Book Reviews
Below you’ll find reviews for books I’ve read in 2025, sorted by the most recently reviewed. You can also search by genre or visit the index to look for a title or author by name.
The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold
I think I liked this even more than the first one. If you haven’t read The Blonde Identity yet (review here), I’d recommend that one first. It had been on my TBR (to be read) list for a while, but the publisher offering me a digital review copy of this one is what final got me to pick it up. I’m so glad I did.
The Blonde Identity
Pure fun, plain and simple.
A woman wakes up in Paris with armed thugs after her. She seems to be on the run? But she doesn’t really know because she can’t seem to recall anything about herself, not even her first name. When she sees a video clip of a “wanted” woman on TV she realizes she must be a spy.
Falling into Place
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the digital review copy in advance. This one hits shelves on August 19th.
I remember picking up Would You Rather by Allison Ashley back in 2022 and laughing on page one. I also remember how refreshing it was to read a romance that was funny, emotional, and swoon-worthy that managed to keep all the bedroom scenes, well, behind the bedroom door. Falling Into Place is the same.
Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies
More of this genre please!
Every time I pick up a humorous mystery I remember how much I enjoy them. This had been on my radar to be read for a while, but it wasn’t until I won an audiobook copy of the second book in the series on The StoryGraph that I finally checked it out from the library.
A Letter from the Lonesome Shore
I read the first installment of this duology (A Letter to the Luminous Deep) last year, and while I enjoyed it, I wasn’t enthralled. I liked the worldbuilding and the letter-writing and journal style of it, but the pacing was slow and I had trouble with differentiating the numerous characters’ voices. The story was mysterious, a bit romantic, imaginative, and funny, but I had a few qualms.
Problematic Summer Romance
It’s another Ali Hazelwood win in my book. Maybe even a new favorite!
Heart Strings
When I picked up Ivy Fairbanks’s debut novel, Morbidly Yours, late last year, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It did not disappoint.
Not in Love
This book surprised the heck out of me.
After reading Love, Theoretically back in 2023 (and loving it, I should add), I thought Ali Hazelwood had crossed my threshold for steam in her books.
Roommating
You’ve heard of the forbidden love trope. Sometimes it feels a bit tired and overdone, but I’m not sure I’ve ever quite read it like this.
Anywhere With You
Ellie Palmer is quickly becoming one of my favorite rom-com authors. Four Weekends and a Funeral was one of my favorite books last year, and I have a feeling Anywhere With You will be one this year.
The Fall Risk
This is a short and sweet pick-me-up. I really enjoyed it. It was funny and cute.
A Lady’s Guide to Scandal
Eliza is a widow and she’s not even thirty yet. Her late husband has left her a fortune, but there’s a catch—a morality clause that means she can do nothing untoward. It’s a good thing that the new Earl of Somerset is her childhood love (is there any chance for them after how they left things a decade ago?) and he’s the one controlling those purse strings.
The Love Haters
Katherine Center always brings the most joy-filled, zippy rom-coms that make me grin and swoon a little. This was no exception. Katie is asked to film a promo video for the US Coast Guard with her work superior's brother, rescue swimmer "Hutch" Hutcheson.
Any Trope But You
Margot is a famous romance writer, but after several bad experiences with men, she’s started “screaming into her pillow” by writing alternate endings to each of her books in a secret file called Happily Never After.
If Tomorrow Never Comes
Elliott is in Omaha for a stem cell transplant. The night before her surgery, her best friend encourages her to get out and live a little. In so doing, she meets Jamie. He’s been stood up on a date and they immediately hit it off. He takes her to the baking lesson he’s booked for the night and they spend hours laughing and talking.
Tilda Is Visible
Tilda is fifty-two years old when she suddenly realizes her little finger is missing. Well, it isn’t missing, but it isn’t… visible? At a visit to the doctor she’s diagnosed with invisibility, a disorder that is common among women her age, but rarely discussed. What follows is a magical realist story of Tilda’s journey to rediscover herself.
Get Lost with You
This was a cute rom-com set in a small town with lots of interconnected characters. I didn't read the first story in the "Rock Bottom Love" series, but I enjoyed the story of Jillian and Levi reconnecting after years apart.