what Nina’s family is going through? Will anyone’s lives remain intact through the uncertainty, scrutiny, and despair?

This really was a fantastic book. McTiernan ratchets up the suspense and tension little by little until you need to race through the book to see how everything gets resolved. It’ll make you sad and angry, and keep you on edge.

Book Review: "I Was Born for This" by Alice Oseman

Meeting her favorite band is far more than she ever expected.

Angel’s favorite band is The Ark. She loves them more than almost anything, much to the chagrin of her parents, who want her to focus more on school. But she’s kind of obsessed, and spends tons of time online communicating with fellow fans, dissecting the latest gossip.

Jimmy loves being part of The Ark, making music with his best friends. And although success is all he’s dreamed of, it also exacerbates his anxiety. Fame is amazing, but it’s come with a price—he was forced to come out as trans sooner than he would’ve liked, and while most of the fans have been accepting, they also love imagining he and his best friend and bandmate, Rowan, are in a relationship. But that isn’t the case.

When Angel gets to attend a meet-and-greet with the band, who are just on the cusp of international stardom, the last thing she’s expecting is to connect with Jimmy. It turns out they understand each other far more than they’d imagine.

Alice Oseman is so good at creating diverse casts of characters without it seeming forced or fake, and each character has their own issues they’re dealing with. This is a sweet story but one which also addresses heavier issues like anxiety, parental pressure, addiction, and more.

It’s interesting: this was featured as a new release at my bookstore a month or two ago but it turns out this was from 2018, so if you’re an Oseman fan, this may be familiar to you already!

Book Review: "You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince" by Matthew Janovsky

My first holiday rom-com of the year is in the books, and it was lighthearted yet complex, sweet and emotional, and really good!

Matthew Prince isn’t just your typical spoiled rich kid. Because his parents are well-known, he’s constantly in the public eye, which he loves. His love life is tabloid fodder and his high-fashion looks are coveted. Plus he’s always getting himself in some kind of trouble, much to the media’s pleasure and his parents’ ire.

But when his uncontrolled spending goes above and beyond frivolous and threatens both of his parents’ livelihoods, they see red. Matthew gets shipped to stay with his grandparents in their small cottage in Massachusetts. There’s no WiFi, no Starbucks, and no cell service. And he can’t come home until he’s demonstrated he’s ready to change his ways, despite the fact he's supposed to be hosting a party for New Year's Eve.

As if all of this isn’t bad enough, he has to share a room with Hector, a local college student who is helping his grandparents. Hector is immensely good looking but doesn’t seem the least bit impressed by Matthew, his fancy clothes, or celebrity lifestyle. Of course, that makes Matthew want to try harder to dazzle him.

When the Christmas-obsessed town loses the coordinator of its holiday gala, Matthew steps in, hoping that this good deed will lead to his permission to go back to NYC. But of course, it’s not long before he’s knee-deep in the Christmas spirit and realizing that there’s more to life and love than material things.

I love the way Timothy Janovsky writes. His books are sweet and fun but deal with heavier issues, and as someone with anxiety I appreciated the treatment of how it can affect other aspects of your life. The supporting characters were awesome, too!

Book Review: "Mr. Perfect on Paper" by Jean Meltzer

In Mr. Perfect on Paper, this matchmaker has met her match.

Dara is the third generation of matchmaker in her family, after her mother and grandmother, but she’s taken matchmaking into modern times as the creator and CEO of J-Mate, the popular Jewish dating app. Yet while her app has been responsible for thousands of people finding true love, her own love life is rather empty.

When Dara and her beloved bubbe (grandmother) appear on television to talk about matchmaking, the last thing Dara is expecting is for her bubbe to humiliate her on air by sharing her secret checklist for “The Perfect Jewish Husband.” But the segment is such a hit that the show’s handsome host, Chris Steadfast, proposes that he find men that meet Dara’s characteristics and she go on dates with them—on the air.

Of course, the more time Dara spends with Chris, the more she realizes that he’s the one she wants. But the non-Jewish widowed father is not the match that Dara has in mind. Should she settle for merely content with a man who checks off boxes on her list, or should she choose the man who makes her heart beat faster, regardless of the complications?

This book was so good—it’s romantic, funny, poignant, and it really gives an in-depth look at Judaism and the tug-of-war people feel when dating and finding a mate. It’s also an emotional look at starting over, and provides perspective on living with generalized anxiety disorder.

Thanks so much to TLC Book Tours, Jean Meltzer, and MIRA Books for inviting me on the tour and providing me a complimentary copy of the book. I loved it!!

Book Review: "Everything for You" by Chloe Liese

It’s like this book was written for me, I loved it so much.

Chloe Liese, I don’t know what took me so long to read one of your books, but now you’ve hooked me. I need to go back and read about all of the Bergmans!!

Oliver Bergman is the youngest of five brothers and the sixth of seven children, so he’s tried to excel at everything he does. An excellent soccer player, he left college to turn pro and join the LA Galaxy.

When he first joins the team, he’s beyond excited to be playing with Gavin Hayes, a soccer legend who was Oliver’s teenage obsession. He also admired that Gavin is openly gay, which gave him the courage to be open in his own life. But for the last two years, Gavin has rebuffed him at every turn, treating him with outright disdain.

When their coach makes them both co-captains, Oliver hopes it will be the start of a friendship. But Gavin isn’t willing to budge, no matter what Oliver tries—kindness, pranks, outright hostility. So their coach gives them an ultimatum: get along or lose their co-captaincy.

The two vow to be civil to one another, but the more they work together, the more they are forced to acknowledge their intense feelings for one another. Gavin, in particular, knows his career is nearing the end, and he worries if he gives into his feelings for Oliver, will he resent all that Oliver has left in his career? Or worse, will Oliver leave him behind?

This book had it all—enemies to lovers, family dynamics, emotional and physical challenges, and steamy sex. I was hooked completely—I’m a sucker for a sports romance!

Book Review: "A Brush with Love" by Mazey Eddings

I loved A Brush with Love, even if it reminded me that I need to schedule a dentist’s appointment!

Harper is determined to be at the top of her class in dental school so she can hopefully get the oral surgery residency she wants. She studies HARD—it’s practically all she does.

One day she bumps into Dan, a handsome, first-year dental student. And she literally bumps into him—on a rainy day, she slips down some stairs and directly into him. They immediately feel an intense connection for one another, but Harper does not want any distractions from her career goals, so she decides they can only be friends. As much as that’s the last thing Dan wants to be, he’d rather have Harper as a friend than nothing at all.

But the more time they spend together—even as friends—the more that Harper is distracted by her feelings for Dan. Harper’s life is carefully ordered for a reason, to help her keep her intense anxiety and claustrophobia at bay. Will letting him in throw her into disarray that badly? And Dan is dealing with his own issues—he’s only in dental school because of parental pressure, and he has a lot of resentment and damage because of that.

Can two people struggling to stay afloat in so many ways find strength in being together? Or will Harper’s fears and need for control doom them?

There is so much to love in A Brush with Love—neurodiversity, the banter between Harper and Dan and with their friends (their friends cracked me up), even the Jewish representation. I don't know that I've ever read a rom-com that took place in dental school! This was really a memorable story for so many reasons.

Book Review: "Hello (from here)" by Chandler Baker and Wesley King

In this collaboration between YA authors Chandler Baker and Wesley King, two teens develop a connection as the world goes into COVID lockdown.

Jonah and Max have a fairly unique meet-cute: he tries to negotiate with her to get some toilet paper out of her shopping cart (she shops for people), since the grocery store is mobbed. And while she gets the upper hand in their negotiations, both are intrigued by the other, so Jonah does the (logical? stalkerish?) thing and tracks her down.

What ensues is a budding relationship of sorts, conducted mostly over FaceTime, and via calls and texts, along with some clandestine (and masked) meetings along the way. Both have been hurt before and both have their own issues—Jonah suffers from anxiety and is dealing with unresolved grief over his mother’s death, while Max worries about her workaholic mother and their financial status as everything shuts down for COVID.

When I read 56 Days earlier this month I wasn’t affected by its being set during COVID, but reading Hello (from here) definitely was a little soon for me. It very accurately depicted the anxieties of the early days of the pandemic, where no one knew how it could spread and there was so much worry about infecting those you loved with weaker immune systems.

Beyond that, though, I just didn’t love these characters. Their banter was cute but their behaviors at times (particularly Jonah’s) weren’t very redeeming. I enjoyed a subplot about one of Max’s customers and would’ve liked more of that.

I guess I’m not really ready to read a book set fully in the COVID pandemic!! Are you?

Book Review: "While We Were Dating" by Jasmine Guillory

Jasmine Guillory's newest book, While We Were Dating, is a fun yet weighty rom-com and another installment in this great world Guillory has built.⁣

⁣ Ben (whose brother Theo was a main character in The Wedding Party) is an ambitious ad executive. When he gets to present his firm’s idea for a major ad campaign featuring famous actress Anna Gardiner, he’s excited to get his break, especially when Anna shows up at the pitch meeting. (And it doesn’t hurt that Anna is beautiful, too.)⁣

⁣ After one Oscar nomination, Anna is ready for the next step in her career. She’s hoping this ad campaign helps put her in the public eye at the right time. She’s impressed with Ben—he’s smart, kind, funny, and sexy as hell—and it’s great to have a Black man in charge. The two build up a flirtatious relationship but both know moving beyond that would be disastrous.⁣

⁣ When an emergency occurs in Anna’s family, Ben comes to her rescue, and the two start to let their guard down with one another. Both reveal secrets about themselves, and that vulnerability leads to passion and intimacy, even though they know it must be fleeting.⁣

⁣ But when it’s suggested that a relationship (even a fake one) might help keep Anna in the public eye at the time she’s being considered for her dream role, Ben agrees to play along. Making it look like he has feelings for her is easy. Keeping it casual? Not so much.⁣

⁣ Of course, this is a rom-com, so you know where things are headed. But along the way we get some frank discussions about anxiety and mental health, family loyalty, and the pressures of fame. As always, Guillory’s writing is so charming, accessible and appealing, and she gives you characters to root for. (Plus, I love the interconnectedness of her books.)⁣

⁣ NetGalley and Berkley provided me with a complimentary advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!

While We Were Dating publishes 7/13.⁣

Book Review: "The Charm Offensive" by Alison Cochrun

If you've ever wondered how dating shows like The Bachelor could be different (and better), check out Alison Cochrun's upcoming rom-com, The Charm Offensive. If only dating shows could be like this!

I couldn’t have loved this book more if I tried.

Dev believes in true love and fairytale romance. As a producer of Ever After, a popular reality dating show, he’s helped engineer some happy endings—it doesn’t matter that not all of them last (or they’re not all genuine). And even though his six-year relationship with fellow producer Ryan recently ended, he still is looking forward to another season of the show.

He’s got his work cut out for him this season, though. The new bachelor, Charlie, is a gorgeous former cologne model and tech mogul who (very) reluctantly agrees to go on the show in the hopes of resurrecting his tech career. The thing is, for someone who looks as suave and commanding as Charlie, he couldn’t be more awkward—in everything he does.

But Dev quickly learns it’s not disdain or ego that causes Charlie to act this way, it’s severe social anxiety, among other issues. As he tries to help Charlie loosen up and try to become more comfortable with being around people and interacting with the contestants, they realize they have more in common than they think.

Dev is determined that Charlie will find love and propose to one of the contestants by the end of the season. But why do the “practice dates” that they have been going on seem more intense than Charlie’s dates with the women? And amidst all of the chaos Charlie is experiencing, why is Dev the one whom he looks forward to seeing?

I was expecting a sweet gay love story—and boy, was this great—but I wasn’t expecting the deeper conversations about mental health, sexual identity, and self-esteem. I cried like a baby and smiled like a lunatic. The Charm Offensive was just amazing.

NetGalley and Atria Books provided me with a complimentary advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!

The Charm Offensive publishes 9/7!

Book Review: "Twice Shy" by Sarah Hogle

Twice Shy, the new rom-com by Sarah Hogle, is a sweet book which tackles some emotional issues and warms the heart.

(Fans of 80s music, I couldn’t get the song “Once Bitten Twice Shy” by Great White out of my head when reading this. You’re welcome.)

Maybell is a dreamer, because her dreams are better than the reality she’s living. She’s lived out romantic scenarios with her dream man in her head many times, but at the end of the day, she’s still stuck in a job she hates and she’s not treated well by anyone.

When she finds out she’s inherited a house in the Tennessee mountains from her Great-Aunt Violet, she thinks she may have hit the jackpot. But of course there’s a catch—two of them, actually.

First, the house should be condemned. The glorious house Maybell remembers from childhood is falling apart and is filled from top to bottom with things her aunt hoarded. And second, apparently Violet also left the house to her groundskeeper, Wesley. Wesley isn’t happy about sharing this inheritance with Maybell, and he has very different ideas about what to do with the property.

Maybell has nowhere else to go, so can they peacefully coexist and come to some agreement on what to do? And just maybe, will Wesley stop hating her? (Rom-com fans, what do you think?)

Twice Shy took a while to get going but once it did, it was sweet. I liked the way it dealt with social anxiety and I liked what happened when the characters—especially Wesley—let their guard down. Distinguishing Maybell’s dreams from reality was a bit confusing at times, but you could see why she preferred dreams.

I loved Hogle’s first book, You Deserve Each Other, so I’m becoming a real fan!!