Your TBR Just Got a Glow-Up
From fall must-reads to bold takes on buzzy bestsellers—and low-stakes, feel-good picks for the days that just feel like a lot—I’ve got you.
There’s a book with your name on it. I’m just here to help you find it (without the doom scroll).
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Messy, Toxic, and Unputdownable: The Favorites Book Review
The Favorites by Layne Fargo is easily in my top three (possibly even tippy top) book of the year. I hadn’t even heard of this book before I hit play (yes, I listened via Spotify). It was just another chaotic evening—my four-year-old was yelling at me to wipe his butt, and thank God I’d already…
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The 3 Best Dramione Fanfic Recs for After Alchemised Wrecks You
After finishing your re-read of Harry Potter (or binge-watching your annual re-watch of all eight films), are you happy with the couple pairings at the end—or are you like me, feeling like Rowling had a few too many shots of fire whiskey and botched one or two? Hermione and Ron were cute(ish) in “high school,”…
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The Best Worst Thing by Lauren Okie: A Must Read
I’m a vibes mama. I won’t necessarily remember the characters and plot after I finish a book. It has a 72-hour retainer window in my brain before most of that just poof—disappears forever. And the vibes of The Best Worst Thing by Lauren Okie were immaculate. I haven’t stopped thinking about this book since I…
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Forbidden Love Romance: 6 Tropes to Try
Let’s Talk Taboo Forbidden love romance tropes are some of the most controversial (and addictive) plotlines in romance fiction. From age gaps to stalker-to-lover arcs, these stories push boundaries and keep readers hooked. And it just so happens I’ve had a thing for forbidden romance since forever. In high school, I started writing a novel…
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Binding 13 and Keeping 13: Worth the Hype?
Not Your Typical High School Romance Book: A Deep Dive into Binding 13 and Keeping 13 While Chloe Walsh’s Binding 13 and Keeping 13 are set in a high school in Cork, Ireland, don’t expect your typical young adult read. These books tackle big themes (trauma, abuse, healing, friendship, and the most beautiful budding romance)…
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Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood
I am a sucker for a trope.But not just any trope (though a good few will do the trick). In particular, I will go feral for an age-gap story. Especially when it’s done right. Give me a man who’s 10+ years the leading lady’s senior. Give me tangible angst and real reasons why their age…
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Homebound: A Cowboy Romance with DILF Energy
A Small-Town Cowboy Romance with a Sweet Single Dad Hero I am deep in my cowboy romance era, y’all. Like, deeeep. And I cannot be stopped. In fact, I’m here to lasso you into the madness with me (yes, the puns are bad—but I’ve accepted that about myself). Recently, I had the joy of reading…
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Cowboy Romances: Your Western Love Guide
If you had told me a year ago that I’d be barrel racing, wearing a Stetson, and swooning over grumpy cowboys, I would’ve said a big fat, hell no. But that’s because old me was picturing Marlboro men in stuffy Spaghetti Westerns. (And why was there so much dust and tumbleweed?) Thanks, but no. Eventually,…
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Sunlight by Devney Perry: A Small Town Romance
I love me a good pregnancy trope. I know, I know—it’s hit or miss for some. But this one? It was a total bullseye at the rodeo for me. Full disclosure: I didn’t read these in order (classic me), but I will be circling back to book one, Crossroads, ASAP. Until then, I’ll just be…
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7 Common Romance Tropes That Win Every Reader Over
Did you know that 87% of readers are drawn to one specific trope? Yeah, I didn’t either—mostly because I just made that number up. But let’s be honest: plenty of readers beeline to the same section of the bookstore every single time. Sure, they’ll dabble in other genres, but one particular plotline always reels them…