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

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

Available Now

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

Available Now

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

5Jul2022

Summer Is Here With These 10 New 2022 Book Releases

Posted in Miranda's Book Nook by msiwak

Better late than never, but, hey summer’s not over yet! I’ve had this sitting in my drafts for a little bit (back when most of these ARCs had not been released), but summer procrastination is real, y’all. So, without further ado, welcome back to Miranda’s Book Nook as I share some new summer 2022 book titles that I can’t get enough of and that should be on your radar this year. Happy reading!

Fireworks by Alice Lin

This book is described as a K-Pop teen rom-com, which already has my heart. It gives me girl-next-door meets Shine by Jessica Jung vibes to create an all-around adorable, sweet and wholesome YA romance read.

Here, Lulu is 17 and getting ready to head off to college after one final summer at home. However, she doesn’t expect her neighbor slash childhood best friend Kai (Kite) to return home after several years away, where he’s been working in South Korea as a K-Pop superstar. Lulu’s equally starstruck about seeing her former friend, post-stardom, and rekindling their all-encompassing friendship. What she doesn’t expect is that there may be some unexpected types of feelings brewing underneath the surface.

It’s super, super cute and sweet, innocent too. The main character is so authentic, real and raw, and together Lulu and Kite make a super-cute and sugary-sweet pair.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Meant to Be Mine by Hannah Orenstein

I’ve savored Hannah Orenstein’s previous novels and even by the plot summary alone, I knew this one was primed to fit right in.

Here, Edie is a native New Yorker, millennial and fashion stylist who grew up believing in the concept of true love and soulmates. In fact, it’s an old wives’ tale that her beloved grandmother Gloria had predicted the date she would meet her future husband — and then the dates for every single family member. Edie has long known her date fell on June 24, 2022, at the age of 29. On that day, she was flying to attend her twin sister’s surprise engagement. So, when she sees that a handsome indie musician, Theo, is sitting beside her, she’s ecstatic thinking this is fate. However, fate comes at a price when deep down her gut thinks something is off.

While it’s a romantic love story on the surface, it ended up primarily being a women’s fiction story that highlights other types of love too, and for that, this read had my heart. It was about more than just finding romantic love but also about family and traditions. As someone who lost a beloved grandparent, parts involving Edie and her grandmother hit very close to home, so potential trigger warning there.

I was truly intrigued by the premise, captivated by the writing and just instantly — and I do mean instantly — hooked. It’s fun, cute and so darn enjoyable that I just needed to keep reading and could barely put it down. Loved this one!

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

The Heart of the Deal by Lindsay MacMillan

This was a cute, fun and emotional women’s fiction read that I could barely put down. Any twentysomething or millennial who’s navigating a work-life balance in New York City can relate to Rae’s story because it’s so timely and authentic.

Here, Raelynn “Rae” is a Wall Street banker, who’s feeling adrift in both her career and potential dating prospects by the age of 25. Realizing her biological clock is ticking faster, she vows to get married by the age of 30 so she has time to have multiple children. However, life is what happens when you’re not making plans? I think I read that somewhere. Anyway, so with her encouraging group of friends, she starts swiping on dating app after dating app not really meeting any real contenders until Dustin comes along. While she thinks he’s another poetic soul trapped in a finance suit, she can hear wedding bells chiming in the distance, though his story is a complicated one — and his future is uncertain.

It’s more a women’s fiction novel than a straight-up, true-blue romance just since it’s not all hunky-dory about love, but hey, life’s not always like that either. It’s the tale of a hopeless romantic who learns to stop chasing expectations and live in the moment. Even more so, I really liked its honest and vulnerable account about a woman chasing her dreams even if there are no set plans to get you there.

Content Warning: Mentions of depression, mental illness, and self-harm

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

The Sizzle Paradox by Lily Menon

After devouring the author’s previous YA and adult romances, I was instantly intrigued by her next novel’s premise, especially with a woman in STEM protagonist, fresh off of the success of The Love Hypothesis. Told in dual perspectives, there are so many good friends-to-lovers slash forced proximity tropes at play.

Here, Lyric is a Ph.D. candidate studying sexual chemistry in romantic partners though hasn’t had any worthy options in her own love life. To complete her thesis, she needs a personal connection to connect to her “sizzle paradox” and so, she enlists her BFF and roommate Kian’s help. Kian, for his part, is an engineering doctoral student with a lengthy dating record as he offers to tutor Lyric in all things love to better apply it to real suitors. However, as one can expect, their fake-dating scenario opens up their eyes to something that they didn’t see before after years of platonic friendship.

True to Menon’s style, it is full of well-written and compelling language, yet something was just off for me. Maybe that it was very, very, very sweet, like, saccharine almost. That being said, it is a cute and fun romance that’s you’ll particularly enjoy if you liked The Love Hypothesis or The Roommate.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

How to Fake It in Hollywood by Ava Wilder

Told from dual first points of view, this romance novel weaves compelling accounts with a fake dating story at its finest.

Here, former teen starlet Grey Brooks is desperate to keep her career afloat after her long-running series ends. In order to secure a life-changing audition for a big-time role, she agrees with her publicist to enter into a fake relationship with another star: Oscar winner Ethan Adkins. Ethan, for his part, has been disgraced and reclusive after his public divorce and sobriety struggles. If he wants to get his next film financed, he needs a PR makeover, STAT. Enter: the perfect fake relationship agreement, signed contract and all. Though, it’s apparent that these two have some sizzling chemistry that becomes too hard to just fake their way through.

It’s a cute, fun romance with some spicy content, however, it is not one I’d read again and again. One and done is perfectly satisfactory for me. It’s fine. The epilogue feels cute, HEA-worthy that makes me smile, and more importantly, earned after all these two flawed characters went through to get it.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Love & Other Great Expectations by Becky Dean

I didn’t have any preconceived notions of this book before I started reading other than it looked like a sweet YA novel, it was set in the UK (my Kryptonite) and it potentially had a bookish theme per the “Great Expectations” part of the title.

Here, Britt is a California-based high school senior who is solely focused on her budding soccer career and future collegiate scholarship. However, an unexpected ankle changes everything and forces her suddenly change course. Luckily, she gets the chance to head to England for 10 days this summer and compete for a life-changing prize that could cover the tuition she needs for school. The catch? It’s a literary-inspired scavenger hunt and she’s not the best in English class. Ever-competitive and in need of the cash, Britt signs up and is on her way. Then, she bumps into bookish and British Luke who takes a liking to her, even offering to join her time along the way.

Well, I was immediately drawn into this story, so richly told with such an authentic, vulnerable and relatable MC in Britt. It is completely, totally, wholeheartedly cute, fun and bookish, which just stole my heart. It’s a travel book with a bookish quest, like yes please, I want one too! (Seriously, I want to be in her shoes so bad, I’m literally living vicariously through this book.) I’m so into this read from its unique and fun premise to its compelling language that makes it unputdownable. It’s just so so so cute, fun, enjoyable and sweet. I just feel so warm and happy right now.

Rating: Five Stars

Available: Now

Lucie Yi Is Not a Romantic by Lauren Ho

By the summary and the cover alone, I was curious about this women’s fiction novel. I was intrigued by this pragmatic yet authentic main character, so much so that I didn’t want to put the book down and just wanted to find out what would happen next!

Here, Lucie is a business consultant based in New York City, who is tired for waiting for the perfect partner, but she wants a baby. So, she looks into a coparenting website to find a stranger partner. (Think Tinder but for finding a platonic coparent.) Collin ticks all of her boxes and then some, but she’s unsure if her conservative family back in Singapore will approve. Once the pair learn they are expecting, they decided to move back to Singapore to be closer to family. And as expected, the family’s not on board. And then, there’s Mark: Lucie’s ex-fiancé who reappears in her life as unresolved feelings bubble up.

This read has a compelling hook, full of rich language that pulled me in and intrigued me. I dug it, I think that’s fair to say. It does read quite quickly that I hardly noticed the novel’s sheer length. It was definitely difficult to put down, I was completely sucked in. It’s compelling yet authentic and fun — with a dash of romance.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

How Maya Got Fierce by Sona Charaipotra

After devouring Sona Charaipotra’s novels with Dhonielle Clayton (Tiny Pretty Things, Shiny Broken Pieces, and The Rumor Game), I was instantly excited about her next YA novel — especially considering it was described as Younger meets The Bold Type. As a fan of both those shows and a magazine alum myself, that storyline already won me over.

Here, Maya is a 17-year-old farm girl, set to attend “Cow Camp” outside NYC for the summer. The camp, an agricultural training program for aspiring farm managers, is not what Maya would prefer to be doing. She would much prefer traipsing around the city and working as a magazine staffer for her beloved Fierce magazine. While staying with her older cousin Roop, Maya discovers her cousin’s girlfriend actually works at the mag! It seems like fate when Maya is offered a chance to visit the fashion closet and apply for a coveted internship — which she miraculously got. The twist? It turns out she wasn’t hired as an intern but a full-fledged assistant editor because no one knows she’s still in high school. Considering this is her dream, Maya starts to live a double life to balance an adult job and her teenage reality.

The book, much like a diverse adaptation of the short-lived Jane By Design, was so enjoyable and fun. It had so much compelling language that drew me in, desperate to learn how this average teenager could make it as a legit magazine editor. Alongside a precious summer camp-esque romance, it’s an authentic coming-of-age tale of empowering young women. So captivating.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: July 12, 2022

Accomplished by Amanda Quain

First things first, I love a good Pride & Prejudice retelling or contemporary adaptation, and this one hit that sweet spot. Imagine Pride & Prejudice but in a contemporary, YA setting and told from Georgiana Darcy’s perspective, and she was a marching band-playing, fanfiction-writing misfit and I’m into all of it!

Here, Georgiana “Georgie” returns to her boarding school junior year after an incident with Wickham nearly threatened expulsion and all she wants to prove is that she can live up to the Darcy name and her big brother Fitzwilliam’s legacy. To get Fitz off her back while she tried to do just that, she comes up with the ingenious idea to distract him with love and decides to secretly play matchmaker between Fitz and Lizzie Bennet. This book has such funny, witty language that just pulled me in from the start. Very, very cute.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: July 26, 2022

Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan

The moment I picked up Julia Whelan’s My Oxford Year, there was just something that just spoke to me (maybe it was my Anglophile side or just the book’s captivating nature, not quite sure). So, when I learned that Whelan had penned another novel *and* it had a bookish setting, I was instantly excited.

Here, Sewanee “Swan” Chester is an audiobook narrator who’s strayed a long way from her acting aspirations. However, her successful narration means it’s more possible for her to care for her ailing grandmother. When the book starts, Sewanee arrives for a last-minute appearance at a book convention where she spends the night with a mysterious stranger who’s gone by the next morning. After returning to her L.A. home days later, she gets the offer of a lifetime to return to romance narration and perform the final work of a late romance novelist — alongside Brock McNight, the hottest and most elusive male narrator. While Sewanee is nearly ready to let go of romance and audiobooks for good, forging a connection with Brock — whoever he really is — brings an unexpected connection she cannot shake.

As I started reading, I found it so easy to get drawn into this pen pal-like romance that was very fun, very cute and very adorable. While the chapters were pretty long and drawn out, it still read quite quickly.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: August 2, 2022

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

23Mar2022

Spring Has Sprung With These 10 Spring 2022 Book Releases

Posted in Miranda's Book Nook by msiwak

Only four- and five-star reviews here! While I’ve been gone from here and my book Insta for a few weeks and months, I’ve been trying to power through my TBR goals to get back on track this year. And if I may speak honestly (which I’ll do anyway lol), these ten springtime releases totally saved my reading slump. So, without further ago, I’d like to welcome you all, my faithful readers back to Miranda’s Book Nook for some early 2022 book recommendations that I can’t get enough of. Happy reading!

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

I was beyond excited to read Hook, Line, and Sinker after devouring its predecessor, It Happened One Summer. Here, it’s Piper’s younger sister Hannah’s turn in the spotlight. We’ve got a tale of a reformed playboy who’s secretly harboring romantic thoughts about his platonic best friend while giving her tips to land a different guy ala Cyrano. Taking place six months after IHOS concludes, local fisherman Fox and Hannah text daily since she left Westport three months ago. Every day, every night, all the time. When she’s in town for work, she crashes in his guest room but the more time she spends with Fox, the more apparent her actual feelings lie and the thin line between friendship and flirtation gets very blurry. Though they are both hopelessly against it because of his reputation around town and she doesn’t want to be just another notch in the bedpost. So, we’ve got forced proximity and friends-to-lovers tropes at play for a delicious romance read that I legitimately couldn’t put down. Plus, we get even more insight into the beloved characters that we first met in IHOS.

In the prologue, we see how their friendship has developed since IHOS through their daily texts, which is a nice introduction to their mindsets and inner thoughts because they are 1000 percent the same lovable characters we met in the first book. And yes, there is an adorable post-HEA check-in with Piper, Brendan, Opal, Sanders, and the rest of the Westport townies. Told in dual point-of-views, Tessa Bailey brings her signature style to this novel with her penchant for compelling language and relatable characters that enthrall me to keep reading.

As a rom-com pair, Fox and Hannah have tension and banter, which I love and is so adorable, but they also have so much heart, vulnerability, and emotional depths. I seriously couldn’t put this book down, which ended up being cuter and less spicy than IHOS. Don’t get me wrong, I still really really enjoyed it, it’s just comparatively, yes, there were fewer spicy moments. Still spice, just not as much as the first book in case your were wondering. Then, that epilogue, I don’t want to spoil, but eep, I love future HEA scenes. So much. Gotta move on for now, my cheeks hurt from smiling.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

The Rumor Game by Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra

Fans of Tiny Pretty Things and its Shiny Broken Pieces sequel are sure to enjoy Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra’s next YA thriller, this time set in an elite DC prep school amid a plethora of scandals and rumors that have the power to destroy lives. Told in multiple perspectives (much like TPT and SBP), readers see the inner POVs of Georgie, Bryn and Cora through text, iPhone messages, emails and a Post-It note timeline of the events. This storytelling format helps make the plot feel modern and realistic as you see firsthand how these rumors started to spread in the first place.

Set at the uber-posh Foxham Prep high school for DC’s elite, we follow Bryn, Cora, and Georgie as they contend with potentially life-ruining rumors and gossip in their quest for popularity and future goals. Bryn, for her part, is the girl that used to have it all: devoted boyfriend, high school class presidency, close circle of friends and ultimate popularity until one mistake turned into a massive DC scandal that left her a pariah. As a result, she starts hanging out with neighbor Georgie more. Jashan “Georgie” is the new cool girl in school after a summer makeover turned her into a svelte, confident student instead of her formerly nerdy self. Her newfound popularity pits her against Bryn’s former bestie Cora, who’s the new Queen Bee after Bryn was dethroned from her post.

I was hooked on this book from the start, like, it’s so good and compelling, just chock full of twists I didn’t see coming at all. I legitimately couldn’t put this read down by the final chapters, there was just so much action that I needed to know what was going to happen next!

In this cautionary tale about bullying, there are definitely some content warnings surrounding topics of fatphobia, sexual assault, drug misuse, bullying, and cyberbullying.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma

After reading an ARC (thank you, NetGalley!) of Nisha Sharma’s adorable YA Radha & Jai’s Recipe for Romance, I was intrigued by this adult romance premise from the moment I (being honest here) saw a teaser on TikTok (haha long live #BookTok!).

Here, Kareena’s been dreaming of a true love story like her parents or her beloved romance novels though she is often found fixturing up her classic car instead of swiping on dating apps. After her dad reveals his intentions to sell their family home amid his retirement, she makes him a deal that she’ll buy the house from him if she gets in engaged … within four months. Soon after, she gets into a viral TV argument with Prem on his medical chat show when they seemingly dislike one another over their differing views on love and arranged marriages. Prem, for his part, is dedicated to building a local community medical center but needs funds to get it up and running, though his investor isn’t convinced. After Kareena’s meddling aunties convince them they are made for each other, they agree to fake a relationship until they both get exactly what they want — love out of the question.

Told in dual perspectives, this book has so much banter and I literally love it! In all its tropey, indulgent goodness, there’s also plenty of wit, humor, authenticity, and yes, even spicy content. Full of a fake dating trope and an enemies to lovers one, it was honestly equal parts adorable and authentic that I really did not want to put it down, especially as I neared the ending! Gosh, it was so sweet, indulgent and fun!

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Being Mary Bennet by J.C. Peterson

Let’s be real: Any Austenian fangirl (which, hey, guilty!) dreams of being a protagonist of her own life ala Pride and Prejudice‘s Lizzie Bennet. Yet, Mary is the more authentic representation of us. Main character Marnie Barnes understands that all to well but decides that her new semester at her boarding school is the perfect time to design an all-new her, complete with a shiny new self-confidence. As Marnie aims to reinvent herself with the help of her new friends, a cute new love interest and one adorable rescue puppy, she’s on a brand-new path to become a whole new person. This book had me by its “perfect for fans of Jenny Han, Becky Albertalli, and Jane Austen” description. Plus, I’m a sucker for a good P&P-inspired read.

This YA/New Adult read is fun and cute, like, totally smile-worthy. This Jane Austen-inspired novel features a compelling first-person point-of-view that pulls me in from the start. In this coming-of-age tale, nothing was really how I imagined it nor how I pictured it per the book summary yet that’s precisely why I liked it so much. It’s different yet still so compelling and less about love, instead focusing on self-growth and confidence to embrace your inner “Mary Bennet.”

Rating: Four Stars

Available: Now

Cover Story by Susan Rigetti

Okay, holy crap, this book! I literally was totally wrong in terms of what I expected, which made this book so good! Told through FBI transcripts, diary entries, emails and more, via four parts, it was so compelling, captivating and so freaking mysterious that I was desperate to learn more!

Here, Lora has landed a dream internship at ELLE Magazine, where she meets the elusive yet enthralling contributing editor Cat Wolff, who’s a total enigma. After Cat takes newbie Lora under her wing, our protagonist soon is offered a dream job to join Cat’s inner circle as her ghostwriter. Of course, there’s more to the story than you even know…

This book, much like a fictional portrayal of the Anna Delvey scandal, read super quick, and gah, I literally cannot stop thinking about it now that I finished it. Plus, that twist? Seriously, oh man, I think my jaw is still on the floor! Totally unexpected and mesmerizing. Seriously, this book is a special one. End of story. Period.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: April 5, 2022

Fool Me Once by Ashley Winstead

Described as a fierce and funny battle of the exes, this book follows independent Lee Stone “Stoner”, who runs the communications for a woman-owned electric car company by day and can drink guys under the table at night. However, she won’t let any potential relationships get further than one night in her bed. After previous heartbreaks, she knows you can’t count on love, especially after she cheated on ex-boyfriend Ben. So, naturally, she’s totally shocked when he reappears in her workplace world five years later (still hyper-competitive) and they need to team up in order to pass a clean energy bill, that she’s uber-passionate about, on behalf of the Texas governor.

I was drawn into this novel’s storytelling from the first pages. Lee and Ben are the epitome of the enemies to lovers slash second chance trope, and as a result, they have such banter back-and-forth, which is so engaging and fun to follow. It reads quickly, and it’s so fun, cute, authentic and vulnerable that I really didn’t want to pause this read for even one minute. All in all, it’s equally fun, witty, romantic and relatable — balancing the sweet romance with an authentic finding yourself tale all wrapped up in one.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: April 5, 2022

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

Casey McQuiston. Young Adult Debut. Is Here. Eeep! McQuiston is fast becoming an auto-buy author for me after I devoured Red, White & Royal Blue, One Last Stop, and now, I Kissed Shara Wheeler.

Here, Chloe Green moves from southern California to small-town Alabama for high school with her eye on the prize of valedictorian upon graduation. However, her biggest academic rival is Shara Wheeler, the principal’s daughter and all-around teachers’ pet. One month before graduation and finding out which student will top the class ranking, Shara vanishes on prom night — just hours after kissing Chloe for the first time. On the hunt for answers about her kiss-and-dash, Chloe follows a trail of pink letters that her rival left for boyfriend Smith, neighbor Rory and herself. Which, hello, Paper Towns by John Green vibes, so I’m into it! For most of the book, the unlikely trio follow Shara’s series of pink-colored envelopes full of intricate clues to decode to find her location in time for their high school graduation.

True to style, McQuiston weaves her signature compelling, witty language to tell an engaging story full of diverse and authentic characters. By early chapters, I’m already so intrigued to learn more and find out what actually happened! This book is that unputdownable, truly, and adds a unique twist on the rom-com genre thanks to the added ‘Where is Shara’ mystery we have going on here. Main character Chloe Green, just like the side characters, is so authentic, honest and relatable as they all come of age in a small Southern town. All in all, this book is so, so, so good and intriguing, like I just loved it. Then, it does feature a cute rom-com and HEA, not just for our heroine but also the whole senior class too, which is equally sweet and cute.

Rating: Five Stars

Available: May 3, 2022

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory

When I tell you I legitimately screamed when I got approved for this ARC *and* found out this novel was a thing. True story. One of my top reads of 2021 was the first book in the Meant to Be series (If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy) and considering Jasmine Guillory is also a master of romance novels and wrote a literal Beauty and the Beast-inspired novel, like, SOLD. Instantly.

Here, Isabelle “Izzy” is a publishing house editorial assistant, yearning for her next step. Looking for her next career move, she volunteers to travel to a reclusive former child star to find out why is memoir manuscript is late. Upon arriving at his Santa Barbara, California mansion, she meets Beau Towers. He’s equally lost and withdrawn, unable to pen even a chapter of his book. Izzy is determined to hand-hold him to actually write his story and, along the way, they discover all they have in common.

I adore Beauty and the Beast and bookish romances, so naturally, I found this book completely charming and was fully drawn into the story immediately. There are tons of little Beauty and the Beast Easter eggs and nods to the original which were super fun and I loved that touch. The book is well-written, chock full of compelling language. I was so intrigued by the story and very much wanted to keep reading. While the main character Izzy is very a sugar-sweet, cookie-cutter good girl, I found myself more drawn to her love interest Beau, who was just so authentic, vulnerable and so interesting to see him shed his hard layers. Overall, it is a slow-burn romance that once it gets going, is very cute that had me swooning. The ending? Gah, it was just so precious and bookish and I loved it with my whole heart.

Content Warning: Stockholm Syndrome (which I guess can be said about Beauty and the Beast in general.)

Rating: Four Stars

Available: May 3, 2022

See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome and how much I really liked it. The story, much like a college/New Adult version of Groundhog Day, follows Barrett and Miles who have somehow gotten stuck in a time loop and are forced to relive their disastrous first day of college.

Here, Barrett is forced to relive her embarrassing, fateful first day of college over and over, including an encounter with her physics classmate, Miles. In an unforeseen twist, she learns that Miles has also been stuck in the same loop for nearly one month longer. The pair decide to team up to figure out a way out of the time loop, with everything from science to magic, as they go on various wild adventures around their college campus.

It’s full of compelling language that intrigued me and sucked me in. I was just so curious to learn more about what happened and how they could possibly fix it. The protagonists are equally authentic and vulnerable as leading players.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: May 17, 2022

American Royals III: Rivals by Katharine McGee

The Queen is here — literally. I nearly *screamed* when I learned one of my all-time favorite contemporary YA/NA series would have a third sequel. After devouring both of author Katharine McGee’s prior novels (and wishing I could be a combination of all of her leading ladies, let’s be honest), I was completely stoked and thrilled to revisit the Washingtons once more. And let me tell you: It completely lives up the hype of the Washington sibling’s regal world that I first fell in love with from the first books in the series. I am so grateful for this ARC, because, let’s be honest, I just couldn’t way another minute to find out what was next for Queen Beatrice, Princess Samantha, Daphne and Nina. While Majesty let me down slightly after watching my beloved Connor+Bea ship crash and burn, I am pleased to return that my fandom has returned in full force with this one.

Here, it’s a meeting of the monarchs as Beatrice (fresh off her canceled nuptials to Teddy from the last book) is set to preside over the prestigious Legions of Kings meetings for global regents. There, she’s representing America at the convention and desperately trying to get her first initiative past, all while balancing her fragile relationship with Teddy (whom she did postpone their wedding!) and meeting a glamorous international French princess who invites her into her elite inner circle. Meanwhile, Princess Samantha and beau Lord Marshall are still going strong (eeep!) but navigate difficult future plans considering the title differences. Then, there’s Daphne and Nina who are forced to (gasp!) team up to take down a new rival in town, equally vying for Prince Jefferson’s affections.

True to McGee’s style, this book brings her signature witty and engaging language that had me both yearning to find out what happened next but also wanting to savor every last morsel of text and storytelling. Told in 4 points of view, I’m quickly drawn into each leading lady’s head and become so desperate to learn what would happen next. And seriously, I just didn’t want this book to end!

It makes the perfect addition to the American Royals series, and selfishly, I hope it’s not the end of this series because I have so many questions left after that ending. Basically, I just need more content, like, right now. Or I’ll just re-read it, one, two or ten more times in the meantime.

Rating: Five Stars

Available: May 31, 2022

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

7Sep2021

7 Late 2021 Books I’ve Been Obsessing Over

Posted in Miranda's Book Nook by msiwak

With my new work normal finally settling in, I’ve also been able to get a new reading schedule in place so I continue to read for fun daily or weekly, because the last year, it bummed me out that I had zero time to actually read my overflowing TBR. Now, that the latter half of 2021 is fast approaching, I’ve been able to make a sizable dent in my ARC reading list on NetGalley — many of which have become Instant Must-Reads to share with you all.

So, without further ado, welcome back to another installment of Miranda’s Book Nook because I have even more 2021 book recommendations for you! These reads I just couldn’t get enough of and, subsequently, be on your bookish radar later this year. Happy reading!

The Sweetest Remedy by Jane Igharo

I thoroughly enjoyed this women’s fiction slash romance novel, so much so that I barely wanted to put it down between reading sessions! Here, Hannah travels to Lagos, Nigeria for the funeral of the father she only met once briefly. In this fish-out-of-water tale, she meets her long-lost and extravagant family for the first time, a new love interest, and even unearthed new parts about herself and her culture/identity she didn’t know was missing. The book follows the chaotic days leading up to the funeral as she is accepted by some members of her new family and scorned by others, learns about this other side of herself and her father’s culture, and unexpectedly falls for a local man during the few days she’s in town.

This Berkley book intrigued me from the summary and author Jane Igharo’s previous bestselling novel, so I was so excited to try this out. As I read, I discovered the story is told through multiple points of view, including Hannah and her various siblings. The chapters are quick and engaging that pulled me in from Chapter One. The language’s compelling, the perspectives’ intriguing, and the characters are authentic yet complex.

It was super difficult to stop reading this read, which ended up being a sweet romance mixed with an endearing coming-of-age type of story. And while, yes, there’s a romance here, this story was more than just a romance which is why I gravitated towards it so much. It’s also a family tale, a story of identity and finding yourself, too. It was a very good, engaging, and compelling read. Would definitely recommend.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: October 12

The Party Crasher by Sophie Kinsella

Honestly, I requested this ARC on a whim the moment I saw the author was Sophie Kinsella without even reading the synopsis because that was, like, an instant-read for me. Then, 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.

I don’t often give out 5/5 stars, but this book earned it because it’s so well-written and captivating, and I just loved it. Truly devoured it. Like, wow, there aren’t a ton of books like this one, and, yeah, I just wanted to root for the whole family so much. Each character is so authentic, realistic, and vulnerable like real-life people. Bravo, Bravo.

Rating: Five Stars

Available: October 12

All the Feels by Olivia Dade

For anyone who is a fan of Spoiler Alert or spicy romance novels in general, you are sure to enjoy this novel. Written as a follow-up to Marcus and April’s story, now it’s Alex’s turn. Alex, Marcus’ friend from God of the Gates who also enjoys writing fanfiction, knows his star is failing after a recent arrest and public altercation becomes tabloid fodder. While he’s needed to finish filming the show, the showrunners hire a minder to watch out for him. So, they enlist one of their cousins: Lauren. Lauren is a former ER therapist between jobs, trying to figure out her next step. And she does need the cash, so she agrees to help out her cousin and watch over this incredibly good-looking superstar. But, the more she gets to know him and spend time with him, the more she realizes there’s more to him than meets the eye.

After devouring Spoiler Alert, I was instantly excited about this one, and boy, did it deliver! Told in dual perspectives, the language just drew me in and captivated me until the very last page of the epilogue. Yes, there is some ~spice~ here, and it does get, um, ahem, hot, so fair warning if that’s not your thing or is, no judgment either way. Plus, that ending was beyond adorable yet still felt completely justified.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: October 26

A Certain Appeal by Vanessa King

I’m a sucker for a good Pride & Prejudice retelling, and that’s what drew me to this read. Imagine: Austen’s classic story in a contemporary setting at a burlesque club in New York City because that’s what we get here/

After a stinging betrayal at work, Liz Bennet found a fresh start in NYC as an assistant slash burlesque club “stage kitten” at night. The prospect of love isn’t on her radar right now until Mr. William Darcy struts into her club one night. They look eyes before he refers to her as merely “tolerable.” Oh, how I’ve heard this tale before… She plans to write him off until her bestie Jane ends up falling for his, Charles Bingley, and they are continuously thrown together into the same orbit more often than she’d like. And, true to fashion, with time, she soon discovers her prejudices slipping as she gets to know the real Darcy.

So, it can best be described as Pride & Prejudice mixed with found family and the world of burlesque, which takes a classic and spins it on its head. For a retelling, it does feel original and fresh. There have been plenty of Austenian adaptations, but none have been exactly like this one. It’s a fairly quick read, chock full of engaging language and more representative/diverse characters, oh, and spice. Yes, plenty of spice.

Rating: Three Stars

Available: November 2

The Wedding Ringer by Kerry Rea

Knowing how much I’ve enjoyed other Berkley romances and the premise of this one, I was instantly excited about this one from the start. And my thoughts continued to live up to that hype after I finished it, too.

Here, we follow Willa, who was a successful Ohio-based blogger with a loving fiance until she caught him cheating on her with her very best friend. Now, she works as a dress-up princess for children’s birthday parties but dreams of starting over somewhere new and escaping her life. But to do so, she needs money. Randomly, she meets Maisie who needs to hire a last-minute replacement bridesmaid is willing to shell out big bucks for that to open, and since Willa needs the money, it seems like a simple enough gig. Willa is thrust into Maisie’s high-energy world of wedding planning into the path of the best man: the handsome and successful doctor Liam, who has sort of has a not-so-nice history with when she meets up at Maisie’s engagement party.

OK, so, this book! Author Kerry Rea writes such engaging storytelling that puts you right into the moment and in her head with first-person narration in this fun, indulgent rom-com. TBH, it’s such a quick type of read that I don’t want to put down at all thanks to its witty language and fun premise. Towards the end, there is a big surprise twist that showcases the vulnerability and authenticity of the characters, which I liked to see. And, of course, that HEA was beyond precious and had me grinning so darn wide. Also, just want to put it out there: Liam is the perfect book boyfriend candidate, calling it now.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: November 9

If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich

This book has been on my “To Read Upon Its Release” TBR list after reading a summary and seeing a cover photo via Instagram, and so the moment I saw this ARC available on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to request an early copy because 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. It’s a fun read that takes place BTS of their European tour. I’d categorize this book more as New Adult than a true-form Young Adult because there’s a tad bit of *spicy* content here, which I was totally on board with. It’s a quick read, and both the characters together and the book are just so darn cute. In terms of tropes, we’ve got friends-to-lovers and secret love, so what could go wrong?

By the end of this book, I wanted to make one thing clear: I officially stan Saturday and Zach+Ruben as a couple. This novel is completely and wholeheartedly precious and squeal-worthy. It was so difficult to put down this book because I just needed to know what would happen next.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: December 7

Smile and Look Pretty by Amanda Pellegrino

I was instantly intrigued by this book, because like many other employees in the workforce, I have survived life as an underpaid assistant and intern, and I was so curious to see how this book would tackle such a complicated and seldomly spoken about topic. And this author did so seamlessly and authentically in a way that still told a compelling story. This book was described as a 9 to 5 for the Instagram generation, which instantly intrigued me because I understand where they’re coming from all too well.

Here, we follow four best friends (Cate, Lauren, Max, and Olivia) who all have had enough of their grueling assistant gigs in the entertainment industry and dealing with their powerful bosses taking advantage of their labor and desire to get ahead in their careers. These four overworked and underpaid assistants realize that, like the assistants who came before them, know they have to pay their dues to get to the top yet they are continually passed over for promotions and fed up with the work environment’s toxicity and reach their collective breaking points. So, they start a secret and anonymous blog where they can share their assistant woes and experience. The blog’s a hit, and soon more and more assistants start sharing their stories too, which launches them into viral fame.

Told via multiple perspectives, you get an in-depth look at how each girl got to this decision to chronicle their Me Too-era work experiences via the blog in a poignant and authentic way. After a slow start, the book ramps up into a compelling, relatable, and unputdownable read, chock-full of captivating language.

Rating: Four Stars

Available: December 28

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

14Dec2020

9 New Books I Can’t Stop Thinking About

Posted in Miranda's Book Nook by msiwak

We already got a peek at some of my latest 2021 reads already on here, and guess what? That’s not even half of it! Welcome back to Miranda’s Book Nook as I share some of the 2021 book titles I can’t get enough of and which ones should be on your radar through the end of this year and into the next. Happy reading, y’all!

The Fangirl’s Guide to the Universe by Sam Maggs

OMG, this handbook for geek girls is so much fun!! It’s a fun, uplifting guidebook is for all the unapologetic fangirls out there, no matter what you stan. This book is for the fangirls and guys that are living their best stan lives passionately and free.

Author Sam Maggs writes from her own fangirl experience, which makes the book all the more realistic. With her first-person essays and lists, the book is chock full of empowering and informative language, plus fun, cute illustrations and graphics. Lololol, like, I love this book already. It’s all about finding your geek tribe and then embracing this weird, wonderful geek life. Then, Maggs also interviews some of the top geek girls who use fandom in their careers, which is so cool to see their takes on the fandom world. All in all, it’s all about embracing your inner fangirl loud and proud, which I love to see it. This cute and fun nonfiction book focuses on being a geek girl feminist and how to bring change to the geek world, which I loved to see too. Fangirls unite, it’s time to suit up and change the universe!

Available: Now

A Royal Disaster by Jennifer Bonds

I was looking for a happy regal romance to transition my TBR and this book was exactly that. The book follows Elena (aka Lena), a nickname that’s used interchangeably, who’s sworn off dating following a bad breakup and undercover prince Liam in dual back and forth perspectives.

After a disastrous meet-cute, it’s clear these two have so much heat and banter between them. When paparazzi pictures of the two of them go viral, he proposes a fake dating scheme to get the press off their backs and get his parents off of the idea of an arranged marriage right now. Ok, so like Lena repeatedly says “Ay Dios Mio” throughout the book, and that’s the only applicable reaction to reading this steamy romance novel. It’s a fun and quick one-sitting read, and boy, does it bring the heat because there’s so much tension between them, like things had to explode, and damn, did they! It’s smutty and good fun for a romance. I did get so wrapped up in the story that I just couldn’t put it down and ended up devouring it in one sitting. Sure, it’s predictably cheesy but it’s just so darn cute as is. And then, that HEA gave me so many damn butterflies in the pit of my stomach. Like, in general, I do love a good royal romance, it’s truly my favorite trope, and this was the perfect addition to that squad of books. It was so cute, and I just need a full freaking series with the continuation of their love story. Right now.

Available: Now

Survival of the Thickest by Michelle Buteau

This book of essays from comedian and actress Michelle Buteau is all about her life and journey, peppered with a conversational tone and language as almost like if she’s in element doing a standup routine.

I’ve found her comedy bits from The Circle or 2 Dope Queens to be amusing, so I was intrigued by the prospect of her own book. It’s an authentic memoir of essays, where everything she writes and experienced is quite funny because it’s relatable as heck. A fun, lighthearted celebrity memoir read.

Available: Now

Mr Right Across The Street by Kathryn Freeman

I was looking for a fun, contemporary British romance, and I got that. Here, Mia has recently moved to Manchester for a fresh start from her disastrous dating life. Then, she notices her hunky neighbor across the street has begun to leave her notes in his window since both their spare rooms face another. He’s Luke, a bar owner with his own issues but by helping to show Mia the town sights, he sees what real romance can be. Because he’s just besotted.

The book is told through back-and-forth dual perspectives, and the two of them have such banter down pat. Soon, they start exchanging messages through the windows, and a friendship develops. It’s a cute slow-burn romance full of fun language and fun, delicious banter that I can’t get enough of. Sure, this book is a bit slow to start and really get into, but it does get a lot better and cuter. I love a good “nerd and cool kid” romance story, and this one is just positively cute and fun. The ending is very sweet too, like giving me butterflies type of good.

Available: January 22

You Were Made For Me by Jenna Guillaume

This YA romance was delightful, fun, and just plain cute. Here, less than popular Katie and her best friend Libby sort of, accidentally, sculpted and baked a perfect teen boy replica who then magically came to life. And it turned out that, once real, he was a super devoted boyfriend to the never been kissed Katie.

It’s described as a modern, feminist retelling of the eighties cult movie Weird Science, and just by the description, I could tell this would be super cute and fun. Which it was. The book’s written like a post-experiment diary from Kate, with interjections by Libby, as they recount this story in the first-person perspective. Sure, it’s a bit slow to start before the boy they make, Guy, comes to life. But once he does, it ramps up and I just find myself so compelled by the language that I have to know what happens next. Sure, this premise is completely off-the-wall bonkers, but I’m actually into it. It’s just a fun and cute YA. A great one-sitting read. Then, there’s Theo, the boy next door who definitely, positively has a crush on her but she doesn’t see it, and also the most popular boy in school who she’s always liked. So, there’s a whole bunch of things happening here. But in the end, it was such a cheesy, cute teen romance, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Available: April 1

Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron

Before I started this read, I was in the mood for an adorable, fluffy contemporary romance with a little steam as a transition read for my TBR, and this book delivers on that front.

Here, the main character Reena sets up a fake engagement with her new neighbor Nadim in order to enter a couples’ only baking competition. So, we’ll get that ole reliable fake date trope to keep us occupied. Nadim is instantly described as a “brown Captain America” which, like, what a solid description lololol with a British accent. He moves to Canada to work for her father and they’re set to have an arranged marriage, which she’s not interested in. Each chapter reads quite quickly with tone and language that pulls you in. It’s captivating and relatable, a book I could hardly put down. It’s a fun, indulgent romance read with a number of laughable scenes. Also, OMG the Buffy jokes were on point at the end. LOL, unexpected but, like, well done.

Overall, this book was juicy and dramatic that I got so invested in the storyline and these characters. Then that HEA actually gave me butterflies in my stomach, so yes, it is darn cute. It’s just so precious and so much fun.

Available: March 2

The Girls Are All So Nice Here by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

This psychological thriller and women’s fiction novel follows former best friends Ambrosia and Sloane (aka Amb and Sully) as some mysterious letter forces the two girls to reunite to find someone who wants to get revenge for some dark deed they did ten years ago at their college reunion. It starts with an intriguing, mysterious hook that has me so curious from the get-go that had me so interested to keep reading. This book flashes between the reunion in the present day and Amb’s freshman year when the incident went down and what led to its occurrence. Once Amb and Sully get letters summoning their attendance at the reunion, they find out they’ve been stuck in the same room but who did that and is stalking them, or what do they want? This book has so many juicy bombshells and insane reveals that had me on the edge of my seat. It’s so mysterious and I was just so desperate to find out more with all of its unexpected and unpredictable twists that gave me such can’t-put-it-down vibes at nearly 3 in the morning. Whoopsie daisy.

Then, that epilogue. Like, what the heck, it seriously had the biggest twist of them all and I just wanted to scream at ****** for their lack of trust and not believing the truth, and what actually had happened was just so freaking messed up and ***** was so freaking bonkers and bizarre to do this whole thing, like geez, hun, why didn’t you just move on rather than basically try to Single White Female anyone, eesh. But wow, that’s a pretty damn good mystery novel then. I mean, as a non-mystery fan, like holy freaking hell, I can’t believe all that went down and that was so surprising, and also the language was just so captivating that I got so into it.

Available: March 9

The Flipside of Perfect by Liz Reinhardt

I had no earthly idea what to expect when I first was approved for this book on NetGalley, and now that I’m on the other side of this read, I was quite surprised with how cute and realistic it was, and how much I enjoyed it! Here, the main character Adelaide has divorced parents, and when she splits her time between their homes across the country, she takes on opposite personas.

With her mom, stepdad, little sisters, and school friends in Michigan, she’s the proper, perfect, good girl AJ. Then, with her dad and older siblings down in Florida over summer breaks, she’s the more free-spirited and fun Della. These separate worlds, while both her, do not have any overlap whatsoever, until the summer after junior year. While she’s at her dad’s, her younger sister Marnie unexpectedly comes to stay with them, and she must realize who she actually is and how to merge her separate lives. It’s almost as if she lives parallel lives and doesn’t know who she really is or how to merge her complete self into one.

This book has such an engaging, compelling, and relatable point of view, and it’s a quick, fun YA read that I couldn’t put down. I just had to know what would happen next! Then, there’s Della’s former childhood nemesis Jude, who works for her dad in Florida. And the two of them are so dang precious with their little crushes and feelings. Like, awww!! Also, he was the only one to know about her two halves and separate personalities, so clearly she trusts him on a whole other level. Seriously, this book was just so flipping cute.

Available: April 6

To Love and to Loathe by Martha Waters

I’m not usually one for historical books, but this was giving me, like, Pride & Prejudice slash Elizabeth-Darcy and Bridgerton vibes, so like, it’s clearly worth a shot. If you are a fan of the Bridgerton series at all, you’ll definitely fall head over heels for this new Regency-set romance.

Here, Diana and Jeremy are enemies of sorts in their upper echelon of English society. They banter and poke each other quite a bit. So much so, that they agree to a wager that the eligible playboy bachelor must marry within the year or she’ll forfeit one hundred pounds. However, he has a counterproposal for her. Embark on a no-strings-attached, secret affair during his fortnight-long party so she can prove he’s not bad in the bedroom after a former paramour yelled at him that he was. Hahaha, oh I love this book already.

The widowed Diana and Jeremy have so much banter that’s so delicious as a reader. This whole book is so freaking juicy, like, by the prologue alone, I was so into this story! Told through back and forth perspectives, this very enjoyable book is full of witty, captivating language and all the tropey romance goodness. These two characters have a certain level of tension between them, told through all their banter, that’s so delicious to watch play out on the page. It’s a compelling read, and one I just couldn’t put down. Sure, it all ends quite predictably but it’s still fun and cute nonetheless.

Available: April 6

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