Category: Book Recommendations
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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 Read more
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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,” Read more
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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 Read more
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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 Read more
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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) Read more
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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 Read more
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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 Read more
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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, Read more
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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 Read more
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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 Read more