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Amanda Diehl

Romance

The fine line between love and hate

Feature by Amanda Diehl

Tensions run hot, but chemistry runs even hotter in these two enemies-to-lovers romances. Christina Lauren’s The Unhoneymooners transports two prickly siblings-in-law to gorgeous Maui, where the fiction of a honeymoon becomes quite real. And The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker gets creative with live theatre, as a snarky critic butts heads with an actress who comes from a theatrical dynasty.

Olive Torres and Ethan Thomas’ siblings were due to be married and off to Hawaii for their honeymoon. But when a food-borne illness ravages the wedding party, Olive and Ethan are the only two left standing. With the honeymoon nonrefundable, both bride and groom insist they go in their stead. The only problem is that Olive and Ethan don’t exactly get along. In fact, simply uttering a kind word to each other would take an act of god.

They set off for Maui with the understanding that, once there, they would do their own thing until the honeymoon is up. Unfortunately, familiar faces pop up in paradise, and Ethan and Olive get caught up in their newlywed charade. As they enjoy a couple’s massage, snorkeling and even a frustrating game of paintball, Olive and Ethan realize that their dislike stems from terrible first impressions on both sides. Though, when a huge secret is revealed, any hope for a friendship, let alone a romantic relationship, seems to be heartbreakingly dashed.

Filled with Christina Lauren’s seamless blend of wit and romance, and peppered with adorably nerdy moments, The Unhoneymooners perfectly illustrates how easy it is to get swept up in the tranquil bubble of a tropical vacation, where everything seems perfect, your nemesis looks positively criminal in their bathing suit and mai tais are a powerful, transformative truth serum. But what happens when real life resumes? If you can’t make it to a gorgeous Hawaiian beach, this warm and bubbly romance isn’t a bad substitute for sunny relaxation.

Though The Austen Playbook doesn’t have sandy beaches, the insular setting of a live television production amps up the stakes of this romance. Freddy Carlton is a veteran of the theatre scene, having started her career at the age of 11. When she’s cast in a new interactive murder mystery play titled The Austen Playbook, there’s only one thing that can dampen her excitement: James “Griff” Ford-Griffin.

Griff is one of the toughest theatre critics around, known for his caustic reviews and harsh sarcasm. He also panned one of Freddy’s recent performances. Too bad for Freddy that Griff is personally invested in The Austen Playbook, as the production will be performed at his family’s estate.

Freddy is an eternal optimist, a direct contrast to Griff’s more grumpy nature. With the two temporarily fixed in each other’s orbit during the play’s production, Griff’s moody disposition is hopelessly drawn to Freddy’s infectious and affable nature. If a live TV production wasn’t enough to tip Freddy and Griff’s relationship over the edge, there are high-strung actors, fraught moments of backstage cattiness and juicy family secrets. Learning her lines is the least of Freddy’s worries. Both Freddy and Griff have their own motivations for making the show a success, but flirtations, scandals and schemes push the pair to their limits.

Charming and honestly just plain fun, The Austen Playbook should be an immediate hit with Austen fans and theatre geeks.

Tensions run hot, but chemistry runs even hotter in these two enemies-to-lovers romances: The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren and The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker.

Romance

Perfect poolside reading

Feature by Amanda Diehl

Summertime is prime time for reading! Whether you’re poolside with a cool drink or soaking up the sun on a sandy beach, these romances will make great company for any reader. Whether you love British werewolves, wicked wagers or a mix of sugar and spice, we have three books that are sure to satisfy.

For fans of contemporary romance

In Zuri Day’s Sweet Heat, tensions run high as two cooks battle their attraction and each other on a televised cooking contest.

With $50,000 on the line, Marvin Carter and Naomi Carson have no desire to get friendly. Both have their own dreams of how they want to spend the prize money to advance their culinary careers, and falling in love doesn’t factor into their plans. But as the stakes become steadily higher for Marvin and Naomi, close quarters and fierce competition have a way of producing unexpected results. With meddling contestants and scenarios that require keeping cool under pressure, their romance is hard won but so worth it.

Family and food is at the center of this delicious contemporary romance. (Seriously, don’t read this romance while hungry.) Marvin and Naomi’s banter crackles with electricity. Neither one wants to show the first sign of weakness, but their flirtation comes so naturally. Naomi is a tour de force with her soul food cooking, but she knows early on that she needs to keep Marvin from being her ultimate distraction. But loyal, lovable Marvin is quite the keeper, and he creates the most amazing desserts. The competitive setting is an entertaining backdrop, keeping the main characters conflicted as their ambitions are pitted against finding love. Of course, who says you can’t have both?

Fans of cooking shows and foodie romances will devour Sweet Heat.

For fans of paranormal romance

Paige Tyler returns to her SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team series in Wolf Instinct, a romance between a werewolf in desperate need of answers and an FBI agent who is after things that go bump in the night.

SWAT werewolf Zane Kendrick and FBI agent Alyssa Carson are immediately attracted to one another when they cross paths during an investigation. There’s just one huge complication. Zane senses that Alyssa is his mate. Too bad that she hunts supernatural beings like him, and he isn’t sure she can see him as anything but a monster. Meanwhile, Alyssa is used to working alone. Teaming up with a partner is foreign to her, especially one who clearly isn’t a typical human.

Alyssa is an admirable, resilient and smart heroine as she investigates why several missing people have turned up dead and drained of blood. As her inquiries lead her to the hunky (and British!) Zane, she reluctantly agrees to join forces. Her own reservations about Zane are put aside in the face of finding this vicious attacker. Tyler’s pacing is perfect for relaxing in the summer sun, as the action keeps things effortlessly moving. While the thriller elements add a shot of adrenaline, the real conflict comes from whether Alyssa can accept Zane as a man and not a monster.

Wolf Instinct is a great choice for readers who love tough heroines and a romance that develops in the face of danger.

For fans of historical romance

A battle of wills ignites between a woman longing for adventure and a man hiding from the world in Say No to the Duke.

Betsy Wilde has resigned herself to playing the perfect lady. She’ll marry a respectable gentleman and abide by society’s rules, but before that, she just wants one taste of being a little less than proper. Lord Jeremy Roden has exiled himself to the Wilde family estate, Lindow Castle, after being offered solace by Betsy’s brother. While Jeremy contends with the difficulties he’s facing from war and his lingering PTSD, Betsy proves to be a perfect distraction. And when he gets wind that she’s after a bit of excitement before marriage, Jeremy makes a dangerous proposal over a game of billiards. If Betsy wins the game, Jeremy will help Betsy disguise herself as a man and let her experience things most women cannot. If he wins, Betsy must share the night with him. He doesn’t expect her to call his bluff, hoping to scandalize her with his suggestion.

This is another entertaining romp of a romance from New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James, but it also explores the deep insecurities of both Betsy and Jeremy. Betsy is still paying for her unfaithful mother’s shocking behavior. She’s unable to be herself, always living in her mother’s shadow. Torn between doing what’s expected of her as the eldest daughter and pursuing her own passions, Betsy worries her own happiness isn’t worth her family’s status. Jeremy is battling his own demons, hiding his genuine and sensitive nature behind rakish behavior.

James’ wit and wordplay has never been better in this lovely romance marked with tenderness, shining moments of emotional bravery and the central notion that girls just want to have fun.

Summertime is prime time for reading! Whether you’re poolside with a cool drink or soaking up the sun on a sandy beach, these romances will make great company for any reader. Whether you love British werewolves, wicked wagers or a mix of sugar and spice, we have three books that are sure to satisfy.

Romance

Rich girls of romance

Feature by Amanda Diehl

Some say that girls just want to have fun, but fun backed by a hefty bank account is on a whole other level. Whether you’re a historical romance reader or prefer something a bit more contemporary, these two heroines are determined to take control of their lives—and with the privilege of wealth, the sky’s the limit.

Laura Lee Guhrke returns to her Dear Lady Truelove series with an heiress ready to find a husband and the stuffy guardian determined to reign in her reckless behavior in Heiress Gone Wild.

Jonathan Deverill made a vow to a dying friend that he’d become the guardian to his daughter, Marjorie. When he goes to collect the young woman from school in New York, he is shocked to find an adult and not some pink-cheeked runt of a girl. Eager to spend her inheritance and to make up for all the lost time spent secluded at a finishing school, Marjorie McGann hopes Jonathan will steer her away from any suspected fortune hunters but still give her a proper London season.

The couple butts heads quite often, as Marjorie’s carefree and oftentimes wild behavior scandalizes the buttoned-up Brit. Marjorie uses her flighty personality to mask her grief at having lost her father. She had hoped for a touching reunion, but loneliness quickly sets in. Her father is gone and the only thing she has to show for it is money. No memories. No adventures. She wants to rectify that and readers will be eager to see her succeed in finding happiness. Jonathan is tougher to like, given his closed off and at times snooty attitude. But romance fans who love stories with brazen heroines urging their heroes to let loose will find a winner in Guhrke’s setup.

After a frothy and bubbly start, Heiress Gone Wild quickly deepens into a tender tale of reclaiming lives half-lived.

In a more contemporary tale of escapism, Love on Lexington Avenue follows a young widow in uptown New York City as she clashes with a rugged contractor.

Claire Hayes is struggling to cope with the death of her husband, mainly because she just discovered he was a serial cheater and that certainly doesn’t mix well with grief. Now she’s ready to clean house and gut her Upper East Side brownstone in an effort to redefine herself following a tragedy and betrayal all in one. Unfortunately, contractor Scott Turner has the impression that Claire is nothing but a spoiled socialite who married for money.

Everyone knows that home renovations never go smoothly and as the complications pile up, so does Claire and Scott’s chemistry. These opposites definitely attract and in an attempt to the cool the building tension, they agree to a temporary, no-strings-attached affair. (That never works out well in romance.) Inevitably feelings get involved and the gruff, blue-collar, flannel-wearing contractor isn’t satisfied with having Claire in just the bedroom.

The emphasis on female friendship is a lovely bonus in Love on Lexington Avenue and the entire Central Park Pact series. It’s a great example of women supporting women through ups and downs and feels very reminiscent of “Sex and the City,” if that’s your jam. Author Lauren Layne is a master at sexy banter and funny dialogue. Add in some girl power and a man who knows his way around his power tools, and this one is a real winner.

Some say that girls just want to have fun, but fun backed by a hefty bank account is on a whole other level.

Romance

Cozy and charming historical romances

Feature by Amanda Diehl

Take your coziness to the next level with three new historical romances that’ll leave you feeling warm and fuzzy, inside and out.

Anyone but a Duke
In Anyone but a Duke by Betina Krahn, the quiet of a country estate is shattered when its mysterious owner returns to find a troublesome American woman managing its grounds.

Sarah Bumgarten has had it with the London aristocracy after being publicly rejected and has sworn off arrogant, titled men. Her only recourse is to lick her wounds in private at the Betancourt estate. The owner, the sibling of her brother-in-law, is presumed dead, and Sarah is grateful for the distraction of rehabbing the grounds.

But things quickly go awry when Arthur “Art” Michael Randolph Graham, the definitely not-dead owner of Betancourt, arrives injured on Sarah’s doorstep. It takes a village in despair and a greedy band of thieves for Sarah and Art to realize that the only way they can solve their problems and restore Betancourt to its former glory is to do it together.

Krahn’s subtle, insightful writing creates wonderfully tender scenes between the main characters. But don’t be fooled by the mischievous coterie of animals or the bucolic setting—Sarah and Art are survivors. The romance unfolds slowly and sweetly, with both Art and Sarah healing their emotional and physical wounds through love and understanding.

Forever and a Duke
Grace Burrowes puts a gender-swapped, historical spin on a “beauty and the geek” premise in Forever and a Duke.

Eleanora Hatfield hides behind numbers. Math makes sense, and she’s good at it. Of course, her workaholic behavior and all-business, no-nonsense attitude have absolutely nothing to do with the past she’d prefer to keep hidden. But when her abilities are recommended to the Duke of Elsmore, Wrexham “Rex” Dorset, she frets at leaving the safety and comfort of her bank job, though she’s not in a position to refuse.

Rex dearly loves his family, especially his sisters, and with so many accounts to run and lands to oversee, no one can blame him for being a little scatterbrained. With his sisters approaching the age to be wed, he realizes he needs to get his affairs in order, and Eleanora comes highly recommended.

And then Rex falls head over heels in love. He admires Eleanora’s knack with numbers, and while Eleanora may also be developing a crush, she knows a future together is nonexistent. Forever and a Duke is a lovely romance with a hero unabashedly embracing the feelings he has for the heroine (it is the sweetest thing) and the heroine doing everything she can to not fall madly in love with him. File this one under fun, flirty and just a little nerdy.

The Princess Plan
A Cinderella story between a privileged prince and a snarky spinster gets the royal treatment in Julia London’s The Princess Plan.

Sebastian is the crown prince of the fictional kingdom of Alucia, and he has a lot on his shoulders. He needs to broker a trade agreement with England, find an English wife to bolster the countries’ alliance and catch the person responsible for murdering his best friend. It’s, well . . . a lot. What he doesn’t need is a women’s gossip magazine spreading rumors and false accusations.

Enter Eliza Tricklebank: a judge’s daughter, co-publisher of Honeycutt’s Gazette of Fashion and Domesticity for Ladies, a repairer of fine clocks and the largest thorn in Sebastian’s side.

Eliza and Sebastian’s quippy banter is just a means of foreplay. They’re well-matched in terms of intelligence and personality, despite the glaring disparity in their titles. Eliza is a wonderfully feminist heroine whose actions are always punctuated with a scathing one-liner or wry observation. And Sebastian . . . sweet Sebastian! He is a true romantic hero, who loves Eliza wholly and completely as she is.

Steeped in fairy-tale elements—a prince, a ball, a crown—The Princess Plan is a sparkling introduction to a new series by London.

To take your coziness to the next level, check out these three new historical romances that’ll leave you feeling warm and fuzzy, inside and out.

Romance

Two moving and magical paranormal romances

Feature by Amanda Diehl

The latest additions to two established paranormal romance series are sure to add a bit of bite to your reading pile. Christine Feehan's Dark Song and Maria Vale's Season of the Wolf don't just share characters with fearsome abilities; they also share a thematic interest in exploring how women handle trauma, whether it's being experienced personally or by someone else. These two authors are deep, dark and daring as they create and celebrate their complex heroines.

Dark Song marks the 30th title in Feehan’s Carpathian series and brings together two Carpathians (ancient beings who fight against vampires, for the uninitiated). Elisabeta Trigovise’s life has been nothing but centuries of torture and pain at the hands of an ancient vampire. It isn’t until she’s rescued and brought to a secure compound that she finally feels peace, though she fears it’s only temporary. Ferro Arany, a stoic, fabled warrior who is one of the oldest Carpathians, is surprised to learn that Elisabeta is his life mate. It’s a connection that doesn’t quite fit in either of their lives, but both are compelled to respond to its call.

Elisabeta is a fragile heroine. Hundreds of years of abuse have left her mind warped, and she doesn’t believe she deserves a mate like Ferro. It’s tragic and heartbreaking to see her wracked by fear and PTSD. While Feehan is known for her domineering alpha heroes, Ferro is attuned to Elisabeta’s pain and provides firm, unwavering support when she needs it.

For readers who prefer a romance that feels like an epic, hard-won love story (don’t worry, there’s a happy ending!), Dark Song will easily fit the bill. Longtime fans of the series will not be disappointed as they finally discover Elisabeta and Ferro’s romance. New readers, I dare you not to dive right into Feehan’s backlist after finishing this one.

It is impossible to overstate how highly the Legend of All Wolves series should rank on a paranormal reader’s bookshelf. Vale’s writing brings to life the isolation of pack life and the harsh wilderness that surrounds the community in Season of the Wolf. If that isn’t a strong enough selling point, please meet the Great North Pack’s Alpha (yes, an Alpha heroine), Evie Kitwanasdottir.

Evie doesn’t have time to deal with her own personal baggage when she has a pack of wolves to watch over and must also maintain her position from those who hope to usurp her. She’s allowed Shifters into the Great North Pack's territory, an unprecedented decision. The alliance between the wolves, who remain in their animal form during the full moon, and their Shifter enemies, who transform at will, is tenuous at best.

Constantine is a Shifter who most wolves view as the greatest threat; he becomes Evie’s personal responsibility. To call this an enemies-to-lovers romance would be apt, but that label feels slightly shallow given the dangerous, bloody history between their people. Constantine’s presence makes Evie question the laws she’s lived by her entire life. She begins to realize that even family can find a way to betray you and that your greatest foe can give you strength and love.

This entire series is beautiful and immersive. Each book just gets better, and readers who love complex world building and mythology will be over the moon. Vale’s romances are a treat to be savored.

The latest additions to two established paranormal romance series are sure to add a bit of bite to your reading pile. Christine Feehan's Dark Song and Maria Vale's Season of the Wolf don't just share characters with fearsome abilities; they also share a thematic interest in exploring how women handle trauma, whether it's being experienced […]
Romance

Hot Scots

Feature by Amanda Diehl

For lovers of Scottish brogues and dashing tartan, these historical romances combine dangerous action and fiery heroines while oozing tropey goodness. Kerrigan Byrne’s All Scot and Bothered follows its heroine as she tries to keep her identity a secret while running a recently inherited gaming hell. Meanwhile, a gruff highlander’s best friend’s sister becomes his unlikely rescuer in The Highland Laird by Amy Jarecki.

All Scot and Bothered is the second book in the Devil You Know series, featuring a trio of redheaded women (the Red Rogues) with a lasting friendship. Lord Chief Justice of the High Court Cassius Gerard Ramsay (a stuffy title for a stoic man) has launched an investigation against London’s gaming hells amidst the rumors that the most scandalous of them is run by a woman.

Cecelia Teague has always felt like a rug is about to be pulled out from under her. Her life as an orphan took a drastic turn after an enigmatic benefactor sent her to an affluent boarding school, entering her into high society. But now, she’s living a double life following her surprise inheritance of a gambling hall. Caught between her persona as a respectable lady of the ton and her new role as owner of a notorious establishment, Cecelia knows that the man she’s falling in love with is the same one looking to close her hall’s doors forever. Unfortunately, he doesn’t know she’s the mysterious owner he’s sworn to hunt down.

There never was a heroine more adaptable than Cecelia, who takes every drastic turn of her life with aplomb. She always seems to land, cat-like, on her feet; readers will applaud her willingness to tackle a problem and throw herself into a sticky situation. Fearless and fearsome, Cecelia’s quick thinking and breadth of experiences on her journey from rags to riches make her a great foil for the arrogant Cassius.

Cassius is a frustrating hero, with his walled emotions and frankly judgmental interactions. He has a long road to travel on his way to both opening himself up to those around him and broadening his opinions of society (and those who do and don’t get to participate in it in the ways he does). It’s a redemption arc worth reading; readers’ patience is definitely rewarded by the happily ever after.

Byrne makes her couples work for their relationship. She rarely makes it easy on them or on readers. Her historical romances feel almost epic in scope with the number of physical and emotional obstacles needed to be overcome by the heroes and heroines, but by the end of them, you’re left breathless at how she managed to pull such a story off—again. Pick up All Scot and Bothered for a roller coaster ride of smoldering glances, sniffly moments and steamy, sigh-worthy romance.

A dashing forbidden romance is at the heart of Amy Jarecki’s The Highland Laird, the eighth installment in her Lords of the Highlands series. Laird Ciar MacDougall has been imprisoned and is suspected of having murdered a British soldier. Emma Grant has carried a torch for Ciar for the longest time, but there are several reasons why their romance is off-limits. For one, Emma is the sister of Ciar’s best friend, a frequent complication in many romance novels. Secondly, Emma has lived in a rather protected circle of family and friends. Emma has been blind since birth, and was never afforded the same freedoms as her clansmen and women. When she hears of Ciar’s capture, she (and her trusty dog, Albert!) make haste to set him free. It’s a move no one quite expected from the demure Emma, certainly not Ciar.

The scene in which Emma becomes Ciar’s rescuer is both surprising and sweet, and becomes the catalyst for her to start expressing herself as a woman with her own wants and needs. The Highland Laird is as much a story of self-love and identity as it is a romance novel. Full disclosure: I am not a historian and I do not know if the ways Emma has trained Albert to support her are historically accurate. However, any books that include a helpful and/or adorable animal (see my review of A Touch of Stone and Snow by Milla Vane) get bonus points from me.

Though not as dark or angsty as All Scot and Bothered, there is still a delightful push and pull between this main couple. Ciar is particularly tormented, caught between the duty to his clan and the feelings he has for Emma. Is loving her a betrayal of his friendship with her brother? Will it jeopardize clan politics? Will his escape from prison only put her in further danger? These are all questions he faces while on the run with Emma, though their close proximity only muddles things more.

Since the Highlands of Jarecki’s books are teeming with hot Scots, you’d think they’d all start to blur together, but there’s always something new to be found in her leading men and women. Come for Emma’s grand rescue plans and her valiant hound, stay for Ciar absolutely melting for his leading lady.

For lovers of Scottish brogues and dashing tartan, these historical romances combine dangerous action and fiery heroines while oozing tropey goodness. Kerrigan Byrne’s All Scot and Bothered follows its heroine as she tries to keep her identity a secret while running a recently inherited gaming hell. Meanwhile, a gruff highlander’s best friend’s sister becomes his […]
Romance

Take my hand

Feature by Amanda Diehl

Readers turn to romance novels for many reasons; they’re a bastion of enduring hope, as things are guaranteed to end well. But another draw is the way romance novels depict how characters who have experienced trauma and anxiety can find ways to heal and cope, with the added bonus of finding a partner who exudes support and acceptance. In these two contemporary romances, authors Sonali Dev and Roni Loren introduce characters whose lives have been changed by violence and fear and who carefully chart their paths toward recovery as well as true love.

Sonali Dev continues her Rajes series of Jane Austen retellings with Incense and Sensibility. Indian American politician Yash Raje has launched himself into the race to become California’s next governor, but while attending a campaign rally, he is the victim of a racist assassination attempt. Although the plot is foiled and he is unharmed, Yash is deeply traumatized. Being the direct target of gun violence leaves him anxious and fearful, despite the boost it’s giving him in the polls. 

Yash wants to treat his anxiety and PTSD before their severity is made public, so he seeks help from India Dashwood, a stress-management coach and yoga teacher. The situation is complicated by the fact that India isn’t a stranger to Yash; the two had a passionate affair 10 years ago, and he hasn’t forgotten her since. 

As with many of Dev’s central couples, Yash and India are endearingly bighearted. Their closed-off, protective demeanors cloak how much they’re seeking to be loved and understood by someone willing to make the effort. Dev masterfully explores the darker moments of being human while leading the reader to a realistic, hard-won romantic ending. Incense and Sensibility shares its source text’s focus on family, but it also launches Austen’s novel into the 21st century with its emotional, complex survey of racial identity in America.

What If You & Me, Roni Loren’s newest release in her Say Everything series, also puts mental health front and center. Andi Lockley’s life is shaped by a traumatic experience she had as a teenager, the details of which Loren carefully and sensitively spools out later in the novel. Despite her isolated lifestyle, Andi is still able to pursue her passions and work as a horror writer and true crime podcaster. But there’s one thing currently disturbing her carefully constructed peace: her neighbor, Hill Dawson, whose insomnia is annoying audible through the thin walls of his and Andi’s duplex.

To call Hill a grump is putting it mildly, but the former firefighter has a good reason for his standoffishness. He’s grieving the loss of his career and part of his leg following a disastrous rescue mission. When Andi and Hill finally come face-to-face, the two prickly neighbors feel something unexpected, and their instant attraction kicks off a casual arrangement.

Both Andi and Hill have issues to work through, and What If You & Me emphasizes that when it comes to healing from trauma, you don’t have to go it alone. This love story heaps on the yearning; Andi and Hill smolder through their agonizingly slow-burning romance. Loren’s unparalleled ability to plumb the depths of her characters is on full display in this multilayered and emotional romance.

In these love stories, mental health and the path to treatment are just as important as the journey toward a happily ever after.

Science Fiction & FantasyFantasy

The Death of Jane Lawrence

Review by Amanda Diehl

A woman in search of a husband finds one with more than his fair share of deadly secrets in the latest atmospheric, well-plotted horror novel from author Caitlin Starling.

The Death of Jane Lawrence takes place in an alternate version of Victorian-era Britain, known as Great Bretlain. The eponymous heroine is headstrong, wonderfully smart and knows that to live independently, she must wed. It seems illogical, but finding the right man would allow Jane to continue her own hobbies and pursuits, as a married woman is afforded far more freedom than an unmarried maiden.

Bachelor Augustine Lawrence, the only doctor in town, seems like a fine option for Jane. He agrees without too much fuss, under one simple condition: Jane must never visit his ancestral home. She’s to spend her nights above his medical practice, while he retires to Lindridge Hall for the evening. Eventually, of course, Jane finds herself spending the night at Lindridge Hall following a carriage accident, and where she slowly and methodically uncovers the skeletons lurking in Augustine’s closet.

ALSO IN BOOKPAGE: The year's best Halloween reads, ranked from slightly spooky to totally terrifying.

Anyone who has ever read a gothic novel knows exactly where this is going, but Starling does a magnificent, twisted job steering clear of the obvious plot beats. There are surprises galore in the secrets these characters keep and the lengths they’ll go to conceal them. Key to many a successful horror novel is having a main character to root for, one whom readers will want to see come out of everything not only alive but also stronger. Jane is absolutely that kind of character, a beacon of light in a dark world through her sheer tenacity alone, making her exploration of Lindridge Hall a white-knuckle reading experience.

Fans of Starling’s debut, the sci-fi horror novel The Luminous Dead, will find the same steadily growing sense of eeriness here, despite the markedly different setting. Jane isn’t exploring caves on an alien planet, but her journey still feels claustrophobic, almost asphyxiated by the estate’s mysterious walls. Are the horrors she senses of a supernatural nature? Or are they merely born of a man with too many internal demons? “Both” is also an option, and Starling keeps readers guessing until the very end.

For those who crave intense and detailed gothic horror, or those who just want more Guillermo del Toro a la Crimson Peak vibes in their life, The Death of Jane Lawrence is a must-read.

A woman in search of a husband finds one with more than his fair share of deadly secrets in the latest atmospheric, well-plotted horror novel from author Caitlin Starling.

RomanceContemporary Romance

For the Love of April French

Review by Amanda Diehl

Penny Aimes’ debut romance, For the Love of April French, is a remarkable and tender story of acceptance, an exploration of self-reflection and a tantalizing slow burn between two compelling leads.

The eponymous April French has a complicated relationship with her Austin-area kink club. As a transgender woman, it's been her mission to make the community feel as inclusive as possible. But the group's members either see her as a supportive, maternal figure or a novelty, rather than as a potential romantic partner or kink participant. April is also still healing from an abusive dominant who took advantage of their power differentials.

Dennis Martin, a wealthy man originally from Seattle, is a newcomer to Austin. He carries his own baggage within the kink community, burdened by past mistakes he made as a new dom. He and his longtime partner experimented with BDSM, but their mutual inexperience led to broken trust and, eventually, the end of their relationship.

To call this romance a slow burn, while apt, wouldn’t fully do justice to Dennis and April’s love story. Their connection is instant, but both are extremely guarded and raw from past experiences. April is used to temporary fascination and assumes abandonment is imminent. While Dennis has done the work to become a more cognizant dom to his partners, he’s still wary of ruining that fragile relationship. Their sexual needs align, but so do their insecurities surrounding power and trust.

Aimes weaves in plenty of commentary on and positive portrayal of kink communities and the purpose they serve for their members. Consent is at the forefront of many interactions, providing examples of both enthusiastic consent and the dangers of miscommunication between partners. The layers of attraction are slowly peeled back as April and Dennis’ electric physical connection evolves into a relationship in which their emotional fears are laid bare. Though the romance between Dennis and April is in the foreground, Aimes also pays attention to both characters’ internal journeys toward forgiving themselves for their mistakes and finding the strength to persevere through past trauma. The romance is incredibly sweet, and the BDSM and kink scenes are off-the-charts hot. It’s a nearly seamless blend of cozy courtship and seductive, compelling eroticism between two soft, adorable nerds.

A nuanced depiction of kinky queer communities that is clearly written from a place of earnest love and appreciation, For the Love of April French proves that heartwarming fluff and sexy kink can go hand in hand. The only question that remains is, when can we have more from this rising star of romance?

Penny Aimes’ debut romance, For the Love of April French, is a remarkable and tender story of acceptance, an exploration of self-reflection and a tantalizing slow burn between two compelling leads.

RomanceContemporary Romance

The Heart Principle

Review by Amanda Diehl

The Heart Principle is easily one of the year’s most anticipated romances, as it stars a character who’s been a fan favorite ever since Helen Hoang’s 2018 debut, The Kiss Quotient. It’s finally time for charming, fashionable, motorcycle-riding Quan Diep to meet his match.

That match is Anna Sun, a violinist who recently went viral online and skyrocketed to success. But now she’s burned out creatively and emotionally, much to the dismay of her ambitious parents. What’s more, her longtime boyfriend proposes an open relationship instead of marriage. He’s surprised when she agrees, and even more surprised when Anna is actually motivated to find another partner for herself. When she comes across Quan’s profile on a dating app, she thinks he seems like a fun fling. But Quan exceeds her expectations with his supportive, sweet nature. Soon, Anna finds herself turning to Quan in stressful and upsetting situations, even more so after Anna’s father winds up in the hospital, which complicates their “casual” arrangement. 

Quan will instantly win over readers with his wonderful combination of bad boy vibes on the outside and an adorably gooey center on the inside. Given his litany of tattoos and his adrenaline-seeking personality, Quan is not the boyfriend Anna’s parents would have chosen for her. That sparks a hint of rebellion in Anna, who is growing tired of being the person her family, friends, boyfriend and the public expect her to be. 

ALSO IN BOOKPAGE: How Helen Hoang wrote what she calls her hardest book yet.

Reading a Hoang romance often involves tears, given her knack for homing in on uncomfortable emotions and human vulnerability. The Heart Principle is no different, and it will offer much-needed catharsis to readers who can identify with Anna’s burnout and restlessness. And like Hoang’s previous romance novels, this is a heroine-centric story with intimate ties to the author’s own life experiences. (Don’t skip the author’s notes at the end of Hoang’s books!) Anna and Quan’s love story blossoms out of acceptance—both self-acceptance and being fully accepted by another person, even when plagued by thoughts of inadequacy.

Those who have been fans of Hoang’s contemporary romances since the beginning will be overjoyed to finally get Quan’s story. It does not disappoint. And new readers will most likely sprint to the nearest library or bookstore to get their hands on Hoang’s other two books. That’s how much The Heart Principle lives up to the hype: Hoang has once again displayed her mastery of both complicated emotions and naturalistic, earthy eroticism.

The Heart Principle is easily one of the year’s most anticipated romances, as it stars a character who’s been a fan favorite ever since Helen Hoang’s 2018 debut, The Kiss Quotient.

RomanceContemporary Romance

If the Shoe Fits

Review by Amanda Diehl

Julie Murphy’s first adult romance, If the Shoe Fits, is also the first book in the Meant to Be series, in which different authors will create contemporary rom-coms inspired by Disney princesses. Murphy’s reimagining of Cinderella takes place on the set of a reality TV show, where a young woman becomes an overnight body-positivity sensation.

Cindy Woods is an aspiring shoe designer who works for her TV executive stepmother, Erica. When Erica needs a last-minute stand-in for her reality dating show, “Before Midnight,” Cindy steps up, thinking she’ll be sent home early and can get right back to working on her own dreams in the fashion industry. As the only plus-size contestant, Cindy immediately captures the hearts of viewers and is seen as an inspiration by many fans of the show. While Cindy had hoped her role would be a temporary distraction, she soon becomes one of the leading competitors vying for Prince Charming’s love.

The prince is Henry Mackenzie, the heir to a formerly successful but now failing fashion company. He’s agreed to be the lead of the show as a way of revitalizing the brand. A mutual love of design sparks Henry’s and Cindy’s interest in each other, and the two fashion-loving nerds talking shop and debating various trends makes for great on-page chemistry. Henry is the perfect support for the self-assured and unabashedly passionate Cindy, and their light-on-angst courtship allows Murphy to focus on their individual character journeys.

The Cinderella story wouldn’t be the same without a stepmother and stepsisters, but Murphy thankfully elevates them into complex characters rather than irredeemable villains. Erica and her two daughters can be a bit superficial, but they’re also grieving the loss of Cindy’s beloved father, and there are sweet moments of familial love and support between all four characters.

Fans of “The Bachelor” franchise, especially those who cast a more critical eye on the images and storylines crafted onscreen, will really enjoy this fairy-tale romantic comedy. Cindy didn’t set out to become a voice for bodies like hers, but she is cast in that role regardless. She must navigate all the typical challenges of being a reality show contestant while also having her personality flattened into “the body-positivity girl,” which has both positive and negative repercussions.

If the Shoe Fits is a confident, modern and magical romance that starts the Meant to Be series on the right foot.

Julie Murphy’s reimagining of Cinderella takes place on the set of a reality TV show, where a young woman becomes an overnight body-positivity sensation.

RomanceContemporary Romance

One Last Stop

Review by Amanda Diehl

After her blockbuster debut novel, Red, White & Royal Blue, author Casey McQuiston returns with another queer romantic comedy—with a time slip twist. One Last Stop is a delightful speculative tale that follows August Landry, a somewhat cynical mystery lover who finds the ultimate puzzle in Jane, a punk-rock lesbian she keeps encountering on the subway.

August was raised by her single mom, who was obsessed with the disappearance of her brother, August’s uncle. Their loving but co-dependent relationship is complicated, to say the least. August sees New York City as the perfect place to strike out on her own, a bastion for loners and cynics like herself. But the city has other plans, and August immediately finds her people in the form of three supportive and vibrant roommates. The only thing that’s missing is romance, which she doesn’t expect to find anytime soon.

ALSO IN BOOKPAGE: Casey McQuiston on what comes next after coming out.

Then she spills coffee on herself on the Q train, and like a knight in shining armor, Jane approaches with a red scarf to hide the offending stain. August knows that moments shared with strangers on public transit are fleeting, but she can’t stop thinking about Jane and whether she’ll ever run into her again.

Well, she does—again and again—because Jane is stuck. A queer activist from the 1970s, Jane has been displaced in time and is now trapped in the same car of the same subway line, with limited memory of who she was or how she wound up there. All she has are the contents of her backpack. It’s a surreal and scary situation, but at least there’s August, the tenacious and cute woman she keeps meeting. Attraction inevitably grows between them, but how can you fall in love with someone who isn’t from your time and is literally stuck on the subway? It’s a problem August is desperate to solve.

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of traveling to NYC during the warmer months, you’ll recognize the particularly fervent summertime energy that One Last Stop exudes. The air is thick with humidity and endless possibilities. McQuiston infuses charm into every detail, from the creaks and hisses of a subway train pulling into a station to the shine and grandeur of the New York skyline.

This is a book of hope and love and self-discovery. August is just this side of prickly, and she possesses a cautious sense of reservation. Deep down, she’s scared of being disappointed by those she lets into her heart. She’s a perfect foil for Jane, who is unapologetic and confident.Every scene between them will make the smile on your face grow wider. The speculative twist of a time slip adds angst to August and Jane’s seemingly meant-to-be pairing, giving One Last Stop higher stakes and making it feel more propulsive than other city-set contemporary love stories.

Bursting with heart, snappy banter and a deep respect for queer history and community, One Last Stop isn’t just another surefire hit for McQuiston. It also might be the best read of the summer.

After her blockbuster debut novel, Red, White & Royal Blue, author Casey McQuiston returns with another queer romantic comedy—with a time slip twist.

RomanceContemporary Romance

Before I Saw You

Review by Amanda Diehl

Emily Houghton’s Before I Saw You is a tender, emotional debut about pain, recovery and the support people find in unexpected places. This tear-jerking slow-burn romance follows two patients in a long-term care ward as they recover from serious injuries.

Alice and Alfie share a room at St. Francis’ Hospital. Alice is an overworked introvert healing from significant burns after a fire in her building. Alfie is an incurable extrovert who survived a deadly car accident but needed to have his leg amputated. They’re very much opposites. Alfie is quite the chatterbox, determined to bring a smile to everyone’s face, and Alice barely speaks and keeps the curtains closed around her bed. After relying solely on herself from a too early age, the thought of depending on someone else for anything causes Alice to shrink further into herself.

At first, their relationship is built on Alfie talking and Alice just listening. While his incessant chattering annoys Alice at the beginning, she quickly grows accustomed to hearing his voice and eventually finds it a source of comfort. Alfie and Alice both suffered other traumas before their respective injuries, and a long-term hospital stay could be the catalyst for finally addressing those events. After all, there is little else to do when you’re mostly confined to a hospital room.

An action-oriented romance this is not. But it's a perfect read for someone who prefers getting to know the main characters and watching their relationship grow via those tiny, seemingly inconsequential moments. Alice and Alfie’s journey from strangers to friends to more is torturous in the best way possible. Their relationship unfolds slowly, teasingly. The first time they touch hands is momentous and feels incredibly raw because of how much tension and anticipation Houghton has built up to that point.

There are dark moments as Alfie and Alice come to terms with their own baggage, and as the reader discovers more about the circumstances that led them to the hospital. Before I Saw You should come packaged with tissues because crying is inevitable. However, Houghton sneaks in bits of levity from the larger cast of characters, from Alfie’s doting parents to the empathetic staff. It’s a great, balanced approach that also extends to the affable Alfie. Though his kindness and charming personality are genuine, he wields them as a shield to distract himself from thinking too deeply about how his life will change once he leaves St. Francis.

Don't be turned off by the promise of an ugly sob or two. Houghton makes the tough times worth it, such as when Alice speaks her first words to Alfie or when she finally shifts aside her curtain and reaches out her hand. One of the beauties of romance is how it shows the bright spots amid tough times, and Before I Saw You is a testament to why readers find this genre to be hopeful above all else.

Emily Houghton’s Before I Saw You is a tender, emotional debut about pain, recovery and the support people find in unexpected places.

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