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Summering in My Personal Library With More 2025 Book Releases

Posted in Just for Fun, Miranda's Book Nook by

This summer has been, to put it simply, a whirlwind. Amid the highs and lows, I tried to keep up with my TBR goals and managed to polish off a few new favorite summer reads in between it all. Scroll down for another installment of Miranda’s Book Nook and some of my top-rated books of the year:

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

I’ve read a few of Katherine Center’s novels before, and I think this one tops them all for me. It’s intriguing and full of compelling language. The setup isn’t too slow and the plot points are completely unique and unexpected.

In The Love Haters, Katie has been burned by love after a brutal breakup with her famous ex-fiancé and her career as a video producer is on the line when layoffs are imminent. To keep her job, Katie agrees to film a PSA following Coast Guard rescue swimmer Hutch, even though she can’t swim herself. She is ready to fake it till she makes it if it means her job is secure. Katie is put up for the job by her boss Cole, whose older and estranged brother is Hutch. As Katie spends more time with Hutch (plus his eccentric aunt Rue and his Great Dane pet), they start to form a deeper connection.

It’s completely captivating with an adorable, swoon-worthy HEA in the end. Speaking of the HEA, it feels justified and earned after the two main characters conquer their individual inner demons. I definitely really dug this one, and its impactful message of body acceptance. It’s so important to see that in the mainstream media.

CW: body dysmorphia, eating disorders

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Courtroom Drama by Neely Tubati Alexander

Honestly? This author’s Love Buzz was 100 percent not my vibe, so I was wary about picking up this galley. But once I saw the comps were Legally Blonde meets Amazon’s Jury Duty, I was, like, SOLD. Instantly. And I’m glad I did.
In Courtroom Drama, 26-year-old Sydney is chosen for jury duty on the murder trial of a popular reality TV star (think Real Housewives OGs) after her husband was found dead. Sydney, of course, is a massive fan of defendant Margot and will do anything to help issue a not guilty verdict. Yet, at the same time, her childhood BFF Damon (who’s turned into a mega-babe in adulthood, FWIW) also turns up on the jury, and they just can’t stay away even with a non-fraternization rule in place.
It was a fun read that I could polish off quickly because that’s how much I wanted to know what would happen next. It’s an interesting concept, written with compelling and witty language. It’s more than just a romance during juror sequestration, but also it’s a mystery as readers get to follow the trial, too. It’s like the perfect juxtaposition of the two genres, which made this novel stand out to me even more.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Ride With Me by Simone Soltani

This dual POV F1 romance features quippy language and reads quite quickly. It’s intriguing and made me very interested to keep reading. It’s cute, fun, and indulgent — with some spice content, but not too much that it overpowers the plot. Plus, there’s a teeny, teeny little glimpse of Willow and Dev’s HEA if you’ve already read this author’s Cross the Line.
In Ride With Me, Stella and Thomas meet during mutual friends’ joint bachelor-bachelorette party in Las Vegas when they accidentally get married in the middle of the night after a drunken night out. Instead of getting a quickie divorce or annulment, Stella and Thomas agree to stay married, in name only, to help their respective careers (she’s the owner of a bakery franchise, and he’s an F1 driver). I’ll leave this here: the “he falls first” trope is out in full force with this one. Just saying.
If you haven’t read Cross the Line (like myself), don’t worry, you aren’t missing a crucial piece to the puzzle of Stella and Thomas’ marriage of convenience story. It’s a perfect summer beach read, or perfect to read during the actual F1 season — whichever is more applicable to your preferences.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria

This is a book for fans of Alexis Daria’s Primas of Power series because it’s the third (and final) one in the trilogy.
In Along Came Amor, it is Jasmine and Michelle’s cousin Ava’s turn to find everlasting love. Ava is a middle school teacher and recent divorcée. When she goes to a work conference, she ends up flirting with Ramon, the handsome hotelier covering at the bar. They embark on the perfect one-night fling — but he very quickly wants more. Cut to Ava and Ramon learning that they are the respective maid of honor and best man in Jasmine and Ashton’s wedding (IYKYK), but still, Ava doesn’t want anyone to know about their repeated hookups. This book is told in back-and-forth POVs throughout Jasmine and Ashton’s wedding planning journey, which is nearly an entire year.
This novel reads quite quickly and is chock full of banter and compelling language that draws me in. It’s very spicy, much like the other books in the series, like definitely more than the plot. All in all, it’s cute and, for sure, it helps to read the other Primas of Power books first because the characters are major presences. Plus, it’ll help you understand Ava’s backstory more than if you were going in blind.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q. Sutanto

I’ve been a fan of the “Meant to Be” series from the beginning, and Jesse Q. Sutanto’s adaptation of Mulan fits in perfectly with the theme and her own writing style.

In Worth Fighting For, Mulan is a finance executive at her father’s private equity firm. When he suddenly falls ill, it falls to Mulan to save his acquisition deal with an old-school, traditional whiskey brand. To do so, she assumes her father’s identity (matching his email correspondence to the company’s CEO, Shang), which leads her to the firm’s ranch headquarters. While pretending to be a farm expert, Mulan-as-her-father (minus the gender-swapping) must convince Shang and his old-world Chinese family to take her deal. At the same time, Mulan develops a sizzling connection with Shang himself. And one that neither of them wants to ignore.

Sutanto brings her signature compelling language and character banter to the Disneyfied series. The exemplary writing style was incredibly apparent, like, I couldn’t put this book down. It was the absolute perfect modern version of Mulan. It reads quite quickly and was just so fun and cute. I’ll avoid spoilers but will categorize it as a literal smile-worthy romance, which is incredibly rare for me.

I read this book on a plane, and I’m just so glad I finished it before we landed because I couldn’t bear to deplane without figuring out how it would end and whether everything would resolve. And thank god I did. Also, I love how completely realistic the ending/epilogue was. With Worth Fighting For, Sutanto 100 percent did Mulan justice and brought it into the modern world seamlessly with new twists so that it feels like an original novel and not just an adaptation.

Worth Fighting For is the perfect addition to the “Meant to Be” series — and I cannot wait to see what’s next. Also, Sutanto has, once again, proved that she doesn’t miss whether it’s YA or adult romance. So, I’ll be keeping an eye out for what’s coming next.

Rating: Four and a Half Stars

Available: Now

Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson

While Never Been Shipped is technically an interconnected standalone with With Love, from Cold World, it also works completely independently if you, like myself, did not read it. In which case, I found it to be a fun, indulgent, and cute second-chance, celebrity, and forced proximity romance between two former bandmates forced together on a reunion cruise.
In Never Been Shipped, former ElectricOh! lead singer Micah, now in her early 30s, agrees to reunite with her bandmates for one last concert. The group includes her egotistical ex and John, her childhood best friend, who fully embodies the one who got away trope. While onboard the ship, Micah and John finally see each other with fresh eyes and notice a boatload of chemistry and banter between them.
Told from dual points of view, Never Been Shipped is written with compelling language (like The Art of Catch Feelings, which I did read by this author) and a fun premise. I was completely drawn into the story and eager to find out what would happen next. Also, there are some spicy spicy scenes, but none overpower the actual plotline, which I was grateful for.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver

This dual-perspective romance novel reads very quickly (I read it in its entirety during a two-and-a-half-hour flight), but I didn’t want to put it down, thanks to Josie Silver’s now-signature compelling language.
In Slow Burn Summer, failed screenwriter Charlie returns to London when he inherits his late father’s talent agency. He finds a manuscript for what’s sure to be a hit romance novel, if only the author were comfortable promoting it. Then, he also received a letter postmarked to his dad from a former acting client named Kate, who’s itching for another gig after her divorce. Turns out, Charlie can hire Kate to play the author on the book tour.
Yes, this is a romance novel between Kate and Charlie — but it’s so so slow burn (hence the title) and closed-door in terms of spice that makes this more of a women’s fiction book about FMC Kate getting back out there post-divorce and finding herself on a personal level. Slow Burn Summer is gripping, witty, engaging, and indulgent, and I did not want to put it down for even one chapter. Looks like Silver does it again with Slow Burn Summer.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Writing Mr. Wrong by Kelley Armstrong

In Writing Mr. Wrong, Gemma has just published her debut historical romance novel and the internet thinks that she *may* have drawn inspiration from hockey star Mason. Which she did — but the guy who broke her heart in high school and not the gruff NHL star and noted lothario. After he surprises Gemma live during a TV interview, fans definitely think they are dating. So what’s the harm in pretending to date? Especially if it helps her sell books and him with his PR problems? Harmless, right? Well, unless you have a secret piner like Mason.
This is a second chance, forced proximity, fake dating, sports romance between a hockey enforcer (apparently a position? lol I don’t know sporty things) and a romance novelist. Author Kelley Armstrong, as previously demonstrated in her past works, writes with compelling language that pulls me in. I didn’t want to put this one down. It’s mostly closed-door, but with a little bit of spice toward the end, but definitely a slow-burn. It’s a fun, indulgent romance novel that feels cute and is easy to read through.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

How Freaking Romantic by Emily Harding

In author Emily Harding’s solo debut, she delivers a sweet, banter-laden enemies-to-lovers and slow-burn that’s full of compelling language that is easy to get sucked into.
In How Freaking Romantic, a title that doesn’t completely make sense beside one line that the FMC said at the tail end of the book, is told solely from the perspective of law student Beatrice. The book starts with Bea storming the law office of divorce attorney Nathan, who is representing Bea’s BFF’s ex-husband in their proceedings. Turns out, Nathan is set to become an adjunct professor for the same NYU law school class that Bea’s a TA for. So, they’re going to have to work together after all that perceived drama. Oh, and it seems that she quickly realizes that Nathan doesn’t hate her at all.
It reads quickly and was just an enjoyable romance read. It feels quite short, but it does still tell a full story that was engaging, indulgent, and just plain fun.
CW: Addiction

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Relationship Goals by Brittany Kelley

In Relationship Girls, Abigail Hunt is a Hollywood actress sent to learn the rules of soccer with pro club LA Aces before her next movie role. There, she meets bad boy athlete (and notorious grump) Luke Wolfe and is surprised when he asks her out on a date. Even more that she likes it! It turns out that Luke was blackmailed by the team managers into asking Abigail out in exchange for boosted ticket sales. If he’s successful, the club will approve a trade to a team close to his cancer-striken mother. So, Luke is willing to fake-date Abigail to appease the bosses. But, what happens when either he catches feelings or she catches on?
This dual-perspective sports romance novel is full of quippy, compelling language from the start, also demonstrating the two MCs’ banter-heavy dynamic. It reads quite quickly, and its Ted Lasso meets How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days premise is unique, fun, and engaging. I ended up craving to learn what’d happen next. While this book does feature some spicy spicy scenes, it ends up being more plot-laden than pure smut. So, as a plot girlie, I was pleased. Overall, it’s a fun and indulgent read to polish off in a few days when you need a mood booster.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Love Unmasked by Becky Dean

I’ve read Becky Dean’s other travel-centric YA novels, and Love Unmasked fits right into the squad!
In Love Unmasked, Evie is on a post-high school graduation trip to Venice, Italy, which happens to be the backdrop of her favorite book series called The Elven Realms. Exploring the city with her classmates by day, Evie sneaks off at night in search of an elusive and secretive Elven Realms fan club in the city. To help her solve a slew of clues, Evie teams up with a mysterious boy her age who’s also a major book fan.
Love Unmasked features compelling language as usual, reads quickly and was plenty smart and cute. Plus, that ending and HEA was positively cute and completely and totally smile-worthy. Facts.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

How to Sell a Romance by Alexa Martin

In How to Sell a Romance, Emerson is a kindergarten teacher in Denver who gets roped into selling skincare products for an MLM called Petunia Lemon. While attending an event conference, she meets a reporter named Lucas/Luke. After a steamy one-night stand, Emerson discovers that Luke is trying to write an exposé on Petunia Lemon after his ex-wife joined and drained all their savings in the process. Oh, and weeks later, after Emerson has sworn to loathe Luke, she re-meets him as the dad to one of her students. Surprise!
While Emerson and Luke vow to push aside their chemistry for the sake of professionalism, she soon finds herself helping Luke write his article to topple the Petunia Lemon pyramid scheme once and for all. Think double-agent vibes.
This book featured incredibly compelling language from the start that had me completely intrigued to keep reading. The romance part is such a slow burn that it does feel like more of a women’s fiction novel than a straight-up romance. But, digging this one nonetheless.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Give Me a Reason by Jayci Lee

This is a book for all the other Austenian girlies like me! Give Me a Reason is a modern version of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, starring Anne, a K-drama actress, and firefighter Frederick. The pair were first loves who reconnected 10 years later in time for their mutual friends’ wedding.
In Give Me a Reason, Anne returns home to Los Angeles and reconnects with Frederick, who’s no longer pining for his two-year-older college sweetheart. As he tries to put distance between himself and Anne, she quickly realizes that she’s not quite as over him as she thought. Plus, Frederick, sort of, can’t quit taking care of Anne and making sure she’s alright.
Give Me a Reason, just like author Jayci Lee’s other novels, brings a slew of compelling language, witty dialogue, and authentic characters. This book, told in dual points of view, read quite quickly and did have, like, one-or-two steamy scenes, which definitely didn’t overpower the plot. All in all, I just wanted to keep reading this sweeping, modern Austenian adaptation. It’s fun and cute — especially for all the other Austen fangirl freaks like me. (Which, yes, I wear that with a badge of honor. Loud and proud.)

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

The Blonde Who Came In from the Cold by Ally Carter

Fellow Gallagher Girlies, this is our moment! Ally Carter is finally back with a follow-up to her hit The Blonde Identity, but this time, it’s Alex’s spy story — and this has easily been my most anticipated read of the *entire* year.

In The Blonde Who Came In From the Cold, two CIA spies (Zoe’s twin sister, Alex Sterling, and her colleague Michael “King” Kingsley) wake up, bloodied and handcuffed, with no memory of what happened after they last saw each other a year ago, after leaving the field. Throughout the book, they piece together their memories and try to thwart any nefarious villains in their way. And yes, expect post-HEA cameos from Zoe and Sawyer, and prepare to squeal.

The Blonde Who Came In From the Cold was, hands down, my No. 1 most anticipated read of 2025 — and I stand by that. As a reader who devoured author Ally Carter’s YA books back in the day (all I’ll say to avoid aging both of us), I was instantly hyped by her adult debut in The Blonde Identity. Given its five-star rating from me, I couldn’t wait for Zoe’s story by the epilogue. And here it is! Once again, Carter delivers compelling language that kept me so hooked from the very beginning that had me desperate to keep reading this unputdownable prose. The Blonde Who Came In From the Cold is a dual-perspective, enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity, second-chance spy and romance novel. To put it simply, if there’s one thing about Carter, she’s gonna write a compelling, female-centric spy novel that pulls you in, and you won’t want to stop until you reach the very last page. Together, our MCs have so much banter in spades (spades!) — so much so that I needed to repeat myself. That’s how much it is true.

The Blonde Who Came In From the Cold is so well-written and so intriguing plot-wise, like, I was seriously wondering what would happen next. I was into both timelines, whether it was present-day (months after The Blonde Identity epilogue) or flashback scenes of Zoe and King’s training or early years in the field. All in all, this novel is gripping and thrilling and intriguing. I was so completely into this one. And while it is a follow-up to The Blonde Identity, it can totally stand on its own, more than just a sequel. Then, in the end, readers get such a well-deserved HEA with a dash of mystery. What can I say, other than it’s fun and unpredictable. Loved it — almost as much as The Blonde Identity, which was a tall order to begin with.

And for all my fellow Gallagher Girls, The Blonde Who Came In From the Cold is like the adult version of our childhood favorite series because it’s so action-packed. I felt like Zoe and King’s experience at The Firm was akin to a grown-up version of Gallagher Academy/Blackthorne. Like, King is 100 percent the adult male version of Cammie, and I stand by that. After savoring every last page of The Blonde Who Came In From the Cold, I can confidently say that I will still read anything that Carter writes, and I stand by that.

Rating: Four and a Half Stars

Available: August 5, 2025

For the Record by Emma Lord

Once again, Emma Lord brings her compelling writing style and banter-laden stories to the page with For the Record, which tells the second-chance romance story of pop star Mackenzie and punk rock musician Sam years after both bands fall apart.

After their respective groups disbanded, Mackenzie and now-single-father Sam team up for a comeback album. As they start writing new songs, they discover that their sizzling chemistry is as palpable as it was two years earlier.

I was so intrigued by the summary alone, and the rest of the book didn’t disappoint. Told in dual points of view, Lord’s quippy language draws me in. I would describe For the Record as Lord’s spiciest romance yet. Because yes, it goes there — if that offends your delicate sensibilities. Not mine, but everyone’s preferences are different. It’s not overwhelming and overpowering to the plot, though. It’s a pretty even and authentic mix. The end, while completely earned and deserved, does feel a tad abrupt pre-epilogue. It felt like, “Boom, all works out, here’s the HEA.” I just needed a tad more transition to get there.

Rating: Three and a Half Stars

Available: August 12, 2025

The Incredible Kindness of Paper by Evelyn Skye

I had no preconceived notions of this one, and I found that I actually really liked this one.

In The Incredible Kindness of Paper, Chloe and Oliver were childhood pen pals turned best friends/first loves growing up in Kansas, who lost touch when his family disappeared from town without a word. Twenty years later, they are both working in New York City. Chloe is a recently unemployed school guidance counselor facing rising rents and a situationship. To feel better, Chloe starts writing pep talks into the folds of origami roses. Many of the paper flowers magically make their way to neighbors also in need of the message, including Oliver’s. He’s now working as a financial analyst with a haunting and traumatic past. This book is told from multiple points of view; most are Chloe and Oliver, but there are a few for the other rose recipients.

It has a dash of magic, a sprinkle of fate, and a whole lot of an authentic, sweeping love story. I didn’t want to put this book down, thanks to its compelling language that drew me in. All in all, it felt like more than just a romance. I’d say it’s more of a women’s fiction novel with a romantic subplot. It’s fun and cute, and the HEA feels completely earned and paced well.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: August 12, 2025

Love at First Sight by Laura Jane Williams

I was intrigued by this from the summary, premise, and cover of an iconic London monument (if you know me, then you know it’s my bookish weakness!), and I was pleased that I was not let down.
In Love at First Sight, Jessie is a nanny who meets a man named Cal at a Whole Foods in London, and they spend the whole day together. Sparks fly, but they never exchange numbers. Weeks go by, and Cal suddenly shows up (using a different nickname) and carrying a bouquet of roses for Jessie’s boss. This book totally delivers The Nanny Diaries vibes.
There’s a ton of compelling language that draws me in. I liked how the ending wasn’t a traditional, cookie-cutter, expected HEA because this was anything but. It was completely unexpected, with twists and turns that I actually enjoyed more than if everything worked out as I imagined it would. I particularly loved how Jessie got closure after [spoiler has been redacted] by simply moving on and being happy.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: August 19, 2025

Advance reader copies of the books listed were provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summer Loving, It’s The Perfect Time for More Reading

Posted in Miranda's Book Nook by

It’s another summer full of books for me. But, again, when isn’t it? So, time to settle in for another installment of Miranda’s Book Nook. Keep reading for more summer 2024 books that I can’t get enough of and which ones should be on your radar. As always, happy reading!

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

If you’re a fan of any Christina Lauren book, but especially The Unhoneymooners, then this book is most definitely for you. Trust me. The Paradise Problem has two POVs, compelling language, a quippy and witty writing style and so many indulgent tropes that had me desperate to keep reading and find out what would happen next. Tropes include fake dating, marriage of convenience, opposites attract, second chance romance, forced proximity, and the classic only-one-bed.

In The Paradise Problem, Anna marries Liam “West” Weston to secure family housing at UCLA. Liam agrees to the marriage on-paper-only for similar reasons. Two years later, Liam moves out and has her sign “divorce” papers. Turns out, they’re not divorce papers, and by three years later, they are still technically married because Liam’s grandfather’s will stipulates that he can only get his inheritance after five years of a happy marriage. Liam, now a professor at Stanford, calls up onetime wife Anna, who is now a struggling artist, to accompany him to his sister’s wedding in Singapore … and he’ll pay her handsomely for her time. As Anna pretends to fit in with Liam’s obscenely rich family, he’s concerned that their wealth will corrupt her innocence. Consider The Paradise Problem like The Unhoneymooners meets Crazy Rich Asians.

It’s so fun and frothy that I could just savor page by page. And that epilogue, woo, I swear I felt my heart grew, like, two sizes from that HEA. And that ending felt earned and not rushed through, which I think is partly the reason for said swoony feelings.

CW: Parental estrangement

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren

I’ve been obsessed with the “Meant to Be” series since the very beginning and Christina Lauren’s attachment just grew that exponentially. Yes, Tangled Up in You is based on Rapunzel (and a fairly accurate adaptation albeit a modern-day setting) but it is also such a delightful, fun and original romance with tropes including opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine and forced proximity.
Here, Ren (aka the Rapunzel character) has been raised on a homestead in Idaho without access to the internet or anything. By 22, she enrolls at Corona College in California and experiences a whole new world. Fitz, meanwhile, is a senior who has his life all planned: Graduate from Corona, Get his criminal record wiped and Be the rich playboy everyone already thinks he is. Fitz only has a few months left when he crashes into Ren. After being paired on a class assignment, Ren asks Fitz to tag along on his cross-country spring break road trip. They might be an unlikely pair, but there is something that just clicks.
It’s told from dual points of view and has such witty banter. Like, OMG, I couldn’t help but literally laugh out loud in parts. Super cute and fits right in with the rest of “Meant to Be.”
CW: Child Abduction

Rating: Three and a Half Stars

Available: Now

Hot Summer by Elle Everhart

I absolutely, unexpectedly, loved Elle Everhart’s Wanderlust and was honestly just waiting for her sophomore novel. And when I found out this one was like Love Island but more diverse/inclusive, boy, I was sold.
Cas, a big fan of Love Island-esque Hot Summer, is tasked by her dating app employers to join the show to help their new professional partnership. Cas is promised her long-dreamt promotion if she makes it to the finale. Cas heads to Cyprus to film the show for eight weeks, not thinking of love by just being logical and strategic. All that goes out the door when Ada, another bi contestant, walks through the villa doors. What starts as a friendship turns into an undeniable chemistry and connection. And yes, if you look close enough there is a teeny Wanderlust nod to Dylan, IYKYK.
I dug this book so darn much and just wanted to keep reading and reading and reading. Like, I was just dying to figure out what would happen next. Everhart brings her now-signature witty language and banter-filled style to Hot Summer. And, my gosh, it was so cute yet realistic. It is mostly a slow-burn, friends-to -overs novel, but there are a few spicy AF scenes. Plus, that HEA! Yes, it was cute and all but I liked it more than other books because it was a realistic time frame that’s not, like, skipping 12 steps ahead just to be at the endgame. It was just right and the right time given the book’s space in time.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood

I went into The Love of My Afterlife with zero expectations, and so, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I was into this one. It gave, like, The Good Place (which I loved) vibes meets a second-chance romance with a dash of a love triangle.
Here, Delphie meets The One, a mysterious heartthrob named Jonah T., in the afterlife waiting room after she dies. However, he’s only there by mistake and thus sent back to Earth with a poof. After noticing the instant sparks, Delphie gets one more chance in the land of the living: Find Jonah amidst the bustling London scene and get him to kiss her within 10 days or it’s back to the afterlife for good. Twenty-seven-year-old Delphie enlists her broody neighbor Cooper to help track down Jonah, and it also seems that Cooper might not be as broody as imagined?
Author Kirsty Greenwood writes with such compelling language from the beginning to the end, which makes The Love of My Afterlife pretty darn unputdownable. Greenwood’s language was just, like, beyond witty that I devoured like candy, I swear. It was very cute, very fun and very unique for a romance — even though I totally called the love triangle results wayyyy in advance, but I’m just saying. Still a good read regardless.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Not You Again by Ingrid Pierce

I had no preconceived notions about this book, which is probably why I was drawn to this book and liked it as much as I did.
Not You Again follows wedding dress designer Andie, who follows her BFF’s advice to sign up for a reality TV matchmaking experiment … not for love, but for the financial compensation they give you if it doesn’t work out. She gets matched with architect Kit, who signs up to appease his dying mother’s wish to see him settle down, and they meet on their wedding day. Yes, this book is like a twist on Lifetime’s Married at First Sight. Once Andie and Kit meet, *gasp* it’s not for the first time because they dated in college, and, oh yeah, Kit brutally left Andie without any explanation. As Andie and Kit go on this reality TV journey or marriage, they slowly let their walls back down and start to fall for each other again. But, is love worth letting go of the monetary result of a divorce?
Author Ingrid Pierce writes with such fun, witty language that had me hooked from the very first page. I was quite literally desperate to keep reading and learn what would happen next, and as I discovered, Not You Again was anything by predictable. Told from dual points of view, this book seamlessly blends enemies-to-lovers and second-chance romance with a Married at First Sight-inspired fanfic. And it, surprisingly, worked. Completely. Totally. Wholeheartedly. Not You Again was so fun and cute, and it was so easy to get sucked into the story. I really dug this one.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Heir, Apparently by Kara McDowell

This book is apparently a sequel, which I didn’t realize until the epilogue, oh well, but I enjoyed it as a standalone, too. It’s, like, an apocalyptic contemporary YA/New Adult royalty romance, which seems like an odd pairing but just works.
In Heir, Apparently, Wren Wheeler is a college freshman at Northwestern, who accidentally married the newly crowned king of England, Theo, the previous summer after they got stranded on an island together. Theo left Wren alone in Greece, even taking her dog, Comet. Before school starts, she schemes to rescue her pup, which forces a reunion with Theo. Soon enough, their wedding news causes scandal and they need to hightail to London pronto. However, their plane (also carrying their respective siblings, Wren’s best friend, Theo’s security guard, and the pilot) crashes on a remote island. As they try to survive the elements and a literal volcano (not a spoiler, it’s on the book cover, lovelies), Theo’s coronation inches closer.
The concept is just so unique, fun, and unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s a cute read, full of witty language. My only thing is that I just would have loved for these characters to be 20- or 30-somethings because I think it would still be a fun concept in an adult romance, but that’s just me. Anyways, it fully works here and I really did enjoy this one.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

It’s Elementary by Elise Bryant

I’ve read all of Elise Bryant’s YA novels, and this book is nothing like any of them because it’s adult fiction and a mystery. But, it’s written with such masterful and compelling language just the same. It’s Elementary is full of dramatic twists and turns until the very end, like, Oh my God, where did all that come from?

It’s Elementary follows single mom Mavis, who is balancing raising 7-year-old daughter Pearl, her job at a nonprofit, and being enlisted to helm the school PTA’s diversity committee. Her new role goes off the role when she sees PTA president Trisha looking suspicious one night and new Principal Smith suddenly goes missing. They must be related, right? Mavis turns to school psychologist Jack to be the Mulder to her Scully (the X Files reference is intentional, yes, without giving a further spoiler) to figure out what really happened.

Wowza, I was hooked, to say the least. Plus, it’s always interesting to have a mystery novel MC not be a pro at solving crimes, you know? It’s, like, their amateur status makes it feel so much more authentic and earned when they crack the case. Plus, the language was so completely intriguing that made me so interested to find out what was next. Anyway, yes, I recommend this book. Obviously.

CW: Domestic Abuse

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey

First off, if you are averse to spicy romances, why are you here at a Tessa Bailey book? And second, you really won’t like this one. Just saying. But that being said, The Au Pair Affair brings together Bailey’s usual compelling language, intriguing love story, indulgent tropes (this time it’s age gap, sports romance, celebrity romance, and forced proximity) and toe-curling spice.
In The Au Pair Affair, Tallulah is pursuing her master’s degree in marine biology and takes a second job as the live-in nanny to Burgess, a pro hockey defenseman and single dad to 12-year-old Lissa. Despite an 11-year age gap and trying to remain professional, Burgess and Tallulah have an undeniable chemistry that makes it difficult to keep their hands off of one another. At the same time, Tallulah breathes new life into the father-daughter family’s post-divorce life by teaching Burgess to live again and introverted Lissa to socialize more.
The Au Pair Affair is told from dual points of view, and yes, brings back the lovable couple of Wells and Josephine from Bailey’s Fangirl Down for a sweet post-HEA check-in. This book, true to Bailey’s style, is well-written and so intriguing that has me curious to keep reading, even though I’ve never really vibed with an age-gap romance. But The Au Pair Affair is a Tessa Bailey romance, so where she leads, I will follow as a reader.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

That Prince Is Mine by Jayci Lee

After devouring Jayci Lee’s past (and interconnected) romances, I was automatically intrigued by this one, especially with its royal romance trope. While, yes, the MC’s love interest is a secret prince, it doesn’t feel like countless other versions of the trope I’ve already read. Like, this one sort of put a unique spin on the subject. (And no, this one is not connected to Lee’s past characters, but it doesn’t need to be.)

In That Prince Is Mine, Emma aspires to open her own cooking school to teach individuals how to make Korean royal court cuisine and, at 28, is nowhere ready to settle down. That doesn’t stop her godmother, a renowned matchmaker in the community, from setting her up on arranged dates. Emma agrees to meet the suitors to help save her beloved Auntie Soo’s reputation. She meets the gorgeous and accented Michel Chevalier in the middle of one disastrous date and, bam, instant chemistry. Turns out, Michel isn’t the full-time USC professor Emma thought but the crown prince of a small European nation. For Michel, he left his country to try and find The One before ascending the throne and being forced into an arranged marriage.

Told in dual points of view, Lee continues to use her now-signature compelling writing style that pulled me in and wanted to keep reading to discover what would happen next. This story, which was not a closed-door romance IYKYK, was very cute and a perfect summer beach read. For sure. But, do I need to read again? Eh, probably not if I’m being honest.

Ok, gotta move on now because this book has me craving Madeleine cookies.

Rating: Three and a Half Stars

Available: Now

The Fiance Dilemma by Elena Armas

The Fiance Dilemma is a companion novel to Elena Armas’ The Long Game, and it feels like it. While some companion novels can stand on their own with teeny comparisons/shout-outs to the originals, The Fiance Dilemma is not that. The Long Game protagonists, Adalyn and Cameron, have a very well-known presence in The Fiance Dilemma. I mean, after all, Adalyn is the half-sister of The Fiance Dilemma main character Josie Moore and the best friend of Josie’s love interest, Matthew Flanagan. That being said, The Fiance Dilemma is still very much Josie and Matthew’s story of fake dating with just brief hints of Adalyn and Cam’s HEA in the background.

In The Fiance Dilemma, Josie is dealing with the arrival of her long-absent father in her life (and Green Oak, North Carolina) after he gets caught in a media whirlpool about their estrangement. His PR guru makes a surprise visit to see Josie, especially when the media finds out that she’s called off four weddings at the aisle. Publicist Bobbi Shark mistakenly thinks Matthew, who randomly shows up on Josie’s doorstep when his car breaks down, is fiancé No. 5. Soon enough, Bobbi is planning the perfect wedding for Josie and Matthew on newly reappeared Dad’s dime. Josie and Matthew soon decide that the fake engagement won’t end up with any vows, but what happens when their carefully crafted boundary lines start to blur?

I personally found that I enjoyed The Fiance Dilemma more than I did The Long Game, but that is probably because I just vibed with the content more — not that there is anything wrong with either. Both books showed off Armas’ exemplary writing style. Her prose is so compelling that drew me in completely.

Rating: Three and a Half Stars

Available: Now

Elizabeth of East Hampton by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding

Honestly, this one had me at Pride & Prejudice adaptation. What can I say: It’s my weakness — and Elizabeth of East Hampton delivered. This one is a modern version of P&P, set in modern-day Long Island. It’s told in dual points of view of both Lizzy and Darcy, which is a welcome change from the original.
In Elizabeth of East Hampton, Lizzy is a grad school-bound aspiring journalist and amateur surfer primarily spending time running her family’s struggling bakery in the Hamptons. Lizzy’s big sister, Jane, suddenly strikes up a summer fling with summertime resident Charlie Pierce (yes, he’s Bingley) and the pair try to set up Lizzy with Charlie’s business partner, Will Darcy. Obviously, the meeting left little to be desired, as expected.
As an adaptation, it is pretty accurate while still modernizing the story A LOT. Plus, there are a few plot differences that changed, like, in regards to Mary and Wickham’s respective storylines. Overall, it was very cute and sweet, and a wholesome adaptation of Jane Austen’s prose. And if you read Bellezza and Harding’s Emma of 83rd Street, then you will see a little post-HEA cameo.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: August 6, 2024

The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord

I’ve been a fan of Emma Lord’s books since debut Tweet Cute (though You Have a Match is my No. 1 and remains there), but unfortunately, this one couldn’t surpass it.

In The Break-Up Pact, June and Levi were former childhood BFFs and are now both going viral for their respective breakups. Levi, an aspiring novelist, returns to their hometown to lay low given the social media virality. On day one, he reunites with June in her family-run tea shop. When a picture of them sparks rumors that they (plot twist) found love after their high-profile breakups, they decide to go with it, especially when it starts to help June’s struggling business turn a profit and Levi’s ex-girlfriend realize that she wants him back. So, fake-dating pact?

To me, The Break-Up Pact failed to provide new or unique characters and instead offered a pair that seemed dime-a-dozen, who did not develop throughout the novel. The premise, too, had such promise but then its execution just fell flat to me and like a replication of different books with similar tropes. I don’t know, but it kind of felt as if this author phoned it in a bit or didn’t really understand her main characters. Lord, for years, has been a master at writing YA. The Break-Up Pact, however, is one of her first real adult romances, and this one, however, felt like a YA novel but with adults. I guess, I just wanted more maturity from the characters.

I do have to say that Lord’s writing is still as compelling as ever and I am not dissing her craft. I just couldn’t fully vibe with the story and characters. Something just left  little to be desired.

CW: Sibling Grief

Rating: Three and a Half Stars

Available: August 13, 2024

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

Casey McQuiston is easily one of my auto-buy authors ever since Red, White & Royal Blue, and well, this book completely continues that trend. McQuiston’s name and The Pairing‘s plot got me hooked before I even began, and then once I started reading I was completely captivated and enthralled.

Theo and Kit have been best friends since childhood, eventually breaking up before Kit moved across the Atlantic. They never saw each other again, until the pair (both bisexual) separately decided to finally take their dream European foodie tour four years later after learning that their vouchers from initially canceling are about to expire. They both show up, older and more experienced, and reconnect. As they are trapped together for three weeks, Kit (a pastry chef based in Paris) and Theo (a nonbinary aspiring sommelier) make a bet to see who can hook up with more strangers during the trip. But, not all their bet rules are meant to be followed…

It’s a travel romance meets the-one-that-got-away and second chance tropes with several spicy spice scenes (like that yacht one, ahem). Told in dual points of view, McQuiston writes with their signature compelling language that is fun, indulgent, and romantic but also authentic, honest, and vulnerable. I found myself absolutely drawn into the story and so, so, so curious to keep reading.

This book is so fun and so cute with the travel romance and the hookup competition around the world, yes, but The Pairing also has emotional depths and vulnerability. It is such a meaningful, relatable, and authentic story of identity as well — outside of a sweeping love story. It just has lots of heart.

All in all, I would highly recommend this read, for sure. McQuiston, once again, delivers a compelling story, an indulgent romance, some steamy spice, and plenty of heart. I loved this one. It is so cute to follow Kit and Theo traipse around Europe, falling back in love but also seriously discovering themselves and what they want.

Rating: Four and a Half Stars

Available: August 20, 2024

Love Requires Chocolate by Ravynn K. Stringfield

This one is like a YA version of Emily in Paris for theatre kids, and you know what? Here for it.
In Love Requires Chocolate, theatre nerd Whitney Curry arrives in Paris for her semester abroad at an arts high school. While navigating a fish-out-of-water syndrome, homesickness, and trying to master the French language, Whitney struggles all around. Not to mention that she’s trying to mount a one-woman play about Josephine Baker. Enter her grumpy tutor Thierry, who is determined to get Whitney to deviate from her carefully crafted schedule to see the real Paris.
It’s a fun and cute YA, OwnVoices, and travel romance. I found myself completely drawn into the story thanks to the author’s compelling language and word choice. It’s not too slow, which thank goodness, that’s a major plus. It’s very cute, sweet and innocent.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: August 20, 2024

‘Til Heist Do Us Part by Sara Desai

I went into this book not knowing that it was a sequel, whoops that’s on me, but I still enjoyed it. I think it can still stand alone because the story feels new and there were plenty of character introductions. Meaning, I didn’t feel lost or as I was missing something when I jumped into the story.
In ‘Til Heist Do Us Part, Simi Chopra and her ragtag crew are summoned to pull off another jewelry heist thanks to her now-ex, the rogueish Jack Danger. While trying to work together, Simi is still bitter at the way Jack ended things, while he is desperate for a second chance. It’s a heist team-up book comprised of a quirky amateur crew with a romance subplot.
Told in somewhat dual points of view, this book was written with very compelling language that kept me intrigued to keep reading. It was very cute, and ended with a HEA, but the epilogue hints at potentially another sequel. If that’s the case, I’ll definitely be back.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: August 20, 2024

Heavy Hitter by Katie Cotugno

This book is for literally anyone who’s said or thought anything about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s love story being straight out of a rom-com … just with baseball instead football. Like, it’s giving Baseball Tayvis. This book was a rare novel that I started and finished in one day, OK fine a few hours, because I literally could not put it down. I had to discover what would happen next.
In Heavy Hitter, Lacey Logan is *the* music industry and curates everything in her life from songs, dating status and social media Easter eggs. Sound familiar? In between her record-breaking U.S. tour, she is dumped by her SNL comedian boyfriend Toby amid his drug addiction and the news that his mistress is pregnant. She goes to lick her wounds at NYC’s Via Carota (another Swiftie ref IYKYK) when she runs into Baltimore Orioles catcher Jimmy Hodges. After a one-night stand, they start a secret, long-distance situationship that gets serious fast. (Also, yes there is spice, but it’s not too too steamy, in my honest opinion.)
The language is fun, quippy, and snappy, which had me so intrigued to keep reading. The book, told in dual first-person points of view, has banter for, like DAYS. And I mean that. I even chucked a few times, like, honestly. Overall, this book reads super quickly but in the best way. It is absolutely adorable and can definitely, without a doubt cure a reading slump. My only criticism? It ends kind of abruptly where I just wanted more. Like what happens at the World Series? Does she go? Does the team win? Does he follow her on her Europen tour during his off-season and what would that be like? Come on, Katie Cotugno, can you please give the people a sequel or an epilogue? It’s, like, a need-to-know basis right now, just saying.
Literally, this book is the rom-com that Tayvis fans have been clamoring for ever since September 2023 when Swift showed up at that first Chiefs game. Trust me on that one.

Rating: Four and a Half Stars

Available: August 20, 2024

Daydream by Hannah Grace

While Hannah Grace’s latest couldn’t beat Wildfire for me (hey, I’m a camp girlie through and through!), I did enjoy it and find it particularly cute for a slow burn, fake dating, bookish and sports romance. Also, I truly love the diversity and watching a plus-size main character fall in love with a person of color. Love when romances aren’t so white-washed, it’s just, like, “been-there-done-that.”

Daydream is the third book in Grace’s Maple Hills series following new captain Henry during the following semester after Icebreaker and Wildfire. After struggling through a particularly difficult class, it is clear that Henry needs a tutor. So, he enlists romance reader and aspiring novelist Halle. He also agrees to help Halle get romance experience for her book by taking her on “practice dates.”

Daydream reads quite quickly thanks to intriguing language and plenty (and I mean, plenty) of banter. However, some of the included text messages can be difficult to know who is speaking without proper headers or font changes. It was a little bit confusing at each turn. Overall, Daydream is very cute, I give it that but it’s just not my all-time favorite. Can still swoon over Halle and Henry’s romance, no question.

P.S. The book dedication as a tribute to eldest daughters is, literally, EVERYTHING.

Rating: Three and a Half Stars

Available: August 27, 2024

Advance reader copies of the books listed were provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Spring is Finally Here, And So Is an Updated TBR List

Posted in Miranda's Book Nook by

Hello to all my faithful book lovelies! As April has fast come and gone (where has the time gone?!), so has another month of reading. So without a lengthy introduction, welcome back to Miranda’s Book Nook! Keep on scrolling for more book recommendations that I’ve been, literally, obsessed with thus far. Happy reading!

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

I was pleasantly surprised by The Husbands from the moment I started reading, from its plot, points of conflict and compelling language. Reading this book made me so curious to discover what would happen next, like, it was very easy to get sucked into the story.

The Husbands follows Lauren, who comes home one night to find her husband, Michael, waiting for her. The catch? She wasn’t married when she left home and has no memory of this man. Going with the story, she is surprised when Michael goes up to change a lightbulb in the attic. He never comes back down and a new husband appears in his place … along with a whole new life. It turns out that Lauren’s attic has a whole supply of husbands that she can *poof* exchange just by sending them up to the top floor. Which one is the right one?

It doesn’t feel like a straight romance novel or a women’s fiction fluffy beach read as the title might suggest, but I’d describe it as a piece of literary fiction. Also, it very much feels like a satire about the modern dating world with apps and whatnot, spoofing the endless stream of people you’d find swiping left and right. Plus, the open-ended conclusion was fascinating as it made yet another parallel to the real world with its lack of a known Happily Ever After. All in all, this was a good one. Surprised me, but, yeah, a good one.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Here We Go Again by Alison Cochran

I can honestly say that I’ve vibed with every one of Alison Cochrun’s romance novels. And while Here We Go Again fits right in, it also stands out. In a good way. In the best way that gets me to keep reading — page after page until the very end.

In Here We Go Again, Logan and Rosemary are high school frenemies still stuck in their conservative Pacific Northwest small town some 10-15 years later, working as teachers at the same school. They are also both coping with the near-death of their mentor, Joe, who is dying of cancer (trigger warning). With only a few months left to live, Joe entrusts the two of them to take him on a road trip across the country to his cabin in Maine. Told in dual points of view, Here We Go Again charts the journey east as Logan and Rosemary let their guards down while driving in what is described as the “gayest van west of the Mississippi.” (Logan, Rosemary and 60something-year-old Joe are all openly queer.)

This read was so heartfelt and vulnerable that literally had me in tears, I swear. And you know why? Because it was real and authentic and mirrored real life in all its imperfections. Emotional depth aside, as a romance, Here We Go Again was a fun forced proximity, opposites attract, second chance-ish romance. Plus, MCs of Logan and Rosemary had such banter together. Like, it was so fun and cute in those parts.

CW: Alcoholism, Anxiety, Grief/Death of a Parent

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Funny Story by Emily Henry

This was not a NetGalley ARC but a physical galley borrowed from my colleagues, however, I was excited to dive into just the same!

Funny Story, a title that makes complete sense by the end of the book, follows children’s librarian Daphne Vincent after she moves to a small Michigan town with her fiancé, Peter. Months before their wedding, Peter brutally dumps Daphne for his childhood best friend, Petra (yes, those are their names). Needing a place to stay when Peter kicks her out, Daphne moves in with Petra’s now-ex Miles Nowak. Funny Story, told solely from Daphne’s point of view, begins post-move. Emily Henry’s latest features opposites attract, forced proximity and fake dating tropes to deliver an absolutely indulgent and sweeping slow-burn romance.

From the very beginning, I was swept up in this book because the characters were so richly developed, had authentic vulnerabilities that were grounded in reality and so much freaking banter. My reading notes from the first few chapters literally said, “Fun already, they cute.” Overall, Funny Story reads quite quickly as I finished all 400-something pages in, like, three days. Plus, true to form, Henry writes with such rich language that had me (literally) laughing out loud in parts … multiple times. That and her characters are so dynamic and vulnerable, who deal with real s–t. The emotions eventually just spiral and spiral until they come pouring out and you know what? That is as real as it can be.

Funny Story is way more than just a romance, and it’s a chance for Daphne to learn to stand on her own two feet and stand up for herself, which is even more of a treasure than just finding some guy. But, yeah, let’s also chat romance plot points. Miles, Miles, Miles: Ahhh what are we going to do with this full-blown cinnamon roll? Like, I swear I’ve audibly went “aww” multiple times while reading when he finally expressed his feelings about Daphne. He can see the real her, which makes him act like his most authentic self. I don’t know, guys, it feels so honest, raw and real and gimme gimme gimme. Haha I want that, damn. (Oh, back to reality that’s more like The Husbands above, sigh.) OK and then that HEA: whew, it feels so so so justified and earned by the time we get there. It feels like a happily ever after, yes, but one that is rooted in reality.

As someone who has read every previous book by Henry, I cannot say that Funny Story is No. 1 for me but it is up there. Like, I don’t think it can top Beach Read (the OG!) and Happy Place personally, but Funny Story is a close third nipping at their heels.

Rating: Four and a Half Stars

Available: April 23, 2024

Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie by Jackie Lau

Loosely inspired by Pride and Prejudice, Love, Lies and Cherry Pie is an all-consuming, compelling romance novel with such a delicious fake dating storyline.
Love, Lies and Cherry Pie follows author-who-moonlights-as-a-barista Emily as she is completely tired of her meddlesome mother’s matchmaking attempts. (Hello, Mrs. Bennet, anyone?) After her mom continually tries to set Emily up with Mark, the picture-perfect son of a family friend, she’s over it. Emily decides to go with it, asking Mark to fake-date, in exchange for getting their parents out of their hairs. He reluctantly agrees (in all his Darcy-esque glory), but soon their other family friends keep crashing their “dates.” One thing left to do? Sell it. But of course, fake dating can lead to real feelings.
Primarily told from a single point of view, a second is added for the second part to help provide greater insight into the already intriguing and relatable characters. As a romance, Love, Lies and Cherry Pie is super cute and fun that, despite a slow start, had me curious to find out the endgame and HEA. And the fact that it feels like a sweet-as-cherry-pie (lol had to) adaptation of Pride and Prejudice? You should know me by now, I couldn’t say no.

Rating: Three and a Half Stars

Available: May 7, 2024

Swiped by L.M. Chilton

I’m not typically a big fan of mysteries or thrillers, but I was intrigued by this one from the plot and the title. And now that I’ve finished it, I’m glad I tried it because I really enjoyed it and was completely captivated by the twists (oh, the twists!) and turns.
In Swiped, Gwen is the last single girl in her friend group which seems like a typical romance novel set-up, right? Wrong. She decides to join a dating app and starts swiping right on every eligible (or lack thereof) bachelor in her small coastal English city. Suddenly, each of her blind dates turns up dead. Murdered. And the No. 1 suspect? Gwen. She must race to track down the remaining dates she blocked before it’s too late and to clear her name once and for all. It’s described as Bridget Jones meets Scream, which should be enough to get you to pick up this one. I mean, it’s true, right?
It’s told with such well-written, compelling language that had me completely hooked to keep reading and discover the mystery for myself. And the endgame was in no way predictable, as a good mystery should be.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: May 21, 2024

I Wish You Would by Eva Des Lauriers

Honestly, I picked up this book solely because the premise sounded cute and the title was the same as a Taylor Swift lyric, but I ended up finding a novel that was so much more.

I Wish You Would follows high school seniors (and childhood besties) Natalia and Ethan during their school-sanctioned Senior Sunrise campout, in which everyone secretly writes an “if I was braver, I would” letter. Natalia and Ethan both use theirs to confess their long-held crushes and how they would have handled their near-hookup at junior prom the year before. No one is supposed to read the letters, but the wind has other plans. After Natalia sees the wind scatter seven of the classes’ letters, she and Ethan race to find them before anyone’s secrets (including theirs) get out.

Sure, I Wish You Would does have romance elements but it is such a vulnerable coming-of-age YA novel that shines through way more than just some cutesy romantic scenes. That is precisely why I dug it so much; it wasn’t just, trope-after-trope, a way to get Natalia and Ethan to their HEA. It was the journey they took as individuals to be braver, be their authentic selves and follow their own hearts. That authenticity and vulnerability of the two main characters (and the author’s compelling writing and language) is what won me over wholeheartedly. And I’m serious when I say Eva Des Lauriers has a compelling writing style because, dang, was I HOOKED on this book — every single page along the way. Like, honestly I was so beyond curious to discover what would happen next. And for someone in a bit of a reading slump, this book BROKE it. Period.

CW: Panic Attacks/Anxiety, Children of Divorce

Rating: Four and a Half Stars

Available: May 21, 2024

Attached at the Hip by Christine Riccio

I truly had no idea what to expect from Attached at the Hip other than it was like a set in Survivor meets The Bachelor reality show, which, wasn’t that everything I didn’t know I needed to read about!
In Attached at the Hip, MC Orie Lennox is postgrad and hopelessly waiting for her dream love story, job and family relationships. One day, she spontaneously applies for the next season of Survivor since she is a superfan. To her surprise, she gets cast — but not on Survivor. Attached at the Hip is a spinoff of Survivor, where 10ish twentysomething competitors with a certain level of chemistry are tethered together while they attempt to survive. Like, imagine the strategy of Survivor mixed with the forced proximity trope of, like, Love Island. Orie gets another shock when her partner is Remy aka her high school crush and he might be eeling the crushies too? In this book, you really get to know the entire Attached at the Hip cast and can see Orie’s potential chemistry with several others, not just Remy. So, definite love triangle vibes.
Author Christine Riccio writes with such witty and intriguing language that pulled me in from the jump — and made it impossible to put this book down. (I finished it in two days because I couldn’t not read this one, you know?) It’s a fun concept, complete with a love triangle trope, and was, like, so freaking funny. The banter literally got me, so good and relatable — and not just because I’ve literally had one of the awkward bad-at-flirting conversations myself nearly verbatim. But anyway, this entire book was so beyond cute and fun. And then that HEA? Dang, it did have me involuntary smiling for the characters. Sooo, how soon is too soon for a re-read?
CW: Gambling Addiction, Child of Addict, Love bombing/Ghosting

Rating: Four and a Half Stars

Available: May 21, 2024

Advance reader copies of the books listed were provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Here Are 11 New Books I’m Obsessing Over This Summer

Posted in Just for Fun, Miranda's Book Nook by

Miranda’s Book Nook is back, once again, with a slate of some of the new books that I’ve been completely obsessing over these summer months. So, keep scrolling for my fave book picks from June, July and August, and as always, happy reading!

Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli

Becky Albertalli is one of my go-to YA authors, and so I was instantly intrigued by Imogen, Obviously.
Here, high school senior Imogen Scott is the ultimate queer ally despite calling herself straight. Like, she watches queer media, attends her school’s alliance club, and is accepting of her two queer BFFs (Gretchen and Lili). During a college visit to Lili’s university, Imogen learns that her childhood bestie told a white lie to her peers: That she’s not newly out and that Imogen is actually her ex-girlfriend. Imogen, ever the good friend, agrees to keep up with her pal’s charade and pretends to not be straight for the weekend. However, once she starts getting closer to Lili’s hallmate Tessa, who is also queer, Imogen starts reexamining how straight she actually is because, hey, sexuality is a fluid spectrum.
Told in a compelling first-person narrative, the language is so relatable, authentic and vulnerable. While Imogen, Obviously does read quite quickly (aka I could hardly put it down), the storyline is so intriguing, interesting, and honest. While Imogen, Obviously does feature a serious story about coming out, it does so in a fun, sweet, and adorable package. Another well-done read for Albertalli, that’s for sure.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams

When in Rome girlies, this one is for you! Sarah Adams is back with her second book in her Rome, Kentucky, “series” and it is BEYOND. Practice Makes Perfect follows Noah’s baby sister, Annie Walker, as she is tutored on all things romance by Amelia’s bad boy bodyguard, Will.

Annie, an innocent virgin who runs her own flower shop in Rome, has been embarrassingly pining for future sister-in-law Amelia’s capital H-O-T bodyguard while searching for her own HEA love story like her long-deceased parents. To help her get past her long-held anxieties about dating and put herself out there, Amelia enlists Will to serve as Annie’s relationship tutor. Will, a commitment-phobic military veteran, grapples with his own feelings for Annie while using his womanizing experience on a series of practice dates and practice kisses together.

Told in dual perspectives, Practice Makes Perfect is a sweet fake dating, opposites-attract, mutual pining contemporary romance full of cute language that immediately drew me in. The small town setting gives off strong Gilmore Girls‘ Stars Hollow vibes and I’m here for it. This novel, chock full of banter galore, offers even more insight into the Walkers and Rome than When in Rome. A perfect companion to When in Rome, and I already can’t wait for Adams’ next book in the franchise.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

The Last Word by Katy Birchall

Katy Birchall’s The Last Word is definitely comparable to Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game and Falon Ballard’s Just My Type.
The Last Word follows celebrity editor Harper, a go-with-the-flow magazine journalist that is renowned for putting her interview subjects at ease. While Harper loves her dream job, things hit a snag when her misogynistic boss (who made me literally boo, ew) announces that new hire Ryan is joining the team as features editor. Oh, and Ryan and Harper already have a history together as former interns 11 years earlier. After a summer of banter-fueled competition, they enter a whirlwind romance until Ryan unexpectedly betrays Harper in a massive way.
This second-chance and opposites-attract romance set in a glossy magazine newsroom in London (the Anglophile in me is very happy already) is completely adorable and fun that I did not want to put down. The language was funny and quippy. All in all, it’s fun, frothy and indulgent. If you’re a fan of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, I think you’ll find this one right up your alley. Trust me.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Available: Now

The Boyfriend Candidate by Ashley Winstead

Ashley Winstead’s Fool Me Once was such an unexpected, positive reading experience for me, that I was so eager to check out her next book. The Boyfriend Candidate, which stars Lee’s little sister Alexis, is a political romance with tropes of opposites attract, second chance (ish) and fake dating.
Here, Alexis Stone is a shy, introverted children’s librarian who enjoys living life out of the spotlight. After her ex cheats on her (and ends their multi-year romance to boot), she decides to change up her ways by embarking on her first-ever one-night stand. Enter Logan Arthur, the British-American democratic upstart running for governor of Texas, and he’s Alexis’ complete opposite in every conceivable way. While things seemingly go well, a freak emergency causes Logan to literally flee once their pictures wind up plastered on social media. This scandal could end his career and gubernatorial campaign, so his team is intent on tracking Alexis down so they can embark on a fake romance to save face and win back votes.
It’s so fun and indulgent, full of compelling language that pulls me in that makes it nearly impossible to put down. It reads pretty quickly, and literally, I could not stop turning the page with this one. I just wanted more; even after the epilogue! Very fun and sweet with banter galore.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Picture-Perfect Boyfriend by Becky Dean

Becky Dean’s debut novel, Love & Other Great Expectations, was such an unexpected gem of a YA novel and so, I was beyond excited to read her next book. Picture-Perfect Boyfriend is a standalone YA, fake-dating romance with a dash of mystery (re: our love interest’s true identity and motives).

In Picture-Perfect Boyfriend, Kenzie is an aspiring nature photographer who grapples with her family’s disappointment in her less-than-traditional future plans. To change their perception of her, she decides to become the picture-perfect daughter and even concocts a fake relationship with an equally perfect (albeit fake) long-distance boyfriend. So, imagine when her BF “Jacob” shows up on their family vacation to Hawaii! Rather than come clean about her lies, Kenzie goes along with Jacob’s assertion that he’s really her boyfriend to hide his equally deceitful agenda.

It’s very fun, cute and, dare I say, a little quirky, which made me fall even more in love with this one. Dean uses such compelling, first-person language that pulls me in and makes me not want to put down this read. While I’ve found several authors have, like, a “sophomore slump” with their second books, Dean disproves that tenfold because I enjoyed Picture-Perfect Boyfriend basically the same as Love & Other Great Expectations and that’s a win! Love it.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey

While Unfortunately Yours is a companion novel to author Tessa Bailey‘s Secretly Yours (and starring Julian’s sister Natalie), I personally preferred this tenfold. Unfortunately Yours combines marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers and forced proximity tropes, which is told in such compelling and intriguing language.

Here, Natalie Vos is a down-on-her-luck Napa Valley heiress after she returns home to lick her wounds after her Manhattan fiancé dumps her and she loses her high-profile Wall Street job. She’s desperate to get access to her trust fund to start her own investment firm and prove herself. The catch? It is only accessible if she’s employed and married. She soon enlists August Cates (which, hello Hot Boy Name alert) to be her quickie groom despite being irritated by him and his gross wine. August, for his part, opened a winery in honor of his late BFF but he can’t get his vintage to, you know, taste good. August’s vineyard is on the verge of closing and Natalie’s name could help him secure a loan that could keep things afloat. It’s not just a business arrangement for August though, he’s been secretly fantasizing about Natalie for months before she springs her sham marriage idea on him.

I absolutely loved their spiteful banter, which made me unwilling to put this book down. Fair warning, things do get spicyyyyy, like, A LOT. Plus, that ending and HEA was so flipping cute and made me so happy.

Content Warning: Grief, PTSD

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Wanderlust by Elle Everhart

I had no preconceived notions of this book other than it’s a vacation romance, it’s opposites attract, forced proximity and it’s second chance, and boy did I enjoy this one. Like, dang, it’s so much fun and was so cute that I literally devoured this ARC while (fittingly) sitting on a plane.

Here, Dylan Coughlan is a magazine writer based in London who, on a whim, dials into a radio contest and wins a trip around the world. The catch? Her travel companion is a contact in her phone selected at random. Dylan is stunned that the contact roulette game selects “Jack the Posho,” who was a hottie she met on a night out months and never texted after exchanging numbers. Jack throws caution to the wind and agrees to travel with her, potentially setting off a sweet second-chance romance, if only he wasn’t so short and gruff every time they interacted. Dylan is also tasked with writing about the journey for work, which could lead to her own column if it does well. While her boss is keen on a loved-up, steamy story, Jack doesn’t want anything to do with the article. Is Dylan willing to embellish the truth of their definitely not romantic trip for the sake of her career, which had stalled after being doxxed over her now-viral opinion piece about abortions?

Wanderlust features so much compelling language and banter in spades, plus Elle Everhart’s characters are so dynamic and authentic. I truly did not want to put this one down, I dug it.

As a journalist who’s been bashed for writing the literal truth (insert eye roll here), protagonist Dylan’s perspective really resonated with me especially with that isolating feeling that comes with it and not wanting to burden anyone with your problems. Like, these people who hide behind their anonymous profiles truly suck. And like, yes, we can block them and act strong but it’s tough as hell to process. It hurts so bad and no one should have to deal with that. I admire Everhart for including this as a poignant message of what to/not to do.

Wanderlust, all in all, was very, very, very cute and fun, and like, Jack is such a melt but in the best way and I’d totally get the ick IRL but on the page, it’s just super sweet and endearing. I just wish I could start from scratch and read for the first time all over again.

Rating: Four and a Half Stars  Five Stars (Hey, I literally re-read this ARC twice and it’s still just as good!)

Available: Now

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata

Obviously, I’ve heard of The Wall of Winnipeg and Me through the Internet because I don’t live under a rock but for some reason, I never picked it up before now. Well, that was a big mistake on my part. This novel has got a marriage of convenience, a slow-burn love story, forced proximity, banter, a sports romance and even an only-one-bed moment. Like, what isn’t there to love?

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, named after the love interest’s pro football nickname, follows Vanessa when she quits her years-long job as the personal assistant to famed defensive end Aiden. While she is ready to move on professionally, she’s shocked when Aiden knocks on her door with a proposition: Marriage in exchange for a green card. Vanessa agrees once he proclaims that he will pay off her student loans (hard to argue with that logic, no judgment!). Plus, now Aiden is *actually* showing emotions and like swoony ones??

Told from MC Vanessa’s POV, author Mariana Zapata writes with such compelling language that pulls me in. It reads quite quickly because I was so curious to find out what would happen next. This new version does include some post-HEA content that makes an absolutely adorable epilogue.

Rating: Three Stars

Available: Now

The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter

I am so beyond hyped about this book, you don’t know the half of it. Ally Carter’s Gallagher Girls series was my favorite franchise growing up (and my signed copy is still one of my prized possessions), so I couldn’t believe that she was making her adult romance debut with another female-lead spy novel. I literally started tearing up when I downloaded my ARC and again when I read the GG-centered dedication.

The Blonde Identity starts with our unnamed heroine, who has woken up in Paris with amnesia to find a strange (yet very attractive, of course) man standing over her and instructing her to run from dangerous villains after her identical twin sister, who actually is a rogue spy. They then embark on a road trip of sorts to stay safe and clear her sister’s name. Mr. Hot Spy (whose name is eventually revealed, as is hers) reluctantly agrees to help her find safety. They even need to pretend to be newlyweds on a European honeymoon to stay undetected. Love a good fake dating and travel romance!

The Blonde Identity, told in dual point-of-views of “Him” and “Her” because amnesiac, is such a compelling mystery that had drawn me into the story that was written with such intriguing language. It’s really fun, like you are trying to piece together the main character’s pre-amnesia memories along with her. It’s so witty, clever and funny, like, I really love it. This novel is just so much fun to follow along with her and Mr. Hot Spy (a grump, naturally) as they trek around Europe on a secret mission to find her twin sister and stay alive. As a romance, The Blonde Identity had EVERYTHING from banter (in spades!), enemies to lovers (well, more annoyance to lovers), forced proximity, only-one-bed trope, fake dating (and pretend marriage/honeymoon) and such an endearing love story.

All in all, this one is totally unputdownable and an absolute must-read for any fellow Gallagher Girls fangirls. Plus, there’s a subtle joke about “spy school” which had me reminiscing about the Gallagher Academy and Blackthorne (IYKYK).

The Blonde Identity is so witty and funny yet authentic, making it a compelling read. Also, holy f*kkkkkk, there are two major plot twists that even I (who has become a pro at predicting tropes) didn’t see coming. That unpredictability makes this book an instant winner. And that HEA! Oh my, it is EVERYTHING, like I literally got butterflies which means it’s a literal swoon-worthy romance, and I sincerely hope a spinoff/sequel is in the work after that cliffhanger because I just need more to read. F**k it, I’ll give this one five stars, it’s just SO flipping good.

Rating: Five Stars

Available: August 8, 2023

Silicon Hearts by Robin Miyashita

Silicon Hearts is like The Bold Type but for the tech world/Silicon Valley, and I’m here for it. Sure, there’s a dash of romance in this New Adult novel but it’s more about discovering your found family and pursuing your dreams than anything.

The novel follows Camila, a 21-year-old inspiring tech whiz, as she gets hired as one of five pages at Beeker Industries’ postgrad program. Beeker is one of the biggest tech firms in the world, and it’s Camila’s dream to work there (At the end of the page program, she’s eligible to receive a full-time job at the company). Camila, a small-town girl, is instantly overwhelmed by life in the big city and her four roommates: Avery, Sofia, James and Marcus.

This fish-out-of-water tale is fun, cute and so dang engaging. I just wanted to savor this one — until the very last page.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: August 8, 2023

Rent to Be by Sonia Hartl

Heartbreak to Hire was such an unexpected enjoyable read, that I was instantly intrigued to see what Rent to Be would be like. And let me just say, it delivers 100 percent. It’s got banter, it’s got brother’s best friend, it’s got forced proximity, it’s got a slow AF burn (just saying!) and it’s got fake dating tropes all in spades.
Rent to Be stars Isla, an MBA grad who is drowning in debt and stuck in a dead-end entry-level job with no relief insight. After being kicked out of her apartment, Isla’s brother is unofficially her saving grace. While he’s out of town, she figures that she can secretly stay at his condo and no one will have to know the truth. The catch? Her brother’s best friend, Cade, is also staying there while his apartment is being renovated. To avoid staying together in the sole guest room, Isla secretly starts a house-sitting business. When Cade catches her, she pleads with him not to tell anyone, which he does for a price. Cade tasks Isla with being his fake girlfriend at work events so his bosses will stop matchmaking, but of course, things only seem fake for so long.
Hartl writes with such compelling language that pulls me in and has me desperate to keep reading. It’s fun and indulgent, plus the house-sitting exploits had a quirky side plot just for fun. Like seriously, it is well-written and captivating and full of so much tropey goodness that I love to indulge in. I did really enjoy Rent to Be, maybe not more than other higher-rated books but this one does very much deserve all four of its stars. Facts are facts.
Rating: Four Stars

Available: August 15, 2023

Advance reader copies of the books listed were provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

New Year, New Books! 12 New Books I Can’t Stop Thinking About

Posted in Just for Fun, Miranda's Book Nook by

So, it’s been a minute. This blog post was planned to go live in December 2022 with a slew of reviews of books to read in early 2023, but you know what happens when you make plans? Yeah, so life got in the way and I never got around to finishing up this post before these book came out. I didn’t stop reading, I swear! So without further ado, Miranda’s Book Nook has returned with the novels that I did read between December 2022 and March 2023. As always, happy reading!

French Kissing in New York by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau

I absolutely adored Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau’s Kisses and Croissants, and so I was instantly intrigued when I saw the title and cover for French Kissing in New York. While this novel couldn’t eclipse my love for Kisses and Croissants thanks to my ballet- and travel-loving heart, French Kissing in New York was still enjoyable and almost lived up to my expectations.
Here, Margot Lambert met All-American Zach on a magical night in Paris — the night before he was leaving on a backpacking adventure. Despite sweet kisses and a deep connection, they agreed to go their separate ways but reunite one year later in New York City. Well, one year later, Margot arrives in the Big Apple to kickstart her career as a chef *and* meet Zach, except he’s nowhere to be found. While a lot can happen in a year, Margot is determined to find her dream beau and even enlists fellow line cook Ben to help track her mystery guy down. Ben and Margot travel all around the city’s boroughs, chasing potential leads in a Cyrano-esque plot.
Jouhanneau’s language is absolutely compelling that had me intrigued right off the bat. It’s a love letter to NYC and it was beyond easy to get sucked in. It’s an absolutely adorable and fun coming-of-age story and a tale of fate, but not the fate you expect.

Rating: Four Stars

Available Now

A Tale of Two Princes by Eric Geron

I absolutely adored this book, which I’d describe as Red White & Royal Blue meets The Holiday Swap but with slightly less romance and more found family. Plus, like, a Parent Trap vibe, too. The comps really don’t do this one justice because there are not a ton of books like this one.
Here, Edward is the Crown Prince of Canada, who lives a picture-perfect royal life complete with an elite boarding school and hiding his sexuality for the sake of the monarchy’s tradition. Meanwhile, Billy Boone is an out-and-proud cowboy in middle-of-nowhere Montana. These two 18-year-olds have little in common until one fateful meeting reveals that they were twins separated at birth, (Hello, Twitches twist!) And, Billy is the older one, which means he’s to inherit the official Crown Prince title. The story, told in dual POVs, follows Billy as he navigates the royal life while Edward wants to carve out his own place in the world.
The writing itself was very fun, cute and compelling, which had me dying to keep reading. It reads quickly and I’d take at least three more books in a series just because that epilogue did not satisfy my hunger for more. I mean, yes, it was a good ending, but I’m so invested in Billy and Edward’s stories.

Rating: Four Stars

Available Now

Exes and O’s by Amy Lea

For any fans of Set on You, Amy Lea is back with Crystal’s older sister Tara’s quest for love, with Scott’s fellow firefighter and roommate Trevor. Despite a very slow-burn friends-to-lovers tale, Exes and O’s is full of compelling language that draws me in and makes this read difficult to put down between reading sessions.

Here, romance bookstagrammer Tara decides to revisit all of her past relationships in the hopes that one of the guys will be The One Who Got Away and a chance at a second-chance romance ala her favorite tropes. To help track down the men, Tara asks Trevor (her new roommate after Scott and Crystal decide to move in together) for dating tips in a Cyrano-esque plot. Trevor, for his part, is not a relationship guy and so, begrudgingly, agrees to help. However, the forced proximity trope may be too difficult to resist.

There’s a precious Set on You post-HEA check-in on Crystal and Scott, which is always fun to see. Now, I’m not sure if this book has eclipsed Set on You in terms of my interest, but it’s a fun romance read nonetheless. Plus, I swear, Trevor is like the KING of the grand gesture compared to any other book boyfriend, and that’s high praise.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Available Now

Begin Again by Emma Lord

Emma Lord has fast become one of my favorite Young Adult/New Adult authors, and Begin Again has further solidified that standing.

Here, Andie has transferred from her local community college to the hypercompetitive university where her parents initially met, and it doesn’t hurt that her boyfriend Connor is already enrolled there. Of course, things don’t go according to plan, because the day she moves in, he reveals that (surprise!) he transferred to her old school to be together. As they navigate long distance, Andie is also dealing with a brand-new environment, helping roommate Shay figure out a major, dealing with grumpy RA Milo and figuring out what organizations that her late mother belonged to during her tenure.

Begin Again is full of rich, compelling language in a fun, quirky coming-of-age novel. True to Lord’s style, the characters are vulnerable and authentic and the story is overall very, very cute.

Rating: Four Stars

Available Now

Reggie and Delilah’s Year of Falling by Elise Bryant

I wholeheartedly adored Elise Bryant’s first two YA novels and was *instantly* intrigued by the one the moment I saw the cover. While it is set in the Happily Ever Afters universe, it feels like a standalone too.

Here, Delilah is a budding musician who’s used to keeping her emotions hidden, going with the flow and staying home. When she gets out of her comfort zone by fronting a punk band, she meets Reggie after her first gig. Reggie is an unapologetic Black nerd and proud Dungeons & Dragons master. The pair are complete polar opposites but are drawn to one another after meeting by chance on a series of holidays. They each wish they could be as unapologetically confident and brave as the other thinks they are. So, what happens when they start hanging out more?

It’s a super sweet, dual-perspective, holiday romance, slow-burn tale and it was unbelievably adorable and precious. It reads very quickly and is told through compelling and well-written prose, and it’s very cute. Like, these two wholesome nerdy sweeties just make my heart soar which made that third-act breakup just hurt even more.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Available Now

Just My Type by Falon Ballard

Lease on Love was such an unexpected yet delightful 5-star read for me, and so I was interested in Just My Type from the moment I first saw the cover. And boy, does this book deliver!
Here,  Lana is a serial monogamist who works as a dating columnist yearning to get off the relationship beat. She finally gets a chance to prove herself with one final article series about being OK as a singleton. The catch? Her articles have to produce better traffic than the magazine’s latest hire, who just so happens to be her first-ever boyfriend Seth. Seth, a renowned freelance journalist, arrives in town with the task of proving he’s ready to put down the roots. As the pair are pitted against one another, it gives me, like, such How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days vibes, which I’m here for.
Falon Ballard writes with such quick, witty language that just pulls me in and it’s so fun, cute and bingeworthy. It reads very quickly and it’s so flipping could that I did not want to put down. All in all, it’s so well-written, captivating, funny, vulnerable, a little spicy and sweet as all hell. Like, this one was so good that I wish I could read for the first time again.

Rating: Five Stars

Available Now

Best Served Hot by Amanda Elliot

Amanda Elliott’s Sadie on a Plate was such an unexpected gem, so I was beyond excited to start this one. While it is technically a part of the same universe as Elliott’s debut novel, it very much feels like its own entity and story, though the post-HEA check-in with Sadie is super nice in a story of two opposing restaurant critics.

Julie is an executive assistant in NYC, who’d rather make her Instagram side hustle of food blogging her full-time gig. Instead, she is jealous that blue-blooded Bennett, with his disdain for social media, snagged her dream gig reviewing Manhattan eateries for a big-time newspaper. Hot-tempered, Julie gives Bennett a piece of her mind about his cold reviewing practices while being filmed at a foodie festival. Their heated debate goes viral, impacting both of their social media traffic. To capitalize on the buzz, they decide to team up for forthcoming reviews. While competitive as ever, Julie and Bennett realize that they actually have quite a few things in common.

Best Served Hot is chock full of quippy language that draws me in, and the rest of the book reads quickly. It’s very cute and fun, with a couple with palpable enemies-to-lovers banter. However, it couldn’t quite top Sadie on a Plate for me, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying this one. (I found pieces to be a bit slow and the characters irked me because Julie was very judgy IMHO and Bennett was a dry AF book boyfriend, who I wish had more substance.) All in all, Best Served Hot is fun, sweet and indulgent, especially for fans of Sadie on a Plate.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Available: Now

Real Love by Rachel Lindsay

As a devoted Bachelor Nation viewer who found Rachel Lindsay’s Bachelorette season far superior to any of her fellow franchise leads, I was intrigued to learn she was making the leap to be a fiction novelist (yes, I know she already penned a memoir of essays). Color me surprised, but Lindsay can write and deliver such a well-written, compelling women’s fiction story full of intriguing language.

Honestly, I was a touch surprised that it was well-written for a Bachelor alum and further proves that Lindsay is way more than just a typical reality TV personality turned influencer. She’s got a serious talent for writing on top of her long list of accomplishments.

Here, Maya lives life according to The Plan: became the youngest director at her finance firm, marry her college sweetheart and live a fabulous Miami life. Her life is going sooo great that she decides to turn down the opportunity to lead the new season of Real Love, a fictional reality TV dating show. (Lol sound familiar?) Instead, she tells producers that her work bestie Delilah would make a superb lead, while she stays home. As Maya watches her friend’s TV journey begin, her perfectly planned life doesn’t stick to her goals  and the arrival of her younger sister, free-spirited Ella, and platonic friend Kai forces Maya to reexamine everything that she thought she wanted.

I did enjoy Real Love over Miss Me With That, her memoir, with a particular fondness for its ability to inspire readers to follow their own hearts because Maya’s journey is beautiful, vulnerable, inspirational and authentic. Andm like, I get the point of the open-ended conclusion, but, like I need answers in the form of a sequel STAT.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Available: Now

While You Were Dreaming by Alisha Rai

Alisha Rai’s YA debut is, obviously, a lot more wholesome than her adult romances though it is well-written as ever, featuring authentic character portrayals and dynamic language.
The book starts with Sonia meeting her high school crush James at the local bookshop’s cosplay event, where she ultimately rescues him from drowning in a canal when he faints. However, since Sonia was wearing a mask (with a full-on costume), he has no idea it is her. James and the Internet, because her savior moment goes viral, is keen to figure out her identity, but her family’s immigration status means she is desperate to keep it quiet. While Sonia aims to keep her secret, she gets closer to James (who wants to pay back her generosity) and his family, including older brother Naim. Hint: This book gives off strong, strong While You Were Sleeping vibes.
It’s a cute and fun nerd romance, yes, but it’s equally heartfelt, authentic and vulnerable as main character Sonia grapples with real issues.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

The Only Game in Town by Lacie Waldon

For all fans of a small-town romance, opposites attract, a kooky small town of side characters and competitive enemies to lovers, The Only Game in Town is surely the romance novel for you.
When eccentric Redford, Georgia, benefactor Jasper dies, he concocts a town-wide competition to allow residents the chance to compete for his multimillion-dollar inheritance. The catch? He’s already paired up the townies. Our heroine Jess, a freelance book editor who takes care of her car mechanic dad amid health concerns, is matched with Nikki, her high school rival. Then there’s Carter, Jasper’s estranged grandson, who stays in town post-funeral and immediately gets under Jess’ skin during the competition — but not for long, of course.
It’s fun and cute and gives off SERIOUS Gilmore Girls‘ Stars Hollow Vibes (If You Know, You Know) that exponentially ramps up the cuteness factor. It’s told in dual perspectives, yes, but then also includes the POVs for other side characters too which helps flush out the story to be more than just a he-said-she-said typical romance. A perfectly indulgent beach read, 100 percent.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Available: Now

Not Here to Stay Friends by Kaitlyn Hill

I love a good Bachelor-inspired setting in a book and Not Here to Stay Friends is a welcome addition to that trope!
Not Here to Stay Friends follows teen Sloane, who is excited to spend the summer before her senior year out in LA with her childhood BFF, Liam, who surprised her with a bonafide Hot Guy glow-up. Their “Summer of Fun” plans quickly change course when Liam is roped into serving as a PA on his movie-making dad’s new teen dating TV show and Sloane is asked to join the cast last minute. While Sloane is vying for the heart of the show lead, actor Aspen Woods, she can’t but realize her true feelings for her longtime bestie.
Kaitlyn Hill’s sophomore novel, which I personally liked more than her debut Love from Scratch is a super-sweet friends-to-lovers, mutual pining, YA story that I couldn’t put down. With a Cyrano-esque subplot, it was a fully adorable and cute novel that was full of compelling, witty language. Oh and the empowering reality TV contestants were literally EVERYTHING I wish the IRL Bachelor girls are, and that’s PERIOD.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

Curtis Sittenfeld’s novels can do no wrong in my eyes and Romantic Comedy further proves that tenfold. It is set in a Saturday Night Live environment when longtime writer Sally gets fed up by her male coworkers constantly dating A-List show guests. However, things take a turn when Sally sparks her own connection with musician Noah.

Here, sketch writer Sally is fed up that her Night Owls cowriters keep dating megastars but it’s never been the reverse with women on the show. After even penning an original script about the alleged rule, Sally notices that episode host Noah seems flirty during his hosting debut. But there’s no way the spark can be real, right??

This contemporary novel, told like a day-in-the-life vignette, follows Sally’s week ahead of Noah’s late-night debut before a three-year time jump. (Side note/Content Warning, I guess: Romantic Comedy takes place/addresses lockdown for the coronavirus pandemic.) Sittenfeld’s Romantic Comedy reads very quickly thanks to quippy language and an authentic main character. All in all, it is fun, cute and exactly how you’d expect a Sittenfeld novel.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

It’s Never Too Late for These 5 Sweet Romance Novels

Posted in Just for Fun, Miranda's Book Nook by

I may be a tad behind on bookish reviews on here and my bookstagram, but that doesn’t mean I stopped reading! So, without further ado, welcome back to Miranda’s Book Nook as I share some fall 2022 book releases that I can’t get enough of and which ones should be on your radar as you fill out your TBR lists. As always, happy reading!

Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun

After falling in love with Alison Cochrun’s The Charm Offensive, I was eagerly anticipating her next book and adding a holiday rom-com element just exponentially contributed to that.

Ellie had it all: A dream job in animation and a cute Christmas meet-cute with a woman at a bookstore, yes, a bookstore! However, her life soon comes crashing down after she loses her job and her new love at first sight. While working at a coffee shop to make ends meet, Ellie gets an intriguing offer from owner Andrew. The handsome businessman approaches her for a marriage of convenience and, in exchange for a large payday, the pair plan to get married so he can access his million-dollar inheritance. But first, they have to convince his family they are madly in love over their brood’s Christmas celebration at the cabin. And oh yea, the bookstore woman? She’s actually Andrew’s sister, Jack, and her feelings for Ellie are still there one year after their dreamy meeting.

Full of quick, witty and snappy language, Cochrun flips the traditional fake romance trope on its head for this one. It’s such a cute, fun and indulgent holiday rom-com that I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s also more than just a romance with added sibling dynamics and a found family trope. While I wasn’t as into this one as The Charm Offensive, it’s still a very cute queer holiday rom-com.

Rating: Four Stars

Available Now

Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton; Tiffany D. Jackson; Nic Stone; Angie Thomas; Ashley Woodfolk; Nicola Yoon

I absolutely adored these authors’ individual works AND their collective Blackout anthology, and so I was instantly intrigued when I heard about Whiteout. While Blackout takes place in New York City during a summer blackout, Whiteout heads down south to Atlanta during a snowstorm as a group of teens navigate first love and heartbreak. This book has a lot of flashbacks and backstory to get through, but once it does, it’s very fun and cute and perfect for fans of Blackout. These writers are exceptional at their craft, and Whiteout is certainly no exception and this book reads quite quickly.

However, something about Whiteout didn’t quite have the same magic as Blackout for me. I think that’s because there’s clearly a standout main character rather than an anthology of different stories having equal time in the spotlight. It made it seem, to me, like some love stories were meant to be more prevalent than others. That being said, each story was quite heartfelt and unique on its own, which shows that everyone is deserving of a big rom-com love.

Rating: Four Stars

Available Now

Pride & Puppies by Lizzie Shane

If you know one thing about me, it’s that I’m a proud Jane Austen nerd fangirl — and Pride & Puppies was just MADE for that side of me!

While Dr. Charlotte Lucas Rodriguez (yes, she was named after the Pride & Prejudice character) is struggling to find her real-life Darcy, she decides a dating ban is necessary after years of bad luck. And instead of a man, she’ll focus her efforts on adopting a puppy. While Charlotte is eager to bestow love and affection on her pup Bingley, her neighbor George — already a dog dad — is the perfect helping hand. The catch? He’s got the crushies BAD — including reading Jane Austen’s entire catalogue just to impress her even more.

Honestly, Lizzie Shane’s book had literally EVERYTHING I love in a romance novel — especially as an Austen fan — and I just wanted to savor every sentence, every paragraph and every chapter. And then at ending? Oh boy, did it make me smile!

Rating: Four Stars

Available Now

Belittled Women by Amanda Sellet

As a big Little Women fan ever since childhood, I’m a sucker for a modern adaptation and Sellet’s novel certainly lived up to the hype.

Here, teen Jo Porter is fed up with all things Little Women and acting in her family’s live-action and interactive staged production. After a famous journalist and her son, Hudson, arrive at the Porters’ house to cover the performance, Jo gets a taste of the different life that she craves so fiercely.

It’s a fun and cute YA novel that puts a modern spin on Louisa May Alcott’s character but still pays homage to her OG characters and story. The language is easy to follow so it reads quickly, but it definitely remains a self-aware adaptation. The ending is beyond adorable and completely perfect for any other Alcott fangirls.

Rating: Three Stars

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Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales

This New Adult novel is like The Bachelor meets royalty vibes, with an unexpected enemies-to-lovers twist and I was here for it. 100 percent.

Never Ever Getting Back Together is told in dual perspectives as both Maya and Skye are invited to join a new reality dating series, called Second-Chance Romance, as suitors hoping to woo back a former partner. The show’s lead is Jordy Miller, the younger brother of the woman who married a crown prince of a small Canadian province. While Maya and Skye are just two of Jordy’s exes competing for his love, they already have a sordid history as a trio, considering Jordy cheated on Maya with Skye (though he and Skye have denied it). While Skye is eager to for a second chance at love with Jordy, Maya is out for pure revenge with them both. However, things quickly change when Maya and Skye are assigned as roommates and ultimately decide to team up to take down their mutual ex. And in the process, they just might find something new with one another.

It’s full of compelling language that draws me in and was so incredibly cute. Despite its long length, this book reads quite quickly and doesn’t make me feel like a chore to want to keep reading. It’s very, very cute and fun, and so sweet.

Rating: Four Stars

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Advance reader copies of the books listed were provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The 21 Best Books I’ve Read in 2021: Year in Review

Posted in Just for Fun, Miranda's Book Nook by

And another year has come to an end! So, you know what that means, my loyal blog readers: Another TBR log and reading goal has been met (and then some, let’s be real) and so, I’m back to recount the 21 best books I’ve polished off this year. Ones that earned an impressive (and coveted) five whole stars upon a first read, a sweet re-read that I couldn’t get out of my head all year long, and so much more. So, keep reading for my favorite books that I’ve completed this year, and hopefully, at least one of them gives you TBR inspiration when you need it.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

You may remember how I gushed over this read back in January, and truly, I don’t think out of the 150+ books I managed this year that any topped this one. Sorry not sorry.

This book is like a  mix of genres between historical fiction, contemporary, fantasy, romance, and literary fiction. There’s so much vulnerability about life, love, and being remembered. Here, we start in a small town in France in 1714, and we meet a young girl named Adeline. She dreams of a life and real love. She soon meets a mysterious stranger who offers her a Faustian deal for immortality. In doing so, she’s cursed where no one can remember her after they first meet. We travel with her from century to century and continent to continent, through various historical and artistic moments. Then, some three hundred years later, everything changed. When, in New York City, Addie meets Henry in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name. We follow her relationship with Henry and with Luc, the devil she made a deal with, all as she struggles to make her mark on the world when she’s destined to be invisible. This book is just so so so so special, a five f**king star read in all its glory, no doubt about that.

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You Have a Match by Emma Lord

Well, I technically read this last year (and included it in that’s wrap-up post), I had to order a finished copy after its pub date and have since re-read it a few times.

Here, we follow 16-year-old Abby, who in a bet with best friend Connie, takes a DNA test to find out her ancestries along with their other best pal, Leo. This book brings an engaging point of view that feels both authentic and current for a teen girl with really fun and relatable language. So, the DNA test revealed that Abby has a secret full sister, Savannah, an 18-year-old Instagram star. The two are polar opposites to their cores but want to get to know each other. To figure things out and get to know each other, Savvy invites her new sister to attend the camp where she’ll be a junior counselor. It’s seriously like a modern-day version of The Parent Trap, and I’m here for it. Then, there’s also a precious slow-burn romance between Abby and her best friend and neighbor, Leo.

This book is so much more than a teen romance, more than a summer camp adventure, more than a familial drama, more than a story of friendship and sisterhood, more than a comedy, and more than a deep, emotional novel. It’s a book in a class all its own and had me captivated until I read that very last word on the final page. Seriously, it’s totally worth those five stars because now I have to buy and I just can’t imagine a world where I haven’t read this, and it also made me feel closer to my grandfather who’s passed away, my own Poppy, which I needed now more than ever.

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The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird

After literally devouring this ARC, I knew I wouldn’t be forgetting about this fan-freaking-tastic novel any time soon.

In this work of fiction, a virus circulating around the UK sweeps the world and takes out most of the male population, leaving women to pick up the pieces of society as Sweeney-Baird posits what would happen to the world without men. The book starts in 2025 when a mysterious virus shows up at a hospital in Scotland. Only men are carriers and are affected, and as the virus grows into a global pandemic, it’s up to women to save the future of humanity while also dealing with their own loss and grief. This book is the immersive first-person account of the women rebuilding the world, including Amanda the doctor who treated Patient Zero, Catherine a social historian documenting everything, scientist Elizabeth working on a vaccine, and others around the world. It aims to chart how the absence of men changed society both personally and politically in this prolific and prescient novel.

I just poured over the text, the language, the story, the vulnerability, and the heart. This gripping modern thriller slash literary fiction read is so poignant and timely about the world’s new normal. It’s so relevant, raw, and vulnerable, and just like, wow. The language just enthralled me, captivated me, and drew me in. I loved the ending about how these women found the strength and power in this new world, while also dealing with what they lost. In the end, this had to be a five-star read for me, it’s just so poignant, well-written, and prolific.

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Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon

Nicola Yoon’s a master at creating contemporary YA novels and this latest read fits in perfectly with what she does best.

It starts with the main character Evie, who doesn’t believe in love anymore after her parents’ divorce. The girl who once devoured romance novels now can only see how couples’ love stories end instead of the actual loved-up parts. After some fated encounters, she ends up at La Brea Dance Studio and finds herself learning to dance with the spontaneous, adventurous X. Xavier (who goes by the nickname X) is the total opposite of Evie, but the two of them are thrown together as a pair for a local ballroom dance competition. As they practice together and get to know each other, Evie has to confront if love is worth the risk.

It’s a beautifully written book and so authentic because, hey, not everything lasts forever except that feeling and association of love sometimes can. This book is romantic, fantastical, authentic, vulnerable, bittersweet, and heartfelt. I loved it so darn much. Yoon effortlessly blends the contemporary with the fantasy in this sweet YA read about the power of first love. This book is just so flipping good, she’s done it again.

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This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith

This book took me completely by surprise but in the absolute best way as its told in alternating perspectives over the course of one weekend.

Here, we follow Tallie and Bridge/Emmett who meet when she finds him about to jump off of a bridge when she drives past. As a therapist, she can’t just let him do this and so, she gets out of her car and starts talking to him. This book has such compelling language that pulls you in from the very first page. It reads quite quickly and features impactful writing, touching on important subjects like grief, suicide, race, and mental health. It’s so captivating and the plot twists were truly unexpected, which I loved that I didn’t see it coming. This book, wow, just so mesmerizing.

 

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If The Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

Julie Murphy, who’s killed the YA game with her Dumplin, Puddin, and Pumpkin novels, kicked off a new “Meant to Be” series, which reimagines a bunch of Disney fairytales with modern romances featuring body-positive leads.

This book was so juicy, engaging, unputdownable just by the first couple of chapters! Here, Cindy’s just graduated with a degree in shoe design and trying to get her career off the ground. So, she takes a job working for her stepmother, the executive producer on the popular reality show “Before Midnight.” When a spot on the show opens at the last minute, Cindy volunteers hoping it could help jumpstart her fashion career or give her something to do while her classmates land high-fashion jobs. But being the only plus-size competitor on a dating competition show makes a big splash and her a body positivity icon. The only thing she didn’t expect was to find inspiration and love in this crazy process. 

Next up, romance legend Jasmine Guillory is set to tackle a freaking Beauty and the Beast adaptation and you know it’s already on my 2022 TBR list.

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The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman

For a dash of something different, I wanted to include some other genres on here, like poetry. I read a copy of this young poet’s Inauguration Day poem and it was just so, like, poignant and electric to talk about her dreams for the country moving forward and what the country is now.

This was a printed version of the monumental poem that she read at the POTUS’ inauguration ceremony back in January and it was so hopeful and captivating whenever you need a dash of motivation, which, let’s face it: We all could use at some point in our daily lives.

 

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It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

So after seeing my fellow #bookstagram and #booktok people rave over Colleen Hoover books pretty much all year, I had to check them out for myself, including November 9 and Ugly Love, though nothing could compare to this read, my first foray into CoHo books. I literally devoured and sobbed my way through this emotionally charged contemporary romance novel.

After a challenging upbringing and past heartbreaks, Lily has moved from her Maine hometown to Boston and even started her own business. Soon, she meets gorgeous neurosurgeon Ryle and it seems like her life is almost too good to be true. But, then she somehow can’t get her ex Atlas and their troubled past out of her head when he comes spinning back into her orbit. This book was so poignant, vulnerable and heartbreaking. Plus, it’s literally like the book personification of Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version).” It tracks.

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Live Your Life by Amanda Kloots

After following Amanda Kloots’ and Nick Cordero’s heartwrenching coronavirus story and her inspiring positivity last year, I was so interested in reading her memoir about the ordeal. She reflects on love, loss, and life with her husband, Broadway star Nick Cordero.

It’s the story of their life together and his fight against COVID-19. It’s a beautiful, heartfelt, and emotional story of her entire journey with Nick, from the first time they met, their wedding, the birth of their son Elvis, through COVID and her unimaginable loss. It’s such a poignant and honest first-person account that makes your heart break even more than it did while reading the news stories. You can feel all her raw, vulnerable emotions from this period come through while reading. With Kloots’ positive spirit, her memoir shares an unplugged look at this awful period along with her strength, support from loved ones, and it provides a tribute/lasting memory for Cordero to assist with her grief.

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Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton; Tiffany D. Jackson; Nic Stone; Angie Thomas; Ashley Woodfolk; Nicola Yoon

These authors individually are some of my favorites and together they created a masterpiece. By the first few chapters, I already loved every page and each character’s story! It’s so full of heart, authenticity, representation, and adorable teen love stories.

Here, these authors came together to write an interlinked novel about Black teen love through heartwarming and charming coming-of-age stories. Each author writes a short story, focusing on one of six different love stories that all take place in New York City during a heatwave and blackout, on the same day. Each tale reads like a short story that’s compelling and adorable on its own (plus is well-written, obviously) with interconnected settings and characters to tie it all together. These are seriously adorable and cute teen love stories, plus I love to see all the representation done so accurately and relatably. Each chapter introduces a side character or background that effortlessly leads into the next story and chapter. It’s a YA novel and a romance read, unlike anything I’ve read before, which is what made it so great. Plus, the Obamas are set to adapt it for Netflix and I cannot wait.

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No Words by Meg Cabot

Meg Cabot has continued to prove her status as the queen of romance with her third “Little Bridge Island” book and it is equally adorable and engaging watching a new pair of characters fall in love.

Our main characters are Jo Wright, who is an acclaimed children’s book author with serious writer’s block, and Will Price, an arrogant novelist of literary fiction who lives in LBI. The duo are both set to attend and speak out the island’s first-ever book festival, yet they have an intense history and rivalry between them and so Jo doesn’t want to associate with the British-accented, good-looking author whatsoever. Yet, he desperately wants to prove to her that he’s changed and hopes to make amends during the course of the weekend festival. From the summary alone, I can tell we’re going to get a delicious enemies-to-lovers trope and a fun vacation romance from Cabot, which instantly excited me about this book — and it totally delivered on all fronts. Loved loved loved it!

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The Party Crasher by Sophie Kinsella

I requested and started this ARC on a complete whim because of the author, a clear instant-read for me. Once I started, I just couldn’t stop because it was so captivating and fun as a novel and as a women’s fiction novel specifically.

Here, it’s been two years since Effie’s parents divorced which has completely destroyed her idea of a happy, perfect family and relationship. Since then, she’s been estranged from her dad, in a feud with his much-younger girlfriend Krista, and learned her childhood estate has been sold. When Krista hosts a “house-cooling” party before they hand over the keys, Effie is left off the guest list, leaving her fuming. At first, she isn’t bothered about skipping the festivities until she remembers a childhood treasure is left at the house that she wants, and so she plans to sneak in during the party, grab her trinkets, and get out sight-unseen. But, as she does, she catches her siblings and dads in their hidden secrets and figures out all aren’t as she suspected. Then, there’s her ex and first love, Joe. While he broke her heart years ago, he’s finagled an invitation to the gathering, and when she sees him, it’s honestly as if nothing has changed.

This book, honestly, feels different from her other straight-up romance books, as this is more about familial drama and individual growth. Despite its differences, Kinsella stays true to her style and delivers compelling language that has me hooked and curious from the jump. So much so that I really didn’t want to put this book down and ended up devouring it in a single sitting. This book reads quickly and the hijinks of hiding/not getting caught juxtaposed with the vulnerable, heartfelt family dynamics and adorable first love/second chance trope makes a completely unputdownable novel. Plus, that epilogue was so darn adorable and precious that I’m still smiling just thinking about it.

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The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

This Christina Lauren novel is another delightful romcom read from these two authors.

Here, single mom Jess is barely holding it all together to make ends meet. She lives with her grandparents, who helped raise her, and who helps raise her seven-year-old daughter Juno. She’s a statistician who loves data and crunching numbers but hesitates to get back in the dating game. As a statistician, when she and her best friend discover GeneticAlly, a DNA-based matchmaking service, she’s skeptical but intrigued. On a whim, she signs up and spits into a tube. Soon, she’s discovered that her results have matched her with Dr. River Pena at a freaking 98 percent compatibility, a nearly unheard of score. Oh, but she already knows River and doesn’t really like him after some initial, unfriendly meetings. The company has a proposition for her. To pretend to date, or actually just get to know, River and they’ll pay her a handsome sum that could really help her day-to-day. Since she needs the cash, she reluctantly agrees. They’re trotted out at all sorts of public events as the rare, elusive Diamond Match in order to help his company succeed, but eventually, they realize there might be something to each other than they initially thought.

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Meg & Jo by Virginia Kantra

I’ve always been a huge Little Women fan ever since childhood, and when I heard Virginia Kantra wrote a modern retelling of it, I knew I’d like it just as much, which I did. Now, I’m even more besotted with the lives of the March sisters than ever before.

Here, we follow modern and grown-up versions of the March girls, here focused on Meg and Jp. While Jo has moved to NYC to become a journalist, things haven’t gone as planned, and Meg, for her part, has lived her so-called dream life as a wife and mother. However, “getting everything you’ve ever wanted isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.” After a family emergency forces the girls to return to North Carolina for the holidays, they rediscover what really matters.

 

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Beth & Amy by Virginia Kantra

After writing Meg & Jo, author Virginia Kantra put a fresh spin on the modern versions of sisters Beth and Amy as they get their chance in the spotlight.

This book is all about Beth’s and Amy’s coming-of-age stories: Amy’s an ambitious up-and-coming handbag designer in New York, whereas good girl Beth is a singer-songwriter working to overcome her anxiety and stage fright on tour with country superstar Colt. When they both return home for Jo’s wedding, they must confront their lives and what they actually want it to be.

As a reader who’s enthralled with the March sisters, while we all adore Meg and Jo, who doesn’t secretly love Beth and Amy, so, it’s exciting to see their perspectives and get inside their heads as they grow up, especially since in the original novel, they were children. This story alternates between the point of view of the two sisters, much like Meg & Jo, but also includes chapters focus on Marmee/Momma/Abby’s sides too, which is another intriguing perspective to understand. True to form, Kantra’s novel features rich storytelling and language to draw you in. Set three years after Meg & Jo, I loved seeing Beth and Amy shine, expressing vulnerability and complexity in both past and present timelines. As expected, I really dug this book and just didn’t (and couldn’t) want to put it down.

All in all, I think I did like this more than Meg & Jo because it’s partially a new story with previously hidden depths and vulnerabilities of these former minor characters that I loved so fiercely.

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The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

As the faithful #bookstagram and #booktok member I am, I had to give this read a spin after seeing y’all rave about it. And rave is right on the money.

Here, Greece in the age of Heroes as young prince Patroclus has been exiled to the kingdom of Phthia. As a nobody, he’s living in the shadow of King Peleus and his memorable son, Achilles. After he takes Patroclus under his wing, the boys develop a strong connection and bond into something quite strong and beautiful, however heartbreaking that means for me as a reader of this Greek mythology adaptation.

 

 

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Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

As you’ve probably guess, I spent my far time this year obsessing over this entire franchise and its Netflix adaptation, even figuring out how to adapt the character’s look into modern-day outfit ideas. While all the books have been great, I included this one because Book One is where it all begins.

We follow the orphaned Alina Starkov, an ordinary soldier in the Ravkan Army who takes her first-ever harrowing trek across the Shadow Fold. After her regiment is attacked, it turns out some dormant magic may be the key to saving them all. As a newly discovered magical entity, Alina is thrust into the luxe world of the Grisha as she starts her training with General Kirigan AKA The Darkling. And once you finish Alina’s three books, check out the Six of Crows and King of Scars duologies. You won’t be disappointed, trust me.

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The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

This book is pitched as a Red, White, & Royal Blue meets One to Watch rom-com, and as a fan of both of those books, I was excited about that juxtaposition come to life in this totally original romance novel.

The story follows awkward tech wunderkind, Charlie, as he’s set to become the next lead on a reality TV dating show, called “Ever After.” Then, there’s his handler, producer Dev, who wholeheartedly believes in fairy tales though hasn’t had luck with his own. Charlie, who only agreed to go on the show to rehab his image to get a new job after the show airs, isn’t the typical show lead and is very awkward and anxious. It’s up to his producer Dev to jumpstart a massive “charm offensive” to get Charlie to open up, be a likable lead, and fall in love on the TV show. Along the way, Charlie starts opening up to Dev and vice versa, and the two realize they have the most chemistry with one another. But, reality TV shows have scripts to follow and unfortunately, a queer love story with a show producer isn’t what the executive producer had in mind for the season (though, I’d watch it!).

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In Every Mirror She’s Black by Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström

This novel shares insight into what it means to be a black woman today, following three distinct POCs who are in some way linked to the same influential Swedish white man in Stockholm.

Kemi is a workaholic marketing executive who moves to Sweden to head up diversity for CEO Jonny’s company after a tone-deaf incident and partially looking to reclaim her social life in the process. Meanwhile, Brittany-Rae is a flight attendant who meets Jonny on a flight and is suddenly thrust into his luxury world. Then, there’s Mena, a refuge struggling to establish residency in a new country while working as a janitor for his company.

The book aims to tackle racism, classism, sexism, tokenism, and fetishization as these three women come to terms with what it means to be a black woman in a white-dominated society. Told in three point-of-views, this book reads quite quickly and is well-written, engaging, and difficult to put down with many complex characters sharing their stories and journeys.

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If This Gets Out by Cale Dietrich & Sophie Gonzales

Everything about this story intrigued me so much. Besides, as a massive boy band fan, I was super excited about this concept and a behind-the-scenes look at what that recording and touring lifestyle is really like.

Here, 18-year-olds Ruben Montez and Zach Knight are two of the four members of the hit boy band, Saturday, which is one of the biggest acts in America. Onstage, the four boys are teen heartbreakers, and offstage they are just four normal best friends. However, cracks are starting to form under the pressures of fame. Ruben even confides in Zach that he’s feeling smothered by their management’s pressure to stay in the closet. During a whirlwind European trip, while dealing with a busy schedule and minimal supervision, Ruben and Zach rely on each other more and more as their close friendship soon evolves into romance. Though the guys decide they are ready to tell their fans and live freely, they realize that their management will never support the plan. They question how to hold on tight to what they have when the entire world seemingly wants to come between them.

I would describe this book as Red, White & Royal Blue meets One Direction, which means it’s pretty darn close to perfect for my interests. Co-authors Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich, who are masters of their craft, have created such a compelling narrative that’s chock full of engaging language that draws me in from the very first page. Told in dual points-of-view, readers have the chance to get inside the mindsets of both leading men, who are equally vulnerable and authentic. Plus, they as a couple are 1000% precious and adorable, and I ship them. Facts are facts.

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Lease on Love by Falon Ballard

I was enthralled and captivated by this romance novel from the very first page until the very last. It wasn’t just a sweeping romance that totally had my heart from the get-go but it also shared insight into a pair of flawed, vulnerable individuals who find their own identity and dreams along the way.

This book picks up when Sadie gets passed over for a long-overdue promotion in the finance sector of Manhattan, so she does what any millennial in the midst of a quarter-life crisis does: She gets drunk and tries to seek a date. However, when she accidentally mixes up a dating app and a roommate-finding app, she stumbles upon Jack, the owner of the most beautiful Brooklyn brownstone she’s ever seen. Knowing she’s not interested in Jack romantically in any way but rather lusting over his gorgeous apartment, she rents a room in his place for a tiny sum. After losing her job, she decides to start a new career as a BK-based florist. Then, there’s the mysterious Jack, who’s been grieving the death of his parents and unexpectedly finds himself drawn to the vivacious gardening enthusiast who brings him out of his shell.

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7 New September Book Releases That Belong on Your Fall TBR

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The latter half of July hasn’t been the most productive for me as a reader either. I believe my final monthly total was just 11 books, which is significantly down from what I was managing at the top half of the year. But, that being said, I did manage to complete some extraordinary novels (one even got a five-star review from little ole me!)

So, settle back in for another installment of Miranda’s Book Nook as I reveal seven September book releases that I couldn’t get enough of this summer! As always: Happy reading, my lovely followers!

In Every Mirror She’s Black by Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström

This novel shares insight into what it means to be a black woman today, following three distinct POCs who are in some way linked to the same influential Swedish white man in Stockholm.

Kemi is a workaholic marketing executive who moves to Sweden to head up diversity for CEO Jonny’s company after a tone-deaf incident and partially looking to reclaim her social life in the process. Meanwhile, Brittany-Rae is a flight attendant who meets Jonny on a flight and is suddenly thrust into his luxury world. Then, there’s Mena, a refuge struggling to establish residency in a new country while working as a janitor for his company.

The book aims to tackle racism, classism, sexism, tokenism, and fetishization as these three women come to terms with what it means to be a black woman in a white-dominated society. Told in three point-of-views, this book reads quite quickly and is well-written, engaging, and difficult to put down with many complex characters sharing their stories and journeys.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: September 7

The Charm Offensive by Allison Cochrun

This book is pitched as Red, White, & Royal Blue meets One to Watch rom-com, and as a fan of both of those books, I was excited to see that juxtaposition come to life in this totally original romance novel.

The story follows awkward tech wunderkind, Charlie, as he’s set to become the next lead on a reality TV dating show, called “Ever After.” Then, there’s his handler, producer Dev, who wholeheartedly believes in fairy tales though hasn’t had luck with his own. Charlie, who only agreed to go on the show to rehab his image to get a new job after the show airs, isn’t the typical show lead and is very awkward and anxious. It’s up to his producer Dev to jumpstart a massive “charm offensive” to get Charlie to open up, be a likable lead, and fall in love on the TV show. Along the way, Charlie starts opening up to Dev and vice versa, and the two realize they have the most chemistry with one another. But, reality TV shows have scripts to follow and unfortunately, a queer love story with a show producer isn’t what the executive producer had in mind for the season (though, I’d watch it!).

Told in dual perspectives of both Charlie and Dev, this book is broken down in a logical way by the weekly production and episode. Okay, as I read I really did love this book. It brought a similar narrative as Red, White, & Royal Blue if it were set in the world of The Bachelor, and its language was so well-done. It was engaging, funny, and enjoyable from the start, which made it difficult for me to put this book down at all. It’s so darn precious and cute, plus was a quick, unputdownable read. This book and these characters were so authentic and relatable as the author touched on mental health, therapy, and LGBT+ representation in poignant, realistic ways.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: September 7

The Pick-Up by Miranda Kenneally

After reading several of her YA novels, Miranda Kenneally is fast becoming an auto-purchase YA author for my bookshelf, and so I was so excited to learn about her latest book. Told in dual perspectives, it’s a fun and light romance read about two teens, Mari and TJ, that meet in a ride-share en route to Lollapalooza.
Here, Mari doesn’t believe in dating and only plans to be at her Dad’s house in Chicago for the weekend only for the festival. Meanwhile, TJ wants to study art in college but struggles how to tell his family, especially as he visits his overachieving brother in Chi-town for the summer. After they meet and fate brings them together more than once, they both realize the spark between them is burning way too bright to ignore. The pair starts out at the festival, but quickly get separated. It’s up to fate and a viral Twitter hashtag to bring them back together. Once they reunite, they contemplate if this thing is a weekend fling or something more.
Reading this book, I found it to be a quick, fun, and light New Adult read. The language is fun, relatable, and witty that just pulls me in and I don’t want to put it down. Plus, it’s a beyond cute story. Then, I loved the post-HEA tie-in to her characters from Four Days of You and Me since that was one of my top YA books of last year.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: September 7

A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria

I was so excited to learn about Alexis Daria’s most recent novel after I devoured her You Had Me at Hola romance book. A Lot Like Adiós is an equally fun, spicy, and engaging beach read with heart! Set in the same universe as Hola, we follow Jasmine’s cousin Michelle (the second Prima of Power, FYI) on her own love journey, and it’s a second-chance romance with her childhood best friend Gabriel (Gabe).

Michelle is described as a commitment-phobic Latina who’s built a successful freelance graphic design business after corporate burnout. Meanwhile, Gabe owns the hottest celebrity gym in LA and his investor urges him to open an NYC branch. New York aka the place he fled after high school graduation, disappearing from his best friend and longtime hidden crush Michelle’s life. The story starts as Gabe is about to go to New York to open this branch and work with the already-hired Michelle to tackle the brand’s marketing. She’s itching for closure so she agrees to have him stay with her for the days he’s in town. But soon enough, they pick up exactly where they left off 13 years ago. As the duo works together, they find their old feelings resurface and SERIOUS SPICE ALERT.

Told in dual perspectives, it’s chock full of engaging storytelling that just pulls you in, and as expected, yes you’ll get *some* spice. Also, I really like the insight of the pair’s high school IM chats; it makes a fun flashback scene peppered throughout for insight into where they once were. It has such engaging, quick language that drew me in. Also, while it did have LGBT+ representation, which is great and I love to see more diversity in romance novels, it was only just a piece of their backstory and something that’s flitted over quickly. But all in all, A Lot Like Adiós will be an ideal beach read to toss in your bag during a vacation!

Rating: Four Stars

Available: September 14

First Love, Take Two by Sajni Patel

I absolutely adored the author’s previous novel, The Trouble With Hating You, and so the moment I learned of her upcoming sequel, I knew I had to read it. And it was a good one. After wanting to be a part of Liya’s badass girl gang from the get-go in TTWHY, I’m so glad we get to see her best friend Preeti find (or re-find) love. This read picks up pretty soon after the last ended, but from Preeti’s side. She’s been finishing up her residency, overly stressed with work and job hunting, and managing her traditional family and community. She’s desperate to find a new place to live, and the only option she has is with her ex. Her ex-boyfriend is none other than her first love Daniel, who’s good-looking, confident, supportive, a good cook, and basically perfect. Or he would be if their families approved of the couple.

We’ve got a second chance romance and a forced proximity trope and ooh boy, was I so excited for that. Much like her last book, this read has such quick and witty language that pulls me in from the first chapter, Preeti is such a vulnerable and authentic main character, and this book is a quick read yet plenty swoon-worthy. Their relationship in this slow-burn story is basically the premise of Olivia Rodrigo’s “1 step forward, 3 steps back,” which is all I will say for now. And that ending is completely, absolutely, and squeal-worthy precious.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: September 21

No Words by Meg Cabot

Meg Cabot has done it again! Cabot is back with her third installment in the “Little Bridge Island” series, and it is equally adorable and engaging watching a new pair of [bookish, which, yes please] characters fall in love. Our main characters are Jo Wright, who is an acclaimed children’s book author with serious writer’s block, and Will Price, an arrogant novelist of literary fiction who lives in LBI. The duo are both set to attend and speak out the island’s first-ever book festival, yet they have an intense history and rivalry between them and so Jo doesn’t want to associate with the British-accented, good-looking author whatsoever. Yet, he desperately wants to prove to her that he’s changed and hopes to make amends during the course of the weekend festival. From the summary alone, I can tell we’re going to get a delicious enemies-to-lovers trope and a fun vacation romance from Cabot, which instantly excited me about this book — and it totally delivered on all fronts. Loved loved loved it!

Once I started reading, I was pulled in from the get-go and chapters told via IMs, emails, and interstitials of Will’s latest novel further, which help put you into the character’s heads. Plus, by chapter one, we see that Molly (from No Offense) is back and readers are clued into what’s going on with her post-HEA. Like the rest of the LBI books, No Words is a good and engaging standalone yet the side characters and setting weave in the beloved, established community that Cabot previously and masterfully created. Enthralling language pulls me in and I just have to know more thanks to its endearing and authentic characters. Like seriously, I’m devouring this book just like Jo devoured The Moment in it! As a romantic couple, Will and Jo are so adorable and have banter up the wazoo: totally precious and cute. The epilogue is equally adorable yet I would have liked more to their HEA and journey as a fan, just saying, but as is, it is quite satisfying as a romance read.

Rating: Five Stars

Available: September 28

The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer

I love a good holiday rom-com and to see a rare one about Hanukkah and Judaism immediately piqued my interest. Here, Rachel is a Nice Jewish Girl (and daughter of an acclaimed rabbi) who secretly loves Christmas, who even authors several popular Christmas romance books. After her publisher insists she writes a Hanukkah romance next, she faces a bout of writer’s block until she comes up with the brilliant plan to attend the glamorous Matzah Ball in the city. Except it’s sold out. And run by her former summer camp nemesis, Jacob, who she hasn’t seen since he broke her heart that one summer.

Told in dual perspectives, it’s a quick read and a cute-enough romance that gives off wholesome yet pretty religious vibes. Like think of a Hallmark holiday movie and it is a clean, precious romance: It’s like that. It’s easy to follow along as a reader and was enjoyable and fun.

Rating: Three Stars

Available: September 28

Advance reader copies of the books listed were provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

7 Summer Book Releases I’m Loving Right Now

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Once again, it’s time to get bookish. By the end of June (and early July too), I was starting a new job and completely focused on getting settled, so my reading goal took a big hit. That being said, I did still manage to read 11 books (and counting) for these two summer months. So, I thought it was high-time for another Miranda’s Book Nook book update! Check out some of the summer 2021 book releases that I just can’t get enough of and should totally be on your radar when looking for the best beach reads this year. Happy reading!

Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton; Tiffany D. Jackson; Nic Stone; Angie Thomas; Ashley Woodfolk; Nicola Yoon

I was beyond pumped to receive an ARC of Blackout by some masters of the YA game: Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon. By the first few chapters, I already loved every page and each character’s story! It’s so full of heart, authenticity, representation, and adorable teen love stories.

Here, these authors came together to write an interlinked novel about Black teen love through heartwarming and charming coming-of-age stories. Each author writes a short story, focusing on one of six different love stories that all take place in New York City during a heatwave and blackout, on the same day. Each tale reads like a short story that’s compelling and adorable on its own (plus is well-written, obviously) with interconnected settings and characters to tie it all together. These are seriously adorable and cute teen love stories, plus I love to see all the representation done so accurately and relatably. Each chapter introduces a side character or background that effortlessly leads into the next story and chapter. You can clearly tell this book was meticulously organized and planned to be this interconnected which works to tie it all together so seamlessly. It’s a quick read that was hard to put down and is so engaging, well-written, and adorable. It’s a YA novel and a romance read, unlike anything I’ve read before, which is what made it so great.

Rating: Five Stars

Available: Now

The Girl Least Likely by Katy Loutzenhiser

This YA novel is billed as To All the Boys meets The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel meets Dumplin, which made it an automatic read for me. Yet, I only got the teen Maisel vibes located in the contemporary setting similar to TATB or Dumplin.

Here, aspiring comic Gretchen is learning to be herself as she balances school, family, first crushes, and trying her hand at stand-up comedy. While she’s always been the “least likely” girl (which I didn’t fully get here, tbh), she finds herself living out every major rom-com trope (BFF crush, makeover, bad boy love interest) which is the perfect cover for her double life trying out comedy. It seemed that this rom-com thing didn’t quite mesh with the double life/comedy thing to me.

Casting expectations aside, this was a very cute teen coming-of-age story with funny, engaging language. However, it took nearly halfway through this book to get there. I enjoyed the different chapters following a variety of classic rom-com tropes, which it was fun to see how each related to the characters and the bigger story. Plus, it’s full of well-written and authentic characters.

So, yea, it took a while to pull me in. It was slow to start, and I had struggled with getting into it and wanting to keep reading. You see, it didn’t have any real exposition and just dived right in, which (to me) felt like I was missing something as I didn’t get much (or any) true introduction to meet these characters before the story starts. I was struggling to muster enough energy to pick it up daily and was seriously debating DNFing before I even reached the halfway point of my galley copy. I’m glad I did stick with it because the story does pick up soon after that and it gets funnier and more engaging. So, if you can stick with this read, you’ll end up smiling over its absolutely precious rom-com-worthy ending.

Rating: Three Stars

Available: Now

Pretty Little London by Sara Santini, Andrea Di Filippo

As the massive Anglophile that I am, I needed this book no matter how short or picture-heavy it would end up being. Based on, and curated by the creators of the Instagram page of the same time, this nonfiction read provides a seasonal guide to the UK city’s most Instagrammable sites, the blog/IG page history, and plenty of advice to take the best Insta snaps.

There’s helpful text and gorgeous pics that make this read so fun and gives me so much wanderlust! (Gosh, I miss London!!) It reads like a friend giving off travel advice for little-known places you have to visit in order to up your IG game. With such gorge snapshots inside and on the cover, this book would make a perfect coffee table book for your living room. Facts.

This book advises you on the best places to visit by seasons, and the best ones to see, what to know or order, and why it’s so ‘grammable. It’s so much fun and gives me serious wanderlust while reading about the best hidden gems to check out. Plus, the IG-worthy snaps are breathtaking and only add to my wanderlust. You’ll read about various categories of places, from hotels, restaurants, day trips, cafes, and more. It also gives helpful maps and nearby tube stations.

I only wish I had this guidebook before I last went to London, oh well, there’s always next time…

Rating: Four Stars

Available: July 13

So We Meet Again by Suzanne Park

After I devoured the author’s latest YA novel (Sunny Song), I was pumped to learn about her newest contemporary romance story. And let me tell you, it’s fun and lighthearted, making it perfect for your summer beach bags!

Here, we begin with investment banker Jessie as she’s laid off from her boys-club Wall Street firm in a virtual meeting. After packing up and moving home to Nashville with her parents, she has no idea what to do with her life. She decides to reboot her old Korean cooking YouTube channel with fresh hacks and meal prep tips, and it’s actually quite well-received. All the while, she runs into her childhood nemesis and all-around golden boy Daniel who helps her launch her new business venture and even perhaps opens her heart along the way.

In this romance novel, there’s plenty of banter and wit between leads Jessie and Daniel, and a boatload of chemistry to boot. It’s very fun, engaging, and quick to read. The romance is very very very very slow-burn, so much so that Daniel is barely in half the book which makes this more of a coming-of-age women’s fiction novel rather than a straight-up romance book. Nonetheless, it’s very cute and I’d like a post-epilogue HEA update, like, now please, thank you.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: August 3

The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee

Set in the same world as the author’s first novel (A Sweet Mess), now it’s Aubrey’s best friend’s and Landon’s little brother’s turn to find love. Tara Park has one rule when it comes to dating: nothing serious. Between her past heartbreak and a laser-focus on the family’s brewery, there’s no way she could even entertain the idea of dating.

When Landon’s brother Seth waltzes into town, he’s a massive temptation to her and she may be willing to bend her rules for a few dates with the well-known fashion photographer. Seth is only in town for a month because he’s moving to Paris soon after. While he’s in town, he challenges Tara to a four-date no-strings-attached dating “dare” that could be a nice distraction for them both. But the more he sees of her, the less willing he is to let her go when the dare’s over.

As I read the dual-perspective book, I found it had banter and spades that had me hooked. It’s an easy, quick romance read that you can polish off in a day. The romance is cute, the characters are dynamic, and all that leads to a cute and fun romance read.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: August 3

The Man Ban by Nicola Marsh

I was very excited to start this read, looking forwards to a fun enemies to lovers novel, and this read delivered on that front. Here, Harper has been on a self-appointed “man ban” for a year after a really bad breakup, and instead, focuses on her growing career as a food stylist.
 
Her latest gig is styling dishes at her best friend’s traditional Indian wedding, where she meets the best man Manny who belittles her work the entire night. In retaliation, she decides she’ll lead him on during the event so she can later humiliate him. Well, things don’t always go as planned. Manny (as seen in the author’s The Boy Toy) is a handsome Anglo-Indian doctor who immediately feels an inimitable pull towards Harper.
 
One week later, he shows up at the same New Zealand resort where she’s working on her next job. After a work catastrophe, he offers to help her and she notes his chivalry has gotten under her skin. She’s ready to lift her “man ban” for a vacation fling. He agrees, after all, he’s not looking to get married despite his grandmother’s dying wish for him to do so. Yet, he can’t help but fall under Harper’s spell. Told in dual perspectives, this enemies to lovers novel is full of compelling language that draws me in, plus so much freaking banter that makes me fall for this read even quicker.

Rating: Three Stars

Available: July 27

Palm Beach by Mary Adkins

This book isn’t my usual happy-go-lucky YA or romance read, but nonetheless, its vibe intrigued me to try it out. Here, married couple Rebecca and Mickey move from their teeny Queens apartment and freelance gigs to Palm Beach, Florida (hence the title) with their young son when Mickey gets a job as the estate manager for a multimillionaire. As he works to manage the household of this influential businessman, Mickey soon gets a job offer to work in the same role for a more powerful businessman, making even more money. At the same time, freelance journalist Rebecca gets the chance to ghostwrite Mickey’s boss’ wife’s memoirs (that’s right, plural). As a wealth inequality writer, this is Rebecca’s chance to peek inside this incredibly wealthy world. As time goes on, Mickey and Rebecca become more reliant and dependant on money and their bosses’ help until a big secret could topple everything.

This literary fiction novel captures the divide between the haves and the have nots in the wealthy enclave of Palm Beach. From the start, it has such engaging language and strong storytelling that pulls me in and compels me to keep reading. Then, the big twist reveal gets soooo juicy and I just *have* to keep reading. However, there’s a ton of exposition and background that feels a touch too long in certsin parts. But overall, it’s compelling and intriguing.

Rating: Four Stars

Available:

Advance reader copies of the books listed were provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

5 One-Sitting Reads That I Haven’t Stopped Thinking About

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Hey, it’s me, and as you can guess from this title, I’m still reading a lot. I mean, that’s just me. C’est la vie. The other weekend, I ventured out to Barnes & Noble for a little book buying excursion, because second to reading books, buying them is another super fun hobby. And, I’ve already been reading the heck out of my latest TBR additions.

So, settle back into another edition of Miranda’s Book Nook for even more book recommendations that I’m absolutely obsessing over. (Side note: If only you could see me night after night, reading my latest novel underneath the teeny light of my flashlight. It feels like I’m 9 again, desperate to stay up later just to keep reading my book without getting caught by my parents for staying awake past my bedtime.)

Shine by Jessica Jung

I’d heard a lot about this next read before I even picked it up off the YA shelf, from both TikTok’s #BookTok crew, its NetGalley profile, and the fact that the author was once in one of the biggest K-pop bands of the decade. Sure, the summary was intriguing: all about a teenaged K-pop trainee eager to live her dream and make it into a band. Oh, and the shiny love story with a fellow K-pop star didn’t hurt. But, in all honesty, I didn’t know what to expect when I’d actually start reading it.

And OMG, this YA debut novel delivers! It was absolutely precious and a book I just couldn’t put down. Plus, my shipper heart was going crazy with everything between Rachel and Jason. Apparently, Jung’s team is adapting this into a film, and I can’t wait to see these rich characters and vivid stories play out on the big screen. Based on what I just read, any film version is sure to be huge, incredible, empowering, and feature one of the cutest teen love stories about two pop stars.

Here, seventeen-year-old Korean-American Rachel Kim loves K-pop and would do just about anything to be chosen for a group and live her dreams. Six years ago, she’s recruited by Korean label DB Entertainment as a trainee, where the rules are clear. Train and practice all the time. Be perfect. Don’t date. At first, the rules seem like no-brainers, but soon enough, Rachel realizes all the dark scandals of the controlling industry and the pressure to constantly be perfect, and she questions everything and if she has what it takes to shine and be the star. Plus, once she captures the attention of DB golden boy, K-pop superstar, Jason Lee, the rules get increasingly difficult to mindlessly follow. He’s the label’s big star, has the voice of an angel that blends in perfect harmony with hers, is flirty and charming, and only seems to have eyes for her. What could go wrong? You know, except for the controlling record label. But may I remind you, the book cover includes the phrase, “All’s fair in love and K-pop,” so I’ll just leave that there.

This book pulls the veil back on the glamorous, picture-perfect world of K-pop and K-pop girl groups, which is so interesting to get this behind-the-scenes viewpoint, plus an empowering protagonist, amazing sets, and a sweet-as-doughnuts (Writer’s note: If you read the book, you’ll get this line) teen romance.

Available: Now

The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai

Alisha Rai’s been on my romance radar for a while after I devoured Girl Gone Viral in a single setting. I knew it was the second book in her “Modern Love” series and that her first book in it, this one, was beloved by romance readers, but I suppose I was so preoccupied by everything else on my TBR to pay due diligence to this romance read, and clearly that was a mistake.

When I was book shopping, I found this on the shelf, and everything I loved about Girl Gone Viral came back to me in a flash. I remembered everything I loved about that, and how Rhi and Samson were living out their HEA by then. Now, that her third book in the series, starring the girls’ other roommate Jia, is scheduled for publication early next year, I needed to go back and read this now more than ever.

Here, in the introduction to the series, we start with empowering and fierce Rhiannon Hunter. She owns and runs a successful Bumble-like dating app, and career is her main, and well only, priority. Occasionally, she engages in brief hookups, like when she matched with the one-photo-only Samson for a night of good fun on the beach. While their dalliance went well and she actually was willing to give him another chance, he ghosted her and she shut off her chance.

The book starts up, months later, when the cynical app founder heads to a tech conference and unexpectedly spots Samson there, on stage, discussing her competitor that he’s now an ambassador for. Turns out, Samson is the one-and-only former pro-football player Samson Lima and he still has eyes for Rhi. According to the summary “he won’t fumble their second chance” because, ahem, this dude has it bad for her. A temporary work truce and friendship soon reveals an intimate bond that is too precious to miss. 

Just like Girl Gone Viral, this romance book is witty, playful, fierce, and fun — that I could devour this read in a single sitting, feeling plenty of zings as I did for Jas and Kat. Now, I can’t wait to find out Jia’s love story even more when that’s released to the public.

Available: Now

Recommended For You by Laura Silverman

It’s a bookish romance, y’all! So, if you know me by now, I’m already sold. Quirky book nerd teens, working at a bookshop, set in the small-town South, and enemies to lovers. It’s like this book was made for my bookshelf. Plus, the summary describes this YA novel as “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets You’ve Got Mail,” which, like yes, please!

Here, Shoshanna Greenberg is working double shifts over her high school break for the holidays when she’s tasked with training new hire Jake Kantor for the gig. Their rivalry starts small when he seemingly is not listening to her and admitted he’s not a reader. Which, like GASP. Things are heightened when the Once Upon shop owner announces a bonus for the top bookseller this holiday. The ever-competitive Shosh sees this as the perfect chance to flex her skills in her favorite place (the shop!) and earn enough cash to fix her broken-down car. But, Jake also wants the dough for what is such a NJB, sweet reason, and I swear, I’m melting into a pile of goo over here once that reasoning revealed.

Soon, they’re neck and neck for the top seller honor and we get such a delish enemies to lovers trope for these two teens. Sure, she may despise him for actually working hard or not being a hardcore book nerd, but he’s like a Netflix teen movie BF type of cute and a fellow Jew, so like she’s smitten. As their competition ramps up, these two grow closer and closer and that spark burns bright. This YA romance was so cute and so pure, I can’t stop smiling now that I finished it.

Available: Now

Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory

OK, give me any Jasmine Guillory romance and I’m fairly certain that I can polish it off in a day and feel all the feels. And her latest novel is no exception.

Her initial romance book, The Wedding Date, first introduced us to Alexa Monroe when she met her now-hubby (in The Wedding Party) Drew. Now, it’s Alexa’s older sister’s turn. Olivia Monroe has just returned to the West Coast, and LA, in particular, to start her own law firm with dating being the last thing on her mind. However, one of her first days in town, she meets and strikes up a conversation with a cute, funny, and witty stranger named Max in a hotel bar. After spending the entire night flirting, she discovers the man she was flirtatiously discussing cake with, was the handsome junior senator Max Powell. Cut to weeks later, when she shows up at a fundraiser he’s speaking at, only now, he can actually ask her name and where she works because this dude’s got it bad and hasn’t been able to get her out of his head.

To get her attention and ask her out, this man sent her a freaking CAKE to her office along with his personal phone number on a note. I’d like to point out, if any prospective suitors are reading this blog, take note because you’d definitely get my attention with baked goods, and specifically, cake. So, yea, I’m liking Max already. This chance meeting soon sparks a whirlwind affair and relationship with plenty of heat, passion, and emotions. She’s caught off-guard that he, a U.S. Senator, is sweet, funny, and honest, and not just another privileged, rich white guy as she first thought. Due to his job in the spotlight, they start dating in secret full of clandestine excursions and random disguises to conceal their identities. However, once they are ready to go public with their love, the media scrutiny is a lot considering he’s one of LA and DC’s Most Eligible Bachelors and her rocky past. While they have such a strong connection, Olivia has to figure out if this life is what she really wants and if their love can survive the rocky media storm. 

OMG, this steamy romance read was absolutely adorable and had me rooting for these two from the jump and that HEA/epilogue made me squeal. Also, we got to check in with Alexa and Drew post-HEA, which that type of thing always warms my heart as a reader. Plus, considering the fact that many of Guillory’s books occur in the same universe with some of the same characters, I wouldn’t be opposed to a new book following Max’s roommate Wes falling in love in DC, and maybe even, we’d get a check-in from Max and Olivia there. Just saying, I’d buy that.

Available: Now

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon 

I just finished reading an ARC of the author’s latest adult romance novel, Make Up Break Up, (be on the lookout for that review coming soon) and adored that read so much, that I immediately went to look up her other works because I was so captivated by that romance. So, I read this summary and was instantly intrigued by the premise.

Here, 18-year-old Dimple Shah is ready for a break from her overbearing family and their quest for her to meet and marry her future Ideal Indian Husband. Her first taste of freedom is at a pre-college summer program for aspiring web developers, her dream summer opportunity and future career. Turns out, her folks were in cahoots were their old pals and Rishi Patel’s parents to set up an arrangement for their two kids. The hitch he knows the truth and she does not. Rishi, oh sweet and pure Rishi, he’s a hopeless romantic and believes in fate and kismet about these two. And well, Dimple does not and, in fact, only sees all the ways they are fundamentally different and incompatible. But what happens when they are paired up for the program’s main assignment and they start to realize all the ways that maybe this is meant to be?

Now, this was a good and captivating read that I was sucked into and just couldn’t put down. That being said, however, something about Rishi just… I don’t know… he just tried way, way, way too hard and that freaked me out, let alone Dimple, and gah, I just wanted him to slow down. Once he did and they later embrace both their authentic selves, we do get a smile-worthy, cute yet predictable HEA to conclude this cute, sweet YA novel.

Available: Now