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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.

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.

8 Fall Book Releases I Couldn’t Put Down

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Will we have a summer? Will we have a fall, even? Will the world go back to normal and will our country actually enact change so equality is a given? As much as I wish I had the answers or that everything would be answered affirmatively and in a timely manner, we just don’t know anything. You know, a good book can help you cope, and that’s a fact. (I’m proof as I’ve gotten lost in many a book since the stay-at-home orders were enacted.)

So, welcome back to Miranda’s Book Nook with my latest recommendations perfect to keep you busy and engaged during this crazy, anxious, and uncertain time.

Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting

This novel focuses on two neighboring bars competing for business in a college town, and immediately I spy a delicious enemies-to-lovers trope brewing, chock full of sparks and chemistry. The dual perspectives of Ronan and Blaire help show there’s more to each side. Let’s just say this book is as sweet as … cupcakes! But, I like it, it’s fun and indulgent and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

It’s a super quick read, and damn now I just want a cupcake myself! Once the duo gets to know each other and even team up, it gets a heck of a lot cuter and they are so in sync, it’s adorable. All that perfection and cuteness finally comes crumbling down in the final acts, and all that rawness and vulnerability is selling this book as more than just a cutesy romance. It has a predictable, sugary sweet ending, but yea, I enjoyed it. It was a very quick romance read and it was fun, definitely.

The story follows business owners Blaire Calloway and Ronan Knight who find themselves competing for customers and publicity. But, like any good romance, with every disagreement, more chemistry and sparks develop. Then, when a bigger business threat could take both their shops down, they must team up and well, I think you know where that is headed.

Available: August 11

Not Your #LoveStory by Sonia Hartl

This a quick, fun, and easy YA romance read. At first, you’re following aspiring YouTuber Macy in what looks like a love triangle of sorts between one complete jerk and two of her coworkers/friends, so it’s a little unclear who the main characters are and the story is definitely slow to start.

It reminds me of a teen, YA version of Girl Gone Viral with the context of a bystander live tweets a supposed meet-cute, even if it turns out to be faked. But, of course, the truth isn’t what it seems online. Eric is a cocky, slimy jerk who wants to capitalize on the attention. And, there we get the classic fake dating trope, so the duo can get more exposure and website revenue. Then, there’s a love triangle trope with Paxton, the sweetheart she’s big-time crushing on. Macy is caught between ethics and money and if she should play into this Twitter narrative or not. But, she and Paxton together are just so raw, vulnerable, and super cute. It’s a quick, fun YA read.

Available: September 1

Older by Pamela Redmond

I’ve been so so so excited for this sequel to Younger since I first found out about it, because I loved the original book and the popular TVLand series based on it. Here, we pick up some five years after Liza’s big lie and wow, so much as happened for her. The writing style and language are just so descriptive and captivating, I just can’t put it down. Oh, what a laugh, with the Sutton Foster and TV show references: It’s so brilliant to tie-in the show for the fans. Okay, like holy sh*t, I’m actually OBSESSED with everything in this book by just chapter one alone.

So, Hugo Fielding is the perfect choice for any Team Charles fans from the show, don’t you worry. He’ll bring the romance, and so will Josh for quite the love triangle (erm, square?). A romantic connection for Team Hugo is a bit of a slow burn, and then it comes in hot, hot, hot, wowza.

Hugo even says a line that implies that he finished this book at 3 in the morning, and hey, that tracks so well, because, SAME. I’m absolutely in love with this book and Pamela Redmond does the world of Liza and her perspective so much justice, and I just need to keep reading. It has to be a five-star read for me, like I’m actively clapping, squealing, and I’m just obsessed. I really liked the script parts and the show connections are fun, especially as a fan of the TV show myself. There’s so much drama, and I’m living for it!  Seriously it’s so descriptive, I can’t stop reading: it feels like a movie in my head, I can see it all so clearly. Also, it may seem silly, but I really appreciate the non-flowery, non-cutesy *ahem* monikers that you’d typically find in other romance novels, and thank goodness; this makes the book feel so much more realistic. In the end, everyone does get their HEAs, but in a way that feels authentic and justified, and about damn time. In the end, it comes full circle to the show and it’s a nice way to pay tribute to that world and fans.

This book has frothy romance and melodrama, core friendship bonds, odes to both LA and NYC, plenty of heart and vulnerability, independence, and so many meta ties to the show and its actors. I loved it as a sequel and on its own, though it does help if you know the story already whether, from the first book or TV series, it certainly helps you connect to the world right off the bat.

Available: September 8

White Coat Diaries by Madi Sinha

It’s definitely an eye-opening look at the life of an idealistic young doctor, just as she begins her residency at a prestigious hospital. We first meet Norah who’s having a tough time transitioning into her new role and her chief resident Ethan, whom she obviously falls for despite him not being interested.

It reads quickly with engaging language, it and does remind me of Grey’s Anatomy (I do love my medical dramas!), but I like that it is more about her career than just romance and finding a man. It’s the story of her residency, friendships, and family. Norah is definitely idealistic which I’d rather see her more realistic and wanting to do this job well and not fawn all over a man. It’s engaging and I couldn’t put it down. The ending did feel out of character for her, and I do wish there was no implied romantic interest because the book didn’t need it, that part all felt like filler. Other than that, it was a quick read about the medical field.

Available: September 15

Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey

This enemies-to-lovers romance is set in the house flipping world, much like the author’s previous books in the Just Us League. With this one, Wes and Bethany have so much banter together, which is what I love, so it won me over. In the book, house stager Bethany teams up with construction worker Wes to flip a house on a tight deadline.

It does awkwardly flip between the two point-of-views, but the voices are drastically different, so it’s not that confusing. It’s very cute, but does escalate very fast, which is good because a slow burn wouldn’t have worked as well between these two characters with their chemistry and attraction.

It does feel like just another cutesy, steamy romance and that’s about it. There’s some very detailed language and lots of steamy scenes, so if that’s not your style, FYI. It’s a romance, nothing more or nothing less, it is what it is and just what you’d expect in the genre. It’s a fine, easy romance read. That being said, the HEA at the end is sweet and adorable, I can’t ignore or brush over that. Since it is the third book in the series, it definitely is meant for an audience that knows the other two books since it has the same characters. Having not read the others first, it’s just fine, but had I read the others, I’m sure I’d like even more.

Available: September 22

The Code for Love and Heartbreak by Jillian Cantor

It starts off cute enough, back in high school. The book feels original with the story and characters and from the beginning, I’m very intrigued to see where things will go.

This retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma follows coding rockstar Emma and co-club president and friend George as they must develop a brand-new coding project for competition. Her idea is to create “The Code for Love,” a dating algorithm slash matchmaking app. At first, he disapproves of her idea, but it actually works and for the first time, she becomes popular across the whole school.

It’s a fast and fun contemporary YA read and very enjoyable. I’ve gotten so invested in the story because Emma is so oblivious to what’s right in front of her and I just want to shake her like, ‘Girl, what is right in front of you!’ And then, George, gah, this boy, this boy is indecisive and is messing with my head because it all seemed so obvious, but I don’t know what to think anymore. But that being said, I couldn’t put it down and ended up devouring it in one night. That ending is beyond is cute, like heart-melting, earth-shattering, grand romance, and all that stuff. It’s so cute and that ending/epilogue is precious. It’s a love story for all us nerd types out there, and proof that you can’t rationalize everything. For a YA romance, it’s just what I want.

Available: October 6

Cobble Hill by Cecily von Ziegesar

I was so excited about this book just being the latest from the mind of the woman who created Gossip Girl, which was a series I devoured back in the day. That, and the premise had me intrigued. The story follows a year-in-the-life of parents and kids in the well-off neighborhood of Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, and how they all connect and relate with each other.

There’s so much descriptive language that it really does play out like a movie in your head, but there’s a lot of point-of-views; almost too many at times, which is hard to keep up. While some of the adult characters are providing all the chaos, little nerdy teen Liam is the shiny and adorable bright spot with his schoolboy crush on the shy new girl Shy. There are so many secrets, which obviously causes all of the drama. There were a few continuity problems: like how on Earth did Editorial Assistant Manfred somehow, magically get promoted straight away to Senior Editor??? It doesn’t make sense. However, the book is very well-written, I can’t deny that. (Also, side note, are babysitters in Cobble Hill really making $20 per hour? If so, I may need a new side gig!)

The book starts to pick up by the second part after an extremely long exposition, but there’s still no singular or central story, it’s sort of all over the place. It is interesting to see all these different perspectives because it’s all so incredibly weird, like what is happening?? The plot is so odd, so odd, but yet, I couldn’t stop reading. The plot is so bizarre, it feels strange for it to be written by the same author who created Gossip Girl. But, I’m addicted and just have to keep reading because of the captivating, descriptive writing and storytelling devices; it really draws you in. Everything in this book is so off-the-walls-bonkers with the characters, I had no clue what was going on, but perhaps that’s what the author was going for. Then, there’s sort of a mystery going on, but just sort of as a device to show time passing? Then, there’s some resolution at the end, but it’s mostly a jumble, mish-mosh of a year in the life of eclectic, wealthy Brooklyn families. While the plot was strange and different, I was so intrigued and just couldn’t put it down.

Available: October 20

Stories from Suffragette City by M. J. Rose and Fiona Davis; introduction by Kristin Hannah

This collection of short stories honors the struggle for women’s suffrage and several perspectives of a variety of women across New York and the country at this time across the essays. Written by an assortment of bestselling authors, each story is set on the same day: October 23, 1915, during the march for women’s suffrage in New York City.

Each story uses impactful, captivating language to draw the reader in. With everything that’s happening in the world, this book is more important than ever to show why we need to stand up and fight for justice and equality. The stories are all about such strong, curious women and their male allies, who all turn up for the same suffragette parade in NYC. Some of these stories do end quite abruptly and ambiguously, while others feel completed and whole. But its overarching lesson about standing up and remaining strong at protests still rings true. Then, the little Grace character bounds from one story to the next, and as she weaves through the parade, multiple stories are tied together and show off a symbol of hope for the next generation.

It’s an eye-opening and important read, chock full of compelling language. It shares a message that women are not invisible and can/will/need to make their own destiny. The stories do highlight diverse voices, with two WOC protagonists, however, I wish that had a higher proportion instead of making it seem like a “white woman issue,” I would have loved more of a diverse perspective in a more even split overall.

Available: October 27

Advance reader copies of each book were provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.