Ghosts, Family Secrets, and One Surprisingly Spicy Historical Mystery: City of Liars by Emily Colin

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I’ve read and loved several of Emily Colin’s books, but City of Liars might be her best yet. At the very least, it is absolutely my favorite of hers. It has everything I love: dual timelines, family secrets, ghostly whispers from the past, complicated class dynamics, a mystery that unfolds piece by piece, and a romance with enough heat to make you check whether someone left the oven on.

Blurb

One night of passion unleashes a century of secrets…

In 1920s New York City, two little girls vanish—one from a gilded playground, the other from a crowded tenement. When only one child is found, her memories erased, both families claim her. The Carters’ wealth secures their victory in court, leaving the Dresslers shattered.

Decades later, Liv, a psychologist and single mother, meets Theo, a brilliant pianist who’s fought his way out of poverty. Their magnetic, impulsive night together seems like fate, until morning changes everything: Theo is a Dressler, bound to the same family tragedy that shadows Liv’s past.

Drawn together by a force neither can resist, the two begin to unravel the tangled threads of their families’ histories. But every clue they find reveals another mystery. As ghostly interventions guide their quest and their feelings deepen, they must decide what they’re willing to risk for the truth, for their families…and for each other.

With echoes of a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, City of Liars transports readers from the glittering world of 1920s Manhattan to the windswept shores of contemporary North Carolina, spinning a tale of secrets, injustice, and the ghosts that refuse to stay silent.

My Thoughts

The setup immediately hooked me. In 1926 New York City, two little girls disappear on the same snowy night: Ella Carter, daughter of a wealthy socialite family, and Lily Dressler, a child from a tenement family. A year later, one girl is returned after being adopted from an orphanage. The Carters claim her as Ella. Lily’s mother is certain she is her daughter.

The Carters have money, power, and influence. The Dresslers do not. You can imagine how that goes.

From there, the novel unfolds across dual timelines, moving between the glittering, ruthless world of 1920s Manhattan and the present-day lives of Liv and Theo, two people tied to opposite sides of this century-old family tragedy. Colin brings New York vividly to life from multiple perspectives and classes, making the city feel like a character in its own right: growing, changing, devouring, remembering, and holding tight to its ghosts.

The mystery is deliciously suspenseful. We truly do not know whether Liv’s grandmother was Ella or Lily, and the emotional stakes are just as strong as the plot stakes. Would knowing the truth heal these families or destroy them all over again? That question gives the book so much weight.

I also loved the way the story explores class, both in the past and present. Would things have turned out differently if Lily’s family had money? Almost certainly. The injustice at the heart of the story is painful because it is so believable. This is also a book about generational trauma, where we watch one terrible decision ripple through decades, shaping lives long after the original players are gone.

And then there is the romance. Liv and Theo are wonderful together. Liv is a recently divorced single mother and psychologist who still can’t quite see the toxicity in her own family. Her dad is a walking red flag, and I was mentally waving several more every time he appeared. Theo, meanwhile, is a brilliant pianist who has fought his way out of poverty but is terrified to let anyone truly in. Their chemistry is intense.

Fair warning, it’s much spicier than I expected. Not necessarily my personal cup of tea, but for readers who love heat, there is plenty here. Let’s just say there is a modern-day Bridgerton Polin carriage scene situation happening, so maybe don’t read certain chapters during a heatwave.

City of Liars is romantic, haunting, suspenseful, and emotionally rich. If you enjoy family secrets, dual timelines, ghostly interventions, class tension, and romance wrapped around a mystery that patiently unfolds piece by piece, this book is absolutely worth picking up.

City of Liars is out today, July 9th.

The Moors Are Haunted, but So Is This Family: We Are Monsters by M.J. Dyer

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She lost her sister. Then she lost herself.

We Are Monsters by M.J. Dyer is one of those books that creeps up on you. At first, I thought I knew what kind of story I was stepping into: dark academia, dead sister, suspicious family, probably some secrets buried out on the moors. You know. The usual healthy reading choices.

But this book is not quite so simple. It’s twisty, claustrophobic, deeply character-driven, and increasingly uncomfortable in a way that really worked for me.

Blurb

Welcome to St. Margaret’s University, a campus on Bodmin Moor where sibling rivalry has never been more dangerous…

Elara has always been jealous of her beautiful sisters, identical twins Astrid and Halley. Astrid is the loud, scary, dominant one, and Halley is the kind, gentle, soft one. Next to them, Elara is invisible, bland, boring. And she is always compared to them. Just once, Elara wants to force people to notice her and make her sisters pale in comparison.

When Halley’s body is found on the moors, Elara has the perfect opportunity to step into the spotlight. The police have ruled Halley’s death a tragic accident, but Elara is sure it was murder, and she’s going to make sure everyone knows this and notices her—even if it means putting herself in the killer’s sights. Or worse.

My Thoughts

At first glance, We Are Monsters might seem like a fairly straightforward psychological thriller: a university on Bodmin Moor, a dead sister, and a narrator convinced there is more to the story than everyone else wants to admit. But the deeper I got into this book, the more I realized M.J. Dyer was doing something far messier, sharper, and more unsettling.

The story follows Elara, the forgotten third “sister” in a family dominated by her cousins, identical twins Astrid and Halley. Astrid is loud, frightening, and impossible to ignore. Halley is soft, gentle, and beloved. And Elara? Elara has spent her life feeling invisible beside them. When Halley’s body is found on the moors, and her death is ruled an accident, Elara becomes convinced it was murder. And yes, part of her wants justice. But part of her also wants, maybe for the first time in her life, to be seen.

That’s what makes Elara such a compelling narrator. She is jealous, obsessive, wounded, and not always honest with herself or with us. She is unreliable, but not in a gimmicky way. Instead, her unreliability pulls you deeper into her unraveling world. You can feel how badly she wants to matter, how desperate she is to prove that something is wrong, and how tangled that desire becomes with grief, resentment, and old family wounds.

I loved how alive and human the characters felt. Nobody here is clean or simple. The “monsters” of the title are not necessarily obvious, external threats. Sometimes they are the things that grow inside us over time: jealousy, obsession, bitterness, the need to be loved better than we were.

The family dynamics were one of my favorite parts of the book. The setup alone is fascinating: identical twins, and then the extra sister, genetically just as much their sibling as they are each other, despite being their cousin (it’s a complicated, messy family), but emotionally always the third wheel. Elara’s place in the family feels painfully specific. She is not unloved in some obvious, dramatic way. Instead, she is compared, overshadowed, and diminished until invisibility becomes part of who she is. Or, at least, from her point of view.

There is also the weight of legacy and appearance. Outside the trio of sisters, the wider family bonds feel murky in a way that seems very intentional. It often feels like keeping up the appearance of being a family matters more than actually being one. Which, frankly, is its own kind of horror.

The setting is perfect. Bodmin Moor gives the whole book this oppressive, breathless quality. Whether the characters are inside the university or out on the moors, nothing ever feels safe. The darkness is not just outside. It seeps into the buildings, the family history, the relationships, and eventually Elara herself. The whole book feels like a net tightening.

I also really appreciated the representation. The chronic illness and disability rep, specifically Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, felt thoughtful and well-integrated. The asexuality rep was also strong. What I liked most is that these elements are not treated as the entire point of the story, but they are central to the characters. They feel lived in, not pasted on.

My only real hesitation is that, at times, the characters read younger than university students. I occasionally had to remind myself this was set at a university rather than a high school. It didn’t ruin the book for me, but it did create a little distance now and then.

Still, We Are Monsters really got under my skin. It’s tense, intimate, and unsettling, with messy sister dynamics, an oppressive setting, and a narrator you can’t quite trust but can’t look away from either.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers with complicated family relationships, unreliable narration, chronic unease, and a strong sister/twin focus, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

We Are Monsters is out today from Ineja Press.

Dark romantasy with enough steam to power public transit: Revenge and Ruin by Emily Colin

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I was so happy to be back in this world! Emily Colin is one of my favorite authors, and her Bone Moon series absolutely delivered on the romantasy front when I read it last year. And now the long-awaited sequel is here, and everything has been turned up more than a few notches. And I mean everything.

Blurb

Keep me like your darkest secrets…

Katerina Ivanova has done the unthinkable. She’s rescued her Shadow from the Underworld and struck a perilous bargain: six fleeting months with him in the world of the living before he must return to Sammael’s realm…and Elena’s cruel grasp. Katerina will stop at nothing to break Niko’s curse, banish the Darkness forever, and claim the future they’ve both bled for.

But Niko hasn’t come back unchanged. His curse has left its mark, granting him a power as dangerous as it is seductive. When he uses it to defend their village against the Dark Angel of War, the Elders brand him an abomination. Exiled alongside his Dimi, Niko wages a battle between the monster he fears he’s becoming and the woman whose love still anchors him to the Light. To save his soul, Niko and Katerina must defeat their enemies, outwit demons, and defy the curse that binds him…before the Darkness devours them all.

My thoughts

After the absolute chaos of Fate and Fury, Revenge and Ruin wastes no time throwing Katya and Niko right back into the fire. We pick up in the immediate aftermath of book one, with Katya fresh from dragging Niko out of the Underworld and the two of them already in the middle of battle, trying to save their village from a demon scourge. It is dramatic. It is stressful. It is exactly what I wanted.

And then, because apparently Iriska is determined to be the absolute worst, Katya and Niko are repaid for saving everyone by being exiled. Naturally. Niko is now considered an abomination since he’s basically the living dead, Katya is still basically the only person with a prayer of saving this place, and the ruling powers still somehow choose violence, denial, and public stupidity. Amazing. No notes. Actually, many notes. My main one being: Iriska does not deserve them.

That might be my biggest feeling coming out of this book. Katya and Niko are fighting tooth and nail to warn people about the real threat coming for them, and in return, they get insulted, beaten, imprisoned, judged, and generally treated like the problem. At a certain point, I stopped rooting for the system to improve and started rooting for the whole rotten structure to collapse. Katya, please go ahead and burn it down, honestly. Start over. Keep the friends.

And thank goodness for the friends, because the real heroes of this book, aside from Katya and Niko themselves, are the ride-or-die Dimis and Shadows who stand by them when literally everyone else is busy failing basic morality. Breaking them out of prison, following them into danger, backing their love and their innocence when the rest of the world has apparently lost its collective mind. Incredible. Ten out of ten friendships. The only people in Iriska I trust.

Katya and Niko themselves remain the heart of this series. Their bond still works so well because it has weight to it. This is not just yearning for yearning’s sake. They have bled for each other. Crossed realms for each other. Defied prophecy, power, and common sense for each other. Niko’s struggle in this book, especially with the darkness that now lives inside him, gives the romance a sharper edge. He is terrified of becoming something monstrous, and Katya is still there, still choosing him, still anchoring him to whatever light remains. It’s tortured. It’s intense.

Also, the heat level has definitely been turned up in this one. As your local ace reviewer, I will say it is not exactly my personal catnip, but if this is your thing, you are in for a treat. There is enough steam in this book to power a small rail network. Choo choo, everyone.

But honestly? My favorite chapters may have belonged to the villains. Sammael and Galadreel are having the kind of snarling, exhausted, sarcastic villain dynamic that I will eat up every single time. They are both so over everyone’s nonsense, especially each other’s, and their POVs add this delicious layer of menace and sass to the story.

And Elena? Completely unhinged. Fully off the rails. Her obsession with Niko continues to scale new and honestly impressive heights. She does not need therapy anymore; she needs an exorcism. Every time she appeared, I was delighted and appalled.

What I continue to love about this series is that it understands the appeal of dark romantasy while still keeping the emotional stakes front and center. Yes, there are curses and demons and sexy danger and all the good stuff, but underneath that, there’s a real beating heart. These characters are constantly being asked what they are willing to become for love, for survival, for freedom. And sometimes the answer is not pretty.

Then there’s that ending! Absolutely wild. Excellent cliffhanger. Just enough satisfaction to make the book feel complete, and just enough chaos to leave me staring at the wall and needing book three immediately. Thankfully, the wait is not too cruel, because the final book is coming this fall. (We will survive. Probably.)

If you liked Fate and Fury, this sequel absolutely delivers. It’s darker, hotter, meaner, and somehow even more emotionally intense. And if you haven’t started the series yet, this is your sign. Especially because book one is free until March 31. Get it here!

If you love forbidden romance, demon-infested stakes, loyal found family, villain POVs with attitude, and a world that frankly does not deserve its protagonists, you need the Bone Moon trilogy in your life!

Why Hollywood Hookup Is the Cozy Romance You Need Right Now

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Last year, I absolutely fell in love with Celebrity Crush. It was one of those romances that felt like pure joy in book form. So when Christy Swift hinted that we might return to that world and those characters, I was thrilled.

And now, almost exactly one year later… here we are. Back in the glittery, chaotic, surprisingly heartfelt world of Hollywood romance, and I could not be happier about it!

Blurb

A former movie star is thrust back into the celebrity life where she finds herself competing for a date with her longtime crush in this funny and heartwarming rom-com about second chances and rediscovering your true self.

Once a teenage TV star, she’s reinvented her life. Now her very public celebrity crush has put her back in the spotlight.

Josie Days has worked hard to forget who she used to be. Once upon a time, she was one of Mexico’s favorite bilingual teen stars—until one disastrous decision ruined her budding career. These days, Josie’s happy to keep things very off-camera as a makeup artist. That is until her best friend ropes her into a charity game show where the prize is a date with her forever celebrity crush: impossibly charming Irish “It” boy Sean O’Sullivan.

Josie has no interest in winning. In fact, she’s trying to lose—and fast. But Sean is interested in more than a game. The problem? Josie isn’t who he thinks she is. And when the cameras start rolling and her past is exposed, she’ll have to decide if she’s ready for the spotlight again—or if her second act never should have started.

My Thoughts

One of the absolute joys of this book was getting to revisit characters from Celebrity Crush. Seeing Emmy, Jason, and Peyton living their happily-ever-after felt like catching up with old friends. It made the world feel bigger, warmer, and more lived in. And I loved that Swift doesn’t just give us a cameo, she gives us a whole sense of continuity. This is a romance universe that remembers itself.

But Hollywood Hookup also raises the stakes. Josie is not just dealing with awkward fame or romantic chaos. She is protecting a secret that could genuinely destroy her life. Worse, her family’s lives. Swift does something really clever here: the secret is both absurd and completely serious, which mirrors real life in a way that worked incredibly well for me.

Josie herself is such a compelling heroine. She has spent years hiding huge parts of who she is to protect the people she loves, and I really appreciated how specific her background is. Josie’s Mexican-American upbringing feels present on the page, from her family dynamics to the way she’s had to code-switch through life. Her childhood stardom came from a show she did with her stepsister, where they taught bilingual kids English and Spanish, which is such a fresh detail. I loved it! It makes her “former child star” history feel distinct rather than generic Hollywood fluff. Watching her navigate when to stay small and when to take bold, terrifying risks was genuinely inspiring. She is absolutely one of those characters who makes you think, I wish I had her guts.

Josie’s relationship to fame is also handled brilliantly. She spent years hiding her identity in Florida, where she met Emmy (our heroine from the last book). When Emmy married Jason at the end of Celebrity Crush, she invited Josie to come to Hollywood and helped her get a job as a makeup artist on the Lost Stars set (And yes, I’m still obsessed with this musical, dancing, Star Trek-adjacent show that I ABSOLUTELY NEED to be real.) Josie is both desperate to finally be herself and terrified of being recognized, and that tension gives the book a constant hum of anxiety underneath the sparkle. Also: I love her and Emmy’s friendship <3.

Then there is Sean. On paper, he is the charming Irish movie star. But behind closed doors, he is a full-blown cosplay nerd with a sewing room and a borderline criminal level obsession with Hamilton (did the author write him for me?). I adored him. He is warm, funny, vulnerable, and completely believable as someone who has his own parts of himself he feels he has to hide.

And their chemistry? I finally understand why people call romances delicious. These are two people who clearly like each other and make each other better. Watching them try to keep distance between themselves is almost physically painful in that rom-com way.

This series is absolute candy, and I mean that as the highest possible compliment. It is wish-fulfillment romance done right. The characters are so lovable, the emotional beats so sincere, that I was more than happy to suspend disbelief and just enjoy the ride. It is funny; it is romantic; it is light when it needs to be, and it can absolutely land an emotional punch when it wants to (yes, there were tears). On top of all this, it tackles some pretty intense themes (I won’t list them for fear of spoiling them) in a serious way, making the characters all the more human.

Also, bonus: Emmy is pregnant, and the baby-related hijinks are fun and over the top and everything you could possibly want to Emmy, Peyton, and Jason.

Hollywood Hookup is everything I want from a modern rom-com novel. It is joyful, comforting, a little chaotic, and full of characters you genuinely want to see happy. If you loved Celebrity Crush, you are going to have such a good time returning to this world. And if you are new to the series, this is still an incredibly fun place to jump in.

Highly, highly recommended.

And best of all: Hollywood Hookup is out today!

Knives Out Meets The Secret Garden: Hazelthorn by C.G. Drews

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I’m officially obsessed with C.G. Drews’s brand of environmental/forest horror. There’s just something intoxicating about the way she blends lush, lyrical writing with creeping dread and botanical menace. Hazelthorn feels like it’s set in the same eerie world as Don’t Let the Forest In (or maybe dreamed up by Andrew and Thomas), but it never feels like a repeat. Instead, it’s as though Drews knows exactly what we loved from her last book and has turned the dial up even higher.

Blurb

Evander has lived like a ghost in the forgotten corners of the Hazelthorn estate ever since he was taken in by his reclusive billionaire guardian, Byron Lennox-Hall, when he was a child. For his safety, Evander has been given three ironclad rules to follow:

He can never leave the estate. He can never go into the gardens. And most importantly, he can never again be left alone with Byron’s charming, underachieving grandson, Laurie.

That last rule has been in place ever since Laurie tried to kill Evander seven years ago, and yet somehow Evander is still obsessed with him.

When Byron suddenly dies, Evander inherits Hazelthorn’s immense gothic mansion and acres of sprawling grounds, along with the entirety of the Lennox-Hall family’s vast wealth. But Evander’s sure his guardian was murdered, and Laurie may be the only one who can help him find the killer before they come for Evander next.

Perhaps even more concerning is how the overgrown garden is refusing to stay behind its walls, slipping its vines and spores deeper into the house with each passing day. As the family’s dark secrets unravel alongside the growing horror of their terribly alive, bloodthirsty garden, Evander needs to find out what he’s really inheriting before the garden demands to be fed once more.

My Thoughts

The book opens with a classic hook: Byron Lennox-Hall is dead, and his ward Evander suspects foul play. It’s the perfect setup for a gothic murder mystery… except that’s just the bait. The real danger comes from the sprawling Hazelthorn estate itself: more specifically, the overgrown, bloodthirsty garden that refuses to stay outside. Before long, murder takes a backseat to something stranger and far more unsettling. Imagine Knives Out meets The Secret Garden meets botanical body horror, with spores and vines slipping under doors and into your lungs.

At the center are two boys who are as frustrating as they are compelling. Evander tested my patience early on: passive, withdrawn, and almost too resigned to his gilded cage. But as the story unfolded, I grew to understand his hesitations. And Laurie? My poor cinnamon roll. He’s going through it, but he’s magnetic and impossible not to love. I wish I knew more about who he was like in the outside world, but it almost feels as if nothing exists outside of the Hazelthorn estate. Drews captures that push-pull between craving control and drowning in self-hatred with a raw, unsettling honesty.

None of the characters’ choices made sense at first, but that’s part of the magic. Slowly, their motivations snap into place, and by the time I realized I’d been hooked, it was too late to put the book down. Surprisingly, there’s also a thread of delicious, seething feminine rage woven into this story about gay boys… and maybe that’s just my read on it, but it gives the book an added bite I didn’t expect.

Hazelthorn is, at its roots, a YA horromance (yes, horror + romance) about inheritance, secrets, and the monstrous beauty of nature unleashed. And C.G. Drews proves once again that nobody does creeping, vine-twisting, soul-crushing atmosphere quite like she does.

Verdict: If you like your gothic horror strange, gorgeous, and tinged with romance, you’re going to want to wander into this garden… just watch your step.

Out Oct 28, 2025

I love you, bro — The Broposal by Sonora Reyes

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I’ve been in a bit of a writing slump lately thanks to (imagine me gesturing wildly around) life. I actually read this book over a month ago, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. And with the current U.S. leadership making it abundantly clear that foreigners are not welcome on their soil, this story feels more timely—and more necessary—than ever. I missed the book’s publishing date (Jan. 21), and I’m a little ashamed of that, because I really want this one to find its readers and get the success it deserves. So today, let me tell you about… a romance. Well, a bromance.

Blurb

It’s about time roommates Alejandro and Kenny get married. Or at least, that’s what all their close friends and family think when they announce their engagement. The kicker? The two are faking their whole relationship so Alejandro can get a green card. But if Han was going to marry anyone, it would be his ride or die since second grade.

Han has never been able to put down roots, and the only one who truly breaks through his walls is Kenny. Sweet, sensitive Kenny is newly single, and what better distraction from his soul-sucking relationship than proposing marriage to Han? Kenny can’t think of anything more fun than spending his life with his best friend, even if it’s just for a piece of paper. But as Kenny keeps up the charade, he’s soon struggling to resist their sizzling chemistry.

The line between fact and fiction begins to blur the closer they get to their wedding date. With all eyes on Han and Kenny—including a meddling ex and immigration officers—will these two bros make it down the altar for real?

My Thoughts

I loved this book.

On the surface, The Broposal is a fake-dating, best-friends-to-lovers romcom—sweet, funny, and full of swoony moments. But underneath the swoons and slow-burn chemistry, this book also explores the very real fear and hardship of being undocumented in the U.S.—making it one of the most emotionally resonant romances I’ve read in a long time.

As an immigrant myself—an American who’s never lived in the U.S.—I’m painfully familiar with the bureaucratic nightmares that come with trying to stay legal. I’ve had applications lost, had to rely on family for fees, and even turned down job opportunities because they might jeopardize my status. I’ve been in rooms where people complain about “foreigners getting free handouts” without realizing I’m one of those very people (though, where those handouts are hiding, I’d love to know). And still, I recognize the immense privilege I have—legality, support, and even the invisibility granted by my skin color.

The Broposal put that into perspective. Han is a young undocumented immigrant who’s built a life in the U.S. but lives every day under the weight of fear and restriction. The story doesn’t shy away from the consequences of that reality: the exploitation, the lack of medical access, the quiet terror of being found out. The paradox of wanting, needing to be legal, and not having the resources to do so because you’re not. It’s powerful. It’s real. And it’s a stark reminder that the right to live a life of dignity should not be up for debate.

And yet, against this backdrop, we have the most wholesome, perfect romance between Han and Kenny.

Best friends since second grade, their bond is so warm and full of mutual care that it’s no wonder everyone around them assumes they’re already in love. We all see it! Right away! Their friendship is beautiful on its own, and while I’d love to see more representations of strong, platonic male friendships in fiction, I couldn’t help but cheer when they started to realize what everyone else already knew: they’re soulmates.

The chemistry? Off the charts. The emotional depth? Devastating in the best way. It also features one of the most heartbreaking explicit sex scenes you will ever read, so prepare yourself emotionally.

Another highlight: the book thoughtfully includes the experience of emotional abuse from a female partner—something rarely depicted in romance, especially from a male perspective. Kenny’s past relationship is handled with nuance and care, and it adds even more complexity to his emotional journey.

I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it. Having two narrators—one for Han and one for Kenny—was such a gift. It’s still way too rare in audiobooks where both POVs are the same gender, and it made these characters feel even more alive.

In short: The Broposal is more than just a romance. It’s a story about identity, safety, love, and the messy beauty of realizing you’ve had everything you needed all along. It’s timely. It’s tender. It’s so worth reading.

If you’re in the U.S. right now and going through this—if you’re undocumented, on a visa, waiting for your paperwork, or living in fear of what might come next—please know: the outside world is watching. Many of us see what’s happening, and we care deeply. You deserve safety, dignity, and the freedom to live without fear. You shouldn’t have to prove your worthiness to exist.

If you’re looking for support, here are some resources that may help:

United We Dream (https://unitedwedream.org) – the largest immigrant youth-led community in the U.S., offering resources, advocacy, and community support.

Immigration Equality (https://immigrationequality.org) – especially for LGBTQ+ immigrants, they offer legal assistance and know-how.

RAICES (https://www.raicestexas.org) – provides legal and social services to immigrants and refugees, particularly in Texas but with national reach.

National Immigration Law Center (https://nilc.org) – a long-standing advocacy group working to defend and advance the rights of low-income immigrants.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone. Please reach out to trusted people, advocacy groups, or mental health professionals when you can. And if reading stories like The Broposal helps you feel seen or even just momentarily lighter—you’re not wrong to reach for that, too.

We see you. We care. And we’re not giving up on a more just world.

Thank God and Tom Hanks — Celebrity Crush by Christy Swift

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I promised I’d be back, and for once, I’m on time! I’m so thrilled this week to bring you another exceptional romance novel — one that manages to sneak sci-fi quotes and references into a contemporary story (you know I’m a sucker for that!).

Summary

A romance writer’s wildest dreams—the bestseller list, a movie deal, and a date with the real-life inspiration for her Hollywood hero—are all within her grasp if only she can hold it all together.    

Author Emmy Ellison is a sucker for a page-turning happy ending, but she’s no longer counting on one for herself. If she stays focused on her career goals instead of her love life, she just might find success. And now that her latest novel is about to become a movie, she’s determined to become the latest social media sensation.

When her secret celebrity crush (the real-life inspiration for her romantic hero) accepts the starring role in the big-screen adaptation of her book, she’s determined to team up with a fake dating scheme—now that he’s in need of some good PR of his own. Ideally, she can ride the wave of popularity all the way to the top of the bestseller lists. But when the harsh spotlight of fame exposes the truth, will they try to turn their on-camera chemistry into a real-life relationship?

What happens when your biggest celebrity crush stars in the movie adaptation of your book—and you start catching real feelings?

My Thoughts

Emmy Ellison is living the ultimate author fantasy. Her novel, Hashtag, CelebrityCrush, goes viral after the internet speculates which real-life celebrity inspired her leading man. Cue an even bigger dream come true—her book gets a movie deal, and none other than Jason Harlow, the actual muse behind her fictional Hollywood hero, signs on for the role. Suddenly Emmy’s at fancy Hollywood parties as her book skyrockets to the top of the bestseller list. What could possibly go wrong?

Well… emotions, for starters! When the lines between fiction and reality blur, and Emmy and Jason start falling for each other for real, the pressures of Hollywood, social media, and their own pasts make it nearly impossible to tell what’s genuine and what’s scripted.

The moment this book dropped a Star Trek reference in the first line, I knew I was in for a treat. If you’ve ever been obsessed with a sci-fi series and the leading actors who bring those characters to life (cough David Tennant’s hair cough), then this book is for you. And even if sci-fi isn’t your thing, don’t worry—the references are balanced enough that non-nerds will still absolutely love it. Also, can we talk about Lost Star Dance Troupe Saves the Universe? I need this to be a real show immediately. Imagine Firefly but with a ridiculously attractive cast and dance numbers? Get a producer on the line STAT!

But what makes Celebrity Crush truly shine is how authentic the characters feel. Emmy is more than just a dreamy, starstruck romance writer—she’s a single mom working tirelessly to build the life she and her daughter deserve. Jason, meanwhile, is a single dad trying to make the right choices for his son while navigating the exhausting world of fame. Their chemistry is undeniable, but what really makes their love story hit home is how real it feels. They’re both navigating the pressure of public life, surrounded by people who constantly push them to use each other for their own gain. In a world of PR-driven relationships and social media scrutiny, trusting your heart isn’t easy. Their slow-burn connection—full of longing, hesitation, and genuine tenderness—makes you root for them at every turn. Just two people searching for something authentic in a world built on illusion.

Something I thought was pretty brilliant was the mise en abyme —or to avoid using a French term I can’t properly translate, Celebrity-Crush-Ception. The book is about Emmy’s celebrity crush, who plays the character based on himself in the movie adaptation of her book, #CelebrityCrush. So clever!

Just when you think you know where the story is going, Swift throws in a curveball that completely upends your expectations. The pacing is spot-on, with just the right balance of romantic tension, humor, and jaw-dropping surprises. Every time I thought I had the story figured out, something unexpected happened—and I loved it. The HEA is so satisfying, and I was grinning from ear to ear by the final chapters. While the leaked photo scandal wrapped up a little too quickly for my liking, that’s just a minor nitpick.

Also: I listened to the audiobook, and the dual narration really elevated the story. Having separate narrators for Emmy and Jason brought both perspectives to life, and the snippets of celebrity news, gossip blogs, and interviews were hilariously well done. The over-the-top Hollywood personalities were chef’s kiss perfect.

Celebrity Crush is the kind of book that gives you all the warm, fuzzy, heart-fluttering feelings. It’s fun, clever, and packed with swoon-worthy moments—plus, the fake dating trope is executed so well. The side characters are also fantastic (I need a Val in my life—when will my royalties start rolling in so I can afford a professional stylist?). If you’re looking for a romance that’s equal parts smart, sexy, and full of heart, this is it. And if it’s a little wish-fulfill-y? So what! That’s exactly what I needed. Highly recommended for fans of Hollywood romances and sci-fi-loving heroines who finally get their happily-ever-after.

Pub Date Feb 11 2025

Cursed in Love by Emily Colin — and Sweet Purple Ponies, has it been that long?

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Heya, dear readers. Did you miss me?

I hopped on the blog to write up this review and… when I saw the date of my last post… well, I cringed. Or did a bit more than cringe. Because when it’s been a whole YEAR since I promised a new post, well, I don’t particularly know what to think. Suffice to say that 2024 was a YEAR. 2025 is promising to be one too, but hey, there are some great books coming out, and I’ll try to tell you all about them. Starting this week with Emily Colin’s latest novel, Cursed in Love!

Blurb

Stars Hollow meets Charmed in this darkly funny, small-town paranormal romcom… Love doesn’t get much more forbidden than this.

In the quirky, tight-knit town of Sapphire Springs, beloved for its chocolate-caramel milkshakes and spicy senior citizens’ book club, Rune Whitlock has always felt like an outsider. Gifted with the ability to see the future but cursed to have no one believe her premonitions, she’s accepted that romance isn’t in the cards. She’s got a cozy cottage, a fulfilling graphic design career, a loyal best friend, and Valentine—the sweet rescue kitty who is definitely not her familiar. So what if she’s sometimes lonely?

But everything changes when she meets Donovan Frost. A brilliant, brooding data engineer, Donovan is everything Rune is not: methodical, reserved, logical. He’s also grumpy, judgmental, and 5-chili-peppers hot. Thrown together on a mysterious work project, the two clash spectacularly—until an unexpected connection ignites between them.

Then, Rune’s gift reveals a chilling truth: they are destined for each other, but their love story is doomed to end in tragedy on their wedding day. To protect Donovan, Rune must push him away, even if it breaks her heart. But the harder she tries, the more entangled they become. As dark forces conspire against them and secrets come to light, Rune must unravel the mystery of her curse…before it’s too late.

✨A woman who’s cursed to see the future but never have anyone believe her premonitions falls in love with a man who’s destined to die on their wedding day. ✨

Sweet Purple Ponies! When I picked up Cursed in Love, I was expecting a cozy romcom with a dash of magic, but Emily Colin delivered so much more. While the book is packed with charm, humor, and swoon-worthy romance, it also has serious stakes and emotional depth that completely took me by surprise. Rune’s backstory is tough—there’s real pain and loss behind her quirky exterior—and the content warnings are definitely there for a reason. These moments, however, never detract from the magic of the story. Instead, they make Rune’s journey feel that much more powerful and real. So expect more of a paranormal romance set in a rom-com world.

Rune Whitlock is the kind of protagonist you can’t help but root for: quirky, fiercely independent, and delightfully awkward in all the right ways. But in Sapphire Springs—a town where the gossip blogs are practically Big Brother-level invasive—Rune can’t so much as slip without the whole town knowing. (Honestly, I could never live there. Rune deserves a medal for surviving it!) Her curse, the ability to see the future but never be believed, is fascinating and perfectly integrated into the plot. It shapes her relationships, her choices, and the quiet loneliness that defines so much of her life.

And then there’s Donovan Frost. Let me just say this: if you’ve ever wanted Henry Cavill as a grumpy data engineer with a spreadsheet obsession (turns out, that’s kinda my type), you’re in for a treat. Rune and Donovan’s chemistry practically jumps off the page—it’s that good. Their dynamic is a delightful mix of opposites attracting, with Rune’s messy, magical unpredictability clashing with Donovan’s buttoned-up, logical approach to life. Yet beneath the surface, they share a connection that feels both inevitable and electric. No wonder the town is shipping them so hard! And speaking of the town, I adore the Sinsters (the senior women’s romantasy book club). They might be a little obsessed with social media gossip, but Hot Yoga Grandma makes up for it.

What really sets Cursed in Love apart, though, is how it constantly keeps you guessing. Just when I thought I had the story figured out, Colin threw in a twist that had me gasping out loud. The way all the threads come together at the end? Absolutely brilliant.

As someone who’s loved Emily Colin’s romantasy (The Sword of the Seven Sins trilogy, Fate and Fury), I was curious to see how her signature style would translate to a contemporary setting. Let me tell you—she nailed it. This book has all her trademarks: magical curses, badass female leads, heart-pounding twists, and those beautiful moments of self-discovery. It’s like she took the essence of romantasy and seamlessly wove it into a small-town paranormal romcom. She may just be the queen of forbidden love.

Cursed in Love truly has it all: romance, magic, high stakes, low stakes, and a heartfelt story about a woman learning to come into her own power—all while falling for her grumpy, reluctant coworker. If you’re a fan of Charmed, quirky small towns, or love stories that make you laugh, cry, and believe in magic, then you’re going to love this book.

Pub Date Feb 14 2025 from Black Orchid Books

An Island Strange and Wild: The Secret Garden of your deepest dreams

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Hello, dear readers! I’m so excited about today’s review, as this is a book I’ve had the privilege of watching come together over the past few years. Lisa Amowitz has crafted a Secret Garden retelling that speaks to the deepest part of me, weaving science and magic into a beautiful work of art, like slipping into a Monet painting and watching every plant come to life.

Blurb

Devastated by the freak death of her fellow climate activist and best friend/secret crush Tyler, eighteen-year-old science geek Rosalie Gatell decides to ditch her prestigious summer study abroad and escape to the place of his birth, which happens to be an endangered and uncharted island off the coast of Maine.

Once there, Rosalie discovers a shocking truth about her past…and that what troubles this island goes far beyond the laws of nature. Even with a vanishing walled garden, a miraculous healing plant with a mind of its own, an unknown aunt trapped in a tree, nothing confounds Rosalie as much as the enigmatic Liam, a reckless and beautiful island boy with a supernatural green thumb. Rosalie believes she may have found salvation in this island wonderland—and a path to completing Tyler’s climate work.

But as her attraction to Liam grows, she’s confronted by myths and legends about her family’s origins that forces her to reconcile science and magic in order to save the island, and everyone on it, from an ancient evil. To do so, Rosalie will have to rely on her own power, instead of logic or science, if she is to free Liam from his curse while keeping the evil from consuming her and everyone else she’s ever loved.

My Thoughts

I adored this highly atmospheric read! A mesmerizing tale that captures the heart with its atmospheric storytelling and enchanting worldbuilding. Amowitz takes us on a journey with Rosalie, a young woman reeling from personal tragedy, as she discovers the wonders and secrets of an endangered island off the coast of Maine.

The novel is a beautiful homage to “The Secret Garden,” reimagined with a modern twist and an infusion of fantasy elements that breathe life into the story. With it being one of my favorite books as a child (along with the BBC adaptation, which had me searching for secret gates in hedges for years), I was excited for this retelling, and it did not let me down. The author’s worldbuilding is exquisite, both in its complexity and in the beauty of what she’s created: the plants burst off the page, blooming to life and taking root in your mind.

At the heart of this narrative is Rosalie, a young woman grappling with personal loss. Her character is a masterful blend of intelligence, resilience, and vulnerability. As she uncovers the mysteries of her past and the island’s secrets, we see her grow and find her own power. Rosalie’s journey is a compelling exploration of grief, identity, and strength.

The book weaves together elements of romance, magic, and the supernatural, yet it never loses its grip on the real emotional stakes at play. The ethical dilemmas and the struggle between science and magic add layers of depth to the story, making it thought-provoking as well as captivating.

An Island Strange and Wild is a testament to the power of storytelling. It’s a book that doesn’t just tell a story; it takes you on a journey. The blend of enchanting narrative, rich worldbuilding, and complex characters make it a must-read. It’s a book that reminds us why we fall in love with stories in the first place and the transformative power they hold.

Lisa Amowitz has crafted a tale that resonates long after the last page is turned, making An Island Strange and Wild an unforgettable addition to any book lover’s collection.

Expected publication February 20, 2024

Detective Work in Jupiter’s Orbit: The Imposition of Unnecessary Obstacles

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Have you ever longed for a journey that combines the intellectual rigor of a scholarly puzzle with the thrill of space opera? Look no further! The Imposition of Unnecessary Obstacles by Malka Older landed on my reading list like an unexpected comet, whisking me away on an interstellar adventure filled with intrigue and wonder. Join me as I reunite with Investigator Mossa and Scholar Pleiti, navigating the vast expanses of Jupiter’s settlements and the intricate corridors of human complexity.

Blurb

Investigator Mossa and Scholar Pleiti reunite to solve a new mystery in the follow-up to the cozy space-opera detective mystery The Mimicking of Known Successes, which Hugo Award-winning author Charlie Jane Anders called “an utter triumph.”

Mossa has returned to Valdegeld on a missing person’s case, for which she’ll once again need Pleiti’s insight. Seventeen students and staff members have disappeared from Valdegeld University—yet no one has noticed. The answers to this case may lie on the moon of Io—Mossa’s home—and the history of Jupiter’s original settlements during humanity’s exodus from Earth.

But Pleiti’s faith in her life’s work as a scholar of the past has grown precarious, and this new case threatens to further destabilize her dreams for humanity’s future, as well as her own.

My thoughts

Returning to the world of Mossa and Pleiti was like a reunion with old university friends—familiar yet full of surprises. Malka Older’s vision of life on Jupiter is an absolute treat, crafting worlds both vast and intricately detailed. The day-to-day peculiarities of Jupiter’s settlements—the railcars, the interplay of the moons, and the reconstructed diurnal rhythms—illustrate Older’s extraordinary skill in world-building.

This sequel poses an intriguing question: Why do we complicate our lives in the pursuit of simplicity? It’s a contemplative thread that weaves through the narrative, prodding us to examine our own convoluted paths to ‘better’ living. The Holmesian overlay in this installment is more pronounced, teetering on the edge of pastiche at times. While it’s a charming nod to the detective genre, it occasionally distracted from the novel’s own original voice—something I savored in the first book.

Nevertheless, the journey was worth the ride. Older’s blend of brain puzzles and cosmic exploration is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. And though the detective homage is strong, the heart of the story—questioning our self-imposed complexities—resonates profoundly.

For those who fancy a cerebral jaunt across space with a dash of detective flair, The Imposition of Unnecessary Obstacles is a worthy expedition. Just be prepared for the occasional echo of deerstalker caps amidst the stars. I wonder how I didn’t notice how Sherlockian their dialogue was before: did I miss it in the first book, or is it just more extreme here?

As I closed the book, I was left with a sense of fulfillment and curiosity. Malka Older has once again proven her ability to entangle the cosmic and the personal, making us ponder the universe’s mysteries and our place within it. So, if you’re ready to embark on a journey that’s as introspective as it is interstellar, grab your space gear and dive into “The Imposition of Unnecessary Obstacles”. Let’s unravel the universe’s puzzles together!

Expected Publication Date 13 Feb 2024 from Tor Publishing Group, TorDotCom