Book Review: "Summer in the City" by Alex Aster

“There are moments in life, I think, that make you grateful you didn’t just stay in your room.”

Elle is a successful screenwriter, but no one knows it, because she writes under an alias. She’s just gotten the chance for her big break, to write a big-budget rom-com set in NYC, so she moves to the city for inspiration.

She has the summer to write the script, but she has writer’s block. Bad. To make matters worse, she discovers that her neighbor in the apartment next door is Parker, the tech billionaire she met two years ago. They hooked up at a nightclub and he offended her, so Elle has hated him ever since.

Parker doesn’t seem to remember Elle, but their constant interactions fuel her anger, which in turn spikes her creativity. What happens when you realize your nemesis is actually your twisted muse, helping you do some of your best work?

When Parker needs a girlfriend to attend events while his company is in the midst of a crucial negotiation, he asks Elle. In exchange, he offers to accompany her to the different locations featured in her script. It’s just for the summer—and no feelings will be involved. (Sure…)

I’m a complete sap and this book hit all the right notes for me. It’s full of great banter, hot steam, and real emotion. Elle’s stubbornness was irritating at times but I still rooted for the two of them.

Book Review: "Just Another Stupid Love Story" by Katelyn Doyle

I’ve always been a sap, so rom-coms and romances have always been a go-to genre for me. And while many of them are predictable—and I love their predictability—I’ve been really captivated lately by romances with a combination of banter, steam, and an exploration of more complex emotions.

Molly is dreading her 15-year high school reunion, but she’s capitulated to the wishes of her two best friends. Being back in Florida where she grew up isn’t that much fun for her, and she’s dreading she’s going to run into Seth, her high school boyfriend, whom she dumped unceremoniously right before graduation.

Seth is shocked to see Molly, who skipped both their earlier reunions. He knows Molly is a successful screenwriter of rom-coms, which is ironic, given how badly she broke his heart. But he’s happy to see her too, and with the liquor flowing, they’re back to flirting and even a few rounds of post-reunion sex.

The two are immensely different, though. Molly, despite writing rom-com scripts, doesn’t believe in love or soulmates; in fact, the minute she gets too close to someone, she sabotages things and flees. Seth, on the other hand, is all about love. He falls too quickly and too hard, and things never work out as he hopes.

They make a friendly wager about the future of five couples and vow to reconvene at their 20-year reunion. But of course, neither can get the other out of their mind, and every time they connect with each other they find themselves either wanting to be together or one pushes the other away.

I really loved this book, even though I kept picturing Seth Rogen, lol, despite the description of the character not fitting him. There are a lot of emotions explored here, fears and habits and how we handle happiness. The banter was top-notch, as was the steam, and I honestly couldn’t get enough.

Book Review: "The Rom-Commers" by Katherine Center

I love when one of your auto-buy authors knocks it out of the park with their latest book. This was just so good, and it couldn’t have been more up my alley.

“I had a theory that we gravitate toward the stories we need in life. Whatever we’re longing for—adventure, excitement, emotion, connection—we turn to stories to help us find it.”

Emma has dreamed of being a screenwriter for as long as she can remember. But with her father needing constant medical care and supervision, she put her dreams aside and she constantly makes sure he's safe. She's sacrificed her dreams so her younger sister can pursue hers.

When she gets the chance of a lifetime—to rewrite a rom-com script with her idol, screenwriting legend Charlie Yates—she’s reluctant to leave her dad, but her family convinces her it’s her turn now. But when she arrives in LA, she discovers that Charlie not only wasn’t aware she was hired, but he adamantly refuses a rewrite, especially with an unknown like Emma.

With some shrewd negotiation, she stays in LA and Charlie hires her. But not only does she need to convince him to rewrite his horrible rom-com, she needs to convince him that love exists. And how better to illustrate that than by growing closer and closer?

I love Katherine Center’s books so much, and this is definitely a new favorite. It’s fun, funny, emotional, and romantic.

Book Review: "How to End a Love Story" by Yulin Kuang

Emotional, steamy, funny, and hopeful, Yulin Kuang’s debut novel is a second chance romance with so much heart.

Shortly before their senior year of high school ends, Helen and Grant’s lives become shockingly intertwined following a tragic accident. It’s something neither of them think they can ever move on from.

Thirteen years later, Helen is a bestselling YA author whose popular series is going to be adapted for television. She’s thrilled by this success, but even more by the fact that she’s going to be part of the writers’ room for the television series.

In those 13 years, Grant moved to the other side of the country and built a career as a talented screenwriter. He tries not to take the job on Helen’s show, but it’s too good to pass up. Yet the moment he and Helen encounter each other again, she makes him wish he hadn’t taken the job. But ultimately, they realize that neither of them can walk away from this opportunity, so they agree to be professional with one another.

Helen begins to realize how talented Grant is, and despite their history, the two strike up a friendship. And the more they let their walls come down, the more intense their feelings get. But theirs is not a love story and could never succeed, especially once it was revealed to Helen’s parents, who have never forgiven Grant.

I loved this book so much. The chemistry and banter between Helen and Grant was truly fantastic, and their story was just so beautiful. Even though I knew how this story would end, I still cried like a baby as it unfolded.

The book will publish 4/9.

Book Review: "American Mermaid" by Julia Langbein

Julia Langbein’s debut novel is unique and thought-provoking.

Penelope was a high school English teacher, barely making ends meet, and still having to rely on her parents far more than she’d like. But then inspiration strikes and she becomes the author of a feminist novel about a mermaid.

The book becomes a surprise hit, and Penelope is offered the opportunity to help write the screenplay for the film adaptation. She moves to California and quickly realizes the world of film isn’t quite what she thought it would be. Paired with two male screenwriters, they try to change the main character from a fiercely feminist eco-warrior to a sexy teenage nymphet wearing a clamshell bra. How much latitude does she have to fight back before the movie doesn’t resemble her book at all?

But the more things change in the script, the more weird things start happening. Strange additions and changes appear in the script and no one can figure out who is responsible. People are lured into dangerous situations. Is there a possibility that Penelope’s character has come to life to avenge the changes being made?

This is a quirky and really creative story within a story. We see both Penelope’s struggles in Los Angeles and get to see her book’s plot unfold. The problem for me, however, is that nothing felt fully done; in jamming the book full of two plots, neither seemed complete.

Some reviews have said that this book is really funny, but I didn’t see that. There’s a lot of the same jokes about men being sex-crazed chauvinists and after a while that gets tiring. (I don't disagree about some men, but still.)

This wasn’t a book I enjoyed, but it definitely was an interesting story. And now I’ve read two mermaid/merman books (with The Pisces). Who knew it was a genre?

Book Review: "For Her Consideration" by Amy Spalding

What if her Hollywood job turns into a Hollywood ending?

Nina was devastated when her last relationship ended three years ago, especially when her girlfriend sent her a list of all her faults. She fled Los Angeles for the suburbs and moved into her aunt’s condo, leaving all of her friends and her old life behind.

Working for a talent agency, her job is to respond to emails that celebrities receive, but use their own tone and voice. One day she is summoned to Los Angeles by her boss because one of her clients, actress-on-the-rise Ari Fox, doesn’t quite feel that “her” emails sound genuine enough, and she wants to get to know Nina a little better.

Ari, whose name is being talked about as a potential Oscar winner, is a bit of a control freak. But she’s also proudly out, and sexy as hell, and she keeps wanting to meet with Nina. Is she flirting? She couldn’t possibly be interested in someone like Nina, could she?

Before she realizes it, Nina has fallen for Ari completely, and it seems the feeling is mutual. As the two take tentative steps toward a relationship, Nina is riddled with fears that Ari will quickly recognize the faults her ex-girlfriend enumerated. And at the same time, Ari pushes Nina to get back to writing scripts, which is what brought Nina to LA in the first place.

This is a sweet, steamy, emotional romance about allowing yourself to be vulnerable, remembering who in your life is there to have your back, and fighting for what you want. Nina is such a complex character, and I loved all of her friends and her aunt Lorna as well. Ari seemed a little less developed but I still enjoyed her. A fun one!!