Most Anticipated Releases Tuesday April 29, 2025

Here are the books I'm excited about releasing this week!

 

Pucking Around (Jacksonville Rays #1) by Emily Rath

I know this is a re-release but I've had it on my TBR forever. And I love this new cover.

The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner

This one just looks good. Plus the cover is so pretty!

Enigma by RuNyx

I have the first book in this series but have not read it yet. The hard copies are so pretty so I'll add this one to my TBR and get a pretty copy at some point.

What are you anticipating this week?

ARC Review: How To Write a Rom-Com by Cristina Wolf

'Funny and delightful' - Abby Jimenez

Lucy Bowen has sworn off love.

After too many failed relationships, she's over the fairytale – but working at NYC's biggest romance publisher, Heartwarming, means she can't escape it. When the company's bestselling author, Ruby Jones, threatens to leave due to dwindling sales (and a complete lack of inspiration), Lucy's boss takes drastic action.

Her new assignment? Go to a small lakeside town and find the spark for Ruby's next big love story.

Lucy expects picture-perfect charm, but the town – and its grumpy yet extremely attractive restaurant owner, Liam – have other ideas. He's skeptical of city folk, and she has zero interest in falling for a small-town cliché. But rom-com rule number one? Love finds you when you least expect it...

"Filled with humor, charm, and sizzling chemistry" - Stacey Kennedy, USA Today bestselling author

Title: How To Write a Rom-Com

Author: Cristina Wolf

Publisher:

Expected Publication Date: May 15, 2025

Review:

Thank you to Christina Wolf and Bookfunnel for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I'm a lover of all the rom-com tropes and reading this summary had me itching to see where this particular story would go. City girl goes country? Check! Forced proximity? Check! Golden retriever MMC? Check! Small town? Check! Short, sweet, and to the point story? Check! Bring it all on. Plus, this story is recommended by my girl Abby Jimenez and I love her stories.
Lucy Bowen wants her life to move forward: she's not sure she believes in love anymore and needs to advance her career. After years in the book industry, she wants to move into an editor position. How better to do that than take on the project her boss says will show her talents. So she packs up and moves to a small town for a few weeks to catalogue the small town feel and all it's people in order to have inspiration for a storyline for one of the publishing house's top authors. She doesn't expect to fall in the love, with the town and more!
I like Lucy. She has her quirks but she's endearing and relatable. I loved her use of Instagram and her funny posts to get engagement. Liam is your typical cinnamon roll character. His love of food and feeding other is his language. He's easy going and, of course, handsome. And he has the BEST dog in Blue, his German Shepard.
The romance and chemistry between these two is palpable. I had fun watching them burn towards each other. And, of course, the small town characters leant a hand in this. My favorite part of the romance is the characters being content with the happy for now rather than the happily ever after. It's so much more in line to living your life to the fullest. Also, keep in mind, love finds you when you least expect it. My favorite romantic plot of all!
If you're looking for a fast and easy romantic read with tons banter and some tense romance scenes, give this one a try. You'll fall in love with Lucy and Liam (and BLUE) and the small town of Hudson Hollow.
Wolf kept the pacing fast and light and the plot interesting and moving forward throughout the book. And, while there is a third act break-up of sorts, it's not the typical jarring you get in many romances.

Author:

Cristina Wolf wrote her first book in the third grade. It was an adventure book about her beagle, Abby, complete with hand-drawn illustrations and top-notch handwriting. Needless to say, writing and reading has been a passion of Cristina’s from the beginning. After graduating from Marist College with a double major in Business and English, Cristina pursued a career in the publishing industry while earning her Master of Science in Publishing from New York University. Cristina has experience working at literary agencies and as an editorial assistant at a publishing house. Finding life in NYC a bit different than she expected, Cristina returned to her native New Jersey where she earned her Master in Teaching from Monmouth University. She now shares her love of books with her students as a middle school English teacher.

Other than working or writing, Cristina loves spending time with her dogs, Zoey, Winnie, and Mabel, exercising on her Peloton, laying on her hammock with a good book, and planning her next trip to Disney World.

 

Fat Stack Friday April 25, 2025

 

Check out my book haul this week!

In the mail:

Volatile Memory by Seth Haddon

This one came in the mail. No materials with it. I have no idea how or why it was sent to me. It's a sci-fi saphic story. Not sure it's for me so I may pass it off the the Little Free Library.

On my Kindle:

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

I wanted so badly to read this one early but it never surfaced for me on my early reader sites or as a widget. So I got it as soon as it published. I'm excited and will be diving into it this weekend!

Libby/Hoopla:

Next of Kin by Hannah Bonam-Young

I like HBY a lot. I'm excited to give this one a listen.

Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura

Almost done with this one and it's really cute. I'm enjoying the Indiana Jones vibes!

What did you get this week?

ARC Review: A Letter from The Lonesome Shore (The Sunken Archives #2) by Sylvie Cathrall

 

The charming conclusion to the Sunken Archive duology, a heart-warming magical academia fantasy filled with underwater cities, romance of manners and found family, perfect for fans of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries.

Former correspondents E. and Henerey, accustomed to loving each other from afar, did not anticipate continuing their courtship in an enigmatic underwater city. When their journey through the Structure in E.'s garden strands them in a peculiar society preoccupied with the pleasures and perils of knowledge, E. and Henerey come to accept - and, more surprisingly still, embrace - the fact that they may never return home.

A year and a half later, Sophy and Vyerin finally discover one of the elusive Entries that will help them seek their siblings. As the group's efforts bring them closer to E. and Henerey, an ancient, cosmic threat also draws near. . .

Title: A Letter from The Lonesome Shore (The Sunken Archives #2)

Author: Sylvie Cathrall

Publisher: Orbit Books

Expected Publication Date: May 6, 2025

Review:

Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I was excited for this second installment of this story. If you haven't read the first, you absolutely must in order to read this story. While the author does a good job reminding you of background, you will not understand much of what happens without reading the first.

Also, know this is told in epistolary (letter) format. I had not read anything like it before the first book and enjoyed it so much more than I ever thought I would. I truly thought I'd be bored. But the author does a fabulous job of presenting all different points of view to really shape the story and the relationships between the characters.

These books definitely are ones that have you stretching your imagination to understand the world. It's pure fantasy with characters living both above and within the water. The author really does a great job of building this world out even more than you know from the first book. She expands where they travel and how and with whom. Plus she introduces a new group of characters.

I will say there were times I had to back track to know what was exactly happening (thus only having a 4 star review from me). You definitely have to focus all your attention on the story and not be distracted while reading this.

I liked the mystery and how it unfolded. Plus it's ensconced in academia, which is always so intriguing to me.

There is a ton of diversity in these books ranging from mental health representation to LBGTQ+. Lots of characters with differing personalities and relationships to follow and understand. 

And the romance! Its sweet and endearing. If you're looking for sexy and explicit, you won't get that here. You get bare bones attraction and a love that grows organically.

If you're looking for a whimsical duaology set in a underwater/surrounded by water world with a fantastic array of different characters with tons of representation, check these books out!

Author:

Sylvie Cathrall writes stories of hope and healing with healthy doses of wonder and whimsy. She holds a graduate degree in odd Victorian art and has handled more than a few nineteenth-century letters (with great care). Sylvie married her former pen pal and lives in the mountains, where she dresses impractically and dreams of the sea.

Most Anticipated Releases Tuesday April 22, 2025

 

Check out the books I'm most anticipated releasing this week!

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

I wanted a review copy of this one so badly but it never went up on any sites and I wasn't sent a widget. So I dowloaded my copy this morning and I'll be dropping everything to give this one a read!

What are you anticipating this week?

ARC Review: The Thrashers by Julie Soto

Either you're in or you're out.

Welcome to the Thrashers, the elite friend group at New Helvetia High.

They’re everything everyone wants to be.

Jodi Dillon was never meant to be one of them. Julian, Lucy, Paige, and the infamous Zack Thrasher are rich, sophisticated, and love attention. Jodi feels out of place, but Zack’s her childhood best friend, so she’s in.

Then Emily Mills, who desperately wanted to be a Thrasher, dies—and the whispers about the Thrashers begin. As Emily’s journal surfaces, detectives close in, and Jodi faces an impossible choice: betray her friends or protect herself.

But as eerie messages and strange occurrences escalate, it becomes clear—Emily isn’t done with them yet.

A twisty thrill-ride of unforgettable drama and suspense that "encapsulates the vulnerability of adolescents playing adult games" (Ali Hazelwood) from USA Today bestselling author Julie Soto, The Thrashers will keep you up at night desperate to read just one more page.

"A tour-de-force YA debut from Julie Soto." - Alexa Donne

"For fans of Karen McManus and Kara Thomas, The Thrashers had me holding my breath, sweaty-palming my e-reader, and dying to flip each page to see what would happen next." - Susan Lee

"Expertly plotted and full of flawed, morally gray characters you still can't help rooting for, The Thrashers is one of the best books I've read this year." - Evelyn Skye

Title: The Thrashers

Author: Julie Soto

Publisher: St Martin's Press/Wednesday Books

Expected Publication Date: May 6, 2025

Review:

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Julie Soto is a new found author for me. I read Not Another Love Song and liked it so much I immediately requested this title without even reading the blurb! I can say, I was not disappointed at all. It may be my favorite by her so far. Usually YA is hit or miss with me, depending on the topic. This one was a hit. I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to call out sick from work just so I could finish it!

Jodi Dillion is part of The Thrashers, an elite group of teens who everyone would love to be "in" with. She was never meant to be part of their group but since Zack Thrasher is her best childhood friend, she was automatically in with them. But their group has been tainted by the suicide of a Emily Mills, who tried hard to befriend them and become a part of their group. When the group becomes the center of an investigation to see if their actions lead to Emily's death, Jodi begins to find out she may not be as privy to the inner goings of her group as she thinks she is.

I love a good mystery/thriller. Add in some paranormal elements, which I was not expecting, and it makes it even more fun. Soto kept me intrigued the entire time. She slowly leaked snippets of what truly happened and Jodi was collecting those clues to figure it all out. The pacing was fast and the plot was unusual. I loved the idea of there potentially being a ghost or spirit haunting the group and how they dealt with it.

The book is narrated from Jodi's POV. She definitely doesn't fit with her group of friends. She's the outsider who has infiltrated due to her association with their "leader". Her family is broke, she lives on the wrong side of town, and she isn't sophisticated. And she knows it. She's also been in love with her best friend Zack for as long as she can remember. But everyone wants a piece of him, including the two other girls that make up The Thrashers: Lucy and Paige. Plus she doesn't get along with Julian, Zack's best friend. I liked learning about all the characters from Jodi's POV and it was interesting to see how her idea of each of them changed as the story unfolded. There was so much toxicity with the friendships being portrayed, and a look into bullying that will make your head spin. And the romance was unexpected but I loved it. It is not the center of the book but it definitely has it's place and made for more interesting interactions with the characters. It's a slow burn that involves chemistry and banter with small gestures that build on each other.

I will say this, that ending leaves a ton of room for another book! I literally had goosebumps when I read the epilogue! Will there be another book? I cannot see that Julie won't write it. In any case, I really hope so because I need more. I need a conclusion that is satisfying for one particular character's plot line!

If you're looking for a YA mystery with Heather's/Pretty Little Liar's (think high school hierarchy) vibes, tons of secrets, light romance, and a bit of the paranormal (did someone say ghosts/spirits?), do yourself a favor and pick this one up. You will not be disappointed.

Author:

JULIE SOTO is a USA Today bestselling author, playwright, and actress originally from Sacramento, CA. Her musical Generation Me won the 2017 New York Musical Festival’s Best Musical award, as well as Best Book for her script. She is a musical theater geek, fandom nerd, and the author of many spicy fan fictions. Julie now lives in Fort Bragg, CA, with her dog, Charlie. She is probably drinking coffee as you read this.

 

Fat Stack Friday April 18, 2025

Happy Friday all! Check out what I got this week!

On Kindle:

Wild and Wrangled (Rebel Blue Ranch #4) by Lyla Sage

I really like these cowboy romances. Though this one looks like it might take a bit of a turn away from the cowbody!

Watch Me (Shatter Me: The New Republic #1) by Tahereh Mafi

I love the Shatter Me series. I'm excited to read this spin off series!

My Return to the Walter Boys (The Walter Boys #2) by Ali Novak

I haven't read the first book in this series but I've heard good things and I've had it on my Kindle forever. I'm looking forward to the stories.

Burnout (Holland Brothers #1) by Rebecca Jenshak

This one was free on Amazon so I scooped it up. I'm a former gymnast so I'm looking forward to reading about some gymnastics.

The Never List by jade Presley

This one was an anticipated one for me, though I never put it on my list! It looks good!

Libby/Hoopla:

I Am Made of Death by Kelly Andrew

I had an egalley of this one and really liked it. I wanted to see how it was on audio so I put myself on the list and it popped up this week. I've got 20 days to read it!

NetGalley/Edelweiss:

Den of Liars by Jessica S. Olson

A romantasy! I'm loving them. Excited to have gotten this one.

Last Night was Fun by Holy Michelle

This was a read now and looks adorable!

The E.M.M.A. Effect by Lia Riley

I think i've read a few books by this author. This one has STEM and is for lovers of Ali Hazelwood so sign me up!

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen

This was a read now and I love a good myster/thriller.

We Met Like This by Kasie West

I love West's books so I'm looking forward to seeing what this one is all about.

What did you get this week?

 

Most Anticipated Releases Tuesday April 15, 2025

Really excited for these books releasing this week!

Watch Me (Shatter Me: The New Republic #1) by Tahereh Mafi

One of my most anticipated books of the year. I adore this world and have read the first series a number of times. I was so excited when I heard she was writing a spin off. I tried so hard to find an early copy but was unsuccessful. You better better this was on my Kindle first thing this morning, though. Cannot wait to dive back into this world.

Wild And Wrangled (Rebel Blue Ranch #4) by Lyla Sage

I really like this series. I had requested this one but it's still handing out in the request pile. So now I have a copy on my Kindle and I cannot wait to read this story!

My Return to the Walter Boys (My Life With the Walter Boys #2) by Ali Novak

I haven't actually read the first book in this series but I have heard great things. So I'm excited to dive in and see what all the fuss is about.

Bridesmaid by Chance by Meghan Quinn

I've tried two Quinn books so far and they were just ok for me but this one looks really cute. We shall see what I think when I read it!

What are you excited about releasing this week?

 

Fat Stack Friday April 11, 2025

Check out all my goodies I got this week!

Libby/Hoopla:

Summer In the City by Alex Aster

I already have the Kindle version of this one but I put in for it at the library a while back and it popped up this week. Looking forward to listening to it!

 

NetGalley/Edelweiss

Overdue by Stephanie Perkins

I've read all of Perkins' books and I was super excited to hear she was moving into the adult realm. This one was read now on NetGalley and I jumped on it!

Jilted by Vi Keeland

I saw this one pop up on NetGalley audio. I had previously requested the egalley but was denied. When I saw this, I requested it and I got approved within minutes. Excited to give it a listen!

What did you get this week?

 

Review: In the Weeds (Lovelight #2) by B.K. Borison

Evelyn St. James isn’t the kind of woman you forget.

Beckett Porter certainly hasn’t. One incredible weekend in Maine, and he’s officially a man distracted. He’s not unfamiliar with hot and heavy flings. He knows how it goes. But Evie wove some sort of magic over him during their tumble in the sheets. He can’t stop thinking about her laugh. Her hand pressed flat against his chest. Her smiling mouth at his neck.

Also, her eyes. And her legs.

So when she suddenly appears on his farm as part of a social media contest, he is … confused. He had no idea that the sweet and sexy woman he met at a bar is actually a global phenomenon: social media influencer Evelyn St. James. When she disappears again, Beckett resolves to finally forget her and move on.

But Evelyn St. James has a problem.

Feeling disconnected from her work and increasingly unhappy, she’s trying to find her way back to something real. She returns to the last place she was happy, Lovelight Farms and the tiny town of Inglewild.

It has absolutely nothing to do with the hot farmer she spent two incredible nights with.

Nothing at all.

In The Weeds is a sweet and steamy second-chance romance about finding your happiness. It features a grumpy farmer, a no-nonsense social media influencer, a small town of busybodies, and four very cute kittens. In The Weeds is a standalone romance and is part of the Lovelight series.

Title: In the Weeds (Lovelight #2)

Author: B.K. Borison

Publisher: Berkley

Publication Date: Ari 8, 2022

Links: Amazon Barnes and Noble BAM

Review:

I do not think there is a book Borison will write that I will not love.

When I found out this book was about Beckett Porter, I gave a little squeal. I really needed Beckett to have his story. I knew behind that grumpy exterior there was so much more and boy was I right! And to make it a kind of second chance for him made it that much more special. And then I saw DUAL POV and I was sold. The entire time I was reading the first book I kept wanting dual POV and was really hoping Borison would get on board with that and she did!

Beckett had a hot and heavy two night stand while at a farm conference. He knew it was just a fling but he can't seem to get that girl off his mind. So when Evelyn St. James shows up at Lovelight Farms and happens to be that same girl, his life is thrown into a tail spin. He never expected to see her again and he certainly never expected the spark that was between them to flame into a fire.

FINALLY Beckett's reaction to Evie showing up on the farm makes so much sense! His grumpiness, his social isolation, and so many other things all clicked into place in this book. I absolutely adore him and all his quirks. I love his relationship with his family and how he cares for them despite his own issues. And his love of animals, ugh. That endeared him to me so much. Borison did such a great job addressing his anxiety and showing how it affected him and his relationships.

Evelyn really needed that break. Being in the public eye all the time was taking it's toll. She finds happy at Lovelight, and how can you not? Despite being famous, she fit right in with the Lovelight crew. I really enjoyed her character and her journey during this book. She was vibrant and fun and definitely the sunshine to Beckett's grumpy.

THE. SIDE. CHARACTERS! Ok, so we already know Stella and Luka from book one but now we are introduced to all of Beckett's family. I love his sisters and his DAD! Plus we see Layla again and I just know she'll get her story next!

The pacing kept me turning pages the whole time. I loved the slow build to happiness and the happily ever after the characters deserved. The romance was spot on and sexy!

This might just be my favorite of the series. Small town, grumpy sunshine, forced proximity, anxiety rep, dual POV, second chance romance, and so much more. I loved every second of this story and already I cannot wait to re-read it!

Author:

New York Times, Sunday Times, and USA Today Bestselling author B.K. Borison is the author of cozy, contemporary romances featuring emotionally vulnerable characters and swoon-worthy settings. When she’s not daydreaming about fictional characters doing fictional things, she’s at home with her family, more than likely buying books she doesn’t have room for.

Stay Connected:
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
Newsletter Sign-Up